Economist - Staff Writer

“China will soon boast more internet users than any other country. But usage patterns inside China are different from those elsewhere.  One of the more striking end-of-year statistics pumped out recently by the Chinese government was an update on the number of internet users in the country, which had reached 210m.” (more)

NPR - Staff Writer

“Teachers are leaving their profession in record numbers, especially at the high-school level, according to study released Thursday.  Some 40 percent of the nation’s classroom teachers are now 50 years or older and an unprecedented number of them will likely retire in the next five years, the study by the National Center for Education Information said.” (more)

Seattle Times – Yu Nakayama

“OLYMPIA — Remember when mom always worried whether you were eating enough fruits and veggies?  As it turns out, legislators are concerned too, and they’re looking for a way to help out school kids and local farmers alike.” (more)

New York Times - Staff Writer

“WASHINGTON — President Bush’s call for a $300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids is the latest effort by his administration to channel tax dollars to low-income parents to help them send their children to private or religious schools.” (more)

Outside the Box – Juliann Talkington

“On Friday evening, children from the Panama City Renaissance School practiced their jumping and catching skills at the St. Andrew Mardi Gras kid’s parade.  In addition to watching the parade and running to get the strings of multi-colored beads and noise makers, the children enjoyed spending time with their schoolmates.  

Outside the Box – Juliann Talkington

“On Tuesday evening, children from the Panama City Renaissance School joined children from around Panama City at the Bay County Library for a Pajama Party.  Ana Montorio, the PCRS Spanish teacher, attended the event and helped the children learn where they could find Spanish books.  Other children experimented with some of the learning activities on the computers, explored the books shelves and talked with the librarians.  Then the Library Children’s Department staff put on a special program of stories and crafts.  In addition to the activities, the kids had fun showing off their PJs.  

Outside the Box - LeeAnn Kozan and Ana Montorio

On Wednesday afternoon, the Panama City Renaissance School second graders had a Spanish culinary experience at their teacher’s home.  During this activity, they made a Spanish omelet. This hands-on project complimented their classroom activities of following an outline and directions (recipe), working together, learning, using new vocabulary, and the necessity of being careful and paying attention – potato peelers, egg cracking, keeping the food in the cooking dishes, etc. 

The children thoroughly enjoyed the reward — eating their omelet along with other traditional Spanish food – bread, tomatoes, ham, almonds and a Spanish desert.

The conversation during the event was mostly in Spanish. 

Bravo kids and gracias Sra. Montorio! 

BBC - Staff Writer

“Schools in England are to receive £140m over the next three years to improve maths and science teaching.  The strategy involves making the subjects more exciting to encourage more pupils to study maths and science.” (more)

Forbes – Jeanne Allen

“WASHINGTON, D.C. – How is the world’s only superpower home to an education system that lacks the highly productive, competitive model that other uniquely American industries embrace? Despite a country founded by risk-takers, our schools are the antithesis of American culture–bound by arcane rules, operating regardless of outcomes, eschewing creative technologies and managing human resources like spokes in a wheel, without differentiation or reward.” (more)

Forbes – John Chambers

“. . .We cannot underestimate the impact that a level playing field has in education, the local economy, job creation and a country’s competitiveness. I believe that many don’t fully understand the impact or the extent of the role technology will play in the future.” (more)