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Study: Psychological factors behind low test performance by
girls and minorities New research indicates girls and low-income minority students can improve their test scores if they are taught ways to overcome anxiety-inducing, negative stereotypes. According to an NYU/Columbia University study of seventh-graders, students who were encouraged to attribute their academic troubles to their situation rather than their personal abilities registered higher scores on standardized tests. The New York Times (free registration) (1/20)  | ||||||||||||
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Massachusetts governor may expand MCAS scholarships to private
schools Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has unveiled a proposal to allow private school students to take the MCAS exam and be eligible to receive thousands of dollars in state aid for higher education. Boston Herald (1/21) | ||||||||||||
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Chinese schools adopting more progressive curriculum
As China's economy experiences explosive growth, the country's education system is being retooled to downplay rote memorization in favor of a more student-centered, exploratory curriculum. Students are engaging in more classroom give-and-take, facilitated by teachers who guide rather than rigidly direct the discussions. The Christian Science Monitor (1/20) | ||||||||||||
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Veteran schools chief survives personal, professional
challenges Harold "Butch" Winkler, Cabarrus County (N.C.) Schools' superintendent for the past nine years, does not shy away from taking a stand on controversial issues. Winkler, who survived a heart attack while mountain climbing six years ago, has publicly spoken out against Operation Save America, a conservative group working to restore Christian values in the public schools. The Charlotte Observer (N.C.) (free registration) (1/20) | ||||||||||||
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Author: Teachers unions are an imperfect yet critical power
bloc Author and education leader Deborah Meier says teachers unions too often are unfairly blamed for the difficulties of school reform. She argues that strong unions, despite their shortcomings, are needed to protect the interests of poor children. Dissent Magazine (Winter 2004) | ||||||||||||
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Columnists: Great math and science resources
Technology columnists Joy and Bob Schwabach highlight top math- and science-themed software and Web sites. Their picks include Maple 9, a $99, interactive program for students studying algebra and calculus, and Mathworld, which bills itself as "the world's most complete mathematical resource." The Kansas City Star (Mo.) (free registration) (1/20) | ||||||||||
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Study
pinpoints ninth grade as critical year for retention, attrition
A Boston College study of high school graduation rates between 1979 and 2000 found fewer ninth-graders are reaching 10th grade, because states are implementing more stringent academic standards. The study warned that the 2000-01 national graduation rate of only 74.4% holds dire consequences for both the dropouts and society as a whole. Houston Chronicle/The Boston Globe (1/20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Australian prime minister takes flak after criticizing public
schools Australian Prime Minister John Howard experienced a furious backlash after he called public schools too politically correct and too values-neutral in a newspaper interview earlier this week. Critics praised the public schools for their dedication to equity and called Howard's remarks "insulting" and "narrow-minded." The Des Moines Register (Iowa)/Associated Press (1/20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Teachers capitalize on lesson potential from Mars
mission NASA space officials are hoping the Mars mission will motivate teens to become future scientists and astronauts. The space agency is spending more than $1 billion this year on education programs. Los Angeles Times (free registration) (1/21) | ||||||||||
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In Baltimore County, two igloo-like, inflatable planetariums are
rotating through the public schools to spark student interest in
astronomy. The Baltimore Sun
(1/21) | ||||||||||
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Mathews: Risk-taking student defied expectations
Washington Post education columnist Jay Mathews profiles Greg Rusu, a former student of renowned math teacher Jaime Escalante, the inspiration for the movie "Stand and Deliver." Mathews says Rusu's experiences show that educators must let students take risks and that, in the end, the quality of one's character is more important than one's GPA or college. The Washington Post (1/20) | ||||||||||
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Influences on minority student achievement Academic rigor and social supports can have a significant influence on student achievement. This issue of ResearchBrief looks at the effect of these issues on minority achievement and closing the achievement gap. Read this issue of ResearchBrief | |||||||||||||
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