New Education Spending

       President Barack Obama is working with congress to improve schools across the country. He wants to turn the poor schools around. Obama also called on Congress to finish work on a measure to revitalize community colleges. And he called for a $10,000 tax credit to families for four years of college, and an increase in Pell Grants. Obama will ask Congress to boost federal spending on education by as much as $4 billion in the coming 2011 budget year. Of the total, $3 billion is slated for elementary and secondary education programs ranging from teacher quality to student safety, and  $1.35 billion for Obama's "Race to the Top" competitive grant program. The request for $4 billion would increase federal education spending by about 6 percent. The Education Department also wants to eliminate six programs, deeming them duplicative or ineffective. The agency would consolidate 38 other programs into 11 programs to eliminate bureaucracy and red tape.
         As a future educator, I am pleased to know the issues of educations are being addressed. However, I do not understand where all this money is coming from. For 2010, public schools across the country are making major cuts including laying off teachers. How do we have $4 billion for the next? Education needs more national attention because these are the students of our future, but we can not send our country into further financial devisate. With an increase in financial support for education we must continue to make cuts in other areas of the economy. I am glad to know that the education of our students is important to our nation and that a change is on the way.


Resource:
Obama to Seek Up to $4B in New Education Spending. AP News, c2010.
            http://inform.com/politics/obama-seek-4b-new-education-spending-834790a

NO Foods for Schools

       The Children's Success Academy, a charter school charter for children kindergarten through the fifth grade, is unique for its food rules - it bans not only white flour, but refined sugar and anything it defines as processed food. School director and founder, Nanci Aiken, holds a doctorate in cell physiology and once worked as a cancer researcher at the Arizona Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins Medical School, and is an unabashed food cop. The rules seem drastic to many parents sending their children to the school for the first time especially since the school has no cafeteria, all students must bring their own lunch. Parents find it difficult to find the "yes" foods in the grocery store but they see the positive impact it has on their children. The school has an emergency food supply of "yes" foods like peanut butter and honey which are provided through donations and fundraisers. Some dietians would disagree with such extreme meaures fearing that the student will come to a rebelious stage but Aiken does not listen. If all U.S. families followed her school's food rules, Aiken believes, childhood obesity would be a rare problem.
       Childhood obesity has become a rising issue in the United States and schools are partly to blame. Children spend majority of their time in schools being influenced by the school choices and their peers. Although, I do feel that the measures taken in this article are a little extreme, the idea was good. Schools should be more aware of the foods being put into the students mouths regardless of wether it was brought from home or not. The health of the students should be important to the adminstration and faculty. Also, the foods being consumed could have an impact on the work within the classroom. If students consumer healthier foods they may not feel as tired or they may be able to stay focused longer. What we impacts impacts everything around us. Although, I don't think it is resonable to ban most foods from the kids, I do think that schools could make more of an influence on the students. Healthy choices are the right choices!

Resource:
Innes, Stephanie. School's Wicked Witch Sweeps Out the No Foods. Arizone Daily Star.
         http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article_d26e56b7-b1d5-52d8-bdef-9717ce18a61b.html

Cell Phones in Schools

            Matt Cook's classroom at Trinity Meadows Intermediate School in Keller, Texas is incorporating cell phones into the everyday use of the classroom. This teacher feels that these are a great tool for teaching. Cook believes in the long run will become the cheapest way to do one-to-one computing. The portability and mobility of cell phones make them an ideal teaching tool, toting the classroom anywhere, anytime. Students used the phone to email, record data, send pictures, etc. However, Cook didn't consider texting and bluetooth when he incorporated this technology. Realizing this was a problem but still wanting to incoporate them he set out on a mission to make it happen.  Cook proposed a plan where he would form a partnership with a company that would fund a pilot program in his classroom. Every student would receive a cell phone for educational use; Cook would find new and innovative ways to use the new classroom tools with his students; and the company would have a proven and viable new market for its products. Cook contacted Verizon and made this program happen. The community has even jumped on board with this and been very supportive.
            WOW! What an idea. Cell phones have become a major part of society and I have never understood why they were not allowed with the students. Even in Universities cell phones are against the rules. I love how Mr. Cook incorporated modern technology and also overcame the concerns of students participating in non-educational activities on the devices. I believe that Verizon and Misrosoft have a great product in the works that will be very benefical in our nation.Most all children, own a personal cell phone so why not allow them to use it for educational purposes. Of course, technology can nt overtake the classroom. I still believe that some tradintional ways are benefical to students but technology should be present as well.
      

