The Government's Role in Education

Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States was a strong proponent of making sure America became an educated country. Since democracy is advanced civics, it was important that the citizens of the new nation were enlightened individuals.  Yet any reference to the importance or method of education is conspicuously absent from the Constitution. The Tenth Amendment specifically states that, anything not the domain of the federal government falls under the jurisdiction of the individual states. Thus we have 50(51 including DC) state departments of education each with statewide curriculum requirements, teacher certification standards and high school graduation requirements. This also means that locally elected school boards play a critical role as to what goes on in America’s public schools.

At the federal level, the increasing role of government in education goes back to the 1950s. The National Defense Education Act was a knee jerk reaction to the Soviet launch of Sputnik, the first satellite in space. America realized that it was far behind in the “Space Race” and therefore appropriated funds to encourage college students to pursue careers in science and math.

President Lyndon Johnson was responsible for passing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). President Jimmy Carter created the Department of Education and the cabinet level position of Secretary of Education that went with it. President George W. Bush was responsible for the broad reaching and controversial No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and President Obama enacted the Race to the Top Program.

While there has been public resentment for these intrusions into education, it has not stopped interest groups from focusing on single issues when it comes to education in this country. These issues have included:

School Prayer

Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in schools

Sex Education

Charter Schools

Inoculations

Textbook selections

More recently the issues have included teacher tenure, performance evaluations, and collective bargaining issues.

In short, education has become politicized with the adults doing battle without really addressing the needs of America’s children.  It is about four months until a very important Presidential election. It will remain to be seen whether education becomes a campaign issue. At the local level it already has, since a decline in property values has led to a decline in tax revenues used to fund public schools. As educators

Summer Reading

The other evening I was browsing in the local Barnes and Noble trying to escape the brutal heat wave that had gripped the Northeast. There was quite a crowd of parents and middle school students at the summer reading tables armed with lists provided by the local high schools. Many of the usual suspects were present-The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin, The Old Man and The Sea, Night, The Diary of Ann Frank, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and the requisite number of Shakespeare plays.

On a nearby shelf I noticed a series of books entitled “Flash Kids Books.” Since these were new to me I decided to investigate further. Flash Kids workbooks are are published by the Harcourt Company, a major publisher of educational material. This series of books provides study aids for school students and are a great way to reinforce school taught ideas throughout the summer. The books are coded by grade level and are primarily geared for elementary school students. There are separate books for mathematics, reading comprehension and even test preparation (since so many states have high stakes tests that are administered to students every year.)

According to the publisher, the Flash Kids program books are geared to current national teaching standards. The format of the books makes the learning (or reinforcement) fun for children. It is an effective stimulus for summer so that students will return to class in the fall without the usual loss of content knowledge that tends to occur during summer months.

 These workbooks may also be effective for classroom teachers to use during the first weeks of school to aid in re-introducing topics that were taught during the previous school year.

Another workbook series worth investigating is called Summer Skills (www.summerskills,com) this series includes workbooks in math, language arts, and even foreign languages- Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese. The series’ publisher recommends that students should spend 20 minutes a day, three days a week, for the summer to stay in shape for the fall. The Summer Skills  books sell for $20  each are only available from the publisher.

Make this a meaningful and productive summer for your students and your children!

Who Killed the Unions?

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s victory in a recall election last week has sent a strong message to labor unions, particularly public employee unions (i.e. - police, firefighters, and teachers) that the mood of America has changed resoundingly. No longer are union members perceived as the downtrodden who had been taken advantage of and abused for decades and needed some sort of legal protection. Collective bargaining laws were designed to be the great equalizer in negotiations with municipalities and state officials.

Public workers yielded the prospects for higher salaries and chances for advancement in exchange for health insurance, a defined benefit pension plan and job security. They chose steady dime over the seldom dollar economics because they felt that they selected a career where they could make a difference- to protect the citizenry and to educate the nation’s children.  But the recent economic downturn derailed that continuum.

