District Administration articles from July 2005

District Administration archives from July 2005

Lessons from the diamond.(Editor's Letter)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... This was going to be the easiest Editor's Letter I'd written all year. It s summer and I wanted to reflect that change in atmosphere by putting aside the usual issues and bringing together baseball and education. I'd taken a hardly...

High school rankings raise questions.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Reform of a secondary education)
July 1, 2005... Many organizations have suggested ways to improve the nation's high schools, but some educators are skeptical about whether it is worthwhile to rank schools' performance based on their own or other criteria. "Ranking is not a productive...

North Carolina's 21st Century Center.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The nation's first-of-its-kind Center for 21st Century Skills will be created in North Carolina to help students acquire the knowledge and ability needed for success in the global economy. The center will be housed under the North Carolina...

Baltimore initiates first local High Shool Summit.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Sometimes national initiatives creep to the local level at a snail's pace. This truism drove Baltimore Superintendent Joe Hairston to convene Baltimore County's High School Summit. Modeled after the first two annual national high school...

Super-sized education.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Academy Award nominated documentary, Super Size Me, that focuses on teaching people about the importance of healthy eating and exercise has a new education edition. Super Size Me Educationally Enhanced DVD edition uses the original...

Screening for alcohol.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Breathalyzers for high grade students)
July 1, 2005... As teenagers show up to class or dances intoxicated, some schools are sobering up. Using one of several alcohol screeners, made by Q3 Innovations, school administrators and staff can test the blood alcohol concentration of a student...

Achievement gap stays same.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Since 1990, the achievement gap between blacks and whites hasn't changed and could continue unchanged into the 21st century, according to new research by a University of Chicago economist. On a national test, black 9- to 13-year-olds...

Indiana's moment of silence.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Students in every Indiana public school will get the chance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and observe a moment of silence every day due to a new law, effective July 1. The law does not require students to recite the pledge, but it does...

Giant burrito causes ruckus.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... A junior high school student in New Mexico caused a ruckus recently when he brought what looked like a large weapon into school, resulting in a lock down and armed snipers on rooftops. The eighth-grader at Marshall Junior High School in...

Despite controversy, Texas district adding Bible class.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)
July 1, 2005... Controversy swirls around the Ector County (Texas) Independent School District's unanimous decision recently to approve an elective course in biblical literacy for its high school students beginning in the fall of 2006. "I know that there...

Kansas science standards likely to challenge evolution.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Teaching of evolution)
July 1, 2005... State education officials in Kansas are considering changes to its science standards that would allow students to hear challenges to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, a move that opponents say could set a precedent about the actual...

"Common sense" says American schools suffer from low expectations.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Interview with Frederick Hess about education system)(Interview)
July 1, 2005... Frederick Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, challenges the accepted structure of the U.S. education system and "status quo reformers" in his newest book, Common Sense School Reform (Palgrave...

Schools need more math and science.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Congress got an earful of facts and statistics recently when educators and business leaders told members that teachers need to hook kids on math and science in elementary school to keep them interested later on. It would help the U.S. close the...

Got mail? Check for lewdness.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Four Florida education employees were fired in April for sending lewd e-mails that started with invitations for three-way sex. The state Department of Education has a "zero tolerance policy" for inappropriate e-mail. Investigations are...

Edison gets two more.(update: Education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Edison Schools will operate two more schools in Philadelphia due to positive academic gains in their other 20 schools in the city. Huey Elementary School, a K-6 school, and Hartranft Elementary School, a K-8 school, will be added to the...

Another alternative for special ed students.(Inside the Law: Analyzing, Debating and Explaining No Child Left Behind)(Special education students (innovations in education policy of schools))
July 1, 2005... A new flexibility option under No Child Left Behind gives states the chance to allow 2 percent of students with academic disabilities to take tests that are specifically geared toward their abilities. This option is above the 1 percent of...

Going beyond the call.(Inside the Law: Analyzing, Debating and Explaining No Child Left Behind)(The New Diploma System (education policy))(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Ocean State is going beyond its call of duty. At the very least, Rhode Island educators say, students in each of its 36 districts should perform on grade level in their subjects by the year 2014. But Rhode Island high school students...