Resource:
Bafile, Cara. Mobile Technology Goes to School. Education World, c2010.
       http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech248.shtml

Tuition-Free Colleges

             Even with the inflation, some colleges and universities are picking up full tuition cost for students. Most of these are military academies and engineering schools because the demand is great.Tuition, fees, room and board at four-year public colleges jumped 46% in the past decade. Schools that cover full tuition are doing the near-impossible to make school affordable for all of their students. However, this ability to provide full tutition is slowly dwendelling with university supporters finding themselves in further financial difficulties. At some schools, students who receive free tuition must pay other costs, including fees, room and board and expenses such as textbooks. At College of the Ozarks each student is required to participate in the on-campus work program by doing landscaping, working in the cafeteria or on production lines making fruitcakes and jellies so that they may leave with an appreciation for what it takes to make it in real life. Also, I recently spent a week in Buenos Aires, Argentina where all colleges are free to students. This is true for may of the colleges in South America.
          I think that is would be amazing for students to be able to obtain a free college education. However, I fear that some students would not work as hard or would not appreciate the oportunity they have been given. I personally know how difficult is is for a college student to obtain the funds for tution and fees especially when the parents are providing any assistance. However, I also know that it is very possible. Although many institutions in the United States are not free to students that are many programs avaliable to assistant in financies beyond the scholarships provided by the intended school. Tuition free schools is a great concept, but I don't know if they are best. Like any idea there will be pros and cons which need to be  considered.

Resource:
Gillum, Jack. Tuition-Free Colleges Stand Their Ground Against Costs. USA Today
        http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-04-06-tuitionfree06_ST_N.htm

Technology in Physical Education

            Physical education instructors are beginning to incorporate more and more technology into their course work much like most other teachers. However, this may be difficult in physical education considering they are only funded less than $2 per student. Much of the funding comes from outside rescources such as grants, PTO programs, fundraisers, etc. Technology in P.E. is a great motivation for the students and gives them immediate feedback relating to their health. It also allows for individualizedplans so that each student may be challenged appropriatley. The variety of technoligies used in physical education help teachers collect reliable data and monitor student fitness progress on a daily and yearly basis. This data may also be beneficial to the sudents parents to better understand the health of their children.
          Until reading this article, I never thought of technology being incorpoated into physical education. I love the idea that students can see immediate results from their activities and be more aware of their health. With the increase in obesity of our nation, I believe it is important fo healthy habits to be instilled in children at a young age. They can not practice what they do not know. However, I do not want the use of technology to take away from the physical activities in the gym. Children are so dependent o technology in this century that their not always thinking for themselves. P..E. is the place for the child to learn hand-eye cordinaton and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Resource:
Delisio, Ellen R. Technology Jump Starts the New Phys Ed. Education World, c2010.
               http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat258.shtml

Reading Score Progress

     Despite efforts over the past few years to improve the reading skills of students little progress has been made. There was barely an improvement in reading abilities from last year compared with 2007. This was in both students overall and minorities. Likewise, achievement gaps between white, African-American, and Hispanic students changed only slightly since 2007 with only a six point increase since 1992. In 2002, Congress invested $6 billion into the Reading First program in an effort to improve children's basic reading skills. With this amount of money invested, Americans should not be satisfied with the results we've seen. The test providing these results are given every two years serving as an audit for state standards.
      Reading is essential for everyone to learn. As a future educator, I am no satisfied knowing that our teaching is not improving the knowledge concepts of our students. However, I also feel that with such an emphasis on reading these past few years students math and science concepts are also dwendelling. With that said, not only has our reading barely improved, students are lacking in other subjects as well. I believe that the state should reevaluate the standards as well as the emphasis it places on reading with the students. I can remeber my school participating in the STARS program while I was in both elementary and middle school. I also remember that because of this program I lost my interest in reading. With the pressure to read and take so many test to obtain points students stop enjoying the literature. It begins to feel more like a chore to them. I do not see how this is a positive impact on the students and it is obviously not improving the basic reading skills.

