Education News: August 20 & August 27, 2008

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending August 20 & August 27, 2008.

Schools Face Budget Cuts
(Source: Educationweek.org, August 25, 2008): Lower tax revenues and inflation are causing many districts to consider budget cuts to education.  31 states have reported budget shortfalls ranging from $10 million to $2 billion.  The drop in tax revenues is accompanied by increases in gas, food, and clothing prices.  More schools are being faced with tough decisions about what they can fund.  Some are considering increasing the price of lunch, reducing bussing, or even reducing the length of the school week.

Army Opens Prep School
(Source: The New York Times, August 27, 2008):  The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have placed increased demands on America’s military forces. Consequently, the US Army is expanding its recruiting efforts to include high school dropouts.  The prep school, which is located in Fort Jackson, SC, intense provides “academic immersion” to help students prepare for the GED.  Once the test is passed, the recruits are then eligible to enter basic training. 

Teaching Evolution to a Creationist-Leaning Audience
(Source: The New York Times, August 24, 2008): A Florida man tries to teach evolution to an audience not always receptive to it.

More Students Take the SAT; Scores Remain Flat
(Source: The Wall Street Journal, August 27, 2008):  More students took the SAT in 2008 and scores remained consistent with 2007.  Scores had been declining in recent years, a trend some explain by the steady increase in the number of students taking the test. Scores typically decline as the number of takers increase.   Gaps in performance among students of different race persist.

Universities Issue iPhones to Students
(Source:  The New York Times, August 21, 2008):  More universities are exploring the value of using mobile technology with students.  University administrators cite improved and more rapid communication with students as one benefit. Some professors express concern over student distraction if the devices are permitted in class.

The Future of NCLB
(Source:  The Christian Science Monitor, August 21, 2008): What will a new president mean for No Child Left Behind? The law, the reauthorization of which was delayed last year, may experience reform of its accountability initiatives under a new administration.

School Uniforms for Newark Schools
(Source: The New York Daily News. August 27, 2008): In an effort to reduce student distractions, Newark’s new schools superintendent calls for uniforms for elementary students.

Hispanic Students represent 20% of US Students
(Source:  The Houston Chronicle, August 26, 2008):  The number of Hispanic students in the nation’s schools has nearly doubled since 1990.