My good friend Saskatoon Jen was interviewed on the CBC Saskatchewan's Morning Edition this morning, and did very well - the only problem was my sketchy audio connection over the internet that kept cutting out and reloading, but I was able to catch most of it. She now holds the title of "computer geek from Vancouver, currently living in Saskatoon", thanks to Ms. Sheila Coles. Good work Jen.
It's been a while since I've posted, but I couldn't resist after listening to the segment on blogging referred to above. It's been a rather insane five days. An all-day Arab World study session on Sunday was complimented by a snow storm which left Montreal with a foot of the fresh stuff. While my roommate took the opportunity to cash in on 100cm on fresh at Jay Peak on Monday, I had to miss out and write my Arab final. The good thing is that the studying payed off, as it did for Health Economics the next day.
These last three days before departure are proceeding at a rather glacial pace. Fortunately, the readings I never had a chance to get to for Topics in Economic Policy are proving to be very interesting, particularly the paper co-written by my professor, titled "Education and Smoking: Were Vietnam War Draft Avoiders Also More Likely to Avoid Smoking?", while others reveal that increases in school resources don't necessarily translate into better outcomes for students, measured by either standardized test scores or long-term earnings and educational attainment. As one author notes, funding for k-12 schools in the United States has increased at an annual rate of 3.5% since the early 1960s, with little quantitative improvement in test scores - in fact, they've been steadily declining. One explanation for this, however, could be the opening up of universities to a much larger body of students, a practice which inevitably decreases average test -scores as you're no longer restricting admission to the best of the best. Nonetheless, the results warrant serious attention by policymakers both in the United States and Canada, for better management of available resources seems to be the best way to improve long term outcomes. Well, there's that, and increasing teachers' salaries to keep up with those of alternative careers so that the decline in qualified teachers doesn't continue into the future. Think about it: most well-rounded student with strong academic credentials who would make great teachers at any level would most likely choose more lucrative professions either in the public service, academic world or corporate sector rather than go into teaching, despite its associated benefits including being able to shape the minds of tomorrow's generation.
The North Shore News hasn't published my letter-to-the-editor, and it's been over a week. What's the deal?
Touching down in NV on Saturday morning - just in time to do some last minute Christmas consuming, get a long-awaited day of skiing in at Whistler, and go to a Canucks game with Dad. Bring on the egg nog.
It's been a while since I've posted, but I couldn't resist after listening to the segment on blogging referred to above. It's been a rather insane five days. An all-day Arab World study session on Sunday was complimented by a snow storm which left Montreal with a foot of the fresh stuff. While my roommate took the opportunity to cash in on 100cm on fresh at Jay Peak on Monday, I had to miss out and write my Arab final. The good thing is that the studying payed off, as it did for Health Economics the next day.
These last three days before departure are proceeding at a rather glacial pace. Fortunately, the readings I never had a chance to get to for Topics in Economic Policy are proving to be very interesting, particularly the paper co-written by my professor, titled "Education and Smoking: Were Vietnam War Draft Avoiders Also More Likely to Avoid Smoking?", while others reveal that increases in school resources don't necessarily translate into better outcomes for students, measured by either standardized test scores or long-term earnings and educational attainment. As one author notes, funding for k-12 schools in the United States has increased at an annual rate of 3.5% since the early 1960s, with little quantitative improvement in test scores - in fact, they've been steadily declining. One explanation for this, however, could be the opening up of universities to a much larger body of students, a practice which inevitably decreases average test -scores as you're no longer restricting admission to the best of the best. Nonetheless, the results warrant serious attention by policymakers both in the United States and Canada, for better management of available resources seems to be the best way to improve long term outcomes. Well, there's that, and increasing teachers' salaries to keep up with those of alternative careers so that the decline in qualified teachers doesn't continue into the future. Think about it: most well-rounded student with strong academic credentials who would make great teachers at any level would most likely choose more lucrative professions either in the public service, academic world or corporate sector rather than go into teaching, despite its associated benefits including being able to shape the minds of tomorrow's generation.
The North Shore News hasn't published my letter-to-the-editor, and it's been over a week. What's the deal?
Touching down in NV on Saturday morning - just in time to do some last minute Christmas consuming, get a long-awaited day of skiing in at Whistler, and go to a Canucks game with Dad. Bring on the egg nog.
posted by Per at 9:56 a.m.
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