Latest news with #AnnualPerformanceReport
Jordan Times
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Princess Basma says new JNCW law milestone for women's rights in Jordan
HRH Princess Basma, president of the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), on Thursday chaires a meeting of the Commission's Council (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma, president of the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Commission's Council, describing the recent adoption of a new law governing the JNCW as a 'milestone' in advancing women's rights in Jordan. In her address to council members, Princess Basma said the legislation represents a pivotal step in both the institutional development of the Commission and the broader progress of Jordanian women, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. She emphasised that the law aligns with the Kingdom's national modernisation vision and will play a key role in enhancing women's participation in political, economic and social spheres. 'This law reflects a clear vision of women's essential contribution to national development,' the Princess said. She also commended the cooperative efforts between the Commission and various stakeholders that led to the law's approval. Minister of Social Development and Head of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment, Wafa Bani Mustafa, reaffirmed the government's commitment to working closely with the JNCW to empower women and expand their role across society. Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdulmunim Oudat said the law embodies the political will to integrate women, youth, and all segments of society into Jordan's broader modernisation and development efforts. JNCW Secretary General Maha Ali presented the Commission's 2024 Annual Performance Report, highlighting key achievements and outlining strategic priorities for 2025. These include a focus on legislative advocacy, economic and political empowerment, and public awareness initiatives. Ali also shared preliminary findings from a mid-term evaluation of the National Strategy for Women 2020–2025, aimed at assessing the impact of current efforts and informing future initiatives.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Windham School District celebrates Second Chance Month
Apr. 16—HUNTSVILLE — In April of each year, Windham School District and its higher education partners, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, recognizes its alumni by celebrating Second Chance Month. This month is dedicated to honoring individuals who accessed and completed rehabilitative programs during incarceration and are now thriving in their communities and lives. Second Chance Month also highlights the importance of entities such as Windham, college and university partners across the state and others that are committed to providing opportunities for people who are incarcerated to engage in academic and career and technical education programs with promising labor market projections in preparation to contribute to Texas communities. Seventeen years ago, on April 9, the Second Chance Act was enacted to help improve the likelihood of life-long success for individuals leaving incarceration. Texas reports one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country, with only 16.9% of individuals returning to incarceration within three years of reentry. Windham and postsecondary partners have contributed to this decrease of recidivism by remaining committed to educational opportunities while cultivating student excellence and transforming lives. "Second Chance Month allows Windham to recognize former students and graduates who worked diligently during incarceration to prepare for productive futures," Windham Superintendent Kristina J. Hartman said in a news release. "These individuals prioritized their education, gained strong career skills and maintained an optimistic outlook resulting in a positive impact to themselves, their families and communities." Through the power of education, Windham fosters successful outcomes by offering a variety of educational opportunities, including life skills programs that promote cognitive behavioral outcomes, academic courses for students to earn their high school equivalency or diploma and dual credit opportunities through partnerships with Lee College and Central Texas College. Additionally, Windham offers approximately 40 hands-on career and technical education (CTE) courses to help prepare students for employment in high-demand jobs. Finally, Windham partners with institutions of higher education for students to continue career preparedness, building upon the skills obtained with the district, through certificate and degree programs. Windham's steadfast dedication to providing success-driven educational opportunities to our students is represented in the district's alumni. According to Windham's 2023-2024 Annual Performance Report, of the 46,648 individuals who rejoined their communities from TDCJ in the 2023-2024 school year, 70% participated in Windham programs. Furthermore, approximately 60% of students enrolled in higher education programs during incarceration were Windham graduates. The district is proud to celebrate the positive impacts of current and future alumni during this year's Second Chance Month.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vote yes on Kansas City school bond to send our kids a message: You matter
