http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/Grand Rapids Education and Schools NewsenThu, 02 Jul 2009 09:07:25 PDTMovable Type Enterprise 1.52 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/noGrand Rapids Education and Schools Newsheadoftheclasshttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/bdZy5Rxu9f8/ottawa_area_intermediate_schoo.htmlEd-speakEducationFeaturedDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressThu, 02 Jul 2009 09:07:25 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3149026 ]]>Everybody knows the state's new graduation requirements mandate students take certain courses, but districts might be confused about precisely what is to be taught in those classes. What, exactly, do educators think should be taught in English 9, for example?...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/07/ottawa_area_intermediate_schoo.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/Me7Sfl7NjeY/grand_rapids_public_schools_su.htmlEducationFeaturedGRPSDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressWed, 01 Jul 2009 14:22:15 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3143698 ]]>Bernard Taylor Grand Rapids Superintendent Bernard Taylor is returning from a week in China learning about the country's culture, language and education system. The National Superintendent's Roundable invited Taylor to be a part of a weeklong event, "Chinese Bridge for...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/07/grand_rapids_public_schools_su.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/P8SVEtmy3bc/a_different_approach_to_altern.htmlDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressWed, 01 Jul 2009 09:42:47 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3140595 ]]> As Grand Rapids revamps its alternative education programs by boosting the use of computerized classes, schools in three cities are taking another approach....http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/07/a_different_approach_to_altern.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/CmaYjVNZbbs/grps_educators_want_to_see_wea.htmlFinanceDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressTue, 30 Jun 2009 15:39:29 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3135486 ]]> Local educators say there's a fair way to cut school budgets, and think Lansing seems to be avoiding it to appease some well-financed districts. The state Senate recently offered a budget with cuts to early childhood programs, declining enrollment...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/grps_educators_want_to_see_wea.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/4bG7GVQXdhA/national_standards_for_educati.htmlFeaturedDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressFri, 26 Jun 2009 18:00:56 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3110370 ]]>AP File PhotoNational PTA is latest group to call for national education standards. The National PTA has joined the chorus of groups who want national standards for English and math for all students in grades K-12. That would mean that...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/national_standards_for_educati.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/XHTVCEFvH94/poll_finds_most_michigan_voter.htmlEducationFeaturedDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressThu, 25 Jun 2009 09:27:09 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3097192 ]]>Michigan voters overwhelmingly want to see early childhood programs protected from state budget cuts, according to a poll released today by groups favoring such opportunities. Seventy-five percent of the voters polled said it is "extremely" or "very" important to spare...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/poll_finds_most_michigan_voter.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/S9fpd-3V6Dw/obama_administration_promises.htmlEducationFeaturedThe Grand Rapids PressWed, 24 Jun 2009 21:40:26 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3094027 ]]> Toddlers can learn continually, but how much they absorb and grow depends on the abilities of the folks surrounding them, be they parents or a daycare center. Now the federal government is urging states to do more and more...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/obama_administration_promises.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/eiV675glQdc/michigan_ranks_30th_in_brain_h.htmlDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressTue, 23 Jun 2009 14:54:56 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3081776 ]]> Summer is a time when many kids seem to look for new and creative ways to rest their brains. But a new study shows the state might be better off using the summer to catch up to New Jersey....http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/michigan_ranks_30th_in_brain_h.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/DDHZYXt2mJ4/gvsu_students_honored_with_car.htmlFeaturedDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressMon, 22 Jun 2009 19:48:36 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3073401 ]]> Grand Valley State University students are being recognized for a community partnership that led to special houses for low-income families. GVSU's School of Engineering is working with Westown Jubilee Housing on energy efficient homes that have served almost as...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/gvsu_students_honored_with_car.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/gZud35jEhZU/bipartisan_team_in_state_house.htmlEducationFeaturedTeachersDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressThu, 18 Jun 2009 14:40:55 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3044218 ]]>There's a loophole in the state's teacher strike law that state Rep. Bill Rogers says is either a glaring oversight or a brilliant strategic move....http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/bipartisan_team_in_state_house.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/IedXqSahk1w/education_reporter_learns_a_lo.htmlFeaturedDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressWed, 17 Jun 2009 12:08:12 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3023061 ]]> The danger of traveling with an education writer is that every experience becomes a time for learning. Plus, we're not shy about asking questions, giving college-aged tour guides a workout. I spent the past four days exploring the Wisconsin...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/education_reporter_learns_a_lo.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/cKjbm2GMWPs/is_grand_rapids_boring_some_of.htmlFeaturedDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressThu, 11 Jun 2009 14:15:22 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.2988830 ]]> Summer break has started. Like the kids, we can take a little break from all the serious stuff and have a little fun. My wife and I visited the Grand Rapids Art Museum this week to enjoy lunch in...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/is_grand_rapids_boring_some_of.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/vSFaXpsre4k/alternative_school_graduation.htmlEducationFeaturedGRPSDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressWed, 10 Jun 2009 16:26:34 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.2980693 ]]>The alternative school graduation rates offered by the Grand Rapids Public Schools were pretty startling, especially for the folks at the Gerald R. Ford Jobs Corps Center....http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/alternative_school_graduation.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/PEcMfVs82ZI/kent_city_superintendent_respo.htmlFeaturedDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressFri, 05 Jun 2009 13:56:45 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.2941891 ]]> As you can imagine, I heard from a lot of folks after last Sunday's story about school district salaries. None were as thoughtful or detailed as this letter I received from William Smith, Kent City's superintendent. He sheds some...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/06/kent_city_superintendent_respo.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/headoftheclass/~3/s5LzNIG21wo/does_teachertostudent_ratio_re.htmlEducationFeaturedDave Murray | The Grand Rapids PressFri, 29 May 2009 18:15:28 PDTtag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.2885517 ]]> Folks in Godfrey Lee are prolific "Tweeters," and Lee Superintendent David Britten and district staff -- @colonelb and @LeeRebels -- frequently point us to interesting educational stories. One in particular sparked some curiosity. The Web site eSchool News reported...http://blog.mlive.com/headoftheclass/2009/05/does_teachertostudent_ratio_re.htmlnonadult