Senate Majority Leader Seeks Passage Of Child Nutrition Bill Before Recess

By: Deborah Cahill

Mike Lillis wrote in a blog for The Hill (7/28), “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) said this week that Democrats are hoping to pass a child nutrition bill before lawmakers leave town for the August recess. The $4.5 billion proposal, sponsored by Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), would expand eligibility for school meal programs; establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools; and provide a 6-cent increase for each school lunch to help cafeterias serve healthier meals.”

As a secondary educator for over 25 years,  I can say unequivocally that the amount of overweight teens is appalling.  This is actually the first generation whose life expectancy is less than their parents!  The main reason for this is that there is a virtual plethora of unhealthy “fast foods” and so generation by generation we become more and more unhealthy.  The school cafeteria is a joke if you are looking for healthy, appealing choices.  One month of eating school lunches and I personally gained 10 lbs from all of the starches and other unhealthy choices.  That was enough for me.  I now stay away from most cafeteria food and substitute with fruits, salads and anything which is pasta or starches.  Schools are just now starting to take soda out of their vending machines and substitute with juices, water and other healthy choices.  We are seeing a rise of juvenile diabetes and other life threatening diseases.  Maybe this bill will finally begin to support the health of our youth.  Think about it;  if this can make a difference then not only will our children become healthier and live longer, but we will enjoy lower health insurance bills as well as medical bills.  Of course, this works best by example, and so we all need to change or at least improve what we buy and have in our homes, as well as limiting our childrens’ intake of fast food, junk food and anything in general which could contribute to childhood obesity or poor health.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Deborah Cahill

Here’s another installment in the ‘Race to the Top’ feud.  Some states, including California, are being punished by withholding much needed funds because we do not buy into this much flawed program.  When are they going to realize that this is not an answer to the nation’s educational crisis.  The following articles actually came from AOL and I thought they were worth sharing.  Even if you have your child in private school, the plight of public schools is the plight of all us who live here.  As goes your school system, so goes your area real estate.

“The U.S. Dept. of Education “Race to the Top” program aims to improve public education by targeting four specific areas and thereby advancing reform. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is the mastermind behind this incentive program that rewards states that implement certain education measures and standards (usually standardized test scores in math and English), and punishes states that refuse to adhere to these reform measures.

Duncan is in charge of allocating $4.3 billion in education funds. States must participate in the “Race to the Top” competition if they want some of that money. For example, Tennessee and Delaware both agreed to be held to the testing standards outlined by the program, so they were awarded federal funds to help improve their public school systems. States that decline to be part of the program will not see any federal dollars for education.”

Fighting back

“On April 6, BAMN held a press conference on the “Mobilization Against ‘Race to the Top” at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. The press conference was attended by local educators and activists, as well as representatives from several of the contingents who plan to attend the April 10th March on Washington to Defend Public Education from California, Michigan, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania.

These five states share a serious crisis in their public school systems. Plagued by financial concerns, these states are leaders in teacher firings, the growth of charter schools, and the use of standardized test scores as the only measuring stick of a student’s potential. Stern says: “It is going to be the welfare zone of education. It will just be condemning; education used to be the great leveler, and now with privatization, the competition pits everyone against each other and destroys communities.”

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Deborah Cahill

If you have not yet heard of them, or better yet seen them, VAUD AND THE VILLIANS put on the best show in town!  They are what I like to call “Dixie Land with a twist!”  They play everything from Blue, swing to Beatles in their very own style.  Now an 18 piece band, I guarantee they put on one of the most extraordinary shows you will ever experience.   See them now while you can in a smaller and more intimate venue.  Before the night is over you lwill be on your feet and clapping!  They play every other weekend locally at FAIS DO DO in Culver City.  Tickets only $20.  Now that’s a bargain you just can’t beat.  Here’s a video from an earlier performance when they were still an 18 piece band without their now established banjo player!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MhtGUZ4llI[/youtube]

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Deborah Cahill

One possible bad “side-effect” might be that schools in school improvement might loose talented students who could potentially help the school get out of SI by raising the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress).  With these students opting to get out early rather than stay in school, the school will no longer have these students scores.  It could be a great program and highly motivating, especially for those students who really don’t enjoy high school life.  It is too early in the program to tell how it will affect schools both positively or negatively.  California is one of the states that is testing this program. If your school is offering this, please consider carefully and get all the facts.  Not the least to consider is if your child is ready to leave high school early and take on college life (including other college students!).

Pilot Program To Encourage Students To Take More Difficult Courses.

Following a New York Times report on eight states that were chosen “to pilot test a rigorous new system, including board examinations,” Westport (CT) Now (2/18, Frahm) reports on Connecticut’s participation in the program, beginning in 2011. “Under the proposed system, students who volunteer to take the exam and pass it at the end of 10th grade would be eligible to enroll at any open admissions two-year or four-year college in their state.” These students “also could choose to remain in school and take an advanced upper division program preparing them for admission to selective colleges.” Marc Tucker, president of the National Center on Education and the Economy, said the program “is designed to encourage students to take tougher courses and work harder in order to be ready for college or the workforce.” The article notes, “The board exams and curriculum will be aligned with a series of new voluntary national standards.”

