Coast to Coast Education Problems
Sad State of Education on Both Coasts
Just in case you thought education issues were getting better, think again!
The stories on Education News.com highlight problems on BOTH coasts! The first story I want to share tells about the disastrous drop-out rates in Los Angeles and the second story talks about horrible achievement gaps in Philadelphia.
In the first story, Mitchell Landsberg, staff writer for the Los Angeles Times reports:
“A study released Thursday confirms that many California dropouts give school another try. But the California Dropout Research Project also reports that even dropouts who go back to school appear to stand little chance of success in college. And in an economy that increasingly prizes academic success, the outlook is bleak for those who don’t return to school at all.”
“Kids who drop out of school are at risk in general — we know that,” said Russell Rumberger, a professor at UC Santa Barbara who leads the dropout project. He added he was alarmed by the study’s finding that one in three of the students who dropped out of 10th grade in 2004 were doing nothing four years later — not going to school or working.”
The article goes on to explain only one in five drop-outs go back to obtain a GED, and only 54% of those obtain that GED.
Even worse, 90% of those who obtain their GED don’t go further. They either drop-out of college, or never even attempt to enroll.
And the financial future for each of those individuals is bleak.
Meanwhile, In Philadelphia
On the opposite coast, Kristen A. Graham, staff writer for The Philadelphia Enquirer, shares some shocking statistics released by the Philadelphia School District.
” One in 10 white students is classified as mentally gifted; just 3 in 100 black students are.”
“Black and Latino students make up 79 percent of the district’s 167,000 students, but make up just 54 percent of students in the district’s prestigious magnet schools. Those groups make up 90 percent of all children labeled “emotionally disturbed,” and most of the students at the district’s lowest-performing schools.”
The article goes on to explain how mis-judgement on the part of administrators, coupled with the limitations of archaic laws, combine to keep the ‘achievement gap’ in place.
The situations in our schools are getting worse, not better.
The ‘Hot Topic’ of Education Reform
Education Reform is now a ‘hot topic’ since President Obama was elected, and selected, Arne Duncan as his new Secretary of Education.
The fact that billions of dollars of taxpayer money in the new stimulus plan has been earmarked for public schools, also places education in the forefront of the news.
It’s vitally important that every parent, teacher and taxpayer pay close attention to what decisions our politicos make about spending that money.
And we need to mobilize to FORCE positive change!
Brennan
Join Forces & Fight For Education!
I want to keep you informed about problems in American education and I try to keep myself informed as well. What we know is that one person cannot force the necessary changes, but together we can do a lot.
I’m very happy to inform you that parents, teachers, taxpayers, and yes, internet marketers are becoming informed and joining forces to help our students – and the future of our country.
As I meet these eager and devoted education advocates, I want to help in any way I can. I will be sharing more and more information and contacts with you as I learn them.
THIS MEANS WAR! – against mediocrity, drop out rates, violence and all the other ills that are plaguing our public education system.
By joining forces, we can win for our students and our futures.
We can do it!
Brennan
Crime Rates Increase With Rising Education Dropout Rates!
Education Basics Are NECESSARY!
The reports are not good. The number of dropouts is increasing even faster than previously thought, with the number of dropouts the highest in eight years.
Suspensions are on the rise! (Remember, repeated suspensions often lead to dropping-out.)
Studies and statistics have already shown us there is a relationship between our nation’s growing dropout rate and the massive increase in crime.
And drop out rates are soaring dramatically across the nation. Statistics show up to 75% of students are dropping out (more…)
Education and Cannibals!
You Learn What You Live!
Education reform is the big buzzword now that we have a new administration, with a new Secretary of Education.
But everyone keeps presenting different ideas that only address part of the problems in our public schools.
Suggestions have been made for longer school days, shorter school days, more money per child, bigger and more modern schools, smaller class size, year-round school, merit pay, more charter schools, graduation at age 16, vouchers, and on and on and on. . .
Some of the suggestions have some merit, while others are clearly problematic.
Even extremely valid suggestions, such as (more…)
Education & Basketball Triumphs!
Flying With The Basketball!
To celebrate the weekend, I have two stories of heartwarming triumph on the high school basketball court.
