From: Mark Nusterer

Columbus

GPA and class rank have long been the prevailing statistic of academic achievement. The college admissions process rides, in large part, on numbers such as these to determine eligibility for admission and financial aid. With thousands of applications to sift through, who can blame admissions staff for taking the most practical approach? Unfortunately, the practical approach places disproportionate emphasis on GPA and class rank in a way that undermines the fundamental purpose of our education system.

This glorification of academic statistics fosters a pervasive and unhealthy mindset in today’s youth. Children are taught that the secret to success is getting into college, and that to gain admission into these institutions, and be able to afford it, their grades must be impeccable. Students view their report card as the tarot cards that spell out their future, and they toil, day in and day out, to secure their place at the top of their class.

Motivation to get good grades is certainly not a bad thing, but the lengths to which students go to do so harms the learning process. Starting in seventh grade, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. students are given the choice to take high school classes such as a foreign language or algebra. Challenging oneself early, perhaps at the expense of an A- instead of an A+, is not an enticing prospect, so some middle schoolers choose to put off these courses until high school. This phenomenon continues as they enter high school, with students deciding to take easier courses to improve their GPA, instead of applying themselves to rigorous honors and AP courses. For many students, the entire second six years of their education is in pursuit of the best possible GPA.

In addition, focus on class rank has fostered a toxic sense of competition among fellow students. Many high-level students are so driven to win this contest, they will cheat on homework, projects and tests, with some even going so far as to take pictures of the material during tests. Not only is this unethical, but it wholly undercuts real learning from the classroom.

What BCSC must ask itself is whether or not it wants to encourage such behaviors at the expense of true learning. Overemphasized GPA and rank encourages students to prioritize their report card over challenging themselves and furthering their knowledge.

This goes directly against BCSC’s own motto of “Deeper Learning Works.” Continuing to support a system of class rank undermines the ability of BCSC to carry out their objectives. BCSC must do away with the detrimental contest that is class rank if it wants to properly prepare its students for the bright future ahead of them.

From: Mark Nusterer

Columbus

GPA and class rank have long been the prevailing statistic of academic achievement. The college admissions process rides, in large part, on numbers such as these to determine eligibility for admission and financial aid. With thousands of applications to sift through, who can blame admissions staff for taking the most practical approach? Unfortunately, the practical approach places disproportionate emphasis on GPA and class rank in a way that undermines the fundamental purpose of our education system.

This glorification of academic statistics fosters a pervasive and unhealthy mindset in today’s youth. Children are taught that the secret to success is getting into college, and that to gain admission into these institutions, and be able to afford it, their grades must be impeccable. Students view their report card as the tarot cards that spell out their future, and they toil, day in and day out, to secure their place at the top of their class.

Motivation to get good grades is certainly not a bad thing, but the lengths to which students go to do so harms the learning process. Starting in seventh grade, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. students are given the choice to take high school classes such as a foreign language or algebra. Challenging oneself early, perhaps at the expense of an A- instead of an A+, is not an enticing prospect, so some middle schoolers choose to put off these courses until high school. This phenomenon continues as they enter high school, with students deciding to take easier courses to improve their GPA, instead of applying themselves to rigorous honors and AP courses. For many students, the entire second six years of their education is in pursuit of the best possible GPA.

In addition, focus on class rank has fostered a toxic sense of competition among fellow students. Many high-level students are so driven to win this contest, they will cheat on homework, projects and tests, with some even going so far as to take pictures of the material during tests. Not only is this unethical, but it wholly undercuts real learning from the classroom.

What BCSC must ask itself is whether or not it wants to encourage such behaviors at the expense of true learning. Overemphasized GPA and rank encourages students to prioritize their report card over challenging themselves and furthering their knowledge.

This goes directly against BCSC’s own motto of “Deeper Learning Works.” Continuing to support a system of class rank undermines the ability of BCSC to carry out their objectives. BCSC must do away with the detrimental contest that is class rank if it wants to properly prepare its students for the bright future ahead of them.

