Education News Roundup: Nov. 1, 2012

Today’s Top Picks:

Education comes up in the lieutenant governor debate.
http://goo.gl/QyLtc (LHJ)
and http://goo.gl/6SBLy (CVD)
and http://goo.gl/coJsJ (KCPW)
and http://goo.gl/aUHWs (KUER)

Gov. Herbert talks education on Radio West.
http://goo.gl/OWMfs (Chrony)
and http://goo.gl/JMPYG (KUER)
And writes about it in the Trib.
http://goo.gl/pZZco

As someone who lives about a block-and-a-half from this school, ENR can vouchsafe that no trick-or-treaters at his door were dressed as either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney despite a political focus at Polk.
http://goo.gl/6p5QN (OSE)

New York Mayor Bloomberg kicks in $200,000 for an education issue on Idaho’s ballot.
http://goo.gl/Nsr2V (KTVB)

Is technology really changing the way students learn?
http://goo.gl/6DBrv (NYT)
or copies of the studies
http://goo.gl/3xFyw (Pew Internet & American Life Project) and http://goo.gl/m1hMC (Common Sense Media)

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TODAY’S HEADLINES
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UTAH

Lieutenant governor candidates debate campaign spending, voter turnout, education reform

Healthy economy, education Herbert’s focus

Polk Elementary preps future politicians at an early age

Teen recounts journey battling breast cancer

Students celebrate innovators by performing in tribute concert

Logan School District wary of planned development at 1200 East gravel pit site

Vernal middle school principal charged with sexual abuse Courts » David Alan Papadakos is accused of repeatedly molesting a relative.

Former teacher makes initial court appearance

Missing autistic boy found, mother arrested in Murray

Clearfield High School evacuated over bad smell

Salina, Ashmand Elementarys Appoint New Principals

Mother upset with school’s no cross-dressing policy

Provo school bars ‘boobies’ breast cancer bracelet

Davis County School survey

Grand opening for performance space

‘Cause this is Thriller: Kids dance to the scary classic

OPINION & COMMENTARY

Herbert’s agenda

Herbert a strong advocate for education

Utah Making Strides Toward Improving Education

Getting teacher evaluations right

Jerry Brown’s Tax Cliff
The second most important election next Tuesday.

Why Mitt Romney is a better choice for education reform

‘Just Let Me Teach’ armbands taking off

Snacks Sold in School Include Many Fried, Sweet, Salty Options

A Double Dose of Algebra
Intensive math instruction has long-term benefits

NATION

Education Issues Underscore Election Stakes at All Levels From presidential race to state initiatives, voters face policy choices

In Ohio, Teachers Run For Statehouse — And Could Give Obama A Boost

NYC mayor gave $200K to support Idaho education reform

PAC money floods local school board races

Kansas education board challenger spends nothing But Dems fear Wu may garner votes on straight-ticket GOP ballots

Technology Changing How Students Learn, Teachers Say

The Brain Trainers

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UTAH NEWS
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Lieutenant governor candidates debate campaign spending, voter turnout, education reform

With five days to go before elections day, Lt. Gov. Greg Bell and his Democratic Party challenger, Vince Rampton, traded barbs on voter turnout, public education spending, and higher education issues in a packed auditorium at Utah State University.
The debate capped a campaign season during which Bell has strived to convince votes to give the Gov. Gary Herbert administration its first full term, while Rampton — the son of the late Democratic Utah Gov. Cal Rampton — has argued for a political change for a state that has long had a “supermajority” of Republicans.
http://goo.gl/QyLtc (LHJ)

http://goo.gl/6SBLy (CVD)

http://goo.gl/coJsJ (KCPW)

http://goo.gl/aUHWs (KUER)

Healthy economy, education Herbert’s focus

Education and the creation of a business-friendly environment are the keys to Utah’s economic recovery, said Gov. Gary Herbert at a Hinckley Institute of Politics forum on Wednesday.
Doug Fabrizio interviewed the governor for the KUER program RadioWest. Herbert also took questions from the audience and from listener emails.
http://goo.gl/OWMfs (Chrony)

http://goo.gl/JMPYG (KUER)

Polk Elementary preps future politicians at an early age

OGDEN — Mitt Romney isn’t the only one looking to take over for President Barack Obama.
About 50 Polk Elementary students are also vying for the job and spent Tuesday convincing friends and family they were equal to the task with rousing speeches.
The students, ranging from third to sixth grades, are part of the Polk Enrichment Program, a pilot program new to the school and the Ogden School District this year. Twelve students from each of the participating grades upper grades are taken out of class for an hour a day for enrichment activities.
http://goo.gl/6p5QN (OSE)