Resource:

Toppo, Greg. U.S. Students' Reading Scores Show Little Progress. http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-03-24-reading-scores_N.htm

Math Games in Intruction Area

         Teachers are placed under so much pressure with time and paper work to meet state criteria that the fun learning concepts are being pulled from schools. Teachers constantly feel as though there is no time for games in the classroom. Dr. Nanci Smith feels that games can make a teachers' job easier, especially math skill related games. She explains several ways in which teachers may use games to differentiate instruction. The first is to offer a variety of choices within in games. This variation contributes to a higher motivation among the students. Secondly, teachers should address students' readiness levels through the games. However, with this differentiation students should be regularly assessed by the teacher. Another aspect of differentiation might be providing students who do not like the idea of learning with games a different way to learn the skills. Typically, students become more engaged in the learning process if they feel as though it is fun or that they are controlling their learning. The repetivite practice of the games can reinforce facts and skills. With a little creativity games may be used to reinforce any skill. However, as with any concept there are a few downfalls.
         One major problem is that students do not do the math correctly during a game and they have no idea its wrong. Student must be held accountable for what they are doing even when playing games. Also, students often do not make the connections between the game and the written mathematics. It is important that teachers help the students make connections and fully understand the concepts they are practicing.
         I feel that games are a great way for students to practice their skills and facts. However, as mentioned by Dr. Smith, not all students learning is reinforced well by games so teachers must also provide other reinforcment acitivties for the students. I also believe that with these games and other activites teachers should allow the children to have fun. It is important for the students to reach the course objectives, but they need to want to fully understand them. Hands on activities seem to help students further engage themselves in wanting to learn helping them become better students.

Resources:

Delisio, Ellen R. Math Games Can Target Key Instruction Areas. Educational World, c2010.
            http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat256.shtml

Inclusion of Autistic Children

          Inclusion of autistic children is the hardess and must unpredictible concepts for people to grasp. Socializing is stressful for children with autism. Laurie Lecomer wrote the book called The Socially Included Child which presents here a process she calls I.D.E.A.L that is meant to help manage tranisitions for these children. The I stands for introduce the activity; D for determine the tasks involved; E for evaluate expectations; A for accomodate for success; and L for list the activity components visually. Children with autism have a hard time adusting to changes in their schedule, communicating with others, and sensory issues. LeComer says she wrote this book to help the parents deal with the struggles of autism. The book as well as the program may help parents prepare their child for social enviornments so that they can participate in activities, recreation, and celebration. Although, written for the parents of children with autism, this book could be useful for teachers as well. It shows readers how to pre-plan, and how to really look at a situation so both child and adults can be prepared, and accommodations can be made to make the situations easier and more enjoyable for all. A poisitve approach about I.D.E.A.L. is that it may be modifified for any individual regardless of the cases severity. However, the hardest part of implementing the I.D.E.A.L. program is evaluating one's expectations. A childrens strengths and weaknesses must always be taken into account.

            As a future teacher, I am glad to know that educators and specialist are working on programs to help both parents and teachers work with children of special needs. Children with special needs are being incorporated into the classroom more and more each year without much training for the general education teacher. I know as a future teacher that I have had very little experience dealing with children with disablilities. Even within my service learning classroom the children with special needs are not incorporated very often. It is unfair for these children to be through into a classroom where the teacher does not know how to communicate with them. Although most schools provide the teacher with the students history and provide a few services to help make the transitions easier, it is a difficult process for the student, the teacher, and the rest of the class. Myself as well as all other teachers should be willing to further understand the incorporation of children with special needs. All children deserve the right to a proper education and it is our job to make sure they recieve it.





