Archive for August, 2007
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing?
Very interesting article. I know a while back everyone (myself included) was aghast at Spelling’s proposed accountability version of “No Child Left Behind” for higher education. I don’t agree with the punishments mandated by the testing the law requires, but I think it’s a good idea to have the data available. Apparently, most colleges don’t [...]
Unintended Consequences
Pleasanton ISD, Texas Our Mission Statement The mission of the Pleasanton ISD as an educational community is to ensure a quality public education through learning, unity, and pride, fully preparing all students for the future. So does the district accomplish it’s mission by having students do well on the TAKS? The reason I ask is [...]
Back to school
Broadsheet: Women’s Articles, Women’s Stories, Women’s Blog – Salon.com It’s that exciting time of year when adolescent girls across the nation go in search of the essentials for starting off the school year prepared and ready to learn as a hot new ‘tween: pink, padded bras, T-shirts with slogans declaring their total lack of smarts [...]
Community colleges: the good and the bad
Carlos Guerra is my favorite Express-News columnist but talk about cherry-picking data. MySA.com: Carlos Guerra Studies show that students who start out in community colleges and go on to earn BAs tend to graduate at higher rates — and with higher grades — than students who start at universities. But about four of five new [...]
Washington Monthly College Rankings are out
The Washington Monthly BACK TO SCHOOL….U.S. News & World Report publishes its university rankings every year, and every year people complain about them. So starting in 2005 we decided to do more than just complain, and instead came out with our own rankings — based not on reputation or endowment size, but rather on how [...]
The only place to play baseball
Several people have been telling my husband that we should enroll our son in high school because he’s certain to make the baseball team. This isn’t about his need for “socialization” or better academic opportunities. This is about how the only place to play high school age sports is in high school. It’s not that [...]
U.S. News and World Report’s College Rankings
U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings is out and of course, everyone bemoans the shallowness limitations of the rankings. Yet the education establishment can console themselves with the fact that there aren’t any alternatives so it’s okay to use the rankings anyway. Even other media sources seem to reinforce this attitude: MySA.com: Metro [...]
It was just a veto
After veto, governor proposes more money for community colleges Trying to quell unrest over his June veto of $154 million for health insurance for community college employees, Gov. Rick Perry is proposing a unique solution: More money. Lots of it. Maybe people are actually going to blame Perry for increases in local property taxes. [...]
Only principals have the authority to know what is in the best interest of the child
The story is about special needs but I think one of the cases is just the perfect example of what a difference a teacher makes. Star-Telegram.com | 08/13/2007 | Parents, schools are often at odds Ryan’s classroom was down the hall from the restroom. Life as an incontinent 9-year-old is hard enough, but being so [...]
Because education officials wouldn’t lie
Critics say TEA’s dropout figures mislead public | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle Bob Sanborn, who runs a Houston-based education research and advocacy group, said the changes addressed some of his concerns. But, he said, the state still allows schools to get credit for students who never graduate. Students can say they are dropping out to [...]