http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-977417.mp3
Albany, NY – OPENING BILLBOARD & EDUCATION HEADLINES - Glenn Busby (2:00)
SPECIAL THREE PART SERIES: LESSONS FOR AMERICAN EDUCATION
DOCUMENTARY: "THE FINLAND PHENOMENON: INSIDE THE WORLD'S MOST SURPRISING SCHOOL SYSTEM"
Part Three: The American Educational Culture, National Education Policy Setters and Unions React -
How many times have you heard this in the news or conversation? "Today's children cannot do math, can't read, talk, or write well either."
While America is among the fourth highest spenders on education, it's been ranked as low as 34th in education results.
A report, just released by the National Center on Education and the Economy, concludes that "the United States education system is neither coherent nor likely to see great improvements based on its current attempts at reform."
Finland is the top country in the OECD-PISA tests we told listeners about last week. Even the U.S. Department of Education acknowledges the PISA is the international authority for high school level testing.
Finland preschool starts at age six, followed by nine years of compulsory basic education. Then from 9th or 10th grade, students go to upper secondary school, which is either a three-year vocational tract emphasizing trade skills, or a more academic tract. But either branch can lead to a university degree.
This brings us to the wrap up of our special three-part series on the documentary about the education system in Finland. We speak with Bob Compton, Executive Producer of "The Finland Phenomenon: Inside the World's Most Surprising School System." We talk about his film's importance to understanding education reform in America.
Glenn Busby reports. (13:53)
**(Attention listeners. The website mentioned at the conclusion of the above story is: www.2mminutes.com. And for those who would like to learn more about Harvard's Dr. Tony Wagner and his vision of education, that link is -http://tinyurl.com/TWagner.
BILL NYE "THE SCIENCE GUY" AND THE EXPLORAVISION ANNUAL
SCIENCE AWARDS
"BIONIC AUDITORY PROSTHESIS -
Future scientists and inventors, those K through 12 students, envision a future where the world's energy may literally "grow on trees." Where blind and deaf people could regain their eyesight and hearing through bionic organ transplants. And soldiers would benefit from a new type of combat helmet to protect against life-threatening explosions.
These are just some of the winning projects announced this summer at the 19th annual Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association ExploraVision awards program. TBOOK speaks with four students from the winning high school team, plus we talk with Bill Nye "The Science Guy." Students include: Shane Moore, Agastya Mondal, Poojitha Shivaprasad, and Morgan Gruenewald from Hopewell Valley Central High School in Pennington, New Jersey.
Glenn Busby reports. (2:35)
THE ACADEMIC MINUTE
"SCIENCE AND EDUCATION REFORM" -
And while we're reporting on both science and education reform, this week's Academic Minute professor discusses a disagreement over reforms to science education in the U.S.
Dr. Bruce Tulloch is Associate Dean, School of Education, Union Graduate College.
The Academic Minute is hosted by Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, a celebrated philosopher and medical ethicist, and President of Mount Holyoke College.
Segment Run Time: (2:30)
*(Attention Listeners! For more Academic Minutes, we invite you to visit our archives at: http://www.wamc.org/academic-minute.html .)*
SHOW CLOSE - Glenn Busby. (1:30)