DetentionSlip.org: USA

Sex ED

The recent scandal at Miramonte School is underscored by a recent AP investigative report that found 2,570 sex offenses committed by educators between 2001 and 2005 for which the educators were terminated. This calculates to nearly 3 offenses per school day across the nation. The report also suggests that the offenses are under-reported across the nation. There are nearly 3 million teachers in the US and although the sex offenders represent a very small percentage of the profession, the conduct of a few casts a long shadow on the profession.

STORY: AP: Sexual misconduct plagues U.S. schools

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The recent scandal at Miramonte School is underscored by a recent AP investigative report that found 2,570 sex offenses committed by educators between 2001 and 2005 for which the educators were terminated. This calculates to nearly 3 offenses per school day across the nation. The report also suggests that the offenses are under-reported across the nation. There are nearly 3 million teachers in the US and although the sex offenders represent a very small percentage of the profession, the conduct of a few casts a long shadow on the profession.<br />
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STORY: <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21392345/#.T0EN0IfDfM1">AP: Sexual misconduct plagues U.S. schools</a>

Creationism vs. Darwinism in Education Infographic

Smells Like: creationism , USA

Schools forced to ban Silly Bandz

Smells Like: dress code , policy , USA

Story: Silly Bandz Bracelet Craze: School Ban Over Distraction

Guns, knives, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and Silly Bandz. You can now add colored rubber bands to the list of banned items on school property. We're not sure yet how students are going to make it through the day without these "silly" items, but I think it's safe to assume that test scores are going to sky rocket with them being banned.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WWDoPvM_nBh2lcoXcUBjvPm9ydJoC6suzxvTETjMF8L3En9bhU83Tlw7pzU4qFLPD-xgaSS6vsT7U6cuEsIIXvg2lMHMb2tsMUr7WP2bHl07-8IBSC3KLOyN-6lDTes_bKsDBOIz_0xf/s1600/silly+bandz.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WWDoPvM_nBh2lcoXcUBjvPm9ydJoC6suzxvTETjMF8L3En9bhU83Tlw7pzU4qFLPD-xgaSS6vsT7U6cuEsIIXvg2lMHMb2tsMUr7WP2bHl07-8IBSC3KLOyN-6lDTes_bKsDBOIz_0xf/s1600/silly+bandz.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 447px; height: 304px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story:</span> <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100527/us_time/08599199179700">Silly Bandz Bracelet Craze: School Ban Over  Distraction</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Guns, knives, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and Silly Bandz.  You can now add colored rubber bands to the list of banned items on school property.  We're not sure yet how students are going to make it through the day without these "silly" items, but I think it's safe to assume that test scores are going to sky rocket with them being banned.<br /></div>

US House Hearings on Corporal Punishment in Schools

Smells Like: corporal punishment , law , USA

This past week, The Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing on Corporal Punishment in US Schools. This is ground breaking progress as it the first time in 18 years the government has discussed this issue.

Experts testified about the ineffectiveness of corporal punishment and the deleterious effects it can have on students. Both Democrats and Republicans agreed this needs to end, and the committee has promised to introduce a bill that would institute a federal ban on corporal punishment in US schools.

95 of the countries 100 largest school districts outlaw the practice. Even in Texas, which beats over 40,000 kids a year, the largest districts of Houston and Austin have banned the practice.

DetentionSlip.org, along with The United Nations, PTA and other organizations opposes corporal punishment in schools. We have set up a Facebook Page which we encourage you to "Like" and help spread the word - raising awareness around this issue will be crucial in the weeks to come.

MORE: Corporal Punishment in Schools and its Effect on Academic Success

Top 100 Minds In Education?

Smells Like: lists , USA

We are in the process of rolling out a new site, DetentionSlip 2.0, that will be the best of what we're doing now, but will be taking things to a whole new level.

Our mission will be to bring together the top minds in education (teachers, researchers, principals, school board members, homeschool gurus, child psychologists, authors, and others) to create a "huffington post" of education -- a multi author platform that will move the needle forward on educational thought in the USA and beyond.

With that, we'd like to solicit your nominations for the Top 100 Minds in Education. To nominate, simply leave a comment with the persons full name, what they do, there website if you can find it, and a sentence on why you think they should be included in our list.

