A VIP Plan for Education - It Works!

by Brian L. Baker

President John F. Kennedy once said, “We stand today on the edge of a new frontier…a frontier of unknown opportunities and perils, a frontier of unfulfilled hopes…The frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises – it is a set of challenges.”

President Kennedy understood that importance of innovation and progress based on positive leadership that united our nation. This call to arms drove us forward to the moon and beyond. Today, we face a new challenge…providing our children with a 21st century education.

We must look forward to new frontiers. We must not let the seven last words of education be “We never did it that way before!” The time has come for us to embrace innovation and progress in education – not through brick-and-mortar, but through technology.

Missouri is taking a lead in our nation to provide one of the most innovative and progressive educational opportunities ever afforded to children through the MoVIP School (Missouri Virtual Instructional Program). The VIP school introduces a virtual-technology alternative to enhance traditional classroom learning for thousands of Missouri students. The program is “state of the art” and is operated by the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education with state-certified teachers and meets our rigorous state standards. It has nearly completed its first full year of operation and it has been hailed by other states as one of the most innovative models in virtual-technology education.

Today, the VIP school offers on-line education to kindergarten through 5th grade AND 9th grade through 12th grade, with plans for the middle school to be added in the Fiscal-Year 2009. The program serves over 2,000 full-time and part-time students. That equals to 11,000 class enrollments through the VIP School. Students come from 109 counties of the 114 in the state.

How does it work?

This program does not entail students sitting around looking at a computer screen. Textbooks, hands-on lab work and actual paperwork are required by the curriculum that will be offered. The elementary teaching staff is based on Jefferson City, Missouri. The 9th-12th grade program is based at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. The high-school division has its teachers placed all over the state. All teachers have daily contact with students through voice, texting, video, email, and real-time technology. Students are required to meet state standards and recently the VIP students completed their state MAP testing.

Students receive one-on-one attention from a certified teacher, learn at their own pace, and receive an accredited education from anywhere in the state. The opportunities are nearly endless. Recently, I met with the entire teaching staff of our elementary and high school divisions. Every teacher “loved” the program and feel it offers a new and exciting chapter for educational advancement.

MoVIP offers education access that is nearly unprecedented.

Many of our rural districts are struggling to hire or attract qualified and state-certified science and math teachers. Many rural school districts are using the VIP school for their students for specific courses. From a community library or school library a student in a small rural district could receive a physics class or a calculus class. Further, it is a tool for our struggling inner-city schools.

St. Louis and Kansas City have struggled for years to maintain accreditation and reach their children with a quality education. MoVIP is available to serve our inner-city students. MoVIP allows us to conquer the class-room size issues facing our big inner-city schools. It allows students to avoid violence and pressures facing our inner-city neighborhoods. Students can learn safely from home, at their own pace, and receive that special attention that will give them a true head-start to success.

MoVIP classes serve a wide range of needs including:
-- Students who are home-bound because of injuries or medical conditions
-- Students who are lagging in credits or need remedial help
-- Students who want access to Advanced Placement and other upper-level courses that are not available in their schools
-- Public schools that want to offer certain classes but struggle to attract teachers to their rural areas or inner-city classrooms.

The Missouri VIP program is helping students around the world. Right now a Missouri family is living in New Guinea where they are missionaries. Normally, the parents would have to send their children to a boarding school. However, because they are Missouri citizens, they are enrolled in a Missouri school…the VIP school. Today, we have several students who are home-bound due to a severe disabilities or illness. These children are enrolled in the VIP school and receiving quality public education. We have military families who move every year, but their residency is in Missouri. They are able to give their child a quality education without having to switch schools all the time. They are able to develop a relationship with teachers and grow as students.

All children should have access to a first class education. Embracing this program and the technology it utilizes will open new doors for many of Missouri’s students. MoVIP gives our students the chance to be first in achievement and success. As Missourians we are proudly the “Show Me” state, but when it comes to education we can and should be the “Show You” state.

While there are some critics of MoVIP, I would ask them to remember one more thought of President Kennedy, “The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were.” Welcome to the future!

A Perosnal Note

By Brian L. Baker

Benjamin Franklin once said “He that raises a large family does, indeed, while he lives to observe them, stand a broader mark for sorrow; but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too.”

For those who have come to know me, they discover very quickly that my family is extremely important. Even while serving in Jefferson City, I will drive home extra-nights just to be at concerts, awards ceremonies, and other once-in-a-lifetime events.

This past week, amidst discussions of illegal immigration, teacher salaries, and Aquila, I completed an effort that will impact at least one life far longer than the issues we debate today. Kristen and I completed the adoption of our seven-month old daughter, Addison Briana Baker.

It truly is one of the most amazing adventures of our family.

One year ago we were approached about a situation where a mother was pregnant and was in a situation where she could not care for the child. We were asked if we would consider adopting the child and taking her into our family.

After some prayer we embarked on faith. For months we communicated with the mother and kept in contact regarding the pregnancy and health of the baby. We prepared our hearts for the good and the bad. Our family prayers focused on simply avoiding any broken hearts.

On September 11, 2007 Addison Briana was born. On September 13, 2007 she was delivered to our home. In October of 2007 the 17th Circuit Court terminated the rights of the birth-parents.

Then the waiting game began. Missouri law requires a six-month waiting period while the adopting family is reviewed…and a home-study is done.