Resources:

Delisio, Ellen R. An I.D.E.A.L. Way To Include Autistic Kids. Educational World, c2010.     
            http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat255.shtml

Heart Health Programs

    The American Heart association is increasing the awarness of educational and physical programs on health in the school systems. The youth of today is beginning to develop "adult" diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure at younger and younger ages. Not only do genetic disorders explained most of heart problems among children today but also the increase in obesity and related insulin resistance. School Systems need to work with parents and child to increase awarness in the risk of obesity. Teachers help the studens make connections about diet and good health by reviewing school meals, vending machine contents, and mandatory physical education. Programs which are currently active in the school systems are Jump Rope for Heart, Hoops for Heart, NFL Play 60 Challenge, and Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program. These programs all strive to provide students with lifelong physical activity and healthful eating as well as cross-curricular educational content for teachers to educate students about living a heart-healthy life.
Schools can create environments where there are consistent and clear messages that physical activity and healthy eating are important and encouraged -- in the classroom, cafeteria, gym, hallway, and schoolyard.

  Jump Rope for Heart is a program that I am familiar with. When I was in elementary school, my school actively particpated in this program every year. We were not only taught the skills of jumping roping but also how to interact with others without really realizing the added benefit to our health. I always found it fun to create the posters and solicite the community for further help with the program. I know this is just one of many ways schools promote health to young students. With the increase in obesity among young children, I believe these programs are increasingly important. If children do not learn healthy habits at a young age it may hard to correct them later. I am glad that there are programs established to guide students to healthier lives. I hope as a teacher that I can encourage my students to make healthy choices in and out of school. I also hope that I may lead by example so that students will have a model to look to.

Resources:
Delisio, Ellen. Heart Health Programs Move into schools. published 2/2/2010.  http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat254.shtml

4day Schools in Georgia

Many schools in Georgia are considering switching to four day school weeks due to many budget cut lingering in the air. Peach County has already taken this step, operating tuesday through friday each week. The estimate that they saved $313,000 in transportation and utilities by making this schdule cut. They set the exmaple for all other schools in the state of Georgia. Yet, there were many concerns as well as praises about this cut. Some expressed that education was the last thing in America that needed a cut and that public schools are not properly educating the youth today. Comments even expressed that educators were there strictly for the purpose of teaching and not raising the children. On the other hand, some thought this was a good idea. Personally, I could sway to either side on this issue. From the kids point of view, I'm sure it appears wonderfully: a three day weekend every weekend! Also, the amount of money saved by the school systems could help over compensate for some of the cuts being made each year. Yet, I can see why some would fear this change. Parents who work full time jobs would have to find alternative care for there child the extra day out of school costing more money for the parent. It may also compromise the learning of the students. As an education major, I have dealt with many teachers who felt like they were on a time crunch to meet  the states curriculum requirements attending school five days a week. Removing one of those teaching days each week might take away from some of the lessons students need for the year. However, if the cuts are made and the students academic levels remain high and possibly improve, I see no harm if moving to a four day school week.

Resource:
"Georgia Schools Switching to 4-day week." USA Today. 23 Feb 2010. USA Today, Web. 24 Feb 2010. .

Learning Healthy Eating Habits

Obesity has become a rising concern across America especially in young children. Lunchroom food along with snacks available on school campus may be a leading cause of obesity in youth today. Children need to be taught the importance of a healthy diet in school and learn how to practice it. It has been proven that if children are offered healthy choices in foods they will except them. However, many schools do not have such healthy choices. The Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act is addressing the issues of renewing the standards for snacks and beverages offered with lunch meals. I have not seen much evidence of this within the cafeteria at many schoold besides the offering of fruit with their lunch. My hometown highschool did, however, remove all drinks containing cafenine from the machines. This school did not have a vending machine, but it some schools that may pose as a problem. A Center for Science in the Public Interest study showed that most of the items offered were highly unhealthy. It is not regluated by USDA standards and may therefore offer anything is wishes. Schools may also have a school ran snack store which my high school would have an example of. This is also not regulated by USDA standards. Students may purchse unhealthy snacks to have during their breaks or other parts of the day. However, schools who have both a vending machine and a school run snack store are just adding extra temptations to the students to make unhealthy choices throughout the school day. To make a change the parents, teachers, and students must all become involved. It is an increasing issue that needs a solution and that solution starts with schools!

