Author Archives: Matthew Piccolo

Blended learning: integrating technology and the classroom

Posted on December 6, 2011 by

Tweet   Sutherland Institute has been working to promote digital learning (also called “virtual” or “online” education) as one way to improve schooling in Utah. It’s common to assume that traditional learning, typically done in a classroom, and digital learning … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Leave a comment

News roundup: Remove obese children from their homes?

Posted on November 30, 2011 by

Tweet   Child custody and obesity Should government take children from their parents if the children become obese? In Ohio, parents lost custody of their 8-year-old son because he weighed more than 200 pounds. The boy was placed in foster … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Parental Rights | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Government-created jobs? Pure fiction

Posted on November 29, 2011 by

Tweet   Jobs are a hot topic in politics these days. President Barack Obama is pushing his jobs plan; his Republican challengers are wrangling over who can create the most jobs; and Governor Gary Herbert has announced a goal to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Free market | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Could Utah use glitch to evade Obamacare?

Posted on November 18, 2011 by

Tweet   In February 2011, John Graham of the Pacific Research Institute predicted that “Obamacare will destroy Utah’s health exchange.” A recent article in The Wall Street Journal identifies an “Obamacare glitch” that could prove Graham’s prophecy to be true, … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Computer-adaptive testing: an innovative tool for teachers, students

Posted on November 9, 2011 by

Tweet   Remember the days of pencil-and-paper tests and Scantrons? You probably do because we’re still in those days, but a new kind of testing that could improve education in Utah by leaps and bounds may soon be coming to … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ruling on crosses is a threat to religious freedom

Posted on November 3, 2011 by

Tweet   The use of religious symbols on public property will remain a controversial issue. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to take up a case to determine whether 13 memorials for fallen Utah Highway Patrol troopers violate the First … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom, Law, Religion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tables turned: UHSAA to defend itself in court

Posted on October 28, 2011 by

Tweet   In the latest dispute between parents and the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA), Ronald and Susan Mika, parents of Eric Mika, are suing the UHSAA for denying Eric the opportunity to play basketball this year, even though … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Parental Rights | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

‘Providence moves slowly, but the devil always hurries’

Posted on October 24, 2011 by

Tweet   Two people – Harold and Patricia – each decide to buy a house. Harold doesn’t really need a house and doesn’t know if he can afford one, but he just wants a house, so he looks at several … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Thought, Gay Rights | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Don’t chop tax breaks for charitable contributions

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

Tweet   Should government continue to give people tax breaks for donating to charities? Elder Dallin H. Oaks, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thinks so. In response to … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity Care, Religion, Self-reliance, Taxes | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The price of a blender and the market economy

Posted on September 29, 2011 by

Tweet   The other day, I stopped at a yard sale with a friend. He had spotted a blender as we drove by and wanted to take a look at it. He picked it up, pulled out the glass jar … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Free market | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

UHSAA rule slams door on opportunities for student

Posted on September 22, 2011 by

Tweet   Earlier this year, we warned that the new transfer rule for student-athletes instituted by the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) would discourage student-athletes from taking advantage of open enrollment. The recent case of Conner Martinez is one … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Let’s be worthy of our great Constitution

Posted on September 16, 2011 by

Tweet   Tomorrow is the big rivalry game between Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. But before we head out to enjoy the great spectacle of the so-called “holy war” (a misnomer, by the way), we might all … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitution | Tagged , | Leave a comment

What makes you happy? Show us and win!

Posted on September 15, 2011 by

Tweet   You know one thing that makes us happy? A healthy sense of humor. To celebrate the belly laughs conjured by a good comedian, we’re giving you the chance to win two fantastic tickets (14th row, middle) to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Planned Parenthood: See what $152K in taxes fund each year

Posted on August 30, 2011 by

Tweet   Utah Representative Carl Wimmer (R-Herriman) has said he wants to stop the flow of money from the state to Planned Parenthood, which many other states have recently done. In May, The Salt Lake Tribune provided a brief sketch … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Health Care, Sex Education | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Keeping Utah schools shackled via the back door

Posted on August 19, 2011 by

Tweet   As Congress continues to delay reauthorization of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), many states, including Utah, are requesting waivers from parts of the federal law, and some states are being openly defiant about it. With all this waiver … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, NCLB | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment