Chinese Come to the US for Better Education

A news article appeared in the Wall Street Journal recently about the growing number of Chinese millionaires who are moving out of China and into Europe and to the United States. When citing reasons for leaving, one businessman said that in addition to protecting his hard earned assets, he wanted a better education for his children. Another individual when interviewed noted that he wanted  his son to “learn to speak English and to think more freely.”(Wall Street Journal February 22, 2012, page 1).

What is noteworthy about all of this is that their desire to immigrate to the US and have their children educated here come at a time when our education system is in turmoil. Consider these points.

·         Because of the economy, many states have had to cut back on education spending, laying off hundreds of teachers, ordering fewer new and up to date textbooks and computers and taking fewer or no field trips.

·         The Obama administration is now allowing states to opt out of No Child Left Behind Law, basically admitting that the law has been a failure and that students will not be able to meet the proficiency levels that were mandated to be accomplished by 2014. To date 10 states have already opted out of the law’s provisions with other states lining up to follow suit.

·         A number of states, Wisconsin in particular, have sought to wage war against teachers and other public employees by gutting collective bargaining and tenure laws. It should be noted that there is an upcoming recall election for the governor Wisconsin largely because of this issue.

The number of Chinese students who have come to the US to attend American colleges and universities has been growing consistently over the years and now even our beleaguered public education system appears to be looking good to them.

A number of years ago, award winning author and historian David McCullough observed that if all of the borders between all nations were open and people were free to go wherever they pleased, most would choose to come to the United States even with all of its shortcomings.

Lest we let all of this go to our heads, American public education is far from perfect and is in dire need of renovation on multiple levels, from curriculum to technology to teacher preparation. Of great importance is that fact that we cannot afford to politicize public education in this country. The education of our children and grandchildren is the bedrock upon which the future of America as a nation will be based.  Fail them and we fail ourselves as well as future generations of Americans.

Get Ready for Read Across America

"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child."

Recently, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow got together with a group of children from the Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles. He was participating in “America’s Greatest Storytime” where he read the Dr. Seuss classic, “Green Eggs and Ham” to the youngsters. The reading was broadcast over the Internet as part of the BOOK IT ! reading program sponsored by Pizza Hut.

In Naples, Florida, former governor Jeb Bush and his mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush hosted a literacy/ fundraising conference focusing on the importance of reading. These events and numerous others, lead up to March 2, 2012 which will mark the 16^th annual Read Across America Day. The program is sponsored and supported by the National Education Association (NEA) and commemorates the birthday of Dr. Seuss . Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers will participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books.

This is an ideal teachable moment for classroom teachers as well as parents. There are numerous web sites  just brimming with ideas and links for student activities. One such site that I highly recommend is First Book. If you teach in a community where at least 70 percent of the children in your program come from low-income families, they can help. Access this site at http://www.firstbook.org/

First Book’s available resources can

• Elevate the quality of literacy programs.
• Register Now Enrich the learning experience for children in need.
• Enable teachers to create new curricula.
• Impart a love of reading to children.

If your School is eligible for participation they will receive:

• First Book Marketplace offering new books at 50 to 90 percent off retail prices
• First Book National Book Bank offering free books (pay only for shipping typically at 35 cents a book)
• Book grants through First Book’s local Advisory Boards

Another wonderful source is Read, Write, Think sponsored by the International Reading Association. Here you will find lesson plans, student activities as well as printable worksheets. Go to  http://www.readwritethink.org/

As always your input and comments are welcome. Please  let us know if you  have had success with some  you own projects.

Hunting for Book Treasures

The other day I was in a consignment shop strolling down the aisles, browsing at knick knacks that other folks have cast away.  However I am always drawn to the book section.  I enjoy looking at what authors are prevalent and what types of books people are willing to part with.  Sometimes you can find a bargain, but most often I find out of date atlases and travel books as well as well read paperbacks by John Grisham and the like. Over the years I have come across items that are valuable to me but not necessarily valuable. One of my favorite finds was a copy of my second grade reading book, a part of the Scott Foresman” Dick and Jane” series. I have shared it with the reading certification program class at a state university as an example of how students used to be taught how to read. Other finds include part of a series of the works of Mark Twain (incidentally, my favorite American author), and a two volume set about the history of the White House.