Governors, including Walker, Chris Christie of New Jersey, and Ohio Governor John Kasich, in an effort to curry favor with conservatives,  began a frontal attack on unions, cutting benefits, tenure laws, and chastising the unions  for “ breaking the backs’ of state treasuries with their demands and pensions.

The unions are not without fault. In New Jersey for example, it has been next to impossible to fire a tenured teachers who has lost effectiveness. For the school district it was a lengthy and expensive process and many would rather forgo that street fight.  A number public employee unions formed PACs (Political Action Committee) to raise funds for and campaign for favored candidates.

But now the paradigm has shifted markedly to the right. In an effort to remain solvent, states are reneging on their promises to save money. Public safety and public education are two issues that should never be compromised by politicization.  But that is indeed the case. But the public ( i.e.the voters) don’t seem to understand that they can’t have it both ways. Why would someone want to become a teacher in this environment- not knowing if something that was promised to them on the day they started teaching would still be valid on the day they retired? The public can’t stand there and scratch their collective heads wondering why education in the US had dropped precipitously in the world rankings when because of the current hostile environment, the best and brightest college graduates shun teaching as a career option. The voters cannot complain about an increase in the crime rate or of people dying because an ambulance could not get there fast enough on the one hand and refusing to even negotiate with public employee unions on the other.

America has become mean spirited and its politicians have been invoking a double standard, demanding for example that Israelis and Palestinians negotiate a settlement to their differences while refusing to do so at home with their public employee unions. At some point compromise must be the order of the day.

NOTE TO READERS- We are going on hiatus for a week or two as we relocate for the summer. We hope to be blogging again soon.

Teachers- Are You Ready to Retire ?

Teachers and retirement

As we approach the end of another school year, I am sure that a number of you are contemplating retirement. Perhaps, this was the year that you felt you stayed too long. You came home every evening totally drained and having difficulty in devising creative new ways to reach your students.  Perhaps this was the year that you developed a nagging injury or recurring illness that made you less than effective in the classroom. Or finally you had that heart to heart discussion with your spouse and talked about all of those other things you want to do with your life. Whatever ever the reason, retirement is not something that you do on the spur of the moment as it must be carefully planned at least to the extent that you can plan for your future.  Here are ten useful suggestions to consider as you plan for such an important life cycle event.  Disclaimer- I am not a financial planner, investment advisor, tax strategist or any other type of financial consultant.

1)      Contact your state pension office. If you are fortunate enough to have taught in a state with a defined benefit pension, contact a pension counselor to determine your pension entitlement and what options you  may have( is your spouse or children eligible)

2)      Get an estimate of your social security benefits.  The Social Security administration sends you a statement of earnings every year just a few months from your birthday. You can go online (  ) or make an appointment at your local Social Security Office.

3)      Check your insurance coverage. Do you have a life insurance policy and is it sufficient to provide for your family? Do you have long term care insurance? The earlier you get this, the lower the annual premiums will be.

4)      Important documents- Do you have a will and is it up to date. Do you have Power of attorney forms for you and your spouse? Have you prepared a living will and health care directive?

5)      Prepare an estimated annual budget. Will you be able to live on your pension, Social Security payments and any investments you may have.

6)      If you have a 403B or an IRA, meet with your financial consultant to determine what the best asset strategy is for you as you enter retirement.

7)      It’s time to downsize. Do you need multiple cars? Do you have a second home?

8)      Where will you live? I recommend a subscription to the magazine “Where to Retire” as a good place to start. If you are not remaining in your current home, what kind of lifestyle do you want and what can you afford? Consider the tax status of state where you choose to life. Does it have a state income tax? Is there a state sales tax?

9)      If you are remaining in your current home, should you consider a reverse mortgage? Consult your banker for this one.

10)   Try to pay off your debt or consolidate your current debts.

Finally I would like to recommend a book- The Truth About Money (Harper Business Press) by Ric Edelman. Here you will find a great deal of useful information about mortgages, credit card management, and insurance as well as investment strategies.

Here’s to a happy retirement !

