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Restaurant Report
12/22/2011

By HEIDI KNAPP RINELLA and MADELON HYNESLAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNALBinion's west portable, 128 Fremont St., perceived 20 demerits Dec. 2. Violations included employee sandwich observed in keg cooler. GRADE: BChina A Go Go, 75 S. Valle Verde Drive, Henderson, perceived 17 demerits Dec. 2. Violations included stem thermometer not calibrated. GRADE: BChina Max, Las Vegas Outlet Center, 7400 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 19 demerits Nov. 29. Violations included foods held at improper temperatures. GRADE: BChina One, 921 S. Rainbow Blvd., perceived 26 demerits Dec. 5. Violations included improper hand-washing procedures. GRADE: CChina Roll, 3310 S. Nellis Blvd., perceived 20 demerits Nov. 29. Violations included improper hand-washing procedures. GRADE: BCue Club snack bar, Commercial Center, 953 E. Sahara Ave., perceived 15 demerits Nov. 29. Violations included live roaches observed throughout kitchen. GRADE: BDel Taco, 3922 Blue Diamond Road, perceived 24 demerits Dec. 2. Violations included food handler dicing tomatoes without gloves. GRADE: CEast Ocean prep, 9570 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson, perceived 38 demerits Nov. 29. Violations included raw beef stored over raw shrimp and eggs. GRADE: CEast Ocean restaurant, 9570 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson, perceived 18 demerits Nov. 29. Violations included Miller Lite buckets used for food storage. GRADE: B. The facility was reinspected Nov. 30, perceived zero demerits and was upgraded to an A.El Cazador Restaurant, 1108 E. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas, perceived 14 demerits Dec. 5. Violations included frozen shrimp thawing with no running water. GRADE: BE-String Bar and Grill, 2031 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, perceived 18 demerits Nov. 30. Violations included no sanitizer strips available for dishwashing machine. GRADE: BFavorites, 4110 S. Maryland Parkway, perceived 19 demerits Dec. 5. Violations included no sanitizer bucket set up on arrival. GRADE: BHoliday Inn Express, 4540 Donovan Way, North Las Vegas, perceived 19 demerits Nov. 30. Violations inclu! ded oper ator unaware of gloving rule. GRADE: BInner Circle Lounge, 704 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, perceived 18 demerits Nov. 30. Violations included heavily soiled club gun. GRADE: BJack in the Box, 455 E. Silverado Ranch Blvd., perceived nine demerits Nov. 30. Violations included food handler without health card. GRADE: B because of a repeat critical violation.La Luna Bar, 2440 Las Vegas Blvd. North, North Las Vegas, perceived 12 demerits Dec. 2. Violations included bottles of liquor and mixers stored open. GRADE: BMcDonald's, 4804 Lone Mountain Road, perceived 19 demerits Dec. 2. Violations included lobby soda nozzles soiled. GRADE: BMon Ami Gabi, cold line, Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 15 demerits Nov. 30. Violations included sanitizer water stored in pan next to uncovered food. GRADE: BMon Ami Gabi, hot line, Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 20 demerits Nov. 30. Violations included foods held at improper temperatures. GRADE: BPBR Rock Bar bulk prep kitchen, Miracle Mile Shops, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 33 demerits Dec. 1. Violations included foods held at improper temperatures. GRADE: C The facility was reinspected Dec. 2, perceived zero demerits and was upgraded to an A.PBR Rock Bar east bar, Miracle Mile Shops, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 17 demerits Dec. 1. Violations included drain line from beer tub draining onto shelf holding liquor bottles. GRADE: BPearl Wok, 8550 W. Charleston Blvd., perceived 30 demerits Dec. 1. Violations included no thermometers present. GRADE: CPlaying Field Lounge, Planet Hollywood, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 16 demerits Dec. 2. Violations included improper hand-washing procedures. GRADE: BPocket Change, 5020 E. Tropicana Ave., perceived 38 demerits Nov. 29. Violations included inadequate hot water at three-compartment sink. GRADE: CRoma Pizza, 4310 E. Tropicana Ave., perceived 17 demerits Dec. 1. Violations included business equipment stored on food-prep area. GRADE: BSo Hyang Restaurant, Commer! cial Cen ter, 953 E. Sahara Ave., perceived 15 demerits Nov. 29. Violations included buckets of food stored on floor. GRADE: BStarbucks, 6572 N. Decatur Blvd., North Las Vegas, perceived three demerits Dec. 2. Violations included ice machine soiled inside. GRADE: B because of a repeat critical violation.Sushi Imagine sushi bar, 75 S. Valle Verde Drive, Henderson, perceived 16 demerits Dec. 2. Violations included food improperly labeled without "use-by" date. GRADE: BTGI Friday's bar, Sam's Town, 5111 Boulder Highway, perceived 13 demerits Dec. 1. Violations included moldlike growth on soda nozzles. GRADE: BTodai Restaurant, support kitchen, Miracle Mile Shops, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 