Mixing Up Integration

Wake County Public School System in Raleigh, NC is mixing things up.  The school board has recently proposed a new plan that would allow for a new type of school integration based on achievement instead of socioeconomics.  The new plan calls for schools to be mixed using 70% proficient students and 30% failing students.  Currently, the school system requires on a 60-40 mix; 60% students without subsidized lunches and 40% with.

The benefits of this plan would be that all of the schools in the system could be considered high achieving or good schools, so less students would need or want the option of private schooling.  Another benefit would be allowing for students to learn from and help each other; the higher achieving students helping the lower.  Additionally, the article mentions that the current plan causes students to switch schools fairly often, the new plan would keep them fixed in their schools.

There are downsides to this plan as well though.  First off, the plan would actually not be that much different from the current situation since many of the students with subsidized lunches are the ones who are failing.  This is not always the case, but for the most part it is.  Additionally, students who are failing may still get lost in the shuffle with so many high achieving students in the classroom.  These sets of students need different types and levels of learning materials to achieve.

Overall, I think this plan could work, and be beneficial.  Parents would know their kids are going to good schools, and students would be able to learn in the environment they need.

What do you think?

Giving Back

As a brother in a national co-ed fraternity and a life-long volunteer for many different causes and organizations, I believe firmly in giving back.  We in America and other prominent nations are so much more fortunate than most people in this world, and we need to share our good fortune with others.

Giving isn't always about money, often it is about time or even just common courtesy.  You never know when a smile might make someone's day.

However, sometimes money is a great way to give back.  In the Sunday school class I help lead this morning, we talked about the Heifer Project, which collects 120 quarters in donation tubes.  These 120 quarters can buy someone a goat, pig or other animal with which they can profit and make their lives better.  These children and families are desperate, and they can use our help.

I'm not saying you should log on to the site right this second and give away your life fortune, I'm not saying you have to give to them at all.  What I'm saying is you should do what you can or give what you can, and that will be enough.

Reading Is Rad

Dr. Seuss would have celebrated his 107th birthday on Wednesday.  In honor of this, schools and communities across the nation have been/are sponsoring reading days.  Target is even sponsoring a Read Across America day with an in-store event this morning and various other activities on their website.

I think celebrating and emphasizing reading on the birthday of such a famous children's book author is a great way to inspire children.  With all the new technology in the world, kids could stand to pick up a book every once and awhile.  Reading is a fundamental skill, and I don't see it every going away even if the mediums it is presented in are changing.

Microhouse

I saw this microhouse in the Times today & thought it was super cute and affordable.  I don't know if it's something I could live in, but it's definitely noteworthy.  Although, before it could be inhabitable for most people, it would definitely need some heat or a warm location.

Skin Deeep

Today's blog is all about beauty news.  

First up, an article in the Times from yesterday discusses the increasingly popular phenomenon of permanent make-up tattoos.  While it may seem convenient to be able to look great all the time with little effort, there are serious side effects and risks for this procedure.  Yes, all tattoos have side effects and risks, but tattooing your face makes these tattoos seem a little more dangerous than most.  Yet, permanent make-up tattoos are on the rise due to the fact that the world in which we live is constantly speeding up, and having your make-up already mostly done all the time is definitely a time saver.  The question is, is it worth it?

In other skin care related news, Mental Floss reported on the impending invention of a new kind of printer.  A printer that prints...skin.  While the idea of printing skin completely grosses me out, I can see some advantages.  The article mentions that soldiers wounded in war could find this technology quite handy, and I'm sure there are many other potential uses in the medical and non-medical world for this machine.  

Books, Technology & Civil Liberties

Wednesday's Grab Bag:

The Washington University Library recently discovered they have books from Thomas Jefferson's personal collection.

President Obama announced he will not allow a ban on same-sax marriage.

Apple announces an event for next week to announce the release of technological updates.

HOPEless?

The governor of Georgia announced his new plan for the HOPE scholarship and Pre-K funding this morning.

