The Whole Child: What's New(s)

Where Does Your School Stand?

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:03:00 PST

2008 ASCD Emerging Leader Dwan Jordon was featured for his work as a principal at John Philip Sousa Junior High School in Washington, D.C., on the CBS News series "Where America Stands." Jordon says, "The kids love the school, they love being here; the attendance rate is at 98 percent."

School Climate: The Quality and Character of School Life

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:42:00 PST

Does the school climate in your school promote or complicate students' ability to learn? Research has shown a relationship between school climate and students' academic achievement, self-esteem, alcohol use and psychiatric problems, absenteeism, and suspensions....

The Prejudice of Poverty

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:43:00 PST

Last week Andre Bauer, the lieutenant governor of South Carolina and a candidate to become the state's next governor, compared providing government assistance to those in need—including school kids eligible for free or reduced price lunches—to feeding stray animals. He claimed that providing such services only encourages breeding and facilitates the problem.

Turning to National Standards

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:08:17 PST

In the United States, the drumbeat for national education standards has grown perceptibly stronger in recent years, with leadership coming from state governors. ASCD Express looks at the complex debate on national standards and asks if creating such a set of standards is even a viable option for the U.S. education system...

New resources on school health: Dealing with diabetes and obesity

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:09:00 PST

Two new resources just added to the Whole Child Research Clearinghouse help educators address two pressing issues in children's health...

Upcoming Whole Child Podcast: School Climate

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:58:00 PST

Research and common sense reaffirm that focusing on the social and educational atmosphere is critical to student success, yet many schools and districts do not assess climate or include it in school improvement plans. How can schools develop a positive school climate that fosters teaching, learning, and the development of the whole child?

New study on the lasting value of early childhood education

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:02:00 PST

It's a tradition on Saturday Night Live's fake-news segment "Weekend Update" to poke fun at studies that produce really obvious results...

Beneath it all: Trust must be present to educate the whole child

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:01:00 PST

Schools with high trust levels are more likely to be ranked in the top quartile on standardized tests and three times more likely to report gains in reading and math scores. When we educate students without first building a foundation of trust, students are...

ESEA Reauthorization and the Whole Child

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:10:00 PST

Educators must take advantage of the impending reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to ensure that a comprehensive whole child approach to learning becomes a national priority, writes ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter in this month's "Is It Good for the Kids?" column.

Our Job Is Done... Because We Care

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:37:35 PST

In Edutopia's Schools That Work series, we here at the Whole Child Blog have been getting to know the Jefferson County (Ky.) Public Schools community and its commitment to social and emotional education. Through the CARE for Kids program, learning and teaching is enhanced when students feel supported by caring, qualified adults...

A New Curriculum for a New Century

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:55:00 PST

As technology and innovation rapidly change the world in which we live, educators must find new ways to improve their curriculum. ASCD Express looks at some of the ideas educators are proposing about updating classroom curriculum to keep students engaged and to properly educate them to live in a competitive global society...