Prodigy? That’s a good description - Education - SignOnSanDiego.com

Prodigy? That’s a good description - Education - SignOnSanDiego.com:

"When a child turns 1 in a Korean household, it’s customary for the parents to summon the Fates for guidance.

They place around the room toys that are suggestive of certain futures. A pencil for a scholar. A needle and thread for long life. A knife for a cook.
The idea is that something will catch the child’s eye.

On Elli Choi’s first birthday, she grabbed a tiny violin."

Save the vouchers - washingtonpost.com

Save the vouchers - washingtonpost.com:

"OPTIMISM THAT the District's federally funded school voucher program will be allowed to flourish is fading. Leading Democrats say that they are open to letting new students enter the program, but efforts to make that a reality seem to have stalled. Indeed, it appears that some Democrats' idea of saving the program is simply to let it slowly wither away.

The future of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which gives low-income parents up to $7,500 so their children can attend private school, will be determined within the next weeks as Congress decides appropriations bills. What's on the table is a proposal advanced by President Obama that would extend the program until the 1,700 students currently receiving vouchers have graduated from high school. But no new students would be accepted."

D.C. charter schools put out a call for protection - washingtonpost.com

D.C. charter schools put out a call for protection - washingtonpost.com:

"Principal Peggy Pendergrass heard it from a teacher who rushed in with the news: Three gang members were trying to force their way into Friendship Collegiate Academy, one more example of the violence that had plagued the high school in the weeks since classes started.

Her dean of security was at the door, wrestling with them as they tried to push into the building. After a struggle, the men gave up and retreated. By the time Pendergrass got to the walkway in front of the charter school in Northeast Washington, police were making arrests. But she wondered why charter schools, which enroll more than 38 percent of public school students in the city, don't get regular protection like that at traditional public schools, where about 100 officers walk the halls full time."

Military academies lack minority nominees - Washington Times

Military academies lack minority nominees - Washington Times:

"As the nation's military academies try to recruit more minorities, they aren't getting much help from members of Congress from big-city districts with large numbers of blacks, Hispanics and Asians.

From New York to Chicago to Los Angeles, lawmakers from heavily minority areas rank at or near the bottom in the number of students they have nominated for appointment to West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy or the U.S. Air Force Academy, according to an Associated Press review of records from the past five years."

High school students applying to the academies must be nominated by a member of Congress or another high-ranking federal official. Congressional nominations account for about 75 percent of all students at the academies.

Academy records obtained by the AP through the Freedom of Information Act show that lawmakers in roughly half of the 435 House districts nominated more than 100 students each during the five-year period.

But Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez of New York City, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, nominated only four students, the lowest among House members who served the entire five-year period. Rep. Charles B. Rangel, whose New York City district includes Harlem, was second-lowest, with eight nominations. And House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose San Francisco district is 29 percent Asian, was also near the bottom, with 19.

Tech advances in the classroom -- baltimoresun.com

Tech advances in the classroom -- baltimoresun.com:

"Some Baltimore County teachers will give tests starting this month via hand-held devices instead of the usual pencil and paper, in a pilot program aiming to make their jobs easier - and engage students.

'We believe that this has the potential to benefit teachers and students greatly,' said Mandi Dietrich, director of special projects, who is overseeing the pilot. The units 'can expedite testing, which of course leaves more time for other instructional activities. ... They're also instructional tools.'"

A big drop in number of school-age children is upon us | Julia Steiny | projo.com | The Providence Journal

A big drop in number of school-age children is upon us Julia Steiny projo.com The Providence Journal:

"As if there weren’t already oceans of bad news, here’s an ugly statistic we’d better face head-on. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) projects an 11.5 percent drop in our school-age population between 2006 and 2018.

We’ve been losing kids for a few years. But we’re still due to lose almost 4,000 more, or roughly the entire District of Chariho.

Schools will close. Or worse, districts will keep schools open by imposing cost-cutting measures that hurt kids and the quality of their education. The last thing this poor state needs is to backslide in its efforts to improve the quality of its workforce."

Campus atheists come out of the closet - Education- msnbc.com

Campus atheists come out of the closet - Education- msnbc.com:

"AMES, Iowa - The sign sits propped on a wooden chair, inviting all comers: 'Ask an Atheist.'

Whenever a student gets within a few feet, Anastasia Bodnar waves and smiles, trying to make a good first impression before eyes drift down to a word many Americans rank down there with 'socialist.'

Bodnar is the happy face of atheism at Iowa State University. Once a week at this booth at a campus community center, the PhD student who spends most of her time researching the nutritional traits of corn takes questions and occasional abuse while trying to raise the profile of religious skepticism."