You've heard that children are our future. On April 8, Kansas City has an opportunity to express this sentiment in a very real and tangible way. I am a mother and educator, and I proudly serve as superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools. But most important, I wholeheartedly believe in and love children — seeing their optimism, their brilliance and the potential of their future. It's in our hands as our community makes a critical decision regarding the general obligation bond issue on the April 8 ballot. I want to share a few pertinent points of fact that all in our community should know in order to make an informed decision. Kansas City Public Schools serves roughly 15,000 students, and employs a host of amazing teachers, administrators and other staff members who have worked diligently to bring our district to full accreditation status. Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in our Annual Performance Report score, increase in enrollment, increase of the graduation rate to nearly 90%, band and orchestra offered in all elementary schools, as well as other programming tailored to meet the academic and socio-emotional needs of our children. We've seen national recognition in science, technology, engineering and math, as we were named the 2024 Discovery Channel Education District of the Year. Our students engage in real-world learning as they develop apps that boost energy efficiency, make prosthetic limbs and run their own in-school restaurants. Additionally, we have almost two dozen state medalists in band, orchestra and vocals. A yes vote April 8 would mean a $474 million general obligation bond for KCPS and nine local charter schools. While we'd love to see extravagant additions, these funds would primarily address some of the critical deficiencies and decades' worth of deferred maintenance in our buildings, including upgrades to safety and security systems, secure entry points and fixes to elevators, heating and cooling, roofs, windows, electrical systems, plumbing and bathrooms. School districts in Missouri tackle these issues with bonds, passing them every three to seven years. KCPS is the only school district in the region without a bond. In fact, Kansas City hasn't passed a school bond since 1967. Let's consider this fact in context. In 1967, the Chiefs were in Super Bowl I. The Royals didn't exist yet, and putting a man on the moon was still a dream unrealized. Speaking of dreams, we weren't far removed from Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech. There's been a lot of history since 1967 — and no bond funding for Kansas City's children during that entire time. Every child deserves a quality education, from pre-kindergarten through high school. We believe that. We believe it so much that we are welcoming nine Kansas City charter schools to join us in this monumental, historical pursuit. These funds would go a long way toward ensuring Kansas City's children are able to learn in educational environments that are not only warm, safe and dry, but ones that also inspire creativity, critical thinking and a passion for learning. We've reached a defining moment in the life of Kansas City, and on April 8 our community will decide what history will say of our commitment and care for our children, and thus the hopes and future of our city. The health and well-being of any community is inextricably tied to how well it takes care of its children. One decision leads to educational spaces that match the achievements of our students. It communicates to our children that they matter and that we believe in them and their future. The other decision leads to classrooms and hallways that continue to degrade, that send a message to our children that they are not important. The spaces we expect you to learn in every day don't matter. One decision costs the average homeowner a cup of coffee a week — 64 cents a day, an equivalent of approximately $20 a month. The other decision might yield no immediate cost, but would inevitably cost a lot more in the long run. A strong city can't exist without strong schools. No local economy has ever thrived in the shadow of crumbling schools. We are at a proverbial fork in the road, with a grand opportunity to usher this city into a new era. Which path will you choose? As you cast your ballot, I want to make one request: Imagine one of Kansas City's children in that voting booth with you. What do they deserve? What message are you going to send to them? Dr. Jennifer Collier is superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools.
