With cuts all around us in education, it's interesting to see one field taking off. It is the hiring of teachers who know Chinese. Recognizing the growing power of China on the world stage, schools around the country and seeking to expand their programs, particularly in Mandarin, the main Chinese dialect.

But, they are not finding it easy to create these programs.There simply are not enough competent teachers around to teach the language.

For example, in Schenectady, New York, schools will require only a third of pupils in grades 5 and 6 to take Chinese because the district couldn't find instructors for all the students.

Programs to teach Chinese in grades K through 12 have almost tripled since 2004 to almost 800, according to the Asia Society and the College Board, two New York-based nonprofits. Given the fact that there are more than 97,000 public schools in the U.S., the new programs can readily be described as no more than a "drop in the bucket."

Educators are claiming that they've had insufficient time to prepare for this development. For example, Jacque Bott Van Houten, who oversees foreign languages for the Kentucky Department of Education was reported to say that "The need for Chinese has come to us in a flash.'' That's not quite accurate. Recognition of the growing importance of China has been with us for a couple of decades now. We simply have not taken the time to notice.

Further, the controversial No Child Left Behind Act adds to the problems. To get certification to teach Chinese in public schools, applicants need more than proficiency in the language. The requirements vary from state to state but all hinder the entry of Chinese speakers into the educational system. For instance iIn Kentucky, teachers need a bachelor's degree, they must pass a national examination for teachers, and they have to complete special classes tailored to Mandarin

Contrast that with the situation in China. There, efforts to teach English are literally everywhere. If you would like to see some of what is happening, take a look at a public education program on the streets in Chinese cities. http://www.labnol.org/internet/favorites/how-to-learn-english-in-china/1842/

Posted by Marion Blank at 04:25 PM
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Last month. both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees approved versions of an appropriations bill which funds federal education programs. Both versions end funding for Reading First, the program which supports a set of reading efforts in grades K-3. If the bill passes in its current form, Congress will have cut funding for PK-3 literacy by $1 billion over two years.

The current versions of the bill are in committee and so they are not necessarily the death knell for reading support. Appropriations bills go through a complex set of hurdles before they can become law (go to the full House and Senate, to conference committee, to the President, etc.) and these have not yet taken place. Early education advocates are hoping to put intense pressure on Congress to ensure that the funding remains.

Reading First has been marked by considerable controversy and poor results. No one can disagree with the idea that we must not waste taxpayer dollars on ineffective education programs. But the answer is not to eliminate funding; it is to offer better programs.

For more information, you can turn to http://ednews.org/articles/27543/1/Put-PK-3-First-with-or-without-Reading-First/Page1.html

Posted by Marion Blank at 01:51 PM
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Our usual view of academic success is limited to the "three R's"--reading, 'writing, 'rithmetic." But we would do well to think of adding music to that list.

This year, touring the United States, is a dynamic, highly skilled, youth orchestra from Venezuela. It was started many decades ago by Dr.José Antonio, an economist, trained musician, and social reformer who believed that poor, dreadfully poor, Venezuelan kids would find a path out of poverty via classical music. His view has proven to be totally on target.

His achievements and those of the children, have been extraordinary. Taking children from two years of age on, nearly 300,000 kids are in the range of programs in what is called "the system." There are 176 orchestras for children, 216 for young people, and 400 more ensembles, orchestras and choirs. Further, in 32 years, eight hundred thousand children have passed through the system .

Now other countries such as England, are adopting the model. Unfortunately, in the U.S., "art" programs are the first things to be cut when, as now, school budgets get tight.

If you want to read more about this inspiring program, you can do so via CBS's 60 Minutes http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/11/60minutes/main4009335_page2.shtml

Posted by Marion Blank at 07:36 PM
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Recently, Maurice Wolfthal, an experienced teacher and librarian, wrote an article for the Arizona Republic newspaper on the issue of phonics education.

He starts out, pointing up the ethical problems that have marked and marred the No Child Left Behind Act--the quintessential government act that makes intensive phonics the law of the land. The problems include a whole range of serious questions about the selection of contractors and publishers (those who receive the money).

But his criticisms extend far beyond administrative misuse. He challenges the entire approach, saying, "intensive phonics promises much more than it delivers."

He states that phonics is besieged by problems because it "relies on two flawed assumptions. The first is that written English is a phonetic language, and therefore readily accessible through phonics. Instead, like many others before him, he points out that "phonics is a very imperfect guide to sounds."

To illustrate his point, he raises questions such as
How does phonics differentiate the first sound of "thin" from "this"?
How is the vowel sound to be decoded in "move," "love," "more," and "gone"?
How does phonics distinguish the first sound in "apple" from that of "appear"?

The second flawed assumption is believing that comprehension will emerge as a result of decoding letters and re-encoding them into sounds enough times until the brain finally recognizes the word ...." The dismal showing in comprehension from the latest No Child Left Behind results shows this not to be the case.

