Friday, April 16, 2010

News: The Video That Ended a Career - Inside Higher Ed

The Video That Ended a Career

April 9, 2010

When it comes to incriminating videos these days, the one of Bruce K. Waltke might seem pretty tame. It shows the noted evangelical scholar of the Old Testament talking about scholarship, faith and evolution. What was incriminating? He not only endorsed evolution, but said that evangelical Christianity could face a crisis for not coming to accept science.

"If the data is overwhelmingly in favor of evolution, to deny that reality will make us a cult ... some odd group that is not really interacting with the world. And rightly so, because we are not using our gifts and trusting God's Providence that brought us to this point of our awareness," he says, according to several accounts by those who have seen the video. Those words set off a furor at the Reformed Theological Seminary, where Waltke was -- until this week -- a professor. (The seminary is evangelical, with ties to several denominations.)

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The statements so upset officials of the seminary that Waltke had to ask the BioLogos Foundation, a group that promotes the idea that science and faith need not be incompatible, to remove it from its Web site (which the foundation did) and to post a clarification. The video was shot during a BioLogos workshop. But even those steps weren't enough for the seminary, which announced that it had accepted his resignation.

Waltke is a big enough name in evangelical theology that the incident is prompting considerable soul-searching. On the one hand, his public

Real-Time Roundup [Friday] This Week In Education

This Week In Education

Real-Time Roundup [Friday]

Here's a rolling update of what's going on in educationland right now:

Charters: Darling-Hammond School In Trouble: Yay! Boo! Charters! Linda Darling-Hammond! The Internets are burning... http://bit.ly/9KxQZb about 3 hours ago
Districts: Teacher Suspended For "Crashing" The Tea Party: Beaverton (OR) school district has put Jason Levin, on...http://bit.ly/da01cx about 3 hours ago
RT @huffingtonpost: The Most Ridiculous Detention Slips Of All Time (PICTURES) http://huff.to/aMtAIp about 16 hours ago
RT @Ed_Leadership: Easy access to info is forcing high schools to change. http://bit.ly/ddzGyq about 16 hours ago
RT @imsydneycharles: I hate being on hold with Chicago Public Schools...like it's part of my life I'll never get back about 19 hours ago
RT @theresemferguso: RT @OpenBooks: Aparecio Foundation providing opportunities for recent female graduates of cps http://bit.ly/c3a6VA about 19 hours ago
RT @EduGlaze: Sen. Harkin at today's cmtee hearing confused Boston teacher Jose Valenzuela with ex-MLB pitcher Fernando Valenzuela about 22 hours ago
RT @JennaMSchuette: Busy prepping for @AEIeducation event at 4 Hess will share about his new book Education Unbound: http://ow.ly/1qvbve about 23 hours ago

Hit "refresh" to get newer items, or click here to get older items.

“No Parent Left Behind” | Engaging Parents In School...

“No Parent Left Behind”

by Larry Ferlazzo

The South Bend Tribune in Indiana published an article today titled Professor feted for parenting program. It’s about an award Stuart Greene, a Notre Dame professor, is getting to recognize the work he’s done with an organization called No Parent Left Behind.
It’s not clear to me from the article exactly what the group does, but it mentions a book Greene is editing that’s coming out called “Connecting Home and School: Complexities, Concerns, and Considerations in Fostering Parent Involvement and Family Literacy,” — which sounds interesting — and I do like this quote:
“The typical observation about low-income parents is that they just don’t get involved in their children’s learning,”

Statement by the President | The White House

Statement by the President

On this occasion, we remember the day in 1862 when President Lincoln freed the enslaved people of Washington, DC – nine months before he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. I am proud that an original copy of that document now hangs in the Oval Office, and we remain forever grateful as a nation for the struggles and sacrifices of those Americans who made that emancipation possible.

Americans from all walks of life are gathering in Washington today to remind members of Congress that although DC residents pay federal taxes and serve honorably in our armed services, they do not have a vote in Congress or full autonomy over local issues. And so I urge Congress to finally pass legislation that provides DC residents with voting representation and to take steps to improve the Home Rule Charter.

