Cable in the Classroom Presents Education News Parents Can Use

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 54MB], the June 19, 2007 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This edition showcases several award-winning and effective summer learning programs; explores innovative strategies to academically engage and nurture low-income and disadvantaged youth during the summer; profiles corporate, community and library-based initiatives designed to encourage students to read and learn during the break; and spotlights the efforts of organizations dedicated to providing disadvantaged students with access to books and reading materials in the summer and throughout the year. Educators, policymakers, parents and community leaders will discuss key issues such as: Why is it important to sustain academic skills over the break and avoid the “summer slide?” What does an effective and high-quality summer learning program look like? What kinds of summer programs are available and who offers them? What types of summer reading programs are available to students and how can parents find out more about them? What can parents do during the summer encourage their children to continue learning? How can parents, schools, libraries and community organizations access free children’s books and reading materials? For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Technorati tags: summer school, summer programs, reading, informal learning, NCLB, parents, US Department of Education, cable, CIC, Cable in the Classroom, cableintheclassroom, tv, school, education, NCTA

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 54MB], the April 19, 2007 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.Today, parents have more choices than ever— they can choose from neighborhood schools, charter schools or other public schools of choice, or transfer their children to another public school in or out of district. Families can also select private schools, either religious or secular, or teach their children at home. Free tutoring programs are also available to families with students in certain low-performing schools. This episode highlights Bush Administration proposals to expand public and private school choice, as well as successful charter and school choice programs, as educators, policymakers and parent-leaders discuss key issues such as: What are the latest tools and options for parents under No Child Left Behind? How has the charter school and school choice movement impacted academic achievement? What does a high-performing choice program or charter school look like? If a child is attending a school “in need of improvement,” where does a parent go to find out information on school choice options and free tutoring providers? What are Opportunity Scholarships and how might they benefit parents whose children attend chronically underperforming schools? What kinds of new choice initiatives can parents look forward to under No Child Left Behind? What resources does the Department provide to inform parents about the full range of options available to them under the law? For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Those seeking more information about exemplary charter school programs might be interested in learning about those profiled in several past editions of Cable in the Classroom's Threshold, including most recently here.Finally, in concert with the producers of Education News Parents Can Use, we would like to add our heartfelt condolences to those touched by the recent Virginia Tech tragedy. Last fall, Cable in the Classroom partnered with the Council of Chief State School Officers to produce a special edition of Threshold focused on disaster preparedness in the 21st century, including advice and resources for school officials charged with emergency planning for schools.Technorati Tags: charters, charter school, school choice, school shooting, Virginia Tech, disaster preparedness, CIC, Cable in the Classroom, cableintheclassroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 55MB], the March 20, 2007 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.In an era when what students know is the most important factor in determining success, postsecondary education has never been more critical. Yet, there are far too many Americans who want to go to college but can’t, either because they’re not prepared or can’t afford it. In this episode, award-winning educators, university leaders, students and other experts discuss the Commission on the Future of Higher Education's final report and the Secretary' Action Plan for Higher Education, and explore how the Department, parents, schools, and higher education institutions together can put the Commission's recommendations into action to better prepare students for college, to help them succeed once enrolled, and to make college affordable. It addresses questions such as:Why is a college education more important than ever before? What federal, state and local strategies are helping us to meet this demand? How accessible is higher education? And how can we make it more affordable? How can we help students, especially minority youth, prepare for and succeed in college? How will the Commission on the Future of Higher Education’s final report and the Secretary’s Action Plan improve the accessibility, affordability and accountability of U.S. colleges and universities? When should parents and students start thinking about saving for college, and what programs and resources are available to help? For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Technorati Tags: college, university, financial aid, financialaid, pell grant, affordability, college admissions, student loan, college cost, CIC, Cable in the Classroom, cableintheclassroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 55MB], the February 20, 2007 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.To ensure that this and future generations of students have the math and science skills to be globally competitive, we must build a stronger foundation in these subjects in the early grades, and encourage more children to consider careers in math and science. This episode focuses on a series of targeted math and science-related investments the President has proposed under the American Competitiveness Initiative. As described in the program, the Initiative aims to strengthen K-12 math and science education in a number of innovative ways. It addresses questions such as:What is the “global economy” and what new demands does it place on our students and our schools? How does No Child Left Behind strengthen math and science? How will the 2007 science assessments help? How will the American Competitiveness Initiative help to improve math and science instruction, student competence and achievement, and ultimately close the achievement gaps? How can parents encourage their children to learn mathematics and science outside the classroom? What should students be learning in mathematics and science at the elementary, middle and high school grades? What must change in the way these subjects are currently being taught? How can we encourage all students, especially girls and minority students, to pursue math and science careers? For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Listeners may also be interested in the work