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Allen Kay

Allen Kay, marketing consultant to TeachersCount
Allen is CEO of Korey Kay & Partners advertising and one of the most awarded Creative Directors in advertising. The agency gained its reputation by putting companies on the map. Virgin Atlantic Airways, Comedy Central and Celebrity Cruises are among them. Allen is a Graduate Board Member of the AdCouncil and AAAA (American Association of Advertising Agencies), where, when Chairman of their New York Board of Governors, he created the annual "Unthinkable Ideas" new media conference. Allen was a founding member of America's Promise—Colin Powell's alliance for youth, spent eleven years on the steering committee of ABNY (Association for a Better New York), is a Director of YES, Inc. (Youth Education through Sports), and is a member of the Advisory Board of PENCIL, an organization that works to improve New York City's public schools. Allen also served for many years as a consultant to the Marketing Board of the New York Philharmonic. The "Write Your Own Ticket" program was one of his many contributions.

Education News: March 26, 2010

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending March 26, 2010.

National Reading Scores Disappointing
(New York Times, March 25th) National reading scores, released Wednesday, have shown limited improvement for American students over the last 17 years. Contrary to the disappointing results, the nation’s math scores have continued to make substantial gains. Some experts point to the accessibility of technology as part of the reason reading scores have not improved. Instead of using their down time to read, many students choose television, computers and video games as alternate forms of entertainment.

How Will School Overhaul Affect Communities?
(USA Today, March 23rd) With a national emphasis on education overhaul, many failing schools have been shut down. While the overhaul is meant to improve the education system, neighborhoods with closing schools have begun to wonder how their communities will be affected. With schools considered to be the bright spots of areas with few resources, inhabitants of communities with closing schools are concerned that their neighborhoods may be becoming more susceptible to vandalism and drug abuse.

Student Loan Overhaul
(New York Times, March 26th) On Thursday, Congress voted to cut commercial banks from the student loan market. The legislation was passed as part of the final health care package. President Barrack Obama praised the changes made to the student loan program, emphasizing that it will help to limit student debt. The Obama administration hopes that the bill will make college more accessible.

Lunchrooms to be Revamped
(USA Today, March 24th) The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 is set to be voted on by the Senate. The legislation would add $4.5 billion to child-nutrition programs including a new set of nutrition standards for school lunchrooms. The new standards will be developed by the U.S Department of Agriculture and will require additional training and increased qualification for cafeteria staff.

New York Education Cuts Looming
(New York Times, March 23rd) A recently proposed New York budget plan includes $1.4 billion in education cuts. The cuts have yet to be voted on by the state Senate, but lawmakers hope that they will help to narrow the states $9 billion dollar deficit. Although the proposal and the final budget could look very different, significant education cuts are expected.

Georgia School Fires Entire Staff
(Boston Globe, March 26th) The entire staff of Beach High School in Savannah, Georgia, has been fired in order to increase the state’s eligibility for $6 million in federal funding. Teachers at the poor performing high school will have an opportunity to reapply for their jobs, however only half can be rehired. The 200 employees will be allowed to work through the end of the year.

Florida Senate Increase Teacher Accountability
(Education Week, MMarch 24th) The Florida Senate has passed legislation that will allow schools to link teacher pay to students’ test scores. The bills will also make it easier to fire poor performing teachers as well as expand the state’s private school voucher program. The legislation has yet to be voted on by the House.