Last week Hugh Jackman, Tony and Emmy Award winning actor and producer, was the Guest of Honor at the Brooklyn, New York-based Children of the City Benefit to help raise awareness of the educational needs and social challenges of underprivileged children in Brooklyn communities. The evening was hosted by WABC Features & Lifestyle reporter Lauren Glassberg as the guests gathered at New York's Pier Sixty.
Rocco Basile, chairman of the board of directors of Children of the City was honored by District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, for his efforts in supporting the non-profit. Brooklyn Retail Market Manager for TD Bank Eileen Holmes, was honored with the 2010 Children’s Champion Award.
The benefit was an opportunity to bring about awareness of the challenges the children have to face. Founder and President Joyce Mattera, who has dedicated her life to helping disadvantaged and neglected children talked about the fact that there is a 48 percent dropout rate in the Brooklyn community, which as more than 30,000 children. One out of four are living in abject poverty.
Children of the City is dedicated to changing the culture of poverty. Visit www.childrenofthewcity.org.
Showing posts with label Children of the City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children of the City. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Has the Recession Harmed Philanthropies?
This was just released in March 2010 - A recent report on the 2010 State of the Nonprofit Sector said that 18 percent of the more than 1,300 nonprofit leaders surveyed expect their organizations to end 2010 in the black. In 2009, 35 percent of organizations ended the year with an operating surplus. But, 12 percent have no cash and 61 percent of those surveyed said they have less than three months of cash available. (Source: The Foundation Center.)
Basically this means is that the field of philanthropy will become more strategic as a result of the world’s economic crisis.
About 80 percent of these nonprofits expect to see an increase in demand for their services in 2010. On the other hand, only 49 percent expect to be able to fully meet that demand.
Many charity organizations are taking steps to maintain, and expand during these recessionary times. 52 percent stated they have collaborated with other organizations to provide programs; 43 percent have expanded their offerings; 18 percent have expanded the geographic area served by their programs. A big 60 percent said that they have become more involved with their board.
Overall, the impact of the economic situation on foundations is as follows:
1) There is a clear expectation among grant makers that the field of philanthropy will become more strategic as a result of having weathered the economic crisis. 2) The long-term impact of the crisis on their own foundations are forcing engaging in “more robust strategic planning,” “more focused use of the foundation’s capabilities,” and being “more focused and disciplined in executing our strategy.”
There have been declines in overall consumer demand and our country’s highest unemployment figures in a quarter century, so it is no surprise that the future outlook for the nonprofit community has been impacted by the recession.
One charity thatI work closely with and sit on their Board, is known as Children of the City in Sunset Park near Brooklyn, New York, however, is not suffering at all since the recession. It is growing.
-- Rocco Basile
Basically this means is that the field of philanthropy will become more strategic as a result of the world’s economic crisis.
About 80 percent of these nonprofits expect to see an increase in demand for their services in 2010. On the other hand, only 49 percent expect to be able to fully meet that demand.
Many charity organizations are taking steps to maintain, and expand during these recessionary times. 52 percent stated they have collaborated with other organizations to provide programs; 43 percent have expanded their offerings; 18 percent have expanded the geographic area served by their programs. A big 60 percent said that they have become more involved with their board.
Overall, the impact of the economic situation on foundations is as follows:
1) There is a clear expectation among grant makers that the field of philanthropy will become more strategic as a result of having weathered the economic crisis. 2) The long-term impact of the crisis on their own foundations are forcing engaging in “more robust strategic planning,” “more focused use of the foundation’s capabilities,” and being “more focused and disciplined in executing our strategy.”
There have been declines in overall consumer demand and our country’s highest unemployment figures in a quarter century, so it is no surprise that the future outlook for the nonprofit community has been impacted by the recession.
One charity thatI work closely with and sit on their Board, is known as Children of the City in Sunset Park near Brooklyn, New York, however, is not suffering at all since the recession. It is growing.
-- Rocco Basile
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Rocco Basile Reports: Mathew Encourages Talent
“My job is to encourage talent.”
As you know I report things happening at my charity Children of the City, as well as add information to my website on educational trends and such at www.roccobasile.net.
But here's a really inspiring story I wanted to share ... Mathew is a tutor in Children of the City’s Create Success After School Program in Sunset Park near Brooklyn, NY.
He basically teaches kids the skills they need to come up with a strategy for learning. And he believes that creativity is the key. Matt inspires confidence and boosts his students' self esteem.
He mixes it up with drama, games, and group presentations like last semester's reading of Shakespeare’s “A Mid Summer Night’s Dream.” This helps promote public speaking, listening skills and comprehension.
A communications major, Matt grew up in Sunset Park. He was making a documentary in El Salvador when he realized he wanted to teach, so he moved back to his old neighborhood and rearranged his work schedule to free up his afternoons to help teach the kids at Children of the City.
-- Rocco Basile
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Children of the City's Mission
The mission for Sunset Park-based Children of the City, located in Brooklyn New York has remained the same since 1981. They try to reach at-risk inner-city youth and their families. Children of the City's goal is to connect families to resources to address their current crises in an effort to change the culture of poverty.
One of their programs, Strong Minds and Strong Homes, is a volunteer-based outreach effort that meets children and families where they live. Strong Minds - Strong Homes (SMASH) is a volunteer-based effort that meets children and families in Sunset Park and connects them with services they might not otherwise seek out on their own.
