The majority of students are 'left behind'

Both No Child Left Behind and Common Core are the nation’s desperate attempts to improve our public education system. Self-serving administrators, as well as teachers and their unions opt for unaccountability by feigning ‘problems’ with these programs. They claim, for instance, that ‘Nobody tells us (districts) what to do’! while making little effort to improve public schools from year to year. Therefore, district ‘leadership’ keeps their jobs not as a result of schools’ performance, but by guaranteeing that their teachers will not be held accountable for inadequately educating our kids.

Neighborhood of the Week: The home search - needs vs. wants

The houses we live in can be annoying. A hallway is too narrow, a bathroom is too small, a door never shuts right or the basement smells like almonds for no reason at all. I’ve only lived in my current house for about a year and a half, and though it’s a big-time improvement on our last home, there are already things that drive me nuts.

Patriotism isn't what it used to be

Today for some reason I found my mind reminiscing about some of the changes I have witnessed in my lifetime, particularly concerning changes in the attitudes of Americans toward patriotism and support of our country.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Passions

A dear friend of ours passed away in recent

Department of Labor Committed to Help Idahoans Navigate Difficult Times

As Idahoans grapple with the fallout from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and many face an uncertain economic future, I want to assure the people of Idaho that the Department of Labor is here to assist our fellow citizens through these difficult times.

Our Gem, Coeur d’Alene Lake

The Our Gem Coeur d’Alene Lake Collaborative is a team of committed and passionate professionals working to protect our local water resources. Participating entities include University of Idaho Community Water Resource Center, Coeur d’Alene Tribe Lake Management Department, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Kootenai Environmental Alliance, and CDA 2030.

2020 CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: Paul Amador

NAME: Paul Amador RUNNING FOR: Idaho Legislature District 4 CITY OF RESIDENCE: Coeur d’Alene YEAR OF BIRTH: 1982

Our Gem: Construction ahead: Keep the lake clear

Everywhere you look, new houses are going up, highways are full of work zones, and lots are being cleared for new businesses. Construction inevitably changes our community, but it can also have a negative impact on our waterways. If you live near a lake, river, stream, or stormwater system, which includes almost everyone, you can minimize your environmental impact while complying with local regulations.

UI: The people's university

Guest Opinion

Yo-Yo dieting: Part AYo-Yodieting: Part A

The Skinny on Weight Loss

As attested to by the many ads in the media, we are a nation of dieters. According to the Surgeon General of the United States, "The greatest threat to our country isn't terrorism, it's obesity." Perhaps more of us should be thinking about losing the unhealthy extra weight we've accumulated. But losing weight is physiologically unnatural. Many of you who have tried can attest to that and that's why 95 percent of people who have successfully lost weight will gain it back.

Collaboration time adds up to success

The Coeur d'Alene School District is asking its Board of Trustees to approve a plan that would provide time for teachers to meet weekly to systematically work together to analyze and improve classroom practices. To provide this Monday morning "collaboration time" and still meet the state requirements for student instruction, our schools would lengthen the school day by about 15 minutes.

An open letter to President Obama

Dear Mr. President:

New leaders needed; 'useless' war must end

I have reached my saturation point with the ineffectiveness of our elected officials and our government and the small, petty babble and senseless rhetoric that they all seem to want to engage in.

Hands-on best way to learn - for life

In our increasingly complex world, success is driven not just by what you know, but also by what you can do with that knowledge. Hands-on learning provides a greater relevance to the real world and how it applies in a real way. This approach to learning helps students know what to do with the knowledge they have gained and apply it to real-world problems. Our education system needs to provide our children with knowledge, skills to solve problems, and a learning atmosphere where they can gather and evaluate evidence and make sense of it all. This type of education will inspire our youth to become a part of the new generation of innovators.

About those echeck tax fees

Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to respond to the Mike Reno letter of Jan. 4. Over these past 14 years, we have tried hard in this office to be responsive to you, our customers. We have worked to improve all our processes to make paying property taxes more efficient and less costly.

Hands-on best way to learn - for life

In our increasingly complex world, success is driven not just by what you know, but also by what you can do with that knowledge. Hands-on learning provides a greater relevance to the real world and how it applies in a real way. This approach to learning helps students know what to do with the knowledge they have gained and apply it to real-world problems. Our education system needs to provide our children with knowledge, skills to solve problems, and a learning atmosphere where they can gather and evaluate evidence and make sense of it all. This type of education will inspire our youth to become a part of the new generation of innovators.

Labrador: The responsibility of governing

The American people sent a message Tuesday, putting Republicans in control of the Senate and boosting our majority in the House. Now, it is our job to show that we can govern so we can restore the shaken confidence of our constituents and put the greatest country in the world on the right track.

Breast cancer recovery and the gift of community

What makes America great is the people in our community. There is power in the people when they are dedicated to making the lives of other people, better. So on Saturday night at the Best Western Inn, the Casting for Recovery, North Idaho and Eastern Washington chapter, lead by Renee Bylthe, held an amazing celebration to honor the ladies in our community that are breast cancer warriors and they raised money to insure their recovery is complete through the art of fly-fishing.

2020 Candidate Questionnaire: Paul Amador

NAME: Paul Amador

Op-Ed: Higher ed a wise investment for state's economy

Idaho’s colleges and universities are consistently rated among the best public postsecondary schools in the nation.