Arts Integrated And Learning Styles Go Hand-In-Hand In Oklahoma City Schools By Patricia Hawke

Many people understand the importance of exposure to the arts. We love art; it is a necessary part of our society. In fact, for every culture and every society, art in some form or another is critical to how we live. For many, many years, arts programs have been cut in Oklahoma City Schools in efforts to divert funds to “more pressing” subject areas like reading and mathematics. While these are indeed necessary subjects for Oklahoma City Schools students to master, including an arts education in a student’s learning experiences can do nothing but improve their time attending Oklahoma City Schools, as well as contribute to the amount of success they see as a whole.

Most Oklahoma City Public Schools concentrate on teaching students in three ways; by showing them how to do things, by telling them the information they need, or by giving them opportunities to try things themselves (also known as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles).

There are, in fact, many learning styles as identified by Howard Gardner, psychologist and noted pedagogical theorist:

- Linguistic – “word-smart”
- Interpersonal – “people smart”
- Bodily-kinesthetic – “body smart”
- Logical-mathematical – “math smart”
- Naturalist – “nature smart”
- Spatial – “picture smart”
- Musical – “music smart”
- Intrapersonal – “self smart”

More than ever, schools are realizing the importance of addressing all of these learning styles. Students attending certain Oklahoma City Schools are reaping the benefits of the commitment to providing educational experiences via these learning styles.

In efforts to give more and more students an education that addresses their specific learning style(s), some Oklahoma City Schools are integrating the arts into their programs. Following an “A+” model originally begun in North Carolina, Oklahoma City Schools are instituting their own arts integration programs. Originally a project of the DaVinci Institute, it is currently administered by the University of Central Oklahoma.

The model being used by Oklahoma City Schools looks at 8 different areas to improve arts integration in their schools:

1) Arts;
2) Curriculum;
3) Multiple intelligences;
4) Experiential learning;
5) Enriched assessment;
6) Collaboration;
7) Infrastructure; and
8) Climate

For teachers employed with Oklahoma City Schools, the program has been a godsend. All educators strive to “light the spark” and desperately want to reach all - 100% - of their students. For the instructional staff, of the Oklahoma City Schools using this model, discovering how to appeal to the different ways children learn has been exactly what they have been looking for.

Another impressive aspect of the program is the Oklahoma City Schools professional development that goes along with it. Instead of giving newly trained teaches the manual with the expectation that they follow the model, the A+ model provides extensive and ongoing training and support to all teachers new to the program. Oklahoma City Schools’ teachers focus on learning to work together, using research-based practices to establish curriculum that includes interdisciplinary themes that foster arts integration across classes as well as use Gardner’s various learning styles.

Clearly, Oklahoma City Schools are working to improve learning, one style at a time.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187449&ca=Education

New York City Schools Include Charters By Patricia Hawke

There have been many instances over the past 20 years or so where people have been so unhappy about the schools that they have decided to step up and do something about it. In response to this discontent, charter schools have been formed. For many New York City Schools families, charters appear to be the way to go.

Virtually anyone concerned with the state of New York City Schools can open a charter school. Parents, teachers, principals (whether they are from public New York City Schools or private ones), community leaders, philanthropists and nonprofit organizations are all examples of the types of folks who open charter schools in response to a perceived lack in quality public education.

But what is a charter school, anyway? Most people have heard about them, but are unclear or confused as to what they are, exactly. Charter schools are created by a contract (or “charter”) with the New York City Schools system. They are held to the same standards as more traditional public schools, but operate with a greater autonomy than regular schools within the system. The purpose of the charter school is to offer new resources, personnel and ideas to education, as well as to give the families of New York City Public Schools a greater choice.

Charter schools are under the umbrella of the New York City Schools district, and are held directly accountable for meeting specific student performance goals. If the charter school fails to meet these criteria, their charter can be revoked or not renewed. In return for these higher standards, these schools are exempt from New York City Schools regulations such as curriculum development, staffing, and budget.

There are 6 reasons why numbering charter schools among the options for families with children attending New York City Schools is a good idea. Charter schools have unique educational goals that are innovative and desirable:

- Charter schools within the districts of New York City Schools are responsible for increasing the learning opportunities and achievement of all students, most especially high-risk students – ones in danger of dropping out or who have a low reading ability, for example.

- These special New York City Schools also encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods. Within the confines of the traditional public school classroom, teachers have fewer options with how they go about their jobs. Simple issues such as class size or available resources can considerably tie their hands.

- Charter schools obviously provide a greater amount of choice for parents and students of New York City Schools.

