Should Texas use the new GED?

In 2014, the GED high school equivalency test went through significant changes. Now administered by Pearson, the British education company that manages most standardized tests, the new GED is said to be more challenging, expensive, and is computerized versus in paper format. This has caused a bit of controversy in the education landscape of Texas.

Some states have abandoned the new GED for other high school equivalency measures. Currently, the Texas State Board of Education is considering other alternatives and is expected to make a decision in 2016.

I believe that the changes to the GED are justified and that Texas should use the new test as its high school equivalency exam. According to the GED Testing Service, the updates to the exam were necessary in order to align with employer expectations and the new Common Core high school standards. The GED had not been changed in more than 10 years prior to the release of the 2014 changes. High school academics have certainly changed over the course of 10 years. The GED needed to be current to keep up with employer and societal expectations.

“The 2014 GED® program ensures that an adult’s high school equivalency credential signifies he or she has the skills and knowledge necessary to take the next critical steps in their life,” says the GED Testing Service’s website. They state that the knowledge one needs to pass the test is the same that they need to pass present-day high school.

If the point of the GED is to ensure an individual is at a high school level so that they're successful in the workforce, I absolutely believe these changes are justified. In addition to the difficulty level, there is also controversy about it now being computerized since this poses a whole new challenge to low-income individuals who may not be tech savvy. My thoughts on this: if one were to complete high school, they definitely would have basic knowledge of using a computer. Knowing the basics of using a computer is a part of staying current in the modern workforce, regardless of the field one is in.

While I do understand the new challenges that test takers and literacy programs will face, it’s crucial that we are educating people and setting them up for success long-term. More preparation and improving basic knowledge of computers can only help, not hinder, long-term success in the workforce.

Save Lives -- Eliminate Distractions While Driving

I am writing in response to the blog “Texting and driving…it can wait” by the author of the One Star Two Stripes political blog. I 100% agree with this post that that the use of hand-held devices while driving should be banned – ASAP – statewide. Effective as of January 1, 2015, Austin was the first city to pass the ban on texting while driving citywide. There are a number of city ordinances on phone usage while driving in Texas, but none to this extent.

I was shocked to in “Texting and Driving…” that looking away for 5 seconds while driving is equivalent to driving the entire length of a football field! That really helps to create a visual of the distance we drive while just looking away from the road for a few seconds (which is not even enough time to write one text message).   

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, one in five crashes is due to driver distraction. TX DoT also reported that 100,825 car accidents – and 468 deaths - in 2014 were related to distracted driving. There’s no doubt that cell phone usage is one of the top distractions while driving, and that many roads would be safer – and lives saved – if the state prohibited use of cell phones while driving statewide.

Within 6 months of the law being in effect, I was pulled over and received a hefty $220 ticket for cell phone usage. I had barely touched my phone while driving that day, but was unfortunate enough to be in the eyes of a policeman during those two seconds. As unfortunate as the fine was, I actually believe that it was a fortunate occurrence, as it now has me question every time I pick up my phone in the car. I still often see people on the roads in Austin with their phones to their ears, and hope that cops make their way around to everyone violating this new law. It really does take punishment to counteract this nasty habit the majority of us do without question every time we’re in the car. I hope Texas enacts this law statewide ASAP.

"Campus Carry" Gun Laws -- Safe for Future America?

Open carry of concealed weapons was a hot debate as the summer months of Texas approached. Between May and June, a number of gun laws were passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Abbott.  One of these laws was the SB 11, “Campus Carry”. This law relates to the “carrying of handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education."

As of August 1^st, 2016, exactly fifty years after the mass shooting at the University of Texas, ironically, “campus carry” will go into effect. The new law states that licensed concealed handgun holders are permitted to carry guns on college campuses. Fortunately, there’s some room in the law for colleges to prohibit guns in certain areas on campus, though this part of the law is quite ambiguous as it stands today. 

Between 1980 and 2012, more than 287 people were killed in school shootings (not just colleges, but schools as a whole), claims a study noted in Slate Magazine. This doesn’t even begin to count the number of other mass shootings over the years, such as recent movie theater and church shootings. In a Mother Jones investigation, there were 21 deadly school shootings between 2012-2014. Not including the shooters, 32 people were killed, and many more injured, within the 2 year period proceeding the Sandy Hooker school shooting (source: Mother Jones).

“I think it’s a great day for all Texans. It makes Texans safer. We know that our concealed carry licensees will, as they become eligible to open carry, will use their best judgement in every situation," gun proponent Sen. Estes told Breitbard Texas.

Do our legislators not understand how this is putting college students in danger? "Best judgement" is a loosely held term when it comes to college-aged students. 

College years can be a tumultuous set of years, where students are often under a lot of stress between family, relationship, school and societal pressures. The emotional and mental state of many students can waver significantly during these years, not to mention the consumption of booze that happens during this period of life. I would not want guns to be around me (or my children when I have them) especially during this period of life.

