Valedictorian Speaks Out - Amazing Speech!

I got this from Jim Gilligan on Facebook.  This speech is fantastic!

http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=31620,

Marianne's and Ryan's Presentations

I'm excited about week two of our presentations. Marianne and Ryan present tonight. If the two of you want to write anything in advance, you may write it here. Otherwise, we'll all reflect on your presentations in this space after class tonight.

See you soon.
Janet

Race to Nowhere

So there's a documentary "answering" to Waiting For Superman called Race to Nowhere. Learn about it at http://www.racetonowhere.com/.

Here's how it's described:

Director Vicki Abeles turns the personal political, igniting a national conversation in her new documentary about the pressures faced by American schoolchildren and their teachers in a system and culture obsessed with the illusion of achievement, competition and the pressure to perform. Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Race to Nowhere is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.

Janet

Week Eleven: Beth's Presentation

Please respond to Beth's presentation tonight here. Beth, also feel free to ask us questions.