Resource:
http://getkidsinaction.org/lunchroom

Black History Month

As long as I can remeber February has been dedicated to remembering significant African Americans in U.S. history, yet, I never really knew why the month of February...
Dr. Carter G. Woodson can be given much of the credit for black history month. After being raised by two former slaves and working in the coalmines himself he set out to achieve an education. He received the four-month term that was customary for black schools at the time. Determined to do better he taught himself further and at 19 entered high school. He went on to receive his Masters degree in history from the University of Chicago, and he eventually earned a PhD from Harvard. Woodson was greatly disturbed at the lack of acknolwedgment for America's black population. He began challenging the writing of Black history. To do this, Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History along with the Journal of Negro History. Through all of his efforts he was able to develop Negro History Week in 1926.Woodson believed that "the achievements of the Negro properly set forth will crown him as a factor in early human progress and a maker of modern civilization." Yet, In 1976, Negro History Week expanded into Black History Month. February was chosen for the celebration because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population: Frederick Douglass (February 14), an escaped slave who became one of the foremost black abolitionists and civil rights leaders in the nation, and President Abraham Lincoln (February 12), who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in America's confederate states.

As a future teacher, I believe that this information is important to share with students. It helps them understand more about the struggle to establish acknowedgement and the history behind all these significant people in which they study. I know that I never learned this information growing up and learning through Black History Month each year. However, I do feel it is something that should be known by the children. If you are going to teach something to a child, I think you should teach all there is to know.

Resource:
"Extra!: History of Black History Month." CNN.com. 31 Jan 2007. CNN, Web. 9 Feb 2010. .

Start Date Bill in Alabama

      It seems that each year Alabama's legislature debates on the state and end dates of a school year. The Alabama tourism department has much to do with the development of this issue. They claim that the state loses over 300 million dollars a year by starting school so early in august, and they wish for that the change. The idea to be presented at this year's legislative session is the start of school after Labor Day. This would extend tourism season as well as create time for longer summer camps for children. However, children would still have to attend school a certain number of days throughout the school year therefore shortening another holiday vacation. Yet, other states such as Michigan and North Carolina have chosen to mandate the school start date to be after Labor Day. It is a great debate as to whether this should be implemented here. However, changing the start date will not only affect the state as a whole and the tourism season, it will affect others on a personal level. Jefferson Co Schools superintendent feels that the decision of the school start date should be determined on a local level due to many different concerns and unique needs. But other oppose saying that pushing the start date further into the year will allow less time with intense heat such as the AFT union president. Some schools in the state are still not fortunate enough to have air conditioned gyms, classrooms, and buses therefore every school district needs to be considered in this presentation. No one is certain were this bill will go because it has been brought upon the legislature once before. In April 2008 the house and the senate voted to prohibit classes in June, July, and early August but it never made it to the legislature. As a student, I would love to have a longer summer. Yet, as a future teacher, I would be concerned that the students would have a hard time transitioning from year to year with such a vacation span. It is definitely a topic that I feel needs much consideration before making a decision. It is one that could have both positive and negative effects on every school system.

Resource:
White, Linda. "The Local Debate on Mandating Alabama's School Start Date" http://www2.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/the_local_debate_on_mandating_alabamas_school_start_date/93916/

Rethinking Charter Schools!

