nation’s leading voice on education innovation and opportunity.
ALL WE WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS...
FORGET ABOUT TWO FRONT TEETH. We'd gladly swap those for two more Governors like educational choice superstars Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Jared Polis of Colorado. Republican Noem and Democrat Polis may not agree on much, but they are solid in their support of more innovation and opportunity for students stuck in failing schools. Having Governors in both parties with the courage and vision of Noem and Polis is even more important than being able to say "sister Suzie sittin' on a thistle".
MORE LEADERS LIKE "41". The passing of President George H.W. Bush reminds us of what a champion President Bush was of choice and alternative pathways for students to make their own future. He earned and proudly wore the title "the education President". Several charter schools and organizations won his "Thousand Points Of Light" award during his Presidency. He is sorely missed, but we can't help but notice the thousand points of lights in the heavens at night, and strongly suspect that one of those stars has a slightly crooked smile and is holding hands with a lady named Barbara.
MISS AMERICA'S INSIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS. The reigning Miss America, Nia Franklin, was a special guest at our recent 25th Anniversary Summit and Gala. Nia credits having a strong arts curriculum available in her high school with bringing her out of her shell, instilling pride and self confidence, and giving her the gumption to compete for a long shot dream - becoming Miss America. That made her an advocate of educational opportunity. A superb singer, she brought our anniversary crowd to its feet with her rendition of "America the Beautiful.” If you plan to sing "There she goes, Miss America..." you'd better be quick and have sharp eyes, for Nia is going to go far and do great things for our country.
STOCKINGS STUFFED WITH EDUCATORS LIKE "THE BLADE". Former Indiana Governor and now President of Purdue University Mitch Daniels ran the White House budget office for President George W. Bush, who dubbed Daniels "the blade" for his cost cutting skills. He has carried over those skills to Purdue -to the amazing extent that come graduation day in 2020, Purdue will not have raised tuition in eight years.
In 2017 Purdue purchased Kaplan University, an online, for-profit distance learning institution. Now called Purdue Global, the online University enrolls 29,000 students. It's aim is to serve working adults nationwide who want to complete a college degree but don't have the time or geographic proximity to enroll in ordinary classes. "Distance learning" is a key component of providing educational opportunities to all students, regardless of age or location. There has of course been push-back from what we call the education "Blob" - the establishment that is so invested in brick-and-mortar, 20th century education concepts. Those folks deserve lumps of coal in their stockings. We are informing the jolly fat man - Santa, not Chris Christie, via Fedex.
MORE ANGELS LIKE STEVE FORBES FOR THE TREE TOPPER. Besides being a “Renaissance man” in the true meaning of that phrase, Steve Forbes has also been in the front lines fighting for a renaissance in education - giving students and parents the widest possible options to choose what educational path best suits them. He described this in his usual pithy prose. “When you don’t have real choice then you get not only mediocrity, but you often get institutions that become more interested in their own well being, rather than their original mission.” We’d put Steve on top of every tree so his voice would carry far and wide. Catch Steve on Reality Check with Jeanne Allen tonight at National Review Online and at edreform.com.
FLORIDA SUNSHINE FOR ALL AMERICA. Santa's sleigh needs snow for optimum operation, so were not talking weather. We're talking the light of new ideas in education. Governor-Elect Rick DeSantis has been a champion for school innovation in the House of Representatives, and shows every sign of continuing to fight the good fight as Governor. At a recent meeting of his education transition team, his chief education advisor Kim McDougal said; "We're moving from school choice to informed, high quality school choice. The closer we can get to individualize education for each child the more success we will see." Starting with Jeb Bush a long line of Florida Governors has recognized that in education, one size does not fit all. That trend will continue and grow under Governor DeSantis, and that is a present under the Christmas tree of every school child in Florida.
EVERY BLESSING OF CHRISTMAS ON YOU AND YOURS. CER has been blessed in so many ways over our first 25 years, but the foremost blessing has been the support, encouragement, constructive critiques, prodding and yes love from you our friends, compatriots, and supporters. This is a season that brings reflection, and ours is one of heartfelt thanks to you. And though it's not yet the "Night Before Christmas", we join Clement Moore's St. Nicholas in saying MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.
Newswire will be vacationing until after the New Year. But fear thee not, as we will continue to bring great tidings through our Twitter and Facebook feeds, and online at edreform.com!
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education.
The Center for Education Reform
1455 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20004
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Ogden family holds Red Cross blood drive in memory of Mayor Brent Taylor
Dec. 28 blood drive honors Taylor’s legacy of community service
OGDEN, Utah (Dec. 19, 2018) –The Ogden community is invited to honor the memory of late Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor at an American Red Cross blood drive Friday, Dec. 28, from 1 to 7 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – North Ogden Utah East Stake in Cultural Hall, 2340 Fruitland Dr.
At the age of 39, Army Major Brent Russell Taylor was killed in action on November 3, 2018, while training an Afghan Army commando battalion, near Kabul, Afghanistan. The blood drive is being held to remember Taylor’s passion for community service.
Taylor felt compelled to serve wherever and however he could. He was honored to have served three previous Army deployments: Mosul, Iraq (2007); Baghdad, Iraq (2008); Kunduz, Afghanistan (2012). He was also awarded a Purple Heart Medal and a Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Taylor was loved and respected by those with whom he served and by those who he was serving. And he genuinely loved and respected them.
In November 2009, Taylor was elected to the North Ogden City Council after his two consecutive tours of duty to Iraq. He quickly earned the respect of the residents and city staff alike, and was elected mayor in November 2013.
Taylor was a man of faith, and those who knew him share that Jesus Christ was the foundation of all he did and all for which he stood. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and often spoke of three great loyalties in his life – God, family and country. For him, service to any one of these, was service to all three.
Family was everything to Taylor. Busy as he was, he always made time for them. And now, Taylor’s family is encouraging the community to donate in his memory. To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App and use sponsor code Brent Taylor.
How to donate blood
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
The case for starting the STEM talent hunt in high school
By Sanford I. Weill
More than half of firms in a recent Business Roundtable survey, "believe that skills shortages are problematic or very problematic for both their company and their industry."
Thankfully, Congress recently passed the bipartisan Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, which will direct $1.2 billion to workforce training programs.
But federal dollars won't close the skills gap without help from the private sector. Businesses need to invest more time and resources in workforce development by offering technical training and internships to kids when it really matters: in high school.
Capital One, for example, has hired high school interns since 2014. One intern created an app to hail the company shuttle bus, so it would stop running empty and wasting fuel.
Companies must take an active role in developing talent. America's future workforce depends on it.
Read more at: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/19/perspectives/sanford-weill-high-school-interns-stem/index.html.
Sanford I. Weill is founder and chairman of NAF.
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(Washington, D.C., December 19, 2018) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Undersecretary Brandon Lipps will hold an off-camera, on-the-record briefing regarding USDA’s specific plans to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The briefing will be conducted via conference call beginning at 5:30pm ET, and the information will be embargoed until 5:00am ET Thursday, December 20th. The number of lines are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so please limit to one per outlet.