The goals of this program include:
1) Building a healthy community - by increasing connections between community members and service providers.
2) Empowering parents to meet basic physical needs of their children - by connecting them to food pantries, employment services, clothing providers, and other social service groups.
3) Equipping parents to raise healthy children - by helping to train and support them to use healthy developmental strategies to raise their children. This helps reduce neglect and child abuse.
4) Increasing educational opportunities for children - by advocating at local schools and connecting them with supplemental academic programs.
I also have other information about this and other programs that Children of the City sponsors on my educational website www.roccobasile.net.
Children of the City also believes in the importance of mobilizing its community members to work together for the good of everyone in the neighborhood. Each year the organization trains 50 volunteers from the Sunset Park community. Each person commits to giving 10 hours every month conducting outreach for children and families, over 12 consecutive months.
I do it and it is the best feeling in the world to give back to a community.
-- Rocco Basile
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Survey Says Nonprofit Giving Has Declined 10% due to Economy
In order to keep an eye on my chairites from time to time I review research and statistical informatio n to post on my website http://www.roccobasile.net/. According to survey findings released by the Foundation Center, giving will likely decline by more than 10 percent since 2008. The survey is the result of interviewing and obtaining the responses of 600 foundations. What’s more, continued reductions are expected throughout 2010.
The year has suffered declines in overall consumer demand and our country’s highest unemployment figures in a quarter century, so it is no surprise that the future outlook for the nonprofit community has been impacted by the recession. The field of philanthropy will become more strategic as a result of the economic crisis.
The majority of experts believe that the nonprofit sector will emerge stronger but agree that ultimately there will be fewer organizations. U.S. foundation giving suffered an estimated 22 percent drop in foundation assets in 2008. Earlier this year, the Foundation Center estimated that 2009 giving by the nation’s more than 75,000 grant making foundations would “decrease by around eight to 13 percent, and at this time, it seems as if it is likely the decline will be even more.
The economic crisis has forced nonprofits to adjust their operating costs. More than two-thirds of respondents to the September 2009 said they have in some way reduced operating expenses since the beginning of the economic crisis, even those that still have endowments. It seems that some nonprofits are trying to preserve the value of their endowments, so that they will not permanently diminish grant making capacity, while others have determined they will be smaller institutions going forward and are making necessary staffing and expense adjustments.
How are they cutting back? Many have reduced operating expenses since the onset of the economic crisis, by reducing staff travel and salaries. Two-thirds of the respondents that cut expenses reported reducing staff travel budgets and/or limiting staff to attend conferences. A little over one-third indicated that they had also reduced staff training and professional development opportunities.
A larger share of respondents expect that their giving will be lower in 2010 (26 percent) than higher (17 percent). Larger foundations, those giving over $10 million, are more likely than smaller foundations to reduce their giving further next year. While asset averaging generally limits the impact of modest economic fluctuations on annual giving, the extreme 2008 asset losses will not be balanced out by 2007 asset growth and the 2009 turnaround in the market.
Finally, the impact of the economic crisis on foundations has been twofold. 1) There is a clear expectation among grant makers that the field of philanthropy will become more strategic as a result of having weathered the economic crisis. 2) The long-term impact of the crisis on their own foundations are forcing engaging in “more robust strategic planning,” “more focused use of the foundation’s capabilities,” and being “more focused and disciplined in executing our strategy.” The focus of other types of long-term changes cited by survey respondents ranged from governance to grantee relations to investments.
The Foundation Center’s next Foundation Giving Forecast Survey will be conducted in January 2010, with results released in the March 2010 edition of Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates.
The annual Foundation Giving Forecast Survey and made it available to approximately 5,000 large and mid-size U.S. community, independent, and corporate foundations.
-- Rocco Basile
Source: Foundation Center, 2009 http://www.foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/research/pdf/researchadvisory_economy_200911.pdf
The year has suffered declines in overall consumer demand and our country’s highest unemployment figures in a quarter century, so it is no surprise that the future outlook for the nonprofit community has been impacted by the recession. The field of philanthropy will become more strategic as a result of the economic crisis.
The majority of experts believe that the nonprofit sector will emerge stronger but agree that ultimately there will be fewer organizations. U.S. foundation giving suffered an estimated 22 percent drop in foundation assets in 2008. Earlier this year, the Foundation Center estimated that 2009 giving by the nation’s more than 75,000 grant making foundations would “decrease by around eight to 13 percent, and at this time, it seems as if it is likely the decline will be even more.
The economic crisis has forced nonprofits to adjust their operating costs. More than two-thirds of respondents to the September 2009 said they have in some way reduced operating expenses since the beginning of the economic crisis, even those that still have endowments. It seems that some nonprofits are trying to preserve the value of their endowments, so that they will not permanently diminish grant making capacity, while others have determined they will be smaller institutions going forward and are making necessary staffing and expense adjustments.
How are they cutting back? Many have reduced operating expenses since the onset of the economic crisis, by reducing staff travel and salaries. Two-thirds of the respondents that cut expenses reported reducing staff travel budgets and/or limiting staff to attend conferences. A little over one-third indicated that they had also reduced staff training and professional development opportunities.
A larger share of respondents expect that their giving will be lower in 2010 (26 percent) than higher (17 percent). Larger foundations, those giving over $10 million, are more likely than smaller foundations to reduce their giving further next year. While asset averaging generally limits the impact of modest economic fluctuations on annual giving, the extreme 2008 asset losses will not be balanced out by 2007 asset growth and the 2009 turnaround in the market.
