The past few months' headlines in the educational world highlighted several topics such as "Web connect K-12 students with scientists", and "Bill will replace key literacy programs". We also saw articles on "Sex education looms in health care overhaul" and "The 9th grade bulge". Although sympathetic to some of these topics, especially the last one mentioned that found more than 90,000 students nation wide repeating 9th grade, not much has been said or contemplated when it comes to anything physical in schools. It is clear this is not on the priority list of the Secretary of Education.
It was therefore encouraging to see a report on a debate raging over the value of play, make-believe, and other games in preschool classes and early grades.
My first thought was why are we debating this? Every education training program acknowledges the role of play in spatial awareness, social awareness, coordination, problem-solving, and identity manifestation in early childhood.
For the untrained eye play and make believe experiences appear to be nothing more than a distraction from real letter-and-numbers work associated with school. As more public schools embrace early childhood students as young as 3 and 4 years old, the debate has intensified to make students "successful" when reaching kindergarten. This expectation is highest among poor and minority children and those speaking English as a second language. It is even endorsed by Education Secretary Arne Duncan who recently said, "If we are to prevent the achievement gap and develop a cradle-to-career educational pipeline, early learning programs are going to have to be better integrated with the K-12 system".
It is sad that the time for play has been squeezed out of kindergarten and 1st grade as schools, bent on raising student achievement, to focus on literacy and math skills. The NCLB (No Child Left Behind Act) requires that all students are proficient is math, reading, and writing by 2014. Nine years later and billions of dollars spent, the verdict was announced this week: math scores in 4th grade and 8th grade (testing grades) has increased dramatically while there has been no significant change in reading scores.
Interestingly, the very same decision makers who is pushing play out of early child development probably was raised on that principle - and is not the worse for it - being leaders and all!
What the untrained eye does not see is a longitudinal study (HighScope Research Foundation) that has shown that by the age of 23, people who attended play-based preschools were 8 times less likely to need treatment for emotional disturbances than those who went to preschools where direct instruction prevailed. What's more, graduates from the play-based preschools were three times less likely to be arrested for committing a felony!
The Washington Post reported recently that certain kinds of fantasy play, in which students plan the roles they're going to fill, have a measurable effect on children's ability to control their impulses. That skill is more closely correlated to academic success in kindergarten than intelligence is.
New York City and Los Angeles kindergarten facilities reported that fewer than 30 minutes are allocated to play in a day. They spend four to six times more time on literacy, math, and test-taking (Alliance for Childhood). Even in a tough economy funding for early childhood programs has increased by 1% overall. Mostly on 'academic' endeavors.
Obviously the goal is to get youngsters 'test-ready'. What happened to the noble thought of developing the whole child?
Michael Cordier
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
International Student Week
A record number of U.S. students are studying abroad, reflecting the value of an international academic experience as preparation to live and work in a global society. According to the Open Doors 2009 survey, the number of Americans studying abroad increased by 8.5% to 262,416 in the 2007/08 academic year. This increase builds on two decades of steady growth and represents four times as many U.S. students than in 1987/88. The Institute of International Education publishes the annual Open Doors report with support from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
“Today more than ever before, study abroad can help our students understand our interconnected world and participate productively in the global economy,” said Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith A. McHale. She added, “The State Department strongly supports study abroad through such programs as the Fulbright Program, which is sending its largest number ever of U.S. students abroad this year, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which in two years has doubled the number of U.S. undergraduates with financial need who will study abroad.”
Open Doors 2009 shows that the number of students to nearly all of the top twenty-five destinations increased, notably to destinations less traditional for study abroad: China, Ireland, Austria and India (up about 20% each), as well as Costa Rica, Japan, Argentina and South Africa (up nearly 15% each). While the four perennial leaders in hosting U.S. students remain the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and France, findings indicate that 15 of the top 25 destinations are now outside of Western Europe, and 19 are countries where English is not the primary language. Americans electing to study in Africa increased by 18%, in Asia by 17%, and in Latin America by 11%. http://opendoors.iienetwork.org.
A few interesting points can be gleaned from this report:
“Today more than ever before, study abroad can help our students understand our interconnected world and participate productively in the global economy,” said Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith A. McHale. She added, “The State Department strongly supports study abroad through such programs as the Fulbright Program, which is sending its largest number ever of U.S. students abroad this year, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which in two years has doubled the number of U.S. undergraduates with financial need who will study abroad.”
Open Doors 2009 shows that the number of students to nearly all of the top twenty-five destinations increased, notably to destinations less traditional for study abroad: China, Ireland, Austria and India (up about 20% each), as well as Costa Rica, Japan, Argentina and South Africa (up nearly 15% each). While the four perennial leaders in hosting U.S. students remain the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and France, findings indicate that 15 of the top 25 destinations are now outside of Western Europe, and 19 are countries where English is not the primary language. Americans electing to study in Africa increased by 18%, in Asia by 17%, and in Latin America by 11%. http://opendoors.iienetwork.org.