I encourage teachers to visit used books stores, yard sales, flea markets, and library sales to search for low cost treasures that can be useful in the classroom. You may find workbooks, reference books, picture books and even old magazines that can be cut up and used for scrapbooks, posters and such.

A number of years ago, I rescued a set of middle school mathematics books from a school dumpster and found a school in another state who desperately needed them. I paid for the shipping and was pleased to know that the books had a second life.

Take the opportunity to be creative and resourceful. You never know what positive and long reaching impact you will have on your students. And it just might from something that you picked up at a yard sale that ignites the spark of curiosity in your students. Happy hunting!

Combating Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)  childhood obesity in the United States has tripled during the past m30 years.  The percentage of children aged 6-11 in the US who are obese increased from 7% in 1980 to almost 20% in 2008 (statistics from CDC). Obesity is defined as having excess body fat and is usually caused by a caloric imbalance.

The resulting effects of juvenile obesity are staggering. Children who are overweight have an increased risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and bone and joint problems. Obesity can also lead to social and psychological problems as well.

What is it that teachers can do to encourage student to eat well and exercise and choose a healthy lifestyle ? There are numerous opportunities for lessons to help students get the message. The program Let’s Move is supported by First Lady Michelle Obama and is designed to promote physical activity for children. The web site provides tips on nutrition as well as physical activity and exercise.  You can find the site at http://www.letsmove.gov/. Currently there is White House Task Force investigating childhood obesity in this country.

The National Football League launched a program in 2007 called “Play 60.” It encourages students to engage in 60 minutes of play (physical activity) every day. More information about Play 60 can be obtained from their web site http://www.nfl.com/play60. There are separate links for adults and children. Activities include games contest and videos.  The NFL has invested over $200 million into the program to date.

As a result of a Jim Lehrer special PBS, there is a web site with 15 weeks of specific lesson plans to assist teachers in providing students with information  for making healthy lifestyle choices. Funding for this project  came in part from the Met Life Foundation.  Access this site at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/health/fitness/fitforlife.html

Many colleges and universities that have health and exercise science programs or family and consumer science programs can provide teachers with a wealth of information about healthy diet and physical exercise. As an example  here is a site from Purdue University. http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/CFS/CFS-736-W.pdf  

Let’s strive to make 2012 a healthy year for all of us- students and teachers.

As always your comments and suggestions are welcome.

School Banking Makes Sense

School banking.

 When I grew up in Philadelphia in the 1950’s, The Philadelphia Savings Fund Society or PSFS had a school banking program. Once a week a representative from the bank would come to our school to collect deposits and record them in our savings passbook. PSFS started the program back in 1923 and was the first banking institution in the US to do so.  The goal was multi-fold.  On one hand, the bank tried to teach students about thrift and the importance of savings. They would learn how savings could grow with the addition of interest added on at the end of the year. On another level the bank was cultivating future customers who would ultimately open Christmas Club accounts, apply for mortgages for their first homes and become life-long customers.

 Philadelphia was not the only area to encourage student savings by opening a school bank program .The state of Louisiana has a state wide school banking program sponsored by the Louisiana Bankers Association. Along with the about for students to make weekly deposits and see their money grow, there is a 100 page teachers guide that is useful in teaching elementary students about money. The curriculum has be accessed and downloaded at http://www.lba.org/files/bank%20at%20school1.pdf.

In 1992 the state of Delaware established a bank at school program. The original program was started in conjunction with the Delaware Trust Company and the state had to give permission to operate the“branches” in schools. *(see http://www.bankatschool.com/index.html).

Recently in Naples, Florida, The Suncoast Credit Union began operating in area schools. Students act as “tellers” and accept deposits from fellow students.

In Massachusetts, the State Treasurer initiated a program entitled “Savings Makes Sense.” It was designed as a way to teach school students about money, credit, banking, taxes and investments. The participating bank is Country Bank for Savings in Ware, Mass. They even have a mascot- Buck the Dog- who encourages students to put money in their passbook savings accounts.  For more information about this innovative program, go to http://www.countrybankforkids.com/teachers.htm.

