The following piece appeared in the Union Leader. I wish the actual businesses that are supporting this amendment would list the name of their businesses. I would make every effort not to spend my hard earned dollars at such businesses. These people are ill informed and were likely contacted by the teachers' unions, their lobbyists, educrats and their lobbyists with requests to support this awful amendment. I would not be surprised if these groups were Delphi'ed. Take note of some of the excellent comments by Union Leader readers at the bottom of the article at unionleader.com.
Businesses urge action on education funding constitutional amendment
By TOM FAHEY
State House Bureau Chief
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008
CONCORD – A coalition of businesses threw their support behind a constitutional amendment yesterday as a way to solve education funding problems.
The Business and Industry Association, with large and small retailers, grocers, restaurant and hotel operators, auto dealers and home builders, urged legislators to settle on wording for a constitutional amendment and pass it along for voter approval in November.
"Send this issue to the voters of New Hampshire and let them decide," said Nancy Kyle of the Retail Merchants Association.
Jim Roche, president of the BIA, said the hands of the Legislature are tied by a 2006 court decision that said the state is responsible to provide the first and last dollar of the cost of adequate education for all students. It cannot spend more of the statewide cost of adequacy for each pupil in one community than in another.
"That is bad public policy, bad for education and bad for taxpayers," Roche said.
The New Hampshire Senate begins hearings today on four proposed constitutional amendments, all dealing with school funding. One returns to local school districts the power to decide curriculum, and directs the state to provide "some funding" to offset costs. Another reprises last year's effort to allow aid to be targeted to needy districts, while requiring all districts to get some funding.
The BIA began backing constitutional amendments to allow targeting of state school aid in 2000.
The RMA and Grocers Association last year also supported amendment efforts. Kyle said her organization has not thrown its weight behind a specific proposal, instead urging a bipartisan effort to bring the question to voters.
Gov. John Lynch backs an effort by Senate Majority Leader Joseph Foster that will allow the state to target a bigger share of its school aid to poorer communities, in a way that "alleviates local disparities." Roche said his organization is not wedded to the Foster proposal.
He said the BIA supports "any constitutional amendment that has the legs to pass both chambers and get to voters, and allows the Legislature to target education dollars."
Roche said the organizations involved in the new coalition will urge their members to contact lawmakers, "so they all know that this ought not be a partisan issue. It ought to be an issue that is important to everybody across the board."
Besides BIA and the retailers, members of the coalition include the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and the New Hampshire Grocers Association.
Showing posts with label Delphi Technique. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Delphi Technique. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The "Delphi Technique" And How It Robs Parents of Control Over Their Child's Education
In the article below readers today will learn about the Delphi Technique. I have seen this used time and time again at school board meetings and pro-referendum meetings. I even believe it was used this year in Croydon by those pushing the tax warrants for our schools.
We were unable to attend the Croydon Town meeting this year because a snow storm moved the meeting to the day of our house closing in Illinois. We were told that initially the warrants were rejected by Croydon citizens but after school officials spoke to the group they supported the warrants.
I ask readers to please print out the article below and give it to your friends and neighbors.
The following article appears on the American Policy Center website.
The "Delphi Technique" And How It Robs Parents of Control Over Their Child's Education
One of the eight stated purposes of Goals 2000 is "increased parental involvement in learning." Yet parents have experienced a strange phenomenon when they have tried to follow the goal and actually get involved. They are rejected.
They are not, however, rejected rudely or dismissed abruptly. In fact, most parents come away from a school meeting not knowing they've been rejected at all.
On the contrary, school administrators openly welcome them, show them around and bring them into their office for a friendly chat. During that meeting the education official will quiz parents about their interests in education reform. The parents will be asked if they are a part of any locally organized group of concerned parents. They will want to know if the parents are affiliated with a specific national group or religion.
After the interview, a smile, a hand shake and a pat on the back gives the parents the feeling that progress has been made, that the school is interested in their ideas and that their concerns will be considered and changes made. Yet it never seems to happen.
