CNN.com - Spanish classes�for native speakers - Apr 21, 2005

CNN.com - Spanish classes�for native speakers - Apr 21, 2005: "The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages estimates about 141,000 middle- and high-schoolers in 2000 were enrolled in Spanish classes designed specifically for native Spanish speakers. The group is conducting another survey this year and expects a significant increase.

At the high school level, the courses often resemble traditional language arts classes with an emphasis on grammar, vocabulary and writing instruction in Spanish. At the elementary level, the classes often include English and Spanish speakers learning one portion of the curriculum in one language and the rest in the other language, said Marty Abbott, the council's education director.

When done well, she said, the classes can help Spanish speakers -- a group with traditionally lower-than-average test scores and above-average dropout rates -- connect with their schools. She said there has been a rise in native Spanish speakers taking Advanced Placement Spanish courses -- and succeeding."

Schools, High School, Public Schools, School District, Public High Schools - SchoolMatters

Schools, High School, Public Schools, School District, Public High Schools - SchoolMatters: "SchoolMatters provides rich information and powerful search and comparison tools to help uncover the stories behind the numbers, and further the discussion about how to improve student performance."

Hispanic Business - New ETS Report Sheds Light on Success of Minority Superstar Students

Hispanic Business - New ETS Report Sheds Light on Success of Minority Superstar Students: "Princeton, NJ--(HISPANIC PR WIRE - BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 2005--As the nation's governors and educators search for ways to improve the achievement of today's high school students, a new ETS report sheds light on the success of minority 'superstar' students who excel on the College Board's SAT and in school.

'Characteristics of Minority Students Who Excel on the SAT and in the Classroom,' was written by ETS researchers Brent Bridgeman and Cathy Wendler, using data from the national cohort of students who took the College Board's SAT in 2001.

The researchers explored three questions. Do minority students with high test scores take the same courses as White students with similar test scores? Are they equally successful in these courses? Do minority students who take demanding courses in high school, and succeed in those courses, perform as well on the SAT as White students?

'The answer to all of these questions is 'yes,'' says Wendler. 'Regardless of racial/ethnic group, it is clear that students who excel in rigorous courses tend to get high SAT scores and students who get high SAT scores tend to take and excel in rigorous courses. Taking demanding courses may help students sharpen the reading and mathematical skills assessed by the SAT. At the same time, students cannot succeed in difficult courses if they lack strong reading and mathematical skills.'

The key factors that contribute to superstar status in high school, regardless of race/ethnicity, are:

-- Taking demanding courses

-- Taking at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course

-- Holding a leadership position in extra-curricular activities

-- Having at least one parent with a Bachelor's degree or higher. "

Use the link above to read the full article.

RedNova News - Science - Cultural Relevance And Computer-Assisted Instruction

RedNova News - Science - Cultural Relevance And Computer-Assisted Instruction: "This paper presents the results of an exploratory study on Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) and its implications for the education of African-American children. The research examines how a culturally relevant context supports African-American students' task engagement and their ability to solve mathematics and science problems. The context is anchored to the content as we employ history and culture as conceptual lenses to capture a shared legacy that students bring to situated curriculum tasks. The Underground Railroad was selected as the theme to situate student learning because of the wealth of children's literature on this topic, its historical significance, and the recent attention that has been given to it with the publication of A Bondwoman's Narrative (Crafts, 2002). Curriculum development involves the design and use of computer software to engage children in culturally relevant simulations, and a learning management system tracks student progress and outcomes."

Use the link above to read the full story.

Mi Querida America, online documentary video

Mi Querida America, online documentary video: "Mi Querida America is an online learning environment built around original documentary video. This project follows a group of immigrant teens through their first year of high school in New York City, and pairs their stories with collaborative in-class exercises and discussion questions."

Tire Tracks

Tire Tracks
In summer 2005, the Dutch-American Tire Tracks team takes off on a two year, overland expedition from Casablanca to Cape Town to Cairo, to explore, understand, and explain Africa, its natural and cultural treasures, and its inhabitants.

By zooming into day-to-day life in 35 African countries, the Tire Tracks expedition team gives students and adults around the world the opportunity to explore a variety of different aspects of the African continent on a continuous basis. Through our global, interactive education program, as well as our reports and adventure stories, we will help individuals develop a fresh and balanced view of Africa that ties together isolated issues, and puts them into a broader, more recognizable perspective. By doing so, people will deepen their understanding of issues affecting Africa, and be able to view Africa and its place in the world in a new light.

Education Initiatives

The Tire Tracks global, interactive education program provides expedition-driven, Africa-based content that reinforces concepts taught in science, social studies, and reflective writing classes. By interacting with students and teachers on a frequent basis from the field, and by encouraging interaction between students and teachers of participating pilot schools in South Africa, the USA and Europe, the Tire Tracks team will help students improve their understanding and appreciation of African cultures, and better prepare them to make informed and balanced decisions in the 21st century.