Finally, the impact of the economic crisis on foundations has been twofold. 1) There is a clear expectation among grant makers that the field of philanthropy will become more strategic as a result of having weathered the economic crisis. 2) The long-term impact of the crisis on their own foundations are forcing engaging in “more robust strategic planning,” “more focused use of the foundation’s capabilities,” and being “more focused and disciplined in executing our strategy.” The focus of other types of long-term changes cited by survey respondents ranged from governance to grantee relations to investments.
The Foundation Center’s next Foundation Giving Forecast Survey will be conducted in January 2010, with results released in the March 2010 edition of Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates.
The annual Foundation Giving Forecast Survey and made it available to approximately 5,000 large and mid-size U.S. community, independent, and corporate foundations.
-- Rocco Basile
Source: Foundation Center, 2009 http://www.foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/research/pdf/researchadvisory_economy_200911.pdf
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Fundraising in Economically Challenging Times
Industry experts say that shock ads are becomming worse than ever. Are they working when it comes to shocking people into contributing to the latest charity cause? Possibly...
But rather than shock ads for charities focused on drinking and driving or drugs, why not focus on charities with a more positive outcome? Like children's education, students and parents in need?
I work with several charities include Children of the City in Brooklyn, and the Joe Dimmagio committee, and my educational website (http://www.roccobasile.net/) details the latest trends in these charities.
We are making such amazing strides in these organizations, and all that is needed at this point is recogition. Once people heard that Gweneth Paltrow was part of our "Champions of Hope" annual fundraiser this last year, the doors open.
If you are interested in learning more so you can help us, go to my website at http://www.roccobasile.net/
Monday, October 12, 2009
Has the Economy Affected Top Twelve Educational Trends?
Every generation has sets of educational trends that are constantly evolving right along with the times. By taking a look at these trends, higher-education institutions are better able to prepare for the future students to become productive members of society and world leaders.
As you know I am fascinated with how our children develop and learn, as evidenced from the topics on website at http://www.roccobasile.net/ - especially the underpriviledged kids in the charities where I serve as a Board member such as Children of the City. (Kaylen on right)
Let's take a look at five of these predictions (there are twelve in all) to see if the economy has affected them in any way this last year.
1. Evergreen students - It is the 18 year olds who are bringing the new technologies to college campuses, but due to this fact they expect the infastructure to be in place to support their new evergreen ideas. But this last year the biggest trends included social media like YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, interactive mobile smart phones, and places like SecondLife.com are a great tools to train students virtually. Universities continue to explore new ways to integrate these tools into a productive learning environment and the slow economy only slows down the process of implementation.
2 Globalization - The demand for higher education worldwide is increasing and will continue to grow. There a re 100 million college students globally, and the growth areas have been India, China and the Middle East. Today students must prepare for a global workforce.
3. Techninal and informational literacy. Technical literacy among teachers in increasing, and more are using computers and ew technology in teaching. Students may be device savvy but they need to improve on being information savvy, therefore using technology for academic purposes is the new goal. a wave of faculty retirement is bringing new teachers to the forefront who are younger and more technologically savvy.
4. Enrollment, retention, and branding. Schools are hip to using the Internet to market academic programs, and e-learning online is well under way (e.g. Zinch.com is to help students in the college application process). Colleges have built attractive brands, and are using new methods to enroll and keep students in school - such as call centers to contact students and leave voicemails if they miss classes.
5. Mobility. Colleges are compelled to capitolize on feature rich mobile phones to reach students new ways such as texting, instant messaging, video, etc. Now colleges are exploring ways to use PDAs to deliver coursework, field data, training modules, schedules, and much more.
Just as colleges and universities are experiementing with technology tools to improve learning, our younger students are less fortunate in some communities where public schools simply do not have the government support for funds to provide the technology - especially during bad economic times.
Life is a learning experience ... This is why programs like ChildrenoftheCity are so critical to communities like Brooklyn.
-- Rocco Basile
Friday, July 24, 2009
Gwyneth Paltrow at Champions of Hope Benefit
I am very excited that next Wednesday July 29, 2009 Children of the City will be celebrating vaving successfully served the children and families of Southwest Brooklyn for more than two decades. As you know I cover the issues surrounding education and my charity work in my own website called http://www.roccobasile.net/. The goal of Children of the City has always been and still is to meet the needs of the community.
It is with sincere pleasure and pride that I announce that this year's July 29th fundraiser will be host to guest of honor Actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Master of ceremonies is Bill Evans of WABC Eyewitness News and always a supporter, New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree.
Sponsorship opportunities to support the charity are avaialble here.
Wednesday July 29, 2009Cocktails 6:30pm Reception 7:30pm*Open Bar*
Tribeca Rooftop 2 Desbrosses Street, New York For more informaiton call: 718-436-0242 X20
Initially our success was measured by families overcoming poverty through our organization. This includes a first generation of patrons who are now businesspeople and homeowners in our community, raising families.
It is astounding that most of them came back and continue to volunteer with Children of the City. Economic instability continues to subject many families to drug abuse and delinquency.
Even during these economically difficult times, we have increased the number of programs as well as the volunteers and mentors who have so graciously supported the families who participate in all of our programs, and we will continue to try to work towards success.
Watch our charity's introduction video here to learn more about Children of the City.
