Diverse: Issues In Higher Education

Higher Education News and Jobs:

A Man of Many Parts: Computer Science Professor Juan Gilbert Excels as a Mentor

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Dr. Juan Gilbert is also a researcher, scholar, teacher and entrepreneur in the field of Human-Centered Computing, which is a fairly young discipline that applies computer-based solutions to real-world problems. in News

Inspire Scholarships Help Boost Delaware State's In-State Enrollment

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This school year, Delaware State’s in-state freshman student enrollment is up 43 percent to 433 from 302, the first significant enrollment turnaround in six years, school officials say. in News

FAMU Student Government Association Plans Forum and Vote on a Campus Pledge To Ban Hazing From Student Organizations

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Clubs and organizations failing to have representation at the forum will be sanctioned, according to SGA President Breyon Love. in News

FAMU Band Members Plan to Fight Hazing Charges

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Two Florida A&M University students said they plan to fight charges that they beat a fellow member of the famed Marching 100 band so hard during a hazing ritual that she was left with a broken thigh. in News

Brown: Calif. To Impose Another $1B in Budget Cuts

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S tate revenues have fallen $2.2 billion below projections, triggering automatic midyear reductions to public schools, universities and colleges, Medi-Cal, and in-home support for seniors and the disabled. in News

Public Urban Universities Face Unique Challenges

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To play a more meaningful role on the higher education landscape, public urban universities must adopt missions of civic engagement, produce graduates needed by local businesses and let high school students know that college is within reach. in News

STEM Professors Receive Presidential Mentoring Awards

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During the ceremony, these men and women were presented with the 2010 and 2011 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. in News

Regents Vote Against Merger of Two Maryland Campuses

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Maryland Senate President Thomas Mike Miller asked the university system to study the proposed merger earlier this year. Miller said a merger would bring in more research dollars. in News

Study: Early Childhood Education, Youth Counseling and Need-Based Aid Key to Boosting College Completion Rates

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A College Board report released Wednesday provides an annual snapshot of how close or far the nation is from reaching the organization’s goal to increase to 55 percent the proportion of 25- to 34-year old Americans. in News

Commentary: Reframing the FAMU Tragedy

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It’s been disappointing how Florida A&M University and the national news media have handled the death of FAMU marching band member Robert Champion, a Washington-based communications expert and strategist writes. in News

Movie Review: What a Real Conversation on Diversity Might Look Like

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In Lee Mun Wah’s new film, “If These Halls Could Talk,” the filmmaker explores how individuals can peel back distrust that’s built up in their lives and can begin, with more honesty, to see others. in News

Indigenous Communities Educate American Public About Natural Health and Healing Concepts

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In October, the National Library of Medicine debuted a two-year exhibition called “Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness.” in News

Income-Based Repayment: A Closer Look

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President Obama’s plan for more flexible student loan repayment options, unveiled in late October, would allow future borrowers to limit repayments to no more than 10 percent of their discretionary income. in News

FAMU Dismisses 4 Students Connected to Band Member’s Death

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Florida A&M University said that it's dismissing four students for their role in the death of a marching band member last month. in News

Commentary: Race and Beyond – We Need Diversity in Education

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If anyone doubts the impact of having a progressive president in the White House, then consider the Education and Justice Departments’ joint guidance on Dec. 2 that corrects the Bush administration’s misreading of a set of Supreme... in News

William Cooper Nell

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Among books offered by Black Classic Press through diversebooks.net is William Cooper Nell: Selected Writings 1832-1874 ( $40.50/List price: $45). According to BCP, it is the first document of the life and works of the 19th century African... in News

Southern University Board to Consider Plan Authorizing Tenured Faculty Terminations

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The Southern System’s Board of Supervisors, which recently declared financial exigency for the Baton Rouge campus, is scheduled to vote on a controversial reorganization plan. in News

Southern University System’s Online Program To Expand

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Southern System President Ronald Mason Jr. said the project — gotosouthernuniversityonline.com — will help Southern attract more out-of-state and older, nontraditional students. in News

Obama Administration Issues Higher Education Diversity Guidelines

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The new federal guidance on the use of race in college admissions may not constitute new legal doctrine, but it still represents an “important political signal” from the Obama administration, diversity proponents say. in News