Until now, the state funded the full tuition plus a book and mandatory fees stipend at all GA public universities for all seniors who graduated a high school in GA with a 3.0 average, and who maintained this average throughout college.  Additionally, the state funded a free Pre-K program for families.

The new plan calls for students to only earn full tuition if they have above a 3.7 GPA, and up to 90% covered if they have a 3.0 GPA.  Additionally, no book or mandatory fees will be distributed.  As for Pre-K, the length of the school day has been reduced to cut costs.

I think the new plan is actually decent considering the recent budget cuts.  Students who are excelling academically and take rigorous courses will still have the opportunity to attend college in-state for free or almost free.  This is a great reward for hard work, and an even better incentive to keep our students in state universities.  Additionally, as the article mentions, with the cuts to the length in the Pre-K school day, there will be more opportuntities for families to enroll in the program, which will give education to more children who need it.  Teaching children early on is the best way to set them up for a better future, so this plan is actually our benefit.

While I still have some questions about what this means for current high school and college students as well as other concerns, overall, this plan is a winner in my book.

What are your opinions on Deal's new plan?

Bieber's Religious Fever

I stumbled upon an article on Justin Bieber in the religion section of USA Today online this afternoon.  The fact that this teen heartthrob (admittedly, his music is catchy, but I'm definitely not a crazed fan) was in the religion section of a major paper had me intrigued.  The article describes the religious undertones of Bieber's new big screen flick, and I applaud this.  My roommate who has seen this movie confirmed this articles claims saying that religion was definitely an undertone and not blaring obnoxious.  She also was surprisingly impressed and motivated by the movie.

But, back to religion.  I'm currently enrolled in a Sociology of Religion course, and I'm an active Episcopalian, so I find religion important.  But, I do not approve of people who push their religion on others.  The 1st Amendment protects our right to freedom of religion, and I believe that pushing religion on people does against this right.  Yes, you have the right to practice your religion.  Yes, you have the right to talk to others about it and even recruit new members.  But, no, you don't have the right to force religion on a captive audience.

Though, that's just my take, what's yours?

Makeup for 8 year olds?!

  Walmart has once again proven why its retailing practices are less than exemplary.  Walmart is now selling a makeup and beauty product line targeted towards young girls and tweens.  Even more incredible is the fact that some of these products have anti-aging agents in them.  Little girls need to stay little girls as long as possible.  Kids are supposed to be able to enjoy innocence and simplicity.  While everything else in this world is speeding up, there needs to be a line drawn for when society has gone too far.  This line just might be selling makeup to 8 year olds.

Playoffs

  There is an age old debate about whether college football should continue with the Bowl Championship Series or start a new tradition of playoffs games.  Playoffs are found in virtually every other college and professional sport around the world, but not college football.  Both have their pros and cons, but ultimately I believe that there should be a playoff system.  Teams from different divisions play different difficulties of schedules, so it is not necessarily fair to say an undefeated team with an easier schedule is better than a two loss team from a tougher division.  Playoffs would allow for the team who has the better talent to win.

Teched Out

With all of the technology out there today, learning has become easier, but also more complicated.  Schools and teachers are using social media as well as programs such as Skype to communicate with their students outside the classroom.  These tools can be useful when students miss school due to inclement weather, illness or other various reasons.  They can also be useful in an everyday sense.

I'm currently enrolled in a technology for teachers class.  We're talking about how communication tools can make learning more exciting and engaging for students.  Since students today are digital natives, they require different types of tasks to learn.  These students are more capable of multi-tasking and enjoy being on the computer, so teachers need to use these capabilities to their advantage.  There are all sorts of websites, games, applications, etc that teachers have access to, and should use.  However, just because the task is on the computer doesn't mean that it's appropriate or effective enough, teacher's must still think about if the task will really enhance the lesson they are teaching.  Not all tools will, and that's okay because not all traditional lesson plans or tasks will either.  Moderation and effective tasks are the key to educating America's future in a digital society.

