QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“…the Obama administration is marching toward a federal

takeover of the nation’s public schools—and Texas should

fight it.”

Robert Scott,
Texas Education Commissioner
on the Common Core Standards Initiative

ON THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST

With the ubiquity of electronic messaging by computer or cell phone, etc., handwriting of any kind is slowly fading away—and cursive writing is at even greater risk of dying. Although many schools still teach cursive, many do not.
SOAP BOX ALERT: Losing the individuality, discipline, and creative expression of cursive handwriting is yet another skill that will be lost to future generations of American students—just as learning recitations is a thing of the past. My 100-year-old mother still recites passages from Shakespearean plays that she learned in elementary school! Now that requires a future SOAP BOX.

LIVESCRIBE—WORLD’S SMARTEST PEN?

The Pulse Smartpen from Livescribe looks like a pen and writes like a pen, but it’s actually a computer that records everything you hear and write. It allows you to replay recorded audio (by just a tap of the pen) and save written notes to your computer. The pen was voted Most Innovative Education Product or Service at the recent SIIA (Software Information & Industry Association) conference. It was even featured on “Oprah.” I’ve tried the pen, and it works!

PARENTS AND COMMON STANDARDS

The National PTA, which has 5.2 million members, has received a $1 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to begin organizing parental support for the Common Core Standards Initiative. Launching in four states, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and North Carolina, they plan to expand to additional states in 2010. As mentioned in an earlier blog, all states except Alaska and Texas have joined the initiative. The first draft of the English/language arts and mathematics standards are due to be introduced in early January 2010.

EDUCATE TO INNOVATE

The Obama administration is attempting to involve the private sector in a campaign to motivate students in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. So far, corporations, foundations, and other organizations have committed $260 million to the cause. As part of the “Educate to Innovate” initiative, the White House will hold an annual fair for the winners of national competitions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

KANSAS TO TEACH ENGINEERING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Heeding the call to “Educate to Innovate,” a Kansas school district is set to become the first in the nation to offer engineering classes at the elementary school level. The Derby school district began offering engineering classes in their middle and high schools this year, but a pilot program next year will bring aerospace engineering lessons to a district elementary school.

AS WE CLOSE OUT 2009 AND MOVE TO 2010

It’s been a difficult year for much of America. Education and educational publishing have endured their own share of profound challenges. And yet perhaps unexpected benefits have resulted—more efficiencies, more creative problem-solving, and more prudent financial decisions. And, as Americans have been characterized for so many years, our resiliency and optimism will carry us onward and forward to a better future. Happy 2010
to all!