Higher education is an investment we can’t afford to neglect

This article from The Olympian discusses the importance of supporting American institutions of higher learning. Here is an excerpt:

There is no doubt that legislators face difficult choices, but continuing to erode our higher education system is nothing more than shortsighted. And while I am very grateful to see that the recently proposed House higher education budget begins to reverse the trend and prioritize higher education – it still includes $30 million in cuts to four-year institutions alone. I am also very encouraged to see the House budget propose a $12 million investment in science, technology, engineering and math degree production. This is a critical investment for the technology and aerospace industries. Western and our other higher education institutions can play an important role in helping respond to the increased need for graduates with bachelor degrees in engineering and other STEM areas.
But the situation is clear. If our institutions are forced to take more cuts, the result will be increasingly limited access to higher education for Washington students, particularly the middle class, and a long-term blow to Washington businesses that rely on an educated workforce that we simply won’t be able to provide. I hope that our leaders in Olympia will make the right decisions this session, ones that will put us on track for economic recovery and long-term success.

Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2012/03/08/v-print/2021118/higher-education-is-an-investment.html?storylink=fb#storylink=cpy

Publicly Traded Ed. Companies Are Rare

This article is from Education Week

K12 Inc., the nation's largest provider of online precollegiate education, was launched in 2000 and went public seven years later after raising about $140 million in revenue. Like other companies, it moved from being privately held to being publicly traded to raise more money quickly, increase brand awareness, and accelerate business goals.

The company now works with more than 2,000 U.S. school districts and reported $522.4 million in revenue last fiscal year. "No school district could ever invest what we do and get the productivity we get," said Chief Executive Officer Ronald J. Packard. He said his company invests about $40 million a year in new technology and programs.

Shift to online learning raises questions about costs to schools

This article is from The Herald Bulletin 
Legislation that would require high school students in Indiana to take at least one online course is meeting resistance from some school administrators who say they can’t afford any more mandates from the state.

The bill would require all public school students to take a “virtual instruction course” before graduating with a Core 40 diploma, beginning with the freshman class of 2013.

Each school corporation would be required to provide at least three virtual instruction courses in which a student can enroll.

Competition Offers University Students $200,000 and the Chance to Start a Clean Energy Business

This article is from Market Watch The Wall Street Journal

First Look West (FLoW), the largest clean energy business plan competition in the western United States, is looking for entrepreneurial-minded university students from all disciplines to apply to win $200,000 in prize money by submitting their idea for a clean energy business.

Led by Caltech, FLoW is a consortium of universities that is running the western region of the Department of Energy's $2 million National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition. FLoW offers $200,000 in prizes and more importantly, experienced mentors, legal start-up packages and the opportunity to pitch to investors ready to take action and work with these teams. Winning teams from six regions across the country also get the chance to participate in the National Competition in Washington D.C., June 2012.

University of Redlands Receives Major Gift from Prominent Alumni to Renovate its Hunsaker University Center

This article is from Market Watch The Wall Street Journal

 A $2 million gift from longtime University of Redlands supporters Rich and Virginia "Ginnie" Hunsaker will provide for a comprehensive renovation of the student services buildings named in their honor. Rich has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the University for 28 years while Ginnie has been a member for nine years. Rich has also served as Chairman on the Board for 15 years.

The renovation of the Food Services and Student Services Buildings in the Hunsaker University Plaza represents the first such comprehensive upgrade of the interior spaces of the student services complex since its completion in the mid-1990s. Renovations include an overhaul of the Irvine Commons, Plaza Cafe and University Club, and creation of new outdoor gathering spaces, as well as expansion of student amenities on the lobby level of Hunsaker Center.

Many Iowa schools need ESL funding, but not Ottumwa

This article is from Heartland Connection

Despite a growth in state funding, many Iowa school districts are seeking more help to cover the costs of teaching non-English speaking students.

The state's funding has grown by 40 percent, but several districts say that is not enough. That is not the case in Ottumwa, however.
The school district currently has a Hispanic population of around 10 percent, but only 250 students require extra language lessons. That is about 100 less than English as a second language, or ESL, students ten years ago.
The effective teaching model the district has in place is the cause. ESL students in Ottumwa spend as much time as possible in normal classes, and are only pulled out for special classes when needed.

Guest commentary: Michigan must regulate online schools

This article is from Detroit Free Press:


What if I told you that millions of Michigan taxpayer dollars are going to a for-profit business that is not only failing to meet performance standards, but can’t even say how many customers it serves?


And what if I told you that business is being entrusted with the education of Michigan children and that at least some of its “customers” are among the state’s most academically challenged students?


It may seem incredible, but that kind of lax oversight typifies Michigan’s fledgling cyber charter school industry and illustrates whythese schools should not be allowed to proliferate unchecked, as Senate Bill 619 would allow. Michigan lawmakers must put the brakes on this industry, which threatens to gobble up taxpayer resources and run roughshod over accountability standards.