College Funding

Many students can't afford college.  That's one of the top reasons why they don't go to college.  Thankfully, the government has financial support systems for these students such as the Pell Grant.  But, with this grant and many other programs on the budget chopping block, I have to wonder how we're going to educate our children in the future?  College is expensive, and is getting more expensive by the minute.  Some states have state-funding for students who meet a minimum GPA and attend a state school, but even these programs are starting to get slashed.  So, that leaves us with a problem.  If students can't get funding, but are eligible and want to go to college, how can they go?  Student loans are an option, but they also have to be repaid.  Even though students should be able to get a better, higher-paying jobs after graudating college, loans are still hard to pay off with a typical entry-level salary.  Plus, with a high unemployment rate, jobs are harder to come by these days.  Thats why these federal funding programs are the key to our future.  It's all about opportunity costs.  The cost of not educating students who would excel with a college education is high compared to the cost of funding their education, so that they can go on to change the world.

The Best in Show of the Economy

Two pieces of good news for today:

The economy is on the rise
and....
The best in breed photos from the Westminster Dog Show are available

This is good news because everyone wants a growing economy especially after the downfall it has taken over the past few years.  I know very few people who haven't felt the affects of this trend, and everyone will be much happier when they're not so stressed about money. Also, dogs are happy news because dogs are happy creatures.  I work at a dog kennel, and it is one of the most enjoyable parts of my life.  Dogs are great companions and wonderful, intelligent animals.

The Education Gap

The New York Times had another thought provoking article on education today.  I took a class on the Sociology of Education last fall, and as someone who has grown up with an educator and actively volunteers with children all the time, I find America's education system fascinating.

The Education Gap is a real problem.  Students cannot be expected to achieve on the same level if they are not given the same amount of opportunities and resources.  Some students have college-educated or higher parents who are devoted to seeing their children succeed, and have the time and money to devote to this.  However, a majority of children come from households where their parents haven't gone to college or even graduated high school, they work all day to give their children the basics and English isn't necessarily their primary language.  This isn't the parents fault like many people like to claim.  The parents are trying the hardest using the resources and experiences they have, but it's nearly impossible to catch up in today's world.  So, while it would be great for all children to be treated equally, the reality is that some students will need the extra help and will need the extra resources if we ever want this "Education Gap" to start shrinking.

Monday's Odds & Ends

I didn't find any great news pieces that caught my eye today, but there are a few odds & ends to mention.

Atlanta Braves pitchers & catchers reported for the first day of Spring Training today, the first game is only 12 days away.

The UGA football schedule has been solidified for quite some time, but here it is officially in case you missed it.

More technology going 3D? This is getting a bit ridiculous.  Stop trying to make everything 3D.

College Stress

This article in the New York Times sites a recent study that concluded college freshman stress levels are on the rise.  These findings come of no surprise to a college student like myself.  In today's world, students are pressured to do and achieve more.  I may only spend 12 hours in the classroom a week, but I spend countless hours reading, studying, writing, etc for these same classes.  In addition to that, I must also be applying my skills in the real world through internships or other activities.  Add in the fact that I'm now a senior in college, and you've got a serious internship/job hunt process going on as well.  All of this in consideration with the way our economy is going, it's not a wonder that more students aren't going crazy.

So, how do students keep themselves from going over the edge?  For some, this means partying every night or on the weekends.  For others, they try to ignore the stress of college all together; they do the bare minimum to get by and graduate.  Myself, I make sure I build in some free-time in my day and get plenty of sleep at night.  I go to the gym, watch a silly TV show, read a book for fun, do something I enjoy, talk with friends, etc.  I also make sure I get to bed at a reasonable hour, staying up all night to cram won't do anyone any good.  It's essential that your day doesn't become consumed entirely by work; even though you may feel the need to work around the clock, taking a break every once and awhile will be more beneficial in the long run.

My question for you: how do you de-stress your life?