Digital Tools Expand Options for Personalized Learning

Education Week

February 05, 2010

Teachers have always known that a typical class of two dozen or more students can include vastly different skill levels and learning styles. But meeting those varied academic needs with a defined curriculum, time limitations, and traditional instructional tools can be daunting for even the most skilled instructor. Some of the latest technology tools for the classroom, however, promise to ease the challenges of differentiating instruction more creatively and effectively, ed-tech experts say, even in an era of high-stakes federal and state testing mandates.

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Haitian Students Share Their Stories

The Ticker (NY)

February 05, 2010

The 7.0 magnitude quake that hit Haiti has left the country trembling in daily aftershocks. Aid is still slow to come in some areas, yet the Haitian diaspora remains resilient. The Haitian population at Baruch College in New York feels no different from the millions spread across the globe; they are each doing their part in seeing that relief comes to the country and despite the devastation, they all remain hopeful and intent on seeing a transformation. In this article, some Haitian students at Baruch offered their thoughts and concerns.

Software Company Helps Revive 'Sleeping' Language

NPR

February 05, 2010

In Harrisonburg, Va., a small training room is alive with the sounds of a once-dead language. Kimberly Walden, Sandra Boutte and Rachel Vilcan are members of the Chitimacha tribe. They have flown from Louisiana to the corporate headquarters of Rosetta Stone, a company that primarily focuses on selling language software to tourists and business travelers. The company is helping them develop computer software they hope will help interest younger members in learning their native tongue.

Opinion: School Is About More Than Tests

Oakland Tribune (CA)

February 05, 2010

In this column about teaching to the test, teacher Jaime Richards writes, "I'll be honest. If my students' test scores are going to be the sole measurement of my effectiveness, I'm going to drill the answers into their heads. Never mind if the material is boring and barely relevant."

San Luis Obispo County Schools Fight Empty Desk Syndrome

The Tribune (CA)

February 04, 2010

Concern about the number of students missing school in San Luis Obispo County prompted the county's Children's Services Network to create the task force — the first of its kind locally. School officials, social service agencies, law enforcement, the county Public Health Department and the District Attorney's Office are working together to develop a plan with a dozen recommendations aimed at increasing school attendance and graduation rates.

Elementary School Breaks Ground with New ESL Program

The Sag Harbor Express (NY)

February 04, 2010

Jennifer Warner, a young teacher at the Sag Harbor Elementary School, is sitting in a chair flanked by seven pint-sized students. Reading from a chapter book, Warner reads the phrase "eat my socks" and turns to the group to say, "Does everyone know what that means?" The meaning behind this colloquialism would be clear to any English speaking youngster. This group of students, though, ranging from fourth to fifth graders, are composed of second language learners, and Warner often must check-in to make sure her pupils grasp the intent of these expressions.

Haitian Students Begin to Enroll in Lee County Schools

The News-Press (FL)

February 04, 2010

More than a dozen children fleeing earthquake-ravaged Haiti have been enrolled in Lee County schools in the last two weeks. More are coming, school officials say. "We're up to 17 now," said Leila Muvdi, Lee school district director of student assignment. The state's official count is 16. "Most of them are coming to live with families — uncles, aunts and other relatives."

Mexican Government Helps Mexicans Integrate into the U.S.

Education Week

February 03, 2010

In her Learning the Language blog, Mary Ann Zehr writes, "The Mexican government makes a concerted effort to help Mexican immigrants become integrated into U.S. society, according to a paper I received in my e-mail inbox today. The paper describes the work of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior, or IME), which is a department in Mexico's ministry of foreign affairs, to aid Mexican immigrants with health care, education, and financial literacy."

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Virginia Islamic School's Expansion Met Protests

NPR

February 03, 2010

In Northern Virginia, a private school needed the local county's approval to expand to serve more students. This would have hardly raised an eyebrow had it not been for one particular detail: The school is Islamic, funded by the government of Saudi Arabia. The Islamic Saudi Academy, located in Fairfax County, has long been under the microscope of its opponents. But for residents along the two-lane country road where the school sits, the debate was transformed from a local land-use issue into a heated discussion about the school, its teachings and the relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States.

