Education News: March 31, 2006

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending March 31, 2006.

Summit seeks to improve US math education
(Source: : The Philadelphia Inquirer , 03/31/06) An event organized by the Math Science Partnership of Greater Philadelphia studied high-performing schools from around the world to find teaching techniques to implement to increase student achievement. Among the top choices were interdisciplinary teaching of long term projects that will foster scientific innovation and incorporating scientists from local companies to work alongside science teachers.

“No Child” pressure will unite principals in San Antonio this weekend
(Source: The San Antonio Express Daily , 03/31/06) The National Association of Elementary School Principals conference is being held in San Antonio over the March 31 weekend. The goal of the conference is to learn new skills and ideals to increase student performance in the era of high accountability assessments. They are also holding advocacy sessions to form a strategy of how to reform No Child Left Behind for the Act’s reauthorization next year. The organization agrees with the principles of the Act but not the implementation.

Online courses aren’t just for homeschoolers anymore
(Source: The Christian Science Monitor, 03/30/06) K-12 schools around the country are allowing student to take online courses for free. This initiative helps small schools that cannot afford a high selection of elective courses. Online classes also foster the growth of computer literacy. Michigan’s Governor reiterated these benefits in order to pass legislation making one online course mandatory for high school graduation.

Schools focus on walkout as a teachable moment
(Source: LA Times , 03/29/06) Educators across California, Arizona, and Texas are using the student-led walkouts protesting a proposed immigration law as a teaching moment. Elevated levels of student interest in the subject have allowed teachers to lead thought-provoking analysis while incorporating lessons of history, democracy, and economics. Some schools have reacted by holding assemblies that give students a forum for voicing their concerns or distributing informational kits to teachers.

Schools cut back subjects to push reading and math
(Source: The New York Times , 03/26/06) ) A study conducted by the Center on Education Policy found that 71% of schools nationwide are narrowing their curriculum to increase instructional time on math and reading. One middle school forces its low-performing students to only take reading, math and gym. This issue is dividing academics; some question how else will children learn to read, while others fear that students will become bored and frustrated with school and will eventually drop out at higher rates.