That's because many school administrators have been specially trained to deal with those who seek to question the education "reforms" that are rapidly replacing the teaching of basic academics. In most cases a school administrator has no intention of changing anything the parent finds troubling. But he also knows that an angry group of parents can cause trouble for their plans. His job is to keep parents happy and quiet. He's been trained for just such a challenge. It's called the "Delphi Technique" and parents, who don't know they're being manipulated, haven't a chance against it.
The Delphi Technique was first developed in the late 1950's by the Rand Corporation as a method to "forecast" the future. Companies used it to help make decisions in determining product development and how new technology would affect the market.
Later, the technique was perfected to literally dictate desired outcomes. A panel of experts was placed in a group session and through a very subtle manipulations process to separate supporters from detractors of the official, desired outcome, they were brought around to accept a pre-determined position. Those who opposed the position were subjected to ridicule, divisions were driven between the two sides, until only one possible solution could be accepted - the pre-determined outcome. Once this group of respected authorities had accepted that position it was a simple step to dictate the outcome to the rest of the market.
This is exactly how the radical Educrats are stopping opponents of Goals 2000 and Outcome-based Education. The reason the parents are quizzed about their interests and affiliations is to determine if they are potential trouble makers. If they are part of an organized effort to challenge "reforms" then steps will be taken to investigate, and possibly infiltrate the group.
Here is a sample of how the Delphi Technique is thrust on such a group. At a regular meeting of a parents' group organized to stop Outcome-based Education, for example, a new, "concerned" parent makes his appearance. He may be a well-known civic leader that the other members are excited to have on board. His presence adds needed credibility and contacts to their efforts.
He sits and listens, and he watches members as each expresses his or her opinion. He will begin to ask questions and play "devils advocate" as he points out possible objections to the group's positions. He warns them that they could be perceived as too extreme to be taken seriously by other community leaders. He's concerned because he just wants to see the group succeed. He poses as everyone's caring friend.
As he observes the group he begins to evaluate the positions of each member, watching for those with the strongest opinion and those who may be a little hesitant in their convictions. The weaker ones become his target. He begins to question the position of the leaders, playing on the doubts or fears of those with weaker convictions or differing opinions. Finally, he begins to drive a wedge between them - always, he says, with the "good of the group" in mind.
Soon, as a result of his manipulation, dissension breaks out in the group. Its goals become clouded. Eventually it will break up completely or take a radically different position on the issue. The outcome that the Educrats wanted is achieved. Their opposition has been neutralized.
The Delphi Technique is used over and over again on all types of issues, not just education. It is the reason why change is rarely achieved, why opposition rarely succeeds even though, in the beginning of a community debate, it seems everyone supports those calling for rational change.
How can it be that with nation-wide hatred of Goals 2000, it isn't stopped? How does Outcome-based Education survive? Why are our children trapped in such an education nightmare, unable to learn, even as the whole nation demands change? The reason is because the Educrats want it that way and they have the power to neutralize any voice of opposition through tactics like the Delphi Technique.
The Delphi Technique is used in almost every college in the country. It is used on students to assure that they emerge with the proper attitudes. The Delphi Technique itself is a very important component of Outcome-based Education and is used on children in secondary classrooms.
The technique is taught to those who are expected to go out into the community and implement the education "reform" agenda. Community leaders are recruited and trained so that they can use their influence to promote the agenda.
The technique is being used in almost every school in America as parents attempt to use rationality and reason to combat an education "reform" program like Goals 2000 that fails to teach children to read, write or add and subtract. As children grow dumber, parents want action. The Delphi Technique blocks all avenues of change.
With a smile, a pleasant manner, a hand shake and a steel shaft in the back, parents, who just want to save their children, are being deliberately manipulated by a controlling monster that stops at nothing to force its programs into place.
Americans wonder aloud why nothing ever changes, no matter the outcome of elections, no matter how loud the protests, no matter how wrong the program. To see the reason in action, just visit your local school, voice some objections and watch the Delphi Technique spring into action - on you.
© 2006 American Policy Center
We were unable to attend the Croydon Town meeting this year because a snow storm moved the meeting to the day of our house closing in Illinois. We were told that initially the warrants were rejected by Croydon citizens but after school officials spoke to the group they supported the warrants.
