A recent press release from the Department of Education covers the new reporting standards set by the federal government. The new reporting standards are intended to make sure that all schools are using the same data sets in order to determine graduation rates. There has been much speculation over the past several years that some schools were using creative tactics in order to make their graduation rates appear to be better than they actually were. While I like to believe in the goodness of educators and their intentions, I also know that sometimes there is immense pressure to make certain that your school isn't identified in certain categories. Sometimes a tenth of a percentage point can be the difference for schools from being "ok", to mountains of paperwork and financial issues. In the article, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is reported as saying "A common rate will help target support so more students graduate on-time by using more accurate data."
Having worked in school improvement, I know that accurate data is critical to making sound decisions. Further, often times data sets can be very surprising (good or bad) compared to what the common perception of performance is. However, I really have mixed feelings when it comes to the category of graduation rate. We are constantly striving to make curriculum more rigorous and ensure that students are receiving the highest quality education possible. Yet, at the same time we are reducing student choices in electives and eliminating many programs that keep students in school. It is often discussed in terms of technology how we must meet the needs of 21st Century learners and match education to their lifestyles, but we still continue to cut programs like art, music, wood shop, auto, etc... Sometimes these are the programs that match up best with a students learning interests. I maintain the frequently unpopular opinion that maybe college isn't the right path for every student. I do believe that everyone should continue to educate themselves, but for some kids it may be better to attend a trade or technical school. If these students would have had access to trade oriented programs in high school, they may have been better off in terms of career development.
If we offer programs that pertain to student interests, both technologically and otherwise, graduation rates will take care of themselves. Feel free to post a response or comment. I am always interested in others opinions.
Read the full press release by following this link:
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/states-begin-reporting-uniform-graduation-rate-reveal-more-accurate-high-school-
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Is America Broke?
You really can't view any media source in America today without hearing or seeing something related to the looming debt crisis. Politicians seem miles apart from coming to any type of solution and the days are slipping away as we near the August 2nd deadline. The most unfortunate part of this whole situation is that I believe both sides of the debate have legitimate arguments, yet they refuse to even consider points from the opposing side.
Conservatives believe that spending is out of control and that cuts must be made to make any real difference. On this point I would have to agree. I use the National Debt Clock website (http://www.usdebtclock.org/) for various lessons in my classes. When I first began using it in 2008, our debt was somewhere in the 7-8 trillion dollar range. Today, that figure has almost doubled. Clearly something is out of control. I know that there aren't any easy cuts to make since entitlements make up a huge majority of our national spending. Further, of the things that can be cut educational spending is one of them and that would not serve me well as a teacher. It very well could mean that I would be out of a job.
On the other side, Liberals want to increase taxes on the very wealthy. I understand that these are the people who drive industry and create jobs for people like me. However, even if we were to increase taxes on this group none of them would be going without basic necessities. If you take $100,000 from a billionaire, they will still be able to buy groceries. If you take $10,000 from a family with a $40,000 income, they may not. Many people argue that this may discourage innovation and expansion because businesses know that they will just have to pay more in taxes if they continue to grow. While this is true, they will still end up making more money by expanding than if they stay the same. I choose to coach and serve on committees throughout the school year, which does cause me to pay more in taxes. Still, I do end up with a net gain.
In the end, I really don't know what the correct solution to this problem is. I really don't believe in redistribution of wealth and I think that if you work hard and earn a large salary, you deserve it. However, would a flat tax rate for all income levels really be redistribution of wealth? I would love to hear your responses.
This post was written based on the following feed:
Americans View Debt Deadlock With Worry and Scorn
By: Andrew Stern
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/27/us-usa-debt-opinions-idUSTRE76Q4IW20110727?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29
Conservatives believe that spending is out of control and that cuts must be made to make any real difference. On this point I would have to agree. I use the National Debt Clock website (http://www.usdebtclock.org/) for various lessons in my classes. When I first began using it in 2008, our debt was somewhere in the 7-8 trillion dollar range. Today, that figure has almost doubled. Clearly something is out of control. I know that there aren't any easy cuts to make since entitlements make up a huge majority of our national spending. Further, of the things that can be cut educational spending is one of them and that would not serve me well as a teacher. It very well could mean that I would be out of a job.
On the other side, Liberals want to increase taxes on the very wealthy. I understand that these are the people who drive industry and create jobs for people like me. However, even if we were to increase taxes on this group none of them would be going without basic necessities. If you take $100,000 from a billionaire, they will still be able to buy groceries. If you take $10,000 from a family with a $40,000 income, they may not. Many people argue that this may discourage innovation and expansion because businesses know that they will just have to pay more in taxes if they continue to grow. While this is true, they will still end up making more money by expanding than if they stay the same. I choose to coach and serve on committees throughout the school year, which does cause me to pay more in taxes. Still, I do end up with a net gain.
