Katie Sanders
In memory of long-time Newton high school teacher Tom DePeter
Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/archive/x1393574167/In-memory-of-long-time-Newton-high-school-teacher-Tom-DePeter#ixzz1JuUS2emb
The Newton Tab
May 13, 2009
Topic: This is a tribute article written by a former student on a teacher who passed away. I came across it while pursuing my 'unclaimed money' hobby and thought that it needed to be a blog post.
Key Points: Great Teachers Still make a great difference. You don't have to follow the rules to be a great teacher.
Intended Audience: For the general public, but should be read by those who aspire to be teachers.
Relevance: After a semester of depressing news of budget cuts and layoffs, something inspirational.
Monday, April 18, 2011
California comm college troubles
"Community colleges could turn away 400,000" by Nanette Asimov
March 31, 2011 in the San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/31/BAOB1IMOQG.DTL&type=education
California has the largest state school system in the country with an enrollment of 2.65 million students. With more budget cuts hitting the reeling economy there, roughly 400,000 students will be turned away from community colleges this fall. Almost $800,000 million, 10% of the state education budget, is being cut this year. This is a result of expiring taxes that disappear in June. If legislators cannot come up with funding to replace the lost tas revenue, the state school budget will be slashed.
"This is a tremendous tragedy, and a very deep blow to the economy of California," said Community College Chancellor Jack Scott, describing community colleges as the "No. 1 workforce training institution" in the state.
This story is relevant to anyone planning on studying in California and ultimately the fate of California's students could and probably will befall students in other states, like Oregon. It is just another in a littany of problems facing the state, with legislators at odds about what to cut and how to fund programs. It is sad the the nation's best state school higher ed system is getting gutted. It doesn't bode well for the future of the state and its citizens.
March 31, 2011 in the San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/31/BAOB1IMOQG.DTL&type=education
California has the largest state school system in the country with an enrollment of 2.65 million students. With more budget cuts hitting the reeling economy there, roughly 400,000 students will be turned away from community colleges this fall. Almost $800,000 million, 10% of the state education budget, is being cut this year. This is a result of expiring taxes that disappear in June. If legislators cannot come up with funding to replace the lost tas revenue, the state school budget will be slashed.
"This is a tremendous tragedy, and a very deep blow to the economy of California," said Community College Chancellor Jack Scott, describing community colleges as the "No. 1 workforce training institution" in the state.
This story is relevant to anyone planning on studying in California and ultimately the fate of California's students could and probably will befall students in other states, like Oregon. It is just another in a littany of problems facing the state, with legislators at odds about what to cut and how to fund programs. It is sad the the nation's best state school higher ed system is getting gutted. It doesn't bode well for the future of the state and its citizens.
Just Let the Children Play!
“Why Preschool Shouldn’t Be Like School” by Alison Gopnik
Slate, Posted: March 16, 2011, Accessed: April 12, 2011
Topic: Play based exploration vs. direct instruction for early childhood education
Summary: The article talks about some studies and experiments with 4-year olds that point towards exploration and play as effective ways to “teach” young children.
Intended audience: Educators, Parents
Key Points:
- Play based exploration allows children to be more creative and learn more
- Direct instruction squashes creativity and scientific thinking
Relevance: This touches on a lot of the subjects we have talked about in Ed Psych. It also mentions NCLB and the requirement of federally funded preschools to go towards a curriculum based on direct instruction to get results for standardized tests.
CNN Student News
CNN Student News for April 15, 2011
www.cnn.com Accessed: April 18, 2011
Topic: CNN’s Daily Student News Broadcast
Summary: Broadcast aimed at middle school/high school students covering a range of topics
Intended audience: Students
Key Points:
- Taxes
- Teen driving study
- Jackie Robinson Day
- Trivia
- Replica White House for sale
Relevance: We keep looking at articles directed at educators, parents, and the general public. I thought it would be interesting what the news is saying to our students J I never watched student news broadcasts when I was in school, but I think that was pretty interesting. I think that by the time kids get to high school, they should have a daily dose of news that goes beyond what they get on facebook and twitter!
Jealousy Amongst Colleagues because of Reported Test Scores (Jeff, Topic Twenty-One)
Jason Felch
Singled-out LA Unified Teacher Shares Skills With Colleagues (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-broadous-teachers-20110403,0,4961288.story?page=1)
LA Times
March 18th, 2011
Summary: More or less a carefully constructed propaganda piece by the LA Times meant to provide proof of the value of the value-added analysis (which they created). The highlights: This guy is a good teacher (probably true), the other teachers were jealous and hated him for "winning" at the test taking teaching (probably true), and, see because of these stupid unions and what they have done to our budget, this teacher is going to be fired.
Key Points: 1) A defense of the value-added analysis, 2) The test creates issues between colleagues, 3) The budgets are messed up, 4) Good teachers collaborate.
Intended Audience: Those who hate on the value-added analysis
Relevance: This is a very interesting take on the divide between unions, teachers, and testing, and what problems said divide creates in the working environment.
