51% Episode #1209
Sept 13, 2012
(:46)
The term midwife usually conjured pictures of home births and traditional medicine. But midwifery has changed drastically. Some of the changes are positive, leading to new options for women’s health care. But some of those changes are causing those in the profession to struggle with the requirements of Western medicine versus the expectations of the women they serve. Susanrachel Condon is a licensed midwife in New York and a member of the Board of the NYS Association of Midwives.
12:36 Midwife
Susanrachel Condon is a licensed midwife in New York and a member of the Board of the NYS Association of Midwives.
Up next, education, the economy and questioning if it’s time to try something new. If you missed part of this show or want to hear it again, visit the 51% archives at wamc.org. This week’s show is #1210.
(13:47)
As states struggle to balance their budgets in a still-shaky economy, education has been taking a hit.
A new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities showed that thirty-five states are providing less funding per student than they did five years ago. Even states that are starting to restore funding aren’t making up for the deep cuts of the past few years.
In Pennsylvania more than 400 students and parents held a Valentine’s Day rally this year for public education at the State Capitol. After cutting $860 million from the state’s public schools in 2011, PA Governor Tom Corbett proposed an addition cut of $100 million, including eliminating a grant program which funded kindergarten and tutoring. Producer Ericka Johnson was there and created an audio montage.
3:47 PA Education PRX
In late June, the Pennsylvania General Assembly rejected the governor’s cut to the grant program and added almost $50 million dollars to basic education funding for financially distressed school districts.
Meanwhile, questions remain about how well we’re teaching our children.
In North Carolina, the State Board of Education is considering approving a new charter school aimed at helping African-American students raise their performance on standardized tests. That will, in turn, improve graduation rates, and lead to greater college readiness.
The Lee Charter School proposal is causing educators and parents in Chapel Hill to pick sides. Dave DeWitt reports for WUNC’s American Graduate series.
3:38 Charter School
That report comes to us courtesy of the American Graduate series from WUNC, North Carolina Public Radio.
(9:06)
That’s our show for this week. Thanks to Katie Britton for production assistance. Our theme music is by Kevin Bartlett. This show is a national production of Northeast Public Radio. Our executive producer is Dr. Alan Chartock.
If you’d like to hear this show again, or visit the 51% archives, go to our website at WAMC.org. Thanks so much for joining us…we’ll be back next week with another edition of 51% The Women's Perspective.
(:36 pads out to 25:00)
MUSIC
Theme: Kevin Bartlett - Glow in the Dark
Neil Young - Heart of Gold