Beyond World Aids Day

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World AIDS Day is observed on Dec. 1 each year. While many people mark the occasion with public gatherings, the observance also presents an excellent opportunity to read, research and reflect long after this one-day event as HIV/AIDS... in News

This Day in History 12/16: The Boston Tea Party | Mr. D's Neighborhood

This Day in History 12/16: The Boston Tea Party | Mr. D's Neighborhood:

This Day in History 12/16: The Boston Tea Party

by ldorazio1

Image via Wikipedia

Today’s story is not about 342 chests of tea dumped into a harbor.
It is not about Sons of Liberty, Samuel Adams or John Hancock.
It is not about Committees of Correspondence, Mohawks or tarring and feathering.
And it sure as hell isn’t about any American Revolution.
Instead, this is about how a seemingly insignificant everyday citizen helped resurrect a central moment in American history.
On December 16, 1773, after a pre-approved signal from a protest meeting in Faneuil Hall in Boston, a group of colonists dressed as “Mohawks” (or what they thought were Mohawks) dumped 342 chests of tea from three 

Teachers For Social Justice: MIC CHECK: Teachers, Parents, Community Take Over Board of Ed Meeting

Teachers For Social Justice: MIC CHECK: Teachers, Parents, Community Take Over Board of Ed Meeting:

MIC CHECK: Teachers, Parents, Community Take Over Board of Ed Meeting
by sarah atlas

On December 14, parents, teachers, community members, and the CTU Community Board (Coalition of the CTU and community groups, including TSJ), w/ support from Occupy Chicago, shut down the Board of Education meeting. A big shout out to TSJ members who attended the vigil in front the Board on Dec. 13, slept out on the sidewalk in front of CPS Headquarters in the rain, brought the campers food and coffee, showed up before 6 Am with more coffee and spirit, and attended the Board meeting.

At the meeting itself, the people did a mic-check on the Board and shut down the meeting

New Orleans Liberation Academy: Youth Led Social (R)evolution

New Orleans Liberation Academy: Youth Led Social (R)evolution:

Youth Led Social (R)evolution

by New Orleans Liberation Academy

Remember when that loud, unruly kid was a punk? Remember when that quiet girl doing art in the back of the room was weird? Remember when the kids who were leaders were predictable and understandable? What a cool world that we live in that none of that is true anymore!

Over the last 100 years our society has been busy birthing new realities, thrusting itself forward into an unfamiliar, unknowable future. Women's suffrage and civil rights were the cusp of these changes, as our family structures, social relationships, and cultural growth has reflected an even broader transformation. Young people, who at first were merely keeping pace with those changes, went from being the canaries in the coalmine to being the leaders at the front, taking charge, making movements, and driving social change as never before. Today, young people are the bellweather of the brave new future we continue to move towards.

Look around you! See those kids fixing their own problems on the playground? That's (r)evolution! See the teens in the alleyway finishing that tremendous graffiti mural? That's (r)evolution! See those tents and that meeting in

Balanced Assessment: Improving Student Achievement and Standardized Test Results « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education

Balanced Assessment: Improving Student Achievement and Standardized Test Results « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education:

Balanced Assessment: Improving Student Achievement and Standardized Test Results

December 16th, 2011 by Klea Scharberg

Assessing student knowledge, understanding, and skills is something that educators must master to teach properly. Test and quiz results help teachers assess, but they need to look at other factors to get a complete and accurate assessment. Educators must look at virtually every part of the learning process to understand the full picture of what their students are taking away from their learning experience.

This video shows how teachers and administrators assess students using a variety of techniques to fully

Miami – Charter Schools… Tell the corporations… Separate is still not equal. Never was… Never Will Be #Education @SaveOurSchools « Continuing Change

Miami – Charter Schools… Tell the corporations… Separate is still not equal. Never was… Never Will Be #Education @SaveOurSchools « Continuing Change:

Miami – Charter Schools… Tell the corporations… Separate is still not equal. Never was… Never Will Be #Education @SaveOurSchools

by gatorbonbc

Why are Miami charters segregating out the minorities again and offering a lesser program?

“These school networks are all managed by Academica, Florida’s largest charter school operator. Miami-Dade charter schools also enrolled a smaller share of poor students: 54 percent, compared to 74 percent in traditional public schools.”