--Rocco Basile
It is with sincere pleasure and pride that I announce that this year's July 29th fundraiser will be host to guest of honor Actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Master of ceremonies is Bill Evans of WABC Eyewitness News and always a supporter, New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree.Sponsorship opportunities to support the charity are avaialble here.
Wednesday July 29, 2009Cocktails 6:30pm Reception 7:30pm*Open Bar*
Tribeca Rooftop 2 Desbrosses Street, New York For more informaiton call: 718-436-0242 X20
Initially our success was measured by families overcoming poverty through our organization. This includes a first generation of patrons who are now businesspeople and homeowners in our community, raising families.
It is astounding that most of them came back and continue to volunteer with Children of the City. Economic instability continues to subject many families to drug abuse and delinquency.
Even during these economically difficult times, we have increased the number of programs as well as the volunteers and mentors who have so graciously supported the families who participate in all of our programs, and we will continue to try to work towards success.
Watch our charity's introduction video here to learn more about Children of the City.
--Rocco Basile
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Latest in Education News
Funds Cut for Public School Reform
In a Washington Post article today, staff writer Bill Turque said that Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has eliminated funding for an independent evaluator assigned to assess the progress of public school reform under Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee. This was according to the revised 2010 budget he submitted to the D.C. Council late Friday.
These proposed moves reflect the council's discontent with what members see as a lack of transparency and accountability in the mayor's efforts to transform the District's struggling public school system.
Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) and the council are free to restore the funding cut when they vote on the revised budget July 31. But speaking to the council Monday at a hearing on Fenty's plan to close a two-year, $666 million revenue shortfall, city administrator Neil Albert urged that the governance structure established in 2007 remain intact.
Abu Dhabi Opens New York University
In a move where Abu Shabi is looking to bolster its educational credentials, Dhabi is planning to open New York University's newest campus next fall alongside cultural landmarks such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and a new Guggenheim on Saadiyat island.
NYU Abu Dhabi is one of several ambitious projects that the emirate has funded as part of its 2030 Initiative. This is a multibillion dollar plan. Abu Dhabi has been propelling its profile more than its neighboring emirate Dubai, a littery symbol of oil-funded development.
Qatar currently leads the Gulf States in educational ventures. A development outside Doha dubbed Education City is home to several American universities including elite private universities such as Georgetown and public universities such as Texas A&M.
Wichita State University Upgrades from VCR to Milestone IP Video Surveillance
Milestone appears to be flexible and scalable for campus expansions, and very easy to manage.
Milestone is still so easy to use, even with upgrades: put up a new server, install the software, load the DLK, and it is done. -- Rocco Basile
In a Washington Post article today, staff writer Bill Turque said that Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has eliminated funding for an independent evaluator assigned to assess the progress of public school reform under Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee. This was according to the revised 2010 budget he submitted to the D.C. Council late Friday.
These proposed moves reflect the council's discontent with what members see as a lack of transparency and accountability in the mayor's efforts to transform the District's struggling public school system.
Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) and the council are free to restore the funding cut when they vote on the revised budget July 31. But speaking to the council Monday at a hearing on Fenty's plan to close a two-year, $666 million revenue shortfall, city administrator Neil Albert urged that the governance structure established in 2007 remain intact.
Abu Dhabi Opens New York University In a move where Abu Shabi is looking to bolster its educational credentials, Dhabi is planning to open New York University's newest campus next fall alongside cultural landmarks such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and a new Guggenheim on Saadiyat island.
NYU Abu Dhabi is one of several ambitious projects that the emirate has funded as part of its 2030 Initiative. This is a multibillion dollar plan. Abu Dhabi has been propelling its profile more than its neighboring emirate Dubai, a littery symbol of oil-funded development.
Qatar currently leads the Gulf States in educational ventures. A development outside Doha dubbed Education City is home to several American universities including elite private universities such as Georgetown and public universities such as Texas A&M.
Wichita State University Upgrades from VCR to Milestone IP Video Surveillance
Milestone appears to be flexible and scalable for campus expansions, and very easy to manage.
Milestone is still so easy to use, even with upgrades: put up a new server, install the software, load the DLK, and it is done. -- Rocco Basile
Monday, May 11, 2009
Rocco Basile is Proud of Angel
As a father, Rocco Basile knows how tough it can be to be a Dad, and how instrumental a father is in shaping a child’s life. That's why Basile and the charity he works closely with, Children of the City, are proud of Angel Lopez, a 24 year old former gang member,
Angel’s dad was incarcerated when he was a boy, and his Mom had drug problems. Several well meaning relatives tried to help, but the lack of a male authority figure led Angel to search for role models among the gang leaders that he thought were so cool.
Then one day about four years ago a Children of the City youth outreach counselor started visiting with Angel’s nephew, in order to listen to what Angel was saying. Soon, Angel started making appointments to talk with the counselor himself because he wanted to be a good father to his son and daughter. He married the mother of his children and endured the hardships that were required to quit the gang. He credits Children of the City with helping him with his education, a job, and learning how to be a better parent.
What would Angel's life been like if he had found Children of the City when he was a child? Committed to volunteering at Children of the City, Angel said, “I reach out to the kids. I try to give as much of myself as I can ... I tell them the truth about the streets. I warn them about jail, the diseases, and everything else that is out there when you switch to the fast lane. I let them know that I had a choice, and they have choices."
Monday, April 27, 2009
Have you heard About the Developmentally Appropriate Practice Video?
