20 Jul 2012

Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium is sold out

By Office of the Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad

(DES MOINES) - The governor's office today announced that the Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium next month is sold out.

In May, Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds joined Education Director Jason Glass to announce they would host the Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium on Friday, Aug. 3, at Drake University in Des Moines.

Branstad said he and Reynolds are holding the symposium to focus on how to organize schools to treat teachers as instructional leaders, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

Symposium speakers and panelists will share their thinking about shared principal and teacher leadership.  We'll hear about why this matters, how it's being done in this state and country, and how top-performing school systems around the globe approach this issue.

Symposium registration was open to the public, including educators, school board members, business leaders, parents and legislators. More than 700 Iowans are expected to attend the all-day conference.

"Teacher leadership will be at the heart of our 2013 legislative package because it is critical to give students the knowledge and skills they need to be well prepared," said Branstad.

"We also recognize that growing expectations for students place even more demands upon teachers, without always providing teachers the support needed to meet those demands," said Reynolds. "Stronger, shared principal and teacher leadership can help schools do that more effectively."

Branstad and Reynolds stressed that the symposium is about ending the outdated practice of teachers working largely in isolation in their classrooms and moving toward greater collaboration to help students learn more. Some Iowa schools have already set off in this direction, and two of them will be on hand at the August 3 symposium: Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.

Branstad and Reynolds note that their October 2011 education blueprint included a four-tier teacher leadership and compensation structure, with master, mentor, career and apprentice teachers. When they took the blueprint out on the road to town-hall meetings across the state, Iowans raised good questions about it would be put into operation.

So the decision was made to study the issue further, and make recommendations to the 2013 Legislature.

In February, Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass announced the members of a new Iowa Teacher Leadership and Compensation Taskforce, which is meeting monthly. Its report is due Oct. 15.

"The status quo is not serving our children well. We have to set the bar higher," said Reynolds.

Here are just a few statistics that drive that home:

  • Nearly 23 percent of Iowa third-graders don't read proficiently on state tests.
  • Just 33 percent of Iowa fourth-graders read at proficient or advanced levels on the exam known as the nation's report card.
  • In math, just 34 percent of Iowa eighth-graders are proficient or advanced on that exam.
  • Only 35 percent of Iowa eighth-graders are proficient or advanced in science.

"Our children deserve better," said Reynolds. "A stronger, shared principal and teacher leadership model can help us make faster progress toward restoring Iowa schools to best in the nation, and giving all students a globally competitive education."

To learn more about the symposium, go to: https://educationleadership.iowa.gov/

About Iowa Interactive

Iowa Interactive built and manages the official Web site for the state of Iowa (Iowa.gov) and partners with state and local entities to bring new government services online.  Iowa Interactive is a service of IOWAccess and is managed by the Department of Administrative Services and the eGovernment firm NIC (NASDAQ: EGOV - News).

About NIC

NIC Inc. is the nation's leading provider of official government websites, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company's innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. Our popular self-funded solution allows government to put in-demand services online without using taxpayer funds. The NIC family of companies currently provides cost-effective eGovernment solutions for more than 3,500 federal, state, and local agencies in the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.egov.com.

# # #
20 Jul 2012

Summer Camp at Rivermont!

By Rivermont Collegiate
There are still 2 more weeks of Summer Camp at Rivermont Collegiate!

4th-8th Grades:

Have some fun with your favorite gym teacher and his mom, Mrs. Pillow in Physical Adventures with Mr. Pillow.  Learn about different cultures and their unique art techniques in Cultural Art (this class will share their art with the 1st-3rd graders in Cultural Food)!  Sign up for Murals and create a beautiful mural to be donated to Juan Diez Rancheros,

a non-profit horse ranch in Davenport that provids programs for abused or tramatized kids. Or, go on a bug hunt with Mr. Knupp in Insect Collecting. (There are lots of openings in these 4 classes)

1st-3rd Grades:

Have some fun with your favorite gym teacher and  his mom, Mrs. Pillow in  Physical Adventures with Mr. Pillow.  Learn about different cultures and cook some of their food in Cultural Foods (this class will share their food with the

4th-8th graders in Cultural Art)!  Go on a bug hunt with  Mr. Knupp in Insect Collecting, or do some wild and crazy science experiments in Wacky Chemistry. (There are still several openings in these 4 classes)

PreSchool-Kindergarten:

Learn about growing tomatos, peppers, and more in Edible Plants.  Jump into fantastic science experiments with Soaking up Science or Science Superstars.  Learn about life under the sea in Commotion in the Ocean. (Space is very limited in these 4 classes)
Don't miss out on the best summer enrichment camp in the Quad Cities! Click the link above to download your brochure today!
20 Jul 2012

