Educational equity after Katrina

Lessons learned after the disaster

The destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina exposed for all the world what many of us have long known: America remains deeply divided by race and class. The lack of opportunities for poor people and people of color continue to have devastating consequences. As Americans watched in horror, Katrina children were left behind by the storm and subsequent flooding.

According to Robert Rothman, the implications for education are obvious and profound. Although leaving no child behind is national policy, many of our children didn't see national policy enforced in the aftermath of the hurricane. Many educators say that the Katrina debacle is just one more example of many of our children lack the same resources as their peers.

Read Rothman's report in Voices in Urban Education, a publication of the Annenberg Institute for School Reform, Brown University.


Related: Separate but Equal? Schooling Of Evacuees Provokes Debate, Katrina became symbol of U.S. racial, social divide


Tags: Hurricane Katrina, Educational Equity, Education, Social Equity, Education by Sistrunk

Looking at plagiarism

The growing problem of cheating

Shirazi, publisher of Light Within, writes the following in an article on plagiarism by students:

It is a chronic problem that has been greatly facilitated by the resources-rich Internet.

This dangerous trend is not new, but advent of the Internet has facilitated the speed and methods used.

Shirazi examines the connection between technology and the growing problem of plagiarism in a timely piece.


Tags: Plagiarism, Internet, Technology, Education, Light Within, Education by Sistrunk

Calculate this: Math is hot

Changing the public perception of mathematics

Math is finally getting its due. Increased references to math in movies and on television, no doubt, has helped. In addition, more and more aspects of life are now demanding math, according to a professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

Changing the public perception of mathematics was one of the topics this weekend at a conference hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's largest general science society.

Math may be hot, but does that mean that mathematicians are the essence of cool? The St. Louis Post-Dispatch takes a look.


Tags: Math, Mathematics, Education, Higher Education, Popular Culture, Education by Sistrunk

Save Our History

National history education and preservation initiative

Save Our History is a national history education initiative that seeks to raise awareness and support for preserving local heritage. Historic organizations with preservation projects developed with local schools or youth groups are encouraged to apply.

Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: Elementary, middle, and high school teachers in the U.S. who teach American, state, or local history in a social studies or history class. Funding is available public and private school teachers, as well as to home-school instructors. Deadline: April 7, 2006. More info: http://www.saveourhistory.com

Tags: History, Preservation, Education, K-12, Culture, Education by Sistrunk

Observing Black History Month

Resources for educators and families

In 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson proposed a "Negro History Week" to honor the history and contributions of African Americans. Nine years later, his dream became reality. Woodson chose the second week of February to pay tribute to the birthdays of two Americans that dramatically affected the lives of Blacks: Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14).

The weeklong observance officially became Black History Month in 1976. In her weekly column, Barbara J. Feldman offers a selection of Black History Month resources. (Via Public Education Network)

Biography.com is also observing Black History Month. Visit this site for biographies of African-American groundbreakers, milestones in black history and a photo gallery. And check out black history programming scheduled this month by Biography on A&E.

Tags: Black History Month, History, Carter G. Woodson, Education, K-12, Culture, Education by Sistrunk

Addressing adolescent literacy

Faced with faltering reading skills among students, educators take action

In an increasingly complicated world, technology-driven and rich and information, reading is more important than ever, writes journalist Carol Guensburg. At the same time, books seem to be taking a back seat to computers and other digital devices. Studies show that more than 8 million students in grades 4-12 struggle to proficiently read, write and comprehend. Only three out often eighth graders read at or above grade level, according to the 2004 National Assessment of Educational Progress. Readers who fall significantly behind risk school and workplace failure.

In 2003, only three-fourths of high school students graduated in four years, the National Center for Education Statistics reports. During the previous year, just over half of African American and Hispanic students graduated at all.

So how should educators address these challenges? Guensburg offers some insight in her article for Edutopia.

Via: Public Education Network


Tags: Literacy, Reading, Language, English, Education, K-12, ELL, ESL, ESOL, Culture, Education by Sistrunk

MetLife Foundation Bridge Builders Grant

Building better relationships among adults and children

The MetLife Foundation Bridge Builders Grant Program and The National Association of Secondary School Principals are inviting proposals from public middle schools and high schools serving large numbers of low-income students. Schools meeting this criteria may apply for a grant to implement a special initiative aimed at building better relationships among adults and students.

The program emphasizes building relationships to personalize the educational experience for each student is fundamental to student success. A component of personalization is understanding and appreciating the student’s role in the larger context of the family and community.

