Education News: July 31, 2010

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the weeks ending on August 14th, 2010.

Obama Announces Passing of $26 Billion in State Aid
(PBS News, August 10) The House of Representatives approved $26.1 billion dollars in aid for teachers in Medicaid. President Obama will sign the bill into law, the expense of which will be paid through cuts to food stamps and tax increases for multinational companies operating in the U.S. $10 billion will be directed to states in order to save teachers jobs, potentially preventing 161,000 education professionals from being out of work. While House Republicans feared the short term debt incurred from the bill, Democrats assured that it would cut the national deficit in years to come. President Obama believes the extra funds will allow school districts to avoid drastic cuts and focus on improving education.

A Graduation Speech Causes Diversity Row
(New York Times, August 4) After being chosen to deliver the commencement speech at Hunter College High School in New York City, Justin Hudson decided to use the platform to open debate about the school’s diversity policy. He questioned the single, teacher written test upon which admission to the school is determined. Some believe the test is discriminatory towards black and Hispanic students, a large student population that is a glaring minority in Hunter’s enrollment totals. The school’s Principal, Eileen Coppola stepped down soon after gradation, citing a tense work environment within the administration. Some believe the admissions test to be far too difficult, while others maintain its effectiveness in determining a student’s potential at Hunter.

Private Companies Seek School Funds
(New York Times, August 9) Private entities around the country are competing for billions in newly allocated federal dollars. Companies and individuals claim to specialize in school turnarounds, a new recession-era profession that lacks formal training or government oversight. Experts claim that overhauling schools is a difficult task that yields very few positive results.  Educators fear that these companies are simply in it for the money. The turnarounds usually include hiring a new principal, hiring new teachers and changing curricula.  Although some non-profits and universities are involved in the reforms, the consensus is still one of uncertainty and distrust towards turnaround teams.

A Link Between Family and Academic Success
(USA Today, August 1) Studies by the University of Rochester and the University of Notre Dame found patterns in home life that correspond to a student’s performance in the classroom.  The research denoted particular family types that correspond to a child’s social and behavioral expression. Three distinct family groups---Cohesive, Disengaged and Enmeshed--- produced, respectively, children with fewer disciplinary problems, increased behavioral issues and emotional problems later in life. The study cautioned that family is clearly not the only factor: low-poverty environments and at risk peers were among the co-factors mentioned.

In Kentucky, a School Determined to Change
(Education Week, August 4) At Shawnee High School in Kentucky, a new principal looks to change the convoluted scheduling and misguided teaching that have plagued the school for years. The school maintains a very low graduation rate compounded by a lack of organization in the administration. The new administration hopes to bring the school up to Race to the Top standards by working closely with teachers to improve pedagogy and underline a genuine desire to help their students. With unfaltering focus, commitment to a goal and a detailed blueprint towards overall improvement, Shawnee High School hopes to set the precedent for reformed schooling in the U.S.

New Initiative to Welcome Refugees
(Education Week, August 12) At the Refugee Youth Academy in Brooklyn New York, students seeking asylum have the opportunity receive preparation for a balanced education, free from the hazards of their war torn countries. Through a series of standard classroom drills, students can acclimate to the daily routine of the American classroom. One important ideal as that of parental involvement in a child’s education—an uncommon trend in many of the student’s native countries.

Kids In Need of Summer Reads
(New York Times, August 2) Recent studies have shown that during the summer, children’s reading ability begins to fall. Low income students are particularly at risk for losing comprehension skills gained over the course of the school year. Researchers at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville found that simply granting access to reading sources, particularly to low income students, fought the decline in reading skills. The Tennessee study found that when given the opportunity to read books of their own liking, children were much more likely to read and, in turn, more likely to perform better in the following school year.