http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-925388.mp3
Albany, NY – DOES RACE TO THE TOP HAVE A FUTURE?
U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNIE DUNCAN REACTS -
The dust is still settling weeks after Race to the Top winners and losers were announced. A total of 12 applicants have now won in both phase 1 and phase 2 of the competition funded by the first stimulus package.
The Obama administration claims the 4.3 billion dollars education reform program will directly impact 13.6 million students and 980-thousand teachers in 25-thousand schools.
Despite reforms like this, a recently released survey done by Phi Delta Kappa International and the Gallup Organization reports that just 34% of those polled would give the president an A or B when grading his performance on education during his first 17 months in office. That compares to 45% in a poll one year ago.
And yet, in a recent interview with TBOOK, Education Secretary Arnie Duncan told me he's already planning to have more Race to the Top competitions. As you'll hear, he's already talking about a phase 3, phase 4, and even a phase 5.
Glenn Busby reports. (8:00)
TEEN READ WEEK -
In other education news, research show that teens who read for fun, and not just for school, score significantly higher on reading tests. While those who don't, lose critical reading skills important for academic and workplace success.
So it's good to learn that teen library visits are up nationwide. This is the report from the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association. And it comes as they announce their Teen Read Week going on this month.
The association says with so many options for entertainment, plus the large amount of schoolwork, busy distracted teens often overlook reading for pleasure. So Teen Read Week is a time to remind teens that reading is fun, free, and can be done anytime and anywhere.
Glenn Busby reports. (1:00)
PILOT PRE-K LITERACY PROGRAM -
In related news, numerous studies show the link between vocabulary and early literacy skills, and academic achievement. The problem nationwide is the increasingly large number of children who enter kindergarten lacking these literacy skills.
For example in Ohio, Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Literacy test results show 56% of Cincinnati public school children struggle with literacy skills. And one-third of children entering kindergarten will require intensive intervention to be successful. This is especially true for children whose families are considered low-income. These are "at-risk" predominantly minority children.
This is why the University of Cincinnati (one of the nation's leading urban research institutes), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (one of the top five pediatric hospitals in the country), and the Children's Home of Cincinnati have partnered to form Ohio's School Readiness Collaborative, or (SRC).
The program is taking a three-tiered approach. Its goals are to reach children who are at risk of illiteracy, identify early learning issues, and provide intense learning support.
The evidence-based theories suggested by the Ohio School Readiness Collaborative are ready for testing. They're prepared to begin a 12-month pilot program that will test its illiteracy intervention model in up to 400 children who are preparing to enter Cincinnati public schools as kindergarteners.
TBOOK speaks with one of the leaders of this project, Dr. Jo-Anne Prendeville, an Associate Professor in the Department of Communications, Sciences, and Disorders at the University of Cincinnati, and also a speech language pathologist.
Glenn Busby reports. (7:35)
THE ACADEMIC MINUTE
"WRITING SKILLS" -
Continuing with our reading, language, and literacy theme, this week's episode features Dr. Amitava Kumar, English Professor from Vassar College.
The Academic Minute is hosted by Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, a celebrated philosopher and medical ethicist, and President of Mount Holyoke College. (2:30)