Interesting education articles we saw this week
One of the most difficult parts to putting together our weekly internal newsletter is narrowing down what to include. We see so many interesting items. But we want to keep the newsletter to a manageable length. So sometimes we have to be really selective. These are the articles that made the cut this week. And check out our fun site at the bottom of the post.
The Obama administration is proposing an increase of $1.3 billion in education spending. That’s the good news. The bad news is that ed-tech funding will be cut by 63% (Obama proposes $1.3B increase in ed funding – eSchool News Online).
Classrooms benefit directly from donors is an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune. It looks at DonorsChoose.org, an online philanthropy site that allows people to choose where their donated money will go. “’The trend over time is that donors want to be able to direct their giving. They don't want to give it to an intermediary and then have the intermediary decide where it goes,’ said James Ferris, director of the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the University of Southern California.” Over 130,000 donors have used the site.
The Denver Post reported on Rap boosting kids’ academics. Rap to Roots is a program that uses rap to help kids learn everything from Shakespeare to math. It’s been successfully used in Chicago and Cleveland and the article described its debut in the Denver school system. Does it work? According to Michael Schenkelberg, the developer of the program, “Organizers tracked students' progress over four years and discovered those in the program "’did significantly better in standardized testing, attention spans in the classroom, and some improved their writing skills.’”
What’s big in science education? Forensics, according to A Hit in school, maggots and all (New York Times). Teachers are finding that kids are excited by the classes being offered and are learning science, sometimes without even realizing it, including biology, chemistry and physics. “Forensic science also emphasizes what scientists complain is too often lacking in standard science education: hands-on lab work.”
Last week we finished with computer equipment playing Bohemian Rhapsody. This week we end with an organist’s rendition of the Overture to Star Wars. It’s kind of boring to actually watch. But close your eyes and it sounds just like the movies. Thanks to Nick in Trade marketing for sending this to us. Enjoy.