- Also, charter schools can provide motivated educators with the means to pursue their beliefs and ideas.

New York City Schools strive to offer its students the best possible education, and the choice of attending a charter school is one way to do so. Charter schools can offer their children a wider variety of opportunities.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187447&ca=Education

A Storm In A Teacup At Miami Dade Public Schools By Patricia Hawke

Controversy over Book Ban Rattles Miami Schools

Miami Dade Public schools have been rocked by allegations of throwing aside civil liberties in favor of pleasing parts of the local populace. First came the unnecessary controversy over an innocuous children’s book that portrayed life in Cuba from a child’s perspective. The book “A Visit to Cuba” was not a prescribed textbook for young children in Miami schools, rather it was part of the school library. A young Cuban American girl bought the book home and showed it to her father; a Cuban dissident and political prisoner who was upset at the soft picture the book portrayed of life under Castro. He immediately notified the Miami Dade public schools’ authorities who proceed to place the book under a ban. Miami’s strong Cuban American population supported the ban on the book in Miami schools’ arguing that reading the book could create the wrong impression in young children’s minds about the reality of life in Cuba. The American Civil Liberties jumped into the fray and filed a lawsuit against the ban calling it unconstitutional.

Book Ban – A Knee-Jerk Reaction by Miami Schools?

A few weeks later another book found itself at the center of a storm in Miami Dade Public schools. This time it was Cuban Kids, a children’s book that portrayed a couple of Cuban children on the cover dressed in what seem to be Scout uniforms- but are reportedly uniforms of the young revolutionaries, ( a group that all school children in Cuba are required to be members of). Parents of Cuban American children in Miami schools say the book gives young children the impression that the lives of Cuban children is the same as the lives of American children. They argue that young impressionable minds are not able to filter party mouthpiece rhetoric from fact and risk being brainwashed by books like these that do not portray the true picture of life under Castro for students in Miami schools.

The argument seems a little too simplistic. Civil liberties activists and critics of the book ban agree that it would be hypocritical for a country that claims to uphold democratic ideals the way ours does, to allow react with a knee-jerk response to the contents of a book. What, they ask, would be the difference between Castro’s Cuba and the land of the free if the simple decision of whether or not to read a book is taken away from its citizens? While parents of Cuban American children in Miami Dade Public schools, many of them having arrived at this country after extended stays in Cuban prisons, do have a point in being concerned about the impression that their children and others will receive through these books-they don’t need to be. In a situation like this keeping the lines of communication between parents and children open can go a long way to help children separate the grain from the chaff and come away with a true picture of the ground reality in the Communist nation. Banning a book, any book is not the solution.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187440&ca=Education

Metro Nashville Public Schools Promote Unconventional Role Models By Patricia Hawke

A Step in the Right Direction at Nashville Schools

We’re all familiar with the kinds of students who are projected to be potential leaders in high schools – the debate team member, the math club geek, the student council president. These are the stereotypical American leaders of tomorrow; lucky enough to have their special abilities recognized while they are still in school. But what of the other less visible role models? The kid with a stammer who has a lot to say if he could only get the words out clearly enough, the teenage mom with unlimited potential, even the kid at the back row who spends more time in detention than in class?

You’d cringe at the thought of these students being portrayed as leaders and nobody would blame you. In a groundbreaking new program, Nashville schools believe that this exact group of “low on achievement but high on potential” students has the capabilities to make an impact on society. So confident are Metro Nashville schools that these students, if given a gentle nudge, can make equal or greater contributions to society that they are partnering with local community organizations to promote this belief.

Identifying Role Models at Metro Nashville Public Schools

Alignment Nashville, a group that aims to bring together Nashville schools and local community organizations like the YMCA, and Hands on Nashville, wants to create a more organized framework for co-operation between these bodies. Earlier well intentioned attempts to coordinate Nashville schools and voluntary organizations fizzled because of the unsystematic nature of the efforts. This time around the focus is on going beyond words to actual implementation. The organization has launched a couple of programs at two Metro Nashville Public Schools targeting students who possess leadership capabilities but are currently frittering away these abilities in other pursuits. In other words it aims to draw out the potential of at-risk teens who might not have otherwise had a shot at any roles in the school system, leave alone positions of leadership.

Creating Unlikely Leaders at Nashville Schools

This heartening initiative to empower students in Metro Nashville Public Schools who have been marginalized and draw them into leadership roles in the system works in a surprisingly simple manner. Staff is asked to nominate students they feel are currently on the fringes of the school, but could blossom given the right opportunities.