Publishing Your Book

I am sure that many of you have had the urge to write a book. For some of you, it might be the idea of a new textbook that would provide a refreshing look into the subject you teach. For others there might be that burning desire to write the great American novel. You may have thought to write a book of vignettes, chronicling the stories of the students you have come into contact with. On a more personal level, perhaps you wanted to leave a legacy for your children by researching and writing a history of your family. The opportunities to do so are better now (and less expensive) that they ever were.

At one time in order to get book published, you would have to send out dozens (or even hundreds) of query letters and anxiously wait for a response. You may have had to send completed manuscripts to publishing firms with the hope of getting accepted. Few ever did.  You could have chosen the vanity publishing route, where you would pay to have you book published, but prior to the computer age this was a very expensive venture. Today, with print on demand publishing and e-book published, become an author is easier, faster, and less expensive than ever.

Two of the more popular online companies that will allow you to self publish are Iuniverse (www.iuniverse.com) and Xlibris ( www.xlibris.com). They provide basic publishing services and you pay for just what you need. If you need editing services or graphic designers, there will be an additional charge. They print on demand so there is no large inventory of unsold books. Another company that focuses more on photo books and books of artwork is Blurb( www.blurb.com)

One of the big drawbacks of using on demand publishers is marketing. For the most part you  are on your own. You will have to make the posters, organize your own book signings and arrange with local bookstores for a "meet the author" program. You could, of course, hire a marketing firm to help you roll out your first book, but their services are expensive.

Before you begin the self publishing process, you may want to do a little background reading.  I would like to suggest two books. The Complete idiot’s Guide to Getting Published by Sheree Bykofsky and Jennifer Sander is loaded with suggestions and tips on every topic from selecting a topic tor write about ( take a look at the NY Times best seller list on Sundays)This books has had multiple  printings and comes with a  CD Rom disk that include templates for query letters, a list of literary agents, and the locations of writers conferences that you  might benefit from.

Another book you might wish to review is The Fine Print of Self Publishing by Mark Levine.  Now in its fourth printing, this popular book offers a great deal advice for the novice author.

By the way, send me a copy of your published work and I may choose to review it here on the blog.

Good luck.

Finding a Teaching Job in 2012

It happens every May. Thousands of college graduates nationwide receive their degrees and head for the work force.  Finding employment as a teacher this year may be a dicey enterprise. Demographic, political and economic issue weighs heavily on the fortunes of the teaching profession.

 Children of Baby Boomers, for example, are in the process of leaving the K- 12 educational system and heading to either higher education or employment.  Subsequent generations have had fewer children. Political issues on the other hand are magnified this year because of the upcoming Presidential election. While every candidate wants to be known as the” education President,” few seldom live up to that title.  Lyndon Johnson and George Bush the Younger were two notable exceptions.  Issues regarding illegal immigration and how or whether to educate illegal immigrant children are also to be considered.  So are local school budgets. During this period of austerity brought about by the current recession, many schools laid off teachers and cut back funding of ancillary programs such as art, music, school trips and purchase of library books.  We must also add to the mix the number of teachers who have postponed retirement because of the losses to their retirement portfolios.

Job seekers need to keep in mind that the conditions will vary from states to state. The Northeast, for example is experiencing a decline in student populations and the need for teachers. Other areas like Texas and Georgia are experiencing growth. The short version is that a graduate with multiple teacher certifications, who is willing to relocate, will have a better opportunity to find employment.

What about Graduate School?

Some graduates are considering side stepping immediate entrance into the teaching force by attending graduate school. While attaining a Master’s degree may be a help in some instances, there is a downside to this strategy. First, teachers with an advanced degree command higher starting salaries. Many budget conscious schools will hire the least expensive teacher. Thus getting the degree may price you out of the job market. Second, most college graduates will run up large student loans when attending graduate school. It is difficult to pay off these loans on a teacher’s salary. You should also be aware of the fact the under current law, a student loan is not dischargeable when declaring personal bankruptcy.

Additional Tips

 The US government Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the Occupational Outlook Handbook each year. The book provides information about average salaries, requirements, as well as job prospect for the next ten years. These statistics should only used as guidelines as jobs markets, political wind shifting and the economy have a significant effect on job openings at any given time.

