How to adapt funding for education in our economic crisis

The Intel Corporation is committing a global investment of $120 million over the next 10 years for Science Competitions, Youth Outreach, and the Online Science Community. Will Swope, Intel’s Vice President and General Manager, made the announcement this morning at the U.S. news & World Report Education Summit on “America’s High Schools: What Works? What’s Next?” Swope said “I can’t think of a more critical time to invest in math and science education.”

Speaking at the same event was Joel L. Klein, Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. With the current economic crisis, Klein suggests we “let schools decide” how to fund schools focusing on “student based budgeting”. Klein said “the kid carries the dollar through the system,” and encourages wise educational funding now more than ever.

Klein emphasized two things that he knows works in improving our education system; improving education before students reach the high school level, and creating high standards and assessments on the national level instead of state. Klein credited the No Child Left Behind Act for “creating accountability in the education system”, such as the “pay for performance” proposition, and focus on year to year progress as opposed to regional academic proficiency.

Pawlenty, Gingrich, and Sharpton discuss education reform

This morning, "Time to Choose: Children or Bureaucracy" a panel on education reform was held at the Marriot Hotel in Minneapolis. It featured presentations from several distinguished speakers, including documentary director Bob Compton, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and the Rev. Al Sharpton. All participants spoke about reaching across party lines and acting on education reform as soon as possible.

Rev. Sharpton said, "The fact of the matter is that all of us, whatever we believe, whatever our party, our philosophy, our religion or our ideologies, all of us will leave behind a world that somehow our kids must go through." Much of Sharpton's focus on reform was aimed towards making parents more responsible for and involved in their children's education.

Speaker Gingrich had a more dramatic approach, one that appeared to be popular with the crowd. "I believe we have to elevate math and science education to a matter of national defense," he said. "We must improve it greatly to increase our security and secure our future."

Educational Leaders Gather in Denver to Discuss an Educational System in Crisis

By Derek Stanek

Yesterday in downtown Denver educational leaders from across the country gathered in the Space Theater to discuss education reform. The 2008 Rocky Mountain Round Table featured panelists such as former Colorado Governor Roy Romer, Founder of the Broad Foundation Eli Broad, Best Buy VP of Industry and Public Affairs Paula Prahl, Co-Founder of Knowledge is Power Programs (KIPP) Mike Feinberg, National Educational Association Executive Director John Wilson, The Aspen Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Massachusetts Foundation 2020 Chris Gabrieli, and other notable educational leaders. A quick speech was also given by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.


Right away they dove into the major issues as to why American schools are in such bad shape. They noted that out of 30 industrial nations America ranks 21st in science and 25th in math. Governor Romer was very vocal on the point stating that, "We're falling behind fast", that "We are being challenged by people who are higher skilled," and "[ranking] 25th in the world, means ranking 25th in line for a job." However, his most powerful comment came when he stated, "How much time do we have left?" Governor Romer pointed out that American schools are simply running out of time, and asked, "Where is the national will behind this issue?"

Solutions were quick to come to the forefront of the conversation. Walter Isaacson suggested recruiting the best kids out of college to become teachers. Prevalent in the conversation was the notion that Americans are not doing enough to drive the idea that teaching is a great service to this country.

John Wilson called for, "Changing standards to embrace the 21st century." All of the panelist agreed that more technology needs to be implemented and utilized in today's classrooms.

Paula Prahl made the point that national standards were looked at as a point of weakness when she said, "We have national standards for thermostats, is it to much to ask for national standards for education." The panel all agreed that it would be great to see fifteen states come together to create national standards for education and to encourage other states to follow their lead. Governor Romer touched on the topic and called for more research into a "good authentic test." According to monitor Tom Touch, $8,000 per kid was spent on education last year, while only $25 per kid was spent on testing and test development.

It was a rather somber mood in the theater yesterday afternoon and was summed up best by Chris Gabrieli when he stated, "We've flat lined since the 70s'."

Military brainstorms better ways to pay

A military study of compensation suggests extending military discounts for groceries to supermarkets located off-base, a move that would save military families from driving long distance to base amidst high gas prices. This and other suggestions were outlined during a press conference discussing the 10th Review of Military Compensation, a quadrennial report to Congress from the Department of Defense.

The report advocates establishing charter schools for children on military bases and allowing military vouchers to be used in any public or private school. To improve the military’s recruiting and retention of medical professionals, the report suggested fast-tracking non-citizen physicians to citizenship, an effort that would utilize American-trained doctors who are currently unable to practice in a military setting. Responding to perceived flaws in the military’s retirement program that offer a “one size fits all” program to personnel regardless of skill sets and training, the report suggested offering gate payments to servicemen and women who have reached milestones in their career while offering separation payments that would encourage other types of personnel to retire. In addition, the report supports raising medical care co-payments for active duty personnel and their families to reflect rates of inflation.

Numbers slipping in math and science performance

Approximately two-thirds of high school physical sciences students have teachers who did not major in the subject in college or are not certified to teach it, according to findings by the National Math and Science Initiative.

A hearing was held before the Education and Labor Committee on "Innovation in Education through Businesss and Education Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Partnerships." Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.) said that the best way to help American children succeed in math, science and all over subjects is to invest more in the success of their teachers. Miller mentioned TEACH Grants which provide tuition assistance of $4,000 each year for outstanding students who commit to teaching math, science and other 'high-need' subjects in schools but also noted there was still more work to be done.

Phil Mickelson, professional golfer and co-founder of the Mickelson Exxon Mobil Teachers Academy, said it was important to equip teachers with effective teaching tools so they could inspire their own students. Mickelson also noted that children's natural curiosity would be piqued if they realized how much math and science affects everyday activities such as sports and game equipment.

Sally Ride, Ph. D., president and chief executive officer of Sally Ride Science as well as former NASA astronaut, pointed out that the U.S. became a world leader largely due to its innovation in STEM subjects but now, the education system places very little emphasis on those very subjects. Ride also said that in fourth grade, 66 percent of girls and 68 percent of boys are still interested in science but those percentages drop significantly by the sixth and seventh grades.

Tom Luce, chief executive officer of the National Math and Science Initiative, said that the 'math and science crisis' cannot be addressed until dealt with on a national scale with successful programs. Luce said that reinforcing math and science was the best way for the U.S. to grow economically and to maintain its competitive edge.