Lynn Guenther: Making school fun can be seriously rewarding - Santa Cruz Sentinel

Lynn Guenther: Making school fun can be seriously rewarding - Santa Cruz Sentinel:

"Alan Pagano's column Oct. 18 was a sad reminder of what our students are faced with today -- a narrow drill and kill approach to education focused primarily on performing well on the federally mandated No Child Left Behind multiple choice standardized test. Students and their schools are evaluated by test scores in the name of accountability -- and funding is tied to those numbers. High-stakes testing has indeed sucked a great deal of 'fun' and innovation out of today's school experience.

With enormous amounts of time being spent on math and reading which are on the test, subjects like science, history, social studies, art, music and PE have been curtailed and sometimes completely eliminated. This is especially prevalent in low-scoring schools serving disadvantaged students who often don't have opportunities to enjoy extracurricular activities. A well-rounded education is no longer valued; it doesn't translate into numbers and money. Less federal regulation and more local control has become a privilege reserved for charter schools that have the time for alternative teaching strategies and tapping into the tremendous local resources we have."

Special sessions define Schwarzenegger's tenure | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun

Special sessions define Schwarzenegger's tenure MyDesert.com The Desert Sun:

"SACRAMENTO — A day after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was sworn into office in 2003, he capitalized on his popularity by calling state lawmakers into three special legislative sessions, each of which succeeded."

He persuaded lawmakers to float a $15 billion bond to close a budget deficit, reform workers' compensation and repeal a law giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
Since then, special sessions have become a hallmark of Schwarzenegger's tenure. But his results have fallen far short of that initial success.

During six years in office, Schwarzenegger has called lawmakers into special session 16 times, including three this fall — the most of any California governor in history. Yet his success rate — measured by legislation produced from those special session — is the lowest of any governor in the modern era, according to an Associated Press review of legislative records dating back nearly a half-century.

Plan for nonprofit produce-handler part of local-food movement - Sacramento Business, Housing Market News | Sacramento Bee

Plan for nonprofit produce-handler part of local-food movement - Sacramento Business, Housing Market News Sacramento Bee:

"Sacramento-area farmers harvest a cornucopia of food each year – 3.4 million tons. More than 98 percent of this bounty is then shipped out of the region, and 2.2 million tons of food grown or processed elsewhere is hauled in to feed us.

Shawn Harrison sees that as a problem – and an opportunity. The executive director of Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova is at the hub of a movement to get more of Sacramento's bounty into Sacramento stomachs."

Make The Most Of Parent-Teacher Conferences - KYPost.com

Make The Most Of Parent-Teacher Conferences - KYPost.com:

"With millions of American children settled back into the routine of a new school year, it’s time for parents to get ready for parent-teacher conferences.

Walter Ingram of the Florence Huntington Learning Center says for parents, such an opportunity to meet face-to-face, one-on-one with your child’s teacher has many significant benefits - and should not be missed.

'Parent-teacher conferences are one of the most valuable tools available to parents,' says Ingram."

California’s Crisis of Higher Education : Indybay

California’s Crisis of Higher Education : Indybay

The story behind why there was a student walk-out at CSU-Fresno

On October 21, 2009 - hundreds of students at Fresno State walked out of their classrooms and held a rally at the university’s Peace Garden to protest the massive cuts to higher education and the California State University system. Students voiced their concerns with the unprecedented tuition increases, canceled classes, furloughed faculty and staff, and reduced enrollment opportunities. They then took their message to the sidewalks and streets of the campus calling out to students, faculty, and staff to take a stand and join the walk out.

Many did. By the time the march reached Shaw and Cedar Avenues, all four street corners were overflowing with students speaking out on behalf of themselves and the future of higher education in the state. “I hope that this walkout will increase community awareness that the budget cuts to the CSU are delaying our graduations, forcing would-be students out, and creating a precedent that "its ok" to cut education when really funding education gives back in more ways than one,” explained Whitney Thompson, a women’s studies major at Fresno State and a spokesperson for Students for Quality Education, the organization spearheading the event.

At the end of the march, the students presented Dr. Welty with a list of demands, which Welty indicated he would address at a later meeting. California is indeed facing a crisis of higher education, and the current solutions to the crisis being offered by the Chancellor’s office and administrators are only exacerbating the problems. For the first time in Fresno State’s history all admissions, including transfers, have been canceled for the spring semester.

In Fall 2010, the university announced that it will reduce enrollment by approximately 400 eligible students. The CSU system-wide is calling for a reduction of enrollment by 40,000 students over the next two years. High school students who have been told that if they do well in school they can earn a college degree are facing a broken promise because meeting the minimum eligibility requirements will no longer guarantee a student a place in the CSU.

For those students lucky enough to secure a seat in the classroom, they face the prospect of continued tuition hikes. Just this past year, students saw a 32% increase in their fees. This comes on top of multiple fee increases the last several years. Since 2002, tuition has increased 182%. Just recently the Chancellor’s office and the Board of Trustees announced the possibility of an additional 10% increase next year.

