Education News: February 24, 2006

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending February 24, 2006.

Born together, raised together, so why not in classroom, too?
(Source: The New York Times, 02/24/06) Citing that the separation of multiple birth children into different classes is based on outdated research, parents are requesting to decide themselves if their children should be divided. Parents feel they know their children better, and thus understand what is best for them. They are also backed by research showing that multiple births students adjust better with their siblings closer to them. Educators, however, agree with older research that states multiple birth siblings cling too much to each other, interrupt the social cliques of the classroom, and do not learn independence. Only Minnesota and Illinois currently allows parents the right to choose.

Anti-dropout bill graduates from statehouse
(Source: The Indianapolis Star, 02/23/06) A predicted 72% graduation rate from Indiana high schools galvanized the state to pass the most aggressive anti-dropout plan in the nation. The law requires schools to counsel potential dropouts, publish attendance records in a local newspaper, and limits the reasons why students under 18 can drop out of school.

Eye scans: A high tech hall pass?
(Source: USA Today , 02/23/06) Due to a $370,000 U.S. Justice Department grant, a small-town elementary school has received an eye-scanning machine for parents, faculty, and staff to enter the building. The eye scan, which is more accurate then fingerprints, has not been installed solely for security concerns but as a study looking at the reaction to incorporating the technology into a school. So far the reaction has been mixed—the secretarial staff have embraced it; while only 20 percent of parents have agreed to be scanned.

School separates girls, boys
(Source: The (Raleigh) News & Observer, 02/22/06) A teacher-created initiative in North Carolina’s MacDougal Middle School separates boys and girls for core classes. The plan still allows for students to be mixed during lunch and electives. The National Organization of Women is wary of the idea, claiming that there is no gender-specific way to teach. Educators at MacDougal will not have concrete results until the end of the school year, but say that the students seem to be focused on school instead of socializing.

Gifted labels take ‘vacation’ in diversity quest
(Source: The Washington Post, 02/22/06) Maryland’s Montgomery County is attempting to broaden the ethnic diversity of students in honor and accelerated classes by ending the “gifted and talented” label.  They are embarking upon a new system that labels levels instead of the student, placing more focus on student achievement at all levels.

Wisdom, knowledge of elders stream into area classrooms
(Source: The Washington Post, 02/21/06)  Senior citizens, such as a former NASA engineer and a Foreign Service officer, are bussed in once a week from a retirement community to help the students with reading, English language skills, or to simply be a role model.  According to a study of the program conducted by John Hopkins University, the interaction works great for the students, increasing their reading levels while benefiting the seniors by increasing their memory and social circles.   

School nurses are not luxuries
(Source: The Orlando Sentinel, 02/20/06) The uprising of chronic youth illnesses such as asthma and diabetes and the mainstreaming of students with disabilities cause the current school clinic aide to be outdated, according to Florida’s Osceola County. The County is replacing all of their aides with full-time Licensed Practical Nurses. In announcing this decision, the county highlighted that the nurses are not sitting idly until a crisis emerges but are addressing the health of needy students and, in some cases, teaching health classes.

State may link pay to FCAT
(Source: The St. Petersburg Times, 02/11/06) ) In the hopes to attract and retain the best teachers, Florida state education officials created a plan to give 5% bonuses to top teachers.  The rankings are based on Florida’s standardized test scores and a formula based on improvement that will not penalize or give an advantage to teachers with high concentrations of struggling or stellar students.  The teachers union and the Florida Education Association are against the idea, saying it takes more focus off of students and forces teachers to teach to the test.