Experts Debate Benefits, Risks Of Fast-Track Approach. The editors of the New York Times (2/19) “Room For Debate” blog note yesterday’s story about the early college program, noting that “the fast-track approach, which is focused on ‘at risk’ students, is already in place at 71 North Carolina high schools, and is spreading in New York, California and Texas.” The editors ask, “What are the benefits of the fast-track approach recommended by the National Center on Education and the Economy? What are the problems and risks?” The blog carries the written arguments of eight experts.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

As an educator I always tell my students, what I am doing is giving you life skills so that you will know how to handle any situation in any occupation or situation in which you find yourself.  When I teach literature I very often have my students work cooperatively so that they learn how to work as a team and know the importance of contributing to the whole group by doing their specific job.  Leaders always emerge, and differences of opinion arise.  They are forced to use critical thinking skills.  This is good.  For all high school students, and specifically as a standard seniors must pass, they must do a series of oral presentations.  There is a funny thing about oral presentations: one of the top phobias is to speak in front of a group and, in fact, it is said that many people fear it more than death!  No one would leave my class without having some level of mastery in presentations.  I am in total agreement with Jay Matthews (see below) and I also believe this is where testing should be geared, toward essential life skills. Students are much more motivated to learn if they can see how it relates to their lives!

Teachers Discuss Importance Of “Essential Life Skills,” And How To Teach Them.

In an article for the Washington Post (2/18), Jay Mathews writes about “eight essential life skills” that students should learn in school, accompanied by “expert opinion on their importance and how to teach them.” Among these skills are organization, teamwork, exercise, arguing, critical thinking and presentation. In regards to the last skill Mathews writes, “As adults we often learn the hard way how important it is to be prepared, maintain eye contact and dress appropriately for the situation. It is better to learn this in school than while shaking in fear two minutes before our first job interview.”

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Deborah Cahill

Report: California Students Among The Most Successful On AP Tests.

The Los Angeles Times (2/11, Cruz) reported that California “boasts one of the nation’s highest percentages of public school students passing AP tests, but educators are concerned about a dramatic slowdown in the rate of students taking those college-level courses, according to an annual report released Wednesday.” The number of high school students taking AP exams nationally “almost doubled from 2001 to 2009, but course enrollments are slowing, particularly in California, said Trevor Packer, vice president of the College Board, which administers the tests and released the report.” In the last decade, California “saw 8 percent average growth in AP course enrollment each year,” but in the 2008-2009 school year, that growth “slowed by almost half.”

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

JUNK FOOD BEGONE!

By: Deborah Cahill

As an educator in various parts of the country, and most recently California, I am amazed at what the students eat for “lunch.”  Often times they will not even buy a lunch but instead have chips and other “junk food” as their meals.  The number of overweight and even obese students is disconcerting to say the least.  As adults we know that one is more likely to gain weight as we grow older.  If that is the case, then what lies ahead for these young people?  That is why this generation is the first in many to actually have a shorter life expectancy than their parents!  I absolutely support cutting out junk food and not having it available on school campuses.  An effort needs to be made to deter at the source so much which contributes to health issues.  This alone will not do the trick, of course, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

Leading the News

Obama Administration Launches Campaign To Remove Junk Food From Schools.

The AP (2/8, Jackson) reported that the Obama administration “will ask Congress to improve childhood nutrition by ridding school vending machines of sugary snacks and drinks and giving school lunch and breakfast to more kids. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the administration will seek changes when Congress overhauls the Childhood Nutrition Act.” In a speech planned for delivery on Monday but cancelled due to snow, Vilsack “outlined changes that include a push to jettison cookies, cakes, pastries and salty food from school vending machines and cafeteria lines.”

The St. Petersburg Times (2/9, Marshall) reports that a proposed federal bill “is said to include $1 billion in extra money to pay for more of the fruits, vegetables and whole grains that make teenagers cringe. But Republican support is far from certain, and the American Beverage Association told the New York Times it did not support a federal ban” on junk food in schools.

Op-Ed: Obesity Seen As National Security Threat. Retired U.S. Army General Johnnie E. Wilson writes in an op-ed for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (2/9) that child obesity “has become so serious in this country that military leaders are viewing the epidemic as a potential threat to our national security.” Wilson adds, “Today, retired admirals and generals are calling on Congress to support at least $1 billion per year in new funding that will help to improve nutrition standards for meals served in school, after school and in child care settings. We are also seeking improved nutrition standards for all competitive foods and beverages sold on school grounds.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Deborah Cahill

I agree with Professor Daniel Willingham (see below) that there are no good tools to measure teachers.  If you base a teacher’s success strictly on student test scores, you have done a gross injustice to teachers and students alike.  This throws us right back to teaching to the test and sacrificing core curriculum and content which are so enriching, interesting and necessary.  Having to limit our content means our students are missing valuable material and are even less prepared if they are attending college.  Even more unconscionable is withholding funds from those states who disagree with this practice of  evaluating teachers based on test scores.  If the federal government and President Obama want educators to be held more strictly accountable then they must come up with a fair and effective way to measure teachers’ performances and stop black mailing states if they do not go along with this practice.

