“Green Schools” Legislation Deserves an “F”

The Goldwater Institute ^ | June 10, 2008 | Dan Lips

[dcarey]

Every 26 seconds, a student drops out of high school in the United States. National test scores reveal that half of all low-income fourth graders cannot read. Given such alarming statistics, you’d think that helping at-risk kids would be the top education-related priority on Capitol Hill.

Apparently not. As far as Congress is concerned, the real problem with public education in America is that it’s not environmentally friendly enough.

Last Wednesday, the House passed the “21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.” The Congressional Budget Office projects the program would cost $20.3 billion over five years.

For years, the “under-funding” of No Child Left Behind has been blamed for many problems in American education. But instead of focusing on hiring more teachers or giving more money to high-poverty schools, the House chose to invest in building environmentally friendly schools.

Of course, the Green Schools legislation isn’t actually meant to improve education. The real purpose is to expand federal power, and give Congress more control over decisions once left to those at the local level. Anyone listening to the floor debate over H.R. 3021 might have thought they were watching a school-board meeting. Fixing the plumbing in your local public school shouldn’t be a congressional concern.

Fortunately, President Bush is expected to veto the legislation if it reaches his desk, and Senate action is unlikely. So Americans shouldn’t expect to see any federally mandated “green” schools soon. But it should serve as a preview of what Congress is planning for education. It may earn an “A” from some interest groups, but it deserves an “F” from parents and taxpayers.

[goldstategop]

Yep environmentalism is the new socialism. Liberals have figured out the way to expand government and raise taxes is to call it "Green." And they rake in the bucks.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[CindyDawg]

How about a C. An F is so bad for their self esteem. They might give up and not bother to try again....hmmm...on second thought ...maybe a zero?

[ExTexasRedhead]

A NATION AT RISK

http://www.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk/risk.html

The Childrens’ Story by James Clavell

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/llefler/clavell.htm

The government has known since the 1980’s that our public schools were graduating uneducated students thanks to the NEA and LBJ. The NEA has been brainwashing America’s students and turning them into dedicated Marxist/Liberals for decades. NEA curriculum would have made Joseph Goebbels proud.

[NeilGus]

Maybe this will allow my kids to see “An Inconvenient Truth” another time. As it is they only get to see it 6 or so times A YEAR (different classes).

Hey, I have an idea, why not teach RRR.

[wbill]

I'd give them a 'Big Red Frowny Face'.

It must be nice to pass laws that you don't need to fund or enforce. Nice to see our president finally pulling out the Veto Pen.

[rottndog]

Notice the biggest omission in the article...the fact that there is NO authority under the constitution for federal involvement in education.

[steelyourfaith]

 

Calculate your one-day Carbon Belch !

[SteamShovel]

21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act

I don't know what is specifically in this bill, but I'd bet that these schools would have to be.....

LEED Certified (a $ collecting shakedown BS program that gives the school a plaque to hang and be proud of)

I know some schools are now looking to "go green" with Flushless Urinals. I think I'd pass on those. These green freaks are literally setting us back to outhouse type building features.

[wintertime]

ping