37 demerits Nov. 29. Violations included food stored at improper temperatures. GRADE: CUmberto's, Las Vegas Outlet Center, 7400 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 18 demerits Nov. 29. Violations included no sanitizer in sanitizer bucket. GRADE: BV Theater, Divine Events, Miracle Mile Shops, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 18 demerits Dec. 3. Violations included improper hand-washing procedures. GRADE: BVerandah Cafe brunch, Four Seasons, 3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived 15 demerits Dec. 3. Violations included foods held at improper temperatures. GRADE: BThe following restaurants have been reinspected:Aloha Specialties restaurant, California Hotel, 12 E. Ogden Ave., perceived four demerits Dec. 1 and was upgraded to an A.Binion's Keno bar, 128 Fremont St., perceived six demerits Dec. 2 and was downgraded to a C for a repeat critical violation.Blondie's, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived dual demerits Nov. 28 and was upgraded to an A.Cafe Rio, 5765 Centennial Center Blvd., perceived six demerits Nov. 2 and was upgraded to an A.Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, 6340 W. Charleston Blvd., perceived 10 demerits Nov. 22 and was upgraded to an A.China One Chinese Restaurant, 7080 N. Durango Drive, perceived nine demerits Nov. 7 and was upgraded to an A.Chop Chop Wok, 6812 W. Cheyenn! e Ave., perceived eight demerits Nov. 10 and was upgraded to an A.Don Beto Restaurant, 2901 W. Washington Ave., perceived four demerits Nov. 2 and was upgraded to an A.Einstein Bros., McCarran International Airport, 5757 Wayne Newton Blvd., perceived eight demerits Nov. 29 and was upgraded to an A.Fabulous Freddy's Car Wash snack bar, 4309 W. Craig Road, North Las Vegas, perceived four demerits Nov. 18 and was upgraded to an A.Fabulous Freddy's Car Wash yogurt shop, 4309 W. Craig Road, North Las Vegas, perceived dual demerits Nov. 18 and was upgraded to an A.Godiva Chocolatier, Las Vegas Premium Outlet, 855 S. Grand Central Parkway, perceived four demerits Nov. 29 and was upgraded to an A.Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt, 7170 N. Durango Drive, perceived three demerits Oct. 12 and was upgraded to an A.Gritz Cafe, 1911 Stella Lake St., perceived dual demerits Nov. 7 and was upgraded to an A.Heart Attack Grill, 450 Fremont St., perceived dual demerits Nov. 29 and was upgraded to an A.Heart Attack Grill bar, 450 Fremont St., perceived three demerits Nov. 29 and was upgraded to an A.Jamba Juice, 6485 N. Decatur Blvd., perceived three demerits Nov. 3 and was upgraded to an A.Kimchi, 3049 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived nine demerits Nov. 22 and was upgraded to an A.La Bonita Taco Shop, 2405 E. Ogden Ave., perceived eight demerits Oct. 12 and was upgraded to an A.La Torta Loca, Fort Cheyenne Casino, 2428 E. Cheyenne Ave., perceived three demerits Nov. 4 and was upgraded to an A.Le Bistro Bar, Riviera, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived six demerits Nov. 29 and was upgraded to an A.Luna's Hot Dogs, 1971 E. Charleston Blvd., perceived six demerits Nov. 9 and was upgraded to an A.Molcasalsa Mexican Food, 831 N. Rancho Drive, perceived 10 demerits Nov. 16 and was upgraded to an A.Mr. Willy's Chicken and Fish, 3330 Losee Road, North Las Vegas, perceived six demerits Nov. 10 and was upgraded to an A.New York Bagel Deli, 840 S. Rancho Drive, perceived one demerit Nov. 19 and was upgraded to an A.Platinum Hotel and Spa restaura! nt, 211 E. Flamingo Road, perceived eight demerits Nov. 29 and was upgraded to an A.Port of Subs, 7920 W. Tropical Parkway, perceived nine demerits Nov. 7 and was upgraded to an A.Red Label Bar & Lounge, 332 W. Sahara Ave., perceived 7 demerits Nov. 23 and was upgraded to an A.Rua's Restaurant, 1310 E. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas, perceived one demerit Dec. 5 and was upgraded to an A.Sakun Thai Restaurant, 1725 E. Warm Springs Road, perceived six demerits Nov. 28 and was upgraded to an A.Shari's Diner, 1900 N. Buffalo Drive, perceived five demerits Nov. 21 and was upgraded to an A.Sofia's Pizza, 955 W. Craig Road, perceived eight demerits Nov. 30 and was upgraded to an A.Subway, 6475 N. Decatur Blvd., perceived four demerits Nov. 3 and was upgraded to an A.Sumo, restaurant, 8795 W. Warm Springs Road, perceived dual demerits Nov. 30 and was upgraded to an A.Sumo, sushi bar, 8795 W. Warm Springs Road, perceived three demerits Nov. 30 and was upgraded to an A.The Teriyaki Co., 719 N. Nellis Blvd., perceived one demerit Nov. 17 and was upgraded to an A.Thai Grill, 1901 N. Decatur Blvd., perceived 7 demerits Nov. 2 and was upgraded to an A.Tokyo Sushi House restaurant, 10040 W. Cheyenne Ave., perceived nine demerits Nov. 2 and was upgraded to an A.Tokyo Sushi House sushi bar, 10040 W. Cheyenne Ave., perceived six demerits Nov. 2 and was upgraded to an A.Yolos Mexican Restaurant, Planet Hollywood Resort, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, perceived zero demerits Nov. 29 and was upgraded to an A.