Law & Policy

Op-Ed: School Accountability Push Will Fail Without Proper Metrics

University of Virginia Psychology Professor Daniel Willingham writes in an op-ed in the Boston Globe (2/4), “In an effort to improve public schools, President Obama wants to hold individual teachers accountable for student test scores; indeed, states that prohibit the practice are ineligible for the ‘Race to the Top’ funds.” However, “we do not have good tools to measure teachers, and when you hold people accountable with poor measures, things…get worse. The reason is simple: Accountability changes workers’ focus from ‘do a good job’ to ‘do a job that looks good according to the measure.’”

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

This study ties play time to success in the classroom.  This makes perfect sense.  Even as adults with longer so called “attention spans,” when we are attending lectures or involved in classroom studies, how long does it take before we get “figidty” and want a break!  Children need to be alert and fresh.  Sometimes it is even appropriate to get the class up (whether they are elementary or college!) and have them do stretches or some other physical activity to re-focus their attention.  I don’t think we really need a study to tell us this, unless they are making a case for putting recess back in schools as the favorite class of the day!

Leading the News

Most Elementary School Principals Say Recess Positively Impacts Achievement, Poll Shows.

The Christian Science Monitor (2/4, Paulson) reported that a new Gallup survey shows “more than 80 percent of elementary-school principals believe that recess has a positive impact on academic achievement.” Also, according to “two-thirds of the principals” polled, “students listen better and are more focused in class” after recess. “The findings support a growing wave of educators who are pushing to restore the place of recess in schools and, in some cases, to improve its quality.” Schools in some cities such as “Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston…have dropped recess completely,” amid budget cuts and an increasingly intense focus on test preparation.

Nancy Shute wrote in the US News and World Report (2/4) On Parenting blog, “Recess has almost disappeared from the curriculum at many schools, edged out by more math and reading work as schools push to raise scores on standardized tests.” But more and more research “shows that adding more play to the day, not less, improves the likelihood of better test scores and behavior.” However, Shute adds, “The news wasn’t all good. The principals said most of their discipline problems happened during a recess or lunch break and said that they would like to have more staff to monitor the playground, better equipment, and training in playground management.”

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Yet another follow up on NCLB, this time addressing AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) requirements for all schools.  I think there needs to be some middle ground between was has been expected and what the new expectations are to be.  Without doubt the perimeters the Bush Administration set up for “No Child Left Behind” has not worked and has only served to punish schools who have not made “the grade” but have clearly shown progress, which in many cases has been quite substantial.  Totally eliminating the program, or suspending it indefinitely, may not be the answer either.

I think perhaps the Obama administration needs to get a wider range of educators, including teachers in “the trenches,” involved nationwide to give their input and expertise based on in the field working knowledge of the situation at hand.  I believe more control needs to be given locally to states and districts because they are in a much better position to access progress and set relevant and realistic goals.  California is one state that does have the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) which is a state exam that all students must pass in order to graduate.  Clearly more states needs to institute a similar program.

I am not saying that this will “fix” everything, nor I am saying that there is one solution to this problem.  Undeniably if the United States is going to remain a world force we need to step up the pace in education to make our youth viable contenders as the world leaders of tomorrow.  I am glad to see, at least, according to the article below, that this issue is starting to be more aggressively addressed.

Law & Policy

Obama Administration Seeking To Eliminate “Adequate Yearly Progress” Benchmark.

The Washington Post (2/2, Anderson, 684K) reports, “As legions of schools nationwide fall short of academic targets, the Obama administration proposed Monday to toss out” the NCLB Adequate Yearly Progress “pass-fail measure that for 15 years has been the bedrock of the school accountability system and replace it with an index that would reward educators who prepare students for college and careers.” Duncan “credited” NCLB “for exposing achievement gaps but said it has focused too much on reading and math and unfairly labeled many schools.”

Globe Calls Backing Away From AYP Mandates A “Mistake.” The Boston Globe (2/3) editorializes that the Obama administration “is retreating from a deadline to bring every child in 98,000 public schools to academic proficiency by 2014. What was seen as an attainable goal in the Bush years is now a ‘utopian goal,’ according to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.” Yet, according to the Globe, “backing away from the goal that all students achieve proficiency on their state exams is a mistake in a field where nothing short of high-stakes testing grabs the attention of students, parents, teachers, and school administrators.”

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.