Education News: May 5, 2006

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending May 5, 2006.

Florida votes to make students declare a major
(Source: Boston Globe, 05/04/06) A measure, endorsed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush, requiring high school students to declare a major was approved by the state’s legislature. Gov. Bush cites that a major, which could range from a traditional college major to a vocational training, will make students more interested in school. The bill also requires high school students to complete four years of math and middle school students to receive career counseling.

California Committee OKs bill to add gays, lesbians to textbooks
(Source: The San Francisco Chronicle, 05/04/06) A controversial bill was passed in California that teaches students the contribution that gays have made to society. This bill most affects textbook manufactures who can no longer omit the contribution of gays. Since California has 12% of the nation’s textbooks sales the ripples of the bill could affect schools nationwide. Supporters of the bill liken the struggle of gays to other minority groups, such as women and ethnic minorities, who deserve to have their history recognized. Opponents state that sexuality should be left out of textbooks and discussed at home.

Schools wrestle with online parodies
(Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer, 05/03/06) With the advent of myspace.com and similar Internet sites, students nationwide have been using public forums to defame their teachers and school staff. Teachers said the constant inappropriate mockery is interfering with how they can do their job. Schools are grappling for a solution and appropriate punishment for the students. In many cases schools do not have the right to control a student’s action outside of the school ground thus they are left with little recourse. The most successful actions to remove the inflammatory comments involve parents and school officials working in conjunction.

No more naps in kindergarten
(Source: The Charlotte Observer, 05/01/06) Across the nation kindergarten classes are seeing the most changes in how they are run within the last 10 years. Due to growing academic pressure in higher grade levels many kindergarten classes are working more and playing less. Some educators fear that students are being pushed too early into academic life, which may turn them away from wanting to learn. Experts also fear the students are not getting enough sleep because young children need 11 hours of sleep that they may not receive at home. Other educators disagree, stating that the growth of preschools has prepared students for a more rigorous kindergarten day.

New Jersey aid to needy schools hit backlash
(Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, 05/01/06) Suburban communities are advocating ending the aid that they give to poorer school districts. In the landmark 1980 Abbott cases the state Supreme Court decreed that tax money from more affluent districts could be used on poorer schools. Rising property taxes has reignited affluent districts’ questions as to how the schools should be funded. In response, New Jersey’s Governor