Research Progress

C-SPAN conducted an interview with Arne Duncan on Newsmakers. He is the new Secretary of Education. The interview specifically targeted NCLB and its reauthorization. This led me to look for the transcripts of the interview online after watching. I didn't find the transcripts for the interview because it had just occurred. However, it should be posted later. In the meantime, I have several relevant quotes from the interview. Additionally, my search led me to another research source that I'd never thought of. ITunes has free podcasts regarding the NCLB. I thought ITunes only purpose was to entertain and make money. You merely type in your topic in search on the ITunes homepage. If a Podcast is available for your topic, it'll come up. In my case, the Podcasts are relevant and from credible sources.

Survey

Here is the link to my survey. I'd appreciate any input you have on improvements.


Click Here to take survey

Research Progress

While I was in a room full of fellow citizens doing their civic duty (jury duty), the vast majority of which were complaining about the fact they were there, it occurred to me that I've overlooked an area of research. I was reading The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman and he mentions the flattening effect that blogging has had because it gives everyone an opportunity to upload rather than download. In doing so, mass media has evolved because everyone, everywhere has the ability to be a reporter or at the very least, state their opinion and have readers. It's odd that it happened in this way as this course requires us to create and maintain a blog. As soon as I returned to my house, I googled NCLB blogs. Not surprisingly, there are an infinite number of blogs dedicated to the NCLB. The major problems that lie with blogs is their relevance and validity as a source due to their sometimes anonymous nature. With this in mind, I'll only utilize it as a source to enforce an established fact or if the blogger's credentials can be verified.

Questions

Double: Do you listen to music or the lyrics?
Wrong Choice: Do you prefer conventional, chemical, nuclear or biological weapons when committing genocidal acts?
Fuzzy Word: Should irresponsible people be allowed to reproduce?
Cover the World: What do you think of legalizing illicit drugs?
Jargon: After PT, do you need to go to the PX before we return to the HQ for SDNCO?
Kitchen Sink: Can you please inform the staff what your intent is for reestablishment of security, rebuilding of infrastructure and providing for basic needs (food, shelter, clothing and water) for displaced citizens?
Dream: What is your ideal job?
Leading: Why is ST. Thomas University the best college in the nation?
Hearsay: Do you believe that Dick Cheney believes that he is the messiah?
Fallout: Do you like the Red Sox? If yes, do you attend games at Fenway? If yes, where do you sit?

Research Project Progress

I recently discovered a vast amount of research for my project in the archives of both the Senate and House Committees on Education and Labor. These hearings purpose is the betterment of the NCLB and ultimately, its recertification which has been stalled for two years. As such, they are rich with credible witnesses in the field of education, statistics on NCLB effectiveness in the form of test scores related to demographic and socio-economic data and commentary on that which is working, is not working and how these shortcomings can be rectified.

Research Progress

I've revised my research proposal correcting the minor content deficiencies. I've also continued my research. I've been pursuing the cancelation of recess both as a casualty of the NCLB and for its repercussions in the classroom. There is not an abundance of research readily available on this topic in terms of empherical data. I'm hoping to locate more so that I can incorporate it into my research project.

Blog Interview Report

W was born in Peru but moved to Miami when she was four. W's face reflected both admiration and recognition as she recounted the sacrifice her parents had made for her older brother and her. Her parents moved here so that their children had a better future as Peru's economy was in dire straits. They chose to move to Miami because family members were already established here. In Peru, they had bank jobs and were wealthy and their lifestyle reflected it. They had a three story house with a maid. In Miami, they lived in a home with other family members to defray the increased cost of living. Additionally, they could not get employment within the banking system in this country. Residing with her family in Miami since she came here, W is torn at the prospects of leaving. She'd like to go to law school after undergraduate in New York but can't imagine being apart from her family, specifically her mother. They obviously share a close bond and her expression becomes troubled at the desire to go to New York and the impending separation from her mother.