Layton School to Teach Language, Cultural Awareness

Standard-Examiner (UT)

February 03, 2010

A unique bilingual curriculum at a local charter school has gained international attention. The Ministry of Education of Spain announced Thursday that North Davis Preparatory Academy has been chosen as the state's first International Spanish Academy. As an ISA, the school will have the opportunity to develop student exchange programs and educational trips to Spain, Gomberg said. In addition, she said, teachers will receive annual training to improve strategies in bilingual instruction.

Ed. Department Pays for Creation of Test in Spanish for ELLs

Education Week

February 02, 2010

In her Learning the Language blog, Mary Ann Zehr writes, "A couple of new research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences indicate that the Obama administration may be more active than the George W. Bush administration was in exploring how schools can draw on students' native languages to help them to learn English as a second language."

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ELL Summer Classes Suspended in Des Moines Schools

Des Moines Register (IA)

February 02, 2010

Summer learning programs in classrooms across Des Moines schools are being eliminated as the district searches for ways to save money in light of a budget shortfall. In addition, summer school programs for those learning to speak English and for gifted and talented students have been suspended.

South Florida Schools Wait for More Haitian Students

The Palm Beach Post

February 02, 2010

South Florida's schools are in wait-and-watch mode. Already, hundreds of Haitian students have come to South Florida to escape their earthquake-ravaged homes and more are expected. So far, Palm Beach has enrolled 102 students. Broward has enrolled 373 - the highest of any school district in Florida, while Miami-Dade reported 191 as of Friday, but officials say it's too early to read anything into the numbers.

Thelma Melendez Talks About When She Was an English-Learner

Education Week

February 01, 2010

In her Learning the Language blog, Mary Ann Zehr writes, "Thelma Melendez, the assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education for the U.S. Department of Education, had teachers who understood her academic potential and others who underestimated her knowledge and ability, she told educators attending a conference of the National Title I Association last week."

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Editorial: Berkeley's Battle Over The Basics

Los Angeles Times

February 01, 2010

The famous liberalness of Berkeley is being tested these days with a proposal to reduce science labs for its high school's college-bound students and to spend the money instead on programs for those who are struggling with the basics. Adding to the discomfort is the race factor. The labs are filled mostly with white and Asian students. Yet most African American and Latino students at the school aren't proficient in math. Even with a parcel tax to help prop up the Berkeley schools' budget, there isn't enough money to meet both groups' needs.

Haitian Creole Courses May Aid Recovery

Marketplace (American Public Media)

February 01, 2010

The needs of Haiti and its people as it tries to rebuild are almost unimaginable. Some colleges are already thinking of long-term help, though. John Dimsdale reports for Marketplace.

Lessons Learned from My New Immigrant Students

The Globe and Mail (Canada)

January 29, 2010

It was a grey day and I was fighting traffic on the soulless commute to work. I had the radio tuned to the CBC when a morning announcer brought tears to my eyes with the statement, "Teachers of ESL, you are heroes." Isn't it everyone's dream to have their work make a difference to the world? While steering through city streets, I thought back to my experience teaching college communications to new Canadians in those hectic, frustrating, but wonderful night classes. The radio announcer had it backward.

Study: Kids Fixated With Television, Internet and Texting

Tell Me More (NPR)

January 29, 2010

Children ages 8 to 18 consume an average of nearly eight hours each day of various forms of media, up from 6 hours in 2005, according to a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. In addition to TV consumption, kids are increasingly texting and talking on cell phones. The numbers are especially high within African-American and Latino communities.

University’s Only Haitian Student Determined to Help Rebuild Her Country

Bozeman Daily Chronicle (MT)

January 29, 2010

Dominique Etienne, Montana State University's only student from Haiti, said when she returns home, the first thing she'll do is "hug my family." And then she'll try any way she can to help her beloved country.

District Braces for Influx of Haitian Refugees

LowerHudson.com

January 28, 2010

More than 30 Haitian refugee children have enrolled in the East Ramapo school district in Rockland County, NY since last week, and Superintendent Ira Oustatcher expects that number to grow dramatically. "We don't know where this is going," Oustatcher said Wednesday. "My sense is we are going to see between 100 and 200 Haitian students by the end of this year."