Florida Education Faces Huge Budget Cuts in 2008

In the 2008 legislative session, the Florida state legislature must cut nearly one billion dollars from its operating budget. The recommendation from Governor Charlie Crist and the legislative committees is to cut from education. The main question left seems to be "how much can the schools afford to lose?" Unfortunately, despite the promises made during the Amendment 1 campaign that a tax cut would not affect Florida students, education is almost guaranteed to take one of the biggest financial losses this year.

Florida has no income tax, so public revenue is generated almost exclusively from sales taxes and property taxes. 2007 brought a slow-down in tourism and a sharp decline in property values. To top things off, voters in November passed a ballot provision that reduces the rate of property tax liability for owners. The total loss in revenue from last year is currently projected at more than $869 million. Since the state constitution forbids deficit spending, this lost funding has to be made up with spending cuts.

Charlie Crist's recommended budget calls for a cut from education of about $182 million. When the legislative session opened in early March, the budget committees recommended even more - $357 million or close to 1.5%. While the governor has no problem slashing school accounts, his same budget proposal asks for $330 million in new funding for prisons and corrections - almost twice the amount that he wants to take from the schools.

While nothing has been finalized, the suggestions have been to hold teacher pay steady & eliminate bonuses, cut back on the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship (by lowering scholarships for students in majors with lower demand and job growth), and scaling back resource classes like art, music, and computers. As it is, Florida schools rank poorly in national comparisons and losing access creative and technical instruction isn't going to prepare students for college or the increasingly high-tech and competitive job market.

Although it is probably too late in the budgetary season to make up for the missing funds, it is possible to contact your elected state representatives and let them know how you feel about spending priorities.

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The "McDonald's-ization" of Education

McDonald's is astoundingly successful at purveying inexpensive fast food of consistently high quality.  They have achieved this primarily through standardization and quality control. If you purchase an "Egg McMuffin," or a "Big Mac" at an outlet in Seattle, or Milwaukee, Chicago or Miami, it will be almost exactly the same.

Standardization is increasingly making in-roads into education.  Once the realm of diversity (of opinion, thought, approach, teaching technique, classroom styles, etc.) and independence (academic freedom), the higher education classroom is being transformed into a "product" type delivery system.  The "products" in this case are the concepts, lesson plans, group exercises, assignments, etc. - indeed, the education itself.

The intent of this transformation is to provide a "standard" high quality student classroom experience  within disciplines, and across institutions.  With the student being the customer (consumer) of the educational delivery system, we want to make sure he or she is getting the highest possible quality product, and the key to this is "quality control" and standardization.

Instead of the after-the-fact quality control offered through instructor "evaluations," " classroom observations," and the like, the approach introduces a far more intrusive and directive model.  Lesson Plans, indeed, entire courses and curricula are loaded into pre-packaged modules, on thumb drives (USB) or onto computers, or servers. 

As in the fast food business, manufacturing, or other product producing sectors, the product creation and delivery process is developed to gain the efficiency and effectiveness obtained in industry.

JUST LIKE McDONALD's

Just like McDonald's where the customer can expect to enjoy a standard, high quality product, served in a clean, well-designed environment, the student consumer can expect convenient delivery of the educational product, for his consumption, and enjoyment - "satisfaction guaranteed."

THE PROCESS

First, a product team is assembled.  In this case it consists of academic experts, curriculum designers, course writers, technology experts, product representatives, trainers, content specialists, etc.  The product development process is based on outcome objectives, i.e., "what do we want the student to know?," "what should he learn during this course?" and "how do we measure that?"  This "beginning at the end" philosophy is crucial.  It keeps the spotlight on the product, promotes quality, and ultimately, "customer satisfaction."

THE ENTERTAINMET COMPONENT  

Gen Y students have different expectations from their predecessors, and are less likely to indulge obsolete or dated instructional methods and techniques.  They demand to be engaged.  

Instructors are partially selected on their ability to "entertain" as well as "inform."  They are expected to be animated, humorous, engaging, and entertaining.  They are expected to convey knowledge in convenient, enjoyable, and satisfying, bites.

STEAMLINING THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS  

The more standardized the process becomes, the less latitude for the educator, the more prescribed the content, exercises and learning activities are, the more the business managers of the career and "for profit" colleges like it. This concept may, however, benefit the student as it concentrates on a quality, standardized, classroom experience.  

