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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.
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