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 Report: Federal Program Fails to Improve Reading Skills
An Education Department report disclosed the ineffectiveness of No Child Left Behind's $6 billion student reading program. State education officials Douglas Christensen of Nebraska and Michele Goady of Maryland debate Reading First's merits. (PBS)
Perspective: Use cell phones as a tool instead of banning them
Rather than ban cell phones, schools should seek to transform them into digital learning tools, writes Studywiz Spark executive Bob Longo. "The convergence is coming -- cell phones are acting more like laptops all the time," he writes, adding that, provided the necessary groundwork is laid, "I predict that the value will outweigh the drawbacks of smaller devices in schools. Our approach to handhelds and cell phones will look a lot more like appropriate-use policies, not like out-and-out bans." (TechNewsWorld)
States encourage healthy-eating options at schools
At least 24 states are considering bills that will help schools provide healthier fare for students. Since 2005, state lawmakers have enacted about 46 pieces of legislation to promote better school-nutrition standards. (RedOrbit)
TeachTown Gives Families Hope
A Seattle startup offers computer-based behavioral therapy for autistic children to replace -- or supplement -- expensive therapy. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
New CER Resources to Create Better K-12 Schools
CER Press Release , May 5, 2008
For parents, policymakers and the media - now, all you need to know about charter schools, all in one place. From laws to locations, policy to practice, CER's interactive tools deliver the latest information and insight. (Center for Education Reform)
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN ADDISON COUNTY
All public K-12 schools in Addison County are under three different supervisory unions:
Addison Central Supervisory Union, Addison County www.acsu.k12.vt.us
Bingham Memorial School Cornwall, VT Elementary
Bridport Central School Bridport, VT Elementary
Mary Hogan School Middlebury, VT Elementary Middle
Middlebury Union High School Middlebury, VT Secondary Middle
Middlebury Union Middle School Middlebury, VT Elementary Middle
Ripton Elementary School Ripton, VT Elementary
Salisbury Community School Salisbury, VT Elementary
Shoreham Elementary School Shoreham, VT Elementary Middle Primary
Weybridge Elementary Weybridge, VT Elementary
Addison Northeast Supervisory Union, Addison County
Beeman Elementary School New Haven, VT Elementary Middle
Bristol Elementary School Bristol, VT Elementary Middle Primary
Lincoln Community School Lincoln, VT Elementary
Monkton Central School Monkton, VT Elementary Middle
Mt. Abraham Union High School Bristol, VT Secondary Middle
North Branch School Ripton, VT Middle
Robinson Elementary School Starksboro, VT Elementary
Addison Northwest Supervisory Union, Addison County www.anwsu.org
Addison Central School Addison, VT Elementary
Ferrisburgh Central School Ferrisburg, VT Elementary
Vergennes Elementary School Vergennes, VT Elementary Middle
Vergennes Union High School Vergennes, VT Secondary Middle
PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN ADDISON COUNTY
Bridge School Inc. - grades: K-6
388-3498
1469 Exchange Street
Middlebury, VT 05753
Champlain Valley Christian School - grades: K-8
877-3640
73 B Church Street
Vergennes, VT 05491
Gailer School - grades: 7-12
985-1276
POB 1306
Middlebury, VT 05753
St. Mary’s School - grades: K-6
388-8392
86 Shannon Street
Middlebury, VT 05753
Full list of independent schools in Vermont.
HOME SCHOOL
Vermont Home Education Network
PO Box 255
Woodbury, VT 05681
info@vhen.net
Guidelines for Home Study in Vermont
State of Vermont Department of Education
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The Vermont Society for the Study of Education, Inc.
VSSE has committed its professional resources to shaping policies and promoting educational practices that work in the best interest of students. VSSE believes that education policy has been far too influenced by biased research promulgated by groups with vested interests. In response VSSE will diligently employ comprehensive, relevant, reliable research and scholarship based on sound theory when carrying out its work.
Why is Social Emotional Learning Important?
Episodes of school violence and schoolyard bullying have focused attention on quick-fix solutions to keeping children safe. The answer doesn't lie in equipping schools with metal detectors. We must help students develop the skills to manage their emotions, resolve conflict nonviolently, and make responsible decisions. Research shows that teaching emotional intelligence and character development will lead to:
• Reduced violence and aggression.
• Higher academic achievement and test scores.
• Improved ability to function in schools and in the workplace.
Simple board games help children learn math
Children's games can help preschoolers improve counting and other basic math skills and hold on to those gains for more than two months, according to a Carnegie Mellon University study, which tested the theory using a simple board game similar to Chutes and Ladders. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Guide to Vermont's Education Funding System
The Vermont Children's Forum has prepared information that explains the basics of Vermont's Act 68, the education funding law. Learn about where the money comes from and how it is spent.
Examine the costs and benefits of Universal Preschool in a research report by the Rand corporation.
Vermont House Bill H.629, entitled “AN ACT RELATING TO BULLYING PREVENTION POLICIES
“Bullying” means any overt act or combination of acts directed against a student by another student or group of students and which:
(A) is repeated over time;
(B) is intended to ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate the student; and
(C) occurs during the school day on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored activity, or before or after the school day on a school bus or at a school-sponsored activity.
Is Your Child's Backpack Making the Grade?
While backpacks are one of the most convenient ways to carry books and school supplies, an overloaded and/or improperly worn backpack gets a failing grade, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Wearing backpacks improperly or ones that are too heavy put children at increased risk for musculoskeletal injuries.
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Does Your Child Need an Academic Boost?
A new Tutoring and Homework Help section of the Great Schools website is now available for you. You can help your child get on track, and even help with math homework even if you don't remember much of it yourself. The key is that YOU are the best resource for your child, and with some tips and resources you can be even better. You can also find out more about testing, study skills, and college admission requirements.
Use Crayons to Help Children Understand Diversity
A box of crayons gave one group of first-graders a lesson in diversity, after their teacher first limited them to one color each. The lesson continued with discussions of what makes students different and what common traits bring them together. (Asbury Park Press, N.J.)de level.
World Animal Map
Even though children may not understand
maps, they know that strange animals exist in faraway places in landscapes very different from their own. Here's a way to help your child think in terms of a global community.
1. Purchase or make a large map of the world, showing each contininent and major ocean.
2. Cut out or make pictures of a variety of animals: birds, insects, mammals, and water creatures.
3. Glue or tape each animal to the place on the map where it lives.
For more challange, research an animal that lives in more than one place to find out how they are different, i.e. elephant, fox, horse.
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