-
-
Youth Activism: Philly Students Front and Center
Philadelphia student activists made the news in a terrific Philadelphia Inquirer article this week for their efforts to ensure that ongoing teacher union negotiations with the school district would focus on what matters most: student learning.
At stake in the union contract negotiations are some pretty typical issues: teacher pay, length of contract, work hours. Specifically, the city's new schools superintendent, Arlene Ackerman, wants to increase the length of the school day and raise pay for teachers in hard-to-staff subjects and schools. While both ideas are widely regarded as having positive impacts on student achievement and closing the gap between wealthy and low-income students, the unions have been reluctant on both fronts. The union is also bargaining for a long-term contract, while Superintendent Ackerman is looking for a one year deal--purportedly because she would like to become more familiar with the district before signing a longer teacher union contract.
One student commented on the ongoing negotiations and how they have tended to miss the issues that matter most for students -- such as getting high quality teachers into every Philly classroom regardless of the school's achievement levels, socioeconomics, and racial breakdown-- saying, "I've seen students cut class and come to my classroom to avoid bad teachers. The system of teacher distribution in Philadelphia is broken."
What is fascinating about this news item is that the student protestors, more than two dozen organized by the Philadelphia Student Union who gathered outside an elite magnet school in the city to deliver their message, got quick responses from the negotiating parties. The Superintendent's spokesperson issued a statement saying, "The district's top priority in negotiating the current contract is ensuring that we place teachers where children most need them." She went on to say that Superintendent Ackerman would welcome sitting down with students and parents at the negotiating table if the unions approved it.
Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers union president, Jerry Jordan, did not express his support for the idea of student participation in the negotiations. However, he did point out that the union "has always taken a position of watching out for kids." One may wonder how this position of watching out for kids can possibly be consistent with refusing to let them have a voice in these issues that direly affect their education.
What might it look like if low-income and low-performing schools were staffed by caring teachers who are committed to their students? Maybe something like this (a staff video made to congratulate graduating students in a Bronx middle school): Philadelphia student activists made the news in a terrific Philadelphia Inquirer article this week for their efforts to ensure that on... more -
College graduates are suffering
We need to do something for the economy otherwise college graduates will not get jobs in years to come.
-
Alaska students demand sex ed. in schools
According to a statewide study, 63 percent of Alaskan high school seniors in 2007 reported having sex. And, while Alaska has about average U.S. rates on teen pregnancies, in 2006 birth rates for Alaskan and U.S. teens rose for the first time since 1991.
Anchorage follows an "abstinence-plus" model, taught in the eighth grade, that parents can opt their kids out of. The program grew out of a task force a decade ago that included a doctor, nurse, religious leaders and educators. It stresses abstinence as the only way to guarantee protection against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. Teachers also teach kids about what to do if they don't choose abstinence, Vaissiere said.
Nobody is keeping track of what is being taught where in Alaska on the topic. The variance appears to be wide. But it seems most public schools in the state teach some form of "abstinence-plus." Some invite outside groups to present either side of the controversial topic, like an abstinence-only advocate one day followed by a member of Planned Parenthood on another. According to a statewide study, 63 percent of Alaskan high school seniors in 2007 reported having sex. And, while Alaska has about ave... more -
School bans plastic bags
Pupils at a Scottish school have decided to take the controversial issue of plastic carrier bag usage into their own hands by banning them from their school.
The youngsters have even begun to design and produce their own eco-friendly bags, meaning there is now no excuse for pupils to bring in plastic bags.
The children were inspired to take action after reading a newspaper story about a whale which had washed up on the shore of the Isle of Mull, and was discovered to have ingested 23 plastic carrier bags. They were so appalled by what had happened that they were spurred into action. Pupils at a Scottish school have decided to take the controversial issue of plastic carrier bag usage into their own hands by banning ... more -
Keeping the Door Open: An Interview with Community Leaders
Family Focus has been serving Illinois communities for over 30 years. What's the secret to their success?
It's hard to imagine Leslie Daniel as a shy teenager. But the bright, self-possessed 27-year-old woman says she would not be who she is if she hadn't had a place like the Family Focus Center to guide her through tough times. The Evanston, Illinois-based community organization started off as a drop-in center in 1976 and has since grown to provide counseling, tutoring and after-school programming to families in five other Illinois locations. JoAnn Avery, who has been with the center for 27 years, has seen Leslie Daniel through becoming a teen mother, college graduate and now working as a fellow employee of Family Focus, leading pregnancy prevention workshops.
