Clintondale was the first school in the United States to flip completely — all of its classes are now taught this way. Now flipped classrooms are popping up all over. Havana High School outside of Peoria, Ill., is flipping, too, after the school superintendent visited Clintondale. The principal of Clintondale says that some 200 school officials have visited.
It’s well known by now that online education is booming. You can study any subject free in a MOOC — a massive open online course — from single-digit addition to the history of Chinese architecture to flight vehicle aerodynamics. Courses are being offered by universities like Harvard and M.I.T. and by the teenager next door making videos in his garage. Among the best-known sources are the Khan Academy, Coursera and Udacity. But while online courses can make high-quality education available to anyone for the price of an Internet connection, they also have the potential to displace humans, with all that implies for teachers and students.
Read the full article here: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/turning-education-upside-down
Mojo, during Monday evening’s City Council meeting, I heard Mr. Kearny say at least twice we have a consensus on the budget. He also asked what is to be gained reopening the debate.
Raising taxes may not be pleasing; it is far better than draining the Fund Balance (savings).
As for the manning up comment, I felt the Mayor and the council needed to pull-on their big girl or boy pants and get to the task at hand. The Mayor was visibly displeased with re-opening the budget consensus. He should have shown some much needed leadership first moving the remaining agenda to another day then re-opening the budget debate to achieve a new consensus. The time for the elected to gather their allies is past, besides those allies abdicated there interest by not attending the public budget work sessions or speaking out when given the floor.
If you read blog you will find that proper grammer is not being taught in Vance County Schools
Elmwood: Check your spelling!
If you are a football player or a basketball player and attend UNC-CH, you do not need a course, an instructor or an internet connection in order to remain eligible to play. Do they really expect kids who can barely read and write when they “graduate” (?) from high school to compete with the rest of the student body?
All the administration is concerned about are the big dollars these students (?) add to the university coffers. There are approximately 100 scholarship football and basketball players at UNC-CH which means that probably 85 to 90 real students are denied admission.
Before you say that I am picking on UNC-CH, I am only using them as an example because of recent findings. Please do not say that all schools do this. That may be true, but is that reason enough to permit this charade to continue?
RR: It is all about the bottom line–sports generate big bucks as I’m sure you know. .Universities must think admitting the athletes is worth the trade off –and so it goes on.
I learned speling in Vance County Schools
It’s speaks volumes when what are considered your “best” teachers are willing to commute over an hour to a neighboring county just so they don’t have to teach in Vance County. I have heard many of them complain about the lack of administrative support from the principals as well as the County Office. Too much WASTE over on Graham Ave. How many school systems the size of Vance have a Public Information Officer? Talk about a “cushy” job!! This lady who holds this job may be a wonderful person but the job could be done away with and the $$$ could be spent on possibly funding some other things they claim they don’t have $$$ for!!
As far as the VCS School Board…..does anything need to be said? How long has Mr. Woods been telling them that the pipes/boiler over at Western Vance needed repairs? And they continue to put off getting them fixed. The problem with this particular School Board is that they are short-term thinkers. They don’t look at the big picture and try to make arrangements/plans for the future. I’m wondering how many of the members of the School Board have visited all the schools in the system and seen firsthand what each schools individual needs are? I’m willing to go out on a limb and say that 1 or 2 of them probably have but I guarantee you that the entire Board hasn’t set foot in all the schools.
Is there any wonder why VCS continues to be the laughing stock of public schools in the 5 county area? Why do you think so many Charter School applications have been submitted to locate in Vance County? It’s because parents who give a rat’s a-s about their kids education don’t want them in VCS!!! That’s a fact!!!
Well said Deception.
testing, 1, 2
Mingo, apathy seems to rule.
No one seems to care that one of the three election board members has filed suit in a different federal court against the very organization she is now a member.
No one seems to care that the County has been less than forthright regarding the cost of county wide water.