of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, of which Cable in the Classroom is a founding board member, as well the Spring 2005 edition of Cable in the Classroom's Threshold (produced in partnership with NASA), which focused on the future of math and science education. In addition, science education is the theme of the March 2007 edition of Cable in the Classroom Magazine.Technorati Tags: Parents, News, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, 21st century skills, competitiveness, math, science, spellings, CIC, Cable in the Classroom, cableintheclassroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 52MB], the January 16, 2007 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This episode features examples of high-performing public schools that are meeting the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), where all students are succeeding. The program profiles these schools, featuring stories of their classrooms in action and conversations with principals and education experts about how assessment, accountability, parent options and a firm belief that all children can learn is raising the bar as never before. It addresses questions such as:Five years after being signed into law, how do we know that No Child Left Behind is working? What are the core principles of the law and what do they mean? How do they help students learn? How can the reforms of the law be extended to high school and beyond, and why is this important to American competitiveness? What kinds of options does No Child Left Behind offer to parents, especially those of students struggling in school? How can parents better take advantage of these choices or find out more about them? What are some examples of award-winning schools that have all children learning at grade level today, and what can other schools learn from their examples? What new ideas have strengthened No Child Left Behind over the years, such as growth model pilots, teacher incentives, and other initiatives? For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Technorati tags: Parents, News, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, CIC, Cable in the Classroom, cableintheclassroom, CICMy Podcast Alley feed! {pca-ae14fd9aa1f91a499da32048c2059486}

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 53MB], the September 20, 2005 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.The high school diploma symbolically marks the moment American youths enter adulthood. Yet, today, many students, particularly minority and disadvantaged youths, leave high school unprepared, often lacking the basic skills they need to get a high-wage job or to pursue postsecondary education and training. To succeed in a global economy shaped by technology and international competition, all high school students, regardless of their post-graduation plans, must acquire a high level of academic knowledge and skills during high school. This edition features special back-to-school tips and addresses issues such as: How do U.S. high schools need to change to meet the demands of the 21st century? How has No Child Left Behind impacted the academic performance of our country’s younger students, and how can its principles be expanded to our nation’s high schools? What high school strategies are showing measurable results in positively affecting the achievement gap? What are the most effective models of high school reform? What should parents be doing to ensure their middle and high school aged children are prepared to succeed in the new school year? For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Listeners may also be interested in the Spring 2006 edition of Threshold (produced in cooperation with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills), which focuses on high school reform and competitiveness.Technorati tags: Parents, News, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, high school reform, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 52MB], the October 18, 2005 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This episode explores what can be done to keep our children safe—before, during and after school—in the face of a natural catastrophe or other crisis. Examining the recent examples of the responses to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the program highlights ways that local, state and federal agencies, as well as teachers, principals, mental health professionals, law enforcement officials and others can respond when our children face a crisis. It addresses questions such as:What should schools and communities do to prepare for natural disasters and other traumatic events?What are the emotional, social and academic needs of students directly affected by the trauma of natural disasters or school violence?What are the key areas of recovery planning that all school and community crisis plans should address?How can I help keep my child safe at school, in my neighborhood and at home?Where can parents find resources and information on coping with the aftermath of a natural disaster or other traumatic event?For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Listeners may also be interested in the Fall 2006 edition of Cable in the Classroom's Threshold (produced in partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers) and in the September 2006 edition of Cable in the Classroom Magazine - both editions of which focused on emergency preparedness in the 21st century.Technorati tags: Parents, News, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, katrina, emergency preparedness, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 55MB], the November 15, 2005 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This program showcases successful inclusion programs in schools, profiles research-based, early identification and intervention initiatives to identify academic and behavioral problems in young children, and addresses questions such as:How is NCLB helping ensure the academic progress of children with disabilities?What are the key provisions of the reauthorized IDEA legislation and does it impact those involved with the special education process?What do parents need to know about early intervention for children suspected of having a disability and what challenges do these students and their families face?How have schools made it easier for parents to navigate the system as they create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for their student with a disability?How can students with disabilities be successfully integrated into general education classrooms?What is Positive Behavior Supports and what difference is it making in schools?For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Listeners may also be interested in the Winter 2005 edition of Cable in the Classroom's Threshold (produced in partnership with the Council for Exceptional Children) and in the January 2005 edition of Cable in the Classroom Magazine - both editions of which focused on innovations in educating students with disabilities.Technorati tags: Parents, News, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, special education, IDEA, IEP, positive behavioral support, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 55MB], the January 17, 2006 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.Recent