[quote][b]E.J.[/b] -
They call them alternative schools and disruptive kids are just housed there until they are of age or drop out. If you know how "reform" schools helped, please let the school system know. Putting them all together doesn't seem to help without psychological counseling for each one and in groups. Emotional intelligence needs to be the foundation of alternative schools with academics second.
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I don't know from experience, but I heard they were not deemed "alternative" schools back in the 40's and 50's. They were more like a military school/college and were very disciplined. Not sure counseling was available since I would think kids were there for the disciplinary problems. I would think it could be made available in a reform school today. However, not sure whether the state would take on this cost or that the taxpayers would back such an understanding. It would certainly be a better alternative than the catch and release probationary problems we have today. Just saying....

As I have stated before, this problem could easily be solved by having REFORM schools once again. It helped before, and could help again. Never knew why they did away with them. Could surely be helpful in reforming kids to become better contributors to society, plus provide an education and life skills!

[quote][b]E.J.[/b] -
Maybe you're hanging out in gay bars and don't know it. Ask around or try new places. All I heard about when I was young was civil rights, loud and clear, and we finally, finally did something about it once we all got our gullets full. Evidently, this is what it takes to change some people's minds (not mine) to be fair with their fellow man. It's long past time to be fair with homosexual people and all those who are a little different from each of us because they are what they are. As long as they don't cause harm to or interfer with anyone, they are totally acceptable.
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I'm not hanging out in any bars, thank you! The fact is that much has been done about civil rights and homosexuality, but do you think these folks are happy? No, as far as I can tell, they have have been and are treated fairly, but continually want more instead of being happy with the fact they have been given the same opportunities as everyone else!

I keep wondering what will be next....maybe marriage between brother and sister, or marriage between people and their pets? What do you think? You never know with this world today.

[quote][b]THX1138[/b] - @scarborj: Are you suggesting that racism no longer exists? If people accuse you of being racist you should probably take a good look at what you are saying or doing. I'm not gay and in no way do I feel like I'm being bombarded with homosexuality on a regular basis. It seems like you might need to develop some thicker skin if you are so easily offended.

Please do not attempt to put words in my mouth...I am not suggesting racism no longer exists nor what others feel about it or homosexuality! I simply stated that these two issues are constantly being publicized by the media ad nauseum! Just saying....

[quote][b]THX1138[/b] - @scarborj: I don't know what world you live in where you are being constantly bombarded with homosexuality. The great thing about this country is that we all have a choice. If you are being offended by something you have every right to change the channel or whatever to get away from it but to act as if you are being forced to endure something is ridiculous. I am also a part of your society as are all homosexuals so please be aware that not everyone is offended by the same things.
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That's just it....there's no getting away from it no matter where you are or what you're doing. It's the same with people crying racism!!!

[quote][b]THX1138[/b] - I don't see what the big deal is it's the 21st Century. And it's not like homosexuality is an airbourne virus or anything. It's a shame that so many people in our society are terrified of what they don't understand.
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In my opinion, it's not a big deal, however, I believe society is a little tired of homosexuality being rammed down our throats on a daily basis!!!! No group is safe from their constant bombardment! Enough is enough!!!

I love Harry and William. Thanks to their "Mum", they are real down-to-earth young men!

@Logical:

Not stupid....of course, Americans have always paid for the indigent healthcare in this Nation, but has been through the premiums we pay to insurance providers we CHOOSE, not the government!!!! And, we are not FORCED to pay it!!!!!

It is a shame that people can not, or will not, work and get health insurance for themselves, but I can't recall a case where they have been turned down when medical help is needed. While I realize some can not help this sometimes through no fault of their own, but I would bet 80% of them are able-bodied and can work at something. They have just gotten used to...as you put it about Nathan Deal, have done nothing but "suck at the government teat," and will continue to do so!!!

[quote][b]seagra[/b] - This opinion just shows the complete disfunction of the Republican led government. Governor Nathan Deal and the the Republican led Senate and House of Representatives in Atlanta.
If you go to healthcare.org and click on the state of Georgia you can see how these politicians have blocked healthcare for most of the citizens who are without insurance. Nathan Deal wouldn't allow health exchanges to be organized in the state, and he also rejected allowing the Federal Government to give 600,000 working poor Georgians to be put on Medicaid rolls. If these people could get this insurance, which is at 0 cost for the state for 3 years and only 10% of the cost thereafter, what a boon for the health of these citizens which Deal turned down. The hospitals of the state need to collectively get some backbone and fight Gov. Deal on this injustice to its poorest citizens. Healthy people are more productive, and businesses will come into a healthier state.
At healthcare .org you can compare the 50 states as to options open to uninsured citizens to see how thoroughly the citizens of Georgia have been neglected by the Republican's incompetent leadership.
Nancy Seagraves
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You just can't fix STUPID...."at no cost" who do you think is paying for Medicaid/Obamacare/Medicare???? The American TAXPAYER!!!

[quote][b]cyou299[/b] - @Farmer GA: if you'll recall (not likely) they convinced congress with a series of direct lies. ...now THAT would be something to investigate and prosecute. [/quote]

I tend to disagree with the fact Congress was lied to...I'll always believe that while we were trying to get permission to send in inspectors, Iraq simply and quietly moved those weapons of mass destruction to Syria. Where do you think Syria got those weapons they're using against their own people??????

[quote][b]proftom[/b] - Good column. Hopefully those who say that Pitts never writes anything good will remember this one.
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Wonder what he would have wrote had it been BEYONCE who was pulled over made a scene, and was arrested? Just saying....

