A weekly report on education news and commentary you won’t find anywhere else — from the nation’s leading voice on education innovation and opportunity.
Yes, yes – by all means eat healthier, exercise more and all that jazz. But the resolutions about which we will be most resolute are all about continuing CER’s leadership to ensure that every American student, whether child or adult, is prepared to achieve their goals and dreams. A few not-so-modest examples:
MAKE “WHY AMERICA?” A QUESTION ASKED IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY – AND PROVIDE ANSWERS. Our newest initiative piloted in Washington DC is “Why America?,” a multi-faceted program aimed at charter middle school students in our nation’s capitol to drive new and improved understanding and appreciation of the landmarks and milestones in close proximity to them. The partnership with District charter schools and FOCUS-DC makes history come alive for young people. As author David McCullough puts it so well, “You cannot love what you do not know.” Our aim is to help our students know – and love – America. We are building a model we will share.
EXPAND OPPORTUNITY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. The enormous challenges in fragile communities require equally big, rapid and substantive responses. We will demonstrate that amazing transformations can happen when you’re willing to be bold, collaborative and intensely impatient. With a new eco-system of ed innovators, entrepreneurs, traditional and non traditional education actors from early education through career, we will help reboot an entire county’s rural education ecosystem and prove that doing so is not only possible but welcome in even the most challenged communities.
EXPAND OPPORTUNITY ACROSS ALL STATES WHERE IT’S MISSING, CONTROLLED OR CHALLENGED. CER’s path breaking work on charter school laws, it’s pioneering work in school choice, and our reliance on other choice experts from the American Federation of Children to EdChoice allows us to see the flaws in laws that limit the needed school opportunities that students in K-12 most need. While some state lawmakers think incremental change is acceptable, we will, regardless of political party or agenda, continue to make it our business to call out those who stand in the way of getting every child the education they deserve and supporting the grassroots in bigger and more expansive ways than ever before. Part of that requires us to...
CONTINUE GIVING PARENTS VITAL INFORMATION. One of our most popular and useful means of empowering parents is the PPI or Parent Power Index, an interactive tool that lets them discovers whether their state affords them power over their kids education, and if not what they can do to get it.
CREATE CONGRESSIONAL AWARENESS AND ACTION. After many months of introducing Congress to the reality of innovative education solutions, personalized learning, the importance of assessing competency not time on task and opening up eyes to the wealth of incredible action going on in schools in all sectors, we are happy to report that the Congressional Education Innovation Caucus has been created, and will be a great partner to amplify the work done throughout the nation and all congressional districts.
WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS OF BOTH PARTIES TO KEEP IT NON-PARTISAN. Whether by informing the general public on the views of governors and gubernatorial candidates on thinking “outside the envelope” or driving better local actions, we look forward to working closely with those who agree with us on Innovation and Opportunity and engage in friendly persuasion for those with whom we don’t see eye-to eye.
CHALLENGE HIGHER EDUCATION to become more responsive, relevant and innovative. Following the lead of the great minds working in and around higher ed, from Strada Education Network to the members of the University Innovation Alliance, we will uncover and reveal what makes some more innovative than others, and work to advance those attributes whether through policy or persuasion.
And our final resolution…
KEEP GENERAL GEORGE PATTON’S ADVICE IN MIND. General Patton’s recipe for success in battle was "L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace", audacity, audacity, always audacity. We at CER have never been shrinking violets, and we don’t intend to start now! The challenges are many and the stakes are high, but the future of America’s students of all ages is too important to shrink from the battle. Patton’s advice will continue to be our watchwords for 2019.
These are just a few examples of how we are resolved to answer these questions for our nation in 2019 that have us already bursting with pride. Join us in our quest. Just tell us how you can contribute and we will plug you in.
Now as to a better diet and more exercise...we’ll get back to you on that one.
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.
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Forbes and NPR are reporting on a new study that shows teenage girls who spend time on social media are more at risk for depression than teenage boys raising new concerns on the media/mental health connection. Kim Metcalfe, PhD, is psychologist specializing in counseling for at-risk youth and is available for comments and interviews about this and other related topics.
About Kim Metcalfe
Dr. Kim Metcalfe, a retired professor of early childhood education and psychology, is the author of Let’s Build ExtraOrdinary Youth Together (www.xtraordinaryyouth.com). She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the California Association for the Education of Young Children, and the American Psychological Association. Dr. Metcalfe has a doctorate degree in Educational Developmental Psychology. To honor her late daughter, Abigail Elise Metcalfe, Dr. Metcalfe founded Abbey’s Purple Winged Angels Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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MASKED INTRUDER
ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
III
TO BE RELEASED MARCH 1, 2019
THROUGH PURE NOISE RECORDS
LISTEN AND WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO
FOR "NO CASE" NOW
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER AT WWW.MASKEDINTRUDERBAND.COM
UPCOMING U.S. TOUR WITH THE INTERRUPTERS KICKS OFF FEBRUARY 27
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
JANUARY 8, 2019 - MADISON, WI - Masked Intruder, the ski-mask clad, punk rock felons from Madison, Wisconsin have announced details surrounding their escape from prison and upcoming album, III, their third full-length and debut release on Pure Noise Records. They have also released the first single and music video for "No Case", which can be seen here:www.maskedintruderband.com
For the new album, the band - Intruder Blue, Intruder Green, Intruder Red and Intruder Yellow - recruited lead producer/engineer Roger Lima (who also plays bass in Less Than Jake) as well as co-producer Mike Kennerty (who plays guitar in some band called The All-American Rejects) and recorded the album at Lima's studio, The Moat House in Gainesville, Florida.
"Our songs aren't just about the feelings and situations that they describe but they're supposed to hopefully help other people think about and reflect about their own situations," Intruder Blue summarizes.
Whether it comes to stealing hearts or wallets, Masked Intruder have upped their game on Masked Intruder III and it seems as if even Officer Bradford can't hold them back, although we're sure he'll try.
The band's most infectious album to date is now available for pre-order at www.maskedintruderband.com.
Track Listing:
1. No Case
2. Mine All Mine
3. All of My Love
4. Just So You Know
5. I'm Free (At Last)
6. Please Come Back To Me
7. B & E
8. Maybe Even
9. Not Fair
10. Stay With Me Tonight
11. Dream a Little Dream
12. I'll Be Back Again Someday
Masked Intruder kick off a nationwide tour with The Interrupters on February 27. Tickets are on sale now and a full list of cities they hit can be found below.
Masked Intruder - Upcoming Tour Dates:
w/ The Interrupters
February 27 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
March 1 - Dallas, TX - Trees
March 2 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
March 3 - Austin, TX - Mohawk
March 4 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
March 7 - Destin, FL - Club LA
March 8 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
March 9 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
March 10 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
March 12 - Richmond, VA - The National
March 15 - Asbury Park, NJ - The Stone Pony
March 16 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore
March 17 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
March 19 - Quebec, Canada - Imperial Bell
March 20 - Montréal, Canada - Club Soda
March 22 - Toronto, Canada - Danforth Music Hall
March 23 - London, Canada - London Music Hall
March 24 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
March 28 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls
March 29 - Indianapolis, IN - Deluxe at Old National Center
March 30 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
April 1 - St. Louis. MO - Delmar Hall
April 2 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall
April 3 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
April 5 - Denver, CO - The Ogden Theatre
April 6 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
Follow Masked Intruder:
Website: www.maskedintruderband.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/maskedintruder
Twitter: www.twitter.com/maskedintruder1
Instagram: www.instagram.com/maskedintruder
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/29Clcdv
For more information: www.purenoise.net
