100BMA

(Information summarized from an article appearing on the The TeacherMagazine  web site, during November, 2006, by Carla Rivera, Times Staff Writer)
 

Single-Sex Classrooms
 

A recent article carried on The Teacher Magazine web site during November, 2006, shared information about single-sex classrooms in popularity across the nation as an educational strategy to boost student achievement and test scores.  Author, Times Staff Writer Carla Rivera, shared that single-sex classrooms are gaining favor across the nation as educators search for ways to boost test scores and students’ self-esteem. She further stated that in 1995, only three public schools in the nation offered a single-sex option, compared with more than 253 today, according to the National Assn. for Single Sex Public Education. Five percent of private schools are single-sex.

Research was said to suggest that girls in coed settings defer to boys and receive less attention from teachers. Other educators cite more recent evidence that boys, especially low-income minority youths, might benefit as well. The gap between girls’ and boys’ test scores has decreased, and girls are applying in higher numbers to college and now obtain more bachelor’s degrees than boys.A recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Education was said by experts to give public schools more leeway to offer single-sex curricula and will probably accelerate the move toward single-sex classrooms. Previous rules generally banned single-sex classes, with some exceptions.
 

It was stated that the new guidelines permit single-sex education in public schools but must be geared toward improving achievement,
providing diverse experiences or meeting the particular needs of students. The article further stated that programs must treat male and female students evenhandedly and offer substantially equal coeducational classes in the same subject. Enrollment must be voluntary.

The author stated that gender separation is controversial. Critics contend the practice is a slide backward, one that could reinforce stereotypes and lead to different and unequal classroom experiences.An argument offered by some is that there is little evidence that girls and boys do better apart. One researcher was quoted as saying that better-funded schools with more focused academic instruction, smaller class sizes and qualified teachers are far more likely to influence learning.  The American Civil Liberties Union is said to have sued a school over its plan to separate girls and boys, arguing that it violated Title IX regulations that require gender equity in educational programs that receive federal funding

Focus on Education

/(Information summarized from an article appearing on the The
TeacherMagazine web site, during November, 2006, by Carla Rivera, Times
Staff Writer)/

*Single-Sex Classrooms*

A recent article carried on The Teacher Magazine web site during
November, 2006, shared information about single-sex classrooms in
popularity across the nation as an educational strategy to boost student
achievement and test scores. Author, Times Staff Writer Carla Rivera,
shared that single-sex classrooms are gaining favor across the nation as
educators search for ways to boost test scores and students’
self-esteem. She further stated that in 1995, only three public schools
in the nation offered a single-sex option, compared with more than 253
today, according to the National Assn. for Single Sex Public Education.
Five percent of private schools are single-sex.

Research was said to suggest that girls in coed settings defer to boys
and receive less attention from teachers. Other educators cite more
recent evidence that boys, especially low-income minority youths, might
benefit as well. The gap between girls’ and boys’ test scores has
decreased, and girls are applying in higher numbers to college and now
obtain more bachelor’s degrees than boys.

A recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Education was said by experts
to give public schools more leeway to offer single-sex curricula and
will probably accelerate the move toward single-sex classrooms. Previous
rules generally banned single-sex classes, with some exceptions.

It was stated that the new guidelines permit single-sex education in
public schools but must be geared toward improving achievement,

providing diverse experiences or meeting the particular needs of
students. The article further stated that programs must treat male and
female students evenhandedly and offer substantially equal coeducational
classes in the same subject. Enrollment must be voluntary.

The author stated that gender separation is controversial. Critics
contend the practice is a slide backward, one that could reinforce
stereotypes and lead to different and unequal classroom experiences.

An argument offered by some is that there is little evidence that girls
and boys do better apart. One researcher was quoted as saying that
better-funded schools with more focused academic instruction, smaller
class sizes and qualified teachers are far more likely to influence
learning. The American Civil Liberties Union is said to have sued a
school over its plan to separate girls and boys, arguing that it
violated Title IX regulations that require gender equity in educational
programs that receive federal funding

It was also found that such arguments have failed to sway those
educators who believe there is much to gain and little to lose in
experimenting with same-gender education. They point to a growing body
of findings — albeit disputed — that boys’ and girls’ brains function
and develop in different ways. Boys, the theory goes, do better in
competitive, action-based, team-oriented tasks, while girls thrive in a
more relaxed environment, working in pairs or alone.

New AHS Library Named for James Bailey!
The opening of the “new” Alton High School after the Labor Day Holiday is recognized as a major community event.  Superintendent and 100 BM member, David Elson, and his staff are commended for launching a new era in education for the greater Alton community.  The new facility has a modern library media center that is named in honor of Mr. James Bailey, pioneering community leader and retired educator.  We thank the school board for so honoring Mr. Bailey.  Alton students will now have the opportunity to learn in a state of the art facility offering a wide array of academic and co-curricular opportunities that is second to none in the area.  Other district students will enjoy different and upgraded facilities, resulting from the reconfiguration and consolidation efforts.   We urge all students and parents to take full advantage of the educational opportunities made available to them.
Black Tie Ball Tickets are Selling Fast!
The 100’s upcoming Black Tie Charity Ball will be held at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL on October 28, 2006.  The popular fund raiser is becoming a “must attend event”, and will include an awards program, dinner, and dancing.  A popular band from the St. Louis Area will provide music and entertainment.  Plan to purchase tickets soon, still at only $50 each. Order early, because a sold out crowd is expected!  Proceeds from the event will help fund our very successful 21^st Century Scholarship Program.
 

