Backgrounder: ‘Archaic’ Teaching Is Sorely Missed
by Tommy Franke Andrea O’Neal recently presented data during the Indiana Policy Review’s Winter Seminar that showed precipitous declines in reading and math proficiency in Indiana K-8 schools. The disturbing graphs looked like the marks of someone skiing down the side of Mt. Everest. The sharp decline in scores began around 2000-2010. What happened during this time Read the full article…
Franke: A Contemporary Christmas Carol
by Mark Franke Anne Perry is a popular author of Victorian era mysteries. She writes several series using her stable of inter-related characters. I’ve read some and understand why she has such a fan base. Every Christmas she releases a novella using her regular characters but not in their usual milieu of murder and depravity. Read the full article…
Morris: Regardless, Merry Christmas
by Leo Morris You realize that it’s not a proper Christmas season unless the realist killjoys among us start whining about “It’s a Wonderful Life.” This year, we have two contenders for top curmudgeon. The saga of small-town hero George Bailey saving Bedford Falls from the despicable Henry Potter “grievously misrepresents the truth,” writes George Read the full article…
The Outstater
We Have Questions I’M NOT PROUD OF IT but I sent another of my ineffectual, never-to-see-the-light-of-day screeds to the local newspaper, this one asking why coverage of the city council couldn’t include at least a thumbnail account of the dissenting votes. What set me off was a glowing account of the council’s passage without debate of an Read the full article…
The Outstater
The Secret to Reelection: Money and Malleability SOME HOLD HOPE that the Indiana Republican Party in its supermajority or even democracy in general is going to get us back on course. That hope doesn’t appear to float. Transparency USA tells us that the top three Indiana GOP Senate fundraisers all won reelection outspending their opponents in both the Read the full article…
Franke: Prudence: Now More Than Ever
by Mark Franke “O, Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things. Come, and teach us the way of prudence.” For liturgically minded Christians the Great O Antiphons mark the most contemplative part of Advent. Meant to be chanted one each day beginning on Dec. 17, Read the full article…
