What is Race to the Top and How will it Benefit Public Schools?

Dual-enrollment programs have become a popular way for high school students to explore the world of college curricula prior to their high school graduation. These programs typically exist between high schools and neighboring community colleges, offering students the chance to earn college credits – often tuition-free - while still in high school. The rising popularity of dual-enrollment has led many students and their parents to explore the potential benefits of such a program in their own academic endeavors. Check out these benefits of a dual-enrollment program – as well as some of the possible reasons why dual-enrollment may not be the best choice for you.

What is Dual-Enrollment?

According to the website for Columbia State Community College, dual-enrollment is a program that provides the opportunity for qualifying juniors and seniors in high school to take college-level courses. The courses may be offered on the community college campus or right at the high school. Specific laws involving eligibility, tuition rates, and earned credit opportunities vary from state to state.

In many cases, there is no tuition charge for high school students participating in the dual-enrollment program – a huge boon to those concerned about the cost of higher education. Other programs might involve a tuition fee, although it is often highly discounted from what students will pay after graduating from high school. High schools are generally responsible for overseeing dual enrollment programs.

This video explores the suitability of dual enrollment.

One of the largest school districts in the country, Boston Public Schools, is joining the rest of the state of Massachusetts to explore the issue of gender identity. A new law passed by the Massachusetts legislature in 2011 has led schools across the state to reassess their gender identity policies to ensure all students in those schools are treated fairly and equally. However, the new law is not without its share of controversy, as not everyone in the state agrees with some of the recommendations made by state lawmakers.

An Act Relative to Gender IdentityMassachusetts Transgender Political Coalition

The new law, titled, “An Act Relative to Gender Identity,” was passed by Massachusetts lawmakers in November, 2011, and went into effect in July, 2012, according to Christian Post. The law adds gender identity to the state’s non-discrimination code. The law also defines gender identity as “a person’s gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth.”

Boston.com reports on the results of a 2011 survey by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which found that more than three-fourths of transgender students had been verbally harassed during the previous school year. More than 32 percent had been physically harassed and nearly 17 percent had been physically assaulted. Numbers on the website for the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition are even higher.

Schools in one of the largest school districts in the country recently celebrated the fruit of their labor - with cash that can be used to further improvements at high achieving schools. The Hawaii State Department of Education distributed $1 million in one-time grant funding to deserving schools that have showed marked improvement and academic progress. The grants were offered under the new Strive HI awards, with money from a “Race to the Top” federal grant received in 2010.

According to a news release at the Hawaii State Department of Education website, 32 schools received one-time grants of varying amounts. Schools were chosen for the awards based on academic progress over two consecutive years, allowing the hardest working schools to receive additional funding to continue their improvement efforts. Award amounts ranged $12,500 to $100,000 for the highest performing schools throughout the islands.

“We are proud to be able to financially recognize the hard work of the teachers, students and staff of these schools,” Kathryn Matayoshi, superintendent of Hawaii schools, stated in the news release. “The Strive Hi awards reflect that the department is not only focused on intervention in current priority schools, but also encourages other schools across the islands to keep striving high.”

And the Winners Are…

Hawaii News Now lists the recipients of the $100,000 grants, which include:

• Hilo Intermediate School
• King Intermediate School
• Moanalua Middle School
• Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School (Oahu)

All of these

Parents send their children to school daily with the full expectation of learning literature, mathematics, science, and history – subjects that will help them advance their life goals and ambitions. However, in districts nationwide, children learn subjects their parents disagree with. When such a controversial curriculum is taught in public schools today, it typically raises concerns among students, parents, and teachers. Check out these three subjects that have come under significant scrutiny – and even wrath – in some schools today.

Does Bible Teaching Violate Separation of Church and State?

The teaching of the Bible as literature has ruffled the feathers of educators, parents, and lawmakers in school districts around the country. Texas is currently grappling with the debate over introducing the Bible into schools as a new study from Southern Methodist University explores the constitutionality of such teaching. The study, authored by Dr. Mark A. Chancey, targets a class at Eastland High School in Eastland, Texas.

According to the New York Times, Dr. Chancey has used this new study to examine a class taught by Gay Hart at Eastland. Based upon Dr. Chancey’s assessment, the Eastlan class would not pass constitutional muster. Hart’s class explores the Bible and other religious teachings, including Judaism and Muslimism. However, the Bible is the primary focus of the class. Hart sent Dr. Chancey some of her teaching material to participate in the study. However, Hart stated that Dr. Chancey never visited her class before making his assessments.