I ask readers to please print out the article below and give it to your friends and neighbors.
The following article appears on the American Policy Center website.
The "Delphi Technique" And How It Robs Parents of Control Over Their Child's Education
One of the eight stated purposes of Goals 2000 is "increased parental involvement in learning." Yet parents have experienced a strange phenomenon when they have tried to follow the goal and actually get involved. They are rejected.
They are not, however, rejected rudely or dismissed abruptly. In fact, most parents come away from a school meeting not knowing they've been rejected at all.
On the contrary, school administrators openly welcome them, show them around and bring them into their office for a friendly chat. During that meeting the education official will quiz parents about their interests in education reform. The parents will be asked if they are a part of any locally organized group of concerned parents. They will want to know if the parents are affiliated with a specific national group or religion.
After the interview, a smile, a hand shake and a pat on the back gives the parents the feeling that progress has been made, that the school is interested in their ideas and that their concerns will be considered and changes made. Yet it never seems to happen.
That's because many school administrators have been specially trained to deal with those who seek to question the education "reforms" that are rapidly replacing the teaching of basic academics. In most cases a school administrator has no intention of changing anything the parent finds troubling. But he also knows that an angry group of parents can cause trouble for their plans. His job is to keep parents happy and quiet. He's been trained for just such a challenge. It's called the "Delphi Technique" and parents, who don't know they're being manipulated, haven't a chance against it.
The Delphi Technique was first developed in the late 1950's by the Rand Corporation as a method to "forecast" the future. Companies used it to help make decisions in determining product development and how new technology would affect the market.
Later, the technique was perfected to literally dictate desired outcomes. A panel of experts was placed in a group session and through a very subtle manipulations process to separate supporters from detractors of the official, desired outcome, they were brought around to accept a pre-determined position. Those who opposed the position were subjected to ridicule, divisions were driven between the two sides, until only one possible solution could be accepted - the pre-determined outcome. Once this group of respected authorities had accepted that position it was a simple step to dictate the outcome to the rest of the market.
This is exactly how the radical Educrats are stopping opponents of Goals 2000 and Outcome-based Education. The reason the parents are quizzed about their interests and affiliations is to determine if they are potential trouble makers. If they are part of an organized effort to challenge "reforms" then steps will be taken to investigate, and possibly infiltrate the group.
Here is a sample of how the Delphi Technique is thrust on such a group. At a regular meeting of a parents' group organized to stop Outcome-based Education, for example, a new, "concerned" parent makes his appearance. He may be a well-known civic leader that the other members are excited to have on board. His presence adds needed credibility and contacts to their efforts.
He sits and listens, and he watches members as each expresses his or her opinion. He will begin to ask questions and play "devils advocate" as he points out possible objections to the group's positions. He warns them that they could be perceived as too extreme to be taken seriously by other community leaders. He's concerned because he just wants to see the group succeed. He poses as everyone's caring friend.
As he observes the group he begins to evaluate the positions of each member, watching for those with the strongest opinion and those who may be a little hesitant in their convictions. The weaker ones become his target. He begins to question the position of the leaders, playing on the doubts or fears of those with weaker convictions or differing opinions. Finally, he begins to drive a wedge between them - always, he says, with the "good of the group" in mind.
Soon, as a result of his manipulation, dissension breaks out in the group. Its goals become clouded. Eventually it will break up completely or take a radically different position on the issue. The outcome that the Educrats wanted is achieved. Their opposition has been neutralized.
The Delphi Technique is used over and over again on all types of issues, not just education. It is the reason why change is rarely achieved, why opposition rarely succeeds even though, in the beginning of a community debate, it seems everyone supports those calling for rational change.
How can it be that with nation-wide hatred of Goals 2000, it isn't stopped? How does Outcome-based Education survive? Why are our children trapped in such an education nightmare, unable to learn, even as the whole nation demands change? The reason is because the Educrats want it that way and they have the power to neutralize any voice of opposition through tactics like the Delphi Technique.
