May 6, 2008
Learning curveBoardBuzz is all for continuous improvement. That's why we've signed up to attend the Ed in '08 Blogging Summit next week in Washington, D.C. The summit (which is free--so there, you CAN get something for nothing) will offer panelists and speakers and will examine "how the Internet is changing the discourse of education reform, and how those changes are affecting the 2008 presidential election." We can't wait!
Additionally, in the name of shameless self promotion, BoardBuzz is up for the Blogger's Choice Award, and since we may never be nominated for an Oscar, a Pulitzer, or a Nobel Prize, we'd love it if you'd cast your ballot for us!
What's really cool about "our competition" is that the list includes links to each of their blogs so you can check out what's going on all over the blogosphere (and you really should, too -- just remember to vote for us first).
Posted at 10:39 AM | Link to this story | Comments (0)
April 9, 2008
Blogging's final frontierHouse of Lords, the final frontier. (Cue Star Trek theme song . . . )
These are the bloggings of Britain's upper chamber of Parliament. Its continuing mission: to help educate, to raise awareness and engage with the public on a range of issues, to boldly blog where no one has blogged before.
BoardBuzz pokes fun, but we also strongly support the use of blogs for such public outreach—especially amongst our own school board members. Not everyone is brave enough to express their views so openly in an omnipresent forum. As ABC News reports, the House of Lords has taken a brave step into the 21st Century.
Lords of the Blog describes their work as thus:
Lords of the Blog is an experimental project to encourage direct dialogue between web users across the world and Members of the House of Lords. Commissioned by the House of Lords, the pilot project is conducted by the Hansard Society who are working directly with Members of the Lords to bring their blogs to the wider online audience.
The peers taking part are: Lord Soley, Lord Norton, Lord Tyler, Lord Lipsey, Lord Dholakia, Baroness D'Souza, Lord Teverson, Baroness Young of Hornsey and Baroness Murphy. Perhaps the efforts of these nine "peers" will encourage more of their peers (couldn't resist) to blog. Dozens of members of Parliament already have their own blogs according to the BBC.
Lords of the Blog manager Barry Griffiths says, "This is a fascinating pilot to be involved in as the House of Lords is packed full of expertise on a whole range of topical subjects."
BoardBuzz believes their efforts will certainly help dispel the image of men and women in red robes and wigs and replace it with one of public servants doing a real service for their country. But we couldn't help but wonder--will the House and Senate follow suit?
Posted at 11:43 AM | Link to this story | Comments (0)
March 3, 2008
Follow the yardstickOur good friends at the Center for Public Education have done it again. In their ongoing mission to bring the unbiased truth in public education to the world, the Center has created a new tool called Good Measures for Good Schools.
The tool, which is a practical guide to the various measures of school quality, helps you determine the right questions you should be asking about our schools.
Good measures for good schools provides the national average performance for each measure, and links you to comparable state data where you can see how your state performs. On some measures, we also link you to web pages that offer data for your district and school. By clicking on each question you should be asking, you can learn more about the usefulness and limitations of every measure and get easy-to-understand tips for how to interpret the data. When possible, the measures are linked to relevant research, analyses, and success stories on the Center site so you can find the best thinking on what to do to improve school performance.
The guide also gives you:
The right questions to ask for a full picture of the quality of your schools.
National data and easy links to state data to help you gauge the performance of your schools on 28 key measures. We also link you to district and school-level data as much as possible.
An explanation of each measure including how the data is useful and how it is limited.
Other questions to ask when the available data doesn't say enough.
The tool, which is denoted by the yellow ruler graphic, offers a great at-a-glance resource, as well as in depth information on each of the measures. But don't take BoardBuzz's word for it -- visit the Center and check it out for yourself.
Posted at 2:01 PM | Link to this story | Comments (0)
February 21, 2008
Better than ginkgo biloba!BoardBuzz was intrigued by a new study (which we read about in USA Today) which indicates that education may be the key to keeping your memory. The study notes that, "Memory problems, including Alzheimer's, appeared less common in people 70 and older in 2002, compared with seniors nearly a decade earlier," which may be a result of education. "Seniors who took the test in 2002 had an average of 12 years of formal schooling, a year more than those took the test in 1993."
If that doesn't make you want to hit the books, we don't know what will. What's more, "In addition, the 2002 seniors were wealthier as a group, a sign they may have worked at more intellectually demanding jobs. People who keep their brain agile with formal schooling or a challenging job seem to build a more resilient brain — one that might offer a shield against Alzheimer's later on, [the study's author, Kenneth] Langa says."
