As a society, for the past 20+ years, we've pushed a college education as the ultimate goal. If you don't go to college you'll never earn as much money. If you don't go to college You are somehow less fulfilled. In the meantime there are a LOT of jobs that pay better than what college graduates earn. Many college attendees run up massive student debt. Here's some college graduation data: The percentage of college students who graduate varies depending on the type of institution, the length of study, and the gender of the students12345. The average college graduation rate at four-year schools was 60% between 2008-2020 1. In 2020, the 6-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time … [Read more...]
Will U.S. public schools mimic China in the race to produce perfect students?
We hear that the U.S. is falling behind many industrialized countries in K-12 education. Test scores are falling. Kids can't read or do math. Some say we need to mimic The Netherlands and back off while others think more rigor is required. In the following story we see a new approach China is taking. Given that US education people seem to be in love with "tech" and think "tech" can solve our education challenges will they adopt the "China Path"? But wait...we can roll this out to the workplace too! This article can be found at: Interesting Engineering China is taking its obsession with facial recognition software to a next level by installing cameras in primary schools to monitor … [Read more...]
“Dating” App for teachers looking for K-12 jobs?
Ok...the title of this piece may sound a little odd...but...a small company just raised $1.2 million to complete the development of an "App" that works like a dating service but for teachers looking for a job in the K-12 arena. Take a read below. The article comes to us from Tech Crunch (Sarah Perez). The company itself (in case you want to visit their website is Selected. A “dating app for teachers” is an odd but useful way to describe the startup Selected, which has just closed on $1.2 million in seed funding for its recruiting platform for educators. And, in all fairness, Selected said it first. The startup’s own website describes itself (a bit tongue-in-cheek) as a “dating … [Read more...]
Why millennials are forgoing college for blue-collar jobs
From The New York Post - writer is John Aldan Byrne Washington Mayancela decided he wanted his life to be degree-free. He joins legions of well-schooled millennials bucking the trend of college, taking often dirty but well-paid blue-collar jobs. Coming out of the shadow of the Great Recession, once-plentiful white-collar jobs are still scarce, many replaced by lower-paid service work. Mayancela, 20, decided two years ago to start his apprenticeship as a steamfitter. The Staten Island native graduated with his Advanced Regents diploma, a GPA of 4.0, and in the top five at Staten Island’s Ralph R. McKee Career & Technical Education High School. The best colleges came … [Read more...]
Why High School Students Need More Than College Prep
From NPREd an interesting article - writer is Claudio Sanchez I step up to the counter at Willy's Cafe at Willamette High School in Eugene, Ore., and order a latte. There's a powerful scent of fresh coffee in the air, and a group of juniors and seniors hover over a large espresso machine. Carrie Gilbert, 17, shows how it's done: "You're going to want to steam the milk first," she explains. "Then once you have the coffee, dump it in and use the rest of the milk to fill the cup." She hands over my order. Not bad. Yes, this is a class, and these students are earning credit. But I can almost hear parents and students, for whom college is the only option, saying: Credit towards … [Read more...]
There are good paying jobs without going to College
High School Grad Jobs - There is a great life with great earnings to be had...without going to College! So what do high school grads have to look forward to after graduating high school when they look for a job? Where should they look for good paying jobs that they may enjoy? We did a bit of digging and found a number of jobs that may be worth considering. Each of these job areas pays $20/hr or more: Jobs with a High School Diploma Transportation: Over-the-Road (OTR) trucker, parcel service drivers and rental company drivers. In 2014 more than 100,000 Americans worked in transportation, with an average wage of just under $40 an hour.) Supervisor of non-retail sales reps: (The … [Read more...]
2014’s Best and Worst States for Teachers
http://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worse-states-for-teachers/7159/#main-findings I came across this article and wanted to share it. Where does Washington State fit? Answer: #30 out of 51. Some interesting facts about teachers today: 1) According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about a fifth of all newly minted public school teachers leave their positions before the end of their first year. And almost half never last more than five. 2) Teachers, especially novices, move to other schools or abandon the profession “as the result of feeling overwhelmed, ineffective, and unsupported,” according to the ASCD. … [Read more...]
Jobs in 2025?
Vocational training (preparing students for specific jobs) needs much more attention than we have been giving it. Here I've compiled (and will keep adding) information and links to articles that discuss the topic. If, after doing your own research, you believe that rather than just a general education we MUST provide pathways for students to pursue their interests, passions and desires then raise your voice! In this article the author shares his view of where jobs will be: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/jobs-2025-what-you-your-kids-doing-decade-mihir-shukla General Motors Co. employees predict electrical engineers, interaction designers, and analytics experts will be the most … [Read more...]
Battle Ground School District – Salaries and Benefits
Ever wonder what the employees of the Battle Ground School District earn per year? Here is a link that allows you to look at any employee: http://data.kitsapsun.com/projects/wa-school/district/06119/ Here are a couple of examples (you can search by name, school or position): Superintendent = Salary: $193,120 Insurance: $9,300 Mandatory Benefits: $29,139 Total = $231, 559 Asst. Superintendent = Salary: $132,226 Insurance: $9,300 Mandatory Benefits: $22,388 Total = $163,914 … [Read more...]