Back to school, back to court
Two weeks ago, I talked to families in Oklahoma for a national basketball tournament who defended their decision to take part in homeschooling. They were on the defense because of a California court’s ruling that parents without teacher certification cannot constitutionally teach their children at home.
But homeschooling families also went on the offense after the ruling was handed down, and the appellate court has agreed to rehear the case.
The court this time also asked for opinions from the union and state board of education for California, and the union and school district for the city of Los Angeles. Other interested parties were invited to file so-called “friend of the court” briefs.
Judges are scheduled to hear the case again in June.
What do you think the ruling should say this time around? Share your thoughts here at http://blog.newsok.com/educationstation.
Wendy K. Kleinman
Education Reporter
Religious groups and public schools: Your thoughts
The Oklahoma Education Association for the first time hosted a conference this week about the role of faith communities in public schools. Today, The Oklahoman published a package of stories telling you what was discussed.
And now we want to know, what do you think?
Post your comments here to get a discussion going about whether and how faith communities should – or shouldn’t – get involved in their neighborhood schools.
Send Some Okie History Out West
We got a letter this week from Gloria, a 5th-grade student in Napa, Calif.
Gloria is writing a school report on the State of Oklahoma and she’s asking readers of The Oklahoman and its Web site for facts, postcards, brochures or souvenirs that tell about the Sooner State.
Well, Gloria, I grew up on an Oklahoma farm so I can tell you a bit about rural life here. The dirt is an orangey-red, the people are hardworking and proud, and sometimes a farmer’s most prized possession is John Deer-green.
Gloria says she’ll be writing about the state’s agriculture, history, economy, historical figures and events in her report. She signs her letter “Thank you very much for your support in making me a great researcher of your beautiful state.” Well, she’s already got the Okie-trait of politeness down pat.
You can write Gloria Maravilla at 2700 Kilburn Ave., Napa, Calif. 94558.
You can also post a comment on this blog or by e-mailing me at ssimpson@oklahoman.com and I’ll forward appropriate responses to Gloria.
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
Thousands transfer between schools
More than 40,000 children attend schools outside of their home district every year under the state’s Open Transfer Act, according to a column this month by state schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett.
Parents choose to transfer their children for various reasons. Those reasons include being attracted to a school because it offers a special program or because it’s closer to the parent’s workplace, Garrett wrote.
The deadline to request a transfer for the next school year is April 1; the application is available at www.sde.state.ok.us.
Do you transfer your child, or were you educated in a school you attended because of a transfer? Or, have you ever been denied a transfer because the school didn’t have enough space? Why choose to transfer?
Share your thoughts with me and with other readers here on NewsOK’s Education Station blog at http://blog.newsok.com/educationstation.
Wendy K. Kleinman
Education Reporter
You Won’t Learn This in the Guide Books
Parlez-vous Francais?
Is so, please don’t answer in French. Unless it involves bathroom fixtures, I probably won’t understand it.
I took French in high school — many many years ago. The only thing I remember, and won’t burden you with trying to spell it in French, is “Stick your head in the toilet.”
The instructor taught us that the first day of class. An ice-breaker, I guess. And I still remember it.
But not much else. Of course, I never went to France or Canada, so after high school it all just slipped away like butter on a hot croissant.
Many schools today are trying new ways to help students learn and retain a new language. They have language immersion sessions and connect students of different languages via the Internet. Many schools also start earlier teaching foreign languages because students retain more at a young age.
My 4-year-old daughter knows some Spanish, thanks to a special daycare teacher and to Dora and Diego. She even corrected me once when I said green was “azul” in Spanish. (That would be blue.)
But she better watch out. I know at least one handy phrase in French. And she probably shouldn’t repeat it.
E-mail me at ssimpson@oklahoman.com and tell me about your experiences learning a new language.
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
Your thoughts on homeschooling
The Oklahoman published a package of stories and video clips today about homeschooling — why parents choose it, how they feel about recent judicial and legislative moves, what they do to ensure a quality education for their children, how they join together for athletic competitions, and what recent research shows, among other issues.
We’ve shared information with you. Now, we want you to share your thoughts with us. Post your comments here to get a discussion going about these homeschool topics.
Fragrance-free schools?
A Minnesota lawmaker wants to give the ax to Axe, one of an array of fragrances students put on before or at school.
Some students and school nurses say the fragrances aggravate asthma and cause headaches.
High school student Mikolai Altenberg told the Associated Press he gets headaches from the fragrances, which permeate the air.
“Mostly it’s just guys who just think that putting Axe all over them is a substitute for showering,” Altenberg said.
Minnesota Democrat Karen Clark’s bill would establish a campaign in Minneapolis and possibly other districts to make students and parents more aware of possible fragrance issues. She originally proposed banning fragrances in the capital city’s school district.
Do you think schools should be fragrance-free? Share your thoughts with me and with other readers on the Education Station blog at NewsOK.com.
Wendy K. Kleinman
Education Reporter
Pot of gold – well, electronics – waits at end of the attendance rainbow
Students in Muskogee can win a laptop, an MP3 player or a cell phone just for showing up to class.
The 7th & 8th Grade Center there began the incentive program Feb. 18 and will end it this Friday, according to a school newsletter. The school plans to run two more similar incentive periods before the end of the school year.
Students must be in attendance and not tardy to be entered into a drawing for the electronics, which are paid for through local donors and other activities, according to the newsletter.
Do you think schools should offer incentives to attend school? What would you consider to be appropriate incentives?
Share your thoughts with me and with other readers on the Education Station blog at NewsOK.com.
Wendy K. Kleinman
Education Reporter
From bad to worst
The Center for Union Facts wants to give $10,000 each to 10 teachers — to stop teaching.
The organization said Tuesday it can be impossible to fire a bad teacher if he or she is protected by a union. To clarify, the Washington-based nonprofit also says it’s not against unions, just against corruption and the like within unions.
Anyone age 13 or older can submit nominations for the Worst Union-Protected Teacher at www.TeachersUnionExposed.com.
The Web site in part singles out Tulsa for firing “only two tenured teachers” out of more than 2,000 between 2003 and 2006. During that time, six tenured teachers seemingly resigned or retired in the face of termination, according to the site.
Do you think there are more than a handful of teachers in any given school district that should leave the profession? Do you think unions protect them too much? Or do you think union rules need to be in place for the good of the majority, even if that means a few unsatisfactory teachers are protected?
Share your thoughts with me and with other readers on the Education Station blog at NewsOK.com.
Wendy K. Kleinman
Education Reporter
Have books, will travel
Did you (or will you) travel abroad as part of your high school or college education?
Where did you go, and how did it change your perceptions about the world or your chosen profession?
We want to hear your stories and see your photos. We’ll even publish some of them in a future paper.
E-mail ssimpson@oklahoman.com with your submissions.
Susan Simpson, Education Writer