The program then aims to target these students through reading programs, discussions, maintaining journals, enhancing problem solving and team work abilities. Students are encouraged to communicate successfully and respect diversity. Although it’s still too early to gauge the success of this program, authorities at Metro Nashville Public Schools say changes are already visible. Students in the programs are already assuming positions in school bodies and clubs and even at other local organizations. In the long run, Nashville schools expect this commendable program to lead to fewer dropouts, decreased school fights and an overall enhanced school environment for all.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187439&ca=Education

How To Pursue A Health Care Degree Online By Andy West

Thanks to the increase in online educational opportunities, you can now get your health care degree online. However, just because the decision to continue your education has gotten easier, doesn't mean that you should rush into it. Your degree is a major step in the advancement of your career. Before making any final decisions, you will need to consider your options carefully.

Here are several steps you should take before pursuing a health care degree online.

1: Envision your career. This may sound like a no-brainer, especially for someone who already knows they want to pursue a health care degree online. However, you would be surprised how many people dive in without knowing first what they want to do with their degree once they complete it. Before you make any decisions regarding your degree, first think about and write down, if possible, your career vision. Include as many concrete goals as you can put into words. You will need to keep this vision in mind as you are looking at schools.

2: Compile a list of schools you are interested in. Before you begin researching any one school in depth, you should create an overview of all the schools you are interested in. You will narrow them down later; right now it is more important to make sure you are aware of all your options. To find schools that offer a health care degree online, you can do an Internet search, check with the library, or ask for referrals from friends and co-workers. If you already hold a job in the health care industry, your employer may also provide resources for finding schools and pursuing degrees.

3: Research each school's program in order to narrow down your list. Some of the schools on your list you will be able to eliminate pretty quickly. With others, you will only decide after researching the school and its program. Regardless, it is important not to decide on a program without knowing first exactly what you will be getting for your money. Ask to see information on the curriculum, including graduation requirements and course descriptions. Research the school's instructors, reading their bios and taking note of which classes each teaches. Finally, verify the school's reputation with employers in the industry. You don't want to go through all the trouble to earn a health care degree online, just to find out that employers don't have any faith in your school's graduates.

4: Arrange for financial aid. Once you have chosen a school, or even once you have narrowed your options down to two or three schools, you should start applying for financial aid. Aid is typically given out on a first-come, first-served basis, so waiting too long can cost you, quite literally. Although the financial aid process can be somewhat intimidating, the financial aid office at your chosen school should be happy to help you.

5: Study and prosper. If you haven't already enrolled, now is the time to do so. Having made an educated decision on what school to attend, you can now relax and focus on doing the coursework necessary to get your health care degree online.

Deciding what school to attend should never be a one-off decision. You are paying a lot of money for your education, not to mention putting a lot of time and effort into earning your degree, and you have every right to the best education that money and effort can buy. Before pursuing your health care degree online, follow the steps above to make sure you are making the best possible move for your career.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187502&ca=Education

How Can An Accredited Online College Degree Enhance Your Career Prospects? By Wade Robins

It is a well-known fact in the colorful world of work today that employers are beginning to look for college degrees and further education in the resumes of potential employees. The degree does not necessarily have to have anything to do with the professional field that the position is located it because it is generally what it signifies that matters to employers. It indicates that the applicant has the necessary qualities to survive in the world of work. Most notably it indicates that they are prepared to work hard and have a degree of self-discipline that gives them the edge over the competition. Accredited online college degrees can therefore enhance your prospects when it comes to getting a job or possibly furthering your potential in relation to a current career.

Accredited online college degrees do make your resume appear more impressive to both outsiders and potential employers. However, you must make sure that it is an accredited degree that you are taking. If it is not, then it will do absolutely nothing for you or your career. Employers are particularly hot on this because of the amount of fake online degrees and schools there are out there. They especially do not like to look foolish when it comes to trying to justify why they have hired someone with a fake degree!

An accredited online college degree or online career development college courses can actively enhance your career prospects in the following ways:

1. Accredited online college degrees can enhance your personal skills no end, and arguably more than attending college to obtain a degree. Although working towards any form of educational award can highlight qualities in an individual, such as determination and intelligence, online career development college courses and degrees highlight additional qualities that can promote employment. Excellent time management skills and motivation are just two of them.

2. Accredited online college degrees can teach you valuable skills that you can put to use in the workplace. For example, your degree may not be about information technology but you will have to use a range of skills on a computer in order to communicate and complete coursework effectively. You will be familiar with online communication as well as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and a host of other applications that instructors use regularly.

3. Online career development college courses can enhance your prospects by introducing you to various sources of information. You will be required to complete research and will have to locate the relevant information yourself. In this way, it may also give you access to a variety of contacts that may be useful at a later date.

