Should struggling third-graders stay for another year?
Florence Times Daily – Aug. 12
State Sen. Arthur Orr questions whether third-graders who struggle in reading should spend another year in the grade. Orr, R-Decatur, said that’s an option — currently in practice in a few other states — that officials should discuss. Other ideas include summertime intervention programs and other tools to give students a chance to master reading skills before moving to the fourth grade. “Most times, when students aren’t reading on grade level by grade four, he or she will never read on grade level,” said Jameha Gardner, an assistant professor of education and elementary reading specialist at Athens State University. The importance of strong reading skills at a young age can’t be overstated, education experts say … Without that element, holding a student back a year would be pointless, if not detrimental. “Just because you hold a student back in the same grade doesn’t mean they will be successful,” she said. “It takes work; it takes effort. Effort from the student, the teacher and the parents.” Shannon Henderson, an assistant professor in elementary and literacy education at the University of Alabama, agrees. “Overall, the research is that holding children back for a year and giving them the exact same thing the second time around doesn’t work. It defies logic,” she said. Henderson said struggling readers can be identified, and should be helped, earlier than the third grade. “If kids aren’t reading at first grade, we need to be doing something right then,” Henderson said. “I’m of the opinion that if we truly want to make a difference for struggling readers, we put emphasis on first grade, the beginning of first grade, not the end of third grade.”
Campaign Anniston: Mayoral candidates dig into own pockets
Anniston Star – Aug. 11
The race for mayor of Anniston has been an expensive one so far, but it’s not just voters who are financing the campaigns. Of the candidates who have filed campaign finance forms so far — three have not reached the $1,000 threshold that requires filing — seven of the eight have kicked in their own money to help their campaigns along. Some, like John Norton, are relying almost completely on their own money to finance their campaigns ranging from $2,000 to just more than $16,000. Mayor Gene Robinson is funding his campaign in a similar manner; he could not be reached for comment on this article. It’s not unusual for municipal candidates to have to use some of their own money to campaign, said William Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama. “Donors would rather give to high-level campaigns,” Stewart said. In Alabama, many of the important decisions are made at the gubernatorial or federal level, so those are the campaigns donors are most likely to give to. However, most candidates will have some level of local support. “I would expect that business interests particularly would be interested in the outcome of municipal elections,” Stewart said.
Kirani James says he was running for the people of Alabama
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Aug. 11
Earlier in the week, University of Alabama track athlete Kirani James won gold in the London Olympics for his native country of Grenada. He is a national hero. He’s also a hero in Tuscaloosa/ James was in T-town turning the 2011 tornado. He recalls the destruction, the tragedy and how the community came together for one purpose. So he committed himself on the track, to win and win for the people of Alabama. James cut his teeth winning NCAA titles at Alabama before going off and winning a world title in the 400 meters in 2011, backing it up with an Olympic gold. Just 19 years old, he’s not as good as he is going to get – Thinking Rio 2016.