“The trend is evident across Miami-Dade County, where overall, the number of poor

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: A great charter school hustle

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: A great charter school hustle:

A great charter school hustle

by Mike Klonsky

Richmond

I've got to hand it to charter school authorizer and former lobbyist, Greg Richmond for coming up with this great hustle. A law recently pass by the Illinois state legislature created his new charter school agency called the Illinois State Charter School Commission which has the power to create new charter schools even when local school districts oppose them. The commission also has the power to monitor the same charters it authorizes. Richmond is the commission's chairman.

Okay, that's a little shady. But here's where the great hustle comes in (some cynics might call this a conflict of interest). The way the commission raises money for itself (aside from private dollars from pro-charter billionaires) is by handing out more and more charters. You see, starting next July, Richmond's commission can begin collecting a fee from every new charter it creates. The more charters, the more money

Duncan's Dilemma: What will be Done to States without NCLB Waivers? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Duncan's Dilemma: What will be Done to States without NCLB Waivers? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

Duncan's Dilemma: What will be Done to States without NCLB Waivers?

by Anthony Cody

As No Child Left Behind becomes an ever bigger disaster, Secretary Duncan faces a major dilemma. How can he continue to enforce this law he has declared a train wreck?

Last spring, in an attempt to goad Congress into accepting his formula for revising No Child Left Behind, Education Secretary Arne Duncan made some dire predictions.

In his testimony, he said:

...we did an analysis which shows that -- next year -- the number of schools not meeting their goals under NCLB could double to over 80 percent -- even if we assume that all schools will gain

U. Of Phoenix founding family sells $127 million in stock while less than 7% of Phoenix students graduate in DC metro area | Dailycensored.com

U. Of Phoenix founding family sells $127 million in stock while less than 7% of Phoenix students graduate in DC metro area | Dailycensored.com:

U. Of Phoenix founding family sells $127 million in stock while less than 7% of Phoenix students graduate in DC metro area

by Danny Weil

As Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings ramps up his investigation of for-profit college CEO pay, stock options and stock sales and their relationship to student outcomes, he may want to pay particular attention to the Universityof Phoenix.

In 2011 The Sperling family ( founders of University of Phoenix) cashed in $127 million in stock, while theUniversityof Phoenixwas ranked as having the lowest graduation rate (6-7%) of any college in theWashington DC metro area. Sound familiar? Sure, Kaplan comes to mind as do the other for-profit predatory schools that commodify education and sell diplomas as a ‘ticket’ for a failing economy. Americans were duped

Jon Stewart takes on Obama’s school reform — again - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Jon Stewart takes on Obama’s school reform — again - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

Jon Stewart takes on Obama’s school reform — again

by Valerie Strauss

Jon Stewart showed considerable restraint this week when he welcomed Melody Barnes, President Obama’s chief of domestic policy, on The Daily Show and she spoke about the administration’s education reforms in a way that revealed how out of touch the White House is on the subject.

Stewart asked Barnes, who is leaving her post as director of Obama’s Domestic Policy Council at the end of the year, what she was most proud of. She singled out the administration’s education policies, both K-12 and higher education, though Stewart steered the converation to the former.

Read full article >>

Early Learning Challenge Grant - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education)

Early Learning Challenge Grant - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education):

California Wins Federal "Race to the Top" Early Learning Challenge Grant

SACRAMENTO—Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that California has been awarded a $52.6 million federal Race to the Top—Early Learning Challenge Grant (Outside Source).

"Local education leaders have developed solid proposals for improving early childhood education, which have now been recognized by the Obama administration," said Governor Brown.

"This grant will help more California children get good care and a good start at learning, which we know is key to their long-term success, at school and beyond," Torlakson said. "I'm proud of the teamwork that led to this win for California, and I'm grateful to President Obama for recognizing the potential of regional partnerships to improve child care programs across our state."

California was among 35 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, to submit an application for the Race to the Top—Early Learning Challenge, a $500 million state-level competitive grant program to improve early learning and development.

The California grant will primarily fund local Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) being developed by Regional Leadership Consortia — voluntary groups of local First 5 commissions, county offices of education, and county governments. These Consortia will work with licensed child care programs, school districts, and child care partners.

The local QRIS are meant to make information about the quality of child-care programs readily available to parents and policymakers though simple, independent, and publicly available ratings. Using the QRIS, each participating child development agency would receive a rating score based on common standards regarding the learning environment, teacher effectiveness, and parent engagement.

