Education Short List

In the past two weeks there have been so many print articles and news stories about education that have gotten me fired up. Too many for me to take them one by one and present them to you. So here I have complied a few, with my added commentary, for you to peruse.

Evening News with Katie Couric — All teachers being fired from schools in Rhode Island

This story focused on a school district in Rhode Island that is planning on firing ALL of the teachers at one of its schools. The reason why? Not meeting NCLB standards and it gives them a chance to get approximately $2 million in national aid.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/23/eveningnews/main6236348.shtml?tag=mncol;lst;3

Video of Evening News Program

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6236440n&tag=related;photovideo

Firing All Teachers in Rhode Island School

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Longview Principal Fired for Funds

Very similar to the previous story, a principal is fired for low test scores and the hopes of millions in federal financial aid.
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Popular-Longview-principal-forced-to-quit-by-low-scores-84807537.html

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Oregon’s Online Education Choices

Since families, students and parents alike, are ‘fed up’ with the public school options, there is an increase in alternative school settings. One of the largest of those being online schools.
http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/shows/going-school-online/

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Oregon’s Failing Schools

Also from Oregon, the state releases the new data and research on the success rates of the public school system.
http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2010/01/report_oregon_fails_at_measuri.html

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Commentary on President’s Education Address

President Obama’s March 1st speech on Education
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/us/02obama.html

President Obama on Education, Specifically Commencement
http://www.whitehouse.gov/commencement

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All of these articles talk about education, how it’s failing, and how ‘we’ are going to make it better. And it frustrates me deeply. Firing a principal? Firing all of the teachers? NCLB? The whole point of school is to gain an education – TO LEARN. Test scores aren’t the only indicator of learning. And, each student and school operates under different circumstances. How is an all English speaking upper class school able to compare with an all English learning language school? It can’t. And for some reason we continue to treat them as the same. Until the playing field is equalled out, the schools will never be the same. And lots of children, teachers, and schools will get left behind. and forgotten.

Anytime our President receives worldly acclaim and recognition that it should be given respect by all Americans. When that prize is the Nobel Prize for Peace, American should feel humbled and honored. One’s political affiliation shouldn’t overshadow the gift. Also, remember that President Obama is not the first United States President to receive the award; Presidents Carter, Woodrow Wilson, and Theodore Roosevelt are winners as well.

Now, moving past political brouhaha, how does an educator bring up this recent event and turn it into a creative learning opportunity? I’ve gathered a list of resources and lesson ideas to help facilitate the learning process.

It is my hope that having President Obama receive the Nobel Peace Prize will be a chance to bring current events creatively into your classroom or lecture hall.

http://nobelprize.org/

http://www.theweek.com/article/index/101693/Did_Obama_deserve_the_peace_prize

http://www.theweek.com/article/index/101712/The_Nobel_Peace_Prize_Why_did_Obama_win

http://www.theweek.com/article/index/101416/Obamas_Nobel_Peace_Prize

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/

http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/peace/

http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/all_productions.php?sort=games

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34360360#34360360President Obama\'s Acceptance Speech for the Nobel Peace Prize

Ahh, the beginning of September. Time for one last family road trip. Time to get ready for school to begin, and the time to…be upset with the President’s speech to our school children?

Last week President Obama addressed school-aged students about education. As with any political speech there were boo-ers and cheer-ers. Personally, I believe that when the President speaks it’s important to listen; whichever political stance you take, the President should reaffirm your beliefs and values.

However, taking a political side is not the meaning of this post. Even though I am no longer in a classroom setting; I have talked to fellow teachers and students about their experience with the President’s address. Two teachers told me that they had the students listen to it, one told me that he had students write letters to the President, including their views, in response. Each student that I’ve spoken to said that their teachers didn’t really do anything with it, except listen to the speech and talk about it in the classroom. I felt confident that the reason many educators didn’t use this as a teachable moment was due to potential frustration expressed by their students’ families.

Although the speech has since passed, it is important to not pass by opportunities for teachable moments. President Obama did not speak to our nation’s children as just a Democrat; but as a father of children and the leader of our country. I am sure that there was a part of that speech that each person could find agreement with. Who doesn’t feel that watching less television is good? Or that children, and adults alike, should be aware of what they write on their social networking page? In short, each person is sure to find parts of the President’s speech that are relatable. Take the time and discover which passage connects with you, thereby creating a teachable moment for the children in your life.

Additional Resources and Commentary on President Obama’s speech

New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/education/09educ.html?_r=1&ref=education

Actual Speech Remarks from the President

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-in-a-National-Address-to-Americas-Schoolchildren/

Article from The Week Magazine

http://www.theweek.com/article/index/100390/Obamas_pep_talk_The_tempest_in_a_classroom

Secondary article from The Week Magazine on the President’s Speech

http://www.theweek.com/article/index/100140/Obamas_school_speech_lesson

Yesterday, in Parade Magazine, Bill O’Reilly wrote an article entitled, What President Obama can teach America’s kids. Although Mr. O’Reilly and President Obama are from two different political parties, Mr. O’Reilly doesn’t bring up politics at all; instead he looks at the character of President Obama, and how that can be of influence on American youth.
Here is that article.

http://www.parade.com/news/2009/08/09-what-obama-can-teach-americas-kids.html

Bill O'Reilly