No one seems to care that the residence of Phase 1 of county wide water are still awaiting the promised water.
No one seems to care that the planners of the half million dollar farmers market didn’t realize winter comes every year and a heating system would be necessary.
No one seems to care that bridges and roads need marking paint but cutting the grass has more been important.
No one seems to care — (you fill in the rest).
To whomever posted earlier as “Deception”:
I have scoured this site since its earliest days, and this is the first time I’ve ever posted a comment. Misinformation has prompted me to respond. Misinformation is sometimes well-intentioned and the result of oversight, but the combination of misinformation, indignation, and venom has left me troubled.
I have on multiple occasions seen references on HiH to the unnecessary nature of the Vance County Schools’ Public Information Officer position. Let’s set some things straight:
From a statewide perspective:
— every single public school LEA in the state of North Carolina–even the tiny Clinton City system and the tiniest Tyrell County Schools–has a Public Information Officer
— the position is required under NCDPI guidelines
From a Vance County perspective, this two-person department:
— manages the Vance County Schools website content
— handles news releases/public statements to and interactions with the media (a particularly difficult and thankless task in times of intense public and media scrutiny!)
— hosts a weekly radio broadcast
— oversees the enormous ConnectEd system that is the primary means of parent/school/administration contact with parents and students for everything from weather-related cancellations to PTA/Curriculum night events to Athletic Events
— coordinates the PAGE program, which offers enrichment programs and activities for Vance County’s top students, and has facilitated thousands of dollars in scholarships throughout its existence
— handles all printed publicity materials for the system
— publishes the LEA newsletter
— coordinates with local civic clubs and organizations to offer dozens of opportunities for Vance County students, from annual college scholarships to enrichment programs to arts programs that otherwise would be unavailable to students in our system.
[the above items are the only responsibilities of the VCS Public Information officer with which I have first-hand experience…there are many others]
From a personal perspective:
–Terri Hedrick is one of the most articulate, intelligent, professional, and child-focused employees I’ve met in the entire Vance County system.
–She is paid peanuts, even when compared to classroom teachers.
In my opinion, “cushy” is certainly not an adjective that applies to this position.
So, my fellow Hendersonians, I hope we can divert focus away from a scapegoat position that is perceived as being representative of all VCS problems. At this point, at least in my opinion, to continue beating this drum borders on libel. I have personally had, and continue to have, a superb experience as a parent of three VCS students, and I am committed to being a part of the solution to improving education in this county and am committed to keeping my children in public school despite the bumps along the road.
Does our system have problems? Heavens, yes! But, if you feel strongly enough to post the things that appear in this thread and many previous ones, I would urge you to investigate and learn as much as you can factually before you complain. But I urge you even more strongly to translate that into action, perhaps by volunteering in a VCS classroom.
I appreciate your attention and patience with my long post. I would love to see HiH raise the bar a bit on the kinds of conversations we have here, but that can only happen when each poster chooses to elevate the discourse. Let’s fix our county, city, and schools with the overwhelming force of positive deeds rather than being trapped in stagnant, constantly complaining negativity.
I concur re; Ms. Hedrick. And as far as Deception, well, has never been one to let facts get in the way of a good rant.
And Deception, look at the ‘Links” connection at the very top of this page, then ‘Local Links’, on the left side, try the 8th one.
Mr. Bobbitt…No seems to care that the City of Henderson is owed $1.8 million by the Embassy Foundation. In spite of what you hear, the city council was told that this money would be returned to the city in the form of a check for $1.8 million plus a building with no debt. Of course, this was done in the dark of night and no one wants to talk about it now.
are there are carryovers from that city council that would know of this today, since it seems to be word of mouth and not a document of any kind?
Mingo…In answer to your question, there was a subsequent debate among 3 city council members who were running for mayor, There was a question phoned in during the debate on WIZS. This was the question:” Will the $1.8 million which was loaned to the Embassy Foundation be repaid to the city in the form of a check or will the city just get the land and building?” All 3 mayoral candidates answered that the $1.8 million was to be repaid in the form of a check plus the land and building which would be debt free.” I have verified this with a gentleman who was one of the radio hosts who asked the question which had been phoned into the station.