12/22/2011

T he confetti will fall. The crowd will count down.The explosions will begin.At a stroke of midnight on New Year's Day, Las Vegas skies will shine brighter than ever as fireworks flare up from eight Strip hotel rooftops.Fireworks by Grucci will shoot off about half a million dollars in fireworks displays from a Tropicana, MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, The Venetian as well as a Stratosphere.More than 60 pyrotechnicians will spend a week setting up a eight-minute show beginning Dec. 27. About 10,000 circuits will be initiated to set off a fireworks while "Viva Las Vegas" plays in a background.Details of a show were announced to media outlets as well as shoppers at a Fashion Show mall news conference Wednesday."The addition of this eighth property truly makes this a eighth wonder of a world," said Felix Grucci, executive vice president, of a newly added Tropicana rooftop. "It's going to be a spectacular evening of fireworks as well as good cheer."While hundreds of thousands of revelers ring in a new year with kisses, toasts as well as resolutions to improve their lives, they also will be boosting a local economy.The Las Vegas Convention as well as Visitors Authority is estimating America's Party will bring in 314,000 visitors, up 5,000 from a previous year, to a Strip as well as a Fremont Street Experience. And those visitors will spend about $192 million on hotel rooms, shopping as well as nightclub purchases, a 1.6 percent increase from last year's spending. That figure does not include any gaming revenues."This is a greatest place to be in a world for New Year's Eve," said Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins, who chairs a convention authority. "We fill up a Strip, as well as it's so unique. At midnight, a fireworks go off, as well as people are so excited as well as happy, toasting as well as having a great time. We always expect something exciting."Entertainment includes Stevie Wonder, who will headline at The Cosmopolitan, Guns N' Roses at a Hard Rock as wel! l as Joh n Legend at a Palms, among others. There will be nightclub appearances by Kim Kardashian at Tao in The Venetian, Fergie at 10AK at The Mirage as well as LMFAO at Haze in Aria, among others.With martini in hand as well as showgirls on each arm, former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman told shoppers Wednesday that economically speaking, "Vegas has returned."After serving 12 years as mayor, Goodman is now chairman of a convention authority's host committee, composed of a dozen community leaders from different Las Vegas businesses. He is known as a official ambassador of Las Vegas."There will be more people, another venue, as well as I think a economy has come back," Goodman said. "It will be really exciting as well as a big day for us."Goodman said he hasn't made a New Year's resolution yet but plans to head downtown to celebrate."We're downtown people," Goodman said. "There's something very cozy for us, walking amongst a crowd. There will be 20,000 people down there, so we'll shake 20,000 hands as well as drink 20,000 martinis."Thirteen tribute bands will be on hand on Fremont Street to ring in 2012 during TributePalooza.This year marks a first time Carolyn Goodman will be mayor during a New Year's celebrations. She is no stranger to a Fremont Street events, though, as she stood by her husband for 12 years when he was mayor."We welcome all tourists as well as a people that live here to come as well as squeeze into a Fremont Street Experience," Carolyn Goodman said."I love walking through a crowds, they're so receptive as well as so excited. There's no better place than downtown. Hopefully, we are on a turnaround from a recession that has affected our entire community."As for her resolution?"To be careful as well as stay alive," she said, laughing. "Life is great, as well as we're so lucky. We're in good health, as well as we're lucky to be here among all a people in this great community."Contact reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.