statistics are telling: about 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs require postsecondary education, and on average, college graduates earn nearly twice as much as workers with only a high school diploma. In addition, our increasingly competitive global economy places even greater emphasis on the need for a college degree, as today’s jobs require advanced levels of skill and proficiency in math, science, and engineering. This episode focuses on ways we can ensure that all students gain access to a high quality postsecondary education and succeed once they get there. It addresses questions such as:What is the Secretary’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education and how is it working to improve and reform postsecondary education in the United States?Why is a college education more important than ever before? What federal, state and local strategies are helping us to meet this demand?How accessible is higher education? And how can we make it more affordable?How can we help students, especially minority youth, prepare for and succeed in college?When should parents and students start thinking about saving for college, and what programs and resources are available to help?For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Technorati tags: Parents, News, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, college admissions, college cost, higher education, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 55MB], the February 21, 2006 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.Today, emergent technologies and rapidly changing technical and manufacturing fields serve as powerful reminders that in order to keep up with our global competitors, we must ensure that all children succeed in mathematics and science. Unfortunately, many American students—especially minorities and high school students—are lagging behind and remain ill prepared for the complex demands of today’s high-tech economy. This program addresses questions such as:What is the “global economy” and what does it demand of our students and educational system?Why is it so critical for all children to become “literate” in mathematics and science today?How will the American Competitiveness Initiative help improve math and science instruction, student competence and achievement?How can parents encourage their children to learn mathematics and science outside the classroom?What should students be learning in mathematics and science at the elementary, middle and high school grades? What must change in the way these subjects are currently being taughtFor more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Listeners may also be interested in the Spring 2005 edition of Cable in the Classroom's Threshold (produced in partnership with NASA) and in the March 2006 and April 2006 editions of Cable in the Classroom Magazine - each of which focuses on the future of math and science education.Technorati tags: Parents, News, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, math, science, stem, 21st century skills, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 55MB], the March 21, 2006 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.Many students face persistent challenges that hold them back from growing into healthy, productive adults. Risky behaviors, including alcohol and drug abuse, violence and early sexual activity are among the top causes of disease and mortality among young people. This program focuses on what schools can do to engage children in their studies, promote healthy behaviors, and prepare students for successful lives after graduation. It addresses questions such as:What is the Helping America's Youth Initiative and how is it engaging Americans to ensure positive outcomes for children?What does the research say about the current state of America's youth? How well are they doing in and out of school, and what kinds of unique challenges do they face?Why are families, communities and schools so critical to positive youth development? Specifically, what can parents do to ensure that their children stay on track for healthy, successful lives?For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Technorati tags: parents, news, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, risk behaviors, youth development, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 51MB], the April 18, 2006 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This episode showcases award-winning educators and schools; explores how effective teaching is at the core of America’s long-term economic competitiveness; highlights alternative strategies to recruit, train, and reward effective teachers and principals; and reveals how innovative programs are strengthening our nation’s teachers, schools, and students. It addresses questions such as:What does “effective teaching” mean and what is the Department doing to promote it?What is a “highly qualified” teacher and why are teachers so important to student achievement?What can we do to better recruit, train, and reward teachers, especially those in critical subjects like math and science?What programs does the Department of Education offer to help improve teaching and learning?What is an “instructional leader”? How can we develop and sustain good principals?How can parents ensure that a high-quality teacher teaches their child? What questions should they ask of their teachers and school administrators to ensure effective teaching?For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Technorati tags: parents, news, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, HQT, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 52MB], the May 16, 2006 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This episode highlights the latest information and tools for parents provided under the federal No Child Left Behind Act and provide tips, resources and advice on how parents—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—can access valuable information on the performance of their children’s schools and exercise the full range of options available to them under the law. It addresses questions such as:What are the latest tools and options for parents under No Child Left Behind?What does the research show about the results and “success stories” of parental options? How do these options enable student performance?How can parents access their children’s NCLB school “report cards” and take full advantage of the options available to them under the law?If a child is attending a school “in need of improvement," where does a parent go to find out information on school choice options and approved supplemental service providers?What are Opportunity Scholarships and how might they benefit parents whose children attend chronically underperforming schools?What resources does the Department provide to inform parents about the full range of options available to them under the law?For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Listeners may also be interested in the Summer 2006 edition of Cable in the Classroom's Threshold (produced in partnership with the National PTA), which focused on the future of parental involvement in education.Technorati tags: parents, news, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 52MB], the June 20, 2006 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This