Singled-out LA Unified Teacher Shares Skills With Colleagues (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-broadous-teachers-20110403,0,4961288.story?page=1)
LA Times
March 18th, 2011
Summary: More or less a carefully constructed propaganda piece by the LA Times meant to provide proof of the value of the value-added analysis (which they created). The highlights: This guy is a good teacher (probably true), the other teachers were jealous and hated him for "winning" at the test taking teaching (probably true), and, see because of these stupid unions and what they have done to our budget, this teacher is going to be fired.
Key Points: 1) A defense of the value-added analysis, 2) The test creates issues between colleagues, 3) The budgets are messed up, 4) Good teachers collaborate.
Intended Audience: Those who hate on the value-added analysis
Relevance: This is a very interesting take on the divide between unions, teachers, and testing, and what problems said divide creates in the working environment.
Religious Education at School?!?
“Before School Ends, Time to Make the Matzo” by Fernanda Santos
New York Times, April 12, 2011
Topic: “Released Time” in New York Public Schools for religious education
Summary: Since the 1950s, students in the New York Public School system have had the opportunity to leave school an hour early every Wednesday to participate in religious education. Even though the program has been challenged in court (separation of church/state issues) and fewer people participate today, the program is still in use by over 10,000 kids in the school system.
Intended audience: General Public
Key Points:
- Kids can receive religious education once a week for an hour during “released time”. This instruction is funded by the public schools.
- Traditionally, Jewish and Catholic students have used the program the most.
- Instruction cannot take place on school property.
- This provides a good alternative for parents who may not have the money to send their children to religious private schools, but still want them to receive some education related to their faith.
- Problems can arise when so many students leave a classroom… the teacher can’t deliver any vital instruction, give tests, etc. without those students missing out.
Relevance: I found this article really interesting! I am not particularly religious, so I never would’ve participated in something like this. I do think it looks like a lot of fun to make Matzo bread though… I think it is important for students to learn about all the religions in the world, I hope this isn’t taking the place of that in the regular curriculum. It’s really a shame that not all kids get to participate in a fun out and about every week! This also brings up the same issues that we have talked about regarding pulling kids out of class for Title 1, ESOL, TAG, etc…
Is too Much "Information" Hazardous to Our Sanity? (Jeff, Topic Twenty)
California Dept. of Public Health
Map: High Risk Schools in Southern California (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-immunization29-2009mar29-map,0,426776.htmlstory)
LA Times
2011
Summary: An interactive map of southern California. The map allows users to explore local schools by their reported immunization rate. Interesting map.
Audience: Parents of So Cal students.
Key Points: 1) You must get your children the flu shot! 2) If you don't, and if they go to one of the bad colored schools, they will get sick and die! 3) Aren't you worried about this?!?
Relevance: We have been talking about technology and its impact on education, and I have been noticing an increasing amount of more or less useless technological information on the LA Times website. Interactive maps for flue shot rates, school ratings, teacher ratings, etc. and I have to wonder, despite the merits of any of this information, are we overloading ourselves with reasons to pointlessly worry?
Take for example the American diet: since 1977, the US government has actively attempted to influence our nutrition by preaching a particular food pyramid (the one with carbs on the bottom: http://web.mit.edu/athletics/sportsmedicine/wcrfoodpyr.html). This was supported by a bunch of well intentioned scientists who had a bunch of new tools at their disposal (the ability to isolate nutrients) and wanted to make a positive difference. It turns out, however, that they were incredibly off the mark, and Americans have done nothing but become fatter since 1977.
I look at some of the ridiculous but well intentioned information available to parents today and wonder how far off the mark it is and what the consequences for its constant availability will be.
Map: High Risk Schools in Southern California (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-immunization29-2009mar29-map,0,426776.htmlstory)
LA Times
2011
Summary: An interactive map of southern California. The map allows users to explore local schools by their reported immunization rate. Interesting map.
Audience: Parents of So Cal students.
Key Points: 1) You must get your children the flu shot! 2) If you don't, and if they go to one of the bad colored schools, they will get sick and die! 3) Aren't you worried about this?!?
Relevance: We have been talking about technology and its impact on education, and I have been noticing an increasing amount of more or less useless technological information on the LA Times website. Interactive maps for flue shot rates, school ratings, teacher ratings, etc. and I have to wonder, despite the merits of any of this information, are we overloading ourselves with reasons to pointlessly worry?
Take for example the American diet: since 1977, the US government has actively attempted to influence our nutrition by preaching a particular food pyramid (the one with carbs on the bottom: http://web.mit.edu/athletics/sportsmedicine/wcrfoodpyr.html). This was supported by a bunch of well intentioned scientists who had a bunch of new tools at their disposal (the ability to isolate nutrients) and wanted to make a positive difference. It turns out, however, that they were incredibly off the mark, and Americans have done nothing but become fatter since 1977.
I look at some of the ridiculous but well intentioned information available to parents today and wonder how far off the mark it is and what the consequences for its constant availability will be.
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