Despite this promising news, there's still a downside.
Langa and other experts such as William Thies of the Alzheimer's Association say the USA can still expect a massive upturn in Alzheimer's cases. Sheer numbers of baby boomers will fuel the increase from 5 million today to an estimated 11 to 16 million by 2050.The obesity epidemic might make those numbers even worse, says Robert Butler, CEO of the International Longevity Center USA in New York.
Overweight adults and children often suffer from Type 2 diabetes and clogged arteries, and those health problems almost certainly will add to an increased risk of Alzheimer's in old age.
All the more reason for schools to invest in high quality school health programs and rigorous curriculum. For more information on school health, click here and for more information on high quality education, visit the Center for Public Education here.
Posted at 2:57 PM | Link to this story | Comments (0)
February 20, 2008
Fashion Week, NSBA styleAs the Fashion Week festivities in New York, Paris, and other cities around the globe are heating up, BoardBuzz and NSBA had to jump on the fashion bandwagon. Yes, that's right we've had a makeover!
While it doesn't involve fur-trimmed collars and anklets with heels, our makeover is certainly more practical than that! BoardBuzz, going along with our parent site, has been updated for ease of use. NSBA's site has also been improved. On the surface, it looks like we've changed, but really we're still the same sites you've always known and loved.
Things you might not recognize, include some cool features of our new look:
"Join," "Act," "Learn," and "Attend" buttons designed to help you find specific 'action' areas. The content of these four areas will be updated regularly, so check back often!The rotating 'flash' box which highlights 5 “hot” items, including new publications, events, or news.
The Search field has been moved to the top of the homepage to make your searching easier.
The new "+" and "–" buttons allow you to increase/decrease the text size on the page. You can also click “Print” to get a printer-friendly version of any page, or “E-Mail” to send the page.
Check out the About Our New Look page for more details on how the NSBA site has been improved for your use. We're still tweaking it, so please bear with us as we adjust to our new look.
Posted at 2:04 PM | Link to this story | Comments (0)
January 11, 2008
A different kind of buzzA recent piece on ABCNews.com caught our attention because it strikes a nerve with students, teachers, parents, and administrators. In recent months, BoardBuzz has spent a lot of time and attention on social networking sites and the value they provide to education in the 21st century. Therefore, you can understand how a story titled "Have Boozy Photos on Facebook?" would cause some consternation.
A group of 42 students in a Minnesota high school were questioned and 13 had a disciplinary action taken against them when they left school to protest the questioning by administrators. Photos of students with alcohol were posted on Facebook and since students are required to sign a pledge to be involved in extracurricular activities, and they broke this pledge, they were punished.
What seems like a routine disciplinary action has touched different people in different ways. Parents and students say that this is just average high school behavior. Some students claim everyone drinks in high school, so the school should stay out of their business. It's no secret that Hollywood glorifies high school drinking in movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Dazed and Confused, and Clueless, but does that make it okay? Is it the job of the administration to look at Facebook regularly and be the Internet police for the students in their school? It's still unclear how the administration found out about the photos in the first place. Or is it a matter of free speech since the photos were taken off school property and parents should be aware of what their children are posting on Facebook and they should handle discipling their children for underage drinking? Perhaps the parents should follow the example of the "meanest mom in the world."
Need help getting through the muddled mess of social networking? Check out our discussion on the educational benefits of social networking. Believe it or not (after reading a story like this), there are some!
Posted at 10:10 AM | Link to this story | Comments (2)
December 21, 2007
. . . and a Happy New Year!BoardBuzz will be off enjoying eggnog, fruitcake, sugar plums, and various and sundry other holiday treats for the next two weeks (we're certainly glad we don't have Santa's workload). We'll be back in 2008 with all the latest and greatest in education news.
We wish all our readers a very special holiday season and a joyful New Year!
Posted at 10:50 AM | Link to this story | Comments (0)
November 19, 2007
Gobble gobbleBoardBuzz will be off this week, enjoying the Thanksgiving holidays. We'll be back next week (perhaps a few pounds heavier) with all the latest news in education. Our podcasts will return next week as well.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Posted at 1:48 PM | Link to this story | Comments (0)
October 19, 2007
Move over NASCARIn the spirit of friday, BoardBuzz brings you this video from Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan where "School Bus Racing" appears to be an audience favorite.
Posted at 1:04 PM | Link to this story | Comments (0)
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