Presidential Memorandum -- America's Great Outdoors

by The White House

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
SUBJECT: A 21st Century Strategy for America's Great Outdoors
Americans are blessed with a vast and varied natural heritage. From mountains to deserts and from sea to shining sea, America's great outdoors have shaped the rugged independence and sense of community that define the American spirit. Our working landscapes, cultural sites, parks, coasts, wild lands, rivers, and streams are gifts that we have inherited from previous generations. They are the places that offer us refuge from daily demands, renew our spirits, and enhance our fondest
memories, whether they are fishing with a grandchild in a favorite spot, hiking a trail with a friend, or enjoying a family picnic in a neighborhood park. They also are our farms, ranches, and forests -- the working lands that have fed and sustained us for generations. Americans take pride in these places, and share a responsibility to preserve them for our children and grandchildren.
Today, however, we are losing touch with too many of the places and proud traditions that have helped to make America special. Farms, ranches, forests, and other valuable natural resources are disappearing at an alarming rate. Families are spending less time together enjoying their natural surroundings. Despite our conservation efforts, too many of our fields are becoming fragmented, too many of our rivers and streams are becoming polluted, and we are losing our connection to the parks, wild places, and open spaces we grew up with and cherish. Children, especially, are spending less time outside running and playing, fishing and hunting, and connecting to the outdoors just down the street or outside of town.
Across America, communities are uniting to protect the places they love, and

More on Florida � The Quick and the Ed

More on Florida

by Kris Amundson

Governor Charlie Crist’s decision to veto the controversial SB 6 yesterday has was certainly the biggest education story yesterday. Although Crist seems to have talked about the reasons for the veto with anyone who asked (and even posted his veto message on Facebook), there’s still a lot of speculation about his motives.
Here are a few thoughts on the day after:
Was it a complete coincidence that veto occurred on the same day the AP ran a story headlined, “Is Jeb Bush Still in Charge in the Capitol?” No Governor/Senate candidate can afford to ignore that kind of public dissing. (And Crist made it clear he hadn’t, pointedly noting that he had a voicemail message from Bush, who “encouraged me to sign the bill,” Crist said. “Shocking.”)
It may also have been a very smart political move (although Eduwonk clearly disagrees with me on that). The latest Quinnipiac poll shows Crist getting clobbered in the Republican primary. His Republican opponent Marco Rubio is winning the horse race (“If the election were held today”) question 56 – 33, but there are several other things in the analysis that are much more telling:
- By 54 – 30, Republican voters trust that Rubio will “do in office what he promises in the campaign” once he’s

District's Imagine 2014 plan includes focus on dropout prevention | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

District's Imagine 2014 plan includes focus on dropout prevention

by Ruth Rouff

Across the city this summer, 8th graders will be enrolled in a comprehensive transitional program designed to better prepare them for high school success.In North Philadelphia, over-age middle graders now have the opportunity to get back on track academically in a new District school called the Crossroads Accelerated Academy.

These are two new initiatives highlighted by District academic leaders, who are optimistic that these and other programs that are part of the District’s Imagine 2014 strategic plan can slow the steady flow of dropouts from Philadelphia high schools. In a typical school year, an estimated 6,000 or more students stop attending District schools.

For over-age middle schoolers like the ones targeted for the Crossroads program, the odds of graduating are poor.

“We took a floor [at Elverson School] and created a school-within-a-school,” explained School District Chief Operating Officer John Frangipani. About 80 students are now enrolled at Crossroads, with a student-teacher ratio of 20:1.

Frangipani stresses that those enrolling at Crossroads from throughout the District are not discipline problems.

“We want to put them in an environment where they can see success,” he said. “So we give them a lot more special attention to get them back to where they need to be.”

Crossroads Principal Sherry Lewis said that part of that special attention includes

Tea-baggers and teachers. � Fred Klonsky's blog

Tea-baggers and teachers.

APRIL 16, 2010

tags: Crist, SB 6, Tea Party, teachers

by preaprez

Yesterday’s tea party events were a bust. In New York, three set-aside areas put up for the tax day event weren’t needed as there were barely enough loonies to fill up one. Here in Chicago, the turn-out was in the hundreds. In Washington, several thousand showed up, which isn’t even as many people as The Mall has on a normal day. If this is what the Republicans are counting on to return them to power, I say go for it.

