A school district in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has recently implemented a new program to help junior high school students improve their reading and comprehension skills. The federally-funded program, called Read 180, teaches students reading skills and supplements the existing curriculum.
Common Set of Nationwide Standards to be Reviewed Over the Summer
Carol’s Summary:
 The Council of Chief School Officers and the National Governors Association announced a set of nationwide standards for math and English on Wednesday, which, if accepted by states, would standardize the curriculum of public schools around the country. The motivation behind the concept of standardized learning is to increase academic achievement and level the field for all students regardless of what state they live in.
According to the Common Core State Standards Initiative website, the English language standards include learning to write logical, research-based arguments as well as to be thoroughly prepared for college-level reading and vocabulary upon completing high school. For math, one of the main goals is to ensure that students are prepared for algebra by the eighth grade.
 Education Secretary Arne Duncan has accepted the authorization of the national guidelines as a part of the criteria for Race to the Top, the competition in which states vie for education funding. Various education groups also advocate the standards and are encouraging states to consider incorporating them into their curriculum.
Curriculum, whether it is standardized or unique, is one of the most important aspects of academics and education. It is at the core of what helps students to learn and accomplish their goals. LifeBound’s curriculum and books are used in schools and classrooms to supplement the existing curriculum that many schools use to help their students succeed. Visit www.lifebound.com or email contact@lifebound.com for more details and information on LifeBound’s books and curriculum.
Article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/06/AR2010060603062.html
The Answer Sheet: Common state standards are no more than part of the answer
By Valerie Strauss
Special to The Washington Post
Monday, June 7, 2010
So now we have a set of standards for math and English language arts that were designed for all states to adopt so learning could be more uniform across the country.
On Wednesday, the folks behind the initiative — the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association — released the standards, which spell out what children are expected to learn in those two subjects from kindergarten through high school.
College awareness: How much is too much?
Carol’s Summary:
A Michigan School district has recently started a program to inform children about college options from as early as preschool and kindergarten, which begs the question: How early is too early for children to start thinking about college?Â
During the district’s week-long college awareness program, elementary school children write about what career they’d like to have and even take a walking tour of Eastern Michigan University. There are concerns that a program like this may put too much pressure on such young children.
In San Francisco schools, a program was announced to begin next fall that will provide a college savings fund for each child entering kindergarten in one of their public schools. Between $50 and $100 in deposits will be put in each child’s account annually, and they will also be encouraged to start thinking about college at an early age.
While it is important for children to think about college and what they would like to do in the future, what age is an appropriate time to do so? At LifeBound, we believe it is important to discuss the importance of all stages of education in all stages of life.
Our book Success in Middle School introduces students to the possibility of going to college and what steps to take to succeed throughout middle school and beyond, in order to build and maintain a strong academic basis for attending college. For more information about Success in Middle School and other Lifebound books, visit www.lifebound.com or e-mail contact@lifebound.com.
Article:
The Washington Post
June 3, 2010
College awareness: How much is too much?
By Valerie Strauss
How old should children be before they are asked to start worrying about going to college? Eight years old? Ten? Thirteen? Fifteen?
How about 5?
Here’s part of a story in the Detroit News about an early awareness program in the Kalamazoo School district:
At age 5, Jeremiah Kagumba spoke often of playing professional basketball. But after his elementary school held a college awareness week, he decided he would become a doctor.
To read the full article:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/higher-education/college-awareness-in-kindergar.html
Thirty-Five States, D.C. Vie for Education Funding
Carol’s Summary:
               The Federal Government’s Race to the Top competition, which grants funding for education reform, is going into its second phase after Tuesday night’s application deadline. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia applied for the second round of the competition, where states are rewarded grants for their efforts to reform the education system.
States will win grants based on their efforts towards amending curriculum, improving low-performing and underprivileged schools, as well as for the methods by which they employ and train teachers. There is a total of $3.4 billion dollars to be presented to the states that demonstrate the most efforts towards changing their schools.
In the first round, forty states applied for funds, with Delaware and Tennessee winning a combined $600 million. Three states have not re-applied, while states like Alaska and Texas did not apply for funds in either round of the competition. The finalists will be named around July 26, and by the end of September the winners will be decided. It is predicted that between 10-15 states will receive Race to the Top grants.
Many schools use LifeBound books in their classrooms to apply lessons to real-life situations, thus making learning more purposeful and suitable to students’ needs. Books such as Making the Most out of High School offer curriculum that is unique and allows teachers, students and parents to teach and learn with more hands-on strategies. The methods that LifeBound teaches are carefully researched and tested to ensure academic success.
While many schools are cutting budgets right and left, we are working to meet districts in creative ways to bring the best programs possible to students and teachers. For more information about Lifebound’s books and curriculum, visit www.lifebound.com or e-mail contact@lifebound.com.
Article:
Wall Street Journal
Thirty-Five States, D.C. Vie for Education Funding
Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia applied for the second phase of the Race to the Top federal education competition as the application deadline passed Tuesday night.
