News Stories #1

To keep you informed and otherwise continue to transform education, I'll be doing a weekly addition to our sites about news stories and our take on them.  In the spirit S.M.A.R.T. is founded on, our comments will be brief and practical.

Environmentalists find lead in schoolbags sold in Divisoria, Sta. Cruz
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/399589/environmentalists-find-lead-in-schoolbags-sold-in-divisoria-sta-cruz#ixzz2Rt6vudHK
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

As our societies become more internationally accessible, be aware that there are reasons to buy from other cultures for your child.  A toy bought from the U.S.A. may have different standards of safety than those from another country, and some stores may be more careful than others to insure your child's safety (some nations are more careful in some areas than the U.S. is).  You can't spend all your time checking such things, but be aware that bargain stores and sidewalk vendors may not be the best place to pick up toys for your child, no matter how attractive or fun-looking.

Five Year-Old Boy Genius Destined for Mensa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcUwfXEYUEs&hd=0
The parents credit the various electronic learning devices.  There are hundreds of things you can do to help your child advance without pressure.  
However, what is most surprising is the utter disdain, contempt, and other nonsense aimed at parents who suggest that their child is advanced.  We'll do an article on it at some point and what to do about it if you face it.  Our society is terrified of intelligence.  The infighting amongst even scientists historically is a rather stunning study.  Tell your neighbor that your child can throw a football correctly at age five or lift his own weight and people smile.  Tell them your child can read three grades above their own grade and people feel mildly uncomfortable and change the subject.
Support intelligence, and all other aspects of development whenever you can.
Lower tuition for immigrants becomes law in Colo.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lower-tuition-for-immigrants-becomes-law-in-Colo-4471358.php#ixzz2RtAJoxSB

This is not a commentary on whether it is right or wrong nor is the place of S.M.A.R.T to suggest either way.
However, be conscious that where resources are limited, one must decide what level of competition for those resources you are willing to tolerate for your ideals.
At the same time, by supporting international education, you create a stronger base for building our society and theirs. 
And even that much is terribly simplistic.  Just be aware of the political reasons your education system is changed and decide what stance is best for YOUR ethics, because two different sets of ethics can be equally valid, yet at odds, depending on culture and circumstances.  Our society works because people do stand up for their values and ethics, and yours are important, regardless of what they are.

Black and white students finally dance together at Georgia high school's first ever racially mixed prom - SIXTY years after school segregation officially ended

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2316303/Wilcox-County-High-School-integrated-prom-students-demand-end-segregation.html#ixzz2RtBrXfbY
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

This is NOT that unusual, in one respect.  There are many traditions and ideas still in the public schools that are just as primitive, just as out-of-date as this prom.  Watch your schools and consider: Is it really modern?
The old, red brick schoolhouse still lives, and many an innovation has been lost, tossed out because it doesn't fit in the red brick wall no matter how much research show it works in isolation.

Broad school bully?
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130429_Broad_school_bully_.html

There is a constant battle of ideologies in our education system.
Be conscious of the general trends, because they DO affect your child, including those battles that occur in other states, because your state will look at those changes and may adopt them, and will discuss and argue them. The battles throughout the country for ideological control of education are constant, and filled with emotional and ethically-challenging obstacles.
Our solution?  Always go with ethics, even if ideology is not a perfect match.  Ethically-challenged individuals (a nice way to say, "unethical", will cut corners, and otherwise may waver without good reason.  Choose the most ethical candidate/representative/educator/administrator when possible.  Other things?  Those can be learned.

Hearing examiner: Pennsbury wrongfully expelled student for putting needle in Valentine's Day candy
http://buckslocalnews.com/articles/2013/04/28/yardley_news/news/doc516533ccc8a37797226406.txt
What is a disability?  How many are there?  Are they really disabilities?  Is that an excuse for any sort of behavior or unavoidable conditions that we have to make allowances for even at the risk of the other children?  How much is too much protection for the group?
Just keeping you informed.  There are a lot of considerations, but never become complacent about what experts tell you is so.  Question and demand causes, not just diagnosis.

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