Netbooks’ popularity set to rise in 2009
Last year, so-called “netbooks”–smaller, cheaper versions of laptop computers–made their way into the hands of countless students and educators. Now, concerns about the economy are driving a further increase in the number of netbooks available to schools.
Key concepts: netbooks, CES, Asus, Dell, HP
25 schools set for shakeup
In his last major act before heading to Washington as President-elect Barack Obama’s pick for education secretary, outgoing Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan wants to close or consolidate 25 “underperforming” or under-enrolled schools, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
Immigrants see charter schools as a haven
Charter schools, which are publicly financed but independently run, were conceived as a way to improve academic performance. But for immigrant families, they have also become havens where their children are shielded from the American youth culture that pervades large district schools, reports the New York Times.
MPC’s collapse leaves schools in the lurch
Computer supplier MPC Corp., which acquired Gateway’s education business in 2007, is going out of business–leaving countless schools and students with machines in need of repair and/or thousands of dollars in lost warranties.
Key concepts: MPC computers, John Yeros, computer repairs, MPC bankruptcy
Updated privacy law addresses student safety
New student-privacy rules that take effect this month address two burgeoning challenges in higher education: shielding students from computer-related identity theft and keeping them safe from peers who might have emotional problems. Key concepts: FERPA, student safety, student privacy, student ID numbers, identification theft.
Bush wants education law kept after he leaves
President George W. Bush urged President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic-led Congress not to abandon the No Child Left Behind law, arguing that to do so would “weaken a chance for a child to succeed in America,” reports the Associated Press.
‘Green’ effort causes schools to go paperless to promote events
Schools have long relied on one emissary to deliver paperwork into parents’ hands: students’ backpacks. But driven by environmental and economic concerns, many schools now are posting notices online instead, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Obama urges action on stimulus plan
President-elect Barack Obama shed more light on his economic recovery plan in a Jan. 8 speech at Virginia’s George Mason University–and for education, the news is encouraging.
Key concepts: Obama and education, George Mason University, Obama and economy
Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama as prepared for delivery (Jan. 8, 2009)
Throughout America’s history, there have been some years that simply rolled into the next without much notice or fanfare. Then there are the years that come along once in a…
FETC 2009 kicks off Jan. 22
Thousands of educators from across the nation will convene in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 22-24 for the annual Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC)–and eSchool News will be there, too, providing daily conference updates from the convention center floor.
Key concepts: FETC 2009, education conferences, Philippe Cousteau