The Raw Story | Obama offers millions in Muslim technology fund

The Raw Story Obama offers millions in Muslim technology fund:

"The White House Friday highlighted a new multi-million-dollar technology fund for Muslim nations, following a pledge made by President Barack Obama in his landmark speech to the Islamic world.

The White House said the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) had issued a call for proposals for the fund, which will provide financing of between 25 and 150 million dollars for selected projects and funds.

The Global Technology and Innovation Fund will 'catalyze and facilitate private sector investments' throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the White House said in a statement."

Public Option Annie, the musical health-care protest | 44 | washingtonpost.com

Public Option Annie, the musical health-care protest 44 washingtonpost.com:

"Washington has long attracted demonstrations, but the contentious debates over health-care reform and climate change appear to be reanimating protesters' absurdist impulses.
There's public option street art in the Logan Circle and U Street neighborhoods in the District. The Yes Men impersonated the Chamber of Commerce at the National Press Club earlier this week, leading to a bizarre standoff. And now, in a video clip starting to circulate online, we have 'Public Option Annie' -- the singing protest at the America's Health Insurance Plans state issues conference in Washington on Friday morning."

FluTracker - H1N1 Swine Flu and Influenza Outbreak Tracking from Rhiza Labs

FluTracker - H1N1 Swine Flu and Influenza Outbreak Tracking from Rhiza Labs:

"Tracking the progress of H1N1 swine flu

This map and the data behind it were compiled by Dr. Henry Niman, a biomedical researcher in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, using technology provided by Rhiza Labs and Google. The map is compiled using data from official sources, news reports and user-contributions and updated multiple times per day.

Rhiza's web-based mapping product, Insight, is helping Dr. Niman get official and unofficial data into the tracking system faster while giving researchers and the public many options for viewing the data in a useful and understandable way. If you would like more information about how your company, organization, or agency can provide dynamic data visualization and analysis tools like this, please contact Josh Knauer at 412-488-0600"

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment

“Two people working together who have the best interest of the child in mind
lead to better outcomes for students.”

Parent-Teacher Conferences:

Oct 23 – Nov 24, 2009

ELEMENTARY SHORTENED DAYS

Check with your school

Obama: Swine flu a national emergency - Swine flu- msnbc.com

Obama: Swine flu a national emergency - Swine flu- msnbc.com:

"WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has signed a proclamation declaring swine flu a national emergency, the White House said Saturday.
'In keeping with the administration's proactive approach to H1N1 Flu, President Obama last night signed a proclamation declaring 2009-H1N1 Influenza a national emergency,' it said in a statement. 'The proclamation enhances the ability of our nation's medical treatment facilities to handle a surge in H1N1 patients by allowing, as needed, the waiver of certain standard federal requirements on a case-by-case basis.'
Officials described the move as similar to a declaration ahead of a hurricane making landfall."

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Right-wing media claim Obama is criticizing Fox for "tough questions" and "reporting the truth" | Media Matters for America

Right-wing media claim Obama is criticizing Fox for "tough questions" and "reporting the truth" Media Matters for America:

"Several right-wing media figures have claimed that the Obama administration is criticizing Fox News because the network asks 'tough questions' and is 'reporting the truth.' This assertion is undermined by Fox News' extensive history of advancing falsehoods, repeatedly passing off GOP materials as news, doctoring quotes, and frequently engaging in outrageous attacks on President Obama, such as Glenn Beck's claim that he is a 'racist' with a 'deep-seated hatred for white people, or the white culture -- I don't know what it is.'"

Floating science teachers inspire students | AP Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Floating science teachers inspire students AP Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:

"32,000 FEET ABOVE SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO — Gravitational forces pinned adrenalin-pumped science teachers flat on their backs on floor mats aboard a steeply climbing Boeing 727.

And then as the jet crested, its nose beginning to fall, a brief sense of panic changed to elation as the teachers floated freely. Whoops of joy and laughter filled the padded cabin. The discombobulated men and women flapped arms and bicycled legs in futile attempts to stay upright.

The 30 science teachers from New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Texas were having the experience of their careers on the parabolic flight over southern New Mexico that simulated gravitational pull on the moon and Mars — and zero gravity.

After about 30 seconds, the teachers were warned to point their feet toward the floor. The handstands, Superman flights and midair flips came to an abrupt halt as gravity returned with the jetliner's next steep ascent."

The Hungry Planet: What the world eats | StarTribune.com

The Hungry Planet: What the world eats StarTribune.com:

"How much food does your family eat in a year? A fascinating new exhibit at the Bell Museum shows how dinner varies throughout the world in quantity, substance and cost. 'Hungry Planet: What the World Eats' continues until May 9, 2010.

The exhibit focuses on 10 cultures, many with ties to Minnesota, and is based on the book 'Hungry Planet,' by Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio. Their book won the James Beard Foundation's Book of the Year Award, which I wrote about. in a Taste cover story in 2006. For an interview with Peter and Faith, see this story."

