While clicking through The Wall Street Journal's opinion site, I came across interesting commentary on education. The headline: Obama Should Acknowledge His Roots.Click here to read the full article.Of the many parallels between Barack Obama and John F. Kennedy, one has eluded all coverage: Both attended Catholic school as children. In fact, while JFK may have been the Irish Catholic from Boston, he spent less time at the Canterbury School in Connecticut than did young Barry (as he was then called) at St. Francis of Assisi in Indonesia.
The dynamics of grade-tracking systems
Networking: The new literacy"Whether we like it or not, social Web technologies are having a huge influence on students who are lucky enough to be connected, even the youngest ones."
How important it is for us to recognize andcelebrate our heroes and she-roes!~Maya Angelou~As we express our gratitude, we must never forgetthat the highest appreciation is not to utter words,but to live by them.~John Fitzgerald Kennedy~
Note: Canadians are observing today as Remembrance Day. Click here to read a moving tribute by Ian Lidster.
Tags: Veterans Day, History, Education, Education by Sistrunk
Report: Kids less likely to graduate than parentsYour child is less likely to graduate from high school than you were, and most states are doing little to hold schools accountable, according to a study by a children's advocacy group. More than half the states have graduation targets that don't make schools get better, the Education Trust says in a report released Thursday.
The numbers are dismal: One in four kids is dropping out of school, a rate that hasn't budged for at least five years.
The United States is now the only industrialized country where young people are less likely than their parents to earn a diploma, the report said, citing data compiled by the international Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
High schools are required to meet graduation targets every year as part of the 2002 federal No Child Left Behind law. But those targets are set by states, not by the federal government. And most states allow schools to graduate low percentages of students by saying that any progress, or even the status quo in some cases, is acceptable. Click here to read the full report by the Education Trust.
Tags: Graduation, Graduation Rates, Dropouts, Student Achievement, Achievement Gap, Urban Education, K-12, Education, Education by Sistrunk
What happened to the girl in the Norman Rockwell painting?
It is not your environment;
it is not your history;
It is not your education or ability.
It is the quality of your mind
that predicts your future.
- Dr. Benjamin MaysHappy New Year!
Report examines impact of education lawThe center has been conducting an ongoing review of the law, gathering information, surveying education officials in all 50 states and producing numerous reports on various aspects of NCLB.
The law, which is up for reauthorization in 2007, is aimed at raising achievement and closing the achievement gap. It holds schools accountable for test scores, test participation, attendance and graduation rates for all students. To read the CEP report (a PDF document), click here.
Efforts to boost graduation ratesMissouri Commissioner of Education Names Special
Advisory Committee on St. Louis Public Schools
Commissioner of Education D. Kent King on Thursday appointed five Missourians to a special committee that will help find solutions to the continuing turmoil in the St. Louis Public Schools. King announced the appointments during a meeting of the State Board of Education in Jefferson City.
Since the abrupt resignation of the school district's superintendent two weeks ago, King said there have been calls for various types of intervention by state education officials in the operations of the school district.
"Under current law, we can consider various levels of intervention in the school district. However, I would like to give the new administration and the school board some breathing room so they can stabilize the district and prepare for the opening of school on August 28.
"I am grateful to these five citizens for their willingness to help the State Board of Education and the St. Louis Public Schools through this difficult time," King said. The following individuals have agreed to serve on the committee:
Dr. William H. Danforth, Chancellor Emeritus
Washington University, St. Louis
Mrs. Frankie M. Freeman, Attorney
Mr. Ned Lemkemeier, Attorney
Mr. Michael Middleton, Deputy Chancellor
University of Missouri-Columbia
Dr. Donald Suggs, Publisher
St. Louis American newspaper
Dr. Danforth and Mrs. Freeman will co-chair the committee. They currently serve as co-chairs of the St. Louis Community Monitoring and Support Task Force. Mr. Lemkemeier is a member of the task force. The task force was created by the federal court to oversee implementation of the January 1999 settlement agreement in the St. Louis desegregation case.
Commissioner King said he will ask the committee to gather information and make recommendations on the following topics:
Analyzing the district'’s academic performance and identifying steps the district must take to regain full accreditation.
Reviewing issues related to the desegregation settlement agreement, governance of the district, and the district'’s accreditation status.
Clarifying the financial condition of the school district.
Clarifying the primary concerns of parents and community residents about the governance and operations of the district.
Recommending potential changes in state law concerning the state'’s involvement with the school district.
"The district's accreditation status will be determined this fall by the State Board of Education, based largely on the academic performance of St. Louis students during 2005-06. I am not optimistic that we will see improved test scores this year," King said. The district is currently "provisionally accredited" under state standards.
"In the meantime, I hope this committee will help reduce tensions in the St. Louis community and help all parties restore their focus on the common goal of providing a safe and positive learning environment for children.
"We do not have a goal of taking over Missouri'’s largest school district. That is a drastic measure, and we would rather spend our energy on improving education for the students. The St. Louis board of education, however, must find a way to restore stable and effective leadership for the district. If it cannot do so, we will not hesitate to intervene on behalf of the students, parents and teachers," King said.
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Today's parents work long hours, extra jobs and must handle a host of other responsibilities. Resources such as Parent Information Resource Centers (PIRCs) offer assistance in many states. Many community centers also provide help. By all means, do not overlook your child's school, which can provide a wealth of information.
Education starts at home. Kids spend most of their waking hours outside of school. Rose Jackson-Beavers, an author and director of parent services for the Parent Engagement and Empowerment Center in St. Louis, believes that even busy parents can take an active role in their child's education. According to Jackson-Beavers, the benefits of ongoing parent involvement are substantial.
"A parent's opportunity to get involved in their child's education doesn't end the moment that child walks into the classroom," said Jackson-Beavers. "Studies show that children with involved parents have more positive learning experiences. This translates into better academic performance, higher grades and test scores. I know our parents can make this happen with a little help."
Here are tips on how busy parents can work smart:
- Send your child to school well-fed and rested.
- Stay on top of homework.
- Attend open house or back-to-school night at your child's school. It's the perfect time to meet your child's teacher. If you have to work, schedule a meeting with the teacher at another time.
- Go to parent-teacher conferences.
- Each day, ask your children what they are learning at school. Discuss it with them or have them explain it.
- Set high expectations for your children. Encourage them to do their best.
- Get involved in your school's parent-teacher organization, and find out other ways you can support your child's school.
St. Louis parents offer their own advice on best practices. Kimberly Brandon is the mother of a middle school student. She also taught elementary school for 22 years in a suburban school district. Family friends notice that Brandon and her daughter, Margaret, always work together as a team. They even tackle homework at the hair salon!
"I learned right away to be the best teacher you could be for your child at home," said Brandon. "Don't ever stop working with your child. Anytime my daughter has homework, I am involved in it." Brandon emphasizes that the effort comes with rewards. Margaret now carries a 4.0 grade point average.
Another St. Louis mom, Leslie Smith, encourages parents to establish ongoing communication with their children. Kids will talk to me before they will talk to their mom or dad," Smith stated. "They are afraid to talk to their parents." Smith says it is important that parents listen to their kids.
Debbie Crump has the experience of being a mother, a grandmother, and a foster mom. She says that when she was raising her own children, her job made it difficult for her to be active in school.
Nevertheless, Crump emphasizes, "You definitely need to develop a relationship with the teacher. Let the teacher know that you really care about your child's education."
Crump, who is proud of her adult kids, now raises two foster children.
Bottom line: When parents are involved in their children's education, kids do better in school.
Additional Resources:
Schools experiment with a new strategy