Local residents named to Drake University's Honors Lists

By Alyssa Cashman

DES MOINES, IA (07/19/2012)(readMedia)-- The following local residents received a grade point average of 4.0 and have been named to the Drake University President's List for the Spring 2012 semester:

Kathryn Hamilton of Blue Grass

Stephanie Merrick of Eldridge

Daniel Pelletier of Davenport

Jordan Porter of Eldridge

Hayley Thomson of Davenport

Matthew Van of Coal Valley

The following local residents achieved a GPA of 3.5 or above and were named to the Drake University Dean's List for the Spring 2012 semester:

Taylor Bender of Eldridge

Lindsey Garner of East Moline

Talor Gray of Port Byron

Tori Groves of Port Byron

Eric Hartmann of Davenport

Ryan Hendricks of Rock Island

Hailey Kitzmann of Blue Grass

Marlana Kulig of Coal Valley

Taylor Larson of Coal Valley

Steven Merrick of Eldridge

Holly Nelson of Eldridge

Chelsea Rink of Davenport

Claire Vandercar of East Moline

Drake is a private, independent university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an enrollment of approximately 3,300 full-time undergraduate students from 50 states and 50 countries. Drake University's mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.

20 Jul 2012

Simon sponsors education resolution at Lt. Governors' conference

By Rick Martin

Proposal encourages states to advance higher education attainment

CHICAGO - July 18, 2012. A champion of education, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today urged fellow lieutenant governors to make high school graduation and college degree completion a higher priority in their states.

Simon's resolution before the National Lieutenant Governors Association's conference in Chicago asks member states to collaborate with school districts, employers, and institutions of higher education to ensure that high school graduation rates increase and students are better prepared to enroll in college or enter the workforce.

Simon, the NLGA's Midwest Region Chair, serves as Governor Quinn's point person on education reform and is leading the charge to increase the proportion of the Illinois' working-age population holding a college degree or certificate to 60 percent by 2025. The 50th anniversary conference event includes 30 "seconds in command" from around the country and is expected to generate $600,000 in hotel, transportation, restaurant and tourism revenue.

"Nationwide, we see a trend of high school seniors either not graduating in four years with their class, or graduating unprepared for college- or career-level work," Simon said. "This resolution aims to open a dialogue within and between states on how we can boost high school achievement, degree completion and competitiveness in the workforce."

This resolution is an extension of Simon's educational work in Illinois. This spring, Simon moved legislation through the General Assembly that will require the state Board of Education to create math curriculum models for middle and high school students. The optional statewide curricula aims to better prepare high school graduates for college or a career - by reducing the need for costly remedial classes, or making students more employable for in-demand manufacturing jobs.

According to Complete College America, in the next decade more than 60 percent of all new jobs will require an advanced degree or credential, though the higher education attainment rate of adults in the United States is currently 38 percent. In order to meet that gap, 22 million students nationwide need to earn a post-secondary degree or certificate over the coming decade.

"Our states and country can only remain competitive in the global marketplace if we anticipate its needs now," Simon said. "By strengthening our middle and high school curriculums now, we will help put our students on a path of achievement and success."

To bring a policy item before the NLGA, a resolution must be co-sponsored by two lieutenant governors, one from each political party. Six additional resolutions will be considered today, including one on Alzheimer's treatment and prevention, and one on broadband internet development. The lieutenant governors will take a final vote on all resolutions on Friday. Today serves as a review period before the executive committee where lieutenant governors can ask questions of the sponsors and suggest changes to the resolution.

The NLGA is a bipartisan, nonprofit, professional organization for elected officials who are first in line of succession to the governors in the United States and five territorial jurisdictions. The NLGA's inaugural meeting was held in Chicago in 1962 and has returned this summer to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

image001.png

###
18 Jul 2012

University of Kansas announces Spring 2012 honor roll

By Christy Little

LAWRENCE, KS (07/17/2012)(readMedia)-- More than 4,200 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring 2012 semester. The students, from KU's Lawrence campus and the schools of allied health and nursing in Kansas City, Kan., represent 92 of 105 Kansas counties, 42 other states and the District of Columbia, and 31 other countries.

The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in the schools of allied health; architecture, design and planning; business; education; engineering; journalism; music; nursing; pharmacy; and social welfare.

Area honorees are as follows:

Lindsay Formanek, of Victor. Formanek is a graduate of H.L.V. Jr-Sr High School and is a Prof 1 in pharmacy. She was named to the School of Pharmacy 2012 Spring Honor Roll.

Paula Samuelson, of Davenport. Samuelson is a graduate of (not specified) and is a senior in occupational studies and occupational therapy. She was named to the School of Allied Health 2012 Spring Honor Roll.

Honor roll criteria vary among the university's academic units. Some schools honor the top 10 percent of students enrolled, some establish a minimum grade-point average, and others raise the minimum GPA for each year students are in school. Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.

