Aspen Institute and NCLB

The Aspen Institute is taking public comment on NCLB in preparation of the reauthorization of NCLB in 2007. Comments can be made directly at their site. Educators are often criticize for not taking part in policy making but here is a chance to have our voices heard.

Project Lifesaver

My local city police began Project Lifesaver which is being used by people with diabilities who may wander off. These individuals who may lack communication skills may not be able to express where they should be. The individual wears a wristband like a watchband that has a transmitter and emits a constant tracking signal 24/7. When the caregiver discovers their loved one missing, they call the police with a special tracking unit that can quickly locate the missing person. Project Lifesaver has been endorsed by the National Sheriff's Association (NSA). People with Alzheimer's Disease, Autism, Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Soto Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, traumatic brain injuries or other conditions that cause wandering are using the device as an extra security.

At my son's school, they have had two special needs students go to the bathroom by themselves and then walk out right of the building. While in both cases, the students were found, it leaves a school administrator biting their nails until the student is located. I was very excited when our local police decided to join Project Lifesaver and signed up my son who has autism. Obviously, I was eager to participate in Project Lifesaver knowing that he could have walked out the building like the other students. He wears his wristband like a watch and thinks he is a Spykid2. The band is completely waterproof and can't be taken off unless cut off - just like a hospital band. More special needs students are using the Lifesaver bands and I imagine as the program becomes more visible with the community, it will grow.

Our Science/Math President

In the President's State of the Union (SOTU) address this past Wednesday, the nation was promised that we would be number one in science and math by offering education reforms that would make our country competitive again just like in the days of the Apollo missions; however, no concrete details were presented. From the National Science Teachers Association's legislative update, the public has a better idea of what he wants to implement. Prior to the SOTU, Senators Domenici (R-NM), Bingaman (D-NM), Alexander (R-TN) and Mikulski (D-MD) recently introduced the Protect America’s Competitive Edge (PACE) Act, three bills designed to put into place the 20 recommendations contained in the National Academies of Science (NAS) report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm.

While announcement is welcomed, there is concern that PACE will not be able to hook a more talented teaching pool who will be willing to take the government money and teach with schools in need; however, with so many loosing their positions with the automakers, perhaps we will have career switchers willing to make the change for America's children.