Intense Immersion Period Planned For Summer Recess
California education officials set a high bar Wednesday for elected state officials: All California state legislators will be required to pass a standard test for efficiency in English at an 8th grade level in order to serve.
While the decision was applauded by voters throughout the state, political watchdog groups such as The Huffington Post, DailyKos and SanJoseInside have warned that the expectations may be too high.
“Although we understand that a working knowledge of English is the key to elevated debate, intelligent legislation and, basically, all communication, it is not necessarily a requisite tool which our political leaders need, especially at the 8th grade level,” admitted state schools Superintendent Jack O’Connell.
The Journal of Political Measurement estimates that 35 percent of our elected officials read and write at a 5th grade level and another 20 percent comprehend reading at a 7th grade level. Furthermore, only 12 percent of the legislators can identify the location of the California State Capitol on a map.
A subcommittee of a splinter group formed as the adjunct for the Committee to Rid Politics of Inherent Idiocy has sponsored a four-week immersion program in which legislators will spend “intensive” classroom time at public junior high schools around the state, communicating with other like-minded teenagers in order to properly prepare for the equivalency test. Naptime and snacks will be allowed as part of the program
Responding to the new stringent requirements during a speech in the state capital on Thursday, State Assemblyman Jim Beall announced that he would not be seeking reelection.
Will JIm Beall’s lifetime healthcare insurance paid for by us taxpayers pay for his charisma implant?
Thanks for the update John. I was surprised to find out they could read in the first place!
This is a problem don’t let them know anything else they will only pass more laws. Actually, they have staff for that none of them really do anything. If you got rid of only half the staff of each legislator we would solve the deficit proplem in this state. What is the budget for each of them does anyone know???
If George Bush can spend four years at Yale working to achieve 8th grade proficiency then we should expect no less a commitment from our state politicians.
Our state legislators need remedial studies because of the policies of Chuck Reed. Had Cindy Chavez been elected mayor of San Jose in 2006, our state legislators would have had PhD.‘s from Stanford.
I don’t think it’s working.
I was having lunch in Mountain View today and saw Sally Lieber running across the street with scissors.
I told you all, 15 years ago, that having a talking Barbie that says “Legislation is hard” would bite us back one day.
Now no young boys and girls want to put in the hard work it takes to be a legislator.
John,
You are just mad because Jim Beall wants to tax beer.
But as Jim went to Bellarmine as, I assume, did you—his education and intellect are beyond reproach—and your inference is an insult to Bell Educators and Alumni everywhere—not an insignificant sin.
That will be 4 Hail Mary’s, 3 Our Fathers and 2 hours of having to watch the California Legislature live on cable.
Now, please, go and sin no more.
HJ #3—You got that right! Every elected official at every level of “gubmint” has such a bloated staff to help get them their 15 minutes of fame on CSpan that we probably could almost solve the budget deficit at the local and state levels at least by simply cutting their staff budgets by 50%.
FinFan #4—they couldn’t even teach Dubya to pronounce “nuclear” correctly. But Laura can, so perhaps we’re safe.
Rich: First, it’s JohnMichael, not John. Second, I don’t drink beer. But if the soporific Mr. Beall wanted to increase the tax of red wine, I’d probably go ballistic.
Your assumption is incorrect. I went to Loyla HS in the ‘hood in LA. Bellarmine & SI are in weapons-free neighborhoods. Loyola was not, even then. I don’t know about Jim’s education and intellect, but Jim could put everyone at a Red Bull Convention to sleep in 60 seconds or less after he starts “speaking”. He makes Al Gore look like a meth-head.
I can’t do the third part of the penance—I don’t have a TV @ home….probably UnAmerican, but it’s my sole unpatriotic practice.
Nice to have U back. Where have U been?
Mr. O’Conner I was actually addressing Mr. McEnery the 4th, who is, I believe, John.
And while I understand everyone would like the winner of American Idol to be their politician of choice so they can be entertained—some, like Jim Beall, really work at the job of making people’s lives better.
The regular mundane business of government is boring. I just finished a stint in State Government, and while it was not boring for me—I’m sure many went to sleep as I explained the day to day workings of the Department of Insurance.
Not many idol winners there, but there are some first-class public servants who actually care more about helping people than entertaining them.
Jim is in that category. He must be doing something right, he has been doing it a long time.
And he can also be entertaining, as anyone who has attended a Monday Night Live in the past can attest.
So while you sleep, Jim works. It’s a good deal for both of you.
P.S. Thanks, it is good to be back—and I spent a lot of time in your hood during my tenure in Gov’t.
RR-
You wrote, “He must be doing something right, he has been doing it a long time.”
Shall I interpret your words as posthumous praise for Strom Thurmond?
Greg,
Point taken. Longevity does not equal correctness, but Jim Beall is no Strom Thurmond.