A few interesting points can be gleaned from this report:
- Academic standards in non-western societies have narrowed the gap to be competitive with established educational institutions. This could be the result of previous generations leaving their countries to study in the USA and elsewhere before returning to their homelands to contribute to higher academic standards;
- The USA and UK are loosing their competitive edge in recruitment of top level students;
- The world is getting smaller with English as a universal language emerging across the globe. Soon China will be the largest English speaking nation in the world;
- Globalization is real. More companies are trading across borders and a foreign experience will enhance job opportunities;
- The public education system is the USA does not accommodate this shift at all. IB programs and other international curricula are too far and between, leaving US students behind those of other countries.
An old Chinese proverb goes something like this, "A thousand miles travelled is better than 10,000 words read". It holds a lot of truth in our new world.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Conflicting nutrition efforts
Illinois has the fourth-highest youth obesity levels in the nation. Chicago Public Schools now offer free universal breakfasts for every student. It is true that kids learn better when their stomachs are full, but full of what?
The Chicago Tribune reported a 10-year old finishing three "non fat" donuts and a sugary drink for breakfast - a full 600 calories, 18 grams of fat, and 36 grams of sugar. Why? Students are allowed a free choice of three items to choose for breakfast. Three donuts are unusual but almost always a donut is combined with Frosted Flakes, syrupy French toast and sugary juice. Which kid would rather opt for an apple and scrambled eggs when give these choices?
A recent Yale study shows that if students are not offered sweets, they will make a healthy choice. Furthermore, researcher Kelly Brownell showed that students select twice the recommended portion of high-sugar cereal and only the recommended portion in low-sugar cereal. Which begs the question: Why not offer healthy choices only?
Oh, the word 'doughnut' does not appear on any Chicago school menu, so don't blame the parents!
In Arlington, VA two teachers (PE and Music) embraced a healthy food drive in their school three years a go by developing characters called Dr. B and Dr. C. As part of their gimmick, they dress up with healthy food hats, run nutritional tip during announcements, play "destruct the couch potato" and other commercials, and challenge students to show off what they were eating. Three years of hard work, they were recently honored with Governor's Nutrition and Physical Activity Award Program. The school also added more PE per week - 30 minutes more than is required by state. Two people making a huge difference.
Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water, the Dairy Council announced a new campaign called "Raise your hand for chocolate milk". The idea is to emphasize that sugary flavorings are ways to get kids to drink milk. Reason being that milk contains nutrients that soda and water do no provide.
One can only deduct that milk consumption is declining in schools or soft drink and water usage are increasing. Why spend $1 million if the current choice of natural, white milk is not threatened? So it is back to choices issue for kids - and we know what they will select.
An a money issue dairy producers. As they say, follow the money!
Michael Cordier
The Chicago Tribune reported a 10-year old finishing three "non fat" donuts and a sugary drink for breakfast - a full 600 calories, 18 grams of fat, and 36 grams of sugar. Why? Students are allowed a free choice of three items to choose for breakfast. Three donuts are unusual but almost always a donut is combined with Frosted Flakes, syrupy French toast and sugary juice. Which kid would rather opt for an apple and scrambled eggs when give these choices?
A recent Yale study shows that if students are not offered sweets, they will make a healthy choice. Furthermore, researcher Kelly Brownell showed that students select twice the recommended portion of high-sugar cereal and only the recommended portion in low-sugar cereal. Which begs the question: Why not offer healthy choices only?
Oh, the word 'doughnut' does not appear on any Chicago school menu, so don't blame the parents!
In Arlington, VA two teachers (PE and Music) embraced a healthy food drive in their school three years a go by developing characters called Dr. B and Dr. C. As part of their gimmick, they dress up with healthy food hats, run nutritional tip during announcements, play "destruct the couch potato" and other commercials, and challenge students to show off what they were eating. Three years of hard work, they were recently honored with Governor's Nutrition and Physical Activity Award Program. The school also added more PE per week - 30 minutes more than is required by state. Two people making a huge difference.
Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water, the Dairy Council announced a new campaign called "Raise your hand for chocolate milk". The idea is to emphasize that sugary flavorings are ways to get kids to drink milk. Reason being that milk contains nutrients that soda and water do no provide.
One can only deduct that milk consumption is declining in schools or soft drink and water usage are increasing. Why spend $1 million if the current choice of natural, white milk is not threatened? So it is back to choices issue for kids - and we know what they will select.
An a money issue dairy producers. As they say, follow the money!
Michael Cordier
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Good Practices and Some Bad Ideas
The past few weeks saw a flurry of suggestions and experiments to improve the education status in the USA. Many are worth mentioning but a few provokes the shake of the head.
It is clear that US students are lacking behind those of other industrial countries and scarily, those of many emerging economies. In a sense, political correctness and tolerance have created an environment where too much is trying to be achieved with too little. Too little leadership, too little money, too little focus on achievers. While too much focus is given to efforts distracting from the core thought - Education! It is perhaps a good idea to judge the various efforts by this criteria.
