President Obama's Conference Call with Student-Journalists

WH.gov: President Obama's Conference Call with Student-Journalists

President Obama takes questions from college and university student-journalists in a conference call about efforts to make college more affordable, expand financial aid, improve access to health insurance and create jobs for new graduates. September 27, 2010.

Why More Students Rely on Tutors

Why More Students Rely on Tutors NYTimes: Room For Debate

Has high school become harder or are students seeking extra help to beat the competition?

• Deficiencies in Public Schools Sandra Stotsky, University of Arkansas
• Responding to a Testing Culture Jack Hassard, professor of science education
• The Japanese Model Thomas Judson, mathematics professor
• We Need New Teaching Methods Jennifer Salls, high school math teacher
• Hard Classes, Extra Help Paul Siemens, Advantage Testing
• A Question of Values Thomas Hatch, Teachers College, Columbia University
• Get Rid of Calculators Charles Ormsby, mathematics professor

GET SCHOOLED College Affordability Challenge

Get Schooled NY - Pharrell from Get Schooled on Vimeo.

Get Schooled College Affordability Challenge

MTV and the College Board are scheduled to announce this morning that they are joining together to stage a contest, the “Get Schooled College Affordability Challenge.’’ In it, “current and aspiring college students’’ are being asked to create “an innovative digital tool that helps more low- and middle-income students connect with money for school.’’

• GET SCHOOLED.com

Testing, the Chinese Way

Testing, the Chinese Way By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL, NYTimes

American education’s “no test” philosophy for young children has come under assault as government programs strongly promote the practice, which is widespread in Asia.

Answers to Back-to-School Questions

Answers to Back-to-School Questions By BILL DINGLEDINE, NYTimes The Choice Blog

Part 1 of the responses by an independent college counselor to reader questions about the fall admission season, for high school seniors and juniors.

Value of College Degree Is Growing, Study Says

Value of College Degree Is Growing, Study Says By TAMAR LEWIN, NYTimes

Despite rising tuition and student-loan debt levels, the long-term payoff from earning a college degree is increasing, the College Board says.

Dream Act Dies in U.S. Senate

VOAVideo: Dream Act Dies in U.S. Senate

The Dream Act (short for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) addresses the plight of some 2 million illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children by their undocumented parents. The provision would allow them to earn their green cards if they maintain "good moral character," graduate from high school and complete two years of college or serve in the military. The legislation is supported by the U.S. military and the president, but it won't be moving forward for now. VOA's Laurel Bowman has more.

Hacks Into Hackers

Hacks Into Hackers By NICHOLAS CARLSON, NYTimes

Can journalism and computer science mix?

Edutopia: Education Reform at the Heart of New Documentaries

Race to Nowhere: The Dark Side of America's Achievement Culture Release Date: 9/17/2010. Director Vicki Abeles' new documentary is about the pressures faced by American schoolchildren and their teachers in a system and culture she describes as obsessed with the illusion of achievement, competition and the pressure to perform. (Source: Race to Nowhere)

Edutopia: Education Reform at the Heart of New Documentaries

There's been quite a bit of buzz about several documentary films (Waiting for "Superman", Race to Nowhere, The Dark Side of America's Achievement Culture, The Lottery Film, The Cartel) that are critical of the current state of American education, with varying ideas about what should be done. If you've seen the films, let us know if you think any of these directors have got the right idea, or if you think there's a different story to be told.

DREAM ACT 2010 v. TORN APART

The 'Torn Apart' project


The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (The "DREAM Act") would benefit students who are currently undocumented in the United States of America. The Dream Act is based upon earned legalization. The DREAM Act is Education for our future generation of leaders.

This week the U.S. Senate will vote to attach the Dream Act as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act. This is our chance to pass the Dream Act now! Please Support the DREAM ACT 2010. Call your senators and tell them to pass DREAM ACT NOW! Dial 1-888-254-5087. If busy, call switchboard directly at 1-202-224-3121.

The 'Torn Apart' project

For decades the nation has endlessly debated how to solve the problem of illegal immigration. One side calls for aggressive enforcement of existing laws. The other side calls for "comprehensive immigration reform." But while the debate rages, millions of American children are left with the real possibility that their undocumented parents will be detected and deported.

For the past year, a Mercury News reporter and photojournalist followed a San Mateo family on their emotional journey through the U.S. immigration system. Both parents came here as illegal immigrants, but all six of their children are American citizens.

Read more: San Mateo family struggles to stay together as U.S. deports dad, tries to deport mom By Ken McLaughlin kmclaughlin@mercurynews.com Posted: San Jose Mercury News 09/18/2010 11:55:15 PM PDT

Read more: Undocumented Education: A DREAM Act Deferred posted by Edutopia
DREAM Act Activists Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix remembered for their work to help undocumented students.