The first story happened way back in 2006, when Jason McElwain, an autistic high school senior, dazzled his fellow team members and the crowd in the final game of the season.
Jason (J-Mac to his friends) had served as a waterboy, then Coach’s assistant and “spirit leader” for his Rochester, NY high school team, but finally played. He astounded everyone!
He wound up (more…)
Education Challenges for A New President
President Barack Obama
Now that the pomp and circumstance, majesty and multitudes of the inauguration of our 44th President is in the history books, President Obama has “hit the ground running”.
He’s commanded a timeline for troop withdrawals from Iraq, mandated the closing of Guantanemo Bay within one year, and gathered his advisors to work on the economic catastrophes that seem to get worse each day. It remains to be seen just how quickly (more…)
Using Technology to Help Students!
Alice for Fun Learning!
Teaching Students to Program With Stories
Alice is a 3D virtual worlds programming environment that makes it easy to create animations for either story telling or interactive games. Students can learn the intricacies of programming through enjoyable activities.
Available for free download on the internet (provided by Carnegie Mellon), Alice has been used with 4th-6th grade youngsters on up to high school students.
Teachers can use Alice to integrate computer science with any other discipline.
Alice can be used in two ways:
- At the lower level students can learn enough Alice to build interactive worlds to integrate it into course modules
- At a higher level, Alice is a complete course on learning programming. In any current module in which a student creates a poster or presentation, the student now can build an interactive story or game as the presentation.
The wonderful thing about Alice is that students, yes, even middle school girls, can learn computer programming through storytelling.
What a breakthrough!
Inspired Teaching Made Into Fun
MYST is another technologically-advanced program for involving and engrossing students to achieve peak levels of performance.
These videos are about an award-winning teacher in the U.K. and the techniques he uses to motivate and inspire his students. As Clive McGonigal (the friend who told me about Tim Ryland) mentioned in his email to me. . .
“How many classes of kids do you know that moan when the lesson’s over?”
Enjoy the videos and take a look at the website. See what can be accomplished when teachers are allowed to use their creativity.
What a fellow teacher says about the effectiveness of this technique.
For years, Don Kingsland, author of “Set Our Teachers FREE! A Plan to Save Public Education” and “The Kingsland Plan” utilized creative techniques to help his students far surpass expectations. The newest generation of creative teachers is exemplified by Tim Ryans.
Our students are bright and they deserve the best education we can give them. Schools must be revamped to allow excellent teachers to provide innovative learning environments for those students, at all ages.
Take a look at Tim’s website Tim Rylands website and his blog Tim Ryland’s blog to learn more about the results of education done creatively.
Just think, the POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!
Until next time!
Brennan
Education that STICKS!
Learning Needs to Stick Like GOO!
Today, I want to share just a teensy part of my background (hopefully, you won’t be bored), so I can share a teaching technique which makes certain learning STICKS!
Several years ago, I was Director of Staff Development for a large Veteran’s Administration facility. This was a HUGE, BRAND-SPANKING-NEW, state-of-the-art retirement home, designed to provide excellent care for veterans as they aged, or otherwise became unable to care for themselves.
I was fortunate to be involved in the set-up and expansion of the staff, buildings, resident population, and the programs.
My primary responsibility was developing, implementing and documenting training for all personnel (from doctors and nurses, all the way to the custodial and kitchen staff). This training had to ensure that all treatments, personal care, medication administration, and even cleaning or cooking (materials and procedures) were in compliance with all federal and state regulations, including DHEC and OSHA.
I conducted Orientation for all new personnel, as well as ongoing classes and lectures for every employee, to maintain regulatory compliance. I had to assure periodic CPR certification for critical personnel. Plus, I had the privilege to supervise Rehab and Physical Therapy.
Are you bored with my resume yet? Hang on, ’cause I DO have a reason for sharing.
My students came from all age, socioeconomic and intelligence levels, with a wide variety of learning skills.
Every student (doctor, cook or custodian) was able to successfully complete (and master) training, retention and actual job performance with the following education track:
- Tell ‘em what they need to learn using a combination teaching delivery (eg. lecture, audio-visual, written materials, etc.)