The teacher incentive fun: pro or con?(Inside the Law: Analyzing, Debating and Explaining No Child Left Behind)(Rewardig of teachers)
July 1, 2005... U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings wants more respect for teachers. To do that, she recommends rewarding teachers who help close the achievement gap in the most challenging classrooms and take the toughest jobs. The two major...

Council rebuts NEA lawsuit.(Inside the Law: Analyzing, Debating and Explaining No Child Left Behind)(Interview with Lori Drummer)(Interview)
July 1, 2005... When the National Education Association filed a lawsuit this spring charging that Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings is violating No Child Left Behind by not providing enough funding to states and school districts, the American...

A dual life: he's an athletic star, a financial whiz and an architect of increased student performance--who is also supremely unpopular.(Administrator Profile: Tim Jenney, Superintendent, Virginia Beach City Public Schools)
July 1, 2005... Tim Jenney, the departing superintendent in Virginia Beach, Va., has dodged a number of bullets during his nine years there. The teacher's association came out swinging in their first meeting, threatening to banish him. The school board aimed...

Designing the future: Scarsdale schools have a lot of advantages, from generous community support to motivated teachers. But it's how the district leverages its position that's exciting.(District Profile: Scarsdale (N.Y.) Public Schools)
July 1, 2005... The funny thing about trying to design the future is that to do a good job of it you often have to look backward. While Scarsdale Public Schools, an affluent suburb of New York City, would be considered a leading proponent of educational...

Open for business: consultants are not the exclusive property of corporate America. School districts are spending millions of dollars to tap into their expertise. Are the costs worth it?(School consulting)
July 1, 2005... Would you pay someone to tell you what to do? This millennium, K-12 administrators are increasingly answering in the affirmative. The education market makes up nearly 40 percent of the consulting practice at McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy...

'Roid rage: districts' latest drug problem doesn't involve getting high, but getting stronger. Learn how steroids are infiltrating high schools and what districts are doing to stem the abuse.(Cover Story)
July 1, 2005... Thanks to Major League Baseball, anabolic steroid use and abuse is once again in the news. In his State of the Union address this January, President Bush called for legislation against steroid abuse in professional sports (federal laws against...

Is your network slowing you down? Many older networks can't keep up with the applications schools want to offer and the data requirements of NCLB. Learn how these smart districts are fixing their problems.
July 1, 2005... All the teachers in Cheltenham Township School District were clamoring for new desktop PCs, convinced that it was old, slow processors making their classroom computing crawl. But Gary Bixby, director of support services and facilities...

A fair comparison: finding districts, schools, classrooms or even individual students like your own and using the comparisons in decision-making is now easier than ever. A national database makes it all possible.
July 1, 2005... How is ABC Elementary doing compared to XYZ Elementary across town, or JKL Elementary in that district across the river? Schools, districts and even classrooms are stacked up against each other all the time. During meetings. In the media....

Money makes security go around: when money is tight, schools have choices to find grants or spend their own cash.
July 1, 2005... In December 1997, three students were shot dead and five were wounded by a 14-year-old student as they took part in a prayer circle in the first-floor lobby of their Kentucky high school, just minutes before classes started. It put West...

Natives fight back using simple life courses.(SECURITY TRENDS: The latest trends in school safety and security)(Suicide among Native American youth)
July 1, 2005... The shootings at Red Lake High School this spring brought to light some ugly statistics: Suicide among Native American youth is roughly 2.5 times higher than the national rate; alcohol-related deaths among this population between ages 15 to 24...

Zero tolerance = jailhouse hotel?(SECURITY TRENDS: The latest trends in school safety and security)(Safety policy in elementary schools)
July 1, 2005... A 10-year old Philadelphia girl is taken to the police station in handcuffs for taking a pair of scissors to school for a project. A 12-year-old Houston boy is taken to a juvenile detention center for unknowingly bringing to school a...

Seattle hopes to be wireless role model.(SECURITY TRENDS: The latest trends in school safety and security)(Wireless survillance equipment in public schools in Seattle)
July 1, 2005... When teachers and administrators arrive at one Seattle high school this fall, they won't have to plug in to get online anymore. And soon thereafter, officials can monitor what's happening on the other side of the building from their Palms. ...

