Archive for 'District'
Senior Projects Encourage Insight Via Sustained Effort
Posted on 27. Apr, 2009 by Admin.
by Jay Mathews (April 27, 2009)
Senior theses/projects are quite rare in public education. But should they be? Is the bar so low that anyone can graduate with minimal effort? Or would such requirements doom many of the nation’s students to certain failure? Should it be done anyway?
“Private schools have been doing this for years. . . . Such enterprises add depth to high school — a chance for each student to explore something that intrigues him or her personally. . . . Why should just private schools, and a few exceptional public schools . . . be encouraging insight through sustained effort? This relates to another of my pet peeves: the reluctance of American public high schools to assign even one research paper of significant length and complexity before students graduate.”
It is the opinion of UEC that every community is different and should make decisions regarding such graduation requirements, not based on what works for other schools but based on needs in the particular community.
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School Recess Cutbacks Overstated, Report Says
Posted on 13. Mar, 2009 by Admin.
by Dani McClain (9/11/08)
We all remember the thrill of recess when we were kids. With ever-increasing federal guidelines and requirements, many schools are cutting back and even eliminating recess. But is that really a wise move?
“The report summarized recent data from sources including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics and drew the following conclusions:
• 14% of elementary schools with an enrollment of at least half students of color schedule no recess for first-graders, compared with 2% of schools with less than 6% minority enrollment.
• 18% of elementary schools where more than three-fourths of the student body receives a reduced-price lunch have no recess for first-graders, compared with 4% of schools where less than half the student body comes from impoverished families.
• 14% of urban elementary schools schedule no recess for first-graders, compared with 6% of suburban schools and 3% of rural schools.”
According to the data, recess may actually help encourage student achievement.
That said, we all know that there is no universal “one size fits all” model, method, or approach that works all of the time in education. It’s unfortunate that certain types of students (i.e., minority, poor, and urban students) miss out on recess more often than their counterparts in more affluent parts of the nation. That trend should change.
It is the opinion of UEC that recess plays an important part in children’s development at school. Although it should be used reasonably and responsibly, the data suggests that school leaders should reevaluate and support recess in school.
That said, all decisions should be made based on local factors and conditions. But, generally speaking, recess needs to remain an important part of our nation’s education system.
Read the article here.
What do you think?
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Dress Code Will Cover City Teachers, Staff
Posted on 13. Mar, 2009 by Admin.
by Steve Campbell (10/21/2008)
Should teachers be allowed to let down their hair and be casual once in a while, or must there always be a strict code of dress? Can teachers function effectively in their “sunday best” every day? Does a shirt and tie really make that big of a difference?
The answers are – no, yes, depends on the definition of “sunday best,” and YES.
Huntsville City Schools is a district considering such a code for teachers and staff:
“Students have a dress code that forbids overly baggy, tight, or revealing clothes, including outfits that depict drugs, alcohol or violence. Teachers have no dress code. Support employees, such as custodians, have uniforms but no other dress-related guidelines.”
It is the opinion of UEC that teachers can go casual before and after school hours. But in school, as role models for our children and youth, they should very much watch what they wear and what their clothes might suggest.
First and foremost, how can educators expect students to follow reasonable rules of dress when they are unwilling to do so themsleves?
There have been numerous studies demonstrating that innappropriate dress is an indicator of misbehavior. One leads to another. And that correlation probably doesn’t just lend itself to students. Educators are generally more professional and effective when they dress and act the part.
Too often, such reasonable policies are shot down by school administrators, district administrators, or union officials, because they are afraid of offending teachers. It is the position of UEC that schools and districts, such as Huntsville City Schools, are on the right track and clearly understand that education is all about doing what is right for students, which means setting a good example.
See full article here.
What do you think?
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“America”
Posted on 12. Mar, 2009 by Admin.
At this time of political decision, it is important to reflect on what our country stands for – otherwise the education and future of our children will most certainly suffer.
America means everything to me. It represents freedom throughout the world. It provides opportunity to all within its borders.
The United States of America emerged as a direct result of the many struggles and great wisdom of our ancestors. We owe much to them and seek to perpetuate their sacrifices for our children.
I love the diversity of America. There are few places in the world that enjoy so much variation of beauty. There are even fewer places where such a variety of peoples and cultures are integrated into one society. America is special and unique. People love to come here, because America inspires the best in people.
America is home. It represents apple pie, baseball, and sunday school. America inspires greatness at every turn. Anyone and everyone can be successful in America. All that is required is desire and hard work.
America stands tall and will continue to be a light to the world as we, its people, remember the core foundations upon which is was established: individual worth and potential, faith, unity, liberty, and justice.
What are your feelings?