4. Accredited online degrees can often introduce you to an industry that you wanted to get into and forge a career in. By teaching you the basics, accredited online degrees can create a solid foundation for you to build a career upon. For more info see http://www.onlineuniversitydegreehelp.com/Best_Online_Universities on Best Online Universities.

Of course, there are many more ways in which accredited online degrees can enhance your career prospects. This list is by no means comprehensive in that respect. However, it may have given you some ideas as to how to sell yourself in resumes and interviews as well as providing food for thought that may encourage you to take an accredited online college degree.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=188294&ca=Education

Plagiarism By Alex Martin

With every passing day new discoveries are made and the scope of information is increasing with prospects that it is becoming difficult for humans to handle information efficiently thus resulting in e-cheating and plagiarism.

Plagiarism can be defined as the deliberate use of another persons work with reference to your name without acknowledging the original source. This is evaluated as cheating as one is trying to take credit for someone else’s work. However taking references from someone else’s work and mentioning his/her name on each line copied as it is, is not part of plagiarism. It is called in text citation.

Plagiarism is becoming really common these days in assessments that students submit for their college work. This is considered as a serious offence as attempt like this undermines the value of college degrees. It has been until recently that the managements have decided to impose harsh penalties on students who are found guilty of plagiarism.

Ways to Combat Plagiarism

In order to avoid plagiarism, several universities and schools have started using anti plagiarism software’s and other electronic methods to detect plagiarism that can detect similarities and frequencies of words and phrases. In other schools the management also keeps track of the work previously submitted by students in order to ensure that the work is not copied from earlier years.

In order to avoid plagiarism students are nowadays made to sign statements in which they accept that the work they have submitted, is their own and the contribution from other sources has been properly acknowledged. Because that’s what being in a community is all about, learning together and cooperating such gestures make the students realize the importance of their acts and portray that the management is vigilant about their work and that plagiarism or e-cheating can get them into trouble.

The central point is that when one is producing a piece of work that would be evaluated, one must entirely cite his own work, written by him in his own words and containing his own ideas, interpretations, approaches etc. in case the ideas and words have been copied from someone else then it should be stated clearly with proper reference. Precisely its easy for a person to avoid plagiarism, all what matters is that one should put his/her own effort into the material he submits for assignment. Students who deceive are more likely to become white collar criminal thus depriving the hard workers from achieving their goal.

Conclusion

Fighting plagiarism and e-cheating has become very essential in these times especially because text from all across the globe can be viewed through internet. People who fake someone else’s work as their own must be caught because with purloining someone’s hard work they may pass in their degrees and probably get jobs, but they will have difficulty once they enter into their professional lives. Secondly with vigilant software working to catch plagiarism, students with real aptitude will come out in the light and the carefree attitude towards studies could be warned against.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=134164&ca=Education

Public Versus Private New Orleans Schools By Patricia Hawke

Ever wonder what to do with school choice? For families who have ample amounts of money and can afford any school, the decision about what school to send the kids to may seem simple. After all, most people believe that private is best. Other parents may not be able to afford private school and have to send their kids to public schools and keep their fingers crossed. For still yet others, scrimping and saving to send little Johnny and Suzie to private school is their top priority. Sure, for most private schools, there are lots of benefits: smaller class sizes, a wider array of programs available such as Latin or Montessori, and the quality of amenities the school has to offer (pool, track, state-of-the-art computer labs, etc…) are all examples.

But what about cities like New Orleans? There, they have to rebuild their school systems from the ground up; Hurricane Katrina wiped everything out, schools included. Even if New Orleans Schools had made it through the storm unscathed, for a time there were no students to attend them. The city has a unique opportunity to restructure their entire New Orleans Schools educational system; what an exciting prospect!

Dividing up the area into two districts, the public sector of New Orleans Schools is working to not only get schools going again, but to also make sure that they are doing it right. Feeling that this division of management will allow for more flexibility throughout the city, leaders are working to ensure that all students who return to public New Orleans Schools will get the chance to continue in their educational careers. For students whose families are sending them to New Orleans Public Schools, this restructuring is a beacon of hope. Their children may get the chance to continue learning, and they will do so in newer, safer environments. Their lives have been torn apart by wind and rain; they’ve lost their homes and their livelihoods. They deserve the consistency that going to New Orleans Schools can, hopefully, provide.