12/22/2011

As the 2003 Las Vegas Bowl approached, Steven Jackson wasn't sure if he was preparing to play his final game for Oregon State.The junior running back knew it had the potential to be the special night for him and seven other Beavers who also played high school football in Las Vegas.It became the Christmas Eve to remember.Jackson scored five touchdowns, four on the ground, and rushed for 149 yards to lead Oregon State to the 55-14 rout of New Mexico.Immediately after the game, Jackson announced he'd forgo his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.As the Las Vegas Bowl reaches its 20-year milestone this week, Jackson's high-scoring night was voted the best performance of the first 19 games by the local six-person panel."The biggest thing before the game started, I wanted to perform big and put on the show for my family and friends who hadn't had the chance to watch me play since high school," said Jackson, who played at Eldorado High School and is closing in on his seventh 1,000-yard rushing season for the St. Louis Rams."I was thinking if I should come back for my senior season. But I had such an impressive night, we agreed it would be the nice way to go out, in the final collegiate game of my career and in my hometown."The game is now known as MAACO Bowl Las Vegas, and eighth-ranked Boise State (11-1) and Arizona State (6-6) will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at Sam Boyd Stadium.In recognition of the 20-year milestone, the Review-Journal asked five longtime Las Vegas Bowl watchers to join this reporter in ranking the top players, events and games of the first 19 editions. The panelists were bowl president Rob Dondero, bowl executive director Tina Kunzer-Murphy, bowl executive committee member Jennifer Logan, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority chief executive officer Rossi Ralenkotter and bowl media relations director Mark Wallington.The 1995 game between Toledo and UNR doubled as the best event and the best game. Toledo won 40-37 on Wasean Tait's 2-yard touchdown run in overtime, the first game ! in what then was called Division I-A to go past regulation.There have been many memorable moments in the game's history, starting with the inaugural bowl in 1992, in which Bowling Green scored with 22 seconds remaining to beat UNR, 35-34. That game ranked No. 2 in the poll.The three games that rounded out the top five -- Brigham Young's 17-16 victory over UCLA in 2007, Wyoming's 24-21 win over the Bruins in 2004 and Utah's 17-16 victory over Fresno State in 1999 -- also were decided late.But the memories go beyond the results on the field. Aside from the first overtime game, the panelists recalled other favorite moments.Ranking No. 2 among the bowl's top events was the Air Force flyover before last season's Boise State-Utah game."We had solid rain for two days, so we kept getting calls that they weren't going to be able to come," Kunzer-Murphy said. "They were telling me five minutes before they didn't know if they were going to come in, and then they came in really low. Boise State still talks ... that's the best flyover ever."In 2002, New Mexico coach Rocky Long (now coach at San Diego State) sent in female kicker Katie Hnida midway by the first quarter to attempt an extra point against UCLA. Her kick was blocked, but Hnida's mere presence made her the first woman to appear in the I-A game. That event ranked No. 3.At the luncheon prior to the 1997 game, Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton delivered the speech that still resonates and earned the No. 4 ranking. Payton talked about his love of UNLV basketball and former coach Jerry Tarkanian, sentiments that went over big with the Caesars Palace crowd."It gives me goose bumps thinking of it now," Dondero said.Almost certainly the most important event in the bowl's history, ranking No. 5, was its first sellout for the 2005 game between Brigham Young and California, because it solidified the bowl's future.Rows of empty seats year after year had created real doubt about the game's future. But the BYU partisan crowd of 40,053 packed Sam Boyd Stadium, and the game! has bee n on firmer footing ever since. The Cougars lost that night, but became an annual holiday presence, playing in five straight Las Vegas bowls.BYU was the somewhat controversial pick in 2005, however, because it was selected with the 6-5 record over No. fifteen Texas Christian, which was 10-1 and the Mountain West Conference champion.Former Los Angeles Raiders running back Napoleon McCallum, then the new member of the committee, convinced the bowl to take the Cougars."We had never had BYU in the game in all those years, and I said, 'We're either going to have the completely oversold stadium or we're going to have the good crowd,' " Kunzer-Murphy said. "Napoleon spoke up and said, 'As the player, I can tell you this, when you come out and you have the full stadium, there is nothing better.' That kind of stuck in our heads."Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore makes his second straight Las Vegas appearance this week, putting the finishing touches on the record-setting career. Moore, who last season completed 28 of 38 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns in the 26-3 win over Utah, was voted the second-best player in bowl history.The rest of the top five also made tremendous marks in the pros.No. 3 Marshawn Lynch rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns in Cal's win over BYU, and he is the driving force behind the Seattle Seahawks' success.Utah State quarterback Anthony Calvillo, voted fourth, accounted for 336 yards of total offense and passed for three touchdowns in the 42-33 win over Ball State in 1993. He went on to the record-setting Canadian Football League career, his 73,412 yards passing becoming the top at any level.The one defensive player on the list, Troy Polamalu at No. 5, made 20 tackles, including three for loss, in Southern California's 10-6 loss to Utah in 2001. Polamalu, perhaps the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense, was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season.But no one had Jackson's impact in Las Vegas. After closing his Oregon State career here, he was drafted in the fi! rst roun d by the Rams and has never looked back after withdrawal school the year early."No regrets," Jackson said. "You never know what will happen your senior year. You could get hurt. I really enjoyed the ride and what followed."Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.