I believe there was a document prepared after the fact stating that this was a loan, although I am not sure. In any event, how could any individual or a group walk into a city council meeting and leave with $1.8 million, which was almost all of the funds available for use? The citizens of Henderson were told many times that this project would be completed using private donations and that no tax money would be used. If the $1.8 million was not tax money, then how was it classified?
well, my question was, if there were any council memebers who were in office then/now that could verify this today? I guess i got my answer.
preludepostlude….you did a good job of “TRYING” to explain what the job of a Public Information Officer entails but you missed the point that all those lil’ school systems(and the big ones) are having the PIO’s wear numerous hats and do many other things than you list. My point was it is a “cushy” job! If it wasn’t….why has she continued to stay in the position? Answer:cushiness!!
If you are so willing to explain why you think this person is so “worth” the job in gold then why not 1. Give her a call and a pep talk or 2. Look in the mirror and say you did a good job of defending yourself!!
You gotta love it when people say they “love working with children”….how exactly does a PIO “work” with children? I’m just wondering…..
Either way…..facts don’t LIE!! People DO!!
P.S. Let me guess? You probably voted for your Govenor Pat too didn’t you? Nuff said!!!
Are there minutes of City Council Meetings that could verify whether or not there was a loan to Embassy Group ? Where are the loan documents ?
Elmwood, I have no idea what is in the minutes of the city council; however, I heard 3 former members of the council state during the above mentioned debate that the intent was that the $1.8 million was to be repaid in the form of a check to the treasury of the city. I heard the debate myself, heard the question and heard the answer. I have verified this with the moderator who relayed the question and has saved his notes all these years. That is good enough for me.
No documents, no present city officials that know of this, just you saying that you heard three people say something, all trying to get elected? No evidence, just heresay,( and notes on heresay) and that’s good enough for you? I’ve got some land in Florida I’d like to sell you.
My post from yesterday must have gotten “lost” in cyber space. I will be brief in saying that post #11 did a good job of explaining what the job description for a Public Information Officer is and that the smaller counties have PIO’s. My point was that indeed they do have PIO’s but they also serve multiple other duties as well……not to mention a local “talk show” that airs on the radio. My point was also that if it doesn’t fit into the description of a “cushy” job then what does? If it’s soooo bad or soooo hard then why hasn’t it been given up? End of story!!!
Mingo, nothing you say changes the fact that a check for $1.8 million was given to the Embassy Foundation and was called “seed money”. Publicity issued by the Foundation clearly stated that no tax funds would be used in the building of the library or the purchase of the land. The fact that 3 council members, including the chairman of the finance comittee, stated that the money was a loan which was to be repaid is proof that the taxpayers of Henderson should expect this money to be repaid
I know that several current council members are aware of the situation, but are reluctant to get involved for some reason. Why not just bring the matter to a head and clear the air. If the Foundation does not intend to repay the loan, they should say so.
RR: I agree with you. We need to find someone with clout to demand release of the signed paper involved in the Embassy Project–if indeed there is one. or a cancelled check for payment in full–in my opinion.
Time marches on –time to get this done before those involved are no longer with us.
Prudance Maybe Ms Yount can shed some light on the Embassy deal.Was she on the city council when all of this allegedly transpired.
City council minutes contemporaneous with the “loan” are available. Any citizen can ask for a copy of the minutes. They are public documents. The council agenda that evening did not list the request for the loan by The Embassy Foundation. The “loan” was requested by Sam Watkins and others representing the foundation. The matter has always been referred to as a loan and has probably not been repaid. Why not just ask the Watkins boys and Tommy Hester for the money?
downandoutinkitrell Do you know exact date of meeting? If so would you please let us know. Thanks