But the power of mass protest was visible yesterday. Thousands of teachers, parents and students pushed back on the Jeb Bush legacy of Florida’s Senate Bill 6, and as a result, Republican governor Charlie Crist vetoed the bill. By taking this action, he took a stand, not only against

End of rubber rooms a “big deal,” but bigger issues remain | GothamSchools

End of rubber rooms a “big deal,” but bigger issues remain

by Maura Walz

When he announced that he would close the city’s infamous rubber rooms yesterday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared, “to say that this is a big deal is an understatement.”
The agreement will shutter the reassignment centers where teachers wait idly for their cases to be heard, a process both the city and union have accused each other of dragging on interminably. But the deal, which wasstruck outside of formal contract negotiations, does little to resolve the most contentious issues the city and union have long fought over.
Yesterday’s rubber room agreement traded one largely-ignored time-line for hearing cases for a speedier one. Union and city officials pledged to strictly adhere to the faster schedule and clear out the backlog of cases by the end of the year.
“We want a faster, fairer process,” United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said. “That’s the

Thomas Jefferson VS Alexander Hamilton: The Battle For Sex Education - Perdaily.com

Thomas Jefferson VS Alexander Hamilton: The Battle For Sex Education

by Leonard

If we go back to the beginnings of the United States, there were two views contending for what this country should take. One, as propounded by Hamilton was based to some extent on the old European order and the idea of noblesse oblige or simply stated the upper-class had the property, education and culture to ensure the country's success -- because these attributes assured their active involvement in what needed to be done while giving them the ability to do so. The continuity necessary over time could not be guaranteed by the other classes of Americans who at any given time could just pick up and move on.

Jefferson on the other hand felt that a competitive advantage was gained by empowering the citizens with the best education possible, based on the simple logic that government relies on the support on a majority of its population to respond to ever changing economic, political, and cultural issues. A well-educated society therefore stood the best chance of succeeding. If one thinks about it, Jefferson's approach is probably the only rational justification for a democratic system of government.

Although the Jeffersonian view seemed to have prevailed at the beginning of the 19th century with the taking of both the Executive and Legislative branches of United States government, the rapid expansion westward and the

The California Majority Report // CDP Convention Preview: What's in Store for Democrats in LA

STEVEN MAVIGLIO

CDP Convention Preview: What's in Store for Democrats in LA

April 15, 2010 @ 12:44 PM

Most of the reports by the news media this weekend will focus on whether Democrats are fired up to fend off Republican challenges this year. The answer, quite simply, is yes. Still, it is no secret to the activist base of the Democratic party that shows up at the convention that races up and down the ballot that were slam dunks in 2008 will be tough battles this year.

So heading into the convention, here's a quick guide to what needs to be accomplished in LA for Democrats to leave in strong position for June and November.

Will Jerry Brown Dazzle? -- Democrats are most nervous about the gubernatorial race. Jerry Brown is already down in a few polls while Whitman seems to be in cruise control with an unlimited budget. Brown will need to put doubts about his candidacy to rest. At the last convention, when Brown still had rivals for the gubernatorial nomination, he received the most enthusiasm from the gathered conventioneers. This time, he'll need to make a solid case for why his race is the most important on the ballot, and put to rest the concerns about his candidacy.

Boxer's Opportunity -- Nobody is better than dishing out red meat to Democratic delegates than Senator Barbara Boxer. She's in the fight of her life this year and will need to engage every Democrat at the convention to get heavily involved in her campaign. She too will need to let delegates know what's at stake in her Senate campaign. Fortunately, she'll likely be able to pull that off with ease.

Can Pelosi Make the Case for Congress? -- Prediction: Nancy Pelosi will knock the applause-o-meter off the charts. Expect a strong defense of the health care plan and what Democrats have achieved in Congress. Pelosi is the most loved California Democrat, and her work to pass health care reform has put wind in the sails of Democrats who've watched the Obama administration's poll standing take a nosedive.

