Hooray for Osceola School District's math scores

Congratulations to our client, the Osceola School District, for having the most improved middle school math scores on the 2010-2011 Arkansas Benchmark Exams. The University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform recognized OSD for its achievement during last week's "Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement" conference. 

Superintendent Michael Cox

The award highlights a major turn-around that's been occurring in the school district over the past couple of years. Not too long ago, after all, Osceola School District was on the state's list of school districts in fiscal distress as well as recognized as one of Arkansas's school districts most in need of improvement. 

New leadership and continued dedication by very committed teachers and parents are breathing fresh, new life into the Osceola schools as well as the entire Osceola community.

After working with school district personnel for several months, we feel sure that Superintendent Michael Cox would be the first to say it's not the award but the much-improved performance of Osceola students that makes him happiest.


But the recognition's not bad either!

President Clinton: College equals freedom

College is not only an opportunity to better themselves, former President Bill Clinton told the senior class of El Dorado High School on Wednesday, but it's what allows them a level freedom not enjoyed by most people across the globe.

President Clinton spoke to the seniors and a crowd about 2,000 people in "the best-looking basketball gym in America," referring to the school district's new state-of-the-art facility, during El Dorado High School's sixth annual Academic Signing Day and celebration of the El Dorado Promise Scholarships.  The scholarships are available to all qualifying El Dorado High School graduates to help meet college tuition costs at any institution of higher education in the country.
Quoting unemployment statistics for various education-level groups during the recent economic downturn, President Clinton told students they can no longer be assured of making a decent living with only a high school education.
"This scholarship is giving you the chance to do something you want to do. ... At least half the people on earth today don't have that choice to work where they want to work.  ... Most people work to stay alive, to feed themselves and to feed their families," he said. "You are being given freedom by going to college to get to choose  how you want to" earn a living, he said.

President Clinton also lauded Murphy Oil Company, which committed $50 million in 2007 to create the El Dorado Scholarships. "As far as I can tell, there's not a company anywhere else in the United States" that has made this kind of commitment, he said.
Also addressing the students during the event were El Dorado High School Principal Jim Tucker, El Dorado Mayor Frank Hash, El Dorado Promise Director Sylvia Thompson, Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrall and Murphy Oil Corp. Chairman of the Board Claiborne Deming.
See more photos of the event on our Facebook page.

UPDATE: Tavis Smiley NOT at Bless the Mic in April

Apparently airline connections would not work out for Tavis Smiley, so he will not be at the Philander Smith College Bless the Mic series. Reports have him coming in May. Even so, First Class Communication is excited about all the other authors and events planned for the Arkansas Literary Festival.

President Clinton's El Dorado Promise

Former President Bill Clinton will give the keynote speech at the El Dorado School District's sixth annual Academic Signing Day, during which more than 300 graduating seniors will receive El Dorado Promise scholarships. The event is set for 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, in the El Dorado High School Wildcat Arena.
The El Dorado Promise is the $50 million scholarship program available to all qualifying El Dorado School District graduates that is funded by the Murphy Oil Corporation. Last year, 90 percent of the Promise-eligible students attended college -- far higher than either the state's or nation's college-going rates. Over the past five years, 997 El Dorado High School graduates have used the money to attend 57 colleges and universities throughout the U.S.

Video helps with understanding of new learning standards

Maybe you've heard of the Common Core State Standards, maybe you even are already aware that they are being implemented in grades K-2 in all Arkansas public school classrooms this year. (Grades 3-8 follow next year, and grades 9-12 the year after that.)
If, however, this is news to you, or if you would like to know exactly how the Common Core State Standards are changing instruction, the Arkansas Department of Education recently posted a new video that does a great job of explaining what the new standards are, why they are important and how they are changing teaching practices in the three grades. A state education official offers the big picture view, but the most vivid descriptions of the changes taking place come from a principal and three K-2 teachers. You can watch it here.

Happy Spring Break

Spring break is here for Arkansas public school students and personnel. First Class Communication, LLC, wishes everyone a safe and happy week!

To be wired or not to be wired?

Geez, should that even be a question anymore when it comes to students and learning? Technology is an integral part of most everyone's working and nonworking life. It's not that schools necessarily teach kids how to use technology; it seemed like my children were born knowing how to double click, and that was years ago. It's knowing how to integrate that technology into expanding and integrating knowledge. Plus, that's how kids learn. It's what the vast, vast majority of them know.
So it was funny to read an editorial in Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in which the writer was gnashing his teeth over the idea that the Fayetteville School District would allow students to bring their "computer devices" to the classroom. I agree, it would be better for the district to supply said computer-devices to eliminate the potential for status-type differences, but being afraid of students being distracted by what they can do on their iPads is silly. Good educators know how to keep their classes engaged, and that's every bit as challenging in a paper-only classroom. A bored student will be as distracted by a fly crawling on the ceiling or thoughts of what he'll do after school.
According to the principal in a San Jose, CA, high school that has supplied iPads to its students, "The richness and potential here is much greater than just e-books The students have embraced the idea that learning happens not just in class but at home and anywhere else they can go online. The iPad's not some magic pill, but seeing students collaborate on them seems to add more life to the learning process." That quote, by the way, is found in a news article in today's Dem-Gaz.
I wish the newspaper's editorial writers could make it out to the classrooms in Cross County or any of the other school districts in Arkansas that have embraced and are using technology in exciting ways to enhance student learning. It's hard not to be impressed.