National Public Radio reports that American schools have struggled for decades to close the "minority achievement gap" translation for the lower average test scores, grades, and college attendance rates among black and Latino students. Because of the lack of funding and the increase in students, schools are falling behind in remedial classes. Some schools are trying a process of grouping students by ability or known as tracking or leveling such as at Columbia High School, NJ. Guess what? High performance classes are doing well (majority white students) while lower-level classes are a nightmare (majority black students). The 'average' student mass (white and black students) suffers the most as they don't fit in either group and therefore looses out in either group. Failure.
In Denver, students are increasingly choosing to attend a school outside of their neighborhood as part of the district's "school-choice" program. This allows students to attend the school that best meets their individual needs and learning goals. Finally someone has figured out that one size does not fit all. Winner.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that a Utah district is testing a software program designed to better teach students how to read faster with better comprehension using peripheral vision to read more than one word at a time. And engaging both sides of the brain. Sounds like good old speed-reading to me. Winner.
In Texas a rating system was passed that aims at holding teacher-training programs accountable for graduates' success in the classroom. This will help determine which programs are producing the most, and the least, effective teachers. Finally something to force a certain percentage of teachers to pay attention while attending mandatory staff development sessions. This is a good move as countless trainers will testify to very obnoxious behavior during training sessions by some teachers. Winner.
Denver, Co has proved that teacher pay tied to student achievement works. They recorded more teacher collaboration, increased test scores, and a willingness by teachers to go to high-needs schools. Wisconsin, on the other hand still bans this concept by state law. Every other worker in America is measured on performance (other than politicians), why not teachers? Winner.
After a six-year old was expelled from school for bringing his Scout eating tool (multipurpose tool with small knife) to eat his lunch, another senior fell to the same zero-tolerance policies for having a survival kit in his car with a pocket knife in it. This young man has applied and been accepted by West Point and happened to drive his car to school. No Columbine here. Now communities and schools nationwide are rethinking zero-tolerance policies for school safety. Winner.
Michigan dad, Nicholas Aggor, an engineer originally from Ghana started to write math text books after watching his sons suffering through math. His hope is that his writings will help struggling students reach their full potential. No big-publishing contracts - yet. Any person who steps up gets the vote. Winner.
The best for last: The Literacy Research Association wants authors of the new common national academic standards, assigned by the Secretary of Education, to declare any ties to commercial interests vis a vis publishing companies, equipment manufacturers, etc. Follow the money! Winner.
Michael Cordier
It is clear that US students are lacking behind those of other industrial countries and scarily, those of many emerging economies. In a sense, political correctness and tolerance have created an environment where too much is trying to be achieved with too little. Too little leadership, too little money, too little focus on achievers. While too much focus is given to efforts distracting from the core thought - Education! It is perhaps a good idea to judge the various efforts by this criteria.
National Public Radio reports that American schools have struggled for decades to close the "minority achievement gap" translation for the lower average test scores, grades, and college attendance rates among black and Latino students. Because of the lack of funding and the increase in students, schools are falling behind in remedial classes. Some schools are trying a process of grouping students by ability or known as tracking or leveling such as at Columbia High School, NJ. Guess what? High performance classes are doing well (majority white students) while lower-level classes are a nightmare (majority black students). The 'average' student mass (white and black students) suffers the most as they don't fit in either group and therefore looses out in either group. Failure.
In Denver, students are increasingly choosing to attend a school outside of their neighborhood as part of the district's "school-choice" program. This allows students to attend the school that best meets their individual needs and learning goals. Finally someone has figured out that one size does not fit all. Winner.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that a Utah district is testing a software program designed to better teach students how to read faster with better comprehension using peripheral vision to read more than one word at a time. And engaging both sides of the brain. Sounds like good old speed-reading to me. Winner.
In Texas a rating system was passed that aims at holding teacher-training programs accountable for graduates' success in the classroom. This will help determine which programs are producing the most, and the least, effective teachers. Finally something to force a certain percentage of teachers to pay attention while attending mandatory staff development sessions. This is a good move as countless trainers will testify to very obnoxious behavior during training sessions by some teachers. Winner.
Denver, Co has proved that teacher pay tied to student achievement works. They recorded more teacher collaboration, increased test scores, and a willingness by teachers to go to high-needs schools. Wisconsin, on the other hand still bans this concept by state law. Every other worker in America is measured on performance (other than politicians), why not teachers? Winner.
After a six-year old was expelled from school for bringing his Scout eating tool (multipurpose tool with small knife) to eat his lunch, another senior fell to the same zero-tolerance policies for having a survival kit in his car with a pocket knife in it. This young man has applied and been accepted by West Point and happened to drive his car to school. No Columbine here. Now communities and schools nationwide are rethinking zero-tolerance policies for school safety. Winner.
Michigan dad, Nicholas Aggor, an engineer originally from Ghana started to write math text books after watching his sons suffering through math. His hope is that his writings will help struggling students reach their full potential. No big-publishing contracts - yet. Any person who steps up gets the vote. Winner.
The best for last: The Literacy Research Association wants authors of the new common national academic standards, assigned by the Secretary of Education, to declare any ties to commercial interests vis a vis publishing companies, equipment manufacturers, etc. Follow the money! Winner.
Michael Cordier
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