Austin Leads Way in Energy Efficiency

When we think of conserving energy and reducing pollution it needs to be taken sreiously! This article is about new code changes that will reduce energy use by 65 percent in new homes. It is said in the article Austin is the first city to do this. They are hoping that these changes will reduce total energy used bt 11 percent in each new home. The first changes will focus on heating and air conditioning, 40 percent of electricity consumption in Austin homes. This is a great start to what we can accomplish when it comes to reducing pollution. It is such a shame that in our world we hold the the knowledge to convert all of our energy consumption over to more coservative ways yet we do not. Why does it cost so much for solar paneling? Why can we not make it affordable? In a situation like this we have to remove money as an obsatcle, our survival depends on it. We have brought so much sickness to ourselves in the way we live. It is amazing we survive at all. I think that these new code changes are great but money still plays to big a part in it for us to see big changes. I am aware that money is important but in this case our survivla should come out ahead. Visit this article at http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/17/1017zeroenergy.html

Study Questions difficulty of TAKS

The TAKS test here in Texas is being questioned about its difficulty, each states test vary greatly. It is felt that what students should be learning is not being met according to the 2014 requirement. What are children expected to learn and why? Why are so many students not meeting this and so many barely? Should we as a society feel it is right to put these kind of pressures on our children? It is not only the students who feel these pressures but the teachers as well. Teachers are quitting their jobs thanks to the pressures they meet every year with this rigorous testing. If an adult feels this much pressure the test, imagine how a child must feel.

They are now wanting to make one test for every state. Some are saying that is to much. Study authors think you can have national standards without a national test.

As this article states there is a lot of controversy about the amount of time spent on tests and tests preparation. Many electives are being cut back to make more time for test preparation. We need to take a look at the motives of the people in charge of making these regulations. Children naturally have a love of learning. If they are put in healthy learning environments learning will happen naturally!

If you have children thus article is a must read, not only this article but a greater understanding of what children are being put through in our public schools. It is our responsibility to make sure our children are getting the kindest and most loving education. www.austinamericanstatesman.com