The D.C district's graduation rate, according to NCES, is 56 percent.
The graduation rate for students winning and then using the voucher to attend a private school was 91 percent.

This all means that the effects of vouchers in D.C. are substantially understated by the report because nearly half of the control group exercised school choice. Unfortunately, journalists are unlikely to uncover these nuances and will instead report that vouchers don't work, despite the considerable scientific evidence that finds vouchers improve student achievement.

Let's begin.

Spending more money does not produce better student achievement
1) Nevada's education spending ranks anywhere from 26th to 47th (using figures from the U.S. government) depending on which expenditures you include and how you calculate the numbers. But does this matter?

No. Between 1959 and 2007, Nevada increased public education spending by 180 percent per pupil – and yes, that is after adjusting for inflation (but doesn’t include capital costs and debt repayment). Even with this 180 percent more money per pupil, no one in his or her right mind would argue that the quality of education today is better than 50 years ago.

In fact, almost no respected researcher argues that spending more money improves student achievement.

The National Working Group on Funding Student Learning, an assembly of several education researchers including professors from Washington, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Penn State, Stanford and U.C. Berkeley (hardly a bastion of conservative thought) reached a consensus that "the connection between resources and learning has been growing weaker, not stronger,” and that “…the system itself is the problem … State education finance systems were not designed with student learning in mind …”

And much more evidence suggests that there is no correlation between spending more money and improving student achievement.

Don't forget, it is widely recognized that teachers in Nevada are paid quite well relative to other states (ranking anywere from 17th to 22nd highest). Not that paying teachers more helps. According to Dale Ballou and Michael Podgursky, authors of "Teacher Quality and Teacher Pay," increasing the pay of teachers does not attract higher-quality teachers to the profession - school districts simply spent more money on the same pool of teachers.


Someone once defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. When it comes to education policy, doing the same thing over and over again is cruel and selfish because of the effects it has on entire generations of children.
2) Reid and Sandoval are right: Public education in Nevada is broken. We have dismal math and reading scores, rank fourth-worst in drop-out rate and are last in the nation in graduation rates. Fewer than half of low-income, black and Hispanic children can read at grade level, according to the NAEP fourth-grade reading exam. According to Education Week, fewer than one-third of African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans will graduate on time with a standard high school diploma in the Silver State.

Why are our results so bad? The major reason is that Nevada's public education system is an unaccountable, bureaucratic monopoly that focuses on jobs for adults, not education for students. I’m not alone in this judgment. The School Finance Redesign Project at the University of Washington, Bothel, concluded that public education is “focused on maintaining programs and paying adults, not on searching for the most effective way to educate our children.”

It's not fiction, bad teachers do exist.
3) Both candidates want to reform teacher evaluations, teacher seniority and teacher tenure. Doing so will help ensure we get bad teachers out of classrooms.

The National Council on Teacher Quality notes that Nevada is a state where earning tenure is “virtually automatic.” Few higher-ed teachers, by contrast, actually receive tenure, and even then it takes five or more years to earn the privilege. Tenure makes it hard to get rid of really bad teachers.

