http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-577470.mp3
Albany, NY – READY TO LEARN: HOW TO OVERCOME SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN THE PRIMARY CLASSROOM , Pt. 2 of 2 -
We hear news of violence in schools and stories about teachers being
attacked in their classrooms. It's happening everywhere, not just in
troubled neighborhoods. So just what can be done to counter these
social and behavioral problems that interfere with the normal process
of education? Reports indicate about 3-million children are bullied
each year. Bullied children are four to eight times more likely to
commit suicide. 40% of bullies receive three or more convictions by
the time they're 24 years old. A new book, Ready To Learn , explains
how directly addressing social and behavioral difficulties enables
students to have the focus and energy necessary to achieve academic
success. Its strategies have been used successfully in 13 school
districts with thousands of students. Ready To Learn is co-authored
by Dr. Jeanne Shub and Amy DeWeerd, and is from Heinemann
Publishers. Last week, Dr. Shub told us why her program, Interplay,
was developed. How it's evolved over the past two decades. And how
teachers, therapists, and parents have been using Interplay stories to
help children discover new approaches to overcome learning or emotional obstacles. That was TBOOK Show # 863, which can be heard online at www.wamc.org. This week, we find out how Interplay can work on
bullying and self-control issues.
Glenn Busby reports. (13:23)
**(Attention Program Directors. The Interplay website mentioned at
the end of the above story for more information about the program is: www.interplaysolutions.com)**
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND REAUTHORIZATION UPDATE AND
GUEST COMMENTARY: NO CHILD LET AHEAD -
The federal education law, No Child Left Behind, is due for
reauthorization this year. Its intent is to help all children become
proficient in math and reading by the year 2014. And it's attempting
to reduce achievement gaps between different ethnic and income
groups of students. Despite NCLB's initial overwhelming bi-partisan
support five years ago, the act is now being challenged by many
groups and organizations.
Take for example, the Forum On Educational Accountability which
includes the National Education Association and the National School
Boards Association. That coalition says Congress should scrap the accountability system, at the heart of No Child Left Behind, in favor
of one that holds schools responsible for improving teacher training
and parental involvement.
Also, the National Governor's Association met with President Bush
and Education Secretary Spellings recently. They're pushing for more
funding, and agree that some of the accountability provisions need to
be made more flexible, especially regarding the testing of English-
language learners and special education students.
Leaders of national education, civil rights, religious, disability and
children's organizations held a forum in Washington. Their report
called, Redefining Accountability: Improving Student Learning By
Building Capacity , includes nearly two dozen fundamental reforms
in professional development, family involvement, and accountability.
Guest commentator, Dr. Keith Lockitch, too favors changes to NCLB,
but not for those reasons. Dr. Lockitch worries that because the act
forces states to ensure that the weakest students are not left behind ,
it's reduced dollars for programs for the more advanced students.
Dr. Keith Lockitch teaches writing and a graduate course on the history
of physics at the Objectivist Academic Center in Irvine, California. His commentary is titled, No Child Let Ahead.
Dr. Keith Lockitch comments. (3:41)
**(Attention Program Directors. The website mentioned at the
conclusion of the above commentary should listeners care to
obtain more information is: www.objectivistacademiccenter.org)**