"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man."

Elbert Hubbard

Think before you speak…

What if we reframed education around the experience of the student?

(Source: vimeo.com)

15 Ideas That Really, Really Screwed Public Education Up

There is little need to rehash the argument that public education–in the United States anyway–is utterly broken. For every student that “gets straight As and loves school” there is another is hopelessly lost, and five more than merely endure it. And that’s generously assuming that “straight As” are an indication of having their personalized learning needs met.

Very interesting read. Some of the ideas include…

1. Focusing On Curriculum And Assessment Rather Than Learning Models And Support

2. Scripted Curriculum

5. Handing Out Letter Grades

8. Grouping By Age

9. Adopt One Set Of “National” Standards

11. Creating Learning Conditions That Don’t Require Families And Communities

"Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands."

Anne Frank

Winners for our “What Makes a Great Teacher” student contest announced in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week! Students wrote about their ideal characteristics in a teacher that goes above and beyond. Check out the winning entries!

Jeff Bliss, a High School student gives a lesson to his teacher at Duncanville

Parental Involvement-By Any Means Necessary →

“Never thought I would see the day when the only way to encourage parents to get involved in their child’s education is forcing them to”, writes Energize Students parent blogger.

Many states are providing Incentives and punishments to accompany lack of parental involvement in their child’s education.

Sources for blog include:

* Chicago Schools Bribe Parents With Gift Cards To Stay Involved
* If Kids Fail a Grade, Should Parents Have to Give Back Welfare?
* Rochester, New Hampshire: If Kids Skip School, Parents Face Criminal Charges

Busting myths about project-based learning →

There are a lot of misconceptions about project-based learning. This post seeks to dispel some of those myths, including what types of projects are included in project-based learning, how much time is consumed by project-based learning and that students will copy work from other students.

Voting begins today for Energize Students “What Makes a Great Teacher” student contest.

Help promote these student’s submissions to classmates, teachers, parents and administrators, and read what characterestics students want in a great teacher. Vote for your favorite submissions and help students earn cash prizes as well! It’s a win-win for you, the students, and for schools nationwide!