IT'S EASIER  

Once the instructor has mastered the technology, the whole instructional process is easier under this model.  Everything is pre-packaged.  No messy development of lesson plans - they're already done - and done well.  No thinking about creative learning activities and approaches -  they're already there.  You could almost do it in your sleep!  (if it wasn't for the requirement to be animated and entertaining.)  

STUDENT NEEDS  

Students in this new education model will be immersed in technology throughout their degree program.  This is the world of today, and the future.  They will participate and interact with SMARTboards, laptops, WiFi, simulations, business games, remote "clickers," interactive learning, real-world relevant projects, presentations, etc.  It's designed to match their learning styles and attention spans  It is preeminently designed to prepare them for their careers. Although many students are "comfortable" with technology, fewer are proficient, and fewer yet have an in-depth understanding. The curriculum should help them become more proficient and better prepared for the technology demands of the future business environment. The intensely technological nature of the classroom experience also addresses the various learning styles.  The auditory learner will have voice, music, and noise.  The visual learner will enjoy the videos, powerpoints, and other visuals.  The kinesthetic learner will appreciate the hands on components, especially the SMARTboard.  

Student satisfaction is, of course, a primary objective.  Education, especially for-profit education, exists to serve the student, while running a business.  And, through serving and satisfying the student, ultimately the student will stay in school, graduate, and learn valuable knowledge and skills in the process.  These graduates will benefit the business community, and society at large.  An advanced society like ours is critically dependent on an educated and productive populous.  

EMPLOYER NEEDS  

What do employers want and need?  The link to employer requirements is a vital one.  Businesses need educated workers.  They require technologically adroit employees who can meet the demands of a rapidly changing technological environment and a highly competitive situation.

Ours is a productive society.  Businesses spend billions of dollars training and re-training their employees.  "Business Ready" graduates will be more productive from day one and employers will appreciate this.

HAS EDUCATION COME TO THIS?  

Purists would argue that the more traditional approaches are preferable, and that academic freedom is being infringed upon.  They would say that instructors should be hired based on their knowledge, quality of education, expertise, research history and contributions to their field.  They would undoubtedly prefer to see pure "academicians" and "scholars" in the classroom.  However, there is room for an interesting debate here.  Is it about the instructor or the student?  Obviously, we understand that it's about both, but whose needs take precedence?  The answer has to be - THE STUDENT!  After all, the whole educational system is in place to meet the needs of the student, and ultimately, society.  

Instructors with real-world, practical experience and without techno-phobia will be more adaptable to this new format, and perhaps better equipped to relate to the student.

THE BOTTOM LINE

In education there is always room for a broad range of opinions and approaches. Let's try this new one.  It works in business - why not education?  This is probably why Career Colleges are embracing the approach much more readily than their mainstream counterparts. The "for-profit" Career Colleges are definitely  the forefront of this initiative, and "early adopters." 

We all know that "quality " is an issue in education.  Graduates with virtually identical credentials can have vastly different skills, knowledge, and abilities.  This is, and always has been a concern. This standardized, quality-assured model addresses that issue.

Sure, this educational model is controversial, as it should be!  But the end result may very well be that students have a reasonably similar experience, learn comparable skills, and become better "fits" within the business world.  Employers can be better assured and confident that graduates have the knowledge and skill base they require to be successful contributors.  They will probably, at some point, wish to be full participants in the curriculum development process.  In the globally competitive market, this might just be what is needed.

When we're teaching Business we must be business-minded.  Let's transfer those "best practices" from the business world to academia, keep our students involved, and better prepare them for their future careers.  And, the lessons to be learned from places like McDonald's may be more applicable to education than we might have ever imagined. 

Copyright ©, 2009, Dr. Ben A. Carlsen, MBA. All Rights Reserved Worldwide for all Media. You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and bio box intact, and you follow all of the EzineArticles Terms of Service for Publishers.

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The "McDonald-isation" of education

McDonald's fast food is surprisingly successful purveying low cost high quality consistently. You have reached the quality control, especially through this standardization e. If you are an "Egg McMuffin," or a "Big Mac" Buy a shop in Seattle, Milwaukee and Chicago or Miami, will be almost exactly the same.

Standardization is more in-roads in education. Once the realm of diversity (of opinion, thought, concept, teachingTechnology, classroom design, etc.) and independence (academic freedom), the higher education classroom will be transformed into a kind of "product" of delivery. The "products" in this case, concepts, curriculum, group exercises, activities, etc. - yes, the same training.

