Education Research

This article relates to the school voucher article we read this week. It doesn't directly suggest the use of school vouchers but one of the main suggestions by opponets of vouchers was to create stimulating learning opportunities for those kids who come from less affluent backgrounds. This article also suggest the same thing. In subjects like math and reading all kids lose a bit of what they learn and especially in reading w/ the poorer children. This article mentions Fairchild's center which helps promote learning over the summer from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

The U.S. plans to implement a universal standardized testing program, where all the states will have the same standards for success. To date some states that may have failing students in math and science could be passing if they lived in another state. Improving the school system nationwide is a goal for the program, hoping that equality in testing standards will create a group of students who all meeting the same requirements.

New York City has been replacing its larger 'trouble' schools with smaller schools with themes like environmental science and performing arts. Instead of focusing on the problems at the larger schools, they are shut down so smaller ones can open. The program has had success but it isn't doing much for the overall program. The high schools who were poor performing are still having problems (low attendance, grad rates); but it appears as if the smaller school trend is on the rise.

This New York Times article describes how several colleges and universities around the nation are minimizing costs due to the current economic crisis. Schools like Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and Bryn Mawr College are holding virtual swim meets to save on travel expenses, while other schools are cutting custodial and other staff positions in an effort to save money. Giving students the opportunity to gain work experience by taking on professional staff positions has saved Rhodes College almost $750,000. Although many schools are doing their part to save money, in several cases it has turned out to be beneficial for students and has eliminated unnecessary costs and expenses for many colleges and universities.

This article describes the growing amount of applicants to the military academies including West Point, the Naval Academy and the Air Force academy. Officials at these institutions claim increased marketing and advertising campaigns, the declining rate of casualities abroad and the economy as top reasons why applications are at their highest since 1988. All three institutions are also citing a more diverse pool of minorities as applicants as well. Other colleges and universities are also seeing this trend as well, as state schools and ivy league institutions are seeing more applicants than in years past due to more financial aid being available for incoming and current students.

While small schools in NYC are being hailed as success stories, larger comprehensive high schools are struggling with attendance and graduation rates. This article mentions doing more to support these schools that have a large number of high-needs students.

This article describes what people are doing to close the gap between male and female involvement in after-school sports programs. This is important because it also reflects concern over health, nutrition, and social interaction.

I find this look at music and arts to be particularly intersting - especially in light of the fact that many schools are cutting back on these subjects so that they can concentrate on subjects that are tested with standardized scores.

This is an interesting article on tracking students. Stamford, CT is doing away finally with the system because it fails low-level students.

New reform in the school tracking system to help eliminate the achievement gap, along with the stigma of who is better than another in the school. The schools division of students based on academic performance in the past has determined their path through school based on a single standarized test. The school is now working to mix the ability in each class. Why it took so long for this school to catch up to others around it I have no clue but this new development seems to be a much better idea, and will also promote self-efficacy among all students.

This New York Times article describes the business idea of three Harvard alums who have partnered together to offer a different type of loan services, Unithrive, to current Harvard students. Just launched a few months ago, Unithrive aims to link Harvard alumni whith current students who need extra help in paying for school or other outside activities such as test preparation for the GRE or MCAT as well as funding for abroad travel. The article further describes this business venture which offers interest-free loans up to $2,000 for currently enrolled students. The main goal of this program is to link alumni with students and serve as another way alumni can keep involved with the school and get to know students on a more personal level.

After writing my wikipedia article on cramming, I thought this article illustrated the differences of American and Chinese schooling very accurately. This article describes the gao kao, or high test, that serves as the only enterence method into Chinese universities. Many students study upwards of 16 hours a day in preparation for this exam, which lasts 9 hours and is only given once a year. The article also demonstrates the key differences in educational theory and questions whether memorization is an effective learning tool.

Reed College, a private institution of higher education located in Portland, Oregon has been forced to change how they accept potential students for the 2010-2011 school year. Financial aid is running out, and the college has faced the difficult decision of admitting students who can only afford attending the school without help from additional funds. Faced with a decreasing endowment, the college is looking at other means of cutting costs without drastically changing the schools' academic mission. Admitting students who are financially secure dramatically changes the student body of Reed College. The article further describes the financial hardship this school is facing, such as submitting to hiring and salary freezes among other cost-cutting measures.

Here is a new look at the much-discussed subject of women bridging opportunities in science. While women who get jobs in science seem to be holding them and doing well, they are still a small percentage in the applicant pool.

An interesting look at an online "text" created by teachers in the home of creating more in-depth knowledge (rather than rushing through traditional textbook chapters).

Public schools have begun using portfolio style assessments for individuals in special education, and those who have high test anxiety. It appears these tests are proving successful and are able to fully assess the individuals learning and knowledge of subject matter. The portfolios are a pricey investment for the public schools at $500,000 for the school year and numerous teacher hours spent grading them; but who should put a price on education? I wonder if more schools will begin using portfolios for all assessments over the standarized test?

Connecticut school is going back to the basics with their math instruction. They are going online to provide lessons for their students and THROWING OUT the textbook. Its just what we discussed in a prior reading about the girl getting up in the middle of the night to do algebra on the computer. I find it interesting that their approach to getting back to the foundations of math has already improved student retention of material and better standardized test scores. Could this be a trend for more courses to come??

This article describes in detail the difficulties many colleges are facing in regards to their athletic programs. In light of student activity, academic, and other university fee increases, many students are reluctant to approve increases to keep varsity sport programs afloat. Although the reasoning is justified, maintaining athletic programs is vital to the operation of many universities, especially when sport teams are generally considered the most visible entity a school has to promote their academic mission. The article also mentions the involvement of the NCAA and their lack of research and assistance when it comes to monetary issues for member institutions, especially with schools which lack a football program.

This articles describes a "dream team" of teachers coming together to form a small charter school in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. Making six-figure salaries and hailing from various walks of life all over the nation, the aim of this school is to prove that teachers hold the key in improving individual student performance and instilling a thirst for knowledge in pupils. The school will cater to low performing students mostly of low-income Hispanic families, and the teachers will have additional responsibilities on top of being in the classroom.