Regaining America's voice.(Curriculum Update: The latest developments in math, science, language arts and social studies)(The National Anthem Project (re-teach the national anthem))(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Nearly two in three Americans don't know all of The Star Spangled Banner. And of those who claim to know the words, only 39 percent could correctly name what follows the line "whose broad stripes and bright stars"--the words "through the...

High-tech history grants.(Curriculum Update: The latest developments in math, science, language arts and social studies)(Civic education (grants))(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... New media, meet civics education. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has launched a $20 million initiative to take American history and civics education into the 21st century. With young people today being so comfortable with...

Math system change: two States, two approaches.(Curriculum Update: The latest developments in math, science, language arts and social studies)(Mathematics education (curricula) in New York and Georgia)
July 1, 2005... Changes are on the horizon for high school math in New York and Georgia. The Empire State is moving from its integrated approach to a more traditional single-focus course system; Peach State schools, meanwhile, will begin the switch from...

Service learning gets a boost.(Curriculum Update: The latest developments in math, science, language arts and social studies)(Service learning among educational leaders (methods))(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The why's of service learning--which include motivating students to learn and helping them become productive citizens--have certainly been touted by many a teacher. The Education Commission of the States has received a grant to focus on the...

Odvard Egil Dyrli on net video: online video brings program and public relations benefits to schools.(Usage of web sites in schools)
July 1, 2005... For the past two years the Warren Consolidated Schools district in Michigan has featured streaming online video on its Web site--where films play as they are transmitted--to enhance communications with parents and the community. The district...

Gary Stager on how computers will save music education; express yourself during your summer vacation!
July 1, 2005... One of the biggest lies in education is that computers are a threat to school art and music. Budget cuts, misplaced academic priorities or an over-emphasis on standardized testing have put the squeeze on arts programs yet I have seen no...

Safe At School: Lucerne Media.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.lucememedia.com DVD/Video, $195 This program was designed to offer administrators key strategies for developing an effective and comprehensive safe school plan. The 28-minute DVD or video covers characteristics of a safe school, early...

QuickReads Technology Edition: Pearson Learning Group.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.pearsonlearning.com Software, Classroom package $1,067.50 The two new versions of this instructional software help students build fluency, comprehension and background knowledge using science and social students content. Version 3...

SOLO: Don Johnston, Inc.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.donjohnston.com. Software. $502.40-$785 per computer The software provides supports to help build the critical literacy skills students need to be independent thinkers, readers and writers. Four SOLO products are available: Read:...

Play Smart, Play Safe: Playground Industry Organizations.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.playgroundhound.com/teachersguide.htm/ Internet, Basic curriculum free; $229 for classroom kit This curriculum can help raise awareness among children about their role in playing safe and avoiding hazards on and around playground...

Canvastic: FlatTop Technology, Inc. and TeachTech, Inc.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.canvastic.com Software, Single-user license $69 This integrated writing and publishing tool, targeting K-8 teachers and students, can be customized for students' age and ability level and comes with customized sets of options for...

800i Video Management System: 3VR Security, Inc.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.3vr.com Hardware, approximately $16,000 This all-in-one intelligent video management system can store, search, sort and analyze years worth of data, recognize security events in real time and respond with actions specified by the user,...

FlexSmart: Indala.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Computer card solutions)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... www.indala.com Hardware, $3.50 and up per card, $235 for reader This series of 13.56 MHz contactless smart card solutions include full sector/file programmability, encryption key management and outputs. The series includes: DX200...

The World in Ancient Times: Oxford University Press.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.oup.com, Book series, $32.95/book Each of the books in this series covers a different geographical region of the ancient world and is entirely based on primary source materials, such as archaeological information and artifacts, ancient...

Virtual Matrix System Standard: Visual Defence.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.visualdefence.com, Hardware, $7,500 and up This video management system for live and recorded video was designed to manage, monitor, configure and diagnose network-centric video solutions supporting four to 80 cameras. It replicates...

CareerPorts: Pitsco.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.careerports.com Internet, $7,000 and up per course This curriculum offers 16 career-oriented titles for students in grades 10-14 that can be offered as full courses or curriculum supplements. Each nine-week course was designed as a...