For better schools - St. Petersburg Times

For better schools - St. Petersburg Times:

"The Florida Constitution requires a 'high-quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high-quality education.' A lawsuit filed last week in Tallahassee on behalf of a coalition of public school parents and students claims the state has failed to meet that obligation by not spending enough money, misusing the FCAT, failing to ensure school safety and keeping teacher salaries too low. It points to a number of education measures where Florida ranks well below average, much less high-quality. While the prospects of a court victory are debatable, the lawsuit can galvanize Floridians to demand better and put pressure on the Legislature to respond."

VIET NAM NET

VIET NAM NET:

"VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam and international vocational training experts attended a sub-regional workshop yesterday in Ha Noi. It was agreed by teacher educators that a qualified vocational teacher system was vital for the country’s long-term development.

'Upgrading of specialists is not only about competitiveness and employment at individual and corporate levels, but about making individuals more likely to gain employment if they are better qualified. It also increases quality and economic efficiency at the same time,' said Harry Stolte, of International Capacity Building Germany."

Details needed on MPS takeover - JSOnline

Details needed on MPS takeover - JSOnline:

"Some people don't believe a recent poll that suggested widespread opposition to a proposed mayoral takeover of Milwaukee Public Schools.
Not me.

The People Speak Poll, partly sponsored by the Public Policy Forum, found 57% of residents in a four-county area were opposed to the MPS takeover plan, with 43% in favor. An aide to Mayor Tom Barrett questioned those results, but according to my own informal survey on the issue, the numbers seem just about right.

In fact, just focusing on Milwaukee, you would have to agree with MPS board President Michael Bonds' assertion that opposition to the plan might be even higher.
This is what happens when people feel they don't have all the facts."

Welcome to News-Journal!

Welcome to News-Journal!:

"While some larger school districts have in-house personnel to offer some programs, smaller school districts turn to resources like the Region 7 Education Service Center for support.

“There is a wide array of services that they provide for the districts,” Ore City Superintendent Lynn Heflin said. “You can tailor your contract with the service center based on the needs of the district. We would be a lot less effective if it wasn’t for the service center and all of the things they provide for our school district.”

The State Board of Education in 1967 divided Texas into 20 regions. Each region received a $67,524 grant to establish a regional education service center. The Region 7 Education Service Center, based in Kilgore, serves 106 school districts in 17 East Texas counties. Nationwide there are 620 regional education service centers in 42 states, according to the Association of Educational Service Agencies."

Michael Scott remembered at funeral service -- chicagotribune.com

Michael Scott remembered at funeral service -- chicagotribune.com:

"Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott was remembered Saturday as a civic giant who remained calm amid adversity, and as a doting father and faithful friend.

'Michael, I will miss you,' Mayor Richard Daley said, choking back emotion as he eulogized a man who worked on his 1983 campaign. 'You were my best friend.'

Several speakers told the crowd of more than 900 at Holy Family Catholic Church on Chicago's West Side that they may never understand the violent circumstances of Scott's death. The 60-year-old was found Monday in shallow water off the Chicago River's North Branch. The Cook County medical examiner's office called it a suicide, and police are waiting test results and reviewing evidence."

Change or die: Michigan's education system is failing students and taxpayers - AnnArbor.com

Change or die: Michigan's education system is failing students and taxpayers - AnnArbor.com:

"When I was a boy, I learned you had to pull up the anchor if you wanted to set sail. It seems many in Lansing never learned this lesson.
The foundation on which our schools have been built has disappeared.

Raising taxes to perpetuate the failed status quo is insanity. It is the equivalent of trying to set sail without pulling up anchor.

Today's economic crisis should provide the impetus to innovate and change.

Let's get radical

If we are to thrive and not mearly survive in this century, we must be

willing to ask: what of the impossible isn't?

How radical should we be? Here are a few examples:"

School district wins PR awards | hattiesburgamerican.com | Hattiesburg American

School district wins PR awards hattiesburgamerican.com Hattiesburg American:

"Hattiesburg Public School District recently won six awards for its parent and community outreach publications at the Mississippi School Public Relations Association conference in Jackson."

"I was ecstatic," said Jas N Smith, the district's communications director, who received the awards last week. "It's great to be recognized for doing something you believe in."

The district won first place in the state for its external electronic newsletter, Words From Wimbish.

The newsletter is sent to roughly 800 subscribers in the community each week and contains information about school board meetings, upcoming events and individual awards.

Also, the district won second place for its internal electronic newsletter and third place for its annual reports, calendars, image packages and print newsletters.

Smith said the award-winning print newsletter - Providing Academic Resources, Education News, Tips and Strategies - is part of the district's efforts to increase parent involvement.

It's discipline - Letters - NewsObserver.com

It's discipline - Letters - NewsObserver.com: "

I read the Nov. 9 Point of View article about school suspensions and letters in the paper about it, and I think one of them has the right idea.