The Gavin Newsom and Janice Hahn Smackdown -- Who knew the LG's race could possibly be the most contentious on the ballot? A year ago, Sen. Dean Florez was the only announced candidate and made a major convention splash. This year, Newsom and Hahn are locked in a death match. Will Newsom's name ID carry him to victory? Will Hahn's LA base and strong standing among women prevail? Most Democrats know little about Hahn, and she'll need to make a splash. Newsom is a strong speaker and there's always a buzz when

Media Advisories--Department of Education

Event Date: 5:30 p.m. CDT Monday, April 19, 2010
Contacts: Jo Ann Webb, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SENIOR OFFICIAL TO DISCUSS ESEA REAUTHORIZATION AT PRINCIPALS’ PARTNERSHIP MEETING

U.S. Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary Carl Harris will discuss President Obama’s blueprint for revising the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the role of leadership in education reform during a question and answer session at the Principals’ Partnership meeting on Monday, April 19, in Chicago, Ill.

Event Date: Saturday, Apr. 17 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Apr. 18 at 6 p.m. EDT
Contacts: Sandra Abrevaya or Elaine Quesinberry, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN TO BE FEATURED GUEST ON CNN TOWN MEETING ON EDUCATION REFORM

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be a featured guest on CNN’s "Fixing America’s Schools." The show will air on Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m. EDT and Sunday, April 18 at 6 p.m. EDT. CNN Newsroom anchor Don Lemon will interview Secretary Duncan in a dynamic town hall about reforming America’s schools. Sec. Duncan will answer questions straight from parents, teachers and students in Atlanta on the realities they face everyday ranging from school facilities and safety to standardized testing.

Event Date: Monday, April 19, 2010
Contacts: Jim Bradshaw, (202) 401-2310 or press@ed.gov

U.S., INDONESIAN STUDENTS TO DISCUSS ROBOTICS THROUGH TRANS-PACIFIC VIDEO CONFERENCE PROGRAM CO-SPONSORED BY U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, STATE DEPARTMENT, NASA

Separated by an ocean, but linked by the wonders of modern technology, a dozen science students from Southern California and a similar number from Indonesia will participate in a video conference Monday to exchange ideas about digital robotics and in so doing, advance the Obama administration's goal of using space-age tools to strengthen global bonds.

Event Date: Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 3 p.m. PDT
Contacts: Jane Glickman or Stephanie Babyak, (202) 401-1576

THIS SUNDAY: UNDER SECRETARY KANTER TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES' (AACC) ANNUAL CONVENTION IN SEATTLE

Under Secretary Martha Kanter will be in Seattle on Sunday, April 18, at 3 p.m., to deliver the keynote address at the 90th annual convention of the American Association of Community Colleges. She will outline President Obama's goals for higher education and discuss three key areas essential to the future of higher education: student access, quality educational offerings, and student completion

Event Date: Monday, April 19, 2010 at 8 a.m. EDT
Contacts: Jane Glickman or Stephanie Babyak, (202) 401-1576

U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN TO ADDRESS 15TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CAPITOL FORUM ON HISPANIC HIGHER EDUCATION (HACU)

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will address some 150 higher education stakeholders and college presidents attending the 15th Annual National Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 19, at the Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C. He will discuss the need to increase the college enrollment and graduation rates of Hispanic students and the need for more Hispanic teachers in K-12 classrooms.

Event Date: Friday, April 16, 2010 at noon EDT
Contact: Sandra Abrevaya or Elaine Quesinberry (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN TO VISIT FIRST® ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP IN ATLANTA

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will visit the FIRST® Robotics Championship and speak to more than 10,000 students about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Friday, April 16.

The FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship, founded by Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest in science and technology, will bring together more than 10,000 students from 30 countries and 530 robots. The students who participate in the competition are eligible to apply for scholarships from 130 science and engineering schools across the country.

Event Date: Friday, April 16, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.
Contact: David Thomas, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TO DISCUSS INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION AT INTEL EDUCATION VISIONARY CONFERENCE

Jim Shelton, assistant deputy secretary for the Office of Innovation and Improvement, will provide opening remarks at the Intel Education Visionary conference on Friday, April 16 at the Sofitel Hotel in Washington, D.C. Shelton will talk about the Department's programs and initiatives supporting educational innovations to enrich students' learning experiences in their schools and communities

The conference will bring together policy makers, government officials, and education technology leaders from across the nation.