Teen recounts journey battling breast cancer

SANDY — Morgan Watson is like every other teenager in many ways, but some things about her are exceptional.
She started kindergarten at age 4 because she was already reading, her mother Jana Pendleton said. She excelled at softball and is an aspiring thespian who enjoys drama and acting.
And she became a breast cancer survivor before she was able to get a driver’s license.
The Herriman High graduate — and current Utah State University student — was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 15 after noticing a lump one day while in the shower. Women have a 1 and 28 chance of contracting breast cancer between the ages of 60 and 70. But as a teenager the risk is less than 1 in 20,000.
“Initially, I was terrified for my life,” she said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be alive for my next birthday. Every day was treasured as if it was my last.”
Watson spoke to students Wednesday at Jordan High School as part of the Susan G. Komen “I Am the Cure” campaign — a health program that teaches women simple steps of identifying cancer and potential health problems.
http://goo.gl/0b4U9 (DN)

http://goo.gl/orNdw (KSL)

http://goo.gl/xY2PA (KSTU)

Students celebrate innovators by performing in tribute concert

On Oct. 24, students from Salem Hills High performed in the annual Innovators concert. Participants showcased talents in dance, choir, band, art, drama, film and poetry in the school’s auditorium. The wide range of departments collaborating on the performance made for a unique showcase of student talent and extraordinary homage to innovators throughout history.
http://goo.gl/RHu5u (PDH)

Logan School District wary of planned development at 1200 East gravel pit site

Concerns that new proposed developments and changes in zoning near 1200 East could negatively affect schools in Logan led to a joint meeting between the Logan Municipal Council and the Logan City School District Board of Education.
http://goo.gl/b7kRN (LHJ)

Vernal middle school principal charged with sexual abuse Courts » David Alan Papadakos is accused of repeatedly molesting a relative.

A Vernal middle school vice principal has been charged with several counts relating to sexually abusing a child.
David Alan Papadakos, 43, was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, both first-degree felonies, and 10 counts of forcible sexual abuse, all second-degree felonies, according to documents filed Tuesday in 8th District Court in Uintah County.
Papadakos is accused of repeatedly molesting a male relative, according to a probable cause statement released Wednesday. Authorities first became aware of the allegations when the relative told a friend about the molestation, the statement said.
http://goo.gl/T0WKB (SLT)

http://goo.gl/nn7RT (DN)

Former teacher makes initial court appearance

ST. GEORGE — Lynn R. Lundstrom, a Hurricane music teacher charged with four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, made his initial appearance Wednesday in 5th District Court.
Lundstrom, who taught at Valley Academy Charter School, appeared via video conference from Purgatory Correctional Facility, where he is being held on $80,000 bond. His next appearance is set for 2:30 p.m. Monday. He will be represented by defense attorney Aric M. Cramer.
Officials at Valley Academy issued a statement Wednesday, one day after Lundstrom was arrested.
http://goo.gl/Uo4BU (SGS)

http://goo.gl/GSt8C (KUTV)

http://goo.gl/Zz7QU (KSTU)

http://goo.gl/c2MFZ (MUR)

Missing autistic boy found, mother arrested in Murray

A 6-year-old autistic boy taken by his non-custodial mother from a Bountiful elementary school Wednesday was recovered alive and well Thursday morning from a home in Murray.
Murray police spokesman Kenny Bass confirmed reports that Bountiful officers, assisted by Murray police, found both Riley James Martin and his mother, Heather Lee Martin, asleep at the residence about 9:15 a.m.
It was unclear what led police to the residence. Bountiful police did not immediately return calls seeking further details.
Heather Martin took the boy from the school Wednesday afternoon, despite the boy having recently been placed in protective status by the Division of Child and Family Services. Bountiful police said the paperwork for the court order apparently had not caught up with the school’s records, which still had mother listed as the boy’s custodial parent.
http://goo.gl/ZbLbg (SLT)

http://goo.gl/xMqoT (OSE)

http://goo.gl/8zRJ6 (DN)

http://goo.gl/CfRcO (KUTV)

http://goo.gl/s2zu9 (KTVX)

http://goo.gl/AFldi (KSL)

http://goo.gl/JTBKS (KSTU)