In the end, I really don't know what the correct solution to this problem is. I really don't believe in redistribution of wealth and I think that if you work hard and earn a large salary, you deserve it. However, would a flat tax rate for all income levels really be redistribution of wealth? I would love to hear your responses.
This post was written based on the following feed:
Americans View Debt Deadlock With Worry and Scorn
By: Andrew Stern
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/27/us-usa-debt-opinions-idUSTRE76Q4IW20110727?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29
Rural Schools Benefit from Partnerships With Universities
Resources can be very tough to come by for many rural schools throughout the nation. Often rural communities do not have the benefit of major universities being located in their community to share resources with local schools. Further, students in rural communities do not have the opportunity to visit university libraries or other educational facilities. In a recent feed from the U.S. Department of Education, they outline ways that some benefits may be extended to some of these schools.
For years universities have worked in partnership with rural schools in an attempt to give back to communities that support them. Michigan State University has research sites in the school district that I currently work in and our school benefits from access to these resources. Now, the Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture are working to further this effort. According to White, the Federal Government has provided more than $4 billion to extend this working partnership.
I believe that this type of effort is exactly what is needed to aid schools in rural communities. Sure, the world is shrinking with technology providing us access to resources that previously were unavailable. However, access through technology is only possible if you have the funding to purchase the technology. Many rural schools do not have this luxury, so this gives them an opportunity that they may not otherwise have.
This post is written in reference to:
For years universities have worked in partnership with rural schools in an attempt to give back to communities that support them. Michigan State University has research sites in the school district that I currently work in and our school benefits from access to these resources. Now, the Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture are working to further this effort. According to White, the Federal Government has provided more than $4 billion to extend this working partnership.
I believe that this type of effort is exactly what is needed to aid schools in rural communities. Sure, the world is shrinking with technology providing us access to resources that previously were unavailable. However, access through technology is only possible if you have the funding to purchase the technology. Many rural schools do not have this luxury, so this gives them an opportunity that they may not otherwise have.
This post is written in reference to:
ED and USDA Promote the Value in Rural Partnerships
(http://www.ed.gov/blog/2011/07/ed-and-usda-promote-the-value-in-rural-partnerships/)Friday, July 22, 2011
Assistive Technology
A feed today from Edutopia includes a video on the potential uses of assistive technology within the classroom. (http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader) It has some outstanding advice on how these technologies should be introduced early and can be used to benefit both the student and teacher. Leveling the playing field for all students will decrease frustration for all parties involved.
I have been using various technology tools in an attempt to accommodate the wide variety of learning levels and styles that I see in my classroom everyday. One advantage that we have is that all students in grades 6-12 have their own laptop to use for the school year that is issued by the school. With it students can access a variety of tools with a simple mouse click. One tool that has proven to be very effective is the text to speech function. Students can highlight a piece of text and the computer will read the selection to them. For some this is very helpful because they can understand and comprehend when they hear things, but they may never make it through the same passage if they had to read it themselves. Another tool that I have used this year is a recording pen that will allow me to read a test once and upload it online. Students can access the online recording at the time of the test and listen to the questions as they take it. It allows them to listen to any question or answer as many times as they need to. Since I see all levels of reading ability this has been very helpful. It also helps me because I don't have to arrange for someone to read the test every hour of the day. It is ready to go at any time, at any pace, for any student that I grant access.
If you have any great ideas for ways to further accommodate students I would love to hear them!
I have been using various technology tools in an attempt to accommodate the wide variety of learning levels and styles that I see in my classroom everyday. One advantage that we have is that all students in grades 6-12 have their own laptop to use for the school year that is issued by the school. With it students can access a variety of tools with a simple mouse click. One tool that has proven to be very effective is the text to speech function. Students can highlight a piece of text and the computer will read the selection to them. For some this is very helpful because they can understand and comprehend when they hear things, but they may never make it through the same passage if they had to read it themselves. Another tool that I have used this year is a recording pen that will allow me to read a test once and upload it online. Students can access the online recording at the time of the test and listen to the questions as they take it. It allows them to listen to any question or answer as many times as they need to. Since I see all levels of reading ability this has been very helpful. It also helps me because I don't have to arrange for someone to read the test every hour of the day. It is ready to go at any time, at any pace, for any student that I grant access.
If you have any great ideas for ways to further accommodate students I would love to hear them!
More Senseless Killing
Unless you live under a rock, you have heard about the bombing and shooting spree that took place in Norway today. A feed tonight from NPR covers some of the early details that outline the horrific events of the day. (http://www.npr.org/2011/07/22/138626825/police-norway-bombing-shootings-domestic-terror) While it is still early and stories tend to change with time and clarity, the initial report says that it was a domestic terrorist with a political grudge. It also claims that it was a lone individual that carried out the bombing and the shootings at the youth camp.