episode focuses on the issue of childhood obesity, nutrition, and health and the best ways to help students make good choices when it comes to food and exercise. The program explores the ways in which state and federal agencies are working with schools and families to promote healthy, active lifestyles in students. It addresses questions such as:How healthy are the nation’s youth? What is the federal government doing to support schools and families in promoting healthy habits in children?What does the research say about the link between nutrition, fitness and learning?What are the current federal nutritional guidelines and policies—including the new food pyramid—and how do these help schools and parents to keep children healthy, fit and successful?How can parents encourage a lifelong commitment to health and fitness in their children?How can they ensure that their children eat right and stay active during the summer?For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Technorati tags: parents, news, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, childhood obesity, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 53MB], the September 19, 2006 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This episode features insights into the rapidly changing world, one driven by technology and innovation, filled with new competitors around the globe who are challenging America’s economic leadership. The program explores approaches to ensuring our students graduate with the mathematics, science and technical skills necessary to succeed in a 21st century workforce where 90 percent of the jobs will require some postsecondary education. It addresses questions such as:What does “global competitiveness” mean, and why is it important to schools and families?Why is it critical that students take more mathematics, science and critical language courses in high school? How can parents encourage this, along with Advanced Placement and other challenging coursework?How will the American Competitiveness Initiative help to prepare students for academic and career success in the fields of math, science and engineering?What can parents do in the home and outside of school to increase their children’s interest in math and science courses and careers?Now that summer has passed, what steps can parents take to help their children successfully transition back into school?What should students be learning in math and science at the elementary, middle and high school grades? How can parents find out their child’s math or science teacher is “highly qualified?”For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Listeners may also be interested in the work of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, of which Cable in the Classroom is a founding board member, as well as the Spring 2006 edition of Threshold, focused on high school reform and competitiveness.Technorati tags: Parents, News, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, competitiveness, flat world, friedman, 21st century skills, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 54MB], the October 17, 2006 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This episode focuses on what we can do now to prepare for an influenza pandemic—a global outbreak from a new strain of flu—that could have a dramatic impact on our nation’s communities, schools, and families. Although it is difficult to predict when the next pandemic flu might occur or how severe it will be, one thing is certain: educators, parents and community leaders can take steps now to lessen the impact of such an outbreak. The program features experts from across the federal government who are highlighting exemplary flu and emergency preparedness programs; answering questions about the different strains of flu and how they spread; updating an emerging body of resources for families and schools; and providing user-friendly tips for parents on ensuring the safety, health and security of children. It addresses questions such as:What are the differences between pandemic, seasonal and bird flu?What is “H5N1” and why are scientists paying so much attention to it?What is known about the pandemic flu and the possibility of a future outbreak - and how real is the threat?What are state, local and federal agencies doing to prepare for the threat of pandemic flu?How can families prepare now for the threat of a pandemic flu?What does a “family plan” look like, and how might it be helpful in the event of other emergencies, such as natural disasters?What kinds of questions should parents ask their children’s schools about their pandemic flu and emergency preparedness plans?In the event of an outbreak, what measures would schools take, and how would families be notified? And if schools shut down, how can families ensure that their children keep learning?Where can families go for updated and helpful resources on the pandemic flu? For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Listeners may also be interested in the Fall 2006 edition of Cable in the Classroom's Threshold (produced in partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers) and in the September 2006 edition of Cable in the Classroom Magazine - both editions of which focused on emergency preparedness in the 21st century.Technorati tags: parents, news, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, pandemic flu, H5N1, emergency preparedness, CIC, Cable in the Classroom

Cable in the Classroom is pleased to present via podcast [MP3, 54MB], the November 21, 2006 edition of the U.S. Department of Education's Education News Parents Can Use.This episode features a conversation with experts from school districts, associations and others about what is being done in our nation's schools and communities to ensure that students graduate with the ability to communicate in critical languages. The program explores ways to provide students with the language skills to engage foreign governments and peoples, especially in critical regions; to encourage reform and promote understanding; convey respect for other cultures; and provide an opportunity for others to learn more about America and its citizens. It addresses questions such as:Why is foreign language instruction so important today, especially in “critical need” languages? What does brain research say about the importance of learning second languages? What are policymakers, together with schools, doing to increase the number of students learning critical foreign languages? How does the National Security Language Initiative fit into this effort? What can parents and communities do to promote foreign language proficiency in children, and to encourage children to learn about and respect other languages and cultures? What do effective school- and district-level foreign language instruction programs look like? What steps can parents take if their child’s school has no foreign language program? For more information about this program, please see the U.S. Department of Education's show notes.Listeners may also be interested in the October 2005 edition of Cable in the Classroom Magazine, which focused on global awareness in the 21st century.Technorati tags: Parents, News, NCLB, US Department of Education, public domain, foreign language, competitiveness, CIC, Cable in the Classroom