On April 11, 2008 we appeared before Judge Jacqueline Cook and we were named as the legal parents of Addison Briana Baker. Our entire family, parents, grand-parents, great grand-parents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins attended the court hearing.

We are pleased to announce that our family has grown. Benjamin Franklin is right…while there is always a chance that a large family makes a broader mark for sorrow, it gives you a broader mark for pleasure as well. Addison was worth the risk, the wait, and the love. She is a part of our family and the love we share with her is as if we created her ourselves.

We are so thankful to our church, our friends, and our family for their support in this process. The kind words of area leaders and citizens have been over-whelming. We are thankful for such a supportive community.

As I end my service in the Missouri House, I am excited about the blessings that have been provided to my family. This weekend, as my family celebrated, I cannot help but believe that there are greater issues than the debates of the day. May we never forget that the arguments of today will fade away, but the love of children lasts forever!

Kristen, Kaylinn, Grant, Addison, and I thank you for allowing us to serve the 123rd District as a family. We are grateful for such a wonderful home.

Government for the People & by the People

By Brian L. Baker

Thomas Jefferson once stated, “That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part. “ He further said, “Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.”

His words ring a truth today. Informed and active citizens can be involved in their government. Our founding fathers were correct…we can have a government “for the people” and “by the people.” This foundational truth is why citizens should consider the value of a “Charter” form of government.

The advantages to a “Charter” form of government or “Home Rule” are numerous. First and foremost it brings government close to the citizens as possible, and the city charter is adjusted to local conditions. Currently, cities are classified in statute using a “one-size” fits all approach. Any changes have to be made my legislators and not voters.

A “Charter” form of government can give citizens and city officials’ greater flexibility in responding to citizen needs for public services without waiting for state legislative authorization. Instead of a legislator from St. Louis, Kansas City, or other areas of the state deciding our future and meeting our needs, local voters can decide best how to meet their needs.

“Charter” cities have a greater choice over governmental organization and more control over officials and city employees. Further, “Charter” cities can develop a more efficient administration plan because they are not bound by state restrictions.

“Charter” cities can decide the number of city councilmen they have and their terms in office. You can have at-large elections or ward elections…or a mixture of both. You can choose to have your Park Board appointed or you can have your Park Board elected. You can have your Planning & Zoning Board elected or appointed…or a mixture of both.

In terms of efficiency, you have the option of combining city positions. For example, you can combine your collector and treasurer or you can have two separate offices. You can combine your building inspector and codes enforcement office or keep them separate. You can have a city manager or a city administrator. Citizens can design their charter to give the city council more power than the mayor or give the mayor more power. You can even give the Mayor “veto” power. A “Charter” gives local citizens the means to decide the most efficient means to run a government.

You can choose the length of terms elected officials serve. Instead of two year terms, you can give a mayor four years, or give city councilman three year terms. Citizens could decide when they want their elections held. A “Charter” can choose to have their elections at their current appointed time or set times with state-wide elections or chose a different time completely. It would be up to the voters to decide how they wanted their “Charter” city to work.

Citizens can also vote to place “recall” and “initiative referendum” in their “Charter” government. Elected officials become more accountable to the voters. Of course, you want to set the standard for a recall at a high level so that you do not have constant recalls. However, giving the citizens the right to organize for change, again, gives the voters more voice.

“Charter” cities would give citizens more of a voice in the types of taxes they impose on themselves and how they tax themselves for services. This is common in growing areas like Springfield, Columbia, or St. Charles. Giving citizens, instead of big government in Jefferson City, more say in how they generate revenue and fund services truly makes government for the people and by the people.

“Charter” cities have more flexibility in dealing with ordinance issues like big-truck traffic or even rock quarry operations that might impact a city. The city could create friendlier and efficient codes enforcement ordinances.

Belton is asking voters to elect charter commissioners to help write a city charter. This charter can include or exclude these issues and much more. Voters have the opportunity to visit with these elected commissioners and provide input.

The “Charter” can encompass all the good things we have now…and add some great things to make our local city government better. Once the charter is written, the voters have the chance to review it and vote it up or down.

What if the “Charter” passes? That is the great part. The “Charter” can include the ability for citizens to collect petitions and offer ideas for change. The “Charter” can even include a review plan that allows a citizen-commission to review the “Charter” and recommend changes for the voters to decide.

The main point…the voters are involved and decide their own future.

Some say, “let our legislators” do this. It is important to keep in mind that you get ONE state representative out of 163 and 1 senator out of 34. When a state representative makes a change for one city, he or she has to convince 162 other people who do not live in the community or that area that it is a good change. He has to convince our senator and 33 others that it is a good change. Then the Governor has to decide if he will sign the legislation into law. This also means maneuvering around partisan politics to do something for local communities.

When enacted, a charter can only be adopted or changed by a majority vote of the registered voters in a city. The council cannot establish change on its own outside authority given in the charter. The city still must comply with state law, but can establish its own method for enacting ordinances.

Giving voters, the people that live with the decisions, more say and more involvement means faster action and a more open government. Remember, if the “Charter” is not written to the satisfaction of citizens, they can vote it down. If the voters approve the “Charter” it can also be changed by the voters.

The “Charter” is an option for your consideration. Give it some thought and then let your voice be heard.