Today's article comes from Intellectual Takeout written by Jeff Minick. We've said the same thing for years. Don't change methods or types of instruction just because it's been around for hundreds of years. It's time to step back and do a complete assessment of K-12 education and use the best of the best and stop using fads. Sometimes the best way to go forward is to go backward. In 1899, the population of Boonville, North Carolina was under 200. It was a tiny crossroads town in the middle of farming country. It was also the home of the Yadkin Valley Institute and School of Business, which 20 years later would become a public school. My friend Allen, whose ancestors were among the … [Read more...]
Teachers Union Demands Ending Basic Skills Test For Teachers?
In this article from MSN.com (yes that super liberal "media" they share about information from a New Jersey teachers union suggesting getting rid of standards. If this gets a foothold how long before it gets to your school district? BTW: In SW Washington State public schools are now roughly 2x the cost of private schools. Here's the story: The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) is urging the end of the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test, describing it as an unnecessary barrier to addressing teacher shortages. The NJEA successfully pushed for the elimination of the Teacher Performance Assessment test last year. “When the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) … [Read more...]
Do phones belong in school?
Do cell phones help or hinder education (k-12)? Do cell phones help or hurt social skills? Do cell phones cause distraction and loss of focus? Today we bring you an article published in The Harvard Gazzette by Anna Lamb Bans may help protect classroom focus, but districts need to stay mindful of students’ sense of connection, experts say Students around the world are being separated from their phones. In 2020, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 77 percent of U.S. schools had moved to prohibit cellphones for nonacademic purposes. In September 2018, French lawmakers outlawed cellphone use for schoolchildren under the age of 15. In China, phones were … [Read more...]
Why homeschooling is on the rise
Today we share an article written by Dr. Ben Carson as published in the Washington Examiner. Homeschooling is our country's fastest-growing form of education , according to the Washington Post. An estimated 1.9 million to 2.7 million students are homeschooled nationwide. There are quite a few reasons for the shift away from our public school system. Foremost is the shocking mismanagement of our education system during the COVID-19 pandemic. From stifling mask mandates to the shift to "remote learning," the quality of education fell precipitously on the tails of the pandemic. As a former neurosurgeon who worked on children's brains, I can tell you this for a fact: Children cannot … [Read more...]
Unlocking Indoor Adventures: Stimulate Minds While Having a Blast with Your Kids
Today we bring you an article by Emily Graham (she has contributed several pieces). When clouds gather or when outdoor excursions are not on the agenda, the challenge of engaging children in productive and enjoyable activities emerges. This article from Southwest Washington Education delves into indoor activities that not only entertain but also foster educational growth for children. From strategic games that develop cognitive skills to creative outlets for artistic expression, there’s something for every young mind to explore. The Allure of Board Games Long gone are the days when board games were only about passing time. Today, they are vital tools for cognitive development, … [Read more...]
California School District Starts Three-Year, Six-Figure Plan To Turn Students Into Critical Race Theory Activists
From The Daily Wire written by Spencer Lindquist. The original article can be read at: California School District Starts Three-Year, Six-Figure Plan To Turn Students Into Critical Race Theory Activists | The Daily Wire Do you want this training in your school district? A school district in California’s Bay Area is launching an initiative to train over a hundred students to become Critical Race Theory activists in a plan that could last three years and cost more than $100,000. Martinez Unified School District (MUSD), located just inland from Berkeley, California, is preparing to train students to become leftwing activists with the help of Lori Watson, the CEO of Oakland-based … [Read more...]
Do children need parental approval or notice for medical services in Washington State? (Updated 11-5-2023)
The Washington State Legislature, under the control of Democrats for the past 40 years, has chosen, in their infinite wisdom, to allow a number of healthcare procedures that do NOT require parental notice nor permission. This article shares details from State websites. There are districts who have rolled out and/or are in the process of rolling out, dental and medical services on campus. You may want to be aware of this in case you have thoughts you want to share with your legislators and school district leadership. Let's start out with a snapshot of services and notice (or lack of) to parents: The chart on the left: Emergency services - No parental notice … [Read more...]
Oregon Drops Essential Skills Requirements to Graduate High School, Citing Harm to ‘Marginalized Students’
Do you want the same to happen in Washington State? Original article at Western Journal Business owners, beware of students with high school diplomas from Oregon. They may not be able to read or do basic math. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, in 2020, the Oregon Department of Education suspended the “essential skills” requirement to accommodate students who had fallen behind because of school shutdowns and online learning — or so they said. The state changed letter grades to a pass-incomplete system. There were little to no attendance requirements, and the essential skills requirements were suspended, according to OPB. Although the suspension was supposed to … [Read more...]
Weighted Vote change in Washington State – Victory for parents
Last month a very important step towards equality was taken by the Washington State School Directors Association or WSSDA. A by-law which had been in place since 1986, called the “weighted vote”, was eliminated. The results will be an equal voice for all school districts at WSSDA. WSSDA is the association that creates model policies for all Washington school districts. It sets legislative priorities and lobbies legislators for changes to laws. It also provides training and insurance for all school board directors in the state. The membership consists of one representative from each school district, and these members vote on the WSSDA board and committee members. Every September WSSDA … [Read more...]
Puzzles
We found a site called The Goodwill Librarian that shares a wide range of puzzles for kids. Check them out: 2023 Puzzles Archive (goodwilllibrarian.com) Or how about Jigsaw Puzzles (small)? Jigsaw Puzzles for Kids | Online Simple Puzzles (roomrecess.com) Do you remember the Highlights Magazine? Games & Puzzles | Highlights Kids How about games for Grandma? Free, no registration...Games4Grandma Hidden Object Games offers some free: 🕹️ Play Hidden Object Games: Free Online Hidden Objects Finding Video Games for Kids and Adults (plays.org) Finally, for today, Hidden Object Zone offers free games, nothing to download and no registration: Free Hidden Object … [Read more...]
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