For Avery, the success of the center comes down to the deep connections they have made with the community. The focus has always been on serving as a "safe haven" for all members of the family, seeing thousands of people through financial and emotional hard times. Funded through a combination of government, foundation and individual donations, Family Focus provides free, all-purpose programming -- from early childhood literacy to community leadership training. Both Avery and Daniel emphasize the center's open-door policy: No one who agrees to abide by the basic rules is turned away.
Rock the Trail recently sat down with Avery and Daniel to talk about how the center became a place so many people in the community consider part of an extended family and a home away from home.
Part I
************CONTINUES Family Focus has been serving Illinois communities for over 30 years. What's the secret to their success? ... more -
Education cancelled for 4.5 million students in Zimbabwe
Economic chaos in Zimbabwe claimed its latest victim. Rampant inflation puts the entire school system on the brink of failure as staff can no longer afford to teach, and are forced to turn students away. In order to avoid the embarrassment of a complete collapse of Zimbabwe's educational system, the government has canceled the 2008 school year after only 23 days in session. That means there will be no class of '08. And who knows what this means for the future of Zimbabwe's schools.
Excerpt:
"In January teachers went on a prolonged strike over their salaries. In April, Mr Mugabe's Zanu (PF) party accused them of supporting the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) during the March elections and blamed them for the President's first-round defeat.
Six teachers were murdered and thousands assaulted by Zanu (PF) militia in the violence that marred the second-round presidential election on June 27.
Schools were looted and turned into torture centres. Teachers disappeared. Many are still unable to return for fear of being disciplined.
Now the coup de grace to the education system is being delivered by hyperinflation. Teachers had their salaries doubled last week to the equivalent of £5.70 a month; barely enough for bus fares and bread for four days."
Can you imagine an entire generation without an education? Heartbreaking. Economic chaos in Zimbabwe claimed its latest victim. Rampant inflation puts the entire school system on the brink of failure as staff... more -
Latin: 'Dead' language returns to school curriculums
More and more students in the US are embracing Latin. a language that was once rejected as outdated and useless.
Many students seeking to increase SAT scores or to stand out from their friends choose to study Latin while others simply harbor a fascination for the ancient language after reading Harry Potter’s Latin-based chanting spells.
The number of students in the United States taking the National Latin Exam has risen steadily to more than 134,000 students in each of the past two years, from 124,000 in 2003 and 101,000 in 1998, with large increases in remote parts of the country like New Mexico, Alaska and Vermont. The number of students taking the Advanced Placement test in Latin, meanwhile, has nearly doubled over the past 10 years, to 8,654 in 2007.
Latin is also thriving in New York City, where it is currently taught in about three dozen schools, including Brooklyn Latin, a high school in East Williamsburg that started in 2006. Four years of Latin, and two of Spanish, are required at the new high school, where Latin phrases adorn the walls and words like discipuli (students), magistri (teachers) and latrina (bathroom) are sprinkled into everyday conversation. “It’s the language of scholars and educated people,” said Jason Griffiths, headmaster of Brooklyn Latin. “It’s the language of people who are successful. I think it’s a draw, and that’s certainly what we sell.” More and more students in the US are embracing Latin. a language that was once rejected as outdated and useless. ... more -
Election dirty tricks: Scaring student voters
"It doesn't take much to discourage people from voting," said Dr. Larry Sabato, political analyst and director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.
"Generally when people see that, they think 'I just don't want to take a risk. I've got enough problems in my life, I think I'll just skip this one."
Raymond and Sabato say voters should be on the look out for a number of other time-honored tricks, including:
- "Push-poll" phone calls using the guise of a survey to push negative information about a candidate.
- Leaflets or emails listing the wrong date or a "rain date" for the election.
- Automated voicemail messages telling voters that the location of their polling place has changed.
- Repeated late night automated "robo-calls" with a message from a candidate.
Raymond says that some of the dirtiest – and most effective – tricks are designed to trigger a "latent bigoted reaction." Perhaps the most notorious example was the smear against Senator John McCain in South Carolina before the state's presidential primary in 2000.
