Today's another busy day, so busy I don't even have time for my usual Friday Favorite's list (of course, I didn't post one last week, and no one seemed to notice, so perhaps it's not a crowd-pleaser). I do want to draw your attention to a few interesting tidbits out there, though.
Schools in Wisconsin are using ACT scores to track their students' progress, although administrators insist they don't panic over year-to-year fluctuations.
The Mississippi report cards are out today, for all you people from the Magnolia State. The report cards will include information about teacher qualifications in core academic subject areas as well as student performance.
One principal in Charleston, SC, tried to stem the tide of lost textbooks by not allowing kids at Rivers Middle School to take textbooks home for the first 10 days of the school year. The rationale was to wait and see which kids decided not to transfer out before letting the books out of the building; critics are buzzing about "the message this sends to the children" and "low expectations." The real shamefulness is the reason that 69 kids transferred out during those first 10 days - last year, over three-quarters of Rivers students performed at below-basic level on the math portion of the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT), with almost as many testing below-basic on English.
Om, om, ommmm...A group of parents in Chicago are pushing for Transcendental Meditation to be taught in area schools, claiming that the techniques "reduces stress, rejuvenates the body and mind, and improves academic performance." Iowa, Michigan, and Washington DC already have schools that include TM during the day. The usual flutter about religious preferences and teaching of religious techniques in schools has begun.
Want to know if a woman will be a good nanny for your child? Give her a test. The Princeton, NJ-based International Nanny Association has developed a standardized credential exam, in the hopes that this will enhance the "professionalism" of the, er, profession. The mind reels in envisioning the exam items, and I can only recall what few things I learned in my (limited, much-hated) babysitting experiences: Get emergency phone numbers, remember who is allergic to what, develop a high tolerance for dumb board games and even dumber jokes, and learn how to prepare the exact perfect grilled-cheese sandwich.
Do our elected officials send their kids to public schools? What do you think? Devoted Reader Mike brought these snippets of the Heritage Foundation report to my attention:
41 percent of U.S. Representatives and 46 percent of U.S. Senators send or have sent at least one of their children to a private school. In the general population, only about 10 percent of students attend private schools.
And check out these tables. Democrats are only slightly less likely to send their kids to public schools than Republicans - but many more of the Democratic House representatives voted against Amendment 90 for H.R. 1350, which would have helped to "establish innovative parental choice programs for students with disabilities." School choice for me, but not for thee?
Finally, another Devoted Reader writes in about the Pushy Peanut-Phobic Parent story. This DV has a child with extremely severe peanut allergies and can completely understand the mom's concern, but notes the following:
...The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is a very responsible, thoughtful organization that has developed well thought out plans for dealing with school at every age. It runs a number of regional conventions every year. The school program suggestions are available at very reasonable cost directly from FAAN. By and large, FAAN does not suggest isolating the peanut allergic child, or prohibiting peanuts in the school. Sensible measures will usually solve the problems..."
This reader also notes that peanut allergies do seem to be increasing in our society, and that schools should be anticipating these problems. Solid education - for the schools - may help prevent the schools from going overboard and distressing other parents. Thanks for the insight.