Even
within a single school district, some schools do not offer equal education
when it comes to computer technology.
The Orlando Sentinel
says some schools offer high-speed Internet access and lightning-quick
computers, while others have outdated
machines and no internet connection. Much of the determining factors have to do with how much money the PTA
raises or whether a benefactor steps forward. No doubt, this story
could be localized. I imagine that just about everywhere you see the
word "Florida" in this story, you could insert your state or county.
The Sentinel said:
Though Florida
promises an equal education for its students, children get anything but
equal treatment when it comes to computer equipment. And the disparity
is growing even as the ability to navigate an up-to-date computer is
seen as being just as key to learning as the ability to read an
up-to-date textbook.
"Poor schools get enough money from...
other programs to be able to update their technology, and schools that
are very affluent are able to update," education-technology author
Harold Wenglinsky said. "But students who are in the middle class and
basically budgets are very tight... they're the ones who are not
getting the benefits from technology."
Though Florida guarantees that students in rich and poor schools have the same textbooks, it does not call for similar computer technology.
In
fact, the state has cut school-technology spending by about one-third
in just five years -- from about $26 per student in 2000 to $18 this
year. State coffers are flush with a $3 billion tax surplus, but when
it comes to computers, state officials hope local districts will pick
up the slack.
"Technology is important, and it's important to keep funding it," but Florida
has made the decision to let the districts decide their own technology
priorities, Florida Education Commissioner John Winn said.
But school-technology advocates say students without computer skills are disadvantaged.
"We
don't have any problem giving them the same textbook, but we're not
leveraging the 21st-century tools and giving them the same tools," said
Tina Barrios, board member for the Florida Council for Instructional
Technology Leaders.
A 2004 statewide survey of technology in schools found about two dozen Central Florida schools with no Internet access or outdated computers.
Crunch Time for Students and Teachers
Here in
Florida this week,
there will be plenty of prayer in public school. It is Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (commonly known as the "FCAT")
week, a time when students take standardized tests that determine who
may graduate. Jobs, pay
and community reputations may be on the line. My kids feel the
pressure. My 13-year-old, a strong student, has been taking Kaplan prep
tests for two weeks after school with all of her friends. Our school
system even changed its calendar to begin in early August, largely to
get more teaching days in before the February tests. You would think
these kids were law-school students about to take the bar exam.
Here are some things to consider as you cover standardized testing in your own regions:
Eighth Grade (Convergence)
The Providence Journal printed a wonderful story Sunday called "Eighth
Grade: The end and the beginning." It is rich in multimedia. The story
follows four eighth-graders through the last six months of middle
school. It is a time of huge social and academic pressure. I noticed that all four kids are wearing braces. This is a very good project that could have been made even stronger with more racial/ethnic diversity.
I know many newsrooms
and colleges are looking for nice convergence/fusion projects to
examine how to use video, sound, online and print. This is such a
project that has a lot of podcasting, blogging, photo and public input
potential.
The St. Petersburg (Fla.)Times produced a similar large-scale project on middle school in 2003 called "13."
Where the Dead Still Vote
The Detroit News found that more than 100 dead people "voted" in the last election.
Cable "A La Carte" Gains Ground
If your household is
typical, you only really use 15 channels out of the more than 100 that
you are paying for. So why pay for all of those you don't use? Last
month, the Federal Communications Commission opened up new hope [PDF] for those who want to allow customers to
just buy channels "a la carte." In other words, you choose what channels you want [PDF] --
and you don't have to pay for the ones you don't want. Florida Today reports:
The Federal Communications Commission earlier this month said [PDF] such a system could cut customers' bills by as much as 13 percent.
That finding reversed a 2004 FCC report that said such a "you-pick"
pricing structure would mean less choice and higher prices for
consumers. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin asked that the issue be revisited
after he found out the previous report was flawed.
Parents like the idea, saying they could cut out shows not meant to
be seen by children. Industry analysts say most television viewers
watch only 15 channels out of the hundreds many have to choose from,
further bolstering the argument for quality over quantity.
Cable-industry officials disagree with the FCC, and have long said
that big bundles of channels deliver the most value for consumers.
Programmers, as well, say such an a la carte system would crimp
subscription fees and advertising revenues.
We are always looking for your great ideas. Send Al a few sentences and hot links.
Editor's Note: Al's Morning Meeting is a compendium of ideas,
edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites,
as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes
directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be
provided whenever possible. The column is fact-checked, but depends
upon the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. Errors
and inaccuracies found will be corrected.
The "A La Carte" item is mislesding. In the end...
