The obvious answer is that the teacher can devote more individual attention to each student. But a 2001 paper by Bush’s recent appointee to the Council of Economic Advisers (who appears to be a broadly talented scholar with liberal and libertarian support) suggests that another factor may be even more important:
This has significant policy implications, since the cost of reducing class size is very large, while the cost of educating a teacher on improved classroom management is quite low.
Tyler Cowen gathers some of his other interesting research.
I saw an excellent documentary last night called The Abortion Diaries. In the 30-minute film, 12 women speak about their personal experiences having an abortion. In the Q&A that followed, director Penny Lane discussed the core idea behind her film: that the national conversation about abortion needs to become both broader and more personal.
There is still a good deal of stigma around abortion, and the pro-choice position is usually defended only as the lesser of evils. The notion that abortion can be the right decision, made with no regrets, is just not in the public discourse. And like any taboo, this condition is self-perpetuating: women who have had abortions will not speak out about them because of the stigma, and this public silence helps mantain the stigma. And As Ms. Lane noted in the Q&A, virtually the only women to discuss their abortions publicly are in the pro-life movement.
Conversely, the pro-choice movement is generally dismissive of feelings that a fetus has some personhood, even though those feelings are natural. They fear that any such notion gives ammunition to the other side. It is challenging to weigh the psychological needs of the mother against the physical life of the fetus; it’s a lot easier to simply argue that the latter has no value.
Ms. Lane’s film is not flawless, of course, but it is a well-crafted work and an important step towards addressing these suppressed issues.
Ms Lane is also a highly engaging speaker; the film is worth seeing on its own, but if you have the oppotunity to attend a screening where she attends in person, you do not want to miss it.
The bad news:
The good news: maybe if Karl Rove loses his infamous Blackberry, someone in power will finally care enough to do something about the screwed-up software patent system.
Via Slate, the AP writes about an excellent barter network to provide transportation for the elderly:
Taxpayers win because the program operates with volunteers and donations. Senior citizens win because they get to ride in a regular car, not a taxi or a bus. And the car comes when they want it. No waiting at cold, icy bus stops.
The rides are cheaper than cabs, averaging $7-$8, and it’s undoubtedly a net gain for people with elderly relatives to be able to volunteer rides at a time that’s convenient for themselves, rather than having to adjust their schedule to their relatives’. Conversely, the seniors don’t need to “go begging rides from people”, as one client put it.
There’s an interesting article in today’s Seattle P-I about Planned Parenthood chaplains. This anecdote particularly struck me. When one Planned Parenthood worker–who had taken the job because of her support for birth control–had qaulms about abortion, she spoke with the chaplain:
“I’m still kind of divided in my feelings,” the woman said. “But I believe that I’m doing right, and Vincent really helped me.”
It’s sad when people need an authority figure to tell them that it’s okay to think for themselves. (Shades of Life of Brian.) Still, I’m glad that some clergy are stepping in to fill that role.
I’m not sure I understand Tyler Cowen’s link in this post. Is he saying that maybe Ronald Coase could finally get a blowjob?
Via Orac, a story that beggars comment:
For his part, Al-Azhar’s fatwa committee chairman Abdullah Megawar argued that married couples could see each other naked but should not look at each other’s genitalia and suggested they cover up with a blanket during sex.
Fig leaves, anyone?
A study at Harvard has found that some skills only develop during the day, and some only overnight:
So, practice your tennis back-hand in the morning, and your vocabulary flashcards at night. It’s scientific!
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This is not the site of journalist and author Daniel Glick. His website is at danielglick.net
Sick Transit: A directionless train of thought. Sic transit cogitationes Danis.