Friday, May 10, 2013

Commentary




Reply to Article:
 

               In regards to Jamie's opinion about House Bill 2364,I agree it is a very touchy subject and Jamie does a good job pointing out the arguments that make the bill a tough one. Although I do not see eye to eye on the matter of it not  needing  to be fixed. As a expecting mother in her 26th week I have already personally felt a connection with the life that is growing inside me and I could only see the same for the baby even more so as the developmental process goes on. As far as the argument of the baby feeling pain, I believe it to be a valid argument. If you're not wanting the baby and feel the need to abort it, then you as a mother or a women know before the 20 or 28 week mark. I don't feel that they should be given the 20 weeks in the first place.
               For  women who are considering aborting after the 28th week due to the evidence that there child might suffer from a birth defect, I believe they should have an option. This is where I could see the bill being altered to give a median for people apposing or approving the bill. An option could be that it must be verified by the doctor and both mother and father as well as a possible 3rd party like the hospital or court system. In all I think Jamie picked a great topic and gave the reader a lot to think about and hopefully a reason for following up on the potential new law.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Foster Kids on Psychotropic Drugs


House Bill 915

               Texas House Bill 915 introduced by state representative Louis Kolkhorst has been approved through legislation. The Bill is set for final approval by the Senate on Friday April 26th, 2013. If approved the Bill would require that prior to a foster child being put on psychotropic medications, the guardian of the child must receive written or verbal information from a medical provider on the child’s health situation.

                  The state system currently in place  is set up by placing all foster children in a single Medicaid managed care organization under STAR Heath, which has a “health passport” system to track the children’s medical histories. Guardians for all foster children receiving any medical treatment should be looking at ways to address the underlying distress causing possible  behavioral problems ,other than looking for a short term fix through prescription drugs. Although guardians are already required to consent to the prescription of psychotropic medications, the legislation would define what that consent actually means. Advocates on the new bill are intent to see that the legislation follow through on making sure that guardians are educated on the child’s treatment plan and would hold the guardians, medical providers and judicial courts more responsible for monitoring the child’s overall well-being.

                    The possible benefits and potential negative effects and outcomes of psychotropic medications used to treat the condition would be addressed to the guardian as well as other alternatives to help aid the child. Included in HB915 is a condition requiring a report on medical visits every 90 days to keep an eye on the effects of the medications on the child.  This will set up a course of action to educate children 16 and older whom have received consent from a court on allowing their own medical care.

                    The overmedication of foster children with psychotropic drugs has been a hot issue in the state. For example, one foster child described in a report about being prescribed 11 medications in one month, including two antidepressants and two stimulants to treat ADHD at a cost of $1,088 to the state’s Medicaid program. (released 2004 by Carole Keeton called the "Forgotten Children.") There is much needed action to inform the older children on the details of psychotropic drugs as well as on their treatment plans. In result of poor informed children,  many  foster children are resentful of the medication and stop taking it when they age out of the system and are more highly likely to develop withdrawal symptoms resulting in the use of illegal drugs.

                    On a side note when HB 915 was in committee, some medical professionals expressed concern that the legislation would create an administrative burden on the already limited network of mental health providers. Kolkhorst, the main author of the bill informed the committee she will work with medical groups to improve the bill and address such concerns. As a  believer in  the cause, the dedication to the bill from Kolkhorst  shows the willingness she is giving to bring this bill a positive outcome. I agree with the bill and feel that even with not only foster kids, any youth under 18 should be fully educated on what they are going to be taking and are diagnosed with. The parents , doctors and  the school should be educated and informed on the specifics child's medical history to prevent any miss use, and risk of a child being over medicated. I hope to see more action being taken in this matter and encourage the lawmakers and care takers of the children  to see the importance of this bill .The positive impact of House Bill 915 could bring aid  and a voice to those who need help the most. Just one child being helped  would be the start on the road to success.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Critique

Reply to Article:

 Unplanned Parenthood

 
               The Senate Bill 521 is something I personally do not agree on. I agree with Jamie's point of view  that it is a step backwards for Sex Education. I think that the stress needs to not only be on unwanted pregnancies and information for contraceptives but also, I feel as thou teens would benefit from more of an overall course pointing out the realities of their actions . In addition the school should offer guidance and  relief of pure pressure to those whom choose abstinence. The article expresses her opinion well and there is voice to the topic which allows me, the reader to relate to what Jamie is writing about. I would only suggest that the article would have more detail on to what might be a better course of action in opposing the bill. In all I do believe it was a great article informing the reader about the bill and her opinion on Senate Bill 512.