The Delphi Technique is used in almost every college in the country. It is used on students to assure that they emerge with the proper attitudes. The Delphi Technique itself is a very important component of Outcome-based Education and is used on children in secondary classrooms.
The technique is taught to those who are expected to go out into the community and implement the education "reform" agenda. Community leaders are recruited and trained so that they can use their influence to promote the agenda.
The technique is being used in almost every school in America as parents attempt to use rationality and reason to combat an education "reform" program like Goals 2000 that fails to teach children to read, write or add and subtract. As children grow dumber, parents want action. The Delphi Technique blocks all avenues of change.
With a smile, a pleasant manner, a hand shake and a steel shaft in the back, parents, who just want to save their children, are being deliberately manipulated by a controlling monster that stops at nothing to force its programs into place.
Americans wonder aloud why nothing ever changes, no matter the outcome of elections, no matter how loud the protests, no matter how wrong the program. To see the reason in action, just visit your local school, voice some objections and watch the Delphi Technique spring into action - on you.
© 2006 American Policy Center
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Using the Delphi Technique to Achieve Consensus
The piece below is about the Delphi Technique and the complete article is posted on the Eagle Forum.org.
The Delphi techinque is used by school districts and school boards to persuade voters and parents to support tax increases.
"In group settings, the Delphi Technique is an unethical method of achieving consensus on controversial topics. It requires well-trained professionals, known as "facilitators" or "change agents," who deliberately escalate tension among group members, pitting one faction against another to make a preordained viewpoint appear "sensible," while making opposing views appear ridiculous.
In her book Educating for the New World Order, author and educator Beverly Eakman makes numerous references to the need of those in power to preserve the illusion that there is "community participation in decision-making processes, while in fact lay citizens are being squeezed out."
"How to Diffuse the Delphi Technique
Three steps can diffuse the Delphi Technique as facilitators attempt to steer a meeting in a specific direction.
Always be charming, courteous, and pleasant. Smile. Moderate your voice so as not to come across as belligerent or aggressive.
Stay focused. If possible, jot down your thoughts or questions. When facilitators are asked questions they don't want to answer, they often digress from the issue that was raised and try instead to put the questioner on the defensive. Do not fall for this tactic. Courteously bring the facilitator back to your original question. If he rephrases it so that it becomes an accusatory statement (a popular tactic), simply say, "That is not what I asked. What I asked was . . ." and repeat your question.
Be persistent. If putting you on the defensive doesn't work, facilitators often resort to long monologues that drag on for several minutes. During that time, the group usually forgets the question that was asked, which is the intent. Let the facilitator finish. Then with polite persistence state: "But you didn't answer my question. My question was . . ." and repeat your question.
Never become angry under any circumstances. Anger directed at the facilitator will immediately make the facilitator the victim. This defeats the purpose. The goal of facilitators is to make the majority of the group members like them, and to alienate anyone who might pose a threat to the realization of their agenda. People with firm, fixed beliefs, who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, are obvious threats. If a participant becomes a victim, the facilitator loses face and favor with the crowd. This is why crowds are broken up into groups of seven or eight, and why objections are written on paper rather than voiced aloud where they can be open to public discussion and debate. It's called crowd control.
At a meeting, have two or three people who know the Delphi Technique dispersed through the crowd so that, when the facilitator digresses from a question, they can stand up and politely say: "But you didn't answer that lady/gentleman's question." Even if the facilitator suspects certain group members are working together, he will not want to alienate the crowd by making accusations. Occasionally, it takes only one incident of this type for the crowd to figure out what's going on.
Establish a plan of action before a meeting. Everyone on your team should know his part. Later, analyze what went right, what went wrong and why, and what needs to happen the next time. Never strategize during a meeting.
A popular tactic of facilitators, if a session is meeting with resistance, is to call a recess. During the recess, the facilitator and his spotters (people who observe the crowd during the course of a meeting) watch the crowd to see who congregates where, especially those who have offered resistance. If the resistors congregate in one place, a spotter will gravitate to that group and join in the conversation, reporting what was said to the facilitator. When the meeting resumes, the facilitator will steer clear of the resistors. Do not congregate. Instead gravitate to where the facilitators or spotters are. Stay away from your team members.