Over time, the QRIS are expected to help improve the availability of high-quality, linguistically and culturally appropriate service to children with high needs. These include infants and toddlers, dual-language learners, and children with disabilities and other special needs.

"In these challenging fiscal times, winning this grant will help parents find and use the best programs possible — without additional costs to parents or taxpayers," Torlakson said.

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

State Superintendent Tom Torlakson Announces New Directors
to Lead Two Key California Department of Education Divisions

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that two new directors have been chosen to head the California Department of Education's (CDE) Charter Schools Division and its After School Division.

Julie I. Baltazar, who most recently was an Education Administrator in CDE's Improvement and Accountability Division, has been selected to serve as Director of the Charter Schools Division.

Michael R. Funk, a practitioner and policy advocate for after-school programs in California, will head the newly established After School Division, which until the recent CDE realignment had been a unit of another division.

"Both Julie and Michael will be responsible for two important areas of education in our state," said Torlakson. "Julie is an experienced leader who has guided the development of several high-quality state and federal education programs benefiting California's children. Michael is a strong advocate for providing children with high-quality programs that offer a safe and secure place to learn and play."

Baltazar, who has more than 30 years of professional and project management experience with the State of California, including a total of nearly 10 years with the CDE, received Bachelor and Master degrees in Education from California State University, Sacramento.

Funk has been a founder and director for 16 years of Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center in San Francisco, a program of Aspiranet, a human services and after-school provider. He is also director of Aspiranet's After School, Youth, and Community Development Division.

Funk received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho.

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

HechingerEd Blog | Winners of the Early Learning Race to the Top competition

HechingerEd Blog | Winners of the Early Learning Race to the Top competition:

Winners of the Early Learning Race to the Top competition

by Sarah Garland

The announcement of nine winners in the Obama administration’s latest version of its “Race to the Top” education competition will push forward reforms that early learning advocates have lobbied heavily for over the past several years.

The winners are California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington state. To win, they promised to increase accountability, raise the quality of preschool teachers and improve coordination between the various private and public agencies that provide early education.

“We are so incredibly excited,” Deborah Gist, the Rhode Island education commissioner, said during a conference at the White House this morning. “This acknowledgement by the administration to the importance of early education is encouraging.”

The announcement foiled predictions: The New America Foundation predicted only three of the eventual nine

Norris to require parents sign residency form - Bakersfield.com

Norris to require parents sign residency form - Bakersfield.com:

Norris to require parents sign residency form

The Bakersfield Californian | Thursday, Dec 15 2011 06:24 PM

Last Updated Thursday, Dec 15 2011 06:27 PM

The Norris School District board on Wednesday approved an updated form some parents must sign declaring under perjury they live within Norris boundaries.

It's in response to new language in a state law that takes effect Jan. 1 intended to get new students into schools quickly. When new parents register their children in Norris schools, but cannot immediately provide proof of residency, they can sign the declaration, which officials created with the help of lawyers.

If school officials suspect a parent is lying, they can investigate.

Norris School District is a close second for the highest achieving district in Kern County, and officials there have said parents of about 30 to 40 students each year -- out of about 3,700 -- don't live in the

Protesters occupy Department of Ed lobby, demand charter school reform - NorthJersey.com #OWS #EDREFORM

Protesters occupy Department of Ed lobby, demand charter school reform - NorthJersey.com:

Protesters occupy Department of Ed lobby, demand charter school reform

FRIDAY DECEMBER 16, 2011, 12:53 PM

BY CHRISTOPHER BAXTER

STATE HOUSE BUREAU

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TRENTON - Protesters angry about the Christie administration's charter school initiatives briefly occupied the lobby of the state Department of Education this morning, chanting, "charter reform now!"

The group of about 50 people from Highland Park, Edison, New Brunswick, Teaneck, Montclair, Cherry Hill, Voorhees and South Orange said the state was dividing their communities by considering charter schools there.

"Why, when we have a high-performing district, would they approve a charter school?" said Rita McClellan of Cherry Hill.

A State Police trooper responded to the protest and asked the residents to leave the department's lobby after they were told that no one from Commissioner Christopher Cerf's office was available to speak with them.

The protesters delivered several boxes of petitions against applications for charter schools in their communities before peacefully going back outside. They said the state was refusing to listen to their