News and Blog - August 2011

Technology vs. Title I

By David DeSchryver

August 25, 2011

In a prior post, I noted that there is a disparity between current federal fiscal requirements and the way districts and schools are implementing instructional technologies. The technologies are way ahead of the assumptions that underlie the fiscal requirements. This is resulting in frustration for district program and fiscal directors who now have to be more creative in order to be compliant, and that is not good because it makes things unnecessarily complicated. Read more
Gallup Surrvey on Citizen Opinions of Schools: Join former Jeb Bush and Bob Wise and others for a discussion

By John Bailey

August 9, 2011

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Former Gov. Jeb Bush to Feds: Lead or Get Out of the Way on Schools

By John Bailey

August 5, 2011

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Apollo Group To Acquire Carnegie Learning

By John Bailey

August 4, 2011

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NBC's Education Nation Announces Teacher Townhall

By John Bailey

August 4, 2011

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Assorted Links

By John Bailey

August 3, 2011
- BSG just released a report on educational technology, "Unleashing the Potential of Technology in Education." PDF here. Interesting although much of the content has been covered here and here.
- Harkin won't commit to an ESEA date. More signs that of it stalling for 2011. Subscribers to Education Insiderhave known this since nearly last Augsust when Insider predicted a 2013 reauthorization.Broad agreement on issues, no agreement on fixes. Debt ceiling and austerity debate will make it difficult to find extra resources to fund RttT and other admin priorities. This debate didn't begin last month. As we highligted in July 2009, the Administration was getting pressure from most of the G8 countries to pivot to austerity measures. Keynesians won out and got some extra stimulus funding with Mediaid payments, EduJobs, and some tax provisions. But this year it looks like the Austerians are winning. More on this in a future post.
- Silicon Valley looking to education for the next gold rush.
- Scholastic releases "Touch and Tilt" interactive learning books What are the best new education apps or books that you've found? send us a note at john@whiteboardadvisors.com
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Assorted Links

By John Bailey

August 2, 2011
- From Gallup, near record-low confience in U.S. Public Schools - only 34% say a great deal or quite a lot.
- VCs are collectively losing confidence in the entrepreneurial environment. Full report here (pdf).
- TN seeks NCLB waivers. Think of this as the first major test for the Admin in not just waivers but also if this is moving the goal posts with respect to RttT (replacing 100% proficiency committment with 60% for 3rd grade reading and just 51% for 7th grade math). Waiver letter here.
- WSJ Infographic showing strengths and weaknesses of economic recoveries. Useful dashboard view to keep track.
- Nolan Bushnell aims to disrupt schools with edutainment
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SIGnificant Concerns

By David DeSchryver

August 2, 2011

If the U.S. Department of Education fancies itself a school reform organization, then the School Improvement Grant is one of its most important programs — if not the most important. Read more

News and Blog - August 2011

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