Clearfield High School evacuated over bad smell

CLEARFIELD, Utah – A backed up kitchen drain line forced the evacuation of the main campus building at Clearfield High School Thursday morning.
School officials originally reported that a sewer line break was caused by some back up in the pipes.
They later clarified that it was a grease trap clog in the kitchen that caused a bad smell to go throughout the main building.
http://goo.gl/mPC32 (KTVX)

Salina, Ashmand Elementarys Appoint New Principals

Both Ashman and Salina Elementary Schools have announced new principals. After spending the past 5 years as principle at Salina Elementary, Jade Shepherd was named the new principal at Ashman Elementary in Richfield on October 17. Shepherd takes over for Principle Teresa Robinson, who retired the second week of October. Former Vice Principle Lisa Crane will take over for Shepherd as principal at Salina Elementary. Crane as been part of the Salina Elementary staff for the past 12 years, and started her new position on Monday, October 29th.
http://goo.gl/01eYY (MUR)

Mother upset with school’s no cross-dressing policy

SANDY — One Utah mother says the dress code for Halloween costumes at her daughter’s middle school sends a bad message.
Brooke McAllister is concerned because she feels the school’s policy banning cross-dressing costumes discriminates against some Utah families. And it all started with an email she received from the school.
“When I read the Halloween guidelines, it said, ‘No masks, no weapons, no cross dressing,’ ” McAllister said.
McAllister said her 13-year-old daughter dressed up as a police officer Wednesday for Elk Ridge Middle School’s Halloween festivities, but she modified the costume to be as feminine as possible because of the no cross dressing policy. McAllister feels the policy discriminates against gay families.
http://goo.gl/gOhZw (KSL)

Provo school bars ‘boobies’ breast cancer bracelet

PROVO — A Provo elementary school principal confiscated a 12-year-old boy’s “I (heart) boobies” bracelet for breast cancer awareness, deeming it too risque for the classroom.
The boy’s mother, Jena van Frankenhuijsen says she understand there’s a snicker factor to wearing something that says “boobies” when you’re a 12-year-old boy. But she also says she supports her son wearing it and disagrees with the school that it confuses younger children.
Provo schools Associate Superintendent Greg Hudnall told The Salt Lake Tribune that the district doesn’t bar students from wearing items touting breast cancer messages. But he says the issue is what’s appropriate at the elementary school level.
http://goo.gl/1BRqs (OSE)

http://goo.gl/jfAJu (PDH)

http://goo.gl/aixMs (KTVX)

http://goo.gl/Zid5R (MUR)

Davis County School survey

The Davis School District is seeking comments on three proposed calendar options for the 2012-13 school year. See them at www.davis.k12.ut.us and take a survey on your preference.
http://goo.gl/rXvIm (SLT)

Grand opening for performance space

OGDEN — DaVinci Academy celebrates the grand opening of its new performance space, the Black Box Theatre, with a reception and a production of the retro spook treat “Little Shop of Horrors.”
The grand opening reception is at 7 p.m. today at the school, 2033 Grant Ave. The last three performances of the school’s run of “Little Shop of Horrors” are at 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday.
http://goo.gl/TFTvT (OSE)

‘Cause this is Thriller: Kids dance to the scary classic

SALT LAKE CITY — Middle-schoolers awakened the “funk of 40,000 years” for Halloween on Wednesday.
About 90 sixth- and eighth-graders danced to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” on the school’s playground in their Halloween costumes as part of the school’s celebration of the holiday.
http://goo.gl/sJIPA (DN)

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OPINION & COMMENTARY
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Herbert’s agenda
Salt Lake Tribune op-ed by Gov. Gary Herbert

When I took office as governor in August 2009, I laid out a bold goal: Utah will lead the nation as the best performing economy and be recognized as a premiere global business destination. I am as committed to that goal today as I was then, and I am even more confident in our ability to achieve it.
…
To get there, I have set clear goals. First, 66 percent of all Utah adults must have either a college degree or a skilled trade certificate by the end of the decade. Second, 90 percent of third-, sixth- and eighth-grade students must be proficient in reading and mathematics. And third, 90 percent of high school students must take the ACT exam to ensure they are prepared for post-secondary education.
By achieving these goals, our state will be armed with an educated and skilled workforce necessary to propel our economy.
While two of every three dollars in our state budget are already dedicated to education, our growing economy allowed us to add $200 million to support Utah students this past year.
Innovation is also critical to our education goals. We will continue to embrace technological advances to help our teachers and students. We will increase our focus on establishing basic skills at a young age — teaching our children to read so they can read to learn.
And we will call on parents, business leaders and others to be more involved in education at home and as volunteers in the classroom.
http://goo.gl/pZZco