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm

Be sure to register with your alma mater career center so that you will be able to access job opportunities as they open up. Many colleges maintain web sites that post jobs for alums.

SUGGESTED READING

A great book that has been around for a number of years is Richard Boles’ “What Color is Your Parachute?” The author updates his book periodically with great tips for résumé preparation, interviewing techniques and launching an informational investigation of job that you would like to have.

Other books to help in your job search include:

How to get the Teaching Job you Want by Robert Fiersen c.2004

I Want a Teaching Job: Guide to Getting the Teaching Job of your Dreams by Tim Wei c.2010

Inside Secrets of Finding a Teaching Job by Jack Warner and Clyde Bryan c.2004

All of the above mentioned books are available at Amazon.com as well as other booksellers

Teach for America

Wendy Kopps senior thesis at Princeton University still provides opportunities for recent graduates who wish to try out the teaching profession, even if they did not obtain an education degree. Competition for slot s in this highly regarded program is intense. The rewards from participating in the two year program can be exhilarating. Contact www.teachforamerica.org

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and appreciated. Good luck with your job search.  Change the world! TEACH!

Major Corporations Seek to aid in Math – Science School Dilemma

 

As the United States continues to sink lower in international education standings, especially in the critical areas of science and mathematics, a number of major corporations have begun to develop initiatives in an effort to reverse the tide.

ExxonMobil Corp. has launched a National Math and Science Initiative in an effort to recruit new teachers to the profession in mathematics and the sciences. The aim of the program is also to improve Advanced Placement test scores in these two critical academic areas. ExxonMobil began its involvement in the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) in 2007 with a $125 million grant, which is focused on improving math and science education in the U.S. NMSI programs are currently in 29 states. According to reports from the program, during the last three years, high school students enrolled in APTIP (Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program) achieved a 124 percent increase in the number of exams passed in AP Math, Science, and English (MSE), compared to a 23 percent increase nationally. NMSI is also helping to close achievement gaps for minority and female students. Significant improvements have been reported for African- American as wells as Latino participants.

UTeach

One of the other components of Exxon Mobil’s initiative is to recruit new teachers for science and math and to get them to stay in the profession. The effort stems from the fact that

“the U.S. is failing to produce and retain sufficient numbers of qualified math and science teachers, which impacts the success and future of our students and the ability of our country to remain competitive in today’s global marketplace. “

In response to growing crisis in math and science, the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) began replicating a highly successful teacher training program, UTeach, in 2008.  The program, which recruits and trains math and science majors for careers in teaching, is transforming the way universities prepare teachers for the 21^st century.

UTeach offers a degree programs at participating colleges and universities that enables students to graduate in four years with a degree in their core subject as well as a teaching certification.  Early and intensive field teaching experience begins in students’ first semesters and is supplemented by mentoring and guidance from highly experienced master teachers, faculty and public school teachers.

UTeach now has 5,500 math and science majors enrolled in the program in nearly 30 universities across the country.  The goal is to expand the program to more than 50 campuses in the next decade, with the potential to impact more than four million students.

The results are excellent.  Approximately 90 percent of UTeach graduates go directly into teaching, with a retention rate of 82 percent after five years of teaching (compared to less than 65 percent nationally).  The program has received national recognition from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) and the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and is featured as a “best practice” program by Change the Equation, a national clearinghouse for excellence in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. You can obtain more information about this program by going to http://www.nationalmathandscience.org/programs/uteach-program

The National Flight Academy


Another relatively new project to encourage students to excel in math and science is the National Flight Academy. The camp, for students in grades seven through twelve, is located on the grounds of the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida, although the Navy is not involved with the program.  The camp is funded in part, with grants from LockheedMartin and NorthrupGrumman. The program exposes participants to flight simulators that present real life aviation problems that require knowledge of math and science to solve. The price tag for this experience is high- $1250 for one week although scholarships are available. The camp will be running from June through August. Participants are dividend into groups to learn to work together to solve problems. They then compete against each other.

If you are aware of any other initiatives to help improve foundations in math and science, please email us or post a comment.