Tickets are now available from any member of the 100 Black Men of Alton.
 

AHA Continues Funding Youth Programs!
Kudos to Earl Brown and Andy Hightower for maintaining the funding for the 100’s youth mentoring programs in the Alton Housing Authority facilities.  The Camera Club, Future All Stars Basketball, and Girls Learning and Developing programs have proven successful in mentoring participating youth to help improve school attendance, grades and behavior.

(Information summarized  from  Teacher Magazine web site,  September, 2006)
The following information was offered by veteran teachers as “best practices” to boost student performance at the respective levels indicated:

Performance Booster – High School:  offered by a high school English teacher.

Have a positive attitude  First, project a positive attitude toward students and make it clear that you have a love and passion for the subject matter. When teachers explain why the material is worth learning and how students can apply it in the real world, students are much more motivated to learn.
Plan well  When planning a unit, review what you have previously done, keeping only the most successful components, and then consult the Internet or your peers who teach the same subject to get new ideas. Whenever a teacher can offer some form of choice to students, the kids appreciate it.
Vary activities  Be sure to vary the activities you plan and the forms of assessment. Having three different activities within a class period is a good practice. In addition to incorporating technology, also make sure that you align the lessons with state standards and other standardized tests, such as Advanced Placement and the SATs. At the end of the period, you can also remind students of late or upcoming assignments.
Communicate with parents  Finally, it is imperative that you keep close contact with parents. Presenting specific information at Back to School night—rather than a general overview—is a good start. You should keep student grades updated on online services such as Power Grade so that parents can access them at home. And if students misbehave and test you early in the year, immediately call the parents.
Performance Booster – Middle Grades: offered by a 7^th grade English teacher.

Sweat the small stuff  If your school has a gum rule or a dress code, enforce it. A student who can’t get away with chewing gum won’t try to get away with something worse. One of my favorite rules is that students must say “thank you” whenever I hand them something—even if it’s a worksheet.
More is more   One summer, I wrote a rule for everything that might come up. I ended up with 46 rules. My students gasped when I handed them the seven-page document on the first day of school, but they knew exactly what was expected of them.
Timer is on your side  If you don’t have a timer, buy one. Then buy another one as a backup, plus plenty of batteries. My students have exactly two minutes to complete their “Do Now” as they enter the room, and this sets the tone for the rest of the class.
No negotiations If you’re arguing with a student about the rules, you’re not teaching. You’re also telling your students that your rules are negotiable. Middle school students need structure and boundaries, and you won’t accomplish this by stopping class to argue about the bathroom policy.
Be a model of consistency I’ve seen teachers come to school late and then complain about how their students are behaving. If you want your students to be responsible, it has to start with you.

DEPRESSION “Does Not Discriminate”
(Reprinted information and summary from Illinois Department of Public Health booklet, “Men’s Health Program”)
 

One in four men has high blood pressure, one in five will develop prostate cancer, one in five can expect to have a heart attack before the age of 65, one in 12 can expect to develop diabetes and one in 22 will suffer from depression at some time in his life. Depending on your racial and ethnic background, your odds may be even greater. But men can improve their chances for a healthy life by practicing some common sense habits:
 

• Eat healthier foods.
• Stay active.
• Drink in moderation.
• Kick the tobacco habit.
• Get annual checkups and screenings.
 

Depression does not discriminate; it can affect men and women, young and old, every nationality and heritage. Between 17 million and 20 million Americans each year develop some form of depression.  By the year 2020, the World Health Organization estimates that clinical depression will be the second leading cause of disability in the world, second only to heart disease.  More importantly, however, depression not only hurts; it can kill.
 

For example, about two-thirds of people who kill themselves have a depressive disorder at the time of death. Suicide rates among youth have increased more than 300 percent since the 1950s.  The Illinois Mental Health Association is a major partner and supporter of the National Campaign for Clinical Depression.
 

 

The association offers depression screenings at various health fairs across the state as well as information on depression and other mental and emotional disorders.  Since it is important to check both physical and mental health on a regular basis, the Mental Health Association advises all residents of Illinois to undergo a depression screening in conjunction with an annual physical exam. The HANDS Depression Screening Tool, a 13-question self-rating survey, takes approximately three to five minutes to complete. A person’s doctor or a mental health professional reviews the responses and, when appropriate, can make referrals and recommendations for treatment.
Remember, depression is one of the most treatable diseases. As little as eight weeks of treatment can result in more than an 80 percent rate of improvement in many individuals.

 

“There is, deep down within all of us, an instinct.  It’s a kind of drum major instinct – a desire to be first… to lead the parade…  Don’t give up.  Keep  feeling the need for being first.  But I want you to be first in love.  I want you to be first in moral excellence; I want you to be first in generosity.  That’s what I want you to do…”