Government reforms not viable for rural schools?

This article on one of my favorite websites, the Daily Yonder, does a great job of outlining some of the core issues surrounding public schools in rural areas, and how the federal government is encouraging reform on a national scale that just doesn’t take rural school systems into account. Rural Schools Lose Race To The Top.

Public schools in areas with low populations are usually the only avenue most kids have to education. Resources are already stretched thin for many of these schools. The federal government needs to consider how to make this system better rather than removing funding from poorly funded schools that service large rural areas.

Big Changes for Big 12/Big Ten

Check out the coverage here.

Top rural students not going to prestigious universities?

As one of the only students from my high school to EVER attend a school outside the Great Plains let alone the East Coast, I definitely believe that there is a problem in the disparity between the number of urban and suburban students who attend top tier universities and the number of rural students. Most of my classmates at NYU were from suburban and urban areas; I was a cultural oddity within the university and I never forgot it.

I think it would do top tier universities well to recruit more students from rural areas, and it would do rural educators well to encourage students to attend top tier universities. There is a lot the universities and students could learn from each other.

Check out the article about a study done on the subject by the University of Michigan in the Daily Yonder.

As one quote in the story points out, there is definitely a lack of understanding between universities and rural students:

“It was the polite but clueless contempt for my way of life that made me uncomfortable at Yale. Classmates and faculty who invested great effort in the study of third world societies knew nothing about America. I put up with it because the resources and contacts made available to students there were superb.”

I, for one, have to say I agree.

SUH!

Ndamukong Suh was picked second in the NFL Draft on Thursday and will be playing with the Detroit Lions! Congratulations and look out NFL teams, the Lions have a beast on their hands!

Check out the article about Suh on the Big Red Network.

NPR Compares Nebraska and Kansas Pension Plans

Even though there are a lot of similarities between Nebraska and Kansas, their pension programs are very different. NPR discusses why the Kansas program isn’t working and why Nebraska’s is. Check out the story.

The cult of the Oracle of Omaha

A friend of mine told me about this article in the January issue of Harper’s Magazine. It details the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ meeting at the Qwest Center in Omaha that happens every December.

As a Nebraska native, the legend of Warren Buffett is one that I grew up with, but the fact that the richest man in the world lives a simple life in the same house in Dundee, Omaha still boggles my mind. There are signs in the airport using his face to advertise his Alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Signs of Berkshire Hathaway’s presence are all over downtown Omaha.

In a lot of ways, Nebraska’s economy wouldn’t exist without Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett.

The thing I enjoyed the most about this piece was the outsider’s view of Omaha, Nebraska, and everything that Warren Buffett has created. It’s a well written piece and a very intriguing story.

Illegal immigrant issue or pro-life issue?

Nebraksa Governor Dave Heineman has announced that he opposes a bill currently being discussed by the legislature that would fund prenatal care for pregnant women who are in the state illegally. He says it is because he doesn’t want to give any money to people who are in our country illegally. But many proponents of the bill point out that those babies will be American citizens even if their parents are not, and by denying prenatal care, the government would be creating more costs later by having to provide care to the children as they grow older. Even the Bishops of Nebraska are in favor of providing prenatal care to pregnant illegal immigrants because they say that if prenatal care is not offered, more mothers may turn to abortion.

It’s an interesting debate. I am definitely in favor of offering prenatal care because I believe it comes down to basic human rights, plus it could definitely save the government money in the long run. But it has been fascinating to read the comments on both sides of the issue. There are a large number of Nebraskans who are adamantly opposed to giving anything to illegal immigrants in all circumstances. I just don’t think it’s that easy, or that straightforward. Besides, those children born aren’t illegal immigrants. They are American citizens.

Farming is a dirty job…

…and as someone who was raised on a small farm in rural Nebraska and later moved to New York City, it is nice to read something that acknowledges that. I am always so taken aback by people in urban and suburban areas who’s perception of farming is completely off base.

I am particularly bothered by the people who think that organic farming is soooo much better and different than traditional farming. Not so. In order to make money farming, whether traditional or organic, a farm has to be run like a business, not like a fairy tale place with a garden and happy animals grazing in the backyard.

Thank you Kelley Snowden for pointing out how not “cute” farming really is.

0:01

One second it all it takes to prevent a total BCS upset. One kickoff not going out of bounds could change history.

My only question: With a game that close, does Texas really deserve to be facing Alabama in the National Championship?

Big XII Championship Tonight!

Alright Huskers, it’s time to get down to business. Tonight’s game against No. 3 Texas could mean a lot for the Huskers if they win. It would be the first time since 2002 that we would have BCS berth and maybe even be playing in the Fiesta Bowl. Ndomukong Suh could seriously be looking at a Heisman. Bo Pelini would prove that he’s the man to bring the Huskers back to the top.

But that’s only if we win…