17 Jul 2012

NEA delegates pass resolutions that are heavy on left-wing politics, light on education

By Steve Gunn
By Steve Gunn
EAGnews.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Not long ago, we received a message from a very upset public school teacher who said she wants everyone to "keep education out of politics."
That would be a lot easier if the National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers union, would get out of the political game.
But the NEA long ago established itself as a cornerstone of the Democratic Party. It spends millions of dollars every election cycle on Democratic candidates at the federal, state and local levels. It stakes out liberal policy positions on issues ranging from immigration and foreign policy to gay marriage.
And its leaders have never been shy about taking potshots at Republicans and their loyalty to the free market system that has served our nation for centuries.
If the union is so eager to play soldier on the political battle field, how can its leaders whine when the opposition shoots back? They can attack Republicans, but when GOP forces return fire, they accuse them of "attacking teachers."
They shouldn't be able to have it both ways, but somehow they pull it off.
It's obvious that the union's first priority is partisan politics. The few Republican union members who attended the recent NEA Representative Assembly in Washington, D.C. said it felt like an Obama campaign rally. They were booed and harassed when a few of them dared speak in favor of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
And if the pro-Obama atmosphere was not enough, the list of resolutions adopted at the meeting made it clear that this union is run by liberals with a very one-sided agenda.
Two Wisconsin teachers, Kristi Lacroix and Tracie Happel, tracked a number of resolutions that were introduced at the NEA Representative Assembly and addressed them in their weekly online newsletter, "Freedom from Teachers' Unions."
Below is a quick sketch of some of the issues the NEA considers worthy of its time and attention. Note that most of the items lack any connection to the improvement of K-12 public education. Who cares about that, when there's an election to be won?
The educators address everything but education
New Business Item 3: NEA shall compile a list of individuals and corporations who contribute $250,000 or more to "Super PACs" and additional activities. The list shall include companies and the products they control. The information shall be published in the NEA Today prior to March 1, 2013.
We're pretty sure they were referring to conservative Super PACs. Nothing like boycotting the companies that support your political opponents. This reminds us of the union thugs in Wisconsin who last year threatened to boycott local businesses that refused to display a pro-labor sign in their windows.
Sickening.
New Business Item 53: NEA will assist affiliates with planning for policy changes under the Affordable Care Act, augmented by cooperation with the Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare Organization, all in support of the longstanding NEA goal of establishing a universal single payer healthcare system.
The union is clearly celebrating the recent Supreme Court victory for Obamacare, and is making it clear that it's ready and willing to help push for an even more socialized health care system. A lot of kids may never learn to read, but the union is determined to get them "free" health insurance.

New Business Item 14: NEA will publicly oppose any policy of U.S. military action against Iran and will restate our belief that diplomatic and nonviolent means are preferable in resolving international political differences. Further, we will make this position known in an open letter to the President and Congress.
Amazingly, this radical motion was not adopted by the delegates. Apparently a few of them have the good sense to realize that Iran may very well employ nuclear weapons against Israel if we allow the Iranians to build them. Perhaps Secretary of State Hillary Clinton got on the phone to her union friends and told them to get real about a very serious foreign policy challenge.
The delegates did approve an item officially recognizing the International Day of Peace each September 21.
A few "education" items
Lo and behold, Lacroix and Happel came across a few "new business items" that were somewhat related to education. But as you might have guessed, they were completely self-serving.
New Business Item 62: The NEA, in conjunction with state affiliates, encourages organizing efforts in non-union public charter schools and will broadly share with state and local affiliates key information ... that is relevant to any efforts by local and state affiliates attempting to organize non-union public school charter staffs.
If you can't beat the competition, convince them to join you. At least you can add more names to your dwindling membership list and gain a lot more revenue through dues deductions.

New Business Item 35: The NEA ... shall publish an article on the U.S. Conference of Mayors' endorsement of parent trigger laws, and report on the concern that parent trigger laws conflict with NEA criteria for creating charter schools.
Parent trigger laws allow citizens whose children attend failing schools to pursue a number of remedies, including the replacement of teachers or a transition to charter school status. The union defends its members, even if they're failing in the classroom. It certainly doesn't want any of them replaced with non-union charter school teachers. The status quo must be maintained and angry parents must be kept at a safe distance.
New Business Item 41: NEA will encourage its state and local affiliates to help gather any written communications received from teacher recruitment organizations and/or their operatives that discourage member empowerment and activity in the work of the Association. NEA will then support its local and state affiliates in communicating the inappropriateness of this behavior.
We think this item refers to the growing popularity of the Association of American Educators, a professional association that represents the interests of teachers without engaging in collective bargaining or other typical union activities. More and more teachers are quitting the union and joining AAE or similar groups, and the NEA wants to stop the bleeding.
Contact Steve Gunn at sgunn@edactiongroup.org or (231) 733-4202
17 Jul 2012

UNIV. OF IOWA SPRING 2012 HONORS LIST

By Jody

UI students named to President's List for spring 2012

Some 280 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the President's List for the 2012 spring semester.  Included in that list is Carissa Marie Dewaele, a Liberal Arts and Sciences major, from Moline.

