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.
NY TIMES v PERSONALIZED LEARNING. It’s no secret that many parents are getting a little uneasy about the role of technology in teaching and learning. Teachers, too, are largely unaware in many places about the way technology can most effectively be a tool, not a substitute, for great teaching. Most of the reason anyone gets uneasy about anything is because it’s unfamiliar. But that should cause one to look more deeply into what is happening with transformative education programs, like Summit’s personalized learning, which ensures every student not just gets ‘taught’ but actually ‘learns!’ It’s called competency, and for every student to achieve that they need to be able to learn individually alongside other students, not have to pace themselves according to the pack. But the point of personalized learning was lost on a NY Times’ Reporter, who not only made egregious, factual mistakes in the article (like saying a student with epilepsy got worse symptoms from the program when she wasn’t even in the program), but also misinformation about how personalized learning works. Let’s get the story straight, Ms Gray Lady.
SNAP. Gosh, when we were in school our teachers pushed us hard to prove our facts, and demonstrate that what we said and wrote was indeed the whole truth and nothing but the truth (so help us, God). As a reminder of what it takes to ensure accuracy in journalism, The Grade’s Alexander Russo offers 11 things reporters should remember when writing complex stories.
IRONICALLY JUST DAYS AFTER THE TIMES SNAFU… The results of the National 2018 Technology and Engineering Literacy (TEL) assessment are out, and they remain disappointing at best. The test of more than 15,000 8th grade students in almost 600 schools across the country shows that fewer than 50% are proficient in the kinds of skills necessary for lifelong learning and substantial jobs. The test not only measures technology and engineering literacy but also assesses problem-solving and communications skills, which directly correlate with hard STEM skills.
HIGHER EDUCATION IS FOR EVERYONE. So says Purdue University president and former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, a smart, savvy and innovative college president who makes the case for expanded pathways for students, rigorous learning and education transformation in this week’s Reality Check with Jeanne Allen.
OPERATION VARSITY BLUES. Speaking of higher education, the lessons learned from the recent scandal where the rich and famous bribed their way into schools are numerous. Read Jeanne’s piece in this week’s Forbes for more.
WE TOLD YOU SO. We’ve maintained that school districts cravenly caved to over-the-top union demands to settle recent strikes. The first sentence of this tell-it-like-it-is piece says it all: “Amid the teacher strikes and activism that roiled the nation last fall, school districts in California, Colorado, and Washington signed labor contracts they now say they cannot afford.” This should surprise no one.
FOLLOW THE MONEY. Wonder why the unions are so frantic that “Janus” gave their members freedom? They have fifty million reasons in California alone.
A RED FLAG FOR ALL CHARTERS. Fresh off actions that bankrupted school districts, the same unions have set their sights on crippling charter schools from within. Jeanne Allen lays out the dangers ahead in the Washington Examiner.
L.A. TIMES BEGINS TO SEE THE LIGHT. Nowhere is the unions’ jihad against charter schools more obvious and vicious than in California. The anti-charter forces were called out by the Los Angeles Times for such irrational activity.
As always, your comments and suggestions are most welcome.
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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Do you want to learn more about the different rights and array of benefits you earned through service to your country? Do you want straight answers as well as free, professional assistance with claims from a highly trained expert?
The DAV Cheyenne, Wyoming National Service Office is inviting you and your family to attend a DAV Veterans Information Seminar. During the seminar, a DAV National Service Officer (NSO) will discuss facts which will strengthen your knowledge and understanding regarding the benefits and services you earned.
So many injured veterans feel confused about their benefits and services, which is why DAV is leading the way in providing you the best counseling and claim filing assistance you and your family can get. Our NSOs are rigorously and professionally schooled in the full range of benefits for military veterans, retirees and their families. Also, like you, DAV NSOs are veterans.
There’s so much to know...and so many changes from one year to the next. Here are the details on this seminar:
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
5:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Young at Heart Center
2400 Reagan Avenue
Rock Springs, WY 82901
In conjunction with the seminar, our NSOs will be providing claims assistance on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at this location between the hours of 8:00 A.M. till 3:00 P.M. so don’t let this opportunity pass you by. For more information about our outreach programs, please call Leroy Kenner, NSO Supervisor, at (307) 433-2753.
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DAVIS COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER INVITES PUBLIC TO TAKE THEIR DOGS ON A SNIFF-ABOUT
Someone let the dogs out – Davis County dogs that is! Davis County Animal Care and Control is asking members of the community to take shelter dogs on field trips, or a “Sniff-About”, as part of a groundbreaking study of foster care that will help save the lives of homeless dogs across the country. Starting May 8th, 2019 Davis County will let the dogs out! The goal of this 100-shelter nationwide study, carried out by Arizona State University and funded by Maddie’s Fund, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals, is to learn more about how fostering programs affect dogs as well as shelter staff and volunteers. We need you to participate- and all you’ll need to do is hang out with a dog!