I just discovered the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a group that has been a leading voice in defining, disseminating, and recognizing the best practices in the care and education of children. iot deals with kids that are up to age 8. As you kbnow I review all the latest informaiton on the education of children and put muh of this reearc on my website http://www.roccobasile.net/.The NAEYC recently released the third edition of its principles and guidelines for teachers and others in the field of early childhood education in 2009. It describes the “Developmentally Appropriate Practice” — that is, teaching practices that ensure that young children learn and develop to their fullest potential.
To listen to the video, click the link below.http://www.naeyc.org/dap/resources1.asp.
In addition, you may want to review Young Children, an award winning peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly by the NAEYC. The magazine's issues are organized around topical clusters that devote attention to issues in the field of early childhood education. The practitioner-based nature of Young Children makes it unique among journals and its award winning status testifies to the publication's excellence.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Mother Teresa of Sunset Park is Honored
On March 25 Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes honored Children of the City's Joyce Mattera at his third annual Extraordinary Women’s event. In honor of Women’s History Month, Joyce Mattera was recognized for her accomplishments and contribution to the Sunset Park community. As you know, I am on the Board of this fine organization, and my website is devoted to the betterment of children's education.
District Attorney Hynes unveiled a huge calendar, in the lobby of 350 Jay Street, for the month of March with each day dedicated to one of the extraordinary women who were nominated by Brooklyn residents. Hynes bestowed the title of Special Ambassador to Joyce Mattera, formally acknowledged at a ceremony on March 25 in the Ceremonial Court Room at Brooklyn Borough Hall, along with other women.
Children of the City's Executive Director and Founder Joyce Mattera, is lovingly referred to by many as the "Mother Teresa of Sunset Park." She has devoted herself to helping others through service to children and the families of Sunset Park, Brooklyn since 1981. --Rocco Basile
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Support for Children of the City's Children
Back in December, on the the 20th, the charity that I so fondly support - Children of the City - facilitated a very special Christmas for one unfortunate little girl and her family.600 children and 100 adults were invited to the headquarters of Children of the City located where hundreds of toys and gifts were distributed. There were dozens of volunteers during the entire week of December 15-19 who helped wrap gifts that were donated as well as funds.
Joyce Mattera, Founder and Executive Director said, "Children of the City was glad to facilitate receiving the donations because our partners knew we could get it into the hands of the neediest children.”
Earlier that same week, a young girl named Angela was undergoing some difficult times. Through the Winter Wishes Project facilitated by New York Cares and Morgan Stanley, Angela had not gotten her wish list in on time to receive any gifts.
“When we read her letter we all were moved" Mattera said. Angel's father had recently passed away and her mother said they couldn't afford Christmas this year.
Children of the City was able to confirm the details of their situation, then asked its partner Morgan Stanley to help us facilitate fulfilling this little girl's Christmas wish. One of their employees, George A., generously purchased clothes, other items, and assembled a brand-new bicycle for her just two days before the event. Angela exclaimed, through her tears, that this was the "best Christmas ever!"
Christmas toys and gifts were donated by several partners of Children of the City, including my family's business, Basile Builders, St. John's Bread and Life, Brianna's Hair Salon, NYCRC, Hamption Christian School in Virginia, Payless Shoe Source, New York Cares/Morgan Stanley, and many others.
"We know these are tough economic times and we are glad for the opportunity to show that we care about the children and families in the community we serve" said Mattera. "We are glad that Angela was able to enjoy Christmas this year."-- -- Rocco Basile
Joyce Mattera, Founder and Executive Director said, "Children of the City was glad to facilitate receiving the donations because our partners knew we could get it into the hands of the neediest children.”
Earlier that same week, a young girl named Angela was undergoing some difficult times. Through the Winter Wishes Project facilitated by New York Cares and Morgan Stanley, Angela had not gotten her wish list in on time to receive any gifts.
“When we read her letter we all were moved" Mattera said. Angel's father had recently passed away and her mother said they couldn't afford Christmas this year.
Children of the City was able to confirm the details of their situation, then asked its partner Morgan Stanley to help us facilitate fulfilling this little girl's Christmas wish. One of their employees, George A., generously purchased clothes, other items, and assembled a brand-new bicycle for her just two days before the event. Angela exclaimed, through her tears, that this was the "best Christmas ever!"
Christmas toys and gifts were donated by several partners of Children of the City, including my family's business, Basile Builders, St. John's Bread and Life, Brianna's Hair Salon, NYCRC, Hamption Christian School in Virginia, Payless Shoe Source, New York Cares/Morgan Stanley, and many others.
"We know these are tough economic times and we are glad for the opportunity to show that we care about the children and families in the community we serve" said Mattera. "We are glad that Angela was able to enjoy Christmas this year."-- -- Rocco Basile
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Food Drive Feeds Hundreds; Christmas Drive is On!
One of the charities that I support, among others listed on my website http://www.roccobasile.net/, is - Children of the City - who rounded up 100 volunteers from all over New York to give away Thanksgiving meals to needy families this last November. Over 700 adults and children, about 119 families in all, got a 25-lb box of food to feed a family of six. They either received a turkey or ham.
America's Second Harvest stated that, "one in five people standing in line at a soup kitchen this Thanksgiving was a child." And it is sad to say that one in four children in New York City live in poverty. More than 16,000 homeless children sleep in the New York City shelter system each night.
My family and I helped again this year, and as always, it's truly rewarding.