Please share this with your friends! Get to it!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.simpsonstrivia.com.ar/simpsons-photos/wallpapers/homer-simpson-wallpaper-brain-1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.simpsonstrivia.com.ar/simpsons-photos/wallpapers/homer-simpson-wallpaper-brain-1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We are in the process of rolling out a new site, DetentionSlip 2.0, that will be the best of what we're doing now, but will be taking things to a whole new level. <br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Our mission will be to bring together the top minds in education (teachers, researchers, principals, school board members, homeschool gurus, child psychologists, authors, and others) to create a "huffington post" of education -- a multi author platform that will move the needle forward on educational thought in the USA and beyond. </div><div><br />
</div><div>With that, we'd like to solicit your nominations for the Top 100 Minds in Education. To nominate, simply leave a comment with the persons full name, what they do, there website if you can find it, and a sentence on why you think they should be included in our list.<br />
<br />
Please share this with your friends! Get to it!</div>

Are the Liberal Arts Dead?

Smells Like: college , economy , USA

With the economic shitshow most folks are experiencing, some colleges are slashing liberal arts majors in attempt to focus on majors students "can actually sell". As the job market gets increasingly more competitive, college students are finding out they can't just hit keggers for 5 years and then expect to get a job. Unfortunately, the focus is still on "what can I sell" - in this case, time / skill in exchange for a paycheck vs. what value can I create?

The problem is, you can't always predict what will be the hot field when you graduate in 5 years or in 10 years or 30 years. Experts aren't even sure. What is the safe bet and advice for students then? I'd be looking to ways to get experience in a variety of emerging fields, building my problem solving skills, creativity, and team building. Being able to bring together people, ideas, and technologies will always be a high value activity. Entrepreneurship should also be a big part of the conversation with todays high school kids. I speak around the country about entrepreneurship and education and it is severely lacking in the curriculum.

What are your thoughts of how to help students decide what areas to pursue?

STORY: The Economy, Killing Liberal Arts Education?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.starpulse.com/news/media/gagavma1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.starpulse.com/news/media/gagavma1.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
With the economic shitshow most folks are experiencing, some colleges are slashing liberal arts majors in attempt to focus on majors students "can actually sell". As the job market gets increasingly more competitive, college students are finding out they can't just hit keggers for 5 years and then expect to get a job. Unfortunately, the focus is still on "what can I sell" - in this case, time / skill in exchange for a paycheck vs. what value can I create?<br />
<br />
The problem is, you can't always predict what will be the hot field when you graduate in 5 years or in 10 years or 30 years. Experts aren't even sure. What is the safe bet and advice for students then? I'd be looking to ways to get experience in a variety of emerging fields, building my problem solving skills, creativity, and team building. Being able to bring together people, ideas, and technologies will always be a high value activity. Entrepreneurship should also be a big part of the conversation with todays high school kids. I speak around the country about entrepreneurship and education and it is severely lacking in the curriculum. <br />
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What are your thoughts of how to help students decide what areas to pursue?<br />
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<b>STORY:</b> <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/235894">The Economy, Killing Liberal Arts Education?</a>

Little Kids Perform 'Scarface' For School Play (VIDEO)

Smells Like: USA

Well.. it's a fake school play, but, you get the idea..

Senate Panel Clears School Lunch Bill

Smells Like: lunch , policy , USA

Basically, thousands of kids get sick each year because schools serve them food that has been recalled and/or is being manufactured in plants infected with bacteria, etc. On top of that, some American's are turning into little blobs, while others are going hungry.

In hopes of getting safer food in the guts of Americas youth, the senate is gearing up to vote on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This bill would commit an additional $4.5 billion to child-nutrition programs over the next 10 years and would be the largest overhaul the US school food system has seen in decades.

Why not have organic, locally grown, vegan food at all schools? Kids would be healthier, the planet would be healthier, and so would their conscience.

