Posts by Member
More Minority Teachers to Reduce Achievement Gaps
Like any other career path, diversity, or lack of, in the school workplace can have long-reaching effects on the stability and success of the institution. The obvious achievement gaps for ethnic minor
A Guide for Parents to School our Kids at Home-Part IX-Gearing back up for school
The time has come that most kids across the country have dreaded and parents have anticipated with baited breath. School will begin for the 2010-2011 school year across the US and that means that the
Black Male Graduation Rates – Still Behind the Eight Ball
Recent reports show that there is still a significant achievement gap between white and black males in Illinois. Throughout the state, there is a 36% differential between the graduation rates of white
Fundraising in the Web-Age – Know Where to Find the Answer to School Budget Woes
We all want our kids to have a well-rounded school experience, to reap the academic benefits, but also those experiences that build memories and character. However, after-school programs, music classe
Promise Neighborhoods Build Hope for Chicago School Systems
According to Catalyst Chicago, “Chicago communities and social service agencies are making a pitch for part of $10 million in federal planning grants for Promise Neighborhoods, the Obama Administratio
The Truth Behind Test Scores
Have students finally turned the corner and improved performance in key subjects like reading and math? It would have seemed so, at least according to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, only last
College Preparation: Increasing the Odds Your Child Will Graduate with BA
The slow-moving economic downturn has affected nearly everyone, but a group hit especially hard is students from low- and moderate-income families. The Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assista
Read a Book, Any Book
Should teachers assign books on the celebrity of the moment for summer reading? They may want to consider it! A study conducted at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville determined that two factor
An Organization You Should Know:
In 1997, General Colin Powell founded America’s Promise Alliance as a cross-sector partnership of corporations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups that are passionate about impr
Race to the Top Notes 19 Finalists in Round Two
As the second round of the Race to the Top education grant race continues, eighteen states that exhibited excellence in the Great Teachers and Leaders section of the contest by addressing teacher qual
Include Students in Education Reform
A recent post in the Democratic and Chronicle website makes a great point. With all the banter and discussion between educators, administrators, parents and politicians happening over the topic of edu
Teachers Stand up in Protest of the President’s Education Policy
uring a recent meeting of the National Education Association in New Orleans, NEA President Dennis Van Roekel stated, “In states like Louisiana, Colorado and Florida, policymakers disrespect educators
Teaching Layoffs Continue to Present Effects
Although some cities, including Chicago, have found a way around the potential increased class sizes due to smaller teaching staffs, the problem is affecting enough public schools across the nation to
The Long-Term Effects of Poor Education Standards are Now
The “long-term effects” of low education standards are often discussed in the future tense, howver, the reality is that a combination of those poor standards has culminated into a potential decrease o
NLC Action Can Spur Local Initiatives
According to the National League of Cities, the recent Youth, Education and Families Council (YEF) was hosted in Saint Paul, Minnesota to discuss future goals of the NLC’s Institute for YEF and the ex
Chicago Schools Targeted for Turnaround
The Catalyst reports that Chicago schools are not outside the trend of “turnarounds” in US schools as countless districts scramble to take advantage of additional funds available to the bottom 5% of s
What is your Child’s Education Situation?
The statistics are out there showing the “real” state of education in the US, high dropout rates, declining graduation rates, a growing inability to compete globally under the recent education standar
Aim at Private and Corporate Secondary-Level Education
According to University Word News, the discussion both for and against the for-profit college sector reform funding continues to heat up. The hub of the current argument stems around the latest regula
“Why School? Reclaiming Education for All of Us”
In a recent review of the book, “Why School? Reclaiming Education for All of Us”, Literacynews.com discusses the compilation of essays that explore, discuss and debate the real value of education in t
Calculators in Elementary School Classrooms – Tool or Deficit? A Rant…
The basics of Math instruction in school have left a lot to be desired in recent years, and that includes primary school children using calculators for simple Math problems. Schools have often arg
Introducing: Teach America’s Children
Taking our goals of education reform to the next level, the Providence Effect would like to introduce our next initiative, Teach America’s Children. We are excited to put into play a hands-on and
New Evaluations for Chicago’s Teachers
The results are in for the 2008-2009 school year new teacher evaluation system, and the responses are mixed. According to Education Week, strict study of the teacher evaluation results has raised
A Guide for Parents to School our Kids at Home – Part VIII – Summer Schooling Tips
School’s out, or soon will be, for our kids. Kids attention spans are waning as the last days of school are passing and summer lay before them with promise of friends and long, lazy days. Parents are
It’s Time for Action! Join the SOS! Million Teacher March
In the wake of our teaching crisis due to the sweeping education budget cuts across the US, teachers led by Coordinator Chris Janotta sosmtm2010@gmail.com along with Co-Coordinator Laurie Murphy murph
It’s a Point of Principal: Upping the Standards in Illinois Schools
Catalyst reports that Illinois has joined the other 34 states competing in the Race to the Top for the $3.4 billion in government funds for their school system. Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a bi