Yeah, there's more!  Arizona's AIMS testing begins this week.  AIMS is designed to measure what has been learned, as set forth in the State curriculum.  Unfortunately, Arizona's curriculum is far behind many other State's, as it is 'locally controlled'(Yes - this means half-ass backwards), and teachers are inundated with more responsibilities than should ever be allowable - with most of them not pertaining to curricular instruction.  State Schools Stuporintendent of Mediocrity, Tom Horne, dismisses any negativity towards Arizona's typical 50th national rankings, and points to how well students achieve on the TerraNova tests, which are nationally normed.  He fails to mention that Arizona students are a majority of this test's subjects.  Remember the SAT, ITBS, CAT and ACT tests?  Previous superintendents have rid the State of these tests, because Arizona students were not successful!  Either the TerraNova will continue to be easy, or it will be on the way out, also!

     There are approximately 160,000 non-English speaking students in Arizona.   Because of this, Arizona teachers take an additional sixty seat-hours of State-mandated education courses, and the Legislature remains confounded in appropriating funds for these students.  It is estimated that eighty percent of these students are illegal residents.  If lawmakers and school officials would follow immigration law, instead of pandering to the Mexicrat politicians, the problems would take care of themselves!

     Phoenix Union HS District will move to replace the Good Friday holiday with Ceasr Chavez Day.  In related news, the district will rename Easter as 'Taco Bell Day,' as everything eaten there will arise three days later!

     U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings(how appropriate) says Congress will debate national grade-level standards this year, so no need to worry - State's rights, 'local control' and mediocrity are not in jeopardy!

     An Az. Republic story highlighted April Fool's pranks in schools.  It seems that no one offered any pranks against administrators(except possibly by other administrators), but continually offered pranks against students and teachers.  Why bother to run that story anyway?