Neag Center Home Page | News & Views
They grew up with the Internet . . . and the Internet grew up with them. As the class of 2004 prepares to enter the world, this article takes a look at the technology they take for granted:
www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0513grad13.html
Something special for special education: The US Senate is considering a bill which, if passed, would change the funding for special education programs:
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/05/12/national1613EDT0692.DTL
"It takes a village": The new issue of the ASCD's Educational Leadership looks at the role family and community play in our children's education:
www.ascd.org/cms/objectlib/ascdframeset/index.cfm?publication=http://www.ascd.org/publications/ed_lead/200405/epstein.html
And in another take on the role of society in education, a new book by the Economic Policy Institute takes issue with the presumption that school reform—rather than community and economic change—can improve children's chances to learn:
www.epinet.org/content.cfm/books_class_and_schools
The greater good—or is it? This article examines the role that public schools—now serving a greater percentage of our nation's children than ever—can and should play—and to whom they belong:
www.aasa.org/publications/sa/2004_05/Graham.htm
Squeaky wheels get the most attention—at least that's what some parents and students are finding. This article discusses how the discipline problems of a few students may impair learning for all:
www.publicagenda.org/research/research_reports_details.cfm?list=3
Despite research showing that retention doesn't work, school policy makers continue to support it—and the public backs them up. This article explores the problem:
www.catalyst-chicago.org/05-04/0504main1.htm
A new website provides students and parents with access to tutoring resources. The service is provided as part of NCLB's initiative to improve student achievement:
www.tutorsforkids.org
They can't smoke it, but the can grow it: This article explorer's Kentucky's practice of allowing schools to grow tobacco—which critics say sends a mixed message to kids:
www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/8629937.htm
In Iowa, there's a new kind of graduation exercise. Students in about 100 Iowa schools are required to demonstrate their readiness to enter the world beyond high school with presentations, some including portfolio work, showcasing their abilities:
desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040512/NEWS02/405120350/1004
Does your school exemplify First Amendment principles? Take the ASCD's online survey to find out how your school measures up:
www.firstamendmentschools.org/involve/templates/checklist/dsp_checklist.php
The Refugee Transitions group in San Francisco is hoping to make the adjustment process easier for child refugees from war-torn countries such as Cambodia. The group provides tutoring services to these students:
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/05/14/EBG2O6H9E61.DTL
Are your students cybersmart? This website offers free curricula on online safety for elementary school students:
www.cybersmartcurriculum.org/curr_over
Move over, EndNote! Citation Machine offers tools to help students—and teachers—cite a variety of sources in MLA and APA formats:
www.landmark-project.com/citation_machine/index.php
Challenging NCLB: Wisconsin's attorney general recently issued an opinion, the first of its kind, stating that states are not obligated to follow NCLB guidelines. Commentators say this statement could pave the way for lawsuits:
www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2004/05/13/wisc_ag_school_reforms_cant_be_forced
Good news for video-game fans (and their parents): A new study finds that young men who play video games are more likely to read and, except for televised sports, less likely to watch TV:
www.tvweek.com/advertise/051704studies.html
Living, learning... and passing on the torch: Sally Ride, the US's first female astronaut, now runs a science camp for girls. The goal of the program is to encourage them to pursue science:
www.sacbee.com/content/news/education/story/9327031p-10251772c.html
"Free schools"—an alternative form of education in which students direct the course of their own learning—are becoming increasingly popular in the US. This alternative seems to benefits students who felt neglected in public school:
www.csmonitor.com/2004/0518/p11s01-legn.html
An editorial in USA TODAY cautions schools to be wary of institutional inertia. Pointing to the fact that most reform efforts have come from those outside the educational system, the article suggests that educators need to take matters into their own hands and push for change from within—lest it be forced on them:
www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20040519/6213761s.htm
ASCD's EdPolicy Update showcases a new report by the National Academy of science regarding the effective use of research in education—an issue of rising concern given NCLB's spotlight on research:
www.ascd.org/cms/index.cfm?TheViewID=2481
The political group MoveOn.Org wants to get out the vote—especially among high school students. This link provides direct access to your state's voter-registration forms:
www.moveon.org/hsvoteregforms.html
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is rewarding tomorrow's top scientists today! The top three winners received college scholarships and a trip to the Nobel Prize ceremony in Sweden:
www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,63490,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_3
Most people recognize that quality education is the key to future success—but who has access to it? This article looks at the impact that No Child Left Behind has had on upward mobility through education:
www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7637
John Kerry says he'll put money where Bush's mouth is—on education. The presumptive Democratic candidate discussed his plans for the future of American education:
www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2004/05/05/kerry_details_broad_goal_of_boosting_achievement
Who's left behind? The Children's Defense Fund provides an analysis of education spending which shows that nearly all school districts are actually losing money under NCLB:
www.childrensdefense.org/pressreleases/040430.asp
One Texas school's prom-attendance policy has come under fire from several civil liberties groups. The school's policy forbids students from buying joint tickets for a person of the same sex:
www.click2houston.com/news/3272226/detail.html
The real reason behind the problems with No Child Left Behind may lie in its assumptions about school performance, according to this piece. If schools are in trouble not because of willful negligence but because of lack of information, punitive measures are doomed to failure:
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2001918661_raspberry04.html
Virtual schools raise real concerns: with virtual education in many forms becoming more popular, proponents and critics alike raise questions about accountability and quality control in virtual education programs:
www.csmonitor.com/2004/0504/p11s02-legn.htm
In Philadelphia, many students in grades 3-10 face a tough call: summer school—or retention. This is the result of a new tougher academic policy on the part of city schools:
www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/8470957.htm?1c
Young people across the country are taking positive action in their communities, and the Forum for Youth Investment wants to salute them. This page shows the story of a community action program in Nashville, TN:
www.forumforyouthinvestment.org/forumfocus.htm
It's a woman's world—in education, that is. A survey by the NEA shows that the number of male teachers is on the decline:
www.nea.org/newsreleases/2004/nr040428.html
Overweight adolescents are found to be more at risk both for being bullied—and for becoming bullies themselves. This new study of Canadian children looks at the bullying problem among overweight young people:
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2001918312_bully03.html
Music and technology can be an inspiring combination. This article looks at the ways that music technology can inspire students to express themselves through the arts:
www.glef.org/1139
A vocational education program in England has been found to improve student behavior and attendance. This article discusses the impact of the Increased Flexibility Programme:
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3686009.stm
Despite concern about charter schools, Massachusetts Gov. Romney promised to veto a bill calling for a moratorium on the establishment of more such programs. Critics have raised concerns about funding for such schools, especially in poorer areas:
www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/05/06/romney_vows_veto_of_charter_school_moratorium
The California state Assembly passed a bill allowing longer classroom times for kindergartners. Proponents say schools should be allowed to make their own decisions on the length of the kindergarten day:
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/05/06/state1803EDT0136.DTL
Teachers, are you looking for a job? Move to Utah! A study by the State University of Utah projects a significant teacher shortage in the coming years:
www.sltrib.com/2004/May/05062004/utah/163695.asp
More carrot, less stick: Kerry proposes an incentive system to reward good teachers:
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/05/07/MNG5M6HELE1.DTL
The high school graduating class of 2006 will have more options than most when it comes to college entrance exams. In this transition year between the old and new SATs, students will have the option of choosing which version they take:
www.usatoday.com/news/education/2004-05-10-sat-changes_x.htm
Despite concerns about charter schools, a study by the Boston Globe shows that urban charter schools are outperforming their traditional peers:
www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/131/metro/Urban_charter_schools_score_a_win+.shtml
The latest issue of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's ResearchBrief takes a look at a popular concept—block scheduling. This article examines the impact of these longer class periods on schools and students:
http://www.ascd.org/cms/objectlib/ascdframeset/index.cfm?publication=http://www.ascd.org/publications/researchbrief/volume2/v2n10.html