Blog+Reactions

This article spoke about how school reforms have been failing greatly. I agree with this article. Many planned reforms for schools have never taken place. I believe many districts talk and talk about all the plans they have to reform schools, but never actually DO the reforming. Many schools presently have budget cuts. I do not think much action has been taken to help eliminate these budget cuts. "It’s education lore that major change efforts take five years to work." I agree with this statement from the article. In addition, I think that not one plan fix the system, but multiple plans and multiple minds. The plan to reform schools has most definitely been procrastinated.
 * Title:** How to Triple the Number of Fixed Failing Schools? Try, Try Again

This article is all about who deserves a diploma and how to set standards for graduation.Of course, many believe testing should take place as an "exit" exam for graduation. I do believed testing needs to take place in every highschool, but to a certain extent. I believe the SAT exam that is apparent today is a rigorous test and unfairly leveled. In addition, I believe schools should make seniors focus more on career development and preparation for college rather than high-stakes testing. I believe school districts should strongly consider the focus on what's important for students as they prepare to finish high school.
 * Title:**Scratch Exit Exams; Think Much Bigger

I agree with Furman Brown's plan to improve teacher quality and student performance. I agree with Browns plan to have high quality teachers to increase student performance. Also, I like idea to have increased schools days, so the teachers have more time to get lessons done. It makes more sense for more school days (with more breaks) rather than condensing the school year. In addition, I agree with the idea to have an average of no more than 14 students. With less students, teachers can focus more on the individual student and his/her's individual growth.
 * Title:** Teachers at Work

As stated in the article, dropout rates have increased more then ever before. President Obama is proposing new "investments to promote college attendance and completion." The article states that Obama is proposing investments to help increase attendance and graduation, but what ARE these investments he placing? What steps is he taking to promote attendance/graduation? As far as the public knows, all he has done for the educational system, was give an encouraging speech on the first day of school this year. Parents have lectured their kids on doing well in school forever, we need more than speeches and encouragement to reform the attendance of college and average rate of graduation.
 * Title:** Diplomas and Dropouts

Quarter 2:

**Title**: Million Dollar Babies: Why Infants Can't be Hardwired for Success
This article talks about how ages 0-3 are not the most vital years and cannot affect how a child does in the future. I disagree with this article. I believe, that even as infants, your child is always learning. Whether it be watching an educational video, or playing with Einstein Baby Blocks, I believe that your child is indeed enhancing many types of skills. I believe no matter how young you child is, he or she is always learning from the environment surrounding them. It is important to promote any kind (speech, motor activity, reading, listening) of development at any age.

Title: =Ex Ed Secretary Spellings: 5 Lessons From No Child Left Behind= By [|Margaret Spellings] Margaret Spellings touches upon many parts of the NCLB Act and states what has been effective and what needs work. I do believe that overall the NCLB Act has been a great addition to Education. I think there are many positives as a result of the act. However, "We can also do a much better job of evaluating and assess­ing teacher effectiveness." I agree with this statement made by Spellings. Spellings agreed that the most effective teachers should be working with the most disadvantaged students. This sounds like common sense, but it will have a positive impact on students.

Title: Choosing Between College and Food by: Jeannie Kever The only way for success in one's future is through attending college. Evidence shows that more students are applying to college than ever before. I agree that the only way to get a successful job in your future is through education with a college degree. However evidence shows that less than half the kids that attend college graduate in 6 years. Also, community colleges have only a rate of 20% of students who earn their degree. That is why, in my opinion attending a 4 year college keeps you on track and you have more of a chance of graduating.

Quarter 3: Unemployment, State by State

This article talks about the current unemployment rate in the United States. I think for myself and friends in my area it is hard to imagine the rising unemployment rate that has hit our country. Thankfully, my parents haven't been affected by the recent unemployment rate. This may be why it is hard for me to imagine what families going through economic downfalls have been dealing with. I myself have been cut hours from my normal work schedule affective starting this month. I will only be working 2 days a week versus my normal 3. However, I do not have many expenses, so this is not a major problem. Also, I am able to pick up a few babysitting days to even out these missing days. The business I work at has been cutting many of the employees hours in order to cope with the loss. Also, this article provided me with a fact I was unaware of; Michigan has the highest unemployment rate. I would have never thought Michigan would be most affected by unemployment.

Why ‘Avatar’ Is Not the Top-Grossing Film
Avatar has recently been said to "surpass the Titanic." All information on Avatar being 'the top-grossing film' has inaccurate comparisons. As stated in the article, these rates for Avatar have not been adjusted to inflation. The comparison of Avatar to a film such as Titanic is inaccurate because of the diverse economic change throughout the years. Today, with the advancement of technology, the amount of movie-goer's has decreased significantly from years before. In my opinion, naming movies "Top-Grossing Films" is just for means of advertisement and recognition. I don't think there is just one way to rate a movie because of the many variables that need to be considered.