Friday, April 15, 2011

WASHINGTON - In anticipation of the upcoming debate to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known in its current form as No Child Left Behind, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania introduced legislation last night which would make sure that federal education policy no longer overlooks the needs of high-ability students.

The new proposal is called the TALENT Act, or the To Aid Gifted and High-Ability Learners by Empowering the Nation's Teachers Act.

The senators said the provisions in their bill, S.857, are designed to correct the lack of focus on high-ability students, especially those students in underserved settings, including rural communities, by including them in the school, district, and state planning process that already exists under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  The bill would raise the expectation that teachers have the skills to address the special learning needs of various populations of students, including gifted and high-ability learners.  It would provide for professional development grants to help general education teachers and other school personnel better understand how to recognize and respond to the needs of high-ability students.

The legislation also retools and builds upon the goals and purpose of the existing Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act so that education policy makers would continue to explore and test strategies to identify and serve high-ability students from underserved groups.  The senators said that these strategies should then be put into the hands of teachers across the country.

"America can no longer afford to ignore the needs of our brightest students and, by doing so, squander their potential.  Our legislation would make the modifications needed to federal education policy to develop and encourage the high achievement that's possible for so many gifted and talented students and, in turn, enhance the future prosperity of our nation," Grassley said.

"We must train our teachers to identify and encourage gifted and high-ability learners, particularly in underserved communities," said Casey.  "The potential of our children must be maximized for their sake and for the sake of our long-term economic growth."

Casey serves on the Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee, which is currently working through a bipartisan committee process to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Grassley has been a leading advocate in Congress for gifted and talented children.  Among other efforts, he sponsored legislation that became part of the original No Child Left Behind Act to expand the availability of gifted education services.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/12/2011)(readMedia)-- More than 40 juniors and seniors are now members of the Augustana circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), a national leadership honor society. The 17 seniors and 24 juniors are considered top leaders within the classroom and extracurricular achievements, a privilege afforded to just 3 percent of the total population of students at Augustana.

Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes and promotes accomplishments in the areas of academics, athletics, service, social and religious activities, campus government, journalism, speech, mass media, and creative and performing arts.

"Students elected to Omicron Delta Kappa not only do excellent work in their studies, but also are leaders in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. Week after week they enrich the total life of this campus," says Dr. Norm Moline, Hamming Professor of Geography and faculty secretary to Augustana ODK Circle. "All faculty members and students owe them a big thanks for their many contributions to make this a good place in and out of the classroom."

Courtney Brown, a junior from Port Byron, IL is majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Theodore Teros, a senior from Moline, IL is majoring in philosophy.

Emily Voigt, a senior from Bettendorf, IA is majoring in business administration marketing.

Jennifer Youngs, a senior from Taylor Ridge, IL is majoring in psychology and political science.

"I am excited to be a part of ODK because I look forward to working together with fellow students to perform different projects and take part in other leadership opportunities on campus," said Brown.  "It is important to me to be a part of ODK because of the great values that come with being a part of it. It is a very high honor and I am so greatful to have been inducted."

Omicron Delta Kappa was established in 1914 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. Augustana's circle started in 1962 and currently has 49 members, including sixteen previously elected seniors. The goal of the national college honor society is to give recognition for leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to support development of general campus citizenship.

DES MOINES, IA (04/08/2011)(readMedia)-- The following local residents and pharmacy students at Drake University were recently named scholarship recipients:

Katie Hamilton of Blue Grass, IA, received a Foundation for Managed Care Pharmacy Scholarship. Hamilton, a third year student in Drake's professional pharmacy program, received $1000.

Christine Hoegner of Moline, IL, received a Walgreens Scholarship. Hoegner, a fourth year student in Drake's professional pharmacy program, received $3000.

Drake is a private, independent university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an enrollment of approximately 3,300 full-time undergraduate students from 45 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.

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ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/04/2011)(readMedia)-- 910 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2010-11 winter term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Katherine Voigt from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in biology.

Emily Voigt from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in business administration marketing.

Anna Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, IA, a sophomore majoring in history.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, IA, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Fenner Hengst from Bettendorf, IA, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Rayna Narvaez from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in psychology and Spanish.

Peter Wessels from Bettendorf, IA, a junior majoring in business administration advising and accounting.

Moselle Singh from Le Claire, IA, a sophomore majoring in anthropology.

Regina Jarrell from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in art.

