Education News: October 7, October 14, and October 21 2005

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the weeks ending October 7, October 14, and October 21 2005.

Students get lessons in government, science during trial on ‘intelligent design’
(Source: edweek.org, 10/20/05)
In the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District court case, which concerns the teaching of intelligent design in public schools, the initial weeks of the trial have been characterized by a high degree of scientific technicality. The testimony offered thus far has addressed subjects like gene duplication, protein sequences, lactose systems, and vertebrate embryos. Because the trial is so relevant to schools and the discourse so scholarly, a number of teachers and students attend the proceedings each day so they can later discuss the case in the classroom.

Bush education law shows mixed results in first test
(Source: The New York Times, 10/20/05)
The nation received both good news and bad as a result of the first nationwide test of President Bush’s educational law. The mixed results showed a slight increase in math coupled with a slight decrease in reading. The result of the first National Assessment of Educational Progress leaves the government and a nation of educators wondering how best to close America’s achievement gap.

Teachers see iPods as educational tool
(Source: The Seattle Times, 10/20/05)
Instead of battling iPods for students’ attention, some teachers are incorporating them directly into their lesson plans. By utilizing recorded books, poetry, and radio programs, educators can reach today’s students in their comfort zones and propagate creative directed learning.

Full-day kindergarten produces more learning gains, study says
(Source: edweek.org, 10/19/05)
Recent findings in educational research have contributed to a strong case for full-day kindergartens. From a test group of 8,000 children in public schools, students have consistently acquired the equivalent of an entire month of extra learning as a result of the extended program.

Teaching teachers about Islamic faith
(Source: baltimoresun.com, 10/18/05)
In an effort to break cultural barriers, Muslim students of the Howard County public school system in Maryland are extending an invitation to teachers and administrators in the district to share fellowship and learning concerning their culture. Their hope is that educators can come to better understand Islam for teaching purposes and disseminate the crucial idea that terrorists and extremists are not representatives of the Islamic faith.

A to F scale gets poor marks but is likely to stay
(Source: washingtonpost.com, 10/18/05)
Though the current A to F grading scale has been in effect since it was developed in 1883 in a Harvard classroom, the system is now coming under review. Critics of the scale call it outdated and hope to develop grading methods that reflect the ever-evolving standards and educational models of assessment.

Classes in Chinese grow as the language rides a wave of popularity
(Source: The New York Times, 10/14/05)
The world’s most spoken language is finding its way into America’s elementary schools. Mandarin Chinese has surpassed Spanish in many areas as a desired second language of study.

Truth test: Is high school graduation rate up or down?
(Source: The New York Times, 10/12/05)
In New York, high school graduation rates will likely affect the heated race for mayor of the city. With education on the forefront of the minds of the public, each candidate’s ability to address and redirect a floundering educational system will be a major determining factor in the election’s outcome.

Lawmakers seek probe of Reading First program
(Source: usatoday.com, 10/10/05)
One of President Bush’s educational initiatives, Reading First, is under investigation. High-ranking officials have been accused of giving preference to certain publishers, as well as pressuring states to purchase material they do not want. Reading First was a program created to reach low-income children.

Teachers spend big to supply what schools don’t
(Source: washingtonpost.com, 10/09/05)
Teaching has become a lesson in being thrifty. Most teachers are reported to have spent over $1000 of their own money every year to supplement classroom needs and projects.

Across Louisiana, parents become makeshift teachers
(Source: CNN.com, 10/06/05)
Hurricane Katrina is not done changing the lives of Louisiana’s citizens. With many schools still in multiple stages of reconstruction, parents across Louisiana are taking responsibility for the children’s education until schools are up and running again.