If school is to be a safe learning zone, is it really safe to allow guns on campus? Of all places, I would think colleges would be one of the last places where guns would be permitted. 

As I sat in class this evening, I caught myself in class thinking about whether any of my classmates were carrying guns. And, if (and who) would be most likely to open fire in class. Rather than think about this, my energy would much better be spent focusing on class and the two tests I have this week. 

Now that guns are allowed on campus, what does this mean for the safety of our students who are, arguably, our future? As more and more laws are passed on gun control, I hope our legislators realize how permitting "campus carry" is only putting more of us -- and America's future -- in harm. 

Let’s Start Loving Democracy Again

In the blog post “Let’s Start Loving Democracy Again,” posted in the Burnt Orange Report, State Rep. Celia Israel speaks to all Americans as she reflects post-Fourth of July on the importance of patriotism and what it means – a love for democracy. 

Written on July 6th, post-Fourth of July, she writes to Americans that patriotism is not just about fireworks, American flag paraphernalia, or a love for football. “To love our country, I believe you must also have a love for our democracy,” she writes. To me, this parallels how we, as Americans, tend to get so caught up in the “fluff” and consumerism – “the showy” stuff – of holidays, that we can tend to forget what we’re actually celebrating. Democracy and patriotism should go hand-in-hand, she states. This means taking a stance and stepping up to vote. With that comes the fireworks and celebration. 

She goes on to tell her experience of serving on the Elections Committee, where she saw many Texans show their love for democracy by trying to pass laws that make voting a simpler process for Texans. They fought to make ballots clearer for elderly and the disabled, and to allow other forms of identification such and veteran IDs and student IDs. “Nearly every effort to make it easier to vote was either unable to move through the Legislature or vetoed by the Governor,” she writes. 

I share the frustration with State Rep. Celia that this has got to change if we truly want to be a democracy. As we’ve been learning in GOVT2306, there’s a dire need for more people to be involved in politics and vote. A mere 25% of Texans voted in the Governor elections of 2014. We are also below the national average for voters in General Elections.

How can we show patriotism through democracy if the state isn’t helping to make it any easier for its citizens to vote? For Texans to step up, Texas Legislature has to step up. 

Better background checks needed for gun sales

The editorial “Better background checks needed for gun sales” was published in the editorial section of My San Antonio’s news site, written by the San Antonio Express-News Opinion Staff. The intended audience appears to be the general public to create awareness around a failed background check system as it relates to recent killings.

In this article the author argues that a broken background check system is a major cause of several recent shootings, most recent being the killing of 9 parishioners by racist Dylann Roof at a church in South Carolina last month. Roof was a convicted felon, but this was unknown at the time of sale because of bureaucratic error and a flawed background check system. Roof was permitted to purchase the gun while his background check was pending.

We’ve seen misuse of guns over and over again in the mass shootings of Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary School, and the Colorado moviegoer scene. The author argues that while there still are loopholes to get guns, fixing the background check would save many lives – most recently the nine from South Carolina that should still be alive.  

These tragedies happen one after another, and Congress has been unable to improve the system, the author argues, due to gun lobbyists and pushback by gun enthusiasts. “How many shootings have to take place until there is political will to improve something as basic as background checks to help limit the flow of guns to those with criminal records?,” the author questions.

While I personally am not fully informed of the process of obtaining a gun, I completely agree with the author that there needs to be tighter regulations on the selling of guns. People like Roof are exactly who we do not want with a gun in their hand, and yet it was so easy for this felon to obtain one. How is this system not flawed?

As for the many people who do carry guns responsibly, I agree with the author’s point that it would even be beneficial to them to fight in favor of a better federal background check system. "Fewer shootings would mean fewer calls for gun control,” states the author. Many, unfortunately, are too worried about their own right to bear arms. 

By the time I have kids, I hope gun control has tightened up a bit; it is sad that this has to be a worry of parents while their kids are in school. Or, furthermore, while people are at church. 

Free internet for San Antonio low-income residents

There’s a new initiative underway that will provide 275,000 low-income households in the country with an important life resource: access to the internet.

“Internet is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said President Ohama to a crowd of high school students. In the modern world, it is no longer a luxury, but rather a fundamental resource we need in order to stay connected to today’s economy. The lack of access to key resources, like the Internet, further sets low-income individuals and families back from knowledge and opportunity.

“ConnectHome will help increase their learning and earning potential with access to research tools for homework, job training and employment resources,” said David Nisivoccia, Interim President and CEO of the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA). San Antonio is one of the 28 cities on the list that’ll receive support to bridge the technological divide.  San Antonio’s 80/20 Foundation is contributing $100,000 to implement the ConnectHome initiative in San Antonio.

ConnectHome  is a part of the Obama Administration’s Connecting America initiative and is committed to giving Americans a better way of life.

As residents of a state with a high rate of low-income families, this initiative is very close to home for us. Read the article to learn more about the partnership between HUD, Alamo City, and the Obama Administration.