The Notebook

"Everyone needs that access. It's not an option''

Submitted by Erika Owens on Thu, 07/02/2009 - 10:24 | Permalink

The access is to broadband Internet and the speaker is Vice President Biden, who unveiled the rules for $7.2B in stimulus funds for broadband in Erie County, PA. The announcement was made in a rural part of the county, but the county is also home to the fourth-largest city in the state (and to my family - hello!).

Video of Biden shows him speaking about broadband access in the context of jobs and basic utilities like electricity, for people across the state.

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R.I.P. MJ - A Future Media Literacy Project

Submitted by Samuel Reed III on Wed, 07/01/2009 - 00:22 | Permalink

 

Last Thursday I turned in my classroom keys and told my teacher friends and colleagues to have a good summer break. Walking home, as I customarily do, I thought of my plans for the summer. More time at the gym, Latin dancing, attending few a media literacy conferences - the normal exciting stuff teachers do to reenergize ourselves for the next school year. When I finally got home, turned on the television, I saw the news flash that Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital and died.

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Camelot gets $15.8M, but are their students well-served?

Submitted by Erika Owens on Tue, 06/30/2009 - 15:38 | Permalink

The SRC  voted last week to renew and increase Camelot's contract, now to serve 1,550 at a pricetag of $15.8 million.

The Times Picayune this week reported on a Camelot-run school in New Orleans, "Is Schwarz School a Safe Alternative?" Judging by the description of decaying facilities, a lack of physical safety for students, and an otherwise chaotic learning environment the answer is a resounding no.

When the School District of Lancaster visited a Camelot-run school in Philly in April, they were impressed with it. Lancaster votes this week on whether they will contract with Camelot to run an alternative-education school.

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June 30: Rendell not budging on funding boost

Submitted by Paul Socolar on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 23:55 Posted in Eye on the budget | Permalink

While it doesn't always work this way, June 30 is the day by which Pennsylvania state government is supposed to adopt a budget. From this budget, school districts finally learn with certainty how much state aid will be available to them.

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Teacher evaluation in the news

Submitted by Erika Owens on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 22:45 | Permalink

As Philadelphia and several other major districts discuss new teachers' contracts, teacher evaluation is getting attention in the news. A Washington Post article looked at a peer review evaluation and support program in suburban Maryland. The DC teachers' union remains in talks about a new contract.

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