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Choosing the right school for your child

Education,Florida,International,News,Talkington,United States (U.S.)   

January 31, 2009

Outside the Box – Juliann Talkington

Thank you for joining me to discuss how to find the right school for your child at the Education Forum.  The material that was discussed in the presentation is included below. If you have any questions or comments about the presentation, please feel free to call me anytime at 850-215-8712.
Outline:
1.  Due to the Information Revolution (similar to Industrial Revolution only in late 1900s) US children need a different education that their parents received.

2. US kids compete directly with children educated in other countries for jobs, because of information age technology.

3. Employers can choose employees from anywhere in the world, so a higher skill level is required for all employees.

4. Employers prefer employees with broad knowledge — strong math, science, cultural and liberal arts skills.

5. US children are behind in foreign language abilities (children in most other countries begin daily foreign language instruction in elementary school) and basic math, science and language arts skills.

6. US children preform poorly in international testing.  Performance decreases with age.  By 12th grade, US students outperform students in very few countries.

7. When looking for a school, be sure to evaluate: a) the curriculum, b) rigor of third party testing, c) international comparisons, and d) expectations for students, teachers and parents.

8. It is also important to tour schools, sit in classes and ask parents of current students questions.

A worksheet to help you with school comparisons. School Assessment Form

Students from Asian countries were top performers in math and science in the 2007 TIMSS (Trends in International Science and Mathematics) testing. Summary of 2007 TIMSS results.

US 15 year olds trailed their peers from my industrialized countries in the 2006 PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) math and science testing.  The average science score of the US students was below the score of 16 of the 30 countries. The US students were further behind in math, trailing 23 of 30 countries.Summary of 2006 PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) results.

Globalization and how it changes what children need to learn<The World is Flat, Thomas Friedman.

Why it is important for US children to learn more than one language. European Day of Languages: half of the EU’s population can speak a language other than their mother tongue, Why, How and When Should My Child Learn a Second Language

Why it is imperative for US children to develop strong math and science skills.How to Keep America Competitive, Bill Gates.

A comfortable exam for your children

India,Testing   

Hindustan Times – Kiran Wadhwa

“Students will give their board exams in well-lit, ventilated, well-maintained exam centres free from any disturbance.” (more)

Coral Springs school accused of fraud over vouchers

Florida,Vouchers   

The Miami Herald – Nirvi Shah and Hannah Sampson

“More than 300 disabled students who attend a Coral Springs private school using public money can no longer use those vouchers to pay their tuition because the state said Friday the school has committed fraud.” (more)

Results due on revised math test

Math,Nevada   

Las Vegas Sun – Emily Richmond

“Clark County School District officials will reveal Wednesday how middle and high school students fared on a revised version of a controversial math test.” (more)

Bid for flexibility in use of class-size reduction funds criticized

California   

Los Angeles Times – Seema Mehta

“Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal to allow school districts to use state class-size reduction funding any way they choose is alarming teachers unions and community activists, who say it will inevitably lead to ballooning classrooms in the state’s neediest communities.” (more)

Gorman to propose cuts

North Carolina   

January 30, 2009

Charlotte Observer – Ann Doss Helms

“Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools families, employees and taxpayers will get their first hint Friday at the kind of budget cuts that are expected to hit schools in 2009-10.” (more)

Obama’s Stimulus Targets Health and Education

Politics,United States (U.S.)   

Business Week – Michael Mandel

“The Obama stimulus bill gives the most money to the growing parts of the economy—health care and education.” (more)

Education chief: Schools crucial to recovery

Politics   

USA Today – Staff Writer

“WASHINGTON (AP) — Education Secretary Arne Duncan said the economy won’t improve without the billions of dollars for schools in President Obama’s recovery plan.” (more)

Will The Recession Kill School Reform?

Academic Performance,United States (U.S.)   

Forbes – Chester E. Finn, Jr. and Michael J. Petrillie

“The long-term education-funding outlook is gloomier still. Unless major changes are made, or taxes raised sky-high, spending on baby-boomer retirements (Social Security, health care, public employee pensions, etc.) will eat up almost every morsel of discretionary funding that could otherwise go to services like schools.” (more)

Uganda: Top Schools Keep Stiff Senior One Cutoff Points

Academic Performance,High School,Uganda   

New Vision (All Africa) – Fortunate Ahimbisibwe

“Kampala — TOP schools in the central region have maintained stiff entry points to Senior One in the ongoing selection exercise.” (more)

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