China Beats U.S. in Standardized Test

Chinese students made international headlines this week when Shanghai high school kids outscored their counterparts on PISA, an international standardized test. China came out on top and the U.S. was buried somewhere in the middle. Read this article for the secret behind Chinese students’ high performance. (12/9/10 ABC News, Sherisse Pham) … Read article

1. In what way do Chinese students get a better foundation in all subject area than students in the U.S., according to Shijing Xu?

2. In spite of the high test scores by Chinese students, Professor Yasheng Huang of MIT claims that there is a flaw in China’s education system. What is the flaw in China’s education system alluded to by the professor?

2. What is the significance of “gaokao” in China’s education system?

Alarming Number of Dropouts Has Colleges Scrambling For Solutions

When Amanda Wieder enrolled at the University of Florida in summer 2009, she worried not only about the transition to college life but also about how she’d pay for her education. And as a first-generation college student, statistics say Amanda is less likely to graduate than her peers. What can colleges do to intervene in the alarming dropout rates? This article reveals what measures are being taken to address this problem. (12/4/10 ABC News on Campus, Meg Wagner) … Read article

1. According to Joseph Gonzalez, faculty coordinator for First Year Seminar at Appalachian State University, what is the cure to the dropout problem?

2. What university is creating a “culture of success”  as a solution to students dropout? What does the “culture of success” consist of? How successful is the program?

Gates Foundation Aims to Increase College Graduation

For many years, diversity in higher education has been measured by how many low-income students and students of color enroll in college. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation wants to make a dramatic change in that definition, by focusing instead on college graduation rates. This article reveals how the Gates Foundation is working to make a difference in students college graduation rate. (9/27/10 Associated Press in ABC News, Donna Gordon Blankinship) … Read Article

1. In what specific project does the mayor of New York City plan to invest the grant from Gates Foundation?

2. According to the article, what is the long term goal of the Gates Foundation?

From Homeless to Youth of the year

Walking around campus at Arizona State University, 17-year-old Ramonia Dixon from Tempe is not your typical freshman. What makes Dixon different from the average college freshman? This blog reveals a once hidden secret about Dixon. (10/27/10 ABC News on Campus, Natalie Podgorski) … Read Article

1. What early childhood living condition makes Dixon different from the average college freshman?

2. What does Dixon plan to do with her new found fortune?

Back to School: Seniors Returning to College

Back to school takes on a new meaning for seniors in their 80s at Syracuse Univeristy, Hunter College. On the first day of class as students introduce their name, year and major, one major stood out among them: “My name is Monroe Guisbond. I’m 86 years old, and I’m majoring in life.” While the older students bring their experience and knowledge of politics, the younger students bring their technical knowledge. This makes for a very diverse group of students. What are the advantages of this diverse group for both students and professor? This article reveals some of the benefits of lifelong learning. (10/26/10 ABC News on Campus, Danielle Waugh) … Read Article

1. According to Dr. Sharon Brangman, what impact does a student like 80 years old Mindell have on the classroom?

2. According to Katherine DiVita, a junior majoring in public relations, what is the advantage of taking class with older students?

(Video)Rising College Costs Collide with Aspirations

Sending a child off to college often takes more than good grades and a big check these days. More than ever, it can mean compromising on school choice or a mountain of debt or both. What compromises are parents and students making in order to attend college? What is the main source of funding for college today? This video sheds light on these questions and gives parents some useful advice on how to fund their children’s college education.  (9/24/10 Associated Press)

1. What comprise did Griffen Boyle and his parent make in deciding which school he goes to?

2. What, according to Ivan Naliotsky, has contributed to the financial hardship prospective students face in the last two years?

Where the Jobs Are Now

Although the national unemployment rate continues to be discouraging, job seekers have reason to be considerably more optimistic in some areas than in others. What sector of the economy is creating  more jobs? (9/11/10 Forbes.com in ABC News, Nathalie Tadena) … Read Article

1. What is the expected hiring challenge reported by 47% of the 4,000 executives surveyed by the staffing company in California? What factor is likely to impact this challenge?

2. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, what category of unemployed should expect some good news regarding jobs availabilityduring the fourth quarter?

President Obama’s Goal to Improve College Graduation Rate in the US

Speaking at the University in Austin President Obama outline his goal to raise the nation’s college graduation rate to 60 percent in just 10 years, adding at least 8 million graduates. (8/9/10 ABC News, Yunji de Nies) … Read Article

1. In order to meet the President’s goal of reclaiming the top college graduation rate worldwide in 2020 what needs to be done? And what challenges must be overcome in order to achieve this goal?

2. How does the US college graduation rate compare with those of South Korea and Russia?

Texas Law Requires Public Universities to Post Class Information Online

Under a new Texas law, beginning this fall semester all public universities will be required to provide an array of free, detailed and public information on their websites about courses, professors and the cost of attending school. (8/14/10 ABC News On Campus, Travis Measley) … Read Article

1. Under the new Texas law, what detail information are professors required to provide in the syllabi online?

2. What are the disadvantages of the new Texas law for both professors and students?

Who is Responsible for Education in America?

President Barack Obama, addressing graduates at historically black Hampton University on Sunday, said that it is the responsibility of all Americans to offer every child the type of education that will make them competitive in an economy in which just a high school diploma is no longer enough. (5/9/10 Associated Press, Darlene Superville) … Read Article

1. According to President Obama, what advantage do Hampton University graduates have over their peers who lack a college degree?

2. What is the unique historical character of Hampton University as recalled by the President?