How New “Fiscal Cliff” Laws Impact Higher Education
After months of failed negotiations, the United States Congress saved the nation from the so-called “fiscal cliff” late Tuesday evening as the House of Representatives passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 with a final vote of 257 to 167, averting automatic tax increases and indiscriminate spending cuts.
Current Benefits
One noted benefit of the legislation’s passing is the extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit through 2017. Launched as part of the stimulus bill in 2009, the American Opportunity Tax Credit helps families pay for college by providing a maximum $2,500 credit annually to help cover the costs of book…
Dave’s ESL Café: The Best ESL Resource on the Web?
If you teach English as a Second Language (ESL) there are a plethora of resources on the Internet for curriculum development, job seeking, and connecting with other educators. One of the most popular web resources, by and large, is Dave's ESL Cafe, a free resource for ESL and EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers all over the world.
Started in 1995 by Los Angeles multimedia consultant Dave Sperling, the site attracts millions of hits monthly. Having spent almost a decade teaching in Thailand and Japan before becoming a published author and multimedia consultant, Sperling strives to connect both teachers and students all over the globe. His site offers job postings, lesson-planning materials and discussion forums, among other resources. Here are some ways in which educators can take advantage of this useful site:
A Word or Two…About Writing
This blog was originally published on Finding Common Ground at Education Week by Peter DeWitt on December 30, 2012 9:35 A.M.
Every now and then we pick up books that help us find our way out of the box we have been living in. Some people read all year long. Others read in pockets of time throughout the year.
Which kind of reader are you?
I read mostly articles and blogs but I am always looking for a good book. As much as we may go searching for them, some of the best books find us. Ov…
U.S. Improving in Math and Science, According to New Reports
New test score findings have indicated that the United States does not lag as far behind in math, science, and reading as earlier reports had suggested. According to Education Week, the United States scored “above average” in comparison to the 63 countries tested in fourth- and eighth-grade science, mathematics and reading. These scores contrasted significantly with the PISA, or Program for …
December 14, 2012: A Tragic Day
This blog was originally published on Finding Common Ground at Education Week by Peter DeWitt on December 15, 2012 9:15 A.M.
On Friday, every educator and administrator who is fortunate enough to work with students, regardless of whether they are in a primary or secondary school, had a piece of themselves taken away.
Every day in an elementary school is a good day. However, the month of December in an elementary school is filled with magic and excitement.
In their spare time students d…
High-Needs Schools to Lengthen School Day and Academic Year
The National Center on Time and Learning and the Ford Foundation recently announced their plans to help high-needs schools catch up on standardized test scores, as well as reap the advantages of electives and enrichment activities rarely offered to their students. The idea? With the aid of grant money, schools will lengthen the school day and year by approximately 300 hours. The anticipated start for the plan is the 2013-14 school year.