Express Tribune
28-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
NA legislative output soars, deliberation falls
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP The first year of the current National Assembly saw a surge in the crucial legislative activity, albeit much of that legislation was passed without required scrutiny and deliberation by its members (MNAs), the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency (Pildat) said in a report on Thursday. The 16th National Assembly held its first sitting on February 29, 2024. Pildat, an independent think tank primarily focused on issues of democracy, governance, and public policy – stated that the house convened for fewer working days and fewer working hours compared to the previous assembly. "With its first parliamentary year ending on February 28, 2025 (today), Pildat said, the 16th National Assembly "underwent a surge in crucial legislative activity" however, much of the legislation was passed without required scrutiny and deliberation by the MNAs. The report titled 'Annual Performance Report of 16th National Assembly of Pakistan' compares the performance of the lower house of parliament during its first year with the first years of the 15th, 14th, 13th and 12th assemblies. The report, authored and reviewed by Areeb Khan, Alena Sadiq and Aasiya Riaz, also highlights key issues faced by the country from February 2024 to February 2025 and how the National Assembly played its role in addressing them. In its first year, the assembly convened for 93 sittings and worked for 212 hours compared to 96 sittings and 297 hours of the previous assembly. The cost of a working hour of the current assembly came to Rs60.08 million per hour, while the average budget per sitting in the first year stood at Rs136.96 million. However, legislative output of the 16th National Assembly was significantly higher, with 47 bills passed in its first yeara staggering 370% increase from the 10 bills passed during the first year of the 15th National Assembly, Pildat said. This heightened legislative activity included critical laws and the 26th Constitutional Amendment, most of which were rushed through without adequate time and scrutiny by the assembly and without being referred to relevant standing committees, according to the report. "The first year of the 16th National Assembly thus saw the passage of significant legislation affecting judicial independence, tenures of services chiefs, electoral system, lenience to madressahs and curbing physical and digital civic freedoms," said the executive summary of the report. "While the merits of these measures are hotly contested and debated, their hurried passage has raised further critical concerns about the legislature's ability and commitment to objective, citizen-centric and well-considered decisions." Pildat said that the attendance of MNAs also declined to an average of 66% in the first year, down from 73% in the first year of the previous assembly. "It must be noted that cost per MNA to the taxpayers stood at Rs37.9 million during the currently assembly's first year. According to data of the first year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended only 17 sittings out of the total 93 or joined only 18% of the total sittings. Former prime minister Imran Khan had attended only 18 out of 96 or 19% sittings and his predecessor Nawaz Sharif attended seven of the 103 or 7% sittings. In comparison, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, attended 62 or 67% sittings in the year, up from 53 or 55% attendance of then Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif in first year of previous assembly. Ayub also remained the most vocal MNA with a recorded talk time of 13 hours and 28 minutes. Overall, the report summed up that the 16th National Assembly showed a relatively weaker performance in terms of agenda items planned and disposed of, with 49.18% of the scheduled agenda items left over during its first year. "The rate of agenda items left over indicates a casual approach and practice where significant portion of planned business remains incomplete in the National Assembly," the report said. "With political polarisation at an all-time high, the assembly has struggled to build consensus on national priorities."
New York Times
07-02-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Trump's Executive Orders Leave Imprint on the Fed
President Trump has so far restrained himself from trying to meddle with the Federal Reserve on matters related to monetary policy during his second term. But some of the more than 50 executive orders he has signed since returning to the White House are leaving an imprint on the central bank. The latest evidence is a decision by the Fed to halt hiring for permanent workers. The central bank has removed all job postings listed on its website aside from a single summer internship opportunity. The Fed acted after Mr. Trump mandated a governmentwide hiring freeze, ordering that no federal position vacant at that time could be filled and no new positions created. The only exemptions were granted for jobs related to military personnel, immigration enforcement, national security and public safety. As a wholly independent organization that strives to operate apolitically, the Fed is not legally obligated to carry out decrees by the executive branch. But its decision to do so in certain cases reflects a strategy of sorts: Align with the executive branch when the Fed sees it is appropriate and lawful and, above all else, safeguard the independence of the central bank's monetary policy decisions. 'The Fed has historically zealously guarded its independence,' said Jeremy Kress, a former Fed banking regulator who is now co-faculty director of the University of Michigan's Center on Finance, Law & Policy. 