Tuesday's Extra Credit Reading

ARR! Today be International Talk Like A Pirate Day. (I nearly forgot, but was reminded by Ms. Cornelius of A Shrewdness of Apes who brings us The Official British Version.)

Dell Computer has given cash grants to schools and other non-profits in order to upgrade their technology. The computer maker is seeking recipients for additional grants.

Heh. It seems as though somebody has finally told the mainstream media that teacher training is "Chaotic." (Now tell those of us who are actually in the classroom something that we didn't already know!) Key quote:

"Teacher education is the Dodge City of the education world ... it is unruly and chaotic," said Arthur Levine, the author of the report.

"Most education schools are engaged in a pursuit of irrelevance. They have not kept pace with the changing demographics, technology, global competition and pressures to raise student achievement."

USA Today has published an interesting exposé on teachers who blog. (Or would that be bloggers who teach?) See if your favorite teacher's site made the final cut and get a look at one of those who did.

What's in a name? Apparently, a lot of money. In Sheboygan, Wisconsin, they've sold the naming rights to the city's two high schools for $300,000. (I was surprised when I learned who bought them.) I guess nowadays everything has a price...

After a hiatus that has lasted more than a year, fans of the California-based Hipteacher will be pleased to learn that she's returned to the EduSphere!

Hey! Look! USA Today has an Op/Ed that tells everybody that Students aren't Intechangeable after all! (I know that this will come as a shock to some school administrators as well as a certain EduPolicy maker/enforcer...)

Would you believe that there is a science class in a Florida middle school that teaches Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) techniques? Believe it!

This week's Carnival of Education host, The Median Sib, is celebrating her first blogoversary. Congratulations Carol!

You know things are bad in a school district when parents show up at a board meeting, give a departing superintendent a standing ovation, and call for the resignation of an absent board member. (I guess that the beatings will continue until district morale improves...)
----------------------------Entries for this week's Carnival of Education are due today. Get details here and see our latest EduPosts there.