- Demonstrate techniques and correct procedures.
- Allow time for, and supervise, Group practice (Peer Teaching).
- Monitor Return Demonstration. (Student performs for teacher.)
- Repeat the above sequence as many times as necessary to achieve learning mastery and retention.
- Administer written test. (NOTE: Only AFTER previous steps were satisfactorily completed.)
In nursing, we learn about the importance of “psychomotor skills”. This involves embedding the learning into the brain AND the body so that the information STICKS! It involves all the senses and, most importantly, it involves practice, peer practice and support, and DOING!
In nursing, mastering skills can be a matter of life or death. In life, mastering skills may mean the difference between success or failure, even death.
The USA needs learning that STICKS!
Brennan
Education Excellence ~ Someday Soon!
Chloe Agnew of Celtic Women ~ “Someday”
It’s so easy for me to get overwhelmed by the massive task of straightening-out public education in the USA.
Organizing a movement of parents, teachers and taxpayers to FORCE improvement into our schools is a daunting task. So is gathering and sharing valid information about what works and what doesn’t work to improve education.
Fighting the established “dumbing down” of our schools and students is a big job.
Who am I to think I can help?
I’m just a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who sees an ENORMOUS NEED and a way to fix it.
So, I really want to thank my dear internet friend, AnneMarie (Aine) Callen, for directing me to Celtic Women on YouTube.com
This song, so beautifully sung by Chloe Agnew, helps me to take new courage and realize that, working together, we CAN make a difference.
I especially appreciate:
“Someday,
Life will be fairer,
Need will be rarer,
And greed will not pay . . .”
“Someday,
Our fight will be won then . . .
We’ll stand in the sun then . . .
When we are wiser . . .”
“There are some days dark and bitter
Seems we haven’t got a prayer
But a prayer for something better
Is the one thing we all share”
I wanted to share this inspiring music with you.
No matter what the challenges are, NEVER GIVE UP! We can make a difference!
“One day, Someday SOON!”
Till next time, ENJOY!
Brennan
Learning During Lazy Days
Summertime Fun!
Well, we’re over halfway into June and already the heat is blasting in our part of the world. Kids and grandkids have already been on picnics, gone swimming and spent the night with sleep-overs at their friend’s houses. Today, with the weather sweltering outside, I heard the famous summertime phrase for the first time this year. “I’m bored!”
Time to utilize a little creativity and find fun projects for them that they don’t suspect are learning activities. Today, we’re going to learn how to make ice cream and pizza. How can that be a learning activity you ask? Well, how about teaching priorities for a start?
Should we start making ice cream first, or pizza? Let’s see, hum. . .
Ice cream takes longer to make ’cause it has to freeze firm. We’ll make the ice cream first, then we can make the pizza while the ice cream is setting-up. See, simple day-to-day activities can be teaching time – in a fun way!
These simple little actions can teach children so many important lessons without having to stand over them with a ruler. Yes, we can learn to use critical thinking skills to prioritize what comes first. But there are other important lessons that can be learned, such as:
It can be fun to have an activity at home with the family (especially if Mom is not too rigid or critical).
Ice cream (especially really yummy ice cream) doesn’t have to be $6 a gallon.
Homemade pizza costs less (and tastes better) than store-bought pizza. And it’s EASY!
It’s easier to stay home in hot weather than get into the sweltering car to go somewhere.
There are, of course, extra lifelong lessons that children can learn from the above project, like:
1) The science of how salt helps the ice cream get colder faster.
2) Why pizza dough needs to be spread-out evenly to cook best.
3) How cleaning-up while the pizza is baking means less work when everybody’s full.
These are such simple things that we adults take for granted, yet, so many children don’t have parents who will take the time to share these important skills and explain the reasoning behind them. Someway, somehow, we are going to have to find ways to teach ALL young people as many skills as possible.
And just because I put some pretty pink images in the picture for this post, doesn’t mean that boys and young men can’t enjoy these learning activities just as much.
Before I get back up on my soapbox, let me just add one lesson we’re going to put into effect here today: playing in the hose can be almost as much fun as getting into the swimming pool.
Grammy Brennan