The states are hoping to win a piece of the $3.4 billion available under President Barack Obama’s signature education initiative.
Race to the Top aims to spur innovation by rewarding states that promote charter schools, tie teacher pay to student achievement and intervene in low-performing schools.
Maybe Bullies Just Want to Be Loved
Recently, two studies conducted by George Mason University have concluded that children who bully others are likely doing so out of a desire for attention and acceptance by their peers. One study is based upon the patterns of aggression observed of 1,822 adults who suffer from social anxiety disorder. From the study it was found the one of five reported increased levels of aggressive behavior.
Brevard school offers new take on tutoring
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
Since February, Brevard Public Schools in Rockledge, Florida has offered two online evening tutoring sessions four days a week for Kennedy Middle School students. The hour-long sessions with teachers from Kennedy Middle offer extra help in math, science, language arts and Spanish. Officials say they are so impressed with the program, they want to expand it countywide.
According to the Florida Today article below, “Previously, about 10 percent of the school’s more than 700 students attended traditional tutoring sessions held after school on campus. About 37 percent of the school’s students have taken part in the online tutoring.†Developed and organized by Kennedy teacher Amanda Van Ess, she says “It brings out the students who are afraid to ask questions in the classroom. The kids are really loving the interaction not only with their teacher, but also with their peers. It allows them to learn in a way they are comfortable, using the computer.”
Students aren’t the only benefactors. The online tutoring program gives parents a break from costly tutoring programs and scheduling/transportation conflicts with work. Teachers involved in the program also enjoy the convenience of working from home instead of arriving at school early and/or leaving late.
Tutoring is an integral part of education and in order to encourage, inspire and motivate students to succeed in difficult subjects, coaching skills are a must. LifeBound trains educators, administrator and parents on academic coaching skills such as asking powerful questions. To learn more about how LifeBound’s academic coaches training can benefit you in your role as a tutor visit www.lifebound.com or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE:
Brevard school offers new take on tutoring
More students participating in online program vs. traditional
BY MICHELLE SPITZER
FLORIDA TODAY
May 6, 2010
ROCKLEDGE — Once a week at 7 p.m., Carolyn Phillips, a Kennedy Middle eighth-grader, logs on to her home computer, and her Spanish teacher’s face pops up on the screen.
“How many of you remember what tener means?” Leonardo Nicaragua asks Carolyn and about a dozen of her classmates who participate in an after-school online tutoring session.
Some students use microphones attached to their computers to answer their teacher. Carolyn types the correct response “to have,” which pops up on the screen for everyone in the session to see.
“This is much more fun than being at school, because I’m home, and I can take breaks or get a snack,” the 14-year-old said while her 2-year-old sister played behind her and her mom peeked in from time to time.
To view this entire article visit www.floridatoday.com
Like Facebook, but for learning
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
Educational social-networking site, Grockit, discussed in the ESchool News article below, is part of a current trend to create “collaborative learning spaces online where students can help one another solve homework problems and study—all while building important 21st-century skills.†The social-networking study site currently offers 8-12 graders test-prep services and will eventually expand to include math, English, history and science.
According to the article, Grockit CEO Farb Nivi says “estimates point to a 25 to 27 percent learning loss during summer vacation…Logging onto Grockit just a few hours a week during the summer can help students bridge the gap between school years, so that come September they are ready to build upon last school year’s lessons with little review.â€
Students using Grockit use live chat services to “practice with, learn from, and compete with millions of their peers on the subject of their choice.†The site gives students points and recognition for achievements such as how helpful they are to peers and are displayed to the social-network’s community and motivates students to excel.
“Because of that social factor, the power in it isn’t just answering a question—it’s that positive peer influence on learning,†says Jeramy Gatza, a Florida Virtual School (FLVS) innovation manager working with Grockit.
Creating a positive culture of learning to encourage and motivate students to succeed is the inspiration behind LifeBound’s student success and transition materials. We are currently working on a new title, LEADERSHIP FOR TEENAGERS, due out this summer to inspire students to find good role models and become an effective leader in school, career and life. To review a sample chapter or reserve a copy in advance, call our toll free number at 1-877-737-8510 or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE:
Combining social networking with studying, Grockit encourages academic success through peer interaction
By Laura Devaney, Managing Editor
May 3rd, 2010
ESchool News
Aiming to engage students who are multitasking with different forms of technology, companies are creating collaborative learning spaces online where students can help one another solve homework problems and study—all while building important 21st-century skills.
One such social-networking study site is Grockit, which currently offers test-prep services and is expanding its focus to include math and English for students in grades 8-12, with history and science soon to follow. Grockit has opened enrollment for a free Summer Enrichment Academy, which is designed to keep students from falling behind during summer vacation as they participate in collaborative group study forums online.
Grockit’s appeal lies not only in the fact that academic support from peers is free, but also because students are motivated to learn through the company’s social-networking and gaming platform, said Grockit CEO Farb Nivi. As online social networking becomes a ubiquitous aspect of youth culture, sites such as Grockit could represent the future of education technology.
