New CDC Report on Obesity

I did not see any coverage in the national media of a new report by the CDC on obesity in youth and adults. The CDC does not release anything unless all findings are well researched and documented. They do not release reports on the same topics often, ensuring research to take it's course. It is therefore pertinent to quote this report verbatim. Details can be found at the following link and highlights are my attributes to focus on the severity: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6002a2.htm?s_cid=mm6002a2_x

"In the United States, childhood obesity affects approximately 12.5 million children and teens (17% of that population). Changes in obesity prevalence from the 1960s show a rapid increase in the 1980s and 1990s, when obesity prevalence among children and teens tripled, from nearly 5% to approximately 15%. During the past 10 years, the rapid increase in obesity has slowed and might have leveled. However, among the heaviest boys, a significant increase in obesity has been observed, with the heaviest getting even heavier. Moreover, substantial racial/ethnic disparities exist, with Hispanic boys and non-Hispanic black girls disproportionately affected by obesity. Also, older children and teens are more likely to be obese compared with preschoolers.


In the short term, obesity in children can lead to psychosocial problems and to cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and abnormal glucose tolerance or diabetes. In one study, 70% of obese children had at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor, and 30% had two or more. Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in teens is very low, a recent report estimated that 15% of new diabetes cases among children and adolescents are type 2 diabetes. In the 1980s, type 2 diabetes in teens was virtually unheard of.


The prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults (34%) is twice that observed in children and translates into nearly 73 million adult men and women. On average, U.S. adults weigh 24 pounds more than they did in 1960, and they are at increased risk for health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Although obesity prevalence has remained mostly flat in the past 10 years, the costs associated with obesity have increased substantially during the same period. One study estimated that approximately 9% of all medical costs in 2008 were obesity-related and amounted to $147 billion, compared with $78.5 billion 10 years before".


The report continues to discuss interventions that have taken place and make suggestions for other pro-active steps. It also shares some visuals to bring the message home:



You are encouraged to read the full report to understand the push from all angles to get kids healthier and fitter. It is of strategic and national interest.
Michael Cordier

What Happens at the End of Stimulus Money?

Michele McNeil posted (Politics K-12 - EdWeek 1/20/11) an interesting blog about funding in states and how much money is left from various stimulus funds. The table below includes Race to the Top funds in states such as Delaware and Tennessee while energy-rich states shows a strong reserve due to a constant income from those sources (Wyoming, Texas, and Alaska). But some states are running out of money fast and it will dratically impact education (Iowa, Arizona, and California). As reported last week, the California governor has already taken steps to redesign the Education Department. Iowa plans to cut all state funding for pre-school for four-year olds. The prediction is that more of these measures will follow around the country.

Leadership Roles in Education

It is true that any organization is only as good as it's leaders for planning, directing, and motivating workers to achieve goals and objectives. In a district or state education setting, many leadership positions are politically motivated appointees. There are the obvious problems with this practice such as payback or favors to certain groups or individuals, but the biggest issue is the expansion of a bureaucracy with more bosses than workers.

Recently the newly elected California Governor Jerry Brown (D) aannounced that he is eliminating the secretary of education post, saving $1.9 million a year. The savings is an indication of the amount of money attached to such an office. Think of staff, perks, office etc. and it adds up quickly but the next natural thought should be how many of these positions exist in state departments across the country.

In the case of California, the position of secretary of education was created in 1990 when conflict existed between a governor and an elected superintendent of public instruction from different parties. Talk about inflated egos! This was a constant power play between an elected official and an appointed official and the latter never gained much clout. In fact, during the seven-year tenure of the previous Governor Schwarzenegger, five secretaries of education revolved through the office. Sounds like a few 'buddies' built strong resumes this way!

Talking of leadership, school boards members are also under scrutiny where more than 90% are elected through school board elections and fewer than 10% are appointed. The issue here is the quality of people serving on schools boards to guide policy and oversee elementary and secondary education. School board members range from PhD's to folks who have not completed high school. EdWeek (1/12/11) asks if there should be a qualification process to serve on a school board? Seats are taken with virtually no preparation for the tasks that await them. Should there be ongoing training for school board members or can schools be managed without the current 13,809 school boards?

The idea of local governance is part of democracy as perceived by the public at large. It is fair to assume that school boards will be around forever but some form of preparation or training makes sense because the process of quality education is complex and vital.
Michael Cordier

New Year, New Congress

It seems so 'last year' when the buzz was all about standards-based teaching and teacher pay for performance. The RTT (Race to the Top) funding frenzy petered out like the flame of a burned-out candle. Some winning states even returned the money stating that the cost to make the changes required in the grant would cost more than the funds received. Unions got the message that mediocre was not good enough and silently made changes before legislation was forced on them. Fire brand advocates of the Secretary of Education seems to have disappeared into the bowls of bureaucracy where they emerged from two years ago.

The New Year's education headlines seems to be returning to the core of education: what is best for the student. Hallelujah! Washington State reports a proposal to create a single Education Department in lieu of multi-departmental units managing their education process. New York is appointing business professionals as school principals, and California is experimenting with year-round alternative schools with individualized instruction. Kentucky offers bonuses for student success in AP math and science.

The focus on the core subjects so dominant in the NCLB legislation is also receiving a new look. The debate has started about high school curricula being changed to better suit college entry and success, rather than measuring standards-based content. Environmental Education is being considered as a subject and ethnic-studies course are being debated.

The other 'big thing' in 2011 is the emergence of technology use in and outside of the classroom in the education process. Electronic readers, social media, cell phone apps and electronic blackboards are the rage on websites. Also enjoying a high profile is the streamlining and fine-tuning of virtual education. How to ensure social interaction, strong assessments, and applicable content - all online.

Looks like the New Year is all about saving money or do without money. When money s not in the equation the focus is on students and that is a good thing.
Michael Cordier