IEA Newsletter for Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Welcome to the Institute for Education and the Arts' weekly newsletter for February 28, 2007. The newsletter is published each Wednesday morning to the IEA listserv and is archived here on the IEA blog.

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REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS
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COMMUNITY/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS: A NATIONAL SURVEY
2007 SURVEY OF EXTERNAL SUPPORT FOR K-12 SCHOOL DISTRICTS

DeHavilland Associates, 2/07

“Despite the fact that nearly every school and district in the K-12 market experiences some level of support from the surrounding community, very little research has been done in the area of community/school partnerships. This survey … offers insights into how community/school partnerships are structured and what types of relationships schools and districts have established.”
Read more: http://www.dehavillandassociates.com/resources.html

AN EDUCATION STRATEGY TO PROMOTE OPPORTUNITY, PROSPERITY, AND GROWTH
Joshua Bendor, Jason Bordoff, Jason Furman, Hamilton Project, Brookings Institution, 2/14/07
Abstract: “This paper discusses a framework for education policy, from early childhood through post-secondary education, along with major reform ideas consistent with that framework. We present evidence showing that education is critical to broad-based economic growth. Investments in education yield large returns to both society and the individual. Furthermore, expanding access to high-quality education directly addresses one of the major causes of increased inequality: technological changes that increasingly reward skilled workers. The paper presents evidence suggesting that America's educational system is neither in crisis nor reaching its full potential. To better secure the benefits of a strong education system, the paper outlines an evidence- based strategy that calls for new investments in some areas (such as early education) and structural reforms in others (such as the teacher tenure system). A recently proposed early education program for disadvantaged children and a proposal to dramatically simplify the federal student financial aid system are discussed in detail.”
Read more: http://www.brookings.edu/views/papers/200702education.htm

SCHOOL-FAMILY-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS:
A TOOLKIT FOR NEW MEXICO SCHOOL COMMUNITIES
Public Education Department, State of New Mexico, 6/06
”The deeply ingrained multiculturalism that makes New Mexico unique also presents challenges in communicating and setting shared priorities. Schools face their own set of challenges in accommodating all families, making them part of the school community and including them as partners in their child’s education … The purpose of the Toolkit is to assist educators and education partners with information, resources and strategies to help strengthen parent and community involvement. The toolkit is designed to make schools places that foster community collaboration and make parents and families feel welcome. The Toolkit has been created by The Center for the Education and Study of Diverse Populations. It is intended to support the development of school, family and community partnerships with the ultimate goal of helping all children and youth succeed in school and in life. The Toolkit is divided into three sections: Teacher Tools, Family Tools and Professional Development Tools. These tools are intended to support partnerships that can improve school programs and climate, provide family services and support, increase parents' skills and leadership, connect families with others in the school and community, and help teachers in their daily work.”
Learn more: http://www.ped.state.nm.us/div/rural_ed/toolkit/toolkit.htm

EDUCATION IDEAS FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT
Education Sector, 2/20/07
”Education remains a top-10 priority for the American people even during a divisive war and amid competing national concerns, according to the Gallup Poll … Education Sector is offering the following eight education ideas for the 2008 presidential campaign. They cover the educational spectrum, from preschool to higher education. They range in scope from big ideas that would chart entirely new directions for policymaking to others that would simply help schools and colleges improve what they are already doing … They are pragmatic solutions to real problems that both parties can get behind. They have realistic goals and price tags. Indeed, a consensus on school reform that has emerged over the past two decades will give the next president a chance to lead on education in a bipartisan fashion. There are plenty of partisan differences on education policy today, but a commitment to academic standards, accountability, and choice for parents among public schools increasingly transcends party lines. Education ideas for the next president: 1) Unlock the Pre-K Door; 2) Offer Teachers a New Deal; 3) Create a National Corps of “SuperPrincipals”; 4) Open New Schools in Low-Income Neighborhoods; 5) Launch Learning into the 21st Century; 6) Reward Hard-Working Immigrant Students; 7) Give Students a Road map to Good Colleges; 8) Help Students Help Others.”
Learn more: http://www.educationsector.org/research/research_show.htm?doc_id=464943

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TEACHER RESOURCES
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NEW PBS TEACHERS WEBSITE

“The new PBS Teachers Web site is slated to launch March 1, and will replace PBS TeacherSource. The comprehensive site will serve as the starting place for PBS's many educational resources for teachers from pre-K through 12th grade. Among other features, the site's new search engine will help educators find streaming video of PBS television programs and other multimedia features, in addition to thousands of downloadable lesson plans correlated to state and national standards. Be sure to visit Media Infusion, our new blog for sharing ideas about using media and technology in the classroom.”

Learn more: http://www.pbs.org/teachers ; http://www.pbs.org/teachers/mediainfusion (after 3/1/07)

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VALUE OF THE ARTS
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IS ART MORE VALUABLE THAN MATH OR SCIENCE?
Kate Pielemeier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (reprinted in Jackson Hole Star-Tribune), 2/18/07
”Math and science are the big talking and testing points in education these days. But human resource experts believe that to truly succeed in the global economy, tomorrow's workers may benefit most from studying and participating in the arts. “Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, teamwork, creativity and innovation, professionalism and mathematics are key components of the arts -- and are considered vital to competing in the global marketplace. But nationally, only 20 percent of employers said their employees possess these competencies, according to a 2005 Society for Human Resource Management study, ‘The Future of the Labor Force.’”
Read more: http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/articles/2007/02/18/features/science/11c740169f70b44d8725727d000180f9.txt

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SUMMER INSTITUTES FOR TEACHERS
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SUMMER 2007 FOLK ARTS FOLKLIFE INSTITUTES FOR EDUCATORS
National Network for Folk Arts in Education
“The National Network for Folk Arts in Education, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, advocates the inclusion of folk and traditional arts and culture in the nation’s education. Find Summer 2007 training opportunities for K-12 educators in folk arts, folklife, and oral history. Many are open to educators nationwide; others are for local participants.”
More information: http://www.carts.org or email paddybowman@verizon.net

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GRANTS, FUNDING, AND AWARDS
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ARTS TEACHERS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Dana Foundation
Beginning in 2007, The Dana Foundation will grant professional development programs in rural communities in the US. The Dana Foundation is interested primarily in training for: professional artists teaching performing arts in public schools; in-school arts specialists who teach performing arts in the public schools; and in-school arts specialists are teachers who are part of the permanent school staff (full or part-time) and who teach the performing arts as their primary area of instruction. Grants vary in size according to the project; the maximum award is $50,000. The deadline for submitting a letter of intent is June 4, 2007.
Learn more: http://www.dana.org/grants/artseducation/rural/guidelinesrural.cfm

BARNES & NOBLE GRANTS FOR LITERACY, ARTS, EDUCATION
“Barnes & Noble considers requests for local and regional support with non-profit organizations that focus on literacy, the arts or education (K - 12). We also seek sponsorship opportunities where we can partner with organizations that focus their core businesses on higher learning, literacy and the arts. We assess the merit of each request on an individual basis … Please allow 60 days for a decision.” In addition, Barnes & Noble provides some funding on a national level. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no deadline.
Learn more: http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our_company/sponsorship/Sponsorship_main.html

2007 NATIONAL TEACHER AWARD
Time Warner Cable
”This program recognizes outstanding teachers who develop creative learning experiences using cable television resources such as programming or internet technology. It also aims to encourage the development and effective use of Cable in the Classroom educational programs, as well as to stimulate a national exchange of innovative ideas and programs among educators. This year, Time Warner Cable will recognize 15 projects for creative use of cable television resources and the winners will receive $2,000 cash and $3,000 for school technology advancement. For more information on the program, please contact your local Time Warner Cable office.” Deadline: April 13, 2007. An additional Champion Principal Award is available to a single outstanding administrator.
Learn more: http://www.timewarnercable.com/corporate/aboutus/natlteachersawards.html

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