The albatross around the ACC government neck is that ever ballooning "Leisure Services" department! Granted, a lot of their programs have low paying positions without benefits, but you can't tell me that this department as well as many other departments can not cut the pork from their budgets each year and balance the budget. Families have to do it, why can't the governments?

They should have started years ago trimming positions whenever an employee quit, was fired, or retired thereby cutting personnel by attrition. This was promised upon the combining of the city/county governments, but was it done?....NO! They just kept adding positions especially at the administrative end. It's just like the CCSD, top-heavy with extreme salaries on that end, plus continuing to add positions they can surely do without and still not funding safety in the community! This, on top of all the SPLOST projects that cost money once they are completed either with upkeep or personnel!

I could go on and on. This is just common sense, people. The property owners of ACC, most of whom are elderly people on fixed incomes, are continuing to pay through the nose for BIG government and they 're getting tired of it!!!! Maybe it is time we band together to protest and stage some sit-ins, camp-outs, etc. to see if it will help. Any ideas???

The innocent era of school so fondly recalled by Mr. Galis does not exist anymore.

Amen, and neither do the values of that era in school or any other thing in the world today!

I personally feel that he wasn't given a fair shake by the Jets. It all boiled down to his not being politically correct when it came to openly sharing his Christianity. Just saying...

[quote][b]Used2baFreeCountry[/b] - George Zimmerman will have a pre-trial hearing tomorrow, with the trial set to commence on June 10.
What do you think will happen if he is found innocent and set free right at the hottest point in the summer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW9DMb0iVec
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I'm dreading this one for sure!

What happened to the good old reform schools for these thugs? Seems to me they should be mandatory for those kids who do not behave in school and don't want to learn!

[quote][b]nancy30683[/b] - @Farmer GA: Kudos to you!! Would plus you 100 if I could. You have, in two simple paragraphs, provided an accurate summation of the opposition to this bill, and others. Americans have been burned too many times, Obamacare being the largest culprit to date.
"....with good reason" is an understatement.
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AMEN!

[quote][b]webbty80[/b] -
These Chechens killed 130 at the Moscow Theater in 2002. The Boston Bombing is a taste of what's to come. There are sleeper cells in this country. All we can do is be watchful and vigilant. God bless the souls lost in the wake of these two thugs madness.
God bless the Law Enforcement and National Guard for getting these thugs.
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Yep, another reason our borders should be SEALED! And, talking about thorough background checks...those waiting to become citizens of the U.S. should be doubly checked!!!! I truly believe there are sleeper cells in the U.S. and it's not a matter of if they will strike, but WHEN!

@Tewise:

[quote][b]Tewise[/b] - Where have you all read that they are Muslim? I haven't seen anything other than they are Russian.
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Another low-information voter!

NASA or someone should keep looking for another planet where life can be sustained because it's not going to be long before Earth will be no more. Hate to be a pessimist, but the Bible is coming true on a daily basis.

[quote][b]Curls[/b] - The school district is bloated with too many people that do not teach our children. Fire some proportion of these folks-- any administrator that has Assistant, Associate, or Vice President as part of their job description should be considered expendable.
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I SAY AMEN TO THAT!!!

The school district as well as any other business or family must cut many things when there is more cost than funds to pay. It's just common sense...cut unnecessary expenses and stop spending!!! Just what is it government does not understand? Simple logic, people!

I just hope everyone will behave themselves and just enjoy the concert. Then, just maybe the country stars will want to come back again. Don't embarrass us, fans. Wait until you go downtown to the bars to do your rebel rousing.

[quote][b]MyraBlackmon[/b] - I admit it's a big mess, and have no intention of bragging on the system. What I'm trying to point out is that when we can't accurately quanitfy a problem, and proceed to devise "solutions" and ratings based on inaccurate information, the solutions and ratings are bound to be flawed themselves.

You're right, it is a "big mess" and getting worse. The problem is that anything, especially the school system, is much worse off because of the federal government's involvement!!! Things were much better when just the local government was in charge. Seems school systems got greedy and the problems began!

[quote][b]Used2baFreeCountry[/b] - Did you know that 82% of african-americans lived in married, two-parent households at the time that the Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964?
Of course, that was before liberals "helped" african-american families with the welfare programs of the past 50 years that started with LBJ's "Great Society."
Stupid liberals. . .
http://www.wnd.com/2011/09/341881/
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This is soooo true! Instead of taking advantage of their civil rights and opportunities afforded them to better themselves, they are now "wards" of the U.S. government and will continue to be until they die.

I'd also like to mention that the "non-violence" that their hero, Martin Luther King preached for years, is no more, not that it made a difference anyway. They continue violence not only on society but more on their own people more than anyone else. It's my opinion this culture is their own worst enemy!!!

[quote][b]MyraBlackmon[/b] - The system is not good at coming up with systems. And the money it would take to develop a national network to accurately track all students would be phenomenally expensive and carries all sorts of risks of data breaches and privacy concerns.

It's a thorny problem, to be sure.[/quote]

My question still stands. You neglected to say whether or not the local systems hold "exit" interviews when a child no longer attends school or whether or not local systems "include" the special education or summer school graduates in their counts. There is certainly enough administrative folks at the central office who could do this in ACC. And, of course, it all comes back to "money" to come up with an accurate system of tracking students from school to school or state to state. Considering what it takes in funds per students to educate them, you would think this could be accomplished especially with the technology available this day in time.

Seems to me if the country can come up with a system to track cows to eliminate mad cow diseased meat being passed on to the public in the U.S., one could come up with something to track these students, at least by state. I feel the same way about tracking the "undocumented" people in the U. S. Feds have the funds to do most everything else they want to do, why not this???