School of the Future

"We've had this saying from the very beginning: Money and technology are great, but people are better."
-- Mary Cullinane, director of innovation for Microsoft Education and liason to School of the Future

In 2006, less than 8% of the juniors scored proficient or higher in math and only 23 % scored proficient or higher in reading. Four years later and the ENTIRE senior class graduates!

The first video was filmed in 2006/2007, the School of the Future’s first school year. It shows the teachers, the learners, and the school and its original objectives in greater depth than the second video.


The second video shows the students on their graduation day. Congratulations!

Real-Life Lessons

It’s been awhile since I’ve last posted. June has been a busy and fun month. My summer MBA course started 2 weeks ago, and I went on a recent vacation to our nation’s capital. While in D.C., I visited my cousin, Laura, and Clara, the host mom I lived with while I was in Ghana. Clara moved to the states a little over a year ago with the goal of giving her daughters an American education. My D.C. experience was eye-opening and reminded me to be grateful of my American life and education.

Clara has an interesting story. She grew up in Ghana, and married her husband, Stephen Bediako Sayki. Together, they had two beautiful daughters, Eduwa and Fritsiwa. The girls were 4 and 6 years old when I lived in Ghana, but Eduwa is now 12 and Fritsiwa is 10. Clara was able to get a U.S. visa and legally made her way to America, but her husband has not been able to get a visa and Clara cannot afford to have the girls here at the moment. The only reason why Clara is here is to give her daughters the opportunity to get an American education. The main goal is for Eduwa and Fritsiwa to go to college here. They all love Ghana, but they want the American opportunities ….and who can blame them? America isn’t perfect, but it is beautiful and full of endless possibilities. I consider Clara and her family to be a part of my family, and I’ll be giving updates on their brave endeavors. With tears in her eyes, Clara said, “I can struggle and sacrifice for 10 years if I can give my daughters a better future. I can do it. But, it is so difficult and so stressful.”

Winners and Losers

Other than ‘leading by example’, I am not sure of the best way to promote healthy eating to our nation’s kids. But, I give props to anyone fighting to keep kids physically and mentally healthy. I also feel the need to draw attention to those that will put a kid’s self-esteem in danger when there is money to be made.

Winners
Ways to Advocate for Healthy School Lunches

Oregon kids show decrease in obesity rates





Losers
Game for kids’ benefit? Or, sugar cereal advertisement for company’s benefit?

Advergames

Common Core Standards: Math and English Standards FINALIZED

If you haven’t heard the phrases, “common core standards” or “Race to the Top”, then it is time to Google both.

The objective of the Common Core Standards (CCS) is to establish consistent learning goals across states while creating standards similar to the standards established in top-performing countries. The CCS initiative is state-led, but states making the commitment to meet these standards will receive federal funds.

The Standards

Common Core Standards--Frequently Asked Questions

Race to the Top--Frequently Asked Questions