Watch: A Long Walk for a Cause Four students arrived in Washington, having walked from Miami to support a bill that would give legal status to immigrants who arrived at age 15 or younger. For more info, see Trail of Dreams and DREAMACTIVIST.

DREAM TV - The Story of the Undocumented StudentsThe DREAM Act is a bipartisan proposal, which would create a pathway to citizenship for thousands of young students who were brought to the United States years ago as children. If Congress fails to act this year, another entire class of outstanding, law-abiding high school students will graduate without being able to plan for the future, and some will be removed from their homes to countries they barely know. This tragedy will cause America to lose a vital asset: an educated class of promising immigrant students who have demonstrated a commitment to hard work and a strong desire to be contributing members of our society. For more info, see DREAM TV on YouTube or DREAMActivist.

Achieving Techno-Literacy

Achieving Techno-Literacy By KEVIN KELLY, NYTimes

Computers are a tool, not a solution.

Drill, Baby, Drill

Drill, Baby, Drill By VIRGINIA HEFFERNAN, NYTimes

Is rote memorization really that bad?

Midlevel Universities Look Into India Branches

Midlevel Universities Look Into India Branches By VIR SINGH, NYTimes

Six months after India invited in foreign institutions, lesser-known universities are trying to enter.

NCC Interactive US Constitution

Septem ber 17 is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day! The National Constitution Center invites you to participate in a national conversation about the Constitution, its history and its contemporary relevance. Our programming features nationally recognized leaders discussing the Constitution, our rights and responsibilities as citizens, and everyday politics.

• Amazing! The NCC Interactive US Constitution Timeline.
• See one of the coolest multmedia widgets ever: the NCC Interactive US Constitution.
• My favorite podcast: We the People Stories

SAT v. ACT: the Standardized Test Myth

An Argument Against Taking (and Retaking) the SAT and ACT - NYTimes.com
thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com

A longtime counselor seeks to put the rest the "myth,'' as he calls it, that top colleges prefer an SAT score to an ACT score.

The President's Back to School Speech

WH.gov: The President's Back to School Speech

President Obama gives his second annual back to school speech at the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia, PA, telling students that while government would do its part to help provide access to a quality education, students still needed to take individual responsibility for their future.

API SCORES!

CA Academic Performance Index scores - California API results - CA API scores mercurynews.greatschools.org

Find CA California Academic Performance Index test scores for you child's school and compare California API test results

President Obama at Reception for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

WH.gov President Obama at Reception for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The President speaks at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House. September 13, 2010.

A Course Load for the Game of Life

A Course Load for the Game of Life By N. GREGORY MANKIW, NYTimes

To better understand the world in which they will live, students need foundations in economics, statistics, finance and psychology.

U.S. Asks Educators to Reinvent Student Tests, and How They Are Given

U.S. Asks Educators to Reinvent Student Tests, and How They Are Given By SAM DILLON, NYTimes

Could the bubble be on the way out? In the near future, students may take their tests on computers.

KOHL'S CARES: VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE SCHOOL ON FACEBOOK

KOHL'S CARES: VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE SCHOOL ON FACEBOOK
The top 20 schools win $500,000! Voting ends Fri, Sept 3.

MILPITAS: http://apps.facebook.com/KohlsCares/school/121321/milpitas-high

Lynbrook: http://bit.ly/bAz0gW

Cupertino: http://bit.ly/b4OeIc

Fremont: http://bit.ly/bHp1ZH

Homestead: http://bit.ly/aohTJf

Monta Vista: http://bit.ly/9zl7L6

Votes in Facebook contest needed if San Jose's Trace Elementary wants a shot at a $500,000 prize

Pizarro: Votes in Facebook contest needed if San Jose's Trace Elementary wants a shot at a $500,000 prize. By Sal Pizarro, SJ Mercury

"If Trace Elementary School (destroyed by arson) is going to win $500,000 from Kohl's Cares, it's going to need a lot more votes from its fans on Facebook.

The department store chain's community giving arm is awarding $10 million in grants to the 20 schools that receive the most votes on its Facebook page by Friday.

Facebook users who want to vote should go to http://apps.facebook.com/KohlsCares/search and enter "Merritt Trace Elementary School" in the search field. Each user can vote five times. "

Method to Grade Teachers Provokes Battles

Method to Grade Teachers Provokes Battles By SAM DILLON, NYTimes

A value-added formula to evaluate teachers is gaining acceptance, and critics, across America.

• Magazine Preview: When Does Holding Teachers Accountable Go Too Far?