I am a student at Chapel Hill High School, and my mother teaches at Jordan High School. I have seen the variety of disciplinary measures that precede suspension.

One letter-writer said that suspension is when the authorities send the student away because they don't know how to deal with him or her, and she's right - suspension is the last resort, after lunch detention, in-school-suspension, after-school detention, letters home, calling of parents, referrals and visits to the principal's office don't work."

After a student has that many chances to reform his or her behavior and doesn't, there is no other option.

But another writer's idea is perfect - it's really the parents who failed to discipline their children and they need to see what little monsters they've been sending in to disrupt my seventh-period algebra class.

Maya Handa

Chapel Hill

COLUMN - Politicians should examine their own motives in school funding battle - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel

COLUMN - Politicians should examine their own motives in school funding battle - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel:

"Lansing, MI — I have a vivid memory of my beautiful granddaughter, Lucy, standing in front of a mirror just after she turned two:

“No,” she said. “No, no, no, no.”

Pause.

Then, “No, no, no, no, no.”

“Just practicing for the terrible twos,” said my wife.

She was right, of course. If there’s something 2-year-olds are really good at, it’s saying “no” over and over and over again.

All this came to mind when I reflected on the continuing quarrel between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop over school funding. Alert readers will remember that in order to plug the state budget deficit — which was almost $3 billion — the Legislature first cut school spending. Then the governor cut it some more, saying the money just wasn’t there."

Catholic conservatives, liberals battle over anti-poverty funding -- chicagotribune.com

Catholic conservatives, liberals battle over anti-poverty funding -- chicagotribune.com:

"In the wake of criticism that the national Catholic Campaign for Human Development has financed organizations that violate church teachings, leaders of the Chicago campaign have been scouring grantees for such violations and redefining who qualifies for funds.

At least three Chicago agencies funded by the national campaign are under investigation on suspicion of defying church guidelines about same-sex marriage, birth control and partisan politics.

'Our goal in Chicago is ... to help the poor, but it has to be from a Catholic perspective,' said Rey Flores, director of the Chicago Catholic Campaign for Human Development."

The Conversation: Strong-mayor debate is a chance to examine other possibilities - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

The Conversation: Strong-mayor debate is a chance to examine other possibilities - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"What would be your argument for changing Sacramento's form of city government? To comment on this issue, please see our forum.

You can call it 'strong mayor' or 'governance reform.' Whatever you call it, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's proposal for revamping the power of his office would be the biggest change in governance in the city's history.

In any city, it's a good thing to periodically ask fundamental questions and re-examine old ways of doing things."

Holistic education lost - MontereyHerald.com :

Holistic education lost - MontereyHerald.com ::

"With everyone's attention on the bad economy, government health insurance and the war in Afghanistan, many issues have been pushed aside.

Two years ago, when the time came to reinstate No Child Left Behind, the Congress voted no. Unfortunately, the federal government never told the states and schools to stop the program or take time to re-evaluate it.

As more and more schools fell into the curse of being labeled in Program Improvement, a gap began to develop between affluent school districts and those struggling.

One superintendent once told me being placed on Program Improvement was like being swept down a black hole. Instead of moving forward, you are being swept back. Meanwhile, schools in affluent communities moved forward. Let me explain."

When a school is categorized as Program Improvement, it is required to focus on two specific areas: language skills and math skills. The really sad part of No Child Left Behind is that the whole school suffers for the poor scores of a few. Instead of going back and focusing on only those students who are struggling with language and math skills, NCLB makes the entire school work on just those two areas.

This almost sounds like communism or socialism.

The first areas to be cut from the daily school life are electives. Electives are what give all those language and math skills real-life meaning in the minds of a young student. So we begin to cut music, shop, art, home ec, athletics, etc., subjects important to the development of the whole child.

Following California off the Cliff | Guest Writer | Politics | NewWest.Net

Following California off the Cliff Guest Writer Politics NewWest.Net:

"Heavy use of citizen initiatives is one of the clearest predictions of states that are in danger of following California “to the brink of insolvency,” according to an extensive survey of state financial problems by the nonpartisan Pew Center on the States. Oregon, looking toward a critical vote in January, is perhaps the next state in danger of insolvency; if voters reject a $733 million tax increase on upper incomes and corporations, the state will face a huge budget deficit even after cutting state spending by $2 billion in the 2009 legislative session.

Among the states with the most serious financial problems, the top seven all have a super-majority requirement for their legislatures to pass taxes without a popular vote, allowing a minority to deadlock revenue measures; and six of the seven endangered states make use of citizen initiatives and referendums. Across the country, the two work hand in hand; nearly every state with a super-majority got there via citizen initiative."