Patricia Hawke

Houston Schools New Teacher Merit Pay Program … Will It Help or Hinder?

Measurement of student achievement through rigorous statewide testing has been a standard in Texas for many years. Houston schools implemented its first merit pay program for teachers in the year 2000. Houston Schools believe the old program had too l... Read >

New Pilot Program to Nab Sex Offenders Being Tested in Phoenix Schools

We are a nation focused on eradicating sex offenders from the lives of our children. They are in and near our schools, at the local parks, living next door, and even in some of our churches. The Phoenix schools, as well as their teachers, administrat... Read >

69% of Class of 2006 Pass Both Portions of State-Mandated Exit Exam in Los Angeles Schools

Los Angeles schools announced the results of the 2004-2005 school year, state-mandated California High School Exit Exam. Of the students slated to graduate in 2006, 69 percent (more than two thirds) of the class passed both the English language arts and ... Read >

Phoenix Schools Tackle Dropout Rate

The schools in the United States are considered to be "in crisis" due to the soaring student dropout rate. In his first State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush stated that the national dropout rate was 25 percent. A recent study conducted... Read >

New York City Schools and Teachers' Union Join Forces to Attract New Teaching Talent

Like many other school districts in large, metropolitan cities, New York City Schools currently have a shortage of qualified teachers, especially in the most challenging schools. Though state law requires teachers in the targeted critical subject areas o... Read >

'No Bully' Policy at Philadelphia Schools

Philadelphia Schools has a "just say no" policy, when it comes to school bullies and other related negative student behavior. Approximately, two thirds of all deaths among children and adolescents in the United States are the result of injury-related... Read >

Academic Intervention Services Available from New York Schools

As with all public schools across the nation, New York schools have standards in reading and mathematics that must be met by its students. Unfortunately, many students fall short of the standards and their families are not in a position financially to p... Read >

New York Schools Show Progress in Student Achievement but Graduation Rates in Trouble

The spring 2006 statewide report cards for New York Schools show that more schools are making progress in meeting their achievement goals for improvement in English and mathematics, as mandated by the state. Though achieving standards in middle school Eng... Read >

Lots of High School Choices in the New York City Schools

Looking for a high school for your child that concentrates on preparing for higher academics? The New York City schools have five such high schools. If you have a child now in elementary or middle school, live or plan to live in New York City, and yo... Read >

Ohio Schools Closing the Gap for Students with Disabilities

The Ohio Schools are redefining their Special Education program and closing the gap in the achievement of students with disabilities. The Ohio schools believe that achievement gaps are not the same as ability gaps, and the education system is responsible ... Read >

Dominican Children in New York City Schools Face Two-Edged Sword of Difficulties

Residents of the Dominican Republic, especially the impoverished ones, have long viewed the United States and especially New York City as a land of limitless wealth. All you have to do is live there for a few years, and you too will be wealthy. This er... Read >

Some Student Artists in the Ohio Schools Will Apprentice This Summer

With all the education budget cuts during the past decade and a renewed focus on reading and mathematics, the arts have seen many cutbacks and even programs eliminated. Though educators recognize that the arts is an important subject for graduating well-... Read >

Michigan Schools Taking Direction from Governor Granholm

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has a vision for the state of Michigan and the Michigan schools. In 2005, the Cherry Commission on Higher Education recommended that the state must double its number of college graduates in order to compete economically. Gr... Read >

Michigan Schools Improve High School Graduation Requirements

Michigan Schools presented its new high school graduation requirements — the Michigan Merit Curriculum — in December 2005. The Michigan schools are determined to better prepare students for work and college success, by assuring that all students have the ... Read >

Improvement in Florida Schools Libraries Boosts FCAT Scores and Students Reading Abilities

The purpose of any school library is to promote reading and improve reading and research skills. Educators have long agreed that good libraries are essential to academic success, since students must be able to read by third grade in order to learn other ... Read >