STORY: Sweeping school lunch bill clears Senate panel - USATODAY.com

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.saidaonline.com/en/newsgfx/fat%20kid-saidaonline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.saidaonline.com/en/newsgfx/fat%20kid-saidaonline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
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Basically, thousands of kids get sick each year because schools serve them food that has been recalled and/or is being manufactured in plants infected with bacteria, etc. On top of that, some American's are turning into little blobs, while others are going hungry.<br />
<br />
In hopes of getting safer food in the guts of Americas youth, the senate is gearing up to vote on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This bill would commit an additional $4.5 billion to child-nutrition programs over the next 10 years and would be the largest overhaul the US school food system has seen in decades.<br />
<br />
Why not have organic, locally grown, vegan food at all schools? Kids would be healthier, the planet would be healthier, and so would their conscience.<br />
<br />
<b>STORY:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-03-24-school-lunch-safety_N.htm?csp=24&RM_Exclude=Juno&POE=click-refer">Sweeping school lunch bill clears Senate panel - USATODAY.com</a>

Obama unveils $900M plan for schools

Smells Like: budget , D.C. , k12 , Obama , reform , USA

Story: Obama unveils $900M plan for schools

One of the ideas not listed in his plan, is to replace teachers with robots.

Girls May Learn Math Anxiety From Female Teachers

Smells Like: health , k12 , research , sex , USA

Story: Girls May Learn Math Anxiety From Female Teachers

Between this study and the recent claim about being ambidextrous, is it just me or are we coming up with the most ridiculous excuses for why students aren't learning as fast as they used to? Now anytime a child doesn't achieve their education goals, they can cite research for why they are handicapped. Quite the recipe for success!

Ambidextrous kids more likely to struggle in school

Smells Like: k12 , research , USA

Story: Ambidextrous kids more likely to struggle in school

"A new study suggests ambidextrous children are also more likely to struggle in school, have difficulties with language and have hyperactivity disorder syndromes." However it should be noted that the entire research team is made up of less-versatile men and women who were picked on as youth for their lack of dexterity.

Obama wants to cut back summer vacations

Smells Like: attendance , k12 , Obama , reform , research , summer school , USA

Story: Obama would curtail summer vacation

Obama is pitching ideas to get rid of the one thing teachers and kids both look forward to every year: summer vacation. Some research suggests that the reason US students are academically behind other developed countries is because we don't spend enough time in the classroom. I argue that it is because our schools have become boring. So what better way to get kids pumped about education than by adding three more months of it! My biggest concern is that without a summer vacation, this greatly compromises everyone's generic yearbook entries.

<a href="http://rlv.zcache.com/summer_break_09_tshirt-p235086476009367814u859_400.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/summer_break_09_tshirt-p235086476009367814u859_400.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 247px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story:</span> <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090927/ap_on_re_us/us_more_school;_ylt=AmHtii5dZqpaYLsunZcPVFeCfNdF">Obama would curtail summer vacation</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Obama is pitching ideas to get rid of the one thing teachers and kids both look forward to every year: <span style="font-style: italic;">summer vacation</span>.  Some research suggests that the reason US students are academically behind other developed countries is because we don't spend enough time in the classroom.  I argue that it is because our schools have become boring.  So what better way to get kids pumped about education than by adding three more months of it!  My biggest concern is that without a summer vacation, this greatly compromises everyone's generic yearbook entries.<br /></div>

Drinking water unsafe at thousands of schools

Smells Like: health , k12 , USA

Story: Drinking water unsafe at thousands of schools

Not only do most schools ban bottled water, they provide students with the luxury of drinking fountain water loaded with pesticides, lead, and other tasty toxins. And I just thought they were gross because kids spit chewed up gum in them! I wonder what else the EPA overlooks in our public schools?

Education Spending Doubled, Test Scores Stagnant

Smells Like: budget , economy , grades , k12 , politics , USA

STORY: Education Spending Doubled, Stagnant Test Scores

"Since 1970, inflation adjusted public school spending has more than doubled. Over the same period, achievement of students at the end of high school has stagnated according to the Department of Education’s own long term National Assessment of Educational Progress (see chart above). Meanwhile, the high school graduation rate has declined by 4 or 5%, according to Nobel laureate economist James Heckman."