Still and all he does not say that phonics should be eliminated. Instead, he concludes "All of which is not to say that phonics should not be taught. But its utility is vastly overrated."

Nevertheless, his comments have evoked strong responses from phonics adherents. As typically occurs, any argument to strengthen the base of reading instruction is viewed as an enemy assault. And as usually occurs, no evidence is offered to show Mr.Wolfthal's ideas are invalid. Phonics adherents simply assert --with a kind of religious fervor-- that traditional phnics has to be THE route to teaching.

So, the READING WARS continue with millions of children still spending unproductive hours "on boring drills and continuous testing" that fail to move them into the realm of effective reading.

For more information, you can go to
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2008/07/13/20080713edreadfirst0713wolfthal.html#comments

In addition, to view the response of the chief government official in charge of No Child Left Behind, you can go to
http://ednews.org/articles/27246/1/Response-by-Reid-Lyon-to-Use-of-phonics-overrated-as-way-to-learn-to-read/Page1.html

Posted by Marion Blank at 01:46 PM
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In today's crisis-filled world, headlines often seem only to add to the list of issues we have to worry about. But there are also headlines--real headlines-- that (albeit unintentionally) lead to some smiles.

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted

Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case

Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents

Farmer Bill Dies in House

Iraqi Head Seeks Arms

Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?

Prostitutes Appeal to Pope

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over

Soviet Virgin Lands Short of Goal Again

Eye Drops off Shelf

Teacher Strikes Idle Kids

President Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead

Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim

Miners Refuse to Work after Death

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

Stolen Painting Found by Tree

Never Withhold Herpes Infection from Loved One

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft

Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy

Ban On Soliciting Dead in Trotwood

Lansing Residents Can Drop Off Trees

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

New Vaccine May Contain Rabies

Man Minus Ear Waives Hearing

Steals Clock, Faces Time

Old School Pillars are Replaced by Alumni

Include your Children when Baking Cookies

Stiff Opposition Expected To Casketless Funeral Plan

Antique Stripper To Demonstrate Wares At Store

Mayor Says D.C. Is Safe Except For Murders

Neighbors Said Sniper Not Very Neighborly

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted

Panda Mating Fails - Veterinarian Takes Over

NJ Judge to Rule on Nude Beach

Soviet Virgin Lands Short of Goal Again

Nicaragua sets goal to wipe out literacy

Autos Killing 110 a Day, Let's Resolve to Do Better

Blind Woman Gets New Kidney from Dad She Hasn't Seen in Years

Posted by Marion Blank at 04:10 PM
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As we all know only too well, the U.S. dollar has been losing its value. But there is a bit of a silver lining to this painful situation. As the dollar plunges, the cost of college for many foreign students also drops, bringing many overseas students to our shores.

With American universities widely considered the best in the world, our universities have suddenly emerged as a bargain for a growing number of international students. The influx is expected to reverse the declines in foreign student enrollment that followed September 11, 2001.

Nearly 600,000 foreign students attended US colleges last year. This is the highest since 2002, when tighter restrictions on student visas and growing anti-American sentiment abroad caused enrollments to decline.

Many colleges across the country report sharp increases in applications and acceptances from international students for the coming school year, especially from India, China, and European countries. In the Boston area --which is known for its many institutions of higher learning, there has been a surge in demand. The University of Massachusetts at Amherst expects a roughly 20 percent increase in new international students this fall, while Northeastern University will enroll 17 percent more students than last year's class. And the growth in New York and Los Angeles has been even greater.

The effect of having large numbers of foreign students on our shores goes far beyond money. It encourages cooperation and exchange among citizens of different backgrounds and countries --and that is a development with enormous benefits for all.

Posted by Marion Blank at 01:32 PM
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Regular readers of my blog know that my main concerns are in education and in enhancing education so that children's skills blossom. But there is a range of ancillary issues that plays a big role in accomplishing this goal.

One of those issues concerns the health of children. That is where electronic smog comes in. It is the term that has been created to capture the fact that the electricity that powers our civilization gives off a range of effects that appear to be dangerous.Scientific evidence has begun to show that it may be causing cancer and miscarriages as well as making some people allergic to modern life.

Science from the ‘40s to the present has demonstrated the harmful effects of microwave radiation—the platform upon which the entire wireless universe—cell phones, text messaging, WiFi, WiMax and RFID—is built. Yet the wireless network is expanding, with the approval of government "as fast as it can."

So instead of moving with caution, we are moving with extreme speed. The final outcome for the youth of our nation and the youth of the world may be serious --beyond all our imaginings. There is no way for me to even begin to cover the key issues. But if you are interested, there is a large body of information on the web that can get you started on what is happening and what you might do to protect yourself.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0507-06.htm

http://www.celsias.com/2007/09/10/electronic-smog-can-damage-your-health/

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/electronic_smog.php

http://www.bioinitiative.org/

Posted by Marion Blank at 01:42 PM
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