education

The Experimental College of the Twin Cities or EXCO is holding its fourth session of free and open classes beginning this February 2008. Started by Macalester students in Fall 2006 in response to the inequities of higher education, EXCO “strives to offer Twin Cities’ communities an opportunity to teach or learn in an inclusive space open to all types of skills and knowledge, including and beyond academic knowledge” (from www.EXCOtc.org). MORE »

by Paul Gorski, Teaching Tolerance

by Carla Bates • The School Board Reform statute requires the MPS School Board to vote on a plan to change how the school board is elected – moving from a city-wide election of seven representatives to a model that follows the park board elections: 6 areas and 3 at-large representatives – or the proposed change would go to the voters.. The Board will be voting on the statute on November 13th. If the board votes yes then the reform will be implemented for the 2008 election cycle. If the board votes no then the proposed change will go to the voters in November 2008.

Remember Sputnik? For many, it’s just a dim memory from a history book. But for those of us who were youngsters on October 4,1957, it was stunning and shocking. We were growing up in a country that was, frankly, kind of arrogant.

America had led the coalition that won World War II. People all over the world seemed fascinated with American movies and music. The 1950s were an optimistic time, when American power seemed limitless.

by Eric Oines

Are there parents and educators who don’t care whether their kids get the best possible education? Of course there are, and there always have been.

The trouble is, we focus on what doesn’t work in the macro, or the bad apples that make things hard for the whole block, and don’t see the pockets of amazing kids, families and citizens who, instead of be-moaning the present, focus on the future.

“Why are we reading this?” demanded Eric. “Why are you asking?” I was tempted to retort. It was hardly as if he had more pressing demands on his time. Reminding myself that patience was the day’s watchword, I resisted an “I’m the teacher, that’s why!” retort. Instead I explained that during this week we were commemorating a very important event in our nation’s civil rights history: the fiftieth anniversary of the Little Rock Nine’s integration of Central High School.

If you are paying attention, you’re confused. That’s my reaction to the release last week of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test scores involving Minnesota students. Fourth and eight grade reading and math results were published.

Minnesota’s two largest daily papers had different headlines, using the same data. The (Minneapolis-based) Star Tribune proclaimed, “State’s kids really are above average.” Their story began, “When it comes to math and reading, Minnesota students are way above the national average.”

by Carla Bates

Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the stand-off of the Little Rock 9 – a group of black teenagers who wanted to attend Little Rock Central High School – and the white middle class of Little Rock, Arkansas who were willing to resort to armed force to keep them out.

I listened to an interview with the Little Rock 9 on my way to work this morning and one woman discussed her absolute fear as she – a 14 year old – walked among the crowded streets up to the high school and how people she knew, adults, were spitting on her.