CUBE Edge 12-15-08

Welcome!

What is Urban Edge?
Urban Edge is a service that provides CUBE districts with relevant information to help your awareness of education issues around the country. We will glean news sources, blogs, research studies, and NSBA's wide range of expertise for timely information that guides CUBE districts in making sound decisions.

Education News

Students in U.S. make gains in math
A new survey, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), showed that American students have made gains in math, but science results were not as promising.  Math scores in Asian countries were much higher than Americans, but the results in two states, Minnesota and Massachusetts, stood out.  International testing often is criticized since the U.S. is far larger and more diverse in population and socioeconomic status than many of the countries tested, but TIMSS shows that many nations have made big gains in a short period of time.
Link to New York Times article 12/9/08 (free registration)
NSBA's Center for Public Education breaks down the TIMSS report 

Black and Latino students in California struggle for university spots
There is good news and bad news regarding a new report from the state of California and its higher education system.  The good news is black and Latino students are making gains in meeting application requirements for the university of California and California state systems.  The bad news is those students still lag behind white and Asian students.  While improvements have been made, a variety of variables are examined in the report.  For example, new science requirements in high schools impacted the number of students eligible for Cal state.  California's public university system is the largest in the country.
Link to Los Angeles Times 12/10/08

Recent Research 

The above poll was conducted by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and published in their SmartBrief Special Report.  

News from CUBE district

Norfolk takes green steps 
Norfolk Public Schools recently made a deal with Pepco Energy Services as part of an overall infrastructure upgrade.  The plan will include some simple solutions, like energy efficient light bulbs, but will also change the heating and cooling system for one school which includes a geothermal system that greatly reduces cost.  In addition to cost savings for the district, the steps Norfolk is taking will reduce almost 12 million pounds of CO₂ from the atmosphere or the equivalent of planting 1,964 trees.  Pepco Energy Services also has energy savings agreements with other CUBE districts in Roanoke, Virginia, Baltimore City, and Prince George's County in Maryland.     
Link to MSN Money 12/1/08

Alternative Views

Wall Street Journal column suggests drastic reforms 
Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., a former CEO of IBM, writes in the Wall Street Journal that the new administration should make sweeping changes to the education system in the U.S.  In a brief article, he outlines his suggestions which include a more rigorous curriculum, higher pay for better teachers, closely measuring student and teacher progress via testing, and increasing time in school.  He also suggests national standards and abolishing local school districts (with the exception of the 20 largest cities).  Gerstner's rationale is that this will save billions of dollars and his ideas will not be difficult to implement.  
Link to Wall Street Journal 12/1/08

NSBA News

DEADLINE EXTENDED!  NSBA is hosting the Walk of Excellence during this year’s Annual Conference at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.  This showcase session uses tabletop displays as a tool for school districts to highlight effective local programs to conference attendees.  The session attracts hundreds of conference goers and takes place Sunday, April 5, 2009 from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM.  

CUBE districts attending the Annual Conference who want to showcase their programs are strongly encouraged to apply.  NSBA is accepting online proposals for the Walk of Excellence here.  The proposal deadline is 5:00 PM Eastern on Monday, January 12, 2009. 

If you have any questions regarding the Walk of Excellence or would like a list of school districts attending from your state, please e-mail Bethany Kashawlic  or Valerie Carty.

CUBE's Urban Edge will be taking a break for the holidays, and will not publish January 1st.  Look for another edition of the Edge on January 15, 2009!

Meetings Minute

Federal Relations Network (FRN) Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars--this year's FRN will occur January 31-February 2, 2009 in Washington, DC.  CUBE districts are invited to attend, and are encouraged to talk with their respective state association to ensure a unified NSBA voice to bring to Capitol Hill.  On Saturday, January 31, the special early-bird issues forum will focus on education equity and the federal role, featuring a discussion about public education as a civil right. 

CUBE is invited to attend the Council of School Attorneys (COSA) opening session at NSBA Annual.  The session is titled "What are the financial and political implications for schools in educating undocumented students?"  CUBE does not have a session at the same time and CUBE attendees are permitted to participate without any additional fees.

NSBA Annual is coming to San Diego--housing opened October 16th!
Click here to make housing reservations in the CUBE block at the Manchester Grand Hyatt online. This link will only allow you to make reservations in the CUBE block at the Manchester Grand Hyatt AFTER you register for the conference and receive your housing ID number. If you wish to stay at a different hotel for the conference, you must go through the regular housing link found on the NSBA Annual Conference website located at www.nsba.org./conference.
For a glimpse at what CUBE will be programming at NSBA Annual, click here.

Disclaimer

Links on the Urban Edge are subject to change or become inactive after a period of time. Please be aware that CUBE has no control over links to other organizations or entities.