More Info on the Student Loan Crisis

Because I'm on the topic of the impending student loan debt crisis, here's a really informative, in-depth article on the details.  As usual, it seems like Congress is deeply involved.

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/gyrobase/top-ramen-for-life-the-student-loan-crisis/Content?oid=2186386&storyPage=1

Head Start Program for Kids of Incarcerated Moms

This is the type of article I like to read -- one in which people are being educated which contributes to a better society as a whole.  (http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/11/29/mich.headstart.prison/index.html)  In Pontiac, Michigan, a prison-based Head Start programs was launched for incarcerated mothers.  Lynn Crotty, the director of the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, knew that research showed that a stable home life and parental involvement in childrens' lives were key to a child's success in school.  She thought that combining the two and educating incarcerated women to be better, more involved parents could keep them out of future trouble with the law and prevent their children from becoming at-risk.  While in jail, the moms set personal goals, learn ways to get involved in their childrens' education.   Other subjects, such as mmedical needs and age-appropriate discipline are also covered.  Prisoners practice life and family skills they may not have known before.   Crotty said since the program was launched in 2004, "We've really seen incredible growth in our parents, and we've seen them rise above whatever their current situation is and become active, engaged and empowered individuals.  That hopefully will stick with them for good."  This aligns with my personal belief that all parents should be involved in some sort of parenting class.  Kudos to Lynn Crotty and her agency for thinking outside the box and making an impact on society.

For-Profit College Shake-Up

Today's Detroit Free Press has a story about the University of Phoenix laying off 700 people -- mostly admissions personnel -- in an attempt to "to better align our operations with our business strategy, refined business model and outlook."   This is of great interest to me because I work for CMU's Off-Campus Programs in one of the metro Detroit centers and Phoenix is considered one of our "competitors" (for lack of a better word).  There has been a lot in the press recently about how the federal government is starting to look more closely at for-profit schools in terms of their marketing and graduation rates.  The majority of these schools, Phoenix being the biggest offender, are targeting low-income people in depressed areas and are paying them a stipend to attend school.  Some also pay transportation costs and food money.  The goal is to get these people enrolled and signed up for financial aid, even though some do not even have a GED or high school diploma.  Most of these people drop out after the first semester because they are not equipped for the college experience.  By that time, the school has already received their financial aid money and moves on to new prospects.  The students are then liable to the federal government for their loans.  There is talk that this student loan crisis will rival the banking debacle.  My job is also to recruit new students; however, I don't get paid a bonus or have a quota for new enrollees, and my primary goal is to ensure a quality learning experience that will be recognized throughout the U.S. and other countries. 

Read more: University of Phoenix lays off 700 nationwide | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101130/BUSINESS07/101130017/University-of-Phoenix-lays-off-700-nationwide#ixzz16mt92SUY

Education Reform Starts at Home

Dr. Jim Taylor suggests some interesting ideas on education reform.  (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-jim-taylor/real-public-education-ref_b_786627.html).   He agrees, as do I, that until greater parental involvement is achieved, we will not be able to solve the perceived education crisis.  His idea is to create the "American Good Parent Initiative", a five-pronged approach to increasing parenting skills, placing more importance on reading and improved daycare.  He suggests that this initiative be funded by the federal government, foundations, hedge fund managers and others with deep pockets.  I totally agree that if parents do not make education a priority, then neither will their children.  I especially like the idea of parenting classes and think that anyone who has a child should be required to participate in ongoing training on raising children.  Don't you think that it would be good for society in general, and not just education?

Does Social Networking Cause Antisocial Behavior?

In his New York Times article, "Antisocial Networking", (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/fashion/02BEST.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1), author Hilary Stout addresses concerns about teenagers' constant use of electronics and the impact on their social behavior.  The most shocking part of the article to me was the fact that "Americans between the ages of 8 and 18 spend on average 7 1/2 hours a day using some sort of electronic device, from smart phones to MP3 players to computers."  Kids, mine included, would rather use their cellphones to text a friend rather than just call them to talk.  One mother in the article actually texts her kids from her bed to tell them to get off the computer.  The author brings up the point that this plugged-in behavior is affecting the ability of kids to read facial expressions, voice intonations and body language.  I think that to some extent, this behavior is "impersonalizing" society -- that people will not know how to behave in face-to-face interactions because they are so used to having an electronic device between them.  Any thoughts?

Is Master's Pay Going Away

Check out the article, "Economists Take Aim At Bonuses For Teachers With Master's Degreeshttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/20/teachers-bonuses-masters-degrees-_n_786449.html.  U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is citing figures from studies showing that teachers with master's degrees are not more effective than educators with only an undergrad degree.  Duncan suggests that a way to trim the education budget would be to do away with master's bonuses because they are not justified.  Apparently, Bill Gates feels the same way, stating "My own state of Washington has an average salary bump of nearly $11,000 for a master's degree – and more than half of our teachers get it. That's more than $300 million every year that doesn't help kids."  Suggestions include increasing starting salaries and the ever-popular tying compensation to student achievement gains.  I am of the firm opinion that education is never wasted and provides benefits in some way.  Why shouldn't a person be rewarded if they make the time and effort to improve their job skills?  I'm worried that education reform is the topic du jour and people just want change for the sake of change (e.g., the most current election) without truly examining the long term effects.  Does that mean all of us in EDU 653 are wasting our time and money? 

As if Teaching Weren't Difficult Enough

Wow.  Check out this article about Holly Winter, a Colorado teacher who suffers from "visual amnesia."  (http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/medical/2010-11-15-visual-amnesia_N.htm?csp=34news&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-NewsTopStories+%28News+-+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Reader)   Holly was in a car accident 21 years ago and suffered permanent brain damage.  She has no visual memory -- sort of like the main character in the movie, "Memento."  She teaches 6th grade and keeps track of her students with a list of their physical characteristics and has photos of the students around the classroom and on their journals and has devised a system to deal with daily life.   Holly considers herself to be a good example to others as to how to live with a permanent disability and does not allow her students to make excuses for their physical ailments.  I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to get through a teaching day (let alone any day) with that type of disability.  I would love to have cameras follow her in the classroom for a day.  I'm sure that any teacher and any human being would find inspiration in her story.