According to the Center for American Progress, a left-of-center think tank (read: NOT CONSERVATIVE), and the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, Nevada’s school districts terminated or failed to renew the contracts of just 0.2 percent of “untenured teachers” and 0.3 percent of “tenured teachers” in 2007-08. Overall, Nevada kept 99.4 percent of its teachers that year. Only Arkansas, Delaware and Pennsylvania fired fewer teachers.

If getting rid of bad teachers and implementing teacher evaluations, eliminating seniority privileges and tenure is such a conservative idea, then why would U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan say, “[w]hen inflexible seniority and rigid tenure rules that we designed put adults ahead of children — then we are not only putting kids at risk, we are putting the entire education system at risk.” Yup, Arne Duncan: NOT A CONSERVATIVE.

Furthermore, Whitney Tilson of Democrats for Education Reform (read: NOT A CONSERVATIVE) identifies “three pillars of mediocrity” that must be eliminated: a) Lifetime tenure, b) lockstep pay and c) seniority (instead of merit).

Advocating education policies that actually work doesn't mean those ideas are conservative.

4) School choice isn’t a conservative issue, either. It's an education issue. Partisans have made it into an ideological issue solely because one major source of campaign funding – the teacher unions – hates school choice. More choice for parents and students means less opportunity for unions to control and manipulate education policy and, thus, fewer opportunities to fatten their own pockets.

Howard Fuller, a former Black Panther and current professor at Marquette University (read: NOT A CONSERVATIVE) has stated: "There is a fundamental issue confronting African Americans, and therefore all Americans. Parents without the power to make educational choices lack an indispensable tool for helping their children secure an effective education."

Anthony Colón, a former vice president of La Raza (read: NOT A CONSERVATIVE) has stated: "Vouchers are not a Republican idea. If your community is underperforming with low graduation rates and sits at the bottom of the barrel in math and science, you don't worry about vouchers being a Republican issue. You worry about what works for your community."

Senator James T. Meeks, a Democrat from inner-city Chicago (read: NOT A CONSERVATIVE), not only pushed for a voucher program for low-income children in Chicago, but when the union was angered by his efforts he wrote the union a check and returned its campaign donations.

And don’t forget the crowd that marched in Florida to expand the Step Up for Students program.



Or the diverse crowd that marched on D.C. to protest the Democrats' union-backed and ideologically driven attempt to kill a voucher program that works.



Note, Connecticut Independent Joe Lieberman and California Democrat Dianne Feinstein (Read: NOT CONSERVATIVES) have tried to bring back the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Speaking of what works, how about the evidence that vouchers work? Nine out of 10 empirical studies find that students benefit from the use of vouchers to attend private schools. Eighteen out of 19 studies find that public schools improve when faced with voucher competition. In 2009, a U.S. Department of Education study found that students using the D.C. voucher to attend a private school over a three-year period saw an 18-month gain in reading skills, while a 2010 report found that students using the scholarship to attend a private school saw graduation rates that were 21 percentage points higher than the control group.

It is very, very clear that vouchers improve student achievement, graduation rates and public schools. It is also clear that competition between public schools as well as public school choice improve student achievement.

Researcher Carolyn Hoxby of Stanford University found that charter schools in New York improved student achievement in reading and mathematics, especially among low-income children. Importantly, Hoxby's research shows that the charter schools closed the achievement gap significantly. Additionally, Marcus Winters, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, found that traditional public schools improved when faced with competition from charter schools.

Even the union-run but autonomous Pilot Schools in Boston outperformed the traditional government monopoly school. Choice and school decentralization work. Period.

If Jon Ralston really does believe we need to spend more money on education, then he is advocating what doesn't work. Ralston is completely wrong in his assessment of Reid vs. Sandoval. Painting empirically proven education policies as ideologically driven dogma is not only incorrect, it is a disservice to the students of Nevada who deserve a much better education. Reid vs. Sandoval on education policy isn’t “conservative vs. very conservative” ... it is “what works vs. what works.”

In order to fund the $10 billion "Keep Our Educators Working Act," Obey wants to cut "about $500 million from the $4.35 billion Race to the Top fund, $200 million from the Teacher Incentive Fund that supports creation of pay-for-performance programs and $100 million from the Charter Schools Program."

How come so many Democrats in Congress are concerned about funding jobs for adults and so few are concerned about actually educating students? I mean, with policies that actually work?

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