The purpose of this transformation is a "standard" high-quality classroom experience for students in disciplines, and provide the institutions. With the studentCustomer (consumer) of the delivery system of the education system, we want to ensure that he or she is to get the highest quality product possible, and the key to this is the "quality control and standardization.

Instead of quality control after the fact of the evaluations of teachers' "," classroom observations offered, "and the like out of a much more intrusive and policy model. Lesson plans, yes, all courses and curricula modules are directed in the package,USB flash drive (USB) or on a computer or server.

How did you develop in fast-food, manufacturing or other product areas, manufacturing industries, creating products and delivery methods to win won the effectiveness and efficiency of the sector.

Just as McDonald's

Just as McDonald's, where customers can expect, the environment can enjoy a standard, high quality product developed, served in one, clean student consumers can expectconvenient delivery of educational products for the use and enjoyment - "satisfaction guaranteed."

THE PROCESS

First, a product is put together team. In this case, consists of scientific experts, curriculum designers, course writers, technologists, product representatives, educators, content specialists, etc. The product development at the initial objectives, ie, "based on what we want to know students? " "What we learn during thisCourse? "And" How can we measure this? "This" top end "philosophy is essential. It keeps the focus on the product that promotes quality and, ultimately, customer satisfaction.

THE COMPONENT ENTERTAINMET

Gen Y students have different expectations from their predecessors and are less likely to be exceeded or teaching methods and techniques. They call it indulging commit.

Teachers are selected in part by theirthe ability to "talk" as well. "Teaching" should be lively, entertaining, engaging, and fun. They should know a bit easy, enjoyable and rewarding to be transmitted.

Streamlining the educational process

prescribed for more standardized process, the less room for teachers, more content, learning activities and exercises are, the more the career of the manager of business andProfit colleges like. This concept can also benefit students as it focuses on a high quality, standardized school experience.

E 'EASY

After the teacher mastered the technology, the entire teaching process easier than this model is all packed and ready Nobody disorderly development of curricula -.. You've already done -. And well done any reflection on the creative learning activities and approaches- I'm already there, you could do it almost in his sleep.! (If it were not for the credit, animated and funny.)

Needs of students

Students in this new education model will be immersed in technology during their studies. This is the world of today and tomorrow. Participate and interact with smart cards, laptops, wireless, simulations, business games, remote "clicker", interactive learning,real world, major projects, presentations, etc. It 'was designed for their learning styles and attention spans, it is highly skilled in order to conform to prepare for their career. Although many students "comfortable" with technology, are less able and less still a deeper understanding. The curriculum should help them to master more and better prepared for future technology needs of businesses. The intense nature of technologicalclassroom experience on the different learning styles. Auditory learners have a voice, music and sounds. Visual learners enjoy the video, PowerPoint presentations and other visual elements. The kinesthetic learner hands on components, in particular, I appreciate the council Smart.

Student satisfaction is obviously a priority. Education, especially for non-profit education exists to serve the students, while running a business. AndServing and meeting the student, finally, the students at school, university and remain, valuable knowledge and skills in the process. These graduates of the economy and society as a whole. An advanced society like ours depend critically on an educated populous and productive.

Employers must

What employers want and need? The link to the requirements the employer is essential. Companies need educatedWorkers. Need technologically qualified personnel who can meet the needs of a rapidly changing technological environment and a highly competitive situation.

We live in a productive society. Companies billions of dollars in training and retraining of their employees. "Business Ready" graduates to be more productive from day one, and employers appreciate that.

Education has failed?

Purists argue that the mostTraditional approaches are preferable, and that academic freedom will be violated. It seems that teachers should be based on their knowledge, quality of training, know-how, the history of research and contributions to their field can be made. Of course I prefer pure "academic watch" and "scholars" in the classroom. However, there is room for an interesting debate. When it comes to the teacher or the students? Of course we know thatit is both, but whose needs have priority, the answer must be -? STUDENT: After all, the entire education system is in place to respond to the needs of students and, ultimately, society.

Instructors with real, practical experience and no techno-phobia is more adaptable to this new format, and perhaps better equipped to relate to students.

CONCLUSION

In education, there is always room for a wide range of opinions andApproaches. Let's try this again He works in business -. Why not education, this is probably the reason for this comprehensive approach to faculty career much easier than their traditional counterparts, "Career colleges are for-profit surely the head of this initiative, and Help." Early adopters.