'The Fed is trying to demarcate some boundaries of executive influence.' Jerome H. Powell, the Fed chair, touched on aspects of this approach at a news conference last week when pressed about changes taking place at the central bank since the start of Mr. Trump's second term. That included whether the Fed remained committed to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the wake of Mr. Trump's executive order instructing federal workers to cease such activities. 'As has been our practice over many administrations, we are working to align our policies with the executive orders as appropriate and consistent with applicable law,' Mr. Powell said. The Fed recently removed a 'Diversity and Inclusion' section from its website. The section highlighted the central bank's efforts to 'promote equal employment opportunity and diversity' and included a pledge to 'work to foster diversity in procurement, with a focus on minority-owned and women-owned businesses.' Regional Federal Reserve banks have followed suit. The decision to adhere to the executive order on hiring mirrored a similar one made by Janet L. Yellen when she led the Fed during Mr. Trump's first term. As outlined in the Fed's Annual Performance Report for 2017 — Ms. Yellen's final full year as chair — the central bank 'voluntarily complied' with a temporary hiring freeze as well as a memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget for government agencies to enhance 'efficiency and effectiveness.' Even the Fed's practice of releasing an annual report since the mid-1990s reflects its choice to be in lock step with prevailing law when it sees fit. The Fed has long explained its decision to publish one yearly as embodying the 'spirit' of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, which required federal agencies to prepare a strategic plan and a report. Mr. Trump's actions targeting climate-related initiatives have also had an impact. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York recently dropped out of cosponsoring a conference with New York University's Stern School of Business, according to a document seen by The New York Times. The event, which is still set to take place in May, plans to focus on the 'impact of climate migration on economic output, household welfare and consumption' and 'the effect of natural disasters and disaster mitigation on output and financial stability,' among other topics. The San Francisco Fed will now no longer host a virtual seminar on climate economics that it had regularly organized since 2020, a person familiar with the matter said. Upcoming sessions were recently postponed, and videos of earlier sessions have been removed from its website. One economist who was a regular attendee expressed the sense that, for researchers, highlighting or putting a priority on climate-related work was no long considered a good idea. The Fed announced just days before Mr. Trump's inauguration that it was withdrawing from an international group of central banks and regulators focusing on climate-related risks in the financial sector, the Network for Greening the Financial System. Mr. Powell told reporters last week that he had decided to bring the matter to the Fed's Board of Governors 'some months ago' but that he was 'aware of how it can look.' 'It was really not driven by politics. It was driven by the disconnect between the work of the N.G.F.S. and our mandate,' he said, referring to the Fed's congressionally designated goals of maintaining a healthy labor market and achieving low, stable inflation. The pullback extends to professional enrichment, as Peter Tufano, a professor at Harvard Business School who organizes a course for researchers on climate finance, witnessed firsthand. Last fall, employees at 14 central banks and financial regulators around the world — including seven in the United States — were slated to participate in the free sessions, which are open to academics, practitioners and policymakers. Soon after the inauguration, Dr. Tufano said, the federal employees who had enrolled in the 2025 events contacted him to withdraw, citing directives from the new administration. Some said they were not even supposed to look at the course materials, which include papers and classes on asset pricing, carbon disclosure and how climate change affects household finances. 'It's the first time in my life I've had a set of students who uniformly wanted to learn something and were told that they weren't allowed to do that,' Dr. Tufano said. Changes have also occurred on the regulatory side. Michael Barr, the Fed's vice chair for supervision, announced just weeks before Mr. Trump became president again that he would step down from his role to avoid a lengthy legal battle with Mr. Trump that he feared would damage the central bank. On other regulatory matters, however, the Fed has been more reluctant to comply with directives from the executive branch. Rule changes of that nature also require the seven-person Board of Governors to vote. Mr. Kress cited the Fed's decision in 2021 to disregard an executive order by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. calling on regulators to strengthen oversight of bank mergers. In explaining the decision at an event in April, Mr. Barr said the central bank already had a 'pretty robust process that follows our existing guidelines in this area.' These decisions in the aggregate have generated unease but also understanding about how the Fed decides which orders to comply with and which to ignore and about its overarching interest in protecting its independence in setting interest rates. 'They'll give up almost everything to try to maintain independent monetary policy and not have to raise and lower interest rates to suit the president,' said Glenn Rudebusch, a former senior adviser at the San Francisco Fed who spearheaded the climate seminar just over four years ago. 'They're willing to pare away quite a bit of other stuff for that.' The Fed declined to comment beyond pointing to Mr. Powell's statement at the January news conference. The Federal Reserve Banks of New York and San Francisco declined to comment.