Anonymous opponents used push-polls and flyers to spread a whisper campaign suggesting that McCain's Bangladeshi-born adopted daughter was his illegitimate black child. "It doesn't take much to discourage people from voting," said Dr. Larry Sabato, political analyst and director of the U... more -
Pupil, 15, gives hash cakes to teachers
A 15-year-old girl has been forced to change schools after she gave drugs-laced cakes to teachers.
Two teaching assistants in Leeds suffered from dizziness and headaches after eating the hash cakes which the girl took into school last month. They pair were taken to hospital for emergency check-ups where doctors said that they had probably been drugged with cannabis.
The GCSE pupil was suspended while the incident was investigated and she has now been moved to a different school. A 15-year-old girl has been forced to change schools after she gave drugs-laced cakes to teachers. ... more -
Teachers' union wants sex with students to be allowed?
Teachers should not be prosecuted for having sex with pupils over 16, claim union bosses from NASUWT, claiming there should be a clear differentiation between "errors of professional judgement" in consensual relationships, and child abuse.
Intimate relations between teachers and students under 18 were made illegal in 2001, and professionals found guilty may be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for defying the law.
Should a teacher who has a relationship with a 17-year-old student be labelled a sex offender? Teachers should not be prosecuted for having sex with pupils over 16, claim union bosses from NASUWT, claiming there should be a clear... more -
Frat house firebombed; brawl follows
Someone tossed a firebomb into a fraternity house about a block from the University of Colorado, setting off a brawl in a nearby alley that sent one man to the hospital, police said.
The firebomb early Friday caused no injuries or significant damage, and residents had put the blaze out by the time firefighters arrived, police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley said.
Huntley said it was probably not a hate crime, but more likely stemmed from a feud between the fraternity and residents of a nearby apartment or with another fraternity. No arrests had been made, and police had no individual suspects.
A jug of charcoal starter fluid with a burning firecracker attached was thrown into the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house through an open door about 2:15 a.m., Huntley said. Someone inside pushed it back out with a wet mop.
"We're very, very fortunate that nobody was hurt," she said.
When officers arrived, they found about 30 young men brawling in the alley, Huntley said. Andrew Hansen, 20, a member of the fraternity, was hospitalized for broken facial bones and a deep cut.
Hansen did not know who hit him, Huntley said.
The fraternity and some residents of a building across the alley have "a history of some problems," including vandalism to a fence at the fraternity house, Huntley said. Sigma Alpha Epsilon members also told investigators of tensions between them and another fraternity.
Jess Havill, vice president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter, declined to comment. Someone tossed a firebomb into a fraternity house about a block from the University of Colorado, setting off a brawl in a nearby alley... more -
50,000+ WTO Protestors
Director Stuart Townsend ("Battle In Seattle") explains why 50,000+ protestors organized themselves to shut down the 1999 WTO talks in Seattle.
"Battle In Seattle" is in theaters now. Director Stuart Townsend ("Battle In Seattle") explains why 50,000+ protestors organized themselves to shut down the 1999 WT... more -
Is Fukudome a dirty word? Student's last name is controversal
What's in a name? Ask Chicago Cubs fan Jill Howe, 15.
The Elgin High School sophomore had to remove her Kosuke Fukudome jersey and wear a gym T-shirt to class Wednesday because of a misunderstanding about how to pronounce the All-Star right-fielder's last name.
"Someone stopped me in the hall and asked me what the back of my jersey said," Jill said.
She replied that it was the name of Cubs player, pronounced foo-koo-DOUGH-may. The school staffer wasn't so sure and consulted others.
Then a dean, Susan Matei, told Howe the jersey was inappropriate. Matei made Jill take it off and wear a gym shirt instead.
Jill called her mother after school to tell her what happened.
"She's a big Cubs fan, and we got the jersey at Dick's," said Jill's mom, Nancy Howe. "We were going to get a [Kerry] Wood one, but it cost more."
Nancy Howe called Matei, who confirmed what happened.
"I told her anyone's last name can be misconstrued," Nancy Howe said.
By late afternoon, common sense -- and proper pronunciation -- prevailed.
Associate Principal Alan Flota said students may wear Fukudome apparel at school.
"As long as it is a legitimate name, they will be allowed to wear it," Flota said.
Jill said she could see how the misunderstanding happened.
Students occasionally purposefully mispronounce Fukudome's last name, she said.