Herbert a strong advocate for education
(Provo) Daily Herald op-ed by Val Hale, president of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce

Utah businesses compete in a global marketplace and Utah students must be prepared to face the world’s toughest competition.
Gov. Gary Herbert is Utah’s strongest advocate for education, having declared it his top budget priority. During the most challenging months of the Great Recession, the governor protected public education from cuts. While other states balanced their budgets by cutting education funds, our governor stood strong, recognizing the direct link between education and economic growth.
http://goo.gl/BmjPh

Utah Making Strides Toward Improving Education Utah Policy commentary by Derek Miller, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor

Something remarkable occurred this month that, with the benefit of hindsight, will be regarded as a seminal moment in advancing education in our state. The well-attended but low-key event was the Governor’s Education Summit, a gathering of educators, community and state officials, and business leaders. While the room was full to capacity and the breadth of representation was extraordinary, what made this summit remarkable, and why it will be remembered as a key turning point in education efforts, is that it represents a coming together of diverse groups and interests in a united effort to accomplish the Governor’s goal of “66% by 2020.”
I have written about this goal before (that 66% of adult Utahns will have a post-secondary degree or professional certification by the year 2020), as part of the Governor’s objectives for his Education “cornerstone.” In fact, the Governor has been talking about it for quite some time. What sets this moment apart is that the goal is no longer the Governor’s alone, but one that has been adopted by both the business and education communities.
http://goo.gl/YGd2f

Read more: Utah Pulse – Derek Miller Utah Making Strides Toward Improving Education

Getting teacher evaluations right
Deseret News commentary by columnist Mary McConnell

This morning’s Deseret News ran a very interesting article, with the headline, “A better way to grade teachers: Grading on how teachers promote student learning rather than test scores.”
Actually, the headline is a little misleading, since test scores ARE included in the evaluation http://goo.gl/C4AnF

Jerry Brown’s Tax Cliff
The second most important election next Tuesday.
Wall Street Journal editorial

The most important single vote in America next Tuesday, after the Presidential race, is Governor Jerry Brown’s attempt to stick Californians with another giant tax increase. Mr. Brown and his labor allies say Proposition 30 will fix the state’s budget deficit and ward off education cuts. But the real choice before voters is whether to issue Sacramento’s incorrigible spendthrifts another blank check.
Two years ago the Governor staged a bow to democracy by pledging that he wouldn’t raise taxes without a vote of the people. The truth is he couldn’t pick off enough Republicans in the legislature for a tax increase without delivering significant pension reforms, which government unions won’t allow. Thus the last-ditch resort to the ballot box.
The Brown-union plan includes a “millionaire’s tax” that kicks in at $250,000, three new income brackets for high earners and an increase in the top rate to 13.3% from 10.3% for individuals and many small business owners making more than $1 million. This would give California the highest income tax in the country, leaping over Hawaii’s 11%. Oh, and by the way, these higher rates would be retroactive to this year.
http://goo.gl/5dxjU

Why Mitt Romney is a better choice for education reform CNN op-ed by Jeanne Allen, founder and president of The Center for Education Reform

“We can fix our schools because we don’t get the biggest share of our campaign donations from the teachers’ unions.”
This short, simple statement from Gov. Mitt Romney in an October 24 speech in Nevada sums up the real distinction between education reformers and protectors of the status quo, and reveals why when it comes to education policy, Romney would be a superior president – because he promised to put children, parents and teachers first, and to “put the teachers’ unions behind.”
http://goo.gl/hPFy5

‘Just Let Me Teach’ armbands taking off
Washington Post commentary by columnist Valerie Strauss

Justin Oakley, 35, is a self-described lifelong Hoosier, who has been a teacher for 10 years and is sick and tired of school reformers telling him and his fellow teachers how to do their jobs.
Oakley, who has been president of the Martinsville Classroom Teachers Association, had waged a months-long campaign to be nominated as Indiana’s Democratic Party candidate for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, but he dropped out of the race and is backing veteran educator Glenda Ritz for State Superintendent of Public Instruction against state schools superintendent Tony Bennett.
This is one of the most important education elections in the country. Because Bennett has pushed the privatization of public education further than just about any other state superintendent, the outcome of this race matters. If he is pushed out by a candidate who has far fewer resources than he does to wage a campaign, it would send a strong signal about how the public perceives his reform policies.
http://goo.gl/kiJ1M