Differentiating Math Instruction: Corwin Press.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... www.corwinpress.com, Book, $29.95 This 176-page guide offers classroom-tested best practices to differentiating math instruction that span lesson planning through implementation. Features include: Ideas from Teachers sections that...

InterWrite school pad 400/meeting pad: GTCO CalComp, Inc.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... www.gtcoca/comp.com Hardware, USB hub $497, PCMCIA hub $514 The latest version of this Bluetooth wireless device allows users to interact with their computer from anywhere in the room and create a lesson or presentation. Features include...

Cross trainer: logical reasoning: Lexia Learning Systems.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... www.lexialearning.com Software, $440 per license at 10-license level This educational software helps students from age 7 to adult strengthen their logical thinking, organization and problem-solving abilities. It targets logic skills that...

Exceptional student education center: EDmin.com.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... www.edmin.com Internet, $5-$10 per student/year This Web-based software was designed to help in creating individualized education plans online and in aligning student achievement to standards from a variety of assessment data. The IEP...

County books: Gallopade.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... www.gallopade.com, Books, $7.95 each These customized books are available for every county, parish and borough in the U.S. Designed primarily to help teachers introduce the concept of a county to students in grades 3-8, each book includes a...

Achievement series: Scantron.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)
July 1, 2005... www.scantron.com Software, $ 4-$ 7/student The test creation software now features a classroom-testing module and enhanced sharing capabilities. Teachers can make tests active with the click of a button, and classroom reporting tools...

ETS formative assessment item bank: Educational Testing Service.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)(Educational Testing Service)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... www.etspulliam.org/index.asp Online Repository, $9 per student/year This online test item bank contains more than 12,000 math and language arts questions that K-12 teachers can use to help gauge student proficiency before high-stakes tests...

MasterView-X: ELMO USA Corp.(New Products: The latest offerings in books, hardware, Internet and software)
July 1, 2005... www.elmousa.com, Software, $400 and up This software was designed to help users view, manage and control several network-based video camera systems from one interface. It provides the power and tools required to manage and analyze content...

8,200 public schools had students enrolled in distance education courses during the 2002-03 school year.(By the Numbers on distance education: A data bank on education trends for district leaders)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... 8,200 public schools had students enrolled in distance education courses during the 2002-03 school year. This represents, approximately 9% of all public schools nationwide.

Reasons.(By the Numbers on distance education: A data bank on education trends for district leaders)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... Percent of districts indicating how important various reasons were for offering distance education courses Not Somewhat Very important important important Don't know ...

Holding back.(By the Numbers on distance education: A data bank on education trends for district leaders)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... HOLDING BACK Percentage of districts reporting various factors were preventing them from expanding distance education courses Course development and/or purchasing costs 68% Concerns about 37% course...

Metropolitan status.(By the Numbers on distance education: A data bank on education trends for district leaders)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... METROPOLITAN STATUS Percentage of districts with students enrolled in distance education courses Urban 23% Suburban 28% Rural 46%

Region.(By the Numbers on distance education: A data bank on education trends for district leaders)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... REGION Percentage of districts with students enrolled in distance education courses Northeast 21% Southeast 45% Central 46% West 32%

School vs. home.(By the Numbers on distance education: A data bank on education trends for district leaders)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... SCHOOL VS. HOME Percent of districts with students enrolled in online distance education courses 59% Percent of those districts indicating the access location of the online courses School ...

50% of districts with students enrolled in distance education.(By the Numbers on distance education: A data bank on education trends for district leaders)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... 50% of districts with students enrolled in distance education courses had students enrolled in Advanced Placement or college-level courses.

Grade level.(By the Numbers on distance education: A data bank on education trends for district leaders)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... GRADE LEVEL Percentage of public schools with students enrolled in distance education courses, by instructional level High school 76% Combined or ungraded schools 15% Middle schools 7%...

Technologies.(By the Numbers on distance education: A data bank on education trends for district leaders)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2005... TECHNOLOGIES Percentage of districts reporting that various technologies were used in distance education courses Two-way interactive video 49% Internet courses using asynchronous 9% computer-based instruction...