Foster programs of any length help reduce stress for dogs in kennels and provide them with enrichment and increased their visibility in the community with potential adopters. They provide shelters with valuable insight on dogs’ personalities and their behavior outside a shelter environment. It’s also a great excuse to do something new or explore Davis County.
“Similar programs at shelters across the country have been enormously successful in helping homeless pets,” said Rhett Nicks, Director of Davis County Animal Care and Control “We are excited to introduce this program in our community and thankful that Maddie’s Fund included our community and shelter.”
“Foster care is the gold standard for lifesaving and we consider foster caregivers as the VIPs,” said Mary Ippoliti-Smith, Executive Leadership Team of Maddie’s Fund. “These types of programs are a great way to connect the community with shelter pets.”
This program was especially designed to make participation easy. No prior experience is needed, and participants will be provided with everything they need for a successful field trip. Individuals interested in the Sniff-About program should contact the shelter directly at foster@co.davis.ut.us.
About Davis County Animal Control
Davis County Animal Care and Control serves over 6000 animals a year with services such as low cost vaccinations, adoptions, and returning lost pets to their home. Officers answer calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week and the shelter returns over 1500 pets a year to owners and adopts out or transfers to rescue over 2000 pets a year. The shelter sees everything from livestock to rattlesnakes and everything in between. Davis County Animal Care and Control is dedicated to continuing socially conscience sheltering while serving the people and pets of Davis County.
Media Contact:
Rhett Nicks
Director, Davis County Animal Care and Control
phone: 801-444-2200
email: rnicks@co.davis.ut.us (preferred method)
About Maddie’s Fund
Maddie's Fund is a family foundation created in 1994 by Workday® co-founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, who have endowed the Foundation with more than $300 million. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $225.7 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter management leadership, shelter medicine education, and foster care across the U.S. The Duffields named Maddie's Fund after their Miniature Schnauzer Maddie, who always made them laugh and gave them much joy. Maddie was with Dave and Cheryl for ten years and continues to inspire them today.
Maddie's Fund is the fulfillment of a promise to an inspirational dog, investing its resources to create a no-kill nation where every dog and cat is guaranteed a healthy home or habitat. #ThanksToMaddie.
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WOES
ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM
AWFUL TRUTH
DUE OUT JUNE 28 VIA UNFD
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER AT
https://unfd.lnk.to/AwfulTruth
DROP NEW SINGLE "MONEY SHOE"
MAY 1, 2019 - Edinburgh- Scottish pop punks Woes have officially announced their highly anticipated debut album, Awful Truth, will be released June 28th via UNFD. The band took their own DIY experience and combined it with acclaimed producer Seb Barlow (Neck Deep, WSTR, Roam), in turn creating their most ambitious collection of music to date. The result of that tireless work is Awful Truth, a collection of songs that are genuinely unique. From the sombre heartbreak of Cross and the euphoric swagger pulsing through Money Shoe to the earnest punk-rock energy of Suburbs and the bubblegum pomp of Fancy, the spectrum of moods, styles and sounds crammed into these 10 tracks is gargantuan.
"Awful Truth represents coming to terms with all of the negative parts of your life as much as the positive ones. It's about stepping out of your comfort zone and facing off with the things that you may not want to, rather than just coasting through this existence idly" shares the band on their upcoming album. Awful Truth is available for pre-order now at https://unfd.lnk.to/AwfulTruth.
In addition to today's announcement, Woes have dropped a brand new single and music video today. "Money Shoe" sees the band's sound take flight, blurring the lines between pop punk, hip hop and R&B. "I think it's the most honest and complete representation of what we want to sound like", explains vocalist DJ. Fans can watch the music video today at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLJmk7BwaBg.
"Money Shoe" joins previously released single "Suburbs", which was released earlier this year and debuted the addition of guitarist Luke Bovill to the band.
Awful Truth Track Listing
1. Boy
2. Fake Friends
3. Fancy
4. Money Show
5. Awful Truth
6. Suburbs
7. Mess
8. Cross
9. Gone Forever
10. Ugly
Awful Truth follows last year's acclaimed Self Help EP, which launched the four-piece into the eye of rock press (KKKK - Kerrang!, 'Bold' - Rock Sound, 9/10 - Discovered) and landed a hefty touring schedule with highlights including support to Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Neck Deep, State Champs, 2000 Trees, Download and Slam Dunk.
Woes are more than just a one trick pony, taking pop punk to new heights by embracing their love of pop, hip hop and R&B, and using elements from these genres in their sound. "There is definitely a conscious effort to start expanding our sound, to bring in different instruments and elements that we haven't used before,'' says DJ, "We love loads of modern hip-hop and RnB, which is something we plan to explore more in 2019. We also like incorporating math-rock and prog chords and progressions into our instrumentals... But we still want that pop punk energy live".
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Follow Woes:
https://www.facebook.com/woesuk/
https://www.instagram.com/woesuk/
