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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

John Merrow: Four Days IN Education Nation

John Merrow: Four Days IN Education Nation

John Merrow

John Merrow

Posted: September 29, 2010 06:34 PM

Four Days IN Education Nation

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I've spent the past four days immersed in public education. First in Texas, where I spoke with and listened to superintendents and school board members; then at Education Nation, a day-and-a-half event put on by NBC and sponsored by the University of Phoenix and some major foundations, and finally at the annual dinner where the McGraw Prize in Education is awarded.

Remember that classic western, "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly?" Just like the movie's title, I'm starting with the good. That would be the McGraw Prize, an annual black tie event I hadn't attended for five or six years. Last night three educators who are making a huge difference were honored, men who

Demand Change Day in Los Angeles - One Nation Working Together in CA

Demand Change Day in Los Angeles - One Nation Working Together in CA

DEMAND CHANGE DAY IN LOS ANGELES

by ADMIN

Join THOUSANDS of Californians at the state’s LARGEST official One Nation day of activities…

DEMAND CHANGE DAY

Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010

Los Angeles City College
The corner of Melrose Ave and New Hampshire, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Schedule of Activities:

9 AM to 11 AM: Massive Public Display & Mobilization, Performances & Program

11 AM-Noon: “Tools & Tactics” Coaching Followed by door-to-door team canvassing. Sign-up to do get out the vote work for final 30 days before Election Day

Public Transportation: Metro Local Line 26 or Metro Red Line to stop Vermont/Santa Monica Stop; Parking: Lot 4, by Administration Building

RSVP or Volunteer: http://www.onenationca.org/sign-up/

How Admissions Directors at Penn and Michigan Think About Test Scores - NYTimes.com

How Admissions Directors at Penn and Michigan Think About Test Scores - NYTimes.com

How Admissions Directors at Penn and Michigan Think About Test Scores

How does an admissions office like the one at theUniversity of Pennsylvania or the University of Michigan weigh an applicant’s standardized test scores?

I asked the deans of each institution that question in recent interviews recorded for a coming online course, “Introduction to College Admissions,” that I helped create with my colleagues at The New York Times Knowledge Network.

In the first of two excerpts, above, Eric Furda, the dean of admission at the University of Pennsylvania, suggests that “it will surprise people how quickly

Debate grows over for-profit colleges as their supporters rally on Capitol Hill

Debate grows over for-profit colleges as their supporters rally on Capitol Hill

Debate grows over for-profit colleges as their supporters rally on Capitol Hill

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 29, 2010; 4:18 PM

Several hundred students and others connected with for-profit colleges and trade schools rallied Wednesday at the foot of Capitol Hill to protest a federal proposal to tighten regulation of career-education programs.

"My education, my job, my choice" was their message, in response to a proposal that the Obama administration says would help ensure that students find "gainful employment" and are not overloaded with debt.

The industry says the proposal would wipe out many programs that serve low-income and minority students.

Carlethia Washington, 28, a mother of two in Northeast Washington, went to the rally to support the industry. She is studying to become a medical assistant at

Gearing Up to Go to College – ED.gov Blog

Gearing Up to Go to College – ED.gov Blog

Gearing Up to Go to College

Earlier today, Secretary Duncan and Congressman Fattah headlined a live, national event that celebrated and encouraged the work of GEAR UP projects across the country. GEAR UP is a grant program that assists students in obtaining a secondary school diploma as well as preparing for and succeeding in postsecondary education.

The event was held at Friendship Public Charter School (FPCS) in Washington and included video and audio connections with GEAR UP projects in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Texas. The event was emceed by FPCS student Trayon Barber,

The event highlighted the work of the Pennsylvania GEAR UP project in the area of academic performance improvement, the North Carolina GEAR UP project’s use of data and the efforts of the Texas GEAR UP project to involve family in efforts to get students through high school and into college.

Secretary Duncan and Congressman Fattah said that they happy to hear that students in these GEAR UP programs were on track to graduate from high school and enroll in college. In particular, Congressman Fattah spoke out in favor of early college efforts that offer high school students the chance to earn college credits while still in high school. Secretary Duncan noted that “without a college education, many doors will be closed to you. With a college education, you can pursue your passion.”

When Secretary Duncan asked the students at FPCS if they planned to go to college, they all raised their hands.

ED Staff

New Oakland tutoring center offers hope to students aiming for college - ContraCostaTimes.com

New Oakland tutoring center offers hope to students aiming for college - ContraCostaTimes.com

“K-12 Education on the Marquee” | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

“K-12 Education on the Marquee” | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

“K-12 Education on the Marquee”

K-12 Education on the Marquee is an excellent post by Walt Gardner on the common errors being made in documentaries about schools.

My only issue with it is that he suggests that parents of English Language Learners might not respond to requests to meet with teachers. I’m not really sure where that comes from, since ELL parents are just as interested in their child’s welfare as any other parent. I’m assuming that he might have meant