We all know that the "quality" is an educational problem. Graduates with virtually identical credentials are very different skills, have the knowledge, andSkills. This is and has always been a concern. This standard model of quality-assured the problem solved.

Of course, this educational model is controversial, as it should be! But the result may well be that students have a somewhat similar experience, knowledge and like to learn more "insert" in the business world. Employers can further secure and confident that graduates have the knowledge and skills needed to be based employees of success. Probably, at some point wants to be full participants in the process of curriculum development. In the globally competitive market, this could be just what you need.

If we are teaching business, we need an entrepreneurial mindset. Let's transfer of these best practices from business to science to keep our students are involved, and better prepare for their future career. And, for the lessons to be learned from places like> McDonald's can do more for education than we ever imagined.

Copyright © 2009, Dr. Ben A. Carlsen, MBA. All rights reserved throughout the world to all media. You can use this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspapers, magazines, web sites, reprints, etc., until leave all links active, do not change the article in any way my name and bio box left intact, and follow all the EzineArticles Terms of use for editors.

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The "McDonald-ization" of education

McDonald's is surprisingly successful purveying fast-food cost of a consistently high quality. You do this primarily through standardization and quality control. If you buy an "Egg McMuffin" or a "Big Mac" at a branch in Seattle, or Milwaukee, Chicago, Miami, it is almost exactly the same.

Standardization is increasingly in-roads in education. Once the realm of diversity (of opinion, thought, concept,Teaching methods, classroom style, etc.) and independence (academic freedom), is the academic instruction is in a "product" convert type delivery system. The "products" in this case, the concepts, lesson plans, group exercises, assignments, etc. - yes, the training itself.

The intent of this transformation is to provide a "standard" quality student teaching experience within the disciplines andInstitutions. The student is the customer (consumer) of the education delivery system, we want to make sure he or she is the highest possible product quality and the key to this is the "quality control" and standardization.

Instead of after-the-fact quality control offered by teachers' ratings "," classroom observation "and the like, introduces the concept far more intrusive and directive model. LessonPlans, yes, all courses and curricula are packaged modules pre-installed on USB sticks (USB) or on computers or servers.

Almost like in the food business, manufacturing, product manufacturing and other sectors, the product creation and delivery process designed to win won the efficiency and effectiveness in the industry.

JUST like McDonald's

Just like McDonald's, where a customer can expect that a standard, enjoy high-quality product served in a clean,well-designed environment, the student consumers convenient delivery of education expected product for its use and enjoyment - "satisfaction guaranteed".

THE PROCESS

First, a product team put together. In this case, consists of scientific experts, curriculum designers, writers, of course, technology experts, product representatives, coaches, content specialists, etc. The product is based on results targets, ie"What we want to know the students?", "What to learn in this course?" and "How do you measure that?" This "top end" philosophy is of crucial importance. She holds the view of the product that promotes the quality, and finally, "customer satisfaction."

THE ENTERTAINMET COMPONENT

Gen Y students have different expectations from their predecessors and are less likely to indulge in or out of date by theTeaching methods and techniques. They are asking to be set.

Lecturers are sometimes chosen for their ability to "entertainment" and "inform." They should be animated, humorous, rousing and entertaining. It is expected that knowledge bites in practical, comfortable, and satisfying, to mediate.

STEAMLINING of the educational process

More standardized process, the less room forEducators, the greater are the prescribed content, exercises and learning activities, the more the manager of the career and "for profit" colleges like it. This approach, however, can benefit the students, as it focuses on high-quality, standardized, experience in the classroom.

IT'S EASIER

Once the teacher has mastered the technology, the whole teaching process to simplify the framework of this model. Everything is already packed. No messyDevelopment of the curriculum - they are already done - and done well. No reflection on creative learning activities and approaches - they are already there. One could hardly sleep! (if not for the requirement animated and entertaining.)

Needs of students

Students in this new model will be immersed in the educational technology in their courses. This is the world of today and the future.You will be involved with them, and smart boards, laptops, WiFi interact, simulations, business games, remote "clicker", interactive learning, the real world, relevant projects, presentations, etc. It was developed to their learning styles and attention spans, it is excellent for compliance they prepare for their career. Although many students are "comfortable" with the technology, less competent and less still a deeper understanding. The curriculum shouldhelping them to control himself better and better prepared for the technology demands of the future for businesses. The intense technological nature of the classroom experience is also on the different learning styles. The auditory learner voice, have music, and noise. The visual learner, the videos, enjoy powerpoints and other visual elements. The kinesthetic learners appreciate the hands on component, especially the SMART board.