           Last week I posted my support for charter schools because my resource article made them sound great. However, I learned the hard way to research several sources before making a personal decision. This past monday I attended a local school board meeting and their opinion of backing charter schools was quite different than what I expressed, but I undestand why.
          At the school board meeting, the superintendent presented informaton about Bob Riley's desire for the state to back charter schools. Yet, the superintendent did not share this same idea. Although I am sure there are several pros to charter schools, he did not mention he. He simply presented all the flaws he saw in this support. For starters, he was concerned that charter schools could sue the local school board members even though they are not the board for that particular school. This definatley raised alarm with the other board members. The budget had already revealed a major lose for them over the past couple if years, they could not imagine risking more. Next, he presented the fact that any student could attend even if they werent inside the school district. Along with the fact that the teachers would not recieve tenure. The concern arose that they public schools would lose not only students but many of the teachers. Then, another concern  arose about money. The superintendent explained to the board and others present that if any accomadations where requested for a child with special needs then the local school board would be responsible for providing the money to fund these needs. Obviously, this was a concern because these children would not be part of the public school yet they would be taking money away from the students in the public school. Finally, a cocern was expressed about extracurricular activities. It was understood that students from the charter schools would be allowed to particpate in the extracurricular activites at the public school if they wished. That would mean the public school could not use any school time to practice or meet when a charter member could not attend. I could see why each of these topics would be a concern for the public school members.
          According to all the concerns I heard at this school board meeting, I feel as though charter schools might just be harmful to the public schools.Who would want to become a public school board member knowing they are liable for students for whom they do not make decisions for? Not only are public school boards liable for charter schools but they would cost public schools so much more money. I still believe there are some pros to charter schools however I have learned there are many cons as well. I am not saying I am completely against the backing of charter schools. However, I believe that our government should rethink all the factors that are involved in charter schools. I fully support the attempt to obtain money for our state school system, but it should be something fair to all.

Backing Charter Schools

The state school board has decided to allow charter schools in Alabama. This addition to our school systems could help the state's application for $200 million in federal funds. Charter schools receive taxpayers' money, but are not bound by as many state regulations as traditional public schools. In this regard charter schools can seem to be more flexible and creative. These new schools must still uphold state academic standards, attend the same amount of school days and follow all laws against discrimination. However, often they operate without requirements that students live in certain neighborhoods. Also, they are not held to the state's teacher tenure law. According to TimesDaiy.com State board member Mary Jane Caylor of Huntsville said she originally opposed charters for Alabama. She said her opinion dated back to days when she was still superintendent of Huntsville schools.Caylor also stated she had decided against offering amendments some people asked her to introduce. "The amendments would have given all control over charter schools' governance to local school systems", she said "'I didn't believe we needed to put strings on charters.The real work on the bill will be done in the Legislature. The bottom line is this is an opportunity. I'm going to give them a chance for something new.'" The 200 million dollards in funds that the state could recieve with the acceptance of charter schools could help lower employee cuts and help expand already successful innovative programs for students. "This is just a prelude to the way grants are going to come down from Washington and for us to just back up and say 'We don't even want to participate' just has never made any sense," states Riley (timesdaily.com).

 I personally believe that it is an excellent idea to back these charter schools. As a prospective teacher, it is hard for me to imagine putting in all the time, effort, and money to advance my education only to find out there are no jobs available for me. I am glad to see the state working to save the jobs for current and future teachers. Budgets in every school are tight, programs are being cut, and students are not recieving the same inspiration they once were from educators. States put so much pressure on the regulations that they take away from the creativness which was once in the classroom. Teachers are so time crunched they can't allow students to fully express themselves the way they use to. I love the idea that charter schools are not bound by so many regulations while still upholding the academic standards as all other schools in the state. In addition, these charter schools allow more funding for other schools in the state. Why turn down an opportunity to keep our school systems alive? It is sad to see that schools are being put on the back burner. If the amount of money continues to decline so do teachers, staff, music, art, and many other programs that inspire students to be the best they can be. Children are our future and deserve every opporunity to be educated. I fully support the decision to back charter schools because it is allowing the chance for schools to give children the best education they can. Without a proper education for the young, the future would never stand a chance.

Resources :
Ellington, M.J. "Board Backs Charter Schools." TimesDaily.com. 01/15/2010. http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20100115/ARTICLES/1155034. Web. 20 Jan 2010.  
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