****
Christmas without a gift is the reality for many of these children living in poverty. I would like to encourage you to put a smile on a child's face this year via a tax-deductible gift to the Children of the City's 2008 Christmas Project. This year we are partnering with New York Cares and St. John's Bread and Life. Since 1981, thousands of children have received a Christmas present thanks to these folks who know the true meaning of Christmas is giving ...
To donate simply click this link. Happy holidays! -- Rocco Basile
America's Second Harvest stated that, "one in five people standing in line at a soup kitchen this Thanksgiving was a child." And it is sad to say that one in four children in New York City live in poverty. More than 16,000 homeless children sleep in the New York City shelter system each night.
My family and I helped again this year, and as always, it's truly rewarding.
****
Christmas without a gift is the reality for many of these children living in poverty. I would like to encourage you to put a smile on a child's face this year via a tax-deductible gift to the Children of the City's 2008 Christmas Project. This year we are partnering with New York Cares and St. John's Bread and Life. Since 1981, thousands of children have received a Christmas present thanks to these folks who know the true meaning of Christmas is giving ...
To donate simply click this link. Happy holidays! -- Rocco Basile
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Cost of Education Today
Today's New York Times had a Letter to the Editor response to a prior article by writer Tamir Lewin that was published on December 3, 2008 focusing on how College May Become Unaffordable for Most in U.S. based on the biennial report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. Eric J. Furda, the dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania wrote that there are some institutions like his that do offer aid to students. There, undergraduate students who are eligible for financial aid are offered no-loan packages, regardless of family income.
He went on to say what this means is that students from typical families with incomes that are less than $40,000 per year will pay no tuition, nor room or board. Penn accepts students based solely on academic and other strengths, not on families’ ability to pay. And despite the current economic crisis, they remain steadfast in this commitment to educate the best and brightest young people, regardless of economic background.
Here's my favorite part of his comments... Penn’s founder Benjamin Franklin once said, an investment in education pays the greatest interest.
As I continue the work I do for my two charities, including Children of the City and the Joe Dimaggio Award Committee, for my Alma Mater, Xaverian High school (left photo), it is rewarding to know that the youth participating in these programs will have a chance to attend college and universities, because of the care we are putting into helping them now. My website, http://www.roccobasile.net/ features many of the exciting programs that are in progress. 
But it is pretty sad to read the some of the statistics in the report. College tuition and fees increased 439 percent from 1982 to 2007 while median family income rose 147 percent. Student borrowing has more than doubled in the last ten years, while students from lower-income families, on average, get smaller grants from the colleges they attend than students from more affluent families.
-- Rocco Basile
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Leaving Behind - No Child Left Behind?
The domestic law known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) took effect in 2002 with bipartisan support, with the goal moving from a desire for all children to attend school to all students in school achieving proficiency. By requiring that English and math scores be reported by categories such as income and race, it was intended to spotlight gaps in achievement.
The problem has been how to best measure proficiency, so closing the gaps has been pretty challenging -- so much so that they've delayed the act's re-authorization. Now any changes to the law maybe even its name are going to have to be left behind, or at least wait until after the country has a new president and Congress. Although there have been dozens of proposals for changes to NCLB, about the only thing anyone agrees with is the fact that it is important to find ways to help students and schools that have fallen behind.
The NCLB program has been able to identify the schools that are low-performing, but there are many improvements needed to meet the original mission of the law. Apparently about one-third of Americans see NCLB favorably, another one-third see it unfavorably, and the rest just don’t know, according to an annual poll by Gallup and Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK), an education association in Bloomington, Ind.
The National Education Association (NEA), which is the largest teachers' union in the United States, has asked that states be allowed to use growth models for federal accountability. It also would like multiple measures of student achievement, not just standardized tests. Thus far Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has allowed 10 states to test growth models.
But here’s what I find most interesting. While all this is taking place, and we are soon to find out if NCLB will be left behind next year, there are communities with programs that are already flourishing – as you can see on my educational trends website http://www.rcooccobasile.org/. And, as a Board member of ChildrenoftheCity.org. (http://www.childrenofthecity.org/) I see children and families living in Brooklyn New York taking advantage of a number of amazing programs that have been benefiting students and their learning.
And, in Texas, another town is showing what can happen when an entire community commits to student progress. In the Brownsville Independent School District, where nearly all students come from low-income Hispanic families, and four in ten are not native English speakers, they have made huge strides in closing the achievement gap with whites and higher-income students. This program earned this community the Broad Prize for Urban Education, which comes with $1 million in college scholarships for high school seniors who show academic progress and financial need.
Brownsville Superintendent Hector Gonzales said, “All children can learn …"We brought in a lot of staff development for every teacher to be able to look at the students' strengths and weaknesses and take those students to the next level.... Teachers truly believe that the students can be very successful."
Here’s how their program worked. Their review board of education experts chose five Broad Prize finalists from among the 100 of the largest US school districts serving sizable numbers of low-income/minority students. It considered factors like reduction of achievement gaps, performance on state tests, graduation rates, college entrance exams, as well as accountability measures in the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law.
Later, a consultant visited the finalist districts to conduct interviews, and later a jury of business, government, and public-service leaders chose the winner. This jury praised Brownsville for directing 85 percent of funding directly to instruction, which is much more than the 65 percent required in their state of Texas.
