September 14, 2016

Delaware News

Department of Education
Public input sought to inform special education strategic plan
The Delaware Department of Education invites members of the public to three input sessions, one in each county, to inform the state’s strategic plan for special education.  Attendees will be asked to frame their comments around the following two questions: 1. What are the most critical challenges in the delivery of special education services within the State of Delaware? 2. When thinking about these challenges, what solutions do you think may solve these challenges?

Delaware Public Media
Educators come together for arts education week
The Delaware Statewide Arts Education Conference brings a number First State educators to Dover this Tuesday. But it’s not just about finding better ways to teach art. Sheila Ross of Delaware Division of the Arts said teachers and administrators from up and down the state are also seeking to better incorporate the arts into all classrooms.

Rodel Blog
What’s the relationship between school quality and GDP?
Over the summer, education research wonks Eric A. Hanushek, Jens Ruhose, and Ludger Woessman published findings on the long-term economic impact of school improvement. This study draws a direct connection between school quality and economic growth, adding to a body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of education for individuals and society. Here’s our CliffsNotes review of what you should consider before jumping to conclusions, and a few summative takeaways.

The News Journal
Education about autism, training get boost from state
Gov. Jack Markell will sign a bill on Wednesday that will increase access to training and education on autism for Delaware businesses, schools, medical professionals and families. Bolstered by about $500,000 in the state budget, the legislation creates the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism, which will be housed at the University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies.

Resident ensemble players assist with arts education
Tina M. Sheing, audiences services manager at the Resident Ensemble Players of the University of Delaware
As students begin their school year, and we approach the fall in our Delaware community, it is important for us to remember the impact of education in our homes, schools, and communities. For decades, research has shown that when students participate in the arts as a part of their education, they go on to succeed in school, work, and life. So why is it that the arts get cut first?

National News

Education Week
New head start rules aim to balance flexibility, oversight
In the five decades since Head Start was formed as part of the War on Poverty, the federally funded preschool program has walked a line between local flexibility and government oversight. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services holds the purse strings for the $8.6 billion program, but local grantees have been encouraged to create programs that fit their communities’ needs.

KSWO
Gov Fallin launches OK connect and learn initiative
Governor Mary Fallin launched the Oklahoma Connect and Learn Initiative, a coordinated effort to bring high-speed broadband and digital learning opportunities to schools across the state. As part of the initiative, Oklahoma is partnering with interested school districts and telecommunications service providers to increase the number of schools with fiber optic connections, improve the capacity and affordability of those connections and ensure Oklahoma classrooms have Wi-Fi access to better facilitate digital learning.

PBS
One out of five children have mental illness, and schools often don’t help
On a hot summer day last month, Sydney, 15, and Laney, 8, were enjoying their last two weeks of freedom before school started. The sisters tried to do flips over a high bar at a local playground. “You’ve got to pull your hips into the bar, like you’ve got to kick up like that,” explained their mother, Selena. “I tried to kick! I did this — you told me not to stick out,” said Laney indignantly.

The Atlantic
Learning through play
Google the definition of play and the first thing that pops up is this: “[To] engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.” Jack Shonkoff, the director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, finds that language supremely frustrating. “It’s not taking a break from learning when we talk about play,” he told me, rattling off a litany of cognitive, physical, mental, and social-emotional benefits.

The Washington Post
Internship program that places students in real-world situations aims to expand
Francess Kargbo, a senior at Mount Vernon High School, said she was apprehensive about her internship with Genesys Works, which assigned her to the information technology department of international commercial law firm Kirkland & Ellis. Her only previous work experience was at Taco Bell, and the 17-year-old from the Alexandria section of Fairfax County had no experience in IT.