Snacks Sold in School Include Many Fried, Sweet, Salty Options Education Week commentary by columnist Nirvi Shah

In the war on unhealthy snacks sold in schools, the opposition just launched another missile.
In a new report, researchers at the Kids’ Safe & Healthful Foods Project find that the majority of American children live in states where less-than-healthy snacks are readily available. And more nutritious options, such as fruits and vegetables, are harder to come by for those same kids.
http://goo.gl/gs9tb

A copy of the report
http://goo.gl/htZ40

A Double Dose of Algebra
Intensive math instruction has long-term benefits Education Next analysis by Kalena Cortes, Takako Nomi and Joshua Goodman

In 2008, president-elect Barack Obama declared that preparing the nation for the “21st-century economy” required making “math and science education a national priority.” He later signed legislation that provided incentives for states to adopt common standards intended to increase curricular rigor in these and other subjects. Encouraging more students to take advanced classes seems laudable, but concerns have arisen about the ability of many students to complete such course work successfully.
Students in urban high schools are of particular concern. Populated predominantly by low-income and minority students, these schools struggle with two related problems. First, many students do not earn passing grades in early courses that are thought to be prerequisites for more-advanced subjects. Second, students are at high risk of failing to earn their high school diplomas at all. In fact, only 65 percent of black and Hispanic students graduate high school, with little evidence that the graduation gap between them and white students has changed in the last few decades. One theory for these low high-school completion rates is that failures in early courses, such as algebra, interfere with subsequent course work, placing students on a path that makes graduation quite difficult.
http://goo.gl/9GF20

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NATIONAL NEWS
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Education Issues Underscore Election Stakes at All Levels From presidential race to state initiatives, voters face policy choices Education Week

Education policy and funding—from common standards and college access to the prospect of “doomsday” budget cuts—have been a steady theme in this year’s presidential campaign, even as more specific K-12 debates lighted the political landscape in various states.
And with the strategic balance in Congress in play, along with the makeup of 44 state legislatures and the fate of numerous education-related ballot measures, the Nov. 6 elections could have a lasting impact on the direction of precollegiate policy.
While the economy has commanded attention in the televised face-offs between President Barack Obama and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, both candidates have emphasized their credentials and records on education, Mr. Obama through his initiatives over the past four years, Mr. Romney through his record as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. Their speeches and debates illuminated sharp differences on the federal role in education.
http://goo.gl/NQ7hQ

In Ohio, Teachers Run For Statehouse — And Could Give Obama A Boost NPR It’s All Politics

Teachers unions in Ohio are supporting President Obama in the race for the White House. But way down the ballot, in races for the state Legislature, it’s teachers themselves who want some support on Nov. 6.
A dozen teachers, all of them Democrats, are running for seats in Ohio’s House and Senate. The surge is a byproduct of last year’s fight over Senate Bill 5, the state law that would have curbed public employees’ collective bargaining rights.
Teachers were instrumental in the successful fight to repeal SB 5 at the ballot box last November. And a bunch of them figured the only way to make sure something like SB 5 doesn’t come back is to run for office themselves this year.
http://goo.gl/aCzIz

NYC mayor gave $200K to support Idaho education reform (Boise, ID) KTVB

BOISE – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Joe Scott, the grandson of Joe Albertson, are listed as supporters of a nonprofit group that gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to the TV ad campaign supporting the education reform laws that will be on the ballot as Propositions 1, 2, and 3.
Fourth District Judge Mike Wetherell ruled Monday that Education Voters of Idaho (EVI) is required to disclose campaign finance activity under Idaho’s Sunshine act. He gave them until 3 p.m. today to reveal the names of the donors.
EVI released the list of donors to Secretary of State Ben Ysursa just minutes before the deadline.
Contributions to EVI totaled around $641,000. The two biggest contributors are Bloomberg and Scott, who donated $200,000 and $250,000, respectively.
http://goo.gl/Nsr2V

