Education

The Obama Economic Stimulus -- Will It Take Us Where We Need to Go?

Dear President-elect Obama,

The economic stimulus package you laid out today in your weekly radio and internet address is a great starting point -- very much needed as the downward spiral of the economy takes away the breath of even the most level-headed observer.

Posted in beyond obama, Economy/Trade, Education, healthcare, transportation

Fast-food Ad Ban Could Cut Child Obesity: US Study

WASHINGTON - Banning fast-food advertising on television in the United States could reduce the number of overweight children by as much as 18 percent, researchers said on Wednesday.

But the team at the National Bureau of Economic Research questioned whether it would be practical to impose that kind of government regulation -- something only Sweden, Norway and Finland have done.

Posted in children, Education, Health, Media

Serious Business: Childhood Experts Step Up Campaign For More Free-Wheeling Play Time

NEW YORK - In one classroom, a group of preschool teachers squatted on the floor, pretending to be cave-dwelling hunter-gatherers. Next door, another group ended a raucous musical game by placing their tambourines and drums atop their heads.

Silly business, to be sure, but part of an agenda of utmost seriousness: To spread the word that America's children need more time for freewheeling play at home and in their schools.

Posted in Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2008
12:40 PM

CONTACT: ACLU

Will Matthews, ACLU, (212) 549-2582 or 2666; media@aclu.org
Andrew Schneider, ACLU of Connecticut, (860) 247-9823, ext. 219; aschneider@acluct.org

ACLU Report Reveals Arrests at Hartford-Area Schools on Rise

Ineffective Use Of School Resource Officers Leads to Over-Criminalization of Youth, Study Finds

HARTFORD, Conn. - November 17 - Police arrests of students at Hartford-area schools are on the rise, according to a new American Civil Liberties Union report released today, a trend that disproportionately impacts children of color.

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Posted in civil liberties, Education, inequality

How These Gibbering Numbskulls Came to Dominate Washington

How was it allowed to happen? How did politics in the US come to be dominated by people who make a virtue out of ignorance? Was it charity that has permitted mankind's closest living relative to spend two terms as president? How did Sarah Palin, Dan Quayle and other such gibbering numbskulls get to where they are? How could Republican rallies in 2008 be drowned out by screaming ignoramuses insisting that Barack Obama was a Muslim and a terrorist?

Posted in Education, Politics

Thinking About Shrinking: A Green Path Through Hard Times?

As the most serious economic crisis in 80 years rolls across the planet, financial panic has shoved food shortages, public-health emergencies, and ecological disasters into the background. With fantastic fortunes at stake, the number-one priority of governments and businesses must be economic growth; those "green" initiatives announced not long ago with such fanfare have already been deferred or forgotten.

Posted in Education, Environment, green economy, Inequality

Grandfather’s Apology

Dear Spencer, Sarah, and Brooke:

First, I must tell you once again that I love you dearly. And the same was and is true of my two children who are, with their spouses, your parents. But in their case, I was fairly confident I would be there to protect and guide them through tough times -- as well as to celebrate the many good times. And luckily, so far, there have been far more good times than bad.

Posted in Economy/Trade, Education, Environment, War/Empire, Inequality

Iraq's Unschooled Children Evidence of Devastation's Depth

BAGHDAD - At age 14, Ahmad Razaq has worked more jobs than he can count. He's painted houses, cleaned office buildings and supervised a janitorial crew. Lately he spends his days washing cars for a few dollars a week outside a dingy hotel in Baghdad.

He's never set foot inside a classroom. He's only heard about school from friends. He can't read or write, and he figures he never will.

Posted in Education, Iraq

No Child Left Behind Fails Us All

The last question in the final presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama had to do with what moderator Bob Schieffer suggested might be the most important issue of all: education.

Posted in Education, Politics, Inequality, NCLB

Economic Crisis Hurting Students' Ability to Pay For College

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - Late Thursday evening, Neal Theobald, Indiana University's vice chancellor for budget administration, received a sobering letter from Sallie Mae, the nation's leading provider of student loans.

Posted in Economy/Trade, Education