I don't know all of the details behind the motivation for these horrific acts, but I don't know that I have to in order to say that I just don't get it. Each time that I see an incident like this I just can't help but wonder how those who carry them out believe that this will advance their cause. I do realize that sometimes people feel like their voices are not being heard and that drastic actions may be the only way to get someone's attention. However, does it really make sense that a mass killing spree will add to your credibility? If people aren't listening to you it may be because they think you are unimportant or crazy. Killing innocent people doesn't really do much to combat this perception. There must be better ways to gain support for your cause.
I don't know all of the details behind the motivation for these horrific acts, but I don't know that I have to in order to say that I just don't get it. Each time that I see an incident like this I just can't help but wonder how those who carry them out believe that this will advance their cause. I do realize that sometimes people feel like their voices are not being heard and that drastic actions may be the only way to get someone's attention. However, does it really make sense that a mass killing spree will add to your credibility? If people aren't listening to you it may be because they think you are unimportant or crazy. Killing innocent people doesn't really do much to combat this perception. There must be better ways to gain support for your cause.
The End of an Era
A recent feed from Aljazeera covered the return of the space shuttle Atlantis and the end of the NASA shuttle program. (http://english.aljazeera.net//news/americas/2011/07/20117215316421383.html) The author comments in the article that this move now leaves Russia as the only country that can travel to the space station. Further, the author mentions that the U.S. is looking to private industry to develop our next vehicle to conduct space travel.
While reading this I couldn't help but wonder how we haven't come up with something faster, more powerful, or more efficient over the last 3 decades. We have made tremendous leaps in all areas of technology and industry, yet we are still traveling to space in basically the same craft the astronauts flew in the 1980's. Cars today can tell you where you are, how to get to wherever you want to go, and even park themselves. Certainly, some of the brilliant minds that have made that happen should be able to engineer a better space craft.
The question asked by the author of the feed is why hasn't the U.S. pursued this new option before the retirement of the shuttle program? Why indeed? Has the end of the Cold War really killed our drive to be the leader in space exploration, or has it just taken a back seat to bigger issues? I really don't know. Our society has reaped the benefits of many inventions that were byproducts of the space program and I don't think we would be where we are technologically without it. I would love to hear your thoughts/comments on this topic. Please feel free to respond.
While reading this I couldn't help but wonder how we haven't come up with something faster, more powerful, or more efficient over the last 3 decades. We have made tremendous leaps in all areas of technology and industry, yet we are still traveling to space in basically the same craft the astronauts flew in the 1980's. Cars today can tell you where you are, how to get to wherever you want to go, and even park themselves. Certainly, some of the brilliant minds that have made that happen should be able to engineer a better space craft.
The question asked by the author of the feed is why hasn't the U.S. pursued this new option before the retirement of the shuttle program? Why indeed? Has the end of the Cold War really killed our drive to be the leader in space exploration, or has it just taken a back seat to bigger issues? I really don't know. Our society has reaped the benefits of many inventions that were byproducts of the space program and I don't think we would be where we are technologically without it. I would love to hear your thoughts/comments on this topic. Please feel free to respond.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Will Alcohol Actually Solve a Problem?
According to a recent feed from Politico, (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/58867.html) alcohol sales in Minnesota may soon come to a stop because businesses need to have a state issued card to sell alcohol and they are unable to renew them due to the government shutdown. Further, tobacco sales are expected to be affected in much the same way in the next few months. According to the author, Miller Brewing Company sales in neighboring Wisconsin could also be impacted by the shutdown.
These actions are sure to motivate people to action if they weren't before. Messing with people's retirement, insurance, taxes, education, etc...isn't enough to stir the masses, but alcohol and tobacco make people do funny things. I believe that the government of Minnesota will somehow find a way to allow people to operate with expired cards even if they are unable to come to a deal to get the government up and running again in the near future. Politicians will see an unprecedented influx of letters, phone calls, and emails if they allow these sales to run out. It could be an interesting experiment though if they try to hold their ground. We may actually find out what it does take to motivate people to come to the polls.
These actions are sure to motivate people to action if they weren't before. Messing with people's retirement, insurance, taxes, education, etc...isn't enough to stir the masses, but alcohol and tobacco make people do funny things. I believe that the government of Minnesota will somehow find a way to allow people to operate with expired cards even if they are unable to come to a deal to get the government up and running again in the near future. Politicians will see an unprecedented influx of letters, phone calls, and emails if they allow these sales to run out. It could be an interesting experiment though if they try to hold their ground. We may actually find out what it does take to motivate people to come to the polls.
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