http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-897553.mp3
Albany, NY – THE HAWN FOUNDATION'S "MINDUP" PROGRAM
AN EVIDENCE-BASED TEACHING MODEL AND CURRICULUM FOR GRADES K-7, Part One: Research Studies and Broken Children -
The Hawn Foundation has been working with leading neuroscientists, educators, and researchers in recent years to develop what's called MindUP.
MindUP is and evidence-based teaching model and curriculum for grades K thru 7 which provides children with emotional and cognitive tools to help them understand and improve their own emotions, moods and behaviors.
It's the brainchild of actress, philanthropist, and children's advocate, Goldie Hawn. Hawn claims MindUP also helps reduce stress and anxiety, sharpen concentration, build confidence, increase empathy, and improve school performance.
MindUP includes 15 lessons divided across four units. The units are titled: Quieting the Mind: Sharpening the Focus; Our Senses; Practical Applications: Building Blocks to Critical Thinking and Creative Problem-Solving; and Mindful of Ourselves in the World.
Glenn Busby reports. (8:59)
"PUT TO THE TEST: HOW STANDARDIZED TESTING IS CHANGING EDUCATION"
Documentary Series: To Test or Not? Teachers and Parents React -
Our first story today focused on the impact things like stress can have on a student's education. Our next story demonstrates that in action - in a school we've been following - as part of our documentary series about the effects of the No Child Left Behind Law.
In this episode, it's the end of the school year at Western Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. Teachers and administrators are anxious about whether the school is going to meet the federal government's test goal.
Students take the tests and the results do not look good. It appears Western has failed. But it's close. Everything gets re-checked, and it turns out, some scores were counted that should not have been. With those errors corrected, Western begins a new year back on the government's list of successful schools. This is where we pick of the series thread.
This story comes to TBOOK from North Carolina Public Radio.
Emily Hanford reports. (7:18)
UPDATES ON CURRENT EDUCATION HEADLINES IN THE NEWS -
Our programs last month explored the Obama administration's blueprint for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Now, the National Education Association has advanced its own set of recommendations to Congress. And some of them differ substantially from the blueprint for the law.
The NEA would like to see far fewer standardized tests. It doesn't want teacher effectiveness linked to student evaluation. And it would not endorse the bill's performance-pay provision for teachers. That's just for starters. However, it may be a moot point. According to some Congressional observers, time is already running out if lawmakers are going to reauthorize ESEA this year.
And in another update, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has issued what it calls a "Dear Colleague" letter regarding Title IX. The change in policy withdraws a controversial 2005 decision that allowed colleges to comply with a key federal gender-equity law, by using electronic surveys to gauge women students' interest in playing sports. The reversal marks a victory for advocates of gender-equity in sports who viewed the policy as a damaging loophole to Title IX.
Glenn Busby reports. (1:35)