Thomas Harris from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry and biology.

James Wiebler from Davenport, IA, a first year majoring in biology.

Kelsey Lovaas from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.

Gaetano Iaccarino from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in music general and anthropology.

Anthony Ash from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in accounting and business administration advising.

Trevor Fennelly from Davenport, IA, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Jasmine Brooks from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in political science.

Audrey Waner from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in art.

Anna Rusch from Davenport, IA, a first year majoring in business administration advising.

Nicholas Kendell from Davenport, IA, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Owen Engstrom from Davenport, IA, a junior majoring in political science.

Jacob O'Rourke from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in accounting and business administration advising.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, IA, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Cristina Stan from Davenport, IA, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

James Sales from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in biology.

Anna Letendre from Rock Island, IL, a sophomore majoring in business administration advising.

Matthew Nykaza from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in business administration marketing.

Wiktoria Pecak from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in chemistry.

Clare Kilbride from Rock Island, IL, a sophomore majoring in communication science and disorders.

Wesley Solether from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in English.

Katie Alms from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in English and music general.

Nathaniel McDowell from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in English and philosophy.

Timothy Gillman from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in geography.

Kathryn Pauls from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in geology and Spanish.

Andrew Shaffer from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in honors history major.

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Owen Pomije from Rock Island, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Katherine Rea from Rock Island, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Samuel Anderson from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in math and computer science.

Courtney Vandewiele from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in political science and accounting.

Sarah Potter from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in psychology.

Hannah Boyce from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in psychology and history.

Alexis Silvers from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in sociology.

Brianna Dyer from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in teaching English.

Christopher Hildreth from Rock Island, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Crystina Mayfield from Coal Valley, IL, a junior majoring in French and Africana studies.

Erica Aten from Coal Valley, IL, a junior majoring in psychology.

Michael Kautz from East Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in accounting.

Conner Martinez from East Moline, IL, a junior majoring in accounting.

Matthew Kustes from East Moline, IL, a senior majoring in business management information systems.

Amber Soike from East Moline, IL, a junior majoring in elementary education.

Leart Neziroski from East Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, IL, a sophomore majoring in psychology.

Kayla Papish from East Moline, IL, a senior majoring in teaching math and math.

Allison Brown from Milan, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Dalinda Widdop from Milan, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Brian Stone from Milan, IL, a senior majoring in teaching math and math.

Abdur Razzaque from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in accounting.

Michael Reeves from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in accounting.

Allison Hughes from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in accounting and business administration marketing.

Meghan Showers from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in Asian studies and political science.

Abigail House from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in biology.

Mark Stumphy from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology.

Anna Smith from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology and psychology.

Austin Boyle from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in business administration advising.

Felipe Aguilar from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in business administration management.

Amy Malmstead from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in business administration marketing.

Andrew Showers from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in computer science and philosophy.

Jasmin Landeros from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Lauren Kirik from Moline, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Madison Logan from Moline, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Jonathan Smith from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.

Calvin Vo from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.

Martha Ade from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in music general and English.

Alyssa Harmon from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in political science.

Kalin Showers from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in political science.

Justine Nuguid from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Courtney Mitten from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in psychology.

Audrey Taylor from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in teaching biology and biology.

Nicole Johnson from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in teaching English.

Mary Lambrecht from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in sociology and psychology.

Kjerstin Hurty from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in business administration advising.

Theodore Teros from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in philosophy.

Mohammed Hussain from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology, religion and pre-medicine.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, IL, a first year majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Ryan Hancock from Orion, IL, a senior majoring in geography.

Kayla Ferguson from Orion, IL, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.

Alyssa Zwicker from Orion, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Jenna Nelson from Orion, IL, a sophomore majoring in math and teaching math.

Amber Anderson from Port Byron, IL, a sophomore majoring in accounting and math.

Courtney Brown from Port Byron, IL, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Douglas Peters from Port Byron, IL, a sophomore majoring in neuroscience.

Lauren Reid from Sherrard, IL, a junior majoring in business administration marketing and communication studies.

Alexandra Jones from Sherrard, IL, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Megan Lecander from Sherrard, IL, a senior majoring in business administration management.

Chelsea Vickerman from Silvis, IL, a sophomore majoring in business administration advising.

Jennifer Youngs from Taylor Ridge, IL, a junior majoring in psychology and political science.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 70 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.