This strategy also works in a face-to-face, one-on-one meeting with anyone trained to use the Delphi Technique."
Be sure to visit the Eagle Forum.org website to learn more about the Delphi Technique.
Lynn Stuter is an education researcher in Washington state and wrote the above piece for the Eagle Forum. Her web site address is www.learn-usa.com/.
Quote of the Day
How we take back our children's education -- one person, one question, one school at a time.
Copyright 1999-2006 Peyton Wolcott
The Delphi techinque is used by school districts and school boards to persuade voters and parents to support tax increases.
"In group settings, the Delphi Technique is an unethical method of achieving consensus on controversial topics. It requires well-trained professionals, known as "facilitators" or "change agents," who deliberately escalate tension among group members, pitting one faction against another to make a preordained viewpoint appear "sensible," while making opposing views appear ridiculous.
In her book Educating for the New World Order, author and educator Beverly Eakman makes numerous references to the need of those in power to preserve the illusion that there is "community participation in decision-making processes, while in fact lay citizens are being squeezed out."
"How to Diffuse the Delphi Technique
Three steps can diffuse the Delphi Technique as facilitators attempt to steer a meeting in a specific direction.
Always be charming, courteous, and pleasant. Smile. Moderate your voice so as not to come across as belligerent or aggressive.
Stay focused. If possible, jot down your thoughts or questions. When facilitators are asked questions they don't want to answer, they often digress from the issue that was raised and try instead to put the questioner on the defensive. Do not fall for this tactic. Courteously bring the facilitator back to your original question. If he rephrases it so that it becomes an accusatory statement (a popular tactic), simply say, "That is not what I asked. What I asked was . . ." and repeat your question.
Be persistent. If putting you on the defensive doesn't work, facilitators often resort to long monologues that drag on for several minutes. During that time, the group usually forgets the question that was asked, which is the intent. Let the facilitator finish. Then with polite persistence state: "But you didn't answer my question. My question was . . ." and repeat your question.
Never become angry under any circumstances. Anger directed at the facilitator will immediately make the facilitator the victim. This defeats the purpose. The goal of facilitators is to make the majority of the group members like them, and to alienate anyone who might pose a threat to the realization of their agenda. People with firm, fixed beliefs, who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, are obvious threats. If a participant becomes a victim, the facilitator loses face and favor with the crowd. This is why crowds are broken up into groups of seven or eight, and why objections are written on paper rather than voiced aloud where they can be open to public discussion and debate. It's called crowd control.
At a meeting, have two or three people who know the Delphi Technique dispersed through the crowd so that, when the facilitator digresses from a question, they can stand up and politely say: "But you didn't answer that lady/gentleman's question." Even if the facilitator suspects certain group members are working together, he will not want to alienate the crowd by making accusations. Occasionally, it takes only one incident of this type for the crowd to figure out what's going on.
Establish a plan of action before a meeting. Everyone on your team should know his part. Later, analyze what went right, what went wrong and why, and what needs to happen the next time. Never strategize during a meeting.
A popular tactic of facilitators, if a session is meeting with resistance, is to call a recess. During the recess, the facilitator and his spotters (people who observe the crowd during the course of a meeting) watch the crowd to see who congregates where, especially those who have offered resistance. If the resistors congregate in one place, a spotter will gravitate to that group and join in the conversation, reporting what was said to the facilitator. When the meeting resumes, the facilitator will steer clear of the resistors. Do not congregate. Instead gravitate to where the facilitators or spotters are. Stay away from your team members.
This strategy also works in a face-to-face, one-on-one meeting with anyone trained to use the Delphi Technique."
Be sure to visit the Eagle Forum.org website to learn more about the Delphi Technique.
Lynn Stuter is an education researcher in Washington state and wrote the above piece for the Eagle Forum. Her web site address is www.learn-usa.com/.
Quote of the Day
How we take back our children's education -- one person, one question, one school at a time.
Copyright 1999-2006 Peyton Wolcott
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