To view this entire article visit www.eschoolnews.com
Needs of ‘Whole Child’ May Factor in ESEA Renewal
Carol’s Summary:
In educating k-12 children—and weighing the financial costs for comprehensive services—we need to take the long view. We are preparing students for college, career and life success, which necessitates developing the whole student now—with analytical, creative and emotional/ social skills. . This balance is crucial to student motivation and, ultimately, graduation rates. Our nation’s current drop-out crises threatens economic growth and global competitiveness. Cutting the dropout rate in half would yield $45 billion annually in new federal tax revenues or cost savings, according to a recent report by Columbia University’s Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education at Teachers College. The report also says the achievement gaps in this country are the same as having “a permanent national recession.â€
My life’s work and the reason I started LifeBound ten years ago is to address the developmental issues students face at each grade level, 5-12, so that they persist with their educational and career goals. We provide a comprehensive approach to educating children that includes these resources:
o Books to teach healthy habits and self-awareness that lead to real academic gains
o Curriculum that features relevance and rigor activities
o Data assessments so teachers can see the results
o Teacher training on implementing our classroom materials
o Academic coaches training that help educators become leaders and champions of change
We also offer parent programs that help create a culture of learning at home, because regardless of how many services we make available to students, the home remains the primary influence in a child’s life. For more information about LifeBound’s resources, visit www.lifebound.com. I am happy to share these materials, and if you would like to receive review copies of any of our books, call our national toll free # 1.877.737.8510, or email your request to contact@lifebound.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
ARTICLE
Education Week
By Alyson Klein
As Congress gears up for renewal of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, lawmakers and the Obama administration are seeking to address a perennial complaint: that the current version of the law, the No Child Left Behind Act, places too much emphasis on students’ test scores and pays little attention to their health and other needs.
And at a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee last week, lawmakers agreed that the idea of educating “the whole child†encompasses a wide range of support services, which advocates are hoping could be reflected in the rewrite of the ESEA.
Those include dental and mental health, as well as programs aimed at providing prekindergarten and library services, summer and after-school enrichment, mentoring, college counseling, and increased parent and community involvement. The whole-child concept can also refer to making sure schools attend to students’ nonacademic interests, through programs such as the arts and physical education.
Increasing offerings in such a broad array of programs would almost certainly mean schools would need to increase staffs, said U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, the chairman of the committee. But he and other lawmakers acknowledged that might be a tall order in tight budget times.
To view the entire article visit
http://bit.ly/cu5yMp
In a World of Ads, Teaching the Young How to Read Them
CAROL’S SUMMARY:
The Bureau of Consumer Protection of the Federal Trade Commission is sponsoring an initiative to educate fourth through sixth grade students in analyzing advertisements. According to the New York Times article below, “The centerpiece of the effort is a Web site called Admongo (admongo.gov), where visitors can get an “ad-ucation†by playing a game featuring make-believe products closely modeled on real ones, among them Choco Crunch’n Good cereal, Cleanology acne medication, Double Dunk sporting goods and the Smile Meals sold at Fast Chef restaurants.†Students are taught to always ask three questions:
1.     Who is responsible for the ad?
2.     What is the ad actually saying?
3.     What does the ad want me to do?â€
Scholastic, the educational publishing company based in
Outside of determining whether purchasing a product or service is in your best interest, developing critical and creative thinking skills is essential to making informed decisions and problem solving, as well as, becoming an effective student and a valued employee.
LifeBound recently published, Critical and Creative Thinking for Teenagers, to help students ask powerful questions to identify a problem, creatively brainstorm solutions, and analyze the outcome to solve problems and inform themselves about the world around them. To request a review copy of Critical and Creative Thinking call our toll free # at 1.877.737.8510 or email contact@lifebound.com.
ARTICLE
By STUART ELLIOTT
Published: April 26, 2010
New York Times
The centerpiece of the effort is a Web site called Admongo (admongo.gov), where visitors can get an “ad-ucation†by playing a game featuring make-believe products closely modeled on real ones, among them Choco Crunch’n Good cereal, Cleanology acne medication, Double Dunk sporting goods and the Smile Meals sold at Fast Chef restaurants.
“Advertising is all around you,†the home page declares in urging youngsters to always ask three questions: “Who is responsible for the ad? What is the ad actually saying? What does the ad want me to do?â€
The initiative is being sponsored by the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the Federal Trade Commission, which polices deceptive, fraudulent and unfair marketing and advertising practices. The bureau is enlisting Scholastic, the educational publishing company based in
To view entire article visit
More class, no recess
While, I don’t agree with cancelling recess, I do applaud this school’s initiative to add a study skills class to get students ready for high school. Setting clear expectations about high school – how it is different from middle school and the study commitment that will be required – makes sense for everyone. However, there are other options than cutting recess to make room for this study skills, science and math time: