Poor Attendance Cuts School Funding

The Children’s Initiative recently conducted a study that revealed chronic attendance problems in San Diego County schools. Not only does poor attendance lead to problems like poor test scores, every absence affects the “average daily attendance” funds assigned to the schools. In the San Diego Unified School District in kindergarten through fifth-grade, this becomes a huge problem because just last year 16,614 students missed ten or more days. That translates to $6.6 million lost in attendance revenue.

One teacher comments that these kids aren’t missing school because they’re vacationing in Europe but rather because they don’t have transportation, health care or stable homes. The schools are getting creative by competing with other classes for best attendance and winning pizza parties, pencils, wristbands and bikes. They are also reaching the parents through concerned, personalized letters, opposed to the usual government code violation warning, and informing them how much impact even an excused absence has on the future of the institution.

Article: School absenteeism has its costs

“Here,” “present,” “yo.”

It’s how most schoolchildren start their day, responding to the morning roll call taken by teachers as they measure daily attendance.

Read full article at : www.signonsandiego.com

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Bill Allows Students to Give Teacher Feedback

Carol’s Summary

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted to go further in evaluating teachers and California student governments helped him attain his dream by creating a survey to give student feedback directly to their teachers in order to increase teacher effectiveness, which will be enforced by the bill Schwarzenegger recently signed. This bill hopes to incorporate student feedback into teaching methods and curriculum by letting students have an opinion on who teaches them and how they do it. The surveys will only be shown to the teacher of the class and not be accessible to administrators or be saved in the teacher’s personnel files.

Article: Students to get a voice on teacher performance under new state law

High school students will get a chance to say what they think of their teachers under a bill signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

To read this article: latimes.com

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Freedom School is Summer Fun

Carol’s Summary

Freedom School’s are growing around the country in efforts to close the achievement gap between white students and black and Latino students, by improving literacy with a six-week summer program. The initiative was developed by the Children’s Defense Fund, a nonprofit child advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. that “is modeled after efforts in Mississippi and other Southern states in the 1960s to educate African Americans still encumbered by separate and unequal school systems.”

Through a program that starts the day with song, dance, meditation, and sharing of experiences called harambee, a Swahili word meaning “let’s pull together,” to afternoon activities outdoors, students are having fun at school and enjoying experiences, like exploring museums and soaring in a plane, they might not otherwise get. Freedom School teaches students to think critically, have a healthy mind and body, be creative and read multiple books a week. And at Freedom School, parental participation is required.

Article: This summer’s lesson: Learning is fun

It is a hot, energy-sapping morning on a quiet residential street, but inside the Lynwood United Methodist Church, summer school students are raising the roof with inspirational chants, boogie-down dances and affirmations of friendship.

To read this article: www.latimes.com

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Filling Micro-moments Fatigues the Brain

 

Carol’s Summary:

 

The scene opens with a San Francisco woman listening to her iPod, sending an email on her iPhone, and watching television while pedaling on an elliptical. Reporter Matt Richtel uses this subject and other familiar characters, like the guy talking on his phone while pushing his child in the grocery cart, to show people’s need to fill their days “micro-moments” with something entertaining or seemingly productive.

 

The problem? Scientists have found that constantly pumping your brain with digital input is taking away necessary downtime that our brains require to learn, remember information and come up with new ideas. Instead of being entertaining or relaxing, technology is actually fatiguing the brain by not giving it time to rest and process. However, there are some researchers who believe the benefits of technology out-weigh the side effects because people are more motivated to workout when they have their ear buds, their iPhone and their favorite t.v. show.  

Article: Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime

At the University of California, San Francisco, scientists have found that when rats have a new experience, like exploring an unfamiliar area, their brains show new patterns of activity. But only when the rats take a break from their exploration do they process those patterns in a way that seems to create a persistent memory of the experience.

To read the full article: www.nytimes.com

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Can Teamwork Between Teachers Be the Answer to Education Reform?

 

Carol’s Summary: 

 

According to the MetLife Survey of the American Teacher (2009), teacher’s spend an average of 93 percent of their time working by themselves. In order for education reform to stick, there has to be a strong foundation made of teachers teaming together for the same changes and supporting each other for the climb out of this education slump. Education reform is about advancement, and the only way to advance is to look to the future. A survey conducted by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, found education reform might lead to a brighter future if teachers follow these six learning-team principles:

Shared Values and Goals

Collective Responsibility

Authentic Assessment

Self-Directed Reflection

Stable Settings

Strong Leadership Support 

There are many plans for education reform and none of them can happen over night. The beauty of using this six-principle system is that it is based off a simple, human-skill that we all already have in us: teamwork. 

Article: Learning Teams and the Future of Teaching

Learning is no longer preparation for the job, it is the job. In a world in which information expands exponentially, today’s students are active participants in an ever-expanding network of learning environments. They must learn to be knowledge navigators, seeking and finding information from multiple sources, evaluating it, making sense of it, and understanding how to collaborate with their peers to turn information into knowledge, and knowledge into action.

 

To read the full article:  www.edweek.org

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Is the iPad the Textbook of the Future?

iPad

A recent article by Wall Street Journal reporter Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg, brings new light to the evolving world of electronic books. The advent of electronic readers, like the Kindle, caused a boom in electronic books, but has yet to catch electronic college textbooks up in the trend, due to high prices and glitchy hardware.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Dual Enrollment Programs

Carol’s Summary:

High schools nationwide are beginning to offer dual enrollment to “high-risk” students, with the goal of improving the students’ options and opportunities to go to college. Dual-enrollment programs place students in college level courses for credit while they are still in high school, and have traditionally only been offered to high-achieving students.

Now researchers are finding that these kinds of programs also benefit students at risk for dropping out of high school, by giving those students more insight into the process of transitioning from high school to college. and showing them that going to college is a realistic goal to reach for. The programs guide students through the college application process and applying for student loans.

Sometimes they offer mentoring and job shadowing. However, currently only 15 states have colleges and universities that accept dual-enrollment credits. It seems implementing more of dual-enrollment programs nationwide and improving correspondence between high schools and colleges could significantly increase high school graduation rates. The percentage of high school students who choose to attend colleges and universities will likely improve as well.
The transition from high school to college can be difficult for many students, especially if they come from less fortunate economic backgrounds or are the first in their families to have the opportunity to attend college. It is crucial for all students to understand that they are capable of pursuing higher education if they so choose. Majoring in the Rest of Your Life is a guide to preparing for college and succeeding in life after secondary school. For more information on our books, visit www.lifebound.com or e-mail contact@lifebound.com.

Article:Dual Enrollment Programs Show Promise for Non-High Achievers
By Dian Schaffhauser

Is it possible that getting high school kids–even those who considered “high risk”–into college courses as part of a dual enrollment program could increase their chances of success and improve school retention efforts? That’s the conclusion of a recent study on the topic.

Dual enrollment programs give students in high school the chance to take courses for college credit. Typically, they’re taken by students who are doing well academically. While dual enrollment courses are true college courses, they may be taken in the high school–in fact, the authors reported that 74 percent of college classes are taught in the high school. Or they’re taught at a college campus or via online delivery.

To read the full article: www.thejournal.com

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High School vs. College

Remember those comprehension questions on SAT tests that ask, “Rudder is to ship, as bridle is to _________ (correct answer: horse)? Well, a similar analogy can be applied to high school and college… High school is to college as gym class is to team sports. In gym class you get exercise, just as you do when you play sports. But playing on a team involves a deeper, more focused commitment.

Likewise, what you can expect from college is a different kind of experience than high school. It’s more intense, and – for many students — more rewarding because it relates directly to their future. One thing’s for sure, knowing what to expect can help you make a smoother transition between the two worlds.

A is for Academics – Original thoughts count more in college. While you’re still in high school, strengthen your study habits. If you’re having trouble in a subject, don’t delay in getting help. And when you get to college, attend classes regularly and visit your professors during office hours.

I is for Independence - In college, you will become more independent than you were in high school. This means you need to make wise choices about your personal safety, finances, and overall well-being. You need to know when and where to get help in case you get sick or have trouble with a class.

M is for Marketability – The only goal of most high school jobs is to earn a little extra cash. But in college, you’ll need to think more strategically about work. You’ll want to look for internships, work study programs, and summer jobs that relate to your field of interest. Talk to someone who works in that field, and/or set up an appointment with a guidance counselor at school. Find answers to questions such as: Which college majors are ideal for this career? What kinds of skills are needed? What are the personal traits of people who are successful in this job (enjoy details, like to work alone, able to lead, etc.)?

Now, armed with a clearer picture of what will be expected of you in college you’ll know how to take AIM.

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How Should Schools Identify Gifted Students?

Carol’s Summary:
The method by which to identify gifted students at a New York City high school is now being challenged, as the school admits students based on the results of a single test, which is written by a teacher at the school. This test ultimately determines a student’s eligibility to attend, and has  sparked a debate about what qualifies a student as gifted, particularly because this test has caused a decline in black and Hispanic student enrollment at the school.

Critics say that the test gives certain students an unfair advantage, whereas many others who come from less fortunate backgrounds may not be as well-prepared to take such a test. The cost of prep materials and tutoring gives wealthy students a good chance at being accepted, while students who come from less fortunate families may not be able to pay for the preparation.

Therefore, they may not be as well-prepared to take such a test. They say that the admissions tests should utilize several kinds of evaluations, including portfolios of students’ past work, essays, and interviews.

There are currently 3 million students nationwide who are identified as gifted, and it is believed that there are many more who have not yet been noticed or who have undergone one-sided tests such as the one previously mentioned. It is necessary to employ various strategies to identify gifted students, so that they may receive the education they deserve.

To hold back a student who is gifted may make the student likelier to grow bored with school and possibly even drop out, because their abilities are not being recognized. At LifeBound, we believe it is incredibly important to tailor teaching to individual students, their abilities and their needs. In our curriculum that accompanies each of our books, we have included activities for both gifted and at-risk students, so that no child’s needs are left unattended to. Visit www.lifebound.com or e-mail contact@lifebound.com for more information about our books and curriculum.

Article:
Identifying Gifted Students
By Walt Gardner

The latest chapter in the gifted student saga was on display at Hunter College High School in New York City when a graduating senior delivered a commencement address that called into question the basis for admission to the storied school (“Diversity Debate Convulses Elite High School,” Aug. 5). The school uses a single, teacher-written test that has not changed for decades. Although the test is defended by Hunter College, which oversees the high school, as “very valuable in terms of preserving the kind of specialness and uniqueness that the school has,” it has resulted in a decline in the percentage of black and Hispanic students enrolled.

To read the full article: www.edweek.org

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How Will Eliminating D’s from School Records Affect Students?

Carol’s Summary:

The Mount Olive school district in New Jersey has recently eliminated the D grade from their schools, in order to encourage students to achieve more. Now that students can only earn A’s, B’s, C’s and F’s, it may cause students to see how important it is to get better grades, rather than to put forth minimal effort and earn a barely-passing D in their classes.

Students in the district have openly expressed their disdain for the new policy, saying that it puts more pressure on students and will cause more students to fail. The new policy will allow increased opportunities for make-up work on failed or missed assignments, which will provide students with a better chance to improve their grades before report cards are sent home.

The elimination of the D grade in Mount Olive schools has brought attention to this new policy, but a similar strategy was used in the 90’s in a college classroom in Kansas. The policy is new in the Mount Olive district for this upcoming school year, and administrators hope that it will be effective for improving student work ethic and achievement.

Many students need an extra push to understand that they are truly in control of earning their grades. The work they put forth academically as well as in all aspects of life will appear in the results of their work. Students, especially at high school age, must learn how to take personal responsibility for their study habits and school work.

Our book, Study Skills for High School Students, provides students with tips for improving memory, being more involved in their class work, how to be an independent learner, and how not to procrastinate on assignments. Visit www.lifebound.com or e-mail contact@lifebound.com for more about LifeBound’s books and materials.

Article:
Little as They Try, Students Can’t Get a D Here
Michael Appleton for The New York Times

MOUNT OLIVE, N.J. — Who wants to pay for “D”-quality plumbing? Fly the skies with a “D”-rated pilot? Settle for a “D” restaurant?

Exactly.

The way the Mount Olive school district sees it, its students should not be getting by with D’s on their report cards, either. This fall, there will no longer be any D’s, only A’s, B’s, C’s and F’s.

To read the full article: www.nytimes.com

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