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.
KIDS LOSE THE KENTUCKY DERBY. It was déjà-vu all over again, but not in the humorous sense Yogi Berra meant, as Kentucky once again failed to fund any charter schools. The state has authorized charter schools, but has failed to appropriate any funds for the program. A whiff of hypocrisy hovers over those actions. Blue Grass legislators need to take to heart the advice of Yoda, “Either do or do not – there is no try.”
IS THERE SOMETHING IN THE APPALACHIAN WATER? On the heels of the failure of freedom in Kentucky, West Virginia joined the shame parade by turning its back on the necessity of meaningful options to save children’s futures. While we cue the music to “Deliverance”, enjoy this spot-on editorial describing the bullying and cravenness in the Mountaineer State. Support for opportunity and innovation in education is bipartisan, but sadly Kentucky and West Virginia prove that so is cowardice.
SOME SOUTHERNERS GET IT. You don’t have to travel far from Kentucky or West Virginia to find good news. Legislatures in both Florida and Georgia are advancing innovative initiatives to strengthen choice for all of their states’ students. Leaders of both parties in these states know the truth - that when parents have power, students have success.
PATRONIZE THE PAPA! Pizza maker Papa John’s has announced an even more ambitious program. It is partnering with Purdue University Global to provide free tuition for 20,000 Papa John’s employees, in which they can enroll in any of Purdue Global's online associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at no cost to them. This is what true 21st century education innovation and opportunity look like – the opportunity to learn whatever your age, wherever you are, with no need for a multi-billion dollar brick and mortar campus. We have the perfect song for a future Papa John’s commercial, Eddie Fisher singing “Oh my papa, to me he was so wonderful” - although it probably needs a little hip hop touch for the modern day !
BULLIES WIN – MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS LOSE. A special education assistant for the Los Angeles school district pens a column pointing out the obvious – that when teachers walk out on their students, it is the most disadvantaged and vulnerable among them who suffer the most damage. A pity more teachers didn’t realize this before striking against the kids.
WE’RE BUSTING OUR BUTTONS WITH PRIDE. Not one but two of our summer interns, Chelsey Williams and Winter Grant (pictured) and Chelsey Williams , won the $5,000 first prize in the Clafin University Business Competition. Founded in 1869, Clafin is the oldest historically black college or university in South Carolina. We are so proud of Chelsey and Winter, living proof that good things happen when students are free to pursue their own education path to shape their futures. God speed to both of them!
ONLINE LEARNING FLOURISHES IN INDIANA. A huge ripple effect of the charter school movement is the development of online and blended learning approaches. Helping deliver education in varied ways is prevalent in all sectors in states whose leaders are strongly supportive of opportunity and innovation. It’s no surprise that Indiana, #2 on the Parent Power Index has a bold advocate leading its state’s work in this area. This EdWeek profile of the director of virtual and blended learning shows the good things that can happen when good ideas get adopted by teachers and administrators of any school interested in results. She is “all in” on the idea of online and blended instruction, especially personalized learning, and students having “a voice and choice” in their learning. PL experts agree!
SPEAKING OF PL…. Three leaders in delivering personalized, student-centered learning visited Washington last week to share what they have learned from their respective schooling efforts. Tom Rooney, Superintendent of the Lindsay Unified School District; Grace Losada Head of School of Fusion Academy in West Los Angeles, and Mickey Revenaugh a board member of Brooklyn Lab public charter school and co-founder of Connections Academy shared their respective schooling efforts in the traditional, private and public charter sectors. This briefing was the first of many that will be held in conjunction with the newly named Congressional Caucus on Education Innovation and Opportunity, chaired by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-MI 10th).
As always, we value your input, suggestions, and criticism (of the constructive type, please). Don’t hesitate to reach out anytime!
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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The Exercise Rx for ADHD: How Movement Improves Attention, Working Memory, and Executive Functions
Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 1pm ET
with ADHD expert John J. Ratey, M.D.
Powerful evidence shows that exercise helps children and adults manage their ADHD. Movement turns on the brain’s attention networks and eases other symptoms, such as hyperactivity. Physical activity also has a positive effect on behavior and motivation, resulting in better school performance and better self-esteem.
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A Parent’s Guide to Changing Schools: How to Find the Best Match for Your Student with ADHD or LD
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 1pm ET
with ADHD expert Susan Yellin, Esq.
School is supposed to be a place where children learn and grow, but certain school environments may not be a good fit for kids with ADHD and learning disabilities. So when is it time to consider a new school? Are there ways to work with your child’s current school to transform it into a better learning environment?
Everything in Its Place: The ADHD Guide to Better Organization
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 1pm ET
with ADHD expert Lisa K. Woodruff
Do you walk into a disorganized room and find yourself paralyzed and overwhelmed — unsure where or how to apply order? Do you repeatedly spend time and money on organizing solutions that don’t work? Do you put in constant effort but never feel organized? It's time to start working with your ADHD brain, not against it.
The ADHD-Depression Connection in Adults: Understanding the Link, Distinct Symptoms, and First-Line Treatments
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 1pm ET
with ADHD expert Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D.
Every adult with ADHD should take note of these statistics: Thirty percent of individuals with ADHD have had a depressive episode, and if you have ADHD, your risk of developing depression is four times greater than it is for those without the disorder. The good news is that more treatment options exist today for managing depression, ranging from psychotherapy to pharmacological interventions.
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Plexus Worldwide Bringing Health & Happiness Tour to Salt Lake City on March 13
Event will offer attendees the opportunity to discover healthy and happy living
Salt Lake City, Utah (February 27, 2019) - Plexus WorldwideTM (Plexus), a leading direct-selling health and wellness company focused on health and happiness, is bringing its Health and Happiness Tour to Salt Lake City on Wednesday, March 13, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel located at 150 West 500 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101. The free event will showcase Plexus’ vast line of health and wellness products and introduce attendees to new opportunities within the company. The Salt Lake City event will be hosted by local Plexus Ambassadors Christy Jex and Christina Sorenson.
“Our Health and Happiness Tour is focused on helping people to discover healthy and happy living the way that thousands already know,” said Alec Clark, President and Founder of Plexus. “This unique event provides an opportunity to learn about all about Plexus products and opportunities in a fun and welcoming setting.”
Attendees of the Health and Happiness Tour will be able to meet other health-focused people from their community, sample some of the most popular Plexus products, meet one-on-one with company leaders, and hear from a variety of presenters. Attendees will also have the opportunity to earn a variety of incentives. All registered guests will receive a free 7-day Plexus Slim Trial Pack. Attendees who bring a guest will qualify for the chance to win a free Plexus Enrollment. Those who bring two or more guests will receive three free Plexus Enrollments plus promo codes to waive the first year’s Annual Membership Fee.
The Health and Happiness Tour takes place across North America this Spring. All events are free to attend and open to the public. A list of all events and registration is available at https://plexusworldwide.cvent.com/HealthandHappiness2019.
About Plexus Worldwide:
Plexus Worldwide LLC offers health and wellness products that enable people to improve their lives and well-being. With more than 700,000 independent business owners (“Ambassadors”) worldwide, Plexus is among the world’s 40 largest direct sales companies and has often been featured on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. The combination of Plexus products and opportunities help individuals to meet their health-wellness and financial goals. For more information about us visit www.plexusworldwide.com.
