Teachers and Students Team Up to Combat Peer Pressure

By Edward Graham When Tashana started sixth grade at Francis C. Hammond Middle School in Alexandria, Virginia, she was immediately struck by the change from the previous school year. “In elementary school it was much different because everybody wasn’t on your case,” Tashana, now an eighth-grade student, says. “When you were in fifth grade people [...]

Michigan Legislature Passes ‘Right to Work’ Bill

By Brian Washington Even though a new poll shows voters are against it, the State House and Senate in Michigan this afternoon approved a bill pushed by leaders in the GOP-controlled state legislature and corporate CEOs that unfairly tips the scales against hardworking Michiganders. The so-called “Right to Work” bill was introduced Thursday, and while [...]

Community Rallies Around ESPs, Defeats Privatization Plan

By John Rosales Board members of the Exeter Township School District in Reading, Pennsylvania took great pride in their transportation department. In the fall of 2011, after reviewing a study of their school bus operations by the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, the board learned some very satisfying news: the district spent $447 for [...]

5 Reasons You Should Care About ‘Sequestration’

By Mary Kusler, government relations director of the National Education Association. Sequestration. What does this word even mean? Starting in January, there will be $1.2 trillion in across-the-board spending cuts (sequestration) over 10 years to reduce the deficit. This is on top of $1.5 trillion in cuts that have already happened. Cuts are split equally between [...]

Tapping the STEM Potential of Latinos

By Brenda Álvarez When it comes to innovations in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, the United States has had, over the past two centuries, the good fortune to be able to tap the brain power of its citizens—both native born and those who have immigrated here. Their invaluable contributions have sharpened America’s [...]

NEA Honored For Minority Student Advocacy

By Emma Chadband The Asian American Justice Center presented the National Education Association with its “Bridge Builder Award” on Thursday in recognition of the NEA’s outstanding efforts to empower Asian American and Pacific Islander students. NEA has brought national attention to achievement gaps Asian American students suffer from socioeconomic barriers and language difficulties and has [...]

Take a Stand for Teachers: World Teachers’ Day 2012

By Tim Walker On Friday, teachers all over the world celebrated World Teachers’ Day. The slogan for 2012 was ‘Take a stand for teachers!’ – for adequate training, funding, ongoing professional development, and protection of teachers’ rights. World Teachers’ Day is held annually on October 5th to celebrate the essential role of teachers in providing [...]

Progress in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity

By Emma Chadband At 12 years old, Brooke Mennella weighed 194 pounds. On her 5’ frame, the extra weight made her uncomfortable in her own body and she felt like she couldn’t fit in with any of the children at school. She turned to food for comfort. When she realized she couldn’t get to 200 [...]

NLRB to Rule on Graduate Students Right to Unionize

By Mary Ellen Flannery To slow the progression of multiple scleroris in her body, Kristi Brownfield, a graduate student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), needs to take $1,700 worth of medication each month. As a low-paid teaching assistant, she can’t afford it. But there’s new hope for Brownfield— and it’s the contract between SIUC [...]

Educating the Whole Child – An Indiana Community Shows the Way

By Brenda Álvarez Ask a parent. Ask an elected official. Ask an educator. Most will agree that today’s student is America’s next decision-maker, scientist, artist, and leader. However, for the last 10 years the emphasis of public education has shifted from developing well-rounded individuals, prepared to succeed in life, to testing low-level, basic skills in [...]

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