Our Apologies

Our Apologies

Dear readers-

Drew to some technical difficulties, we have not been able to post for several months. Hopefully we will be able to get back on track shortly. We know that  we missed the beginning of school and that some of our readers had disruptions caused by Hurricane Michael. For those readers who are  in college, I assume that you are either preparing for mid-terms or have just completed them. For all students and educators throughout the United States , I encourage you to get out and vote next week. Your vote counts!

Summer Educational Travels

My wife and I have been traveling a great deal this summer to visit museums long on our “bucket list” as well as museums that just pop-up during our travels. One thing that has been reassuring to us was the fact that we saw many families- parents taking their children on learning adventures. Washington DC was a busy and vibrant city. With many school trips over for the year, families and summer campers filled the museums. Many of Washington’s museums are free- The Smithsonian, The Library of Congress, National Portrait Gallery as well as the Capitol Building and the Supreme Court.

Our visits to other places found us the sole visitors and thus had “private tours’ of houses and museums. We discovered that not every museum is worth seeing and that others have high priced admissions. You have to do your homework. While you are researching, be sure to look for coupons on-line and other discounts. For example, The Aircraft Carrier Intrepid Museum in New York City is free for active military and veterans but you must bring identification. There are also substantial admission discounts at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, but again, ID is required. Another caveat- many museums throughout the US are closed on Monday’s, so plan accordingly.

For some students, the new school year begins in two weeks. For others, there is still a month of vacation remaining. Hopefully there is still time to learn about our history and culture. Visit a museum soon.

c. 2018 J. Margolis

Two States Pass Laws for Mental Health Education

The states of New York and Virginia have become the first two states to pass laws that will require mental health education in schools.

The legislation in New York states will mandate an update to current curriculum in elementary, middle and high schools.  The Virginia law will require that meal health education be integrated into the current health and phys. Ed curriculum for students I the 9^th and 10^th grades.

With the rapid increase in teen depression and suicide as well as the current opioid addiction crisis, it would seem timely (or overdue) that someone would take the initiative. According to a recent CNN article “ suicide is the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 24.

If your state has not established an initiate to deal with the epidemic, please contact school and government officials where you live and make the critical points that would help decision makers to at least establish a dialogue and to craft policies and legislation to deal with this crisis.

c. 2018 J. Margolis

Visit America’s Museums

Now that it is (just about) officially summer, many teachers and families will be headed for their summer vacations. While many will be seeking relaxation at the beach, the lake or in the mountains, families should take the time to visit the vast number of museums spread across America. Having just returned from 2000-mile driving trip through a number of Southern states, I would like to make a number of recommendations.

Tallahassee, Florida- The State Museum. Here is an opportunity to learn about the history of Florid dating back to the Spanish conquistadors and how Florida was and is a multicultural state.

Pensacola, Florida- National Naval Aviation Museum. This is probably one of the best museums I have ever visited. Acres of planes, blimps, helicopters and other memorabilia are there to explore. Sit in a cockpit. Opportunities to get into a flight simulator or see an Imax film are also available. This is also the home of the Blue Angels and visitors can attend practice flights several times a week. Admission to the museum as well as parking is free. (Navalaviationmuseum.org)

New Orleans, Louisiana- The National World War Two Museum is a must see. Originally built to honor D- Day, visitors to this museum can trace the progression of WW II I both the European and Pacific theatres. Artifacts and soldiers’ stories abound. Don’t miss the café for lunch. Be sure to see the Tom’s Hank’s narrated film “Beyond All Boundaries”(nationalww2museum.org)

Montgomery, Alabama- Two new museums in Montgomery this past spring.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is a somber tribute to those African- Americans who were the victims of lynching in the South. Note that this memorial is outdoors and it gets quite hot in the summer and sometimes rainy. Still find a way to see and learn abut tis tragic page in American history.

The other museum is the Legacy Museum- From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration is located in a warehouse that at one time housed slaves waiting to be auctioned.

The museum traces the African- American experience in the United States from Slavery to the civil rights movement to current issues of race in America.(eji.org)

During your travels if you come to state capitol be sure to stop in for a tour and learn how governments works!

Safe travels and have a great summer.

C.2018 J. Margolis

US News Annual Rankings Announced

U.S. News and World Report recently reported the results of its annual rankings of America’s high school. The magazine partners with the research firm RTI international to evaluate over 20,000 high schools. The criteria they utilize include Advanced Placement programs, International Baccalaureate program scores, performance on state standardized tests, graduation rates and low-income student performance. Massachusetts scored highest in college readiness and had the highest percentage of nationally ranked schools. The states of California and Maryland also scored well. As with all quantitative information, what do you do with it?

Some states can pat themselves on the back; other must face the fact that there is room for improvement. Several of the states where there have been recent teacher demonstrations are not on the top of the list. The US News survey also ranked the STEM and the best charter schools. For more information you can access the full report at www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools.

c.2018 J. Margolis

Teacher Appreciation Week

The week of May 7, 2018 has been designated Teacher Appreciation Week. It is traditionally the first full week in May and has been created to pay tribute to the work of teachers as an important cog in the fabric of American society. Teaching, after all, is the career that prepares students for all other careers. This year has been a very trying one for America’s teachers. In West Virginia, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma and elsewhere, teachers have been protesting for not only long overdue increase in salary, but for funds to be allocated to improve school building infrastructure and to purchase updated books and materials.

For teachers at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida, it had to deal with the aftermath of an unspeakable tragedy, a lone gunman opening fire with an automatic weapon on the defenseless student body.

While it might be nice to make a card or bring snacks to school to show appreciation, there are more significant things to do. Teachers often purchase needed supplies and pay for them out of their own pockets. Parents and students can purchase the supplies for the school.  Groups can initiate “Gofundme” campaigns for supplies, books, field trips and such. Parent and community groups can attend school board meetings and advocate on behalf of the teachers so that they have the supplies they need to be successful educators and work in an environment that is safe for all students, teachers and administrators.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

C.2018 J. Margolis

NAEP Scores Reveal Continued Shortcomings

The release of the 2017 national student performance data should not give educators or parents anything to cheer about. There was no performance level above 50% in any assessed category at and of the tested grade levels (4th, 8^th &12^th).

Here are a few examples of how US students performed.

Mathematics (Percentage of students at or above proficiency levels)

Grade 4- 40%

Grade 8 34%

Grade 12-25%

Science

Grade 4-38%

Grade 8-34%

Grade 12- 22%

Reading

Grade 4- 37%

Grade 8-36%

Grade 12- 37%

The numbers were even more abysmal for civics, US history and geography.

Some individual states, like Florida, did experience some increased at some grade levels in some of the specific content areas.

 This would not be the first warning to educators, parents, and government officials, that unless we as a nation do something to turn the tide of student performance, the US will continue to face a decline in areas a expertise on the world stage.

Charter school have not helped neither has giving every student a laptop made any significant difference.

The recent teacher demonstrations in several states have uncovered a truth; states have been shortchanging their students by cutting education costs and allowing facilities to decay and textbooks to become obsolete. The time has come for all like- minded concerned citizens to come together devise plans to shore up our education infrastructure.

For more specific information about the nation’s report card go to nationsreportcard.gov.

C.2018 J., Margolis