Thoughts on this?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3glm2Kh4w9V0rFEt7yap7sYnqRriK9iUd5K4cVdFCK2jt-xjru559xjFTIeGalobe2COhiaXauYQsgHk3gnB0_BGyPI8aocffWxs5GHzwl7PoAwRkrhlVXfLjjSKga6r6Myk2WnZv63p9/s1600/cato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3glm2Kh4w9V0rFEt7yap7sYnqRriK9iUd5K4cVdFCK2jt-xjru559xjFTIeGalobe2COhiaXauYQsgHk3gnB0_BGyPI8aocffWxs5GHzwl7PoAwRkrhlVXfLjjSKga6r6Myk2WnZv63p9/s400/cato.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />STORY: <a href="http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2009/09/education-spending-doubled-stagnant.html">Education Spending Doubled, Stagnant Test Scores</a><br /><br /><blockquote><i>"Since 1970, inflation adjusted public school spending has </i><a href="http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d08/tables/dt08_181.asp?referrer=list" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><i>more than doubled</i></span></span></a><i>. Over the same period, achievement of students at the end of high school </i><a href="http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/ltt/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><i>has stagnated</i></span></span></a><i> according to the Department of Education’s own long term National Assessment of Educational Progress (see chart above). Meanwhile, the </i><a href="http://ftp.iza.org/dp3216.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><i>high school graduation rate has declined</i></span></span></a><i> by 4 or 5%, according to Nobel laureate economist James Heckman."</i></blockquote>Thoughts on this?

VIDEO: President Obama's Message for America's Students

Smells Like: Obama , USA , video

The "controversial" speech from President Obama to the school kids of the USA.

What do you think? Marxist Propaganda or a good message for our students?

Some Parents Choose Not to Allow Their Kids to Hear Obama's National Address

Smells Like: computers , inspiration , k12 , media , Obama , parents , USA

Story: Some Parents Choose Not to Allow Their Kids to Hear Obama's National Address

President Obama will be giving an online speech to students across the country next week. Some parents are deciding that they don't want their children to be part of history and sit the event out. A primary objective of the Obama campaign was reaching out to people everywhere. He is now our leader and has been able to inspire more citizens than any president in recent decades. Old, white republicans are gonna have to get over that fact and let their 8-year old kids make up their own minds about watching the president speak. For goodness sake, if the guy can convince a few more students to stay in school and start caring about their education, give him a chance.

<a href="http://obamarama.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/obama-wants-you-to-sign-up-for-obamarama.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://obamarama.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/obama-wants-you-to-sign-up-for-obamarama.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 441px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div></div><div><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/03/parents-object-obamas-national-address-students/">Some Parents Choose Not to Allow Their Kids to Hear Obama's National Address</a></div><br /><div></div><div align="justify">President Obama will be giving an online speech to students across the country next week. Some parents are deciding that they don't want their children to be part of history and sit the event out. A primary objective of the Obama campaign was reaching out to people everywhere. He is now our leader and has been able to inspire more citizens than any president in recent decades. Old, white republicans are gonna have to get over that fact and let their 8-year old kids make up their own minds about watching the president speak. For goodness sake, if the guy can convince a few more students to stay in school and start caring about their education, give him a chance.</div>

NFHS bans high-tech swimsuits in prep competition

Smells Like: policy , sports , technology , USA

Story: NFHS bans high-tech swimsuits in prep competition

Just another example of schools holding us back because they are afraid of technological advances. If they really want to test the true athleticism of swimmers, they would make them compete nude.

Disabled Students Are Spanked More

Smells Like: corporal punishment , ESE , k12 , USA , violence

Story: Disabled Students Are Spanked More

I guess it's even more rewarding to smack an autistic child with a paddle.

Schools face bigger classes in response to smaller budgets

Smells Like: budget , k12 , USA

Story: Schools face bigger classes in response to smaller budgets

We predicted years ago that this was going to be a growing trend. Now, more so than ever, the realization is setting in. Either teachers are going to have to learn to be just as dynamic with more kids in their room, or students will just gradually be receiving a worse education because of large class sizes. This model works in large universities, so maybe it's just a tool to weed out any child who isn't college-bound.

Schools looking to parents to pay for sports

Smells Like: budget , parents , sports , USA

Story: Schools looking to parents to pay for sports

Too bad, because some poor kids are pretty good athletes. The schools will have no problems having sports teams, but the parents will have to provide all the equipment and uniforms. Public school is getting harder and harder to afford, and the quality is not improving. It's only a matter of time until they ask the community to help pay for teacher pay raises.

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