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Michelle Snow

“I’m amazed and honored that she chose me,” said John Alemany, Michelle Snow’s 12th grade Spanish teacher.“She's a star basketball player. I would have thought for sure she’d pick one of her coaches.” “Sports came easy to me,” explains Michelle. “Spanish was a challenge, and Mr. Alemany didn’t give up on me. “He has this amazing positive energy. And he genuinely cares. You can’t imagine what a difference that makes.” Behind every famous person is
a fabulous teacher

Education News: August 12, 2005

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending August 12, 2005.

Court Rejects Challenge to Pledge of Allegiance
(Source: The New York Times, 8/11/05)
A federal appeals court panel upheld a Virginia law that obliges public schools to lead a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, contradicting a claim that its reference to God was an unconstitutional promotion of religion. The panel concluded that the pledge is a patriotic exercise, not an affirmation of religion similar to a prayer.

Protesters Object to Military Recruiting
(Source: The Miami Herald, 8/11/05)
Activists visited high school campuses to inform students regarding their right to opt out of a section under the No Child Left Behind Act. The act permits the military to ask the schools to release their students' personal information for recruiting purposes.

Teachers Union Sues Over $3.1 Billion for Schools
(Source: The L.A. Times, 8/10/05)
The California Teachers Association has filed suit against Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in an attempt to compel the state to up school spending by $3.1 billion. The suit claims that the governor approved a budget that deprives schools of funds guaranteed by the state constitution.

Kansas Board Advances A Draft Critical of Evolution
(Source: The New York Times, 8/10/05)
The Kansas State Board of Education has approved the newest draft of science standards that include more criticism of evolution. The draft will be reviewed by outside academics before the board can vote for final approval in October.

Wal-Mart Foes Urge School-Sale Boycott
(Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/9/05)
In response to Wal-Mart’s labor problems including low pay, inadequate health insurance, and alleged discriminatory practices against women, teacher union leaders in more than 30 U.S. cities are developing a “Send Wal-Mart Back to School” campaign that asks consumers, including students and teachers, to do their back-to-school shopping at retailers other than Wal-Mart. The AFT and the NEA are playing a role in the Wal-Mart campaign as well.

Report Examines High School Science Labs
(Source: The New York Times, 8/8/05)
According to a report by the National Research Council, the typical high school laboratory misses the mark by lacking clear goals, failing to engage students in discussion and analysis, and does not elucidate the proper use of the scientific method. The report contributes to increasing concern among Americans that the U.S. is slipping in competitiveness in the sciences.

Thousands Protest Ruling on Hawaii Schools
(Source: The Boston Globe, 8/7/05)
Around 15,000 people gathered in downtown Honolulu on August 5 to protest a federal court ruling that declared Kamehameha Schools’ Native-Hawaiians-only admissions policy as illegal. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled 2-1 that the policy amounted to “unlawful race discrimination,” despite the fact that the private school does not receive federal funding.