Daily Kos: This Week in Science

Daily Kos: This Week in Science:

"The book Unscientific America (My review here) has been kicking up a minor feud in some circles. A detailed recap is here, but at the heart of it is two short chapters out of over a dozen in which the authors write that

1) scientists could improve on efforts to communicate to the public, and

2) noted that in the past, there are better strategies than stressing atheism if the goal is to build bridges and interest between the general public or religious moderates and reliable, accurate science. I happen to agree (Most atheist I know do too). But I didn't come to that conclusion because of Unscientific America. I learned it years ago from the National Center for Science Education."

The NCSE supports teaching evolution in K-12 science classes and raises public awareness of efforts to dismantle it. They do so by presenting the facts of science, managing a database of creationist claims and tactics, and making constitutional arguments to the general public, interest groups, and in court. Despite a massive financial disadvantage with creationist orgs, the NCSE has won using that approach time and time again. In science, results matter.

Large turnout expected for community dialogue - Belmont, MA - Belmont Citizen-Herald

Large turnout expected for community dialogue - Belmont, MA - Belmont Citizen-Herald:

"Belmont, Mass. - School officials are hoping students, parents and other Belmont residents will turn out in force next week to participate in a dialogue designed to help chart the course for the Belmont public schools over the next 18 months.

Officials are billing the Oct. 27 event as a “community dialogue,” a concept the district’s new Superintendent George Entwistle hopes to transplant from his former post in Falmouth, Maine. The three-and-a-half hour dialogue is designed to invite community members to discuss issues they see facing the schools and identify themes for school leaders to incorporate into an 18-month improvement plan.

“It’s a new, novel and different event for Belmont,” said Entwistle. “It’s an opportunity for more stakeholders to have a voice in shaping the future of the schools.”"

No way to reform | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

No way to reform courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal:

"Tony Bennett and the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) have failed social studies. In the rush to reform K-12 social studies education, the IDOE is harming students and teachers. The proposed changes to the way Indiana social studies teachers receive and renew their licenses will mean that excellent secondary social studies teachers will lose their jobs.

This is not the way to reform K-12 education. Currently, statistics show a 50 percent turnover rate for first-year teachers within the first five years in public schools. The proposed changes will only continue to increase the numbers of highly qualified educators leaving the profession."

Zero tolerance for zero tolerance - Washington Times

Zero tolerance for zero tolerance - Washington Times:

"Every few weeks comes a tale from one school or another so unbelievably stupid that it makes one shudder with disbelief at the lack of judgment in the administration of the American education system.

We should collectively ask whether the people we designate to teach and look after our children most of their daylight hours have ever been tested for common sense. The answer would be obvious.

What in the world am I talking about? Well, it is called zero tolerance, and it treats every incident no matter how innocent or incidental or actually threatening the same. It is as if the Queen of Hearts has taken over the school and is constantly shouting, 'Off with their heads!'"

School Governance Councils: more transparency than autonomy

School Governance Councils: more transparency than autonomy:

"Hartford’s touting its new initiative to bridge home and school. The goal is invite more parents into the decision making process and increase transparency— in a big way. 'School Governance Councils: Making Parents Partners' (Hartford Courant 10/4, Victor De La Paz), described 28 School Governance Councils (SGC) with 12 members in each.

Surprisingly, 50% will include parents, and the rest community members, teachers, the Principal, and one student from the secondary level. The SGC has major responsibilities including hiring of a new principal (when necessary), approving the annual budget, and developing a school accountability plan."

Community columnist: More school but less of the same | thecalifornian.com | The Salinas Californian

Community columnist: More school but less of the same thecalifornian.com The Salinas Californian:

"In theory, NCLB is fine. One of the valuable outcomes of this law is our awareness as districts and schools of addressing more effectively the needs of all students. In practice, this law falls short. NCLB has become a huge compliance burden to schools already under-resourced and overchallenged. Further, both federal and state departments of education have become the NCLB police. Rather than serving as catalysts of effective change, these tax-supported institutions deliver punitive threats that unrealistically expect to achieve positive results."

Gray: Ed Data Project "A Sordid Mess" - D.C. Wire -

Gray: Ed Data Project "A Sordid Mess" - D.C. Wire -:

"The D.C. Council spent a couple of hours hammering two senior District officials Friday afternoon about the collapse of the $12 million educational data warehouse it voted to fund more than a year ago.

On Sept. 9, the District dumped Williams, Adley & Co., the lead contractor on the Statewide Longitudinal Educational Data Warehouse (SLED), after spending $5.5 million on what officials said was a series of blown deadlines and instances of defective software. The system, considered a foundational element of school reform, was to be a repository for critical information about students, teachers and schools. Among the features was a 'Unique Student Identifier,' a number that would allow the District to track the academic progress of individual students from pre-K through college graduation."