"Some people like to be stupid about it." What's in a name? Ask Chicago Cubs fan Jill Howe, 15. ... more -
A 'fifth of teachers back caning'
One in five teachers would like to see the cane brought back in schools for "extreme cases", a shocking survey suggests.
The main reason given for teachers backing the return of corporal punishment was the deterioration of class behaviour. According to the Times Educational Supplement poll of 6,162 UK teachers, more support for the cane was found in secondary schools. The TES survey found that 22% of secondary school teachers would support the right to use corporal punishment in extreme cases. However, those working in primary schools were less in favour at 16%.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families said violence against children was illegal and unacceptable. Supply teacher Judith Cookson told the TES: "There are too many anger management people and their ilk who give children the idea that it is their right to flounce out of lessons for time out because they have problems with their temper.
Primary teacher Ravi Kasinathan opposed: "There is justification, or an argument, for bringing back corporal punishment, if only as a deterrent. I believe some children just don't respond to the current sanctions." One in five teachers would like to see the cane brought back in schools for "extreme cases", a shocking survey suggests. ... more -
Student visa fraud rampant
Canada places so few restrictions on foreign students and the schools that attract them that it has left the student-visa system open to widespread abuse and fraud, according to an internal government review obtained by The Vancouver Sun. Canada places so few restrictions on foreign students and the schools that attract them that it has left the student-visa system open ... more
-
Shocking initiation rituals at UK universities
A secretly-filmed BBC video shows students taking part in a bizarre initiation rite, wearing bags over their heads, drinking and vomiting.
The University of Gloucestershire says it will launch a formal inquiry into alleged "bullying and intimidation" during initiation ceremonies after the BBC obtained the shocking footage
The video obtained by the BBC shows a group of University of Gloucestershire students lined up against a wall with white plastic bags over their heads. Another student, dressed in a Nazi-style uniform, is seen to encourage them to drink. Several students then vomit onto the ground before being paraded though the streets.
University of Gloucestershire students told the BBC that during the ceremonies, first-year students are made to do "anything you are told" by the senior students. One, 20-year-old Natalie Sutton, said that during her hockey initiation ceremony she was forced to put fish in her bra and then eat it. She added: "I had to go to the toilet in a bucket in a dark basement, which was full of other people's urine. People were crying and vomiting."
Another, Nick Levy, said that during his ceremony he was told to drink excessively and then run naked through Cheltenham. He added: "We had to put matches in private, inappropriate areas and set them on fire whilst drinking more beer. I did it to be accepted by the older guys at the time. It was a bit tormenting, but if you didn't do it you would get called a wuss".
NUS President Wes Streeting told BBC News: "We are totally opposed to student initiations. They put students at serious risk and exclude students who don't want to take part in that binge-drinking culture." A secretly-filmed BBC video shows students taking part in a bizarre initiation rite, wearing bags over their heads, drinking and vomit... more -
French Muslims find haven in Catholic schools
France is very strict about the separation of church and state, so Muslim students, and any other religious students for that matter, are not permitted to where religion-affiliate garb in school. Some find Catholic schools in France to be a safe haven, allowing them to be just as they are. France is very strict about the separation of church and state, so Muslim students, and any other religious students for that matter, ... more
-
'De-gendered' toilets at the University of Manchester spark row
A row has broken out at the University of Manchester after its students' union toilets were "de-gendered".
Temporary signs have made the "ladies" simply "toilets", while the "gents" have become "toilets with urinals".
The changes are in response to an unspecified number of complaints from trans students who are uncomfortable using the men's toilets.
A university newspaper criticised the move but the student union said it was needed to tackle transphobia.
There are no figures on the number of transsexual and transgender students believed to be among the university's population of more than 35,000 students.
The students' union welfare office declined to reveal the number of complaints, but said it was an important issue. A row has broken out at the University of Manchester after its students' union toilets were "de-gendered". ... more -
Election officials "told college students they can't vote"
Colorado Democrats accused a Republican county clerk Wednesday of falsely informing Colorado College that students from outside the state could not register to vote if their parents claimed them as a dependent on their tax returns. Colorado Democrats accused a Republican county clerk Wednesday of falsely informing Colorado College that students from outside the st... more
-
Il viaggio di Giobbe, una scuola per il Malawi
Anche Giobbe Covatta ha partecipato al viaggio in Africa con gli studenti dei licei romani. Questo è il suo racconto.
-
related topics
Students
Contributors (928)
Students
