Cautious Optimism for HS Graduation Rates

July 10, 2009

Gauging Graduation, Pinpointing Progress* highlights results of Diplomas Count 2009, a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation report, and Education Research Center findings.  For the ten year period of 1996-2006, U.S. public school graduation rates rose by 2.8%.Study findings include:

Gains were stronger among non-Hispanic whites than for minorities
Graduation rates have risen faster in high-poverty school systems [...]

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U.S. Department of Ed Reports on CTE

June 4, 2009

 
The National Center for Education Statistics recently released a comprehensive look at Career and Technical Education (CTE) course-taking trends.  Using more recent indicators to classify CTE curricula into three main areas and the graduating class of 2005 as its target study group, this Statistics in Brief* examines patterns of student participation in CTE.
.A few key [...]

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Emerging K-12 Technologies Outlined in Comprehensive Report

June 4, 2009

 
The Horizon Report* identifies significant technologies likely to impact K-12 education around the globe in the next one to five years.  The 2009 K-12 edition, created through the New Media Consortium’s Horizon Project, details six technologies expected to enter the mainstream in the educational community.
The findings, based on a consensus of business, industry, and education [...]

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Year End Dollars Must be Spent – What to Buy

June 3, 2009

As the June 30 deadline for spending year end money looms, a look to SETDA’s (State Educational Technology Directors Association) Class of 2020: Action Plan for Education can provide helpful guidance.  Use SETDA’s recommendations as a template for your school or district, and invest so K12 will no longer “rank dead last in the use [...]

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Overview of ARRA K-12 Spending Guidelines

June 3, 2009

 
The U.S. Department of Education’s 40 page slideshow on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Saving and Creating Jobs and Reforming Education,* answers many questions on the one-time investment in American education. As noted, this is a “historic opportunity to stimulate the economy and improve education.”
The guiding principles are discussed:

Spend funds quickly to save and [...]

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