Less standardized tests > more standardized test

          I have a good friend from Finland and conversation is always interesting because no matter what somethings get lost in translation. There's a cool a mysterious way of talking about the differences of lifestyles and community, in fact I'm still freaking out about all their weird festivities and mayonnaise. Anyhow, one of the more fascinating and frustrating topics we sometimes get ourselves into is education. PUBLIC EDUCATION. The Finns are famous for and can go on about two things: Being extremely pale and having awesome education. The emphasis on the student and on personal development is upheld, homework and tests are like water in dessert, and the focus is on developing ideas and questions. Nothing like the tunnel vision we have in Texas, where we look for answers and little else.

          Public education. Something very important and inescapable in my life as I have spend pretty much forever in public school, attending college, and have a mother who works in an elementary school with autistic students. It's everywhere and every bit influentially powerful. Now that being said, I'm totally fed up with hearing how amazing and advanced other nations educational school systems are and dealing with how our own hot mess is funneling a majority of young people out who are masters of 'copy and paste' and information regurgitation. (Eww, I know, but that's what came to mind).

          So that's a big beef of mine, our hard core curriculum, lack of putting the children's best interest at hand, reliance on high stakes tests, and disregard for the big picture educationally. We need more well rounded people! There are better and more efficient ways to get many high quality students! So when I read this article in the Texas Tribune, it warmed my heart...just a little. This article is about the bill that was voted which eliminates a couple standardized test in primary and secondary school and makes some revisions possible. This will give a little breathing space for students as they take in subject material with out school boards breathing down their necks. Not perfect, but a nice move in the right direction.

Religion and Politics Alert!

          I'm all for moderation, but I'm in the same line of thinking as far as where our priorities stand as a state. The ability to exercise such great freedom is actually hindering different and imperative aspects of Texas, and it's worrisome how narrow minded we choose to be as a whole.
          Equal rights are such a hot topic right now and I feel like it's just the tip of the iceberg. With a great call for a great cause, I'm happy to see a shift in the overwhelming pool of conservatism. The status of Texas and it's conservatism pains me as I witness our politics and people react to an evolving world around us. We naively push away and frown upon very intimate social subjects with such irrelevant counter arguments.
          I'm a very tolerant person, and while I am biased through my atheism the concern I feel about the overwhelming religious influence is one that is genuinely for all Texans. The separation of church and state is a goal that I wish was widely shared or expressed in my state because then we could remove a very archaic and unnecessary filter when looking into our future and for what is best for all. This could account for better management of civil rights, education, and opportunities for many. Mrs. DeVilbiss raised a wonderful example of some true and rooted problems that we face and may be to close at times to see. Morals are subjective and rights should be attainable if logical and reasonable. 

When situations are going south, that's a sign to think of solutions

          Without sounding like some sort of weak brown-noser, my local government class is the cherriest  of all my courses this semester. There's something special about the campfire atmosphere and structure of the lectures lead by the interesting and involved people. Sure, it's 9am and the chairs don't recline but the laissez style and genuineness makes up for it. Also, something I've never experienced in any class before, but I feel REALLY guilty when my eyelids get heavy and I assume the 'head resting on desk' move every once in a while. Basically, this class is worth my time and and my thoughts.

          A couple of weeks ago a student in class made a presentation on the trouble state of planned parenthood. The ban on clinics affiliated with abortion providers and the end of state funding has placed much attention and stress on the future of this constructive and preventative program. Much was said on either side of the situation, but it made me think of how we can further strengthen Texans as far as sex education goes. Education is badass because of the influences it makes in our choices, with this I've come to the conclusion that Texas needs to offer a better quality and quantity of sexual education courses to our youths, providing a stronger impression of preventative care for the adolescents in a formative time in their lives.

          Texas is cool, but unfortunately it has one of the highest teen birthrates in the nation. Coming in at 46th in the United States, it's difficult to think of the future obstacles for this increasing trend in  demographic. The imperative and important choices that our youths are having to make for both themselves and their child's wellbeing must be thoroughly developed and informed. Unfortunately the majority of teens and young adults don't have the resources or means to properly provide for themselves. With an abundance of quality information about the consequences of sexual and social actions we can enforce a greater understanding of choices and responsibility that our youth can use as tools for their future.

          The reality is a bit overwhelming and worrisome, and with the current state of Texas' sex ed having a large emphasis on abstinence we need to start asking the right questions about how we are going to teach our youths about healthy lifestyles. What is the most effective way to educate our youth? How can the government help with this increasing trend? What teens need reliable sources of information and appropriate educational tools at appropriate ages. We need a better system that can be followed through out an educational carer to thwart disease and life altering decisions. If Planned Parenthood is to go down, and even if it doesn't, we need to start spending more money on beneficial comprehensive sex education.