Back to Basics Weekly Summary - 7/11/06
Revitalizing Education - A Project of the Institute for America's Future Back to Basics*
Education News and Opinion 7/11/2006

Children Must Come to School Ready to Learn

Pre-K Good for American Economy
NATION - A report released by the Committee for Economic Development (CED) concludes that early childhood education can improve the American economy. The CED asserts that providing pre-K classes to children results in a $2-4 return on every dollar spent. Because of the long-term benefits of early education, CED urges states to offer quality public pre-Kindergarten education to all children. "Federal, state, and local governments should consider the broad economic benefits of preschool when deciding how to allocate resources in the face of competing uses and demands."

Children Deserve Modern and Well-Equipped Schools

Laptops Bridge the "Digital Divide"
MAINE - The state's laptop program, which hopes to "[eliminate] the so-called 'digital divide' between wealthy and poor students," has been extended for another four years, thanks to a $41 million contract with Apple Computer Corporation. The deal will distribute laptops and wireless internet to 32,000 junior high school students and 4,000 teachers. The old computers will not be thrown out; instead, these laptops will be upgraded and used for other purposes in the school system.

Children Need Small Classes with Skilled Teachers

Teachers Needed in Katrina Aftermath
MISSISSIPPI - In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the number of teaching vacancies in the state is almost 1,000. While some say that these openings are nothing unusual, "at the same time, there are just fewer teacher candidates." With enrollments predicted to grow throughout the year, schools may need even more teachers.

Accelerated Program Brings Teachers to the Classroom
TENNESSEE - In an effort to satisfy the demand for math and science teachers, Gov. Phil Bredesen launched "Teach Tennessee." The program consists of a two-week intensive training course for professionals with real-life experience in these fields who want to become teachers. "The past two classes have been so successful that some...in this summer's class have already been offered jobs."

Children Deserve Access to Quality After-School Programs

Kids' Ideas for After-School Programs Get Funding
CALIFORNIA - Ameriquest has awarded $15,000 grants to 36 communities whose kids designed their own after-school program. The programs were chosen based on "need, appropriateness, creativity, originality, and the involvement of youth in the planning and development of the projects." The grant money will help transform these winning ideas into reality.

After-School Program Receives Grant of $8 Million
ILLINOIS - After School Matters was started by Maggie Daley, Chicago-mayor Richard Daley's wife, in an effort to help teenagers avoid gangs and drugs. The program is an offshoot of Gallery 37, an arts and education program she started when Daley first took office. After School Matters has just received an $8 million dollar grant from the Wallace Foundation. The money will be used to evaluate and track the current programs and participants in order to measure their success and continue to provide quality after-school and summer activities for Chicago youth.

Summer Program Prevents "Learning Loss"
NEW YORK - In Harlem, efforts are being made to prevent the "summer learning loss." In general, children lose some of their academic aptitude during the summer. These losses usually translate into forgotten math skills and spelling words. For low-income students the losses are more heavily felt in reading and writing. Therefore, Harlem's program focuses mainly on literacy, but it also has students participate in sports activities, providing opportunities to improve their teamwork skills.

Adequate Funding Must be Provided for America's Children

Cigarette Tax to Pay for Preschool
ARIZONA - A possible increase in the cigarette tax would provide additional money for "preschool programs, health screenings and other early childhood services." The petition to get this initiative on the ballot received 200,000 signatures--only 122,612 signatures were required.

College Must Be Affordable for All

Attitude Change Toward Community College Transfers
NORTH CAROLINA - UNC-Chapel Hill is concerned that only 4% of its incoming student body represent transfers from community colleges. Transfer students "in general, are seen as an afterthought or a nuisance. They have different needs and we have to be more personal in accommodating them," says Steve Farmer, director of undergraduate admissions. The Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program (C-STEP) hopes to change that. Chapel Hill has partnered with three community colleges in the area to provide this program to their students and students who "successfully complete the program will be admitted to Chapel Hill." C-STEP students interact with faculty at the university in an effort to prepare them to compete academically at the institution. Other universities, such as Cornell, are embracing similar programs.

 


* The basics include: universal, high quality pre-school and access to health care and nutrition programs so children come to school ready to learn, well trained and certified teachers, smaller classes in early grades, safe and modernized schools, quality after-school programs and affordable college education for all who earn it.

Visit the Institute for America's Future for more on the Revitalizing Education Project.