New Content at SusanOhanian.Org!

[Susan Ohanian <susano@gmavt.net>]

Please visit Outrage of the Day on my website--and send in the $1, as requested. I figure: if you've ever read a commentary or looked at a cartoon, then you should send in $1. It isn't for me but for a very worthy cause.
Susan



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Three Firms Bid for Pricey Pact to Administer MCAS
Kevin Rothstein
Boston Herald
2003-12-15
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=1509

A multimillion dollar contract to administer the MCAS exam for the state is up for grabs. 

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Texas Students and Teachers Get Cash for Passing AP Exams
Associated Press
Houston Chronicle
2003-12-15
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=1510

Texas students get $100 for each AP exam they pass. Their teachers get $150.

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Recognizing Productivity Problems
Valerie Strauss
Washington Post
2003-12-16
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=1511

One of Mel Levine's core beliefs is that many educators fail to understand different learning patterns among children. His new book is called The Myth of Laziness.

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  McLanguage Meets the Dictionary
Dennis Baron
Chronicle of Higher Education
2003-12-16
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=1512

McDonald's wants Merriam-Webster to take its McJob and shove it. McDonald's CEO Jim Cantalupo is steamed that the latest edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines "McJob" as low-paying, requiring little skill, and providing little opportunity for advancement. This Chronicle of Higher Education article provides a review of such quarrels over words.

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Paige Defends HISD Progress
Zanto Peabody
Houston Chronicle
2003-12-15
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=1513

Education Secretary Rod Paige told business leaders on Monday that recent criticisms of the Houston Independent School District have been unbalanced accounts with an intent to derail national school reforms. 



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Paige Speaks
Rod Paige
U. S. Department of Education, press release
2003-12-15
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=1514

In a speech before the Greater Houston Partnership, Rod Paige defends his record.

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Standardistos Want Strong CEO Governance of Schools
Editorial
Detroit Free Press
2003-12-16
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=1515

Detroit Free Press editorial advocates CEO --under thumb of mayor--governance of schools.

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Celebrating a Second Grader's Imagination--and Resiliance
Susan Ohanian

2003-12-15
http://susanohanian.org/show_commentary.php?id=190

You might call this a shaggy dog story--as written by a second grader. It is wonderful.

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Low Income Students Lag Behind in Montpelier
Patrick Joy
Times Argus
2003-12-14
http://susanohanian.org/show_nclb_atrocities.html?id=278

Vermont's capital city's school assessment numbers tell a Dickensian tale, not of two cities, but rather two school groups. 

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Testing Unfair To Vo-Techs
Spencer Clapp
Hartford Courant
2003-12-15
http://susanohanian.org/show_nclb_atrocities.html?id=279

A Connecticut administrator points out that students in the 17 vo-tech high schools form the backbone of the Connecticut economy because, unlike many students in affluent suburban high schools, they stay in Connecticut, build careers and families, and pay taxes here.

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Utah Schools Fall Short of New Mandates
Ronnie Lynn
Salt Lake Tribune
2003-12-16
http://susanohanian.org/show_nclb_atrocities.html?id=280

  One in three Utah public schools fell short of new federal standards for student achievement, landing some on a "watch list" that could lead to extra tutoring, student transfers, even teacher replacement.