Sunday, August 29, 1999
Inside today's schools: resource list for parents
This is a sampler of basic sources to help parents, grandparents and other citizens, learn more about what's going on in schools today.
It's a random selection of useful, interesting, new or important sources that will lead you to others. It emphasizes easy-to-read, lesser-known alternatives to the well-known and established education groups. Their viewpoints already are widely disseminated.
If you have resources to recommend, please send them to Linda Cagnetti, The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., 45202; fax, 513-768-8752 or e-mail to letters@enquirer.com.
Books/publications
Angry Parents, Failing Schools by Elaine K. McEwan, Ed.D (HaroldShaw Publishers, 1998). Easy to read, information jammed.
Getting the Best Education for Your Child: A Parent's Checklist by James Koegh, a former school board member.
The Plugged-In Parent: What You Should Know About Kids and Computers by Steve Benett (1998). Primer for parents raising kids in a digital world.
Victory in Our Schools: We CAN Give Our Children Excellent Public Educ a tion (1998) by Major Gen.John Stanford (high-profile inspirational superintendent of Seattle city schools until his recent death).
Is There a Public for Public Schools? (1996) by David Mathews. Based on decade of research by Kettering Foundation. Argues that public schools will change “only when citizens reclaim them and take responsiblity for their well-being.”
None Dare Call It Education (1998) by John Stormer. Heavy-duty boat rocker on what's taught in today's schools.
The Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud and the Attack on America's Public Schools (1995) by David Berliner and Bruce Biddle. Argues that public schools are a success and the criticism a conspiracy.
Reinventing Public Education (1997) and Fixing Urban Schools (1998), co-authored by Paul T. Hill, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and research professor at University of Washington. His ideas are catching on in many cities, including Cincinnati.
The Teacher Unions (1997) by Myron Lieberman. Comprehensive account of the unions' political power and effect on schools and reform.
Electronic School , excellent quarterly technology magazine from National School Boards Association. Phone 703-838-6739; www.electronic-school.com
New Directions: Federal Education Policy in the 21st Century (1998). Collection from scholars, others; published by Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, which support research, and projects in education reform, and the Manhattan Institute, research organization with interst in urban policy. Call 1-888-TBF-7474; www.edexcellence.net
Organizations
Center for Education Reform. A premier source of school reform news. Pro motes school choice, experts on charter school movement, more. Their School Reform Handbook is a top-notch how-to guide. Other publications, newsletters, including Parent Power, and website are timely and useful. Phone 202-822-9000; www.edreform.com
Public Agenda. Respected research organization for public opinon and analysis. Aims to help policy makers understand what public wants, so it's influential. Good education reports. New York phone 212-686-6610; www.publicagenda.org
Parents for Public Schools. Helps parents hold local schools to high academic standards. Cincinnati chapter serves Cincinnati Public Schools, and will help others organize chapters in their districts. (Cincinnatian Brewster Rhoads is president of the national board.) Phone 396-6339.
Learning First Alliance. Organization of 12 national education associations (teachers, PTA, administrators, etc.). Newest campaign/project aims to involve parents, teachers, others in reading and math improvements in public schools. Lots of tipsheets. Washington phone 202-296-5220.
Education Websites
Surfing the Education Waves. Sponsored by Thomas B. Fordham Foundation. Great site that leads easily to hundreds more. Organized into four categories: Organizations, Think Tanks, Federal & State Government sites and Publications. www.excellence.net/surfing/surfing.htm
Texas Public Policy Foundation. 10-year-old grass roots success story that offers outstanding free “Parents Handbook for Successful Schools” with tips on how to evaluate your school's academics and more. www.tppf.org
National PTA (Parent Teachers Association). What they're up to these days. www.pta.org/
National Center on Education and the Economy. Birthplace of “School to Work” and other broad-reaching reforms; clues to what's coming from federal policy gurus. www.ncee.org
Insider views
Education Week . Trade newspaper with best news overview; subcription phone 301-280-3100; archives available at www.edweek.org
American School Board Journal . Good way to follow school board agendas, explanations. Phone 703-838-6722; wwww.asbj.com
Education Commission of the States. One of the organizations that legislators rely on for information, more. Denver, Col. phone 303-299-3600; www.ecs.org
National Council of State Legislatures. Another lawmaker favorite. Reading their annual summary of new state laws affecting children, youth and family provides clues to emerging trends. Denver, Col. phone 303-830-2200.
Kentucky Institute for Education Research. The official data keeper for KERA (Kentucky Education Reform Act). Frankfort, Ky. phone 502-227-9014.
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TRISTATE DIGEST
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