Curriculum Administrator articles from January 2001

Curriculum Administrator archives from January 2001

CHOICE IS GOOD.(public schools)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... It's easy to realize that in most cases choice is good. Consider how free choice could improve arranged marriages, the country's recent presidential election or the school down your street. Ah, there's the rub. While choice is good most of...

Letters to the editor.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2001... ZERO TOLERANCE ISN'T THE ANSWER I just read [Daniel Kinnaman's] editorial, ["No Size Fits All" CURRICULUM ADMINISTRATOR, November 2000, p. 92]. I hope every administrator in the country reads this. "Zero Tolerance" was quite a catch...

TROUBLED PITTSBURGH SCHOOL DISTRICT FACES LARGE DEFICIT.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Faced with a deficit of nearly 40 million, Pittsburgh schools Superintendent John Thompson said he would like to see 18 schools closed down and taxes raised more than 20 percent to help make up the shortfall. Thompson told the district's...

STUDY: Wisconsin District Spent an Average of $8,400 Per Student Last Year.(Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance report)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... Wisconsin's 386 K-12 school districts spent an average of $8,400 per student in the 1999-2000 school year, an increase of 4 percent from 1998-99, according to a new study released by the watchdog group Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance. More...

Following Some Up and Down Years, the Dallas School District is the Focus of a Six-Month Audit.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... The Dallas Independent School District, one of the nation's largest and the seat of a couple of scandals in recent years, is in the midst of a six-month audit that was called by state comptroller Carole Rylander late last year. She says she...

STUDY: Reading Scores Improve, But Math Scores Drop for African-American Students in Minnesota.(Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice report)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... While African-American eighth-grade students in Minnesota showed some gains in reading test scores, their math scores dipped between 1996 and 2000, according to a new report from the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice at...

NEW HAMPSHIRE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT JUMPS 30 PERCENT.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... Between 1990 and 1999, enrollment in New Hampshire's 30 Catholic schools rose 30 percent, according to published reports. Enrollment jumped from 8,000 to 10,300 during the 10-year period, as parents apparently found the values taught in...

Oakland Schools Receive $15 Million from The Gates' Foundation.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... While the Pittsburgh school system struggles with its small schools model, Oakland, Calif., is receiving a boost in that area from the private philanthropic foundation created by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda. The...

COMPASSLEARNING GRABS CONTRACT WITH FLORIDA DISTRICT TO HELP EDUCATE TROUBLED STUDENTS.(Volusia County School District contract)(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Educational software publisher CompassLearning, seeing a potentially lucrative market for expansion, recently landed a contract with the Volusia County School District in Florida to provide computer-based curriculum to help the district educate...

Intel's Co-Founder, Gordon Moore, Creates a New Foundation that Will Pump Millions into Education.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Following the lead of several other technology philanthropists, such as Microsoft's Bill Gates and Netscape's James Barksdale, Intel co-founder Gordon E. Moore and his wife, Betty, have created a new multibillion-dollar family foundation to...

Apple, Other Computer Makers Limp To the End of 2000.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2001... A year earlier they were among the darlings of the stock market, boasting big revenues and earnings, and driving much of the economic boom that that was based on technology. But at press time, computer makers especially Apple--were licking...

Tangent Computer Installs Free Computers in Several Districts to Pilot Thin-Client Networks.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Tangent Computer, Inc., recently launched an ongoing pilot of installing thin client-based labs in schools throughout the country to promote the benefits of thin client computing. With thin clients, students have applications, data storage...

CLASSROOMS AND COMPUTER LABS ARE HOME FOR MOST COMPUTERS.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... Where are most of the computers in your school? In a recent report by Market Data Retrieval, Technology in Education 2000," better than 97 percent of U.S. elementary, middle and high schools all reported they have computers in classrooms. ...

Two Groups Announce New Initiative To Train Washington, D.C., Teachers In Technology.(Education Technology Leadership Institute - pilot program)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Looking to help create a more technologically savvy teacher in Washington, D.C., America Online's AOL Foundation and the Kimsey Foundation recently established the Education Technology Leadership Institute, a pilot program that seeks to improve...

THE ENVELOPE PLEASE.(International Reading Association Web site)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Each year, thousands of children, young adults, teachers, and librarians around the country are asked to choose their favorite recently published books for the Choices annotated book list project. Project leaders say they hope the reading...

REPORT SHOWS SOME PROGRESS FOR 8TH GRADE MATH & SCIENCE STUDENTS.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... On the surface, the new international report shows that compared to students in 37 nations, U.S. eighth grade students are above the international average in mathematics and science performance. But look closer at the Third International...

ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Social studies teachers can enhance their professional development with a six-week online course offered jointly by Social Studies School Service and Classroom Connect's Connected University. Participants can receive both CEU and graduate-level...

Squeezing Physical Fitness Into Busy School Days.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... At a time when people in society are becoming more sedentary, more physical fitness classes are being pruned from many school schedules. Only 19 percent of high school students are active for 20 minutes a day in gym class, according to a recent...

LONG-TERM TREND RESULTS IN MATHEMATICS.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... A recent report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows positive trends in the academic achievement of mathematics students during the past 30 years. Since 1969, the NAEP has conducted nationwide assessments of students...

IMPROVING ON THE GOOD OLD DAYS.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... This Point Pleasant assistant superintendent helps boost students' skills with a variety of high-tech tools. John Krewer doesn't believe in the myth of the good old days, at least when it comes to education. This assistant superintendent of...

