Posted on 12/18/2012 7:36:56 AM PST by Kaslin
Government transparency is a critical tool in the public’s accountability arsenal, so long as the public can afford it.
But when dealing with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), transparency comes with a five-figure price tag.
EAGnews.org has been conducting an investigation into a “cultural sensitivity” teacher training program the department has been doing for the last few years.
There is a clear link between the department’s “CREATE Wisconsin” initiative and the nutty, left-wing San Francisco-based Pacific Educational Group. PEG recently made headlines when its training urged school employees to downplay American cultural staples like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, because they don’t reflect multiculturalism and some students may not be able to relate to them.
PEG’s founder, Glenn Singleton, who can only be described as a cultural Marxist, has led some of the CREATE Wisconsin training sessions himself.
The Portland, Oregon school district shelled out $526,901 in one school year to PEG, so the link to DPI piqued our interest. If a single district shelled out more than a half a million dollars to this bizarre outfit, what would a statewide contract cost Wisconsin taxpayers?
We tried to find out.
Several weeks ago we submitted a freedom of information request to DPI, seeking records and training materials from the program since its inception in 2009. We have legitimate questions, such as: How much has the department been spending on the program and its trainers? How many teachers have received this so-called “cultural sensitivity” training? Will it ever end? Has the program made any difference on student performance?
Then we received the cost estimate. To obtain those answers from DPI, it would take 104,275 pieces of paper and 175 staff hours, costing us an astounding $19,969.46 fee.
Read the response from the department’s chief legal counsel, Janet Jenkins, here.
Seeking answers from government is not for the faint of heart – or apparently the shallow of pocket.
We are doing our best to learn as much about the teacher training as we possibly can, but the exorbitant fees being leveled by State Superintendent Tony Evers’ department is making it very difficult.
Is this a case of bureaucracy gone wild? Or is DPI using outrageous fees to keep the public from learning about the public’s business?
To help our investigation – which we pledge will not wind up in the pocket of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction – click here to make a tax-deductible contribution.
Apparently i
Rules for Cultural Sensitivity’ Training:
1. If you meet a Christian in December, be sure to wish him\her Merry Christmas.
2. If you are invited to a pork roast, be sure to eat a little not to offend the host, even if it goes against your Muslim Faith.
3. Be sure to be sensitive to the customs of organizations such as the Boy Scouts, and please refrain from joining if you do not embrace their values.
They didn't clearly indicate they'd ever simply asked the Governor or other proper authority to tell them what they wanted to know.
The copying costs do not look unrealistic ~ quite in line with your typical corporate lawsuit ~
Wouldnt that be information that is the actual job of the head of that department?
How much is your budget? how many people are trainers? how many teachers have been trained?...
What does the head of the department do if NOT keep that info?
Governor Walker can get the answers to the questions for free. I'd ask him first.
Our Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is headed by an elected official. The teacher’s union has long made sure the one elected is pro teacher by spending massive amounts during the run up to the election.
Once in the head, presently Evers, fills the jobs with people who are pro teacher or have an education background. Therefore, when the agency sets policy, it is policy the professional educators are pushing. The information request is being avoided as they don’t want a dirty secret out.
Tranparency in government — Wisconsin DPI style 9sarc/off)
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
I was brought up in the ‘50s and we were taught “cultural sensitivity”, but we called it American History.
One of my earliest memories of learning about “cultural sensitivity”, was when my grandfather taught me about the Pledge of Allegiance. I was 5 years old and was so very proud that first day in kindergarden when I stood to recite the Pledge.
Others are welcome to learn about my culture....... or leave.
Dad took me down there and I was privileged to fire my very first 12 gauge shotgun in the presence of the family warriors ~ men who'd been on the Front in WWI or in WWII in various capacities, but mostly as Rangers, Infantrymen, or flying around airplanes. Had a grandfather there, and a Great grandfather.
That's my culture. People who don't care for it can go back where they came from.
Up to 2.6% of the population is allergic to pork as well.
I've no adoration for the BSA either; between scouts lead recklessly to their deaths on annual excursions to the likes of Michael Moore, Sherrod Brown, Michael Dukakis, Dick Gephardt, Justice Breyer, Michael Bloomberg, L Ron Hubbard and others achieving their highest award as Eagle Scouts... clearly the organization's "values" and "values education" is left wanting.
It’s nearly 2013. There should be 0 pieces of paper necessary to fulfill this request.
eggs act lee
mostly to Muslims to be honest.
Oh, for crying out loud. The only thing worse than a "joke explainer" on FR is a "free-floating moral outrager." The post that sparked your molten spew was a light-hearted satire. Lighten up.
see post 15
Will we have to face Mecca when we eat a taco?.
Exactly......
That is a big part of our culture. I have been passing it on to my 2 children and now my 8 grandchildren. My eldest granddaughter (she is beautiful, talented, responsible and brilliant) recently tuned 12 and she received her very first firearm for her birthday, a .22 rifle. That is what she wanted. She is a good shot too.
This past Sunday I bought a new 12 GA shotgun for myself... it might be a bit big for her to shoot yet, but I have no doubt that she eventually will.... and someday, it may very well be hers.
MNDude clicks Like
So it costs anyone who is going to copy them a fortune,
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