07 Jan 12 From the Herald-Dispatch/Associated Press: Education audit urges dozens of changes
January 06, 2012 @ 08:30 PM
The Associated Press (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/x1384915826/Gov-releases-sweeping-review-of-education-system)
CHARLESTON — A sweeping review of West Virginia’s public schools released Friday offers scores of recommendations that its authors say can improve lagging student performance and save about $70 million a year statewide.
From a voluntary merit pay system for teachers and reduced workloads for new educators, to seizing on distance-learning technology and penalizing counties that fail to provide at least 180 days of instruction annually, the audit scrutinizes the state’s education system from practically every angle.
“The main thrust of this review is to make the West Virginia educational system more efficient, from top to bottom, so that tax dollars can be better spent educating our children,” the report from the consulting firms Public Works LLC and MGT said. (more…)
16 Jun 11 Scientists ask: Is technology rewiring our brains?
USA Today: Scientists ask: Is technology rewiring our brains?
Great article from a few years back in USA Today. It gives some interesting insights into the impact technology is having on individuals today versus just a few short years ago. Scientists have gone as far as to say that the brain has literally been rewired. What do you think about it? Do you agree with the findings presented in the article? Do you notice that students today are lacking in social skills? Is technology making it harder, if not impossible, for people to be aware of non-verbal cues in conversation? Do you notice younger people having a struggle communicating face-to-face with others?
25 May 11 Herald-Dispatch: Recovery school lets students catch up
An article featured in the Herald-Dispatch newspaper discusses the Recovery School program implemented this year by Cabell County Schools.
(http://www.herald-dispatch.com/life/schools/x1656187967/Recovery-school-lets-students-catch-up)
21 May 11 The new Mr. B’s Education World
Mr. B’s Education World has relaunced after a short stint over on blogger.com. I did not find blogger to be adaquate to my needs so I relaunched RandallBlack.com using WordPress as my content management tool. I have used WordPress in the past to blog and provide information out to parents and students so this leap back in will not be a difficult transition. Please keep an eye out for upcoming updates from my graduate classes and technological items I come across during the summer.
- Mr. B