Based on the MetLife Survey of the American Teacher, teachers and students alike reported that teachers in their schools have very little understanding of their students’ neighborhoods and communities, knowledge which can help teachers reach their students more effectively. This lack of understanding is more acute in low-income, urban neighborhoods with high proportions of minority students. Principals set the tone and establish priorities for their schools, and can therefore build bridges between school and community.

Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: Middle school and high school principals in public schools in the U.S. that serve large numbers of low-income children and/or large numbers of minority students (more than 40% of the student body) . Deadline: April 17, 2006. More information: Prinicpals.org.


Tags: Principals, Middle Schools, High Schools, Teachers, Education, Education by Sistrunk

Seeking young heroes

Prize honors kids for leadership and courage

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2006 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have shown leadership and courage in public service. Each year, ten national winners receive $2,000 each to support their service work or higher education. Nomination deadline is April 30. For more information and to nominate, visit the Barron Prize website.

Tags: Public Service, K-12, Education, Education by Sistrunk

Paying kids to go to school

And for perfect attendance, Johnny gets ... a car

Across the country, schools have begun to offer cars, iPods — even a month's rent — as incentives to students to improve their attendance. Many educators nationwide, including those at a Massachusetts high school, look for creative ways to keep their students motivated. The New York Times reports.


Tags: School Attendance, Student Achievement, K-12, Education, Education by Sistrunk

Remembering Coretta Scott King

Interactive Obituary - The Associated Press

Education funding

How much should go directly into the classrooms?
A new organization advocates reallocating school funding so that at least 65 cents on every dollar goes directly into the classroom -- on books and teacher pay. First Class Education wants to see this change by 2008 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Patrick Byrne, CEO of Overstock.com, is the front man for this new concept. However, education researchers are not sure whether the plan will work. The Christian Science Monitor examines the issues.

Via: Public Education Network

Tags: Education Funding, Education Policy, K-12, Education, Education by Sistrunk

Examining training for substitute teachers

Schools redefine role of subs

Many public school districts across the U.S. are making the decision to set new standards for substitute teaching. Currently, fewer than 10 percent of substitute teachers get any skills training. Only 42 percent go through an orientation. But that is changing.

The demands of the school day are altering the role of substitute teachers as placeholders or babysitters. More districts are training their subs in classroom management and instructional skills so a teacher's absence does not mean a lost day of learning. Education World explores substitute training programs.


Tags: Substitute Teachers, Teacher Training, K-12, Education, Education by Sistrunk

Learning in the Arts Grants

Funding supports student appreciation of the arts

The National Endowment for the Arts is accepting applications for its "Learning in the Arts Grants" program. The program funds projects that help students acquire appreciation, knowledge and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engagement of students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. Projects should be based on national, state or local arts education standards.

Maximum award: $5,000-$150,000. Eligibility: school-based or community-based projects for students K-12. Deadline: June 12, 2006. For more information, click here.

Tags: Arts Education, Arts Curriculum, Arts, K-12, Education by Sistrunk

Knowing the score

Study: Public school students perform well in math

New research concludes that when it comes to math, students in regular public schools do as well as or significantly better than comparable students in private schools. The study was performed by Christopher Lubienski and Sarah Theule Lubienski, of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. They compared fourth- and eighth-grade math scores of more than 340,000 students in 13,000 regular public, charter and private schools on the 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress. Details from the New York Times.

To see the entire 48-page report, click here. The publication is a PDF document, which may be opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, go to Adobe.com for a free download.


Tags: Math Education, Math, K-12, Education, NAEP, Education by Sistrunk

Breaking the language barrier

Reaching families on their terms

How do you translate "authentic assessment" into Urdu? "Stakeholders" into Spanish? "Paradigm shift" into Cambodian? Translation is a notoriously difficult task, but in the world of education, which often employs a language all its own, the job can be even more daunting.

After all, in education, parents aren't just parents. They're "stakeholders." A test isn't a test. It's an "outcome-based assessment."

Increasingly, education is not just about how to reach students in the classroom. It's about how to communicate and connect with their families outside of school. The Washington Post tells how some school districts are addressing the challenge.

Via: Public Education Network


Tags: Immigrants, ELL, ESL, ESOL, Language, English, Education, Culture, Education by Sistrunk

The drive for education reform

Book encourages “one team, one goal” to foster higher student achievement
by D. C. Sistrunk

Improving the quality of public school education cannot be accomplished without the collaboration of school, home and community. That is the basis of Educational Reform: The Role and Responsibility of School, Parents, Students and Communities by Carletta D. Washington.