In Virginia, the Bank of Lancaster sent every student in the middle school a one dollar bill and encouraged them to open a school savings account. One dollar is the minimum required to open an account. Students were then invited to apply for “jobs” as tellers and branch managers. The school bank is open one day a week and parents volunteer to help accept deposits. This program was established in conjunction with the Virginia Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association. Please see http://www.bankoflancaster.com/school-banking-programs.

Please note that all banks mentioned are FDIC insured.

Starting a school bank in your school is a great way to get students to participate in the learning about finance and economics. Hopefully, it will instill the importance of thrift and savings and lower the risk of having an economic meltdown like the one we are presently trying to steer out of.

The personal savings rate in the US was recently pegged at 4.9%, the lowest since October 2008. It has been higher as well as lower in recent years. The current decline has been caused by the Recession. People who are out of work can’t save money. The other problem is spending. Apparently Americans overspent during the holidays creating a further depression of the savings rate.

As you might see, establishing a school bank is timely in several respects. If your school doesn’t have one, you can be the catalyst to start one!

Book Review- Teacher Man

Teacher Man by Frank McCourt.

“Professors of education at New York University never lectured on how to handle flaying-sandwich situations. They talked about the theories and philosophies of education, about moral and ethical imperatives…” so observed Frank McCourt, teacher and Pulitzer Prize winning author, who taught at Stuyvesant High School and the McKee Vocational and Technical High School in New York and was named teacher of the year in 1976. McCourt grew up in Ireland and links his teaching style and academic wherewithal to his childhood (See Angela’s Ashes  and Tis also by McCourt) .McCourt died in July, 2009 in New York.

By now as we approach half way point in the school year you have realized that a great deal of the theoretical knowledge you learned in college is not very useful in the classroom. High school students are so preoccupied with being teen agers that getting an education lacks importance and timeliness. Your education professors probably did not dwell on issues such as breaking up fights, dealing with teen romances, homeless students, complaints about home work and the like.

With both wit and wisdom, McCourt weaves an autobiographical tale of his triumphs and setbacks that comes along with 30 years of teaching.  If you are in need of some diversions as you work your way through the winter doldrums or need to take a break from grading mid-term exams, Teacher Man is a most hilarious escape.

Every day in the classroom is an adventure, often filled with unexpected surprises.  Although you may have the most detailed and exemplary lesson plans ever written, there some events that you can’t plan for- a fire drill, snow storm, a student unexpectedly moving to another city, a family tragedy.

Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt (c.2005. Scribner Publishers) is available in paperback from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble,  as well as other booksellers

No CHild Left Behind's Tenth Anniversary

Happy Birthday NCLB

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the No Child Left Behind law. It was the cornerstone of President George Bush’s education platform.  It was supposed to increase teacher accountability in the classroom. It was also supposed to raise the level of achievement for America’s public school children. It was supposed to help America “Catch up” with the education systems in other western nations after falling behind for many years. So if NCLB was supposed to be the greatest educational development since the McGuffey Reader, how come there are so many people against it? How come Congress has been reluctant to reauthorize the law?

The No Child Left Behind Law was modeled after a simpler program introduced in Texas when George Bush was governor.

One of the positive platforms to come out of the law was the notion of “highly qualified” teachers. This meant that all teachers had to prove proficiency in the subject that they taught. This required that a teacher complete an appropriate amount of course work in a specific subject area (like mathematics or English), and pass a standardized written examination ( in New Jersey, for example, the approved examination is the Praxis Series).

One of the controversial parts of the law dealt with adequate yearly progress and student performance on standardized test. Essentially this meant that a school’s grade relied on how the students performed on one written test. There are way too many variables to place so much weight on one day of testing out of an entire academic year. Both teachers and students were concerned about factors beyond their control that were impacting the education process.

In an era where there is a public clamor for less government intrusion, there is great deal of discussion as to whether the bill should be reauthorized. Under the 10^th Amendment to the Constitution, anything not specifically delegated to the federal government becomes the purview of the states. So it has been that state government controlled public education in their states- setting standards for both students as well as teachers.

In 2011 President Barak Obama authorized states that they could seek waivers around certain proficiency requirements in exchange for changes favored by the administration.

We truly don’t know where this will all end. It is a sensitive political issue, especially in an election year. Every candidate desires to be the “Education President.”

As always, your comments and input are welcome.