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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
January 27, 2009
/ 2 Shevat 5769
Fine print matters in measuring schools
By
William McKenzie
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
We've focused on Barack Obama's ascendancy as a story about race in America, which it is. But his emergence is also a story about education and the role good schools play in the rise of Americans once were shut out of our system.
Not only did Obama graduate from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, but his father went to Harvard and his wife and her brother graduated from Princeton.
They didn't get there without attentive families and teachers, both in public and private schools long before they reached prestigious universities. Education was what prepared them for a world far beyond Hawaii or Chicago.
So, here's my question: Why wouldn't everyone in this country want to devote as much attention as possible to enabling every child to have those same opportunities? The Obamas are living proof that good educations can close many of the gaps in American life.
This question is pertinent nationally and here in Texas. Discussions will start soon in both capitals about how to close the "achievement gap" between white and minority kids.
As this discussion begins in Washington, conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats will take shots at the No Child Left Behind Act. Some conservatives have bought into the mantra that the law is about "teaching to the test"; some liberals hate it because George W. Bush was behind the 2001 law.
Let's put aside slogans and partisanship and look at the principles that inform the law and with which all states must comply. And here they are:
Every child should learn at grade level. States will test students annually to see if they are learning at grade level. If students aren't, Washington will push and invest in schools and teachers to get students there.
It's that simple. And, really, why are we even having this debate? What parent doesn't want his or her child learning at grade level?
Not many, but we still are going to have a row. And it will come down to the fine print, where opponents will try to water down school accountability.
Fortunately, new Obama Education Secretary Arne Duncan appears to get the importance of measuring schools. He showed that as the head of Chicago's public schools and talked specifically about accountability during his confirmation hearing, where he called education "the civil rights issue of our generation."
At his back are minority leaders who want to know if schools are getting children learning at grade level. The Rev. Al Sharpton and Newark Mayor Cory Booker are among them. And Democrats from the past, like Robert Kennedy and Daniel Moynihan, to Democrats of today, like Ted Kennedy and Joel Klein, are examples of strong believers in school accountability.
Here in Texas, the accountability wars are about to flare up since the state's way of evaluating schools is up for review in this Legislature.
Some lawmakers will want to weaken the system, for instance, by judging students' progress by a "portfolio of their work" instead of how they perform on an annual test. Start down that portfolio path, and pretty much anything can get thrown in as a measure.
Of course, no law is perfect.
With No Child, there needs to be a stronger effort to intervene in wayward schools. That will require newer and better teachers and the dollars to train and retain them.
In Texas, the state could give schools breathing room on annual rankings if one group of failing students were holding back the entire school. A school could get credit for passing the vast majority of its students while still being honest that some aren't cutting it.
But beware the details in any change. We could end up with mush. More important, we would fail kids, like the next Barack or Michelle Obama.
Anyone care to explain why that would be a good idea?
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
William McKenzie is an editorial columnist for The Dallas Morning News. Comment by clicking here.
12/30/08: Rooted in a sense of place
12/18/08: Finding the Obama-era center
11/25/08: Stimulus if need be, but consider debt
11/07/08: Can Obama find the center?
10/14/08: The next, bigger bailout is Medicare
10/02/08: McCain would be wiser on regulation
08/27/08: Can Obama score among values voters?
08/20/08: McCain needs to push health care edge
08/06/08: How Bush can help McCain
04/09/08: To win, McCain must take his party in a bold, daring direction
03/26/08: To win, McCain must take his party in a bold, daring direction
01/30/08: Finally, Bush speaks up for relevancy
01/24/08: After Bush, who's going to crusade for education?
12/20/07: Candidates who prey on fears may generate votes at this moment in our cycle, but we really need to think hard about how far inward we turn
10/30/07: Is America building an empire? That is a central question for the next presidents
08/28/07: Don't let Gonzales' record taint all Bush appointees
08/16/07: Rove was half right: He got the big picture, but didn't belong in the White House
02/01/06: GOP needs changes, but it can't forget the big picture
03/31/05: Mexico fixes problems when it wants to
12/06/04: Bush's new team has a Texas feel
11/08/04: Second chances shouldn't be wasted
08/25/04: Bush could profit from being like Ike
© 2008, The Dallas Morning News Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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