The President's List was established in the fall of 1983 to recognize academic excellence. In order to be included on the list, a student must have a minimum 4.0 grade point average (4.0 is an A) in all academic subjects for the preceding two semesters, with a total of at least 12 semester hours of credit per semester during that period.

UI students named to Dean's List for spring 2012

Some 3,900 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the Dean's List for the 2012 spring semester. Local students who made this list are as follows:

from Moline, IL:

  • Melissa Diane Dawkins, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Carissa Marie Dewaele, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Ross Parker Elliott, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • William Exon Elliott, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Samantha Nicole McCarthy, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Alana Christine McGinnis, Nursing
  • Mary Tedford McLaughlin, Liberal Arts and Sciences


from Rock Island, IL

  • Ashley Michelle Colman, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Casey Patrick Cunningham, Business
  • Kevin Robert Johnson, Engineering
  • Nick Henry Neppl, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Christina Joanne Richmond, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Brittney Janae Ross, Nursing

The guidelines for inclusion on the list are as follows:

Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Tippie College of Business who achieve a grade point average of 3.50 or higher on 12 semester hours or more of UI graded course work during a given semester or summer session and who have no semester hours of I (incomplete) or O (no grade reported) during the same semester are recognized by inclusion on the Dean's List for that semester.

Undergraduate students in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine may qualify for the Dean's List with fewer than 12 semester hours of graded credit if deemed appropriate by the college.

Beginning fall 2011, College of Nursing students participating in clinical courses must have a total of 12 semester hours of earned credit, with 8 semester hours of graded credit with a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

17 Jul 2012

UW-MADISON SPRING 2012 GRADS LIST

By Mark Lucas

MADISON - Roughly 6,000 students participated in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's spring commencement ceremonies May 18-20.

Former Yahoo! CEO and UW alum Carol Bartz delivered the charge to graduates at commencement ceremonies held at the Kohl Center.

For more information about UW-Madison commencement, visit http://commencement.wisc.edu .
Here is a list of the degree recipients from your circulation area:

From Bettendorf IA:

 

  • Paul Michael Latarte, Master of Business Administration, Business: General Management
  • Maria Elena Ontiveros, Bachelor of Science, Chinese, International Studies
  • Kathrine Alice Rogers, Master of Arts-Library and Information Studies, Library and Information Studies


from Davenport IA

  • Jillian Rae Flahaven, Master of Arts-Library and Information Studies, Library and Information Studies
  • Meghan Elizabeth Khoury, Bachelor of Science-Consumer Affairs, Consumer Affairs


from Moline IL

  • Brennan Lynn Price, Bachelor of Science-Natural Sciences with Honors, Wildlife Ecology

 

-30-

16 Jul 2012

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Increase Fiscal Responsibility at State Universities

By Nafia Khan

New Law Will Limit Use of Expensive Search Firms and Require Universities to Further Improve Hiring Practices

CHICAGO - July 14, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law to increase fiscal responsibility at state universities in Illinois by limiting their use of search firms. This law will help ensure that universities capitalize on existing resources instead of automatically hiring search firms, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is the latest action taken by Governor Quinn to protect taxpayer money and ensure efficiency at our public universities.

"We want the best and brightest from across America to oversee our universities but recruiting should not come at the expense of the education of our students," Governor Quinn said.  "Universities have a responsibility to maintain fiscal responsibility while making sure that students receive affordable, world-class educations."

Sponsored by Rep. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), House Bill 5914 will allow state universities to hire external search firms only when hiring university presidents or when the current president and board of trustees prove there is a need for hiring guidance. The new law, which will further improve hiring practices, was designed to ensure that universities do no hire expensive search firms rather than using university leadership to conduct a search using existing resources.

"In this economic climate we can ill afford such extravagances, particularly when most universities in Illinois get by just fine without using them," said Rep. Rose. "I appreciate the Governor's interest in this issue and his signing of the bill today."

The law also requires state universities, including the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and Western Illinois University, to implement policies for conducting hiring searches.

The new law goes into effect Jan. 1, and universities will have six months from Jan. 1 to implement search policies.

 

###

16 Jul 2012

Anthony Liston Graduates from Spring Arbor University

By readMedia

SPRING ARBOR, MI (07/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Spring Arbor University is pleased to announce that Anthony Liston from Davenport was granted a degree during commencement exercises on Saturday, May 12.

Anthony Liston of Davenport received a Master of Arts in Communication .

Spring Arbor University is a private, four-year, Christian liberal arts university located eight miles west of Jackson, Mich. With a total enrollment around 4,200, the University is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church of North America and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.