 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Targeting Sex Education Laws

Senate Bill 521
          State republican Senator Ken Paxton has filed the Senate Bill 521. The Bill will prohibit school districts from using materials supplied by pro-abortion organization for sex education classes in schools.
          For example local school district Austin ISD has received materials from such organizations such as planed parenthood to help with the education of Sex Ed courses. Bill 521 wants to instead promote abstinence and not inform students about the proper use of contraceptives.
          Besides the attack on organizations contributing to the districts Sex Ed courses, the Bill would like to change the current law that allows the parents the choice to opt out their child from the Sex Ed class offered by the school. Instead, the bill if approved, would like to do just the opposite and have the parent write a written consent letter to the school allowing their child to attend the class.
          I believe that the education of Sex Ed courses in schools is a positive program that educates the young of the responsibilities and sometimes consequences of his or her actions involving sex. Presentation is key in the subject of Sex Ed. If the curriculum comes across as unrealistic, untreatable or scaring the student they will not respond well to the information given and continue to let negative influences like media contribute to the decisions they make on sex.
          I think it would be more beneficial to tie Sex Ed courses into a health class curriculum that goes more in depth with the actions of having sex at a young age instead of the onetime video that we are all familiar with. I believe it would be a good idea if during the health course the students learned the finical responsibilities that come with a child. Also learning the emotional and physical toll that a child can have on young teens. Youths today if not receiving a mature and open conversation with their parents are more than likely receiving information from the media which sometimes has a poor outlook.
          The legislator should consider making the law for the individual counties or districts to vote on whether or not they want to adopt such a method. Different demographics throughout the districts might show more positive feedback using other methods.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Plan for Single Sex Schools in East Austin Is another Pricey Experiment


Published by: The Austin American Statesman   Date: February 2, 2013.
Written By: Editorial Board

                The editorial is on the Vote made by Austin School Trusties to approve single-sex schools for Pearce middle school and Garcia middle school. The editorial calls out to its audience by making the statement "Parents, homeowners and taxpayers also deserved more serious discussions about how decisions regarding single-sex schools will affect the bottom line."
                The proposal chosen requires boys or girls in the Pearce-Garcia zones to attend the schools, unless they opt out. I agree with the statement "Successful single-sex schools across the country are based on choice." Indicating to me that there is reasoning to why or why not schools are successful, and by giving the option to opt out of the proposal would not give a good enough reason to begin the change to same sex schools.  Grand Prairie single sex school is an example given in the editorial to help justify the benefit of a single sex school. With the school only open for six months the progress of the school gives little data to go on and is not an accurate guide for the operation to be considered as an example to aid the proposal.
                The writer takes notice to the proposal and how there is no justification for making the costly commitment, nor is there solid enough research for a high success rate to undergo the changes. The reasoning behind the approving vote had no real backbone, they state in the editorial that "Instead the emphasis was on cosmetics — wearing uniforms or studying in environments that, as single-sex campuses, presumably offer fewer distractions."
                An overlook on the more negative side to the operation is pointed out by the use of district surveys and the indication of enrollments dropping. Even if they remain at the current enrollment numbers the cost for running the schools would increase about 1.5 million more than what it is currently costing to maintain the schools. Figures provided by the district illustrate the demands on the districts limited fund increase, therefore making it increasingly harder to sustain the single-sex schools.
                I feel as if the intent on striving to find a better solution for poor academic success in schools should always be a current topic. The way the district is going about their decisions doesn’t seem to be thought out or backed up with enough facts to validate the districts intentions. By doing so it affects more than the students but the whole family and district staff. High test scores in a quick amount of time should not be the goal at hand, instead look at the base and structure on how the students are learning. The teachers and curriculum impact the student individually, and need to be seen as key factors. Positive and negative effects on schools and students success or failure are needed to be analyzed and looked in detail. The solution should not be thought of as a whole but instead looked at in one subject at a time.