Student satisfactionThere is of course a priority. Education, especially for non-profit education, serve the students, while running a business. And by the service and the satisfaction of the student, ultimately, the students in school, graduate residence and learn valuable skills and knowledge in the process. The graduates will benefit the economy, and society as a whole. An advanced society like ours depends crucially populated by an educated and productive.

EMPLOYERS MUST

What employers want and need? The connection to the needs of the employer is of paramount importance. Companies need trained workers. Technologically, they require skilled workers to the demands of a quickly changing technological environment and a highly competitive situation.

We live in a productive society. Companies are spending billions of dollars and training of their employees. BusinessReady "graduates will be more productive from day one, and the employer will appreciate this.

Has the training come to this?

Purists would argue that to prefer the more traditional approaches are, and that academic freedom will be violated. They would say that teachers should be recruited on the basis of their knowledge, the quality of training, expertise, research and contributions to the history of their area. That would no doubt prefer to see, purely"Academic" and "scientists" in the class. However, there is still room for an interesting debate here. When it comes to the teachers or the students? Of course, we understand that it is about both, but whose needs take precedence? The answer must be - the students! Finally, the entire educational system in place to meet the needs of the students to become and ultimately society.

Trainers with the real world, practical experience and withoutTechno-phobia is related more adaptable to this new format, and perhaps better equipped for the students.

THE BOTTOM LINE

In education, there is always room for a wide range of opinions and approaches. Let's try this new one. It works in the economy - why not education? This is probably the reason why the approach to self-Career Colleges lot easier than their mainstream counterparts. The "for-profit career colleges are certainly theForefront of this initiative, and "early adopters".

We all know that "quality" is a matter of education. Graduates with virtually identical credentials can have completely different skills and knowledge and skills. This is and has always been a concern. This standardized, quality-assured model will resolve the problem.

Of course, this educational model is controversial, as it should be! But the result is very possible that the students have avery similar experience to learn that with comparable skills and better "fits" into the business world. Employers may be more secure and confident that the graduates have the knowledge and skills they need to be successful was contributions. You will probably want to at some point be fully in the curriculum development process. In this globally competitive market, this may be just what is needed.

If we are teaching business, we must havebusiness-minded. Let's transfer of these "best practices" from industry to academia to keep our students are involved, and better prepare them for their professional future. And, to the lessons learned from places like McDonald's can, we could be more for education than ever could have imagined.

© Copyright 2009, Dr. Ben A. Carlsen, MBA. All rights reserved worldwide for all media. You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter,Received newspaper, magazine, website, etc., as long as you leave all links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and bio-box, and follow all the EzineArticles Terms of publishers.

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Graduate Education And High paying jobs

To easily find a lucrative job, it is important to at least one graduate college degrees. This is the basic qualification for a large number of jobs and careers in public and private sectors.

Graduate education can be in all areas. Graduates are especially in demand in areas such as chemical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, computer science, management information system, economy, finance,Accounting, business administration and management, etc.

It is not just for college graduates find jobs easily, they are also able to get a higher salary.

Graduates in engineering, economics, finance and management have always been in demand throughout the world. It is global mobility and migration among them.

The National Association of Colleges and Employees (NACE), the U.S. has reported that in recent years, there have been moreCompetition among employers looking for graduates in these fields. This has led to higher starting salaries for college graduates, an increase of 3.5 percent to 5 percent.

Increased demand for graduates in the U.S. and other developed countries may be more demand for foreign graduates, and more immigration, outsourcing means and shift away from low-paid jobs.

It's never too late to job and career to keep an eye on trends and adaptaccordingly.

From the job analysis can be seen that skilled jobs are always in demand. With competence, it is not only easy to get jobs, but you can also start their own independent practice.

Internet has made it very easy to identify job trends. There are hundreds of websites to help future job jobs in their respective areas. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the job search so many sources on the Internet.

When selecting a particular source in the job search, you shouldpay special attention to their results, their services, testimonials etc. You can always do a Google search and you will find a favorite jobs everywhere.

Another alternative is that after gaining experience in a particular profession, with some companies, you can always try for self-employment. With the right education and skills, there are unlimited possibilities.

If you are looking for independent work, here is an excellent source of reference.

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