No Child Left Behind Act.

The "No Child Left Behind Act" brought $3.5 million in new federal education aid to Southwest Missouri public schools for the 2002-2003 school year, according to Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt. "That's a 20 percent increase!" Blunt said.

The largest dollar increases in Title I funding went to the district's largest urban schools. Springfield public schools received a 27.45 percent increase ($1.035 million). Joplin public schools saw an increase of 22.34 percent increase ($312,000). Humansville and Fair schools received the largest percentage increases in their Title I funding of 37 and 33 percent, respectively.

Ten Southwest Missouri public school districts saw a 2 to 10.5 percent reduction in their Title I funding. The drop in funding is due primarily to a reduction in the number of students from low-income households.

The legislation, which requires more testing to ensure that students reach high levels of competency in reading and more accountability in meeting those goals, also contains Title I funding to assist the nation's low-income and disadvantaged students. That funding for students attending schools in 72 public school districts in the 15 county congressional district ranged from 2.3 percent to more than 37 percent.

"This is a critical step in helping local school districts put new resources into programs that will give every child strong reading skills, which are the foundation of learning," Blunt said. "I don't think the increases would have been as large without the new law. Local schools must follow through by providing more services--tutoring, mentoring and special reading instruction-to move every child forward on their ability to read. It appears that most schools in Southwest Missouri are committed to the new standards and will meet those goals."

In addition to receiving more money in Title I this year, school districts are finding greater flexibility in how they use it. This year, school districts can use up to half of non-Title I money without any interference or approval needed from either the state or federal education departments. "Cutting the strings on federal education funds and allowing school districts to meet their own priorities is perhaps the greatest improvement in the new legislation," Blunt explained.

There is one thing that most folks have in common, the dislike of standin’ in lines. They will stand around the coffee pot, stand on a bus, stand in front of windows in the mall all day long, but waitin’ in line just isn’t to be stood for.

‘Course since standin’ in line is such a nuisance, the one thing that might top the aggravation is havin’ someone cut in front of you while you’re waitin’. I witnessed a real sneaky attempt at line cuttin’ over the weekend while waitin’ for a table at a restaurant. A mom and her kid come in, the kid heads for the restroom, the mom waits in line. After a while I look up and the kid is standin’ next to a table bein’ cleared, wavin’ to his mom. She makes a move but is cut off by a savvy line stander. "Oh did you want that table?" she asked innocently.

And they ask where kids get the ideas. I thanked this one for savin’ our table for us.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

YOUR AMERICA

By Amy Anderson

In Chickasha, Okla., at what was once an early 1900s dairy farm, you can now see a dazzling array of American heavy metal — muscle cars, that is. In a hot rodder’s field of dreams sits more than 70 acres covered with a salute to vintage automobiles, motorcycles and car signs.

The Muscle Car Ranch is owned by Curtis Hart, a veteran collector. His ranch is located 30 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, and he loves his cars so much that there isn’t even a fee to view the ranch.

Although cars are the main attraction, the ranch also boasts a fully restored 1940s diner and five barns covered inside and out with antique automobile advertising signs — from parts and service signs to products and additives, including some very rare signs. You will also find classic Mack trucks and more than 100 vintage cycles of various makes.

For some extra excitement, make it to the ranch for the Muscle Car Ranch Swap Meet, on Sept. 12-15. There will be ample parking — 150 acres — where you can park your RV or camp for free (no hookups, but showers and security provided). Admission to the swap meet costs only $1. There will also be a concert by country legend John Conlee for only $17 (in advance, $20 day of the show).

For more information, contact Curtis Hart at (405) 222-4910 or log on to www.musclecarranch.com. The ranch is located at 3609 S. 16th, Chickasha, OK 73018.

If that doesn’t satisfy your taste for vintage cars, try Elm Creek, Nebraska’s Chevyland USA. It features more than 100 vehicles, all for sale and all running. They date from 1914 to present day, and every last one is a Chevy. Open daily from May to Labor Day; after that, make an appointment by calling (308) 856-4208.

While you’re in Nebraska, drop by an old favorite of mine, Carhenge, in Alliance. This freestanding work of art lies off of US 385, and it is made entirely out of late-model American cars done up in a life-size recreation of Stonehenge.

Or, if you are into bikes, try York, Pa. Milwaukee may be the headquarters, but this is where those icons of two-wheelers — Harley Davidsons — are made. You can tour the processing plant and museum. Call (800) 673-2429. Kids under 12 not admitted on plant tour.