Washington is a St. Louis educator. She works off the premise that “one team, one goal” is critical in fostering improved student achievement and preparing our children for their journey into the real world. The message holds as much value for parents as it does the education community and policy makers.

The author makes many compelling points when she addresses educators – from superintendents and school board members to classroom teachers. Among her key points:

• The keys to education are inside each and every educator.

• In the midst of all that drives [them], educators must reclaim the respect that so rightfully belongs to them and their profession.

Washington also goes into great detail about the importance of parent involvement. She offers specific tips to teachers and parents on how to better engage each other – on the importance of working together to achieve common goals.

Washington's book is a must-read for anyone who values academic success for all children, empowered teachers and informed parents. It centers around that often-quoted African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Educational Reform: The Role and Responsibility of School, Parents, Students and Communities is published by Prioritybooks Publications of St. Louis. For more information about the book or its author, visit Prioritybooks.com or Washington's website, Education 4 All.

Tags: Education Reform, Education Policy, Parent Involvement, Parenting, Student Achievement, Student Responsibility, Students, Urban Education, K-12, Public School Education, Early Childhood, Preschool, Education, Teacher Empowerment, Staff Development, Lesson Planning, Educational Resources, Discipline, Books, Education 4 All, Education by Sistrunk

Bilingual program takes center stage

Dual-language program attracts national attention

A program that teaches students in English and Spanish is succeeding in a state that bans bilingual education. And that program is getting national attention.

Educators from across the country recently toured Herrera School for the Fine Arts near downtown Phoenix. Members of the National Association for Bilingual Education met with the elementary school students, who switched easily from English to Spanish, to talk about why they like the program.

The project is held up as a national model. Details from The Arizona Republic.

Tags: Education, Bilingual Education, Education by Sistrunk

$100,000 for five innovators over 60

The Purpose Prize honors innovation and leadership

Today, many of the best ideas for social change come from a source often overlooked: people over the age of 60. Civic Venture is about to change that. The nonprofit organization announces The Purpose Prize - five $100,000 investments in Americans over the age of 60 whose creativity, talent and experience are transforming the way our nation addresses critical social issues, including education. The Purpose Prize is for those "with the passion, smarts, and experience to discover new opportunities, create new programs, or find inventive ways to make lasting social change."

The winners will be effective and action-oriented innovators who have launched this work after their 50th birthday. They may be working in nonprofits, government, or for-profit organizations devoted to tackling the hardest challenges of our time: homelessness, social justice and human rights, violence, poverty and hunger, health, education, and the environment, to name a few.

They will be making their impact in many different ways. The winners may be: social entrepreneurs who have started new organizations; change-makers whose innovative approaches to leadership have transformed existing organizations; or grassroots activists playing a leadership role in improving communities or advancing a cause. And they will hold the promise of even greater accomplishments in the future.

Sixty semi-finalists ("60 at 60") will also receive national recognition for their work. Deadline: February 28. To nominate someone or apply yourself, click here.


Tags: Innovation, Leadership, Education, Education by Sistrunk

Honoring 'math heroes'

MathMovesU Grants and Scholarships Program

Raytheon Company has launched the MathMovesU Grants and Scholarships Program to reward real-life "math heroes" for their dedication to improving math education and their ability to inspire their students. Maximum Award: $2,500. Eligibility: full-time teachers currently employed and teaching a mathematics curriculum at a middle school or high school in the U.S. Deadline: February 15. For more information, click here.

Tags: Math Teachers, Math Education, Education, Education by Sistrunk

25,000 college students back in class in New Orleans

Youth, optimism and money return to the Big Easy

New Orleans is back in business as a college town, and not a moment too soon. Today marks the start of classes at Tulane, Xavier and Southern University. Loyola and Dillard started last week. Thousands of students have returned, as the city's universities open after a semester shut down for recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

None are fully up to speed, and it could be years - if ever - before all institutions are back to their former size. But the students bring with them energy, optimism and spending money, something the city no doubt welcomes. The Houston Chronicle has more about how the students are faring.

Related: The Chronicle Online (Duke University)


Tags: New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, Tulane University, Xavier University, Loyola University-New Orleans, Loyola University, Dillard University, Southern University, Students, Education, Education by Sistrunk