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Budget Control Act of 2011

Those not following the news on the Budget Control Act of 2011 might think it is all over and that education got away without too many cuts. Surprise! The cutting may just be getting started.

The law created a 12-person joint congressional committee (the so-called super committee) to identify further ways to reduce the national debt.

The special committee must complete its work by November 23rd. Then, both the House and Senate must hold an up or down vote (with no amendments) on the committee's recommendations by December 23rd.

If the committee cannot agree, or Congress rejects their plan, mandatory cuts kick in. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities is predicting an across-the-board cut of 9 percent. That's approximately a $4 billion piece out of the Education department's budget...an equivalent of all of last year's Race to the Top Funding.

For further information:

National Education Association

American Library Association

Strategies for Children Blog

Education Week

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Is iPad the Answer?

A number of schools across the nation are embracing the iPad to teach everything from Shakespeare to mathematics. Although no one can yet say for sure whether the iPad is a lasting solution, an expensive fad, or something in between, some school districts, like Durham Public Schools in Durham, North Carolina are banking on the success of the iPad, using Race to the Top grant funds to provide an iPad to teachers and students at low performing schools.

In April, global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt launched the HMH Fuse™: Algebra 1 App, providing award−winning Holt McDougal Algebra 1 core curriculum. The app offers step-by-step animated instruction and instant feedback on practice question, plus access to over 400 tutorials.

Eighth Grade students in a pilot study of iPads at Presidio Middle School report that the iPad is more "fun"; that they understand more by watching videos with step by step instructions; and they like its small size, which offers relief from a backpack full of heavy books.

Educators remain divided over whether laptops make a real difference to academic achievement. Some see tablet computers as an extravagance in a time when layoffs and budget cuts loom over districts. Larry Cuban, a professor emeritus of education at Stanford University,  is quoted in the January 4, 2011 New York times as saying "There is very little evidence that kids learn more, faster or better by using these machines."

Whatever your position, the conversation is on! Educators are talking and anyone who wants to get in on the discussion can read more at http://www.ipadinschools.com/.

By: Lisa Waugh  

Project Manager

What are STEM standards?

It really depends on who you ask. While everyone might agree they represent a movement towards improving science, math, and engineering skills among our students through a better understanding and application of technology, very few would agree on the details of actually getting there. Most states have their own version of 'getting there' at various stages, and then there are the 'national' sets of standards too, like the NSES, NCTM, ITEA and ABET.

The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) formed a Corporate Member Council and published their "K-12 STEM Guidelines for All Americans" in 2008. (http://www.asee.org/member-resources/councils-and-chapters/corporate-member-council/special-interest-group/cmc-k12-stem-guidelines-for-all-americans.pdf) Heavy references to the existing National Science Standards (NSES), National Math Standards (NCTM), and the International Technology Education Association Standards (ITEA) are prevalent throughout the document, and it appears the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) was used as well. Minnesota has developed a website devoted to STEM - 'preparing students for careers in math, technology, science, and engineering skills'. The National Research Council (NRC) published a large report in July - "A Framework for K-12 Science Education", which will include sections on engineering and technology. The final draft is expected to be released near the end of 2012.

EdGate will be keeping a close eye on the push for STEM education, and what standards evolve from it.

By: Larry Johnson 

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