Training: Brevard's Cornerstone of Technology.
January 1, 2001... A large Florida district's technology plan emphasizes training, with the aid of teacher-friendly wireless technology. Teachers know that technology can make a difference in the classroom--but many are just unsure how to use it," says Ginger...

BREAKING FREE OF EXCUSES.(Little Flower School, Pensacola, embraces educational technology)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... A small, private school in Florida shows how determination, technology and a lot of E-rate help can transform learning. So far we've explored some of the most obvious contours of the digital divide--carved by race, income and...

LIVE WEB CAMS FOR EVERY CONTENT AREA.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... The Internet offers access to cameras around the world. I recently brought a group of school administrators to Sydney, Australia, where we saw the city's Opera House and watched ships moving in the harbor. A few minutes later we visited New...

TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES: Do Any Make Sense for Your School?
January 1, 2001... Now-a-days, as soon as you take a computer out of its box, a faster and cheaper model is ready to replace it. Here, CA takes a look at how schools can improve their technology investment through upgrades. Admit it. All that December...

The Truth About SCHOOL CHOICE.(charter schools in Minnesota)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... For nine years, Minnesota has offered the nation's most progressive charter school system. With school choice gaining momentum across the country, CA takes an in-depth look at the lessons learned in Minnesota. School choice has become an...

JUDGING THE KIPP ACADEMY.(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... They are in school from 7:25 a.m. to 5 p.m., do at least two hours of homework a night, have four hours of Saturday class, attend a month of summer school and sign a contract stating they will do their work. And these students at the KIPP...

BUILDING A BETTER MOUSETRAP.(school media center)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... Here's what a high-tech media center could offer in a perfect world. Let's put aside those ever-present budget concerns for a moment and picture what a perfect blend of education and technology might look like. How would you design the...

So You Want To Build a High-Tech School ...(blending technology into school design)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... Learn how two Connecticut schools incorporated technology into the design of their new buildings. Some $23 billion in school construction projects were begun in 2000. The previous year, about $19 billion in construction projects were...

SOFTWARE TO BUILD AROUND.(educational software)(Software Review)
January 1, 2001... These programs allow students to learn new languages, create their own Web pages and even practice their musical instruments. A great media center is more than an accumulation of hardware. Each piece of technology is only as good as the...

QUESTIONING HOMEWORK'S WORTH.(Statistical Data Included)(Interview)
January 1, 2001... A new book, and a growing movement, is questioning whether homework assignments serve students or harm them. This year the Piscataway, N.J., school board struck a blow for all the children in its 7,000-student district. The school district...

Math Mysteries: Measurement.(educational software)(Software Review)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
January 1, 2001... Math Mysteries: Measurement **** Tom Snyder Productions, www. tomsnyder.com, 800-342-0236 Grades: 4 to 7 Teaches: math, measurement, word problems Platform: Win, Mac OS, $79.95 This solid title in the Math mysteries series...

Dear America.(educational software)(Software Review)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
January 1, 2001... Dear America **** Knowledge Adventure, www.knowledgeadventure.com, 800-542-4240 Grades: 3 to 6 Teaches: History, writing, reading Platform: Win, Mac OS $30 Margaret Ann Brady is a British orphan hired to take a trip aboard...

Clifford Reading.(Scholastic Consumer Software)(Company Business and Marketing)(Product Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Clifford Reading, ***** Scholastic Consumer Software, www.scholastic.com, 800-724-6527 Grades: PreK to 1 Teaches: Early reading, letter sounds, spelling, consonants, sound recognition, reading fluency, and vowels Platform: Win, Mac OS,...

ONLINE now.(free online educational services)(Company Business and Marketing)(Internet/Web/Online Service Information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... I Love You, Melissa. What's this? An e-mail message labeled "Virus Warning: This Is No Hoax!!!!" about a deadly computer bug that can destroy my files, erase my hard drive and change the expiration date on the milk in my refrigerator. ...

Are you an Albert Einstein?(Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship for teachers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Elementary and secondary science and math educators can apply to spend a year in Washington, D.C., as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. The fellowship was enacted by Congress and is funded by the Department of Energy-Office...

Teacher of the year awards.(National Council for the Social Studies)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Do you have what it takes to become the National Council for the Social Studies teacher of the year? If you think so, the NCSS is looking to reward you with $2,500 and a trip to its national conference. Each year the NCSS recognizes...

Invention Apprenticeship.(mentorship program for inventing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... The Invention Apprenticeship, sponsored by the Lemelson-MIT Program, is an opportunity for a high school student to work with an "inventor mentor" to build on his/her science and engineering knowledge and develop problem-solving skills. ...

What's the big idea?(Bayer/NSF Award program)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... The Bayer/NSF Award program, now in its fifth year, teaches middle school students how to use science and technology to identify a community problem and develop a solution. Working in teams of three or four with an adult coach, students...

new products.
January 1, 2001... Kidspiration Offers Bright Ideas For K-3 Students Kid-friendly brainstorming tool helps emerging readers and writers. With the release this month of Kidspiration, Inspiration Software, www.inspiration.com, brings visual learning skills...

Starting From Scratch.(school budget planning)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... This may be the secret to getting what you really want in next year's budget. Your school district can probably afford everything you really want in next year's budget. But it's a good bet that your priorities won't be funded. Call it the...

The Thin-Client Model For Schools.(Statistical Data Included)(Case Note)
January 1, 2001... How thin-client Architecture can save your School money, time and IT problems. Do you know your TCO? Total Cost of Ownership is all the time and money spent on a piece of technology from day of purchase to disposal. Consider the time...