Brownsville doesn't narrowly focus on raising standardized test scores. It offers a program for gifted students, music, art, sports, and enrichment, including a competitive chess club. But test scores have improved, partly because teachers are trained to track student progress and target individual needs.
Nationally, Hispanic students have made gains on national assessments since enactment of NCLB, but overall progress has been slight. In the Texas program, the parents played an important role as well. Each school has a center where parents can learn English, computer literacy, and the skills required so they could help their children. What’s more, across the US, teachers in many districts have little access to professional development, textbooks, and assessments to meet the needs of students who don't speak English upon entering school.
--Rocco Basile
The problem has been how to best measure proficiency, so closing the gaps has been pretty challenging -- so much so that they've delayed the act's re-authorization. Now any changes to the law maybe even its name are going to have to be left behind, or at least wait until after the country has a new president and Congress. Although there have been dozens of proposals for changes to NCLB, about the only thing anyone agrees with is the fact that it is important to find ways to help students and schools that have fallen behind.
The NCLB program has been able to identify the schools that are low-performing, but there are many improvements needed to meet the original mission of the law. Apparently about one-third of Americans see NCLB favorably, another one-third see it unfavorably, and the rest just don’t know, according to an annual poll by Gallup and Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK), an education association in Bloomington, Ind.
The National Education Association (NEA), which is the largest teachers' union in the United States, has asked that states be allowed to use growth models for federal accountability. It also would like multiple measures of student achievement, not just standardized tests. Thus far Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has allowed 10 states to test growth models.
But here’s what I find most interesting. While all this is taking place, and we are soon to find out if NCLB will be left behind next year, there are communities with programs that are already flourishing – as you can see on my educational trends website http://www.rcooccobasile.org/. And, as a Board member of ChildrenoftheCity.org. (http://www.childrenofthecity.org/) I see children and families living in Brooklyn New York taking advantage of a number of amazing programs that have been benefiting students and their learning.
And, in Texas, another town is showing what can happen when an entire community commits to student progress. In the Brownsville Independent School District, where nearly all students come from low-income Hispanic families, and four in ten are not native English speakers, they have made huge strides in closing the achievement gap with whites and higher-income students. This program earned this community the Broad Prize for Urban Education, which comes with $1 million in college scholarships for high school seniors who show academic progress and financial need.
Brownsville Superintendent Hector Gonzales said, “All children can learn …"We brought in a lot of staff development for every teacher to be able to look at the students' strengths and weaknesses and take those students to the next level.... Teachers truly believe that the students can be very successful."
Here’s how their program worked. Their review board of education experts chose five Broad Prize finalists from among the 100 of the largest US school districts serving sizable numbers of low-income/minority students. It considered factors like reduction of achievement gaps, performance on state tests, graduation rates, college entrance exams, as well as accountability measures in the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law.
Later, a consultant visited the finalist districts to conduct interviews, and later a jury of business, government, and public-service leaders chose the winner. This jury praised Brownsville for directing 85 percent of funding directly to instruction, which is much more than the 65 percent required in their state of Texas.
Brownsville doesn't narrowly focus on raising standardized test scores. It offers a program for gifted students, music, art, sports, and enrichment, including a competitive chess club. But test scores have improved, partly because teachers are trained to track student progress and target individual needs.
Nationally, Hispanic students have made gains on national assessments since enactment of NCLB, but overall progress has been slight. In the Texas program, the parents played an important role as well. Each school has a center where parents can learn English, computer literacy, and the skills required so they could help their children. What’s more, across the US, teachers in many districts have little access to professional development, textbooks, and assessments to meet the needs of students who don't speak English upon entering school.
--Rocco Basile
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Income Disparity and Children's Education
The latest news item on educational information comes to us from Georgia in an article about how income disparity shows up in children’s health. Andy Miller of the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (10/8/2008) wrote about a new report that sadly ranks Georgia near the bottom on two key measures of children’s health focusing on family income and education.
Georgia has a higher-than-average rate of infant mortality. That is when a child dies before their first birthday. According to a national report that was released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Georgia infants born to the most-educated mothers have a much greater chance of living past their first birthday than infants with mothers who have fewer years of schooling.
Georgia comes in as 46th among states on the size of that gap in infant mortality based on a mother’s education; and the state also shows a big disparity in children’s health status based on household wealth. Here are some of the main points:
Georgia has a higher-than-average rate of infant mortality. That is when a child dies before their first birthday. According to a national report that was released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Georgia infants born to the most-educated mothers have a much greater chance of living past their first birthday than infants with mothers who have fewer years of schooling.
Georgia comes in as 46th among states on the size of that gap in infant mortality based on a mother’s education; and the state also shows a big disparity in children’s health status based on household wealth. Here are some of the main points:
- Nearly 15 percent of Georgia children age 17 or younger are in less-than-optimal health, as reported by their parents. But as income rises, children’s health improves. The report said 26 percent of Georgia children in poor families have health problems, compared to 5.7 percent of kids in high-income households.
- Georgia ranked 41st on that health gap between higher-income households and poor families. Even children in middle-class families appear to be less healthy than those in higher-income households in Georgia, the report found.
- The study, by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco, shows that across the country, shortfalls in health are greatest among children in the poorest or least-educated households.
Other statistics in the report state:
- More than 40 percent of Georgia children live in poor or near-poor households, while 26 percent live in high-income families.
- More than one-third of Georgia children live in households where no one has education beyond high school.
- Infant mortality rate among Georgia babies born to African-American mothers is more than twice the rates among babies of white or Hispanic mothers.