From: Don Strietelmeier

Columbus

Hate crime legislation. Sounds like a good ideas. Everyone should hate crime. But, the type of hate crime legislation local "leaders" are pushing for places a higher priority and value on people over others based on various factors.

American laws, freedoms and traditions have been based on equal rights and equal justice.

Local "leaders" are calling for a list of protected classes. That leaves me and my family out. Why would I want a law that puts a higher value on a protected class than a member of my family or my neighbors’ family?

This sounds similar to some who favor federal gun control of law abiding citizens but have hired guns for their own personal safety.

The mayor says it’s time for Indiana to do the right thing in passing a bias crime bill with a list of protected classes. If there are protected classes, who are the unprotected classes?

Cummins says this type of law is needed to recruit and retain top talent. Cummins has often boasted on what they have done for equality. How about equal justice as well?

The governor wants this legislation mainly to get Indiana off the list of states without hate crime legislation. Why not stand up for Indiana and support equal justice?

The thought of passing this preferred classes legislation causes me great concern and raises questions for me. In the future, would schools encourage and then require teaching and promoting that being gay is completely normal and a preferred lifestyle? Would anything said negatively about a protected class be considered hate speech and be banned? Would churches be expected to allow gay couples to marry in the church? And, if any church dare to follow the Bible’s stand on marriage, could it lose its tax-exempt status or face some form of retribution?

It is not right or just to define the seriousness of a crime based on a protected class. Everyone should have equal protection, and a crime against anyone should be dealt with equal justice.

From: Sherry Grimes

Columbus

Democrats cannot stand to lose and are so power-hungry they will do anything to win back the White House. They were chomping at the bit to win back the House so they could begin their own investigation of President Trump. When Trump won the 2016 election, it was a slap in the face to Democrats. They could not fathom a businessman defeating an establishment politician.

Several Democrats boycotted his inauguration, as well as his State of the Union speeches. Questions about his honesty, alleged ties to Russia, staffing decisions and the legitimacy of his victory led to an investigation applauded by Democrats, until the results did not suit their political agenda. Democrats lack the backbone to appear on conservative talk shows and will not allow Fox News to host a 2020 presidential primary debate. Even liberal Bill Mahar said the Democrats “look weak, running from a fight….”

Democrats are determined to “win” in the future and will bend, circumvent, and snub the Constitution to do so. Scary. Here is their plan:

1. Abolish the Electoral College. Several Democratic legislatures around the country have already formed the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. This would effectively render the Electoral College irrelevant, without the need for a constitutional amendment. The Founding Fathers showed true genius and foresight in establishing the Electoral College. Without it, our presidents would be chosen by voters on the coasts, particularly California. Consider this: President Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2,868,691 votes but, without California, he would have won by 1,401,287 votes. The voice and vote of Middle America is protected by the Electoral College.

2. Legitimize illegal immigration. In some states, restrictions on illegal aliens are easing all the time, as social service benefits increase. Illegal aliens already vote in some local elections in California. These are all reasons for them to thank (and undoubtedly support) Democrats.

3. Lower the voting age to 16. With few exceptions, they are not mature enough. The Democratic Party would likely appeal to 16-year-olds, because it is the party of emotions. The Republican Party is the party of facts. Emotions will frequently appeal more to teenagers than facts ever will.

4. Ban voter ID laws. If you have to show an ID at airports and banks, then an ID should be required to vote. Election integrity is imperative.

5. Allow convicted felons to vote. Another group to become indebted to Democrats.

6. Turn Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, both Democratic strongholds, into states.

There are prominent Democrats who want to increase the number of Supreme Court justices and/or have term limits. They are unhappy with how the Supreme Court is shaping up, so they want to change “the rules.” They did not like the results of the 2016 election, so they want to change “the rules.”

Their constant harassment of President Trump has not brought him down. They shamelessly tried to block Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, but failed. Democrats are a threat to America.