ALABAMA SUPERCOMPUTER AUTHORITY
ASA is proud to be a technology partner for Alabama's ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide) Distance Learning initiative. At the direction of the Alabama State Department of Education, ASA is upgrading bandwidth at LEAs and high schools across the state to allow them to take advantage of ACCESS distance learning opportunities. According to Joe B. Morton, State Superintendent of Education, ACCESS "will allow schools to help other schools by offering advanced level courses and electives that might not otherwise be available." (November 17, 2005 News Release) For additional information, see the ACCESS website (http://accessdl.state.al.us/).
READING ABOUT EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has just issued a national report, "Results That Matter: 21st Century Skills and High School Reform", outlining a compelling framework for 21st century learning that focuses on the results which matter for today's high school graduates. According to the report, creating high schools that truly will improve learning, achievement, and competencies demand a clear understanding of the knowledge, skills and attributes that are increasingly important for every high school student today. The report outlines the following opportunities for working collaboratively with high school reform advocates to improve high schools: a vision for 21st century le arning, a set of principles that are critical to high school redesign, and next steps for taking action.
EDUCATION AND THE INTERNET
High School Ace is a free online learning center for teens that features academic subject guides, reference resources, and college information.
Copyright on the Web -- Activity, Learning Page answers 11 questions students, teachers, & parents may have about using web images, sound recordings, and text in papers, presentations, and web projects. (Library of Congress)
BLS Career Information is a place where kids can find information on job opportunities related to the arts, math, science, physical education and outdoors, reading, and social studies. The site also offers resources for teachers, including a links to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. (Department of Labor)healthfinder® kids is a place where kids can find information on protecting their bodies and minds. It offers more than 75 games and activities, information on safe web navigation, and a link to art contents. The website also has a section for parents and other caregivers of children with links to products and information that promote children's health. (Department of Health and Human Services)
Three New Resources for Teachers from CSTA and IBM - IBM and CSTA have worked together to develop new high school computer science curriculum resources. Our goal is to support high school computer science education by providing teacher-developed resources that promote teaching and learning, and engage students in ways that will encourage them to acquire the skills they need to compete in the global marketplace. All of the resources adhere to the standards defined in the ACM Model Curriculum for K-12 Computer Science.
TheMint.org offers ideas for teachers and parents in helping youngsters learn how to make the most out of their money. Topics include earning, saving, spending, tracking, investing, and owing money. Activities include keeping a money diary, where your paycheck goes, and more. (U.S. Mint)
Celestia - The free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions. Celestia runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.NEWS YOU CAN USE
National Center for Education Statistics - The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), located within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences, is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education. This website also has a special area just for kids. Here are a couple of facts from the website.
Did You Know?
Between 2001–02 and 2013–14, the number of high school graduates is projected to increase nationally by 10%. Increases are expected in each region of the country, especially in the West. Both public and private schools are expected to have increases in high school graduates.Question:
How much money does the U.S. spend on public elementary and secondary schools? (answer)