Event Date: Thursday- Friday, April 15-16, 2010
Contact: Jo Ann Webb, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

ASSISTANT SECRETARY THELMA MELENDEZ TO PARTICIPATE IN REGIONAL TRIBAL OFFICIAL CONSULTATION IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Thelma Melendez, assistant secretary of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education, will travel to Anchorage, Alaska, Thursday and Friday, April 15-16, to give welcoming remarks, tour a high school and co-facilitate a Regional Tribal Official Consultation with Native American and Alaskan Native representatives. She will discuss the Department's commitment to improving educational opportunities and resources for Native students.

Event Date: Thursday-Friday, April 15-16, 2010
Contact: Jo Ann Webb or Elaine Quesinberry, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SENIOR OFFICIAL TO MEET WITH PARENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS ON TURNING AROUND MASSACHUSETTS' LOWEST-PERFORMING SCHOOLS

Massachusetts Eligible to Receive $58.6 Million to Turn Around Its Lowest-Performing Schools

Remarks by the First Lady at California Endowment "Building Healthier Communities" event | The White House

Remarks by the First Lady at California Endowment "Building Healthier Communities" event

New Roots Community Farm, San Diego, California

2:43 P.M. PDT

MRS. OBAMA: Thank you, everyone. Thank you so much. It is -- (applause) -- thank you, guys. (Applause.) All right, you all are crazy. (Laughter.)

I am just delighted to be here. I can’t tell you -- as much as I love living in Washington, there is nothing that I love better than getting out of Washington -- (laughter) -- particularly when it means coming to such a beautiful community with such energy and passion. So I am happy to be here.

I want to start by thanking Rosa for her wonderful introduction, for her terrific leadership in community service. We are so very proud of you. Let’s give her a big hand. (Applause.) Thank you, Rosa.

And I just want to also acknowledge a few people, as well. I’m honored to be joined by the Lieutenant Governor -- it’s so good to see you, thank you for your work -- as well as the State Controller. Wonderful to see you. Thank you so much for taking the time to be here.

I know that the mayor had to leave, but I want to thank he and his wife for being here. I know that the one thing I heard over there, when I was touring the plots -- more land! (Applause.) More land. (Applause.) But he’s done a terrific job, and I just want to thank all the city officials here for making this visit wonderful. To all of the elected officials who are here, thank you for your work, your leadership, your energy.

I want to thank Bob Montgomery and Amy Lint from the New Roots Community Farm. Yay! (Applause.) They’re doing a fabulous job, and proud of their work, and full of the kind of energy that you need to get this thing going.

And I want to again acknowledge the 14 community leaders who are here, the Building Healthy Community partners who are representing all segments of this state. Don’t let Dr. Ross use that picture as any kind of leverage. (Laughter.) You get the picture and hassle him when you need to, right? (Laughter.) I know they will.

We are just proud of the work that you’re doing. And I know that everyone could not be here, but I know that you’ll

"Watching" Books or "Reading" TV? Alice In Wonderland & iPad - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.

"Watching" Books or "Reading" TV? Alice In Wonderland & iPad

What Do YOU Think?
Is iPad A Good Thing Or Bad For Kids' Reading?
See 45 sec. Video Below

We at The Daily Riff like to make connections of various happenings to education. Best selling author Daniel Pink would call it "symphony" or something like that . . . or you may call it certifiable. Either way, we're okay with it.

When it came to this Apple Youtube commercial (45 sec.) below for its iPad using Alice In Wonderland, it was more of a "rift" back at the ranch, rather than a riff. In other words, no one here readily agreed.

Youtube illustrates how kids can experience actual reading "mashed" with a video-game-like

Increasing number of students will face shortened school year | California Watch

Increasing number of students will face shortened school year

April 16, 2010 | Louis Freedberg

The state's budget crisis is putting so much pressure on public school districts that some are being forced to trim the school year before school gets out this year.

Last month, I wrote about proposals in the majority of California's largest school districts to shorten the coming school year by granting teachers unpaid furlough days.

But on Tuesday, the board of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the state's largest school district by far, voted to shorten the current school year by a week before summer vacation begins in June.

That means teachers must now figure out how to finish up their lesson plans with one less week to teach. Parents will have to arrange activities for kids who will be out of school for an unplanned week.

And it's not only a mammoth district like LAUSD, with an enrollment of 687,000 students, that has been forced to cut classes in the waning months of the school year. The Willows Unified School District north of Sacramento, with an enrollment of 1700 students, has already begun eliminating four instructional days by granting teachers

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