PAC money floods local school board races San Jose (CA) Mercury News

With an unprecedented surge of cash from charter schools and their high-tech backers, normally low-profile school board campaigns have morphed into big-bucks contests to elect charter-friendly candidates and defeat their challengers.
The six-figure spending by independent committees highlights the muscle of charter proponents in Santa Clara County, where the county Board of Education is rapidly approving charter schools that compete for students and funding with established public schools.
The most aggressive campaign appears to be aimed at Anna Song, who is running for her fourth term on the county Board of Education.
http://goo.gl/GcGjO

Kansas education board challenger spends nothing But Dems fear Wu may garner votes on straight-ticket GOP ballots Associated Press via Topeka (KS) Capital-Journal

A Republican who wants to oust a Democratic incumbent from the Kansas State Board of Education has raised almost nothing and said Wednesday that he plans to spend no money.
GOP challenger Jack Wu’s contest against Democrat Carolyn Campbell previously garnered attention because of Wu’s ties to an anti-gay Topeka church known for picketing military funerals.
Wu said he has always planned to spend nothing campaigning in the 4th board District in northeast Kansas. Reports filed by Wu with the secretary of state’s office show that through Saturday, he collected $5 in cash contributions, received $9.99 in donated goods and services, and spent zero.
“I don’t like asking for money,” Wu said. “It’s not my style.”
http://goo.gl/SOxrd

Technology Changing How Students Learn, Teachers Say New York Times

There is a widespread belief among teachers that students’ constant use of digital technology is hampering their attention spans and ability to persevere in the face of challenging tasks, according to two surveys of teachers being released on Thursday.
The researchers note that their findings represent the subjective views of teachers and should not be seen as definitive proof that widespread use of computers, phones and video games affects students’ capability to focus.
Even so, the researchers who performed the studies, as well as scholars who study technology’s impact on behavior and the brain, say the studies are significant because of the vantage points of teachers, who spend hours a day observing students.
The timing of the studies, from two well-regarded research organizations, appears to be coincidental.
http://goo.gl/6DBrv

Copies of the studies
http://goo.gl/3xFyw (Pew Internet & American Life Project)

http://goo.gl/m1hMC (Common Sense Media)

The Brain Trainers
New York Times

IN the back room of a suburban storefront previously occupied by a yoga studio, Nick Vecchiarello, a 16-year-old from Glen Ridge, N.J., sits at a desk across from Kathryn Duch, a recent college graduate who wears a black shirt emblazoned with the words “Brain Trainer.” Spread out on the desk are a dozen playing cards showing symbols of varying colors, shapes and sizes. Nick stares down, searching for three cards whose symbols match.
“Do you see it?” Ms. Duch asks encouragingly.
“Oh, man,” mutters Nick, his eyes shifting among the cards, looking for patterns.
Across the room, Nathan Veloric, 23, studies a list of numbers, looking for any two in a row that add up to nine. With tight-lipped determination, he scrawls a circle around one pair as his trainer holds a stopwatch to time him. Halfway through the 50 seconds allotted to complete the exercise, a ruckus comes from the center of the room.
“Nathan’s here!” shouts Vanessa Maia, another trainer. Approaching him with a teasing grin, she claps her hands like an annoying little sister. “Distraction!” she shouts. “Distraction!”
There is purpose behind the silliness. Ms. Maia is challenging the trainees to stay focused on their tasks in the face of whatever distractions may be out there, whether Twitter feeds, the latest Tumblr posting or old-fashioned classroom commotion.
On this Wednesday evening at the Upper Montclair, N.J., outlet of LearningRx, a chain of 83 “brain training” franchises across the United States, the goal is to improve cognitive skills. LearningRx is one of a growing number of such commercial services — some online, others offered by psychologists. Unlike traditional tutoring services that seek to help students master a subject, brain training purports to enhance comprehension and the ability to analyze and mentally manipulate concepts, images, sounds and instructions. In a word, it seeks to make students smarter.
http://goo.gl/7JP3e

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CALENDAR
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USOE Calendar
http://tinyurl.com/5x9oh9

UEN News
http://www.uen.org

November 1-2:
Utah State Board of Education meeting
250 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City
http://www.schools.utah.gov/board/Meetings/Agenda.aspx

November 8:
Utah State Charter School Board meeting
250 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City
http://1.usa.gov/Axtt5K

November 13:
Executive Appropriations Interim Committee meeting
1 p.m., 445 State Capitol
http://www.le.utah.gov/Interim/2012/html/00002224.htm

November 14:
Education Interim Committee meeting
2 p.m., 30 House Building
http://le.utah.gov/asp/interim/Commit.asp?Year=2012&Com=INTEDU

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