For some families, enrolling their children in a private New Orleans Schools is the decision they’ve made for their students. The rebuilding of an entire city is a great way for private New Orleans Schools to get a foothold in the city. While the public schools must work through the bureaucracy to get things done, private schools must go before their board of directors and perhaps the building permit office in order for changes to occur. Definitely a shorter process, it allows for private New Orleans Schools to open their doors to students. Not only are churches and private institutions leaders of private New Orleans Schools, corporations and groups of parents are getting together to form charter schools. For many families, these quasi-public New Orleans Schools are the way to go. They can choose which school philosophy works for them, which ones they can afford to attend, and go from there.

So, whether you choose private New Orleans Schools or public ones, you and your family have options.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187446&ca=Education

10 Qualities You Find In Good Students And Good Citizens By Caroline Mackay

Over the years I have found 10 qualities in students that make them good students. To me a good student is not always the student that gets an A. Some students can get an A without even trying and they will take any path they need to, to get that A. Then there are those students that work their little hearts out and get a B or even sometimes a C and they are much better students that the A student talked about above. A student is someone that wants to learn and study to make himself better.

Self Discipline is of the utmost importance. If it is not present then few of the other qualities will be found. Self Discipline means that they think about their words and actions and then make choices that are right for themselves and for others. Those with self discipline accept that things do not always go their way. In other words, this student will finish their work before they play.

Respect for others and for property will be present in good students. They will treat others the way they want to be treated. Destroying or taking someone’s property and harming it would not be something they would do.
Perseverance can be found in good students. They will work hard and not give up when it gets tough. They stick to something until it is finished. In other words, They don’t give up, they keep trying.

Citizenship is found in good students. They obey the rules and work to make the community, (school) a better place.

Compassion in present in good students. They are kind toward others and help them instead of knock them down verbally and physically.

Integrity is found in good students. They make choices that help them be the best they can be. They do what they think is right and work at doing their best.

Responsibility is always present in good students. They are dependable and make good choices. They take care of things that belong to them and show more responsibility when they take care of themselves and what they do.

Trustworthiness is a must. These students can be counted on to do the right thing even if an adult is not present. They return borrowed items and do what they say they’ll do.

Fairness is another trait present in good students. They will take turns, share and listen to what other say. They take only their share and play by the rules.

Honesty is found in good students. They are truthful and sincere. They will do their own work and return borrowed items. They are the ones that will make sure that their score is correct even if it means that they get more wrong.

If you find these qualities in a student you can be sure that they will be a joy to teach.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=168345&ca=Education

Minneapolis Public Schools Lose Students To Charter Schools By Patricia Hawke

Students are Fleeing Minneapolis Schools

Minneapolis schools are being faced with the prospect of empty school buildings as more and more students flee the system to charter schools in the district. Minneapolis schools’ enrollment figures have plummeted to just 36,000 this year - that’s almost half its capacity of 50,000 students. Schools in the north side have felt the pinch the hardest with a 44 percent drop in enrollment over the past five years. All indications are that there is no stemming this tide and Minneapolis schools have already announced plans to close 5 schools leaving more than 2000 students in the lurch, desperately scrambling to find new schools.

The Exodus of Blacks and Minorities from Minneapolis Schools

A bulk of the students that chose to leave Minneapolis public schools belongs to high poverty black neighborhoods and other minority communities. The statistics reveal a strong yet disturbing trend. In the ’99-’00 academic year, more than 48,000 black students sought admission in Minneapolis schools. Compare this to the bleak picture painted for 2008 when enrollment from black students is expected to touch barely 33,500.

Most black students prefer to enroll at charter schools in the district which have perceived higher standards than public Minneapolis schools. This problem of “black flight” is, authorities agree, a serious problem for Minneapolis schools. Surveys in the African American community show that black parents in general tend to be dissatisfied with the quality of education in Minneapolis public schools. Not that they have any reason to feel differently. In 2005, barely 29 % of black students in the eighth grades in Minneapolis schools managed to pass basic math tests and just 47% could manage to scrape through the reading tests. Graduation rates for black students at Minneapolis schools were some of the lowest at fifty percent. Besides blacks, Asian students are joining the growing movement out of Minneapolis schools.

Moves to Stem the Tide at Minneapolis Schools

The success of charter schools can be traced to a number of factors. School sizes are smaller, and it is generally believed that teaching staff are more in tune with students’ requirements and are better able to meet these needs. Minneapolis schools have begun to realize that immediate steps have to be taken to avoid the current migration of students. School authorities have proposed initiatives that require schools in the district to offer additional emphasis on music, arts, and language besides improving their core academic curricula. It’s hoped that raising the bar on academic learning will stem the growing tide. Even if the schools do not succeed in attracting students back to their fold, one hopes that at the very least they will be able to stop students leaving in masses.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187445&ca=Education