As this study clearly proves, there are significant inequalities in children’s health based on income, education and race, we know that there are ways that communities can come together to help find solutions to overcome such issues. As I continue my work with charities such as Children of the City, which can be viewed on my website at http://www.roccobasile.org/, we see examples every day of successes.
For example, the charity's Create Success Summer Program ended with outstanding results. It is the only summer program in the community of Brooklyn New York that has a strong academic focus. It is no surprise that with a drop out rate of 48 percent, children doing poorly was 
especially evident in the areas of reading and math. They simply lack of crucial foundational skills.
Children of the City tailors programs to the specific needs of each child as well as the general needs of each age group. There are students suffering from the effects of poverty like trauma, challenges at home, language barriers, poor self-esteem and lack of confidence, all of which affect their ability to learn. But because of the program's familiarity with their needs, and a holistic approach, there is much success.
No child is incapable of literary success. Children in this program have left Special Ed classes to join main stream classrooms, and kids that were about to be placed in Special Ed were able to comfortably read after being in this program for less then two months. Based on academic assessments, children in the Children of the City Summer Program showed a marked increase in their developmental reading assessments. Several even increased one whole grade level.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Educational Trends: Social Media in Education
New resources are appearing every day about social media marketing, networking and other forms of social media. What is it, and how are educators using social media? Social media is defined as the online technologies and practices used to share opinions, ideas, experiences, perspectives and insights with other people. Therefore, in the education world, social media is changing the way we learn, teach, interact and access others worldwide. People everywhere are having conversations online.
Social networks were only beginning to gain traction in the spring of 2007. Now their memberships are in the hundreds of millions. For the latest trends check Author Paul Gillin's book, The New Influencers and its website - NewInfuencers.com. But following is a quick rundown of some of the activities involved in social media:
1) Websites that are properly optimized - so people can find them via search engines online
2) RSS feeds, or Really Simple Syndication - people can now publish online
3) Optimized article submissions linking back to your website
4) Blogs and Vlogs - to share content and videos (e.g. YouTube or Google Video)
5) Webcasts/Podcasts/Videocasts - Another way to share information from a desktop
6) Social networks (MySpace, Flicker, Stumble Upon, etc.)
7) Socializing web content (tagging and bookmarking) - it's a library online
8) Communities online - niche groups according to interests and topics
Today, many businesses have been using social media and now employers are finding the benefits of using social media including: 63 percent are using social media to build and promote their brand, 61 percent are using it to improve communication and collaboration, and 58 percent are using it to increase consumer engagement. Study Finds Rapid Enterprise Adoption of Social Networks.
For many educators, the implications of social media are huge. Blogging is an enjoyable way to share information, to learn from others, and also to make professional acquaintances, while podcasts or videos can help others learn anytime, anywhere. Just take a look at my own website, http://www.roccobasile.org/, where you can note all the educational articles that I have compiled having to do with the programs I am involved with for my educational charities.
What amazes me is how fast kids have adapted to the concept of social media. MySpace is a huge congregation of sharing among kids. And as another example, at one of my charities known as ChildrenoftheCity.org, one of the ways in which we raise funds involves online social media marketing to share our successes and to let others know the good work being done.
Anyone can use social media tactics for one of the following goals:
1. Conversation Mining. Research and mine consumers in vertical and horizontal networks and communities.
2. Invite influencers (customers/teachers/parents) into the circle to share and learn.
3. Choose the tools. Subscribe to tools and assign several people to watch and listen to online conversations about education in your area.
Social media in education also provides the ability for students to interact across cultures, both virtually and directly. It also allows intercultural researchers to create new forms of study abroad via co-seminars, to create or even analyze culture creation through new social technologies. This could radically transform our approaches to international and intercultural education.
Here are some social media networking sites for educators, networking and sharing information:
Education Futures - exploring the rise of innovative knowledge societies
Twitter - where people can share in real time
Facebook.com - (Sign up; review groups; use Friendster)
LinkedIn.com - ask “Questions” and “Answers” on Linked-In
Squidoo.com - a place to post and share topical information
Gather.com - where you can post educational content
Skype - for instant messaging using audio/video
Second City - for virtual teaching and conferences
In summary, social media today is blending innovative technologies with social interaction, and the co-construction of new knowledge into popular social media outlets for online interaction that are centered around Web 2.0. Who knows what tomorrow will bring!
-- Rocco Basile
Social networks were only beginning to gain traction in the spring of 2007. Now their memberships are in the hundreds of millions. For the latest trends check Author Paul Gillin's book, The New Influencers and its website - NewInfuencers.com. But following is a quick rundown of some of the activities involved in social media:
1) Websites that are properly optimized - so people can find them via search engines online
2) RSS feeds, or Really Simple Syndication - people can now publish online
3) Optimized article submissions linking back to your website
4) Blogs and Vlogs - to share content and videos (e.g. YouTube or Google Video)
5) Webcasts/Podcasts/Videocasts - Another way to share information from a desktop
6) Social networks (MySpace, Flicker, Stumble Upon, etc.)
7) Socializing web content (tagging and bookmarking) - it's a library online
8) Communities online - niche groups according to interests and topics
Today, many businesses have been using social media and now employers are finding the benefits of using social media including: 63 percent are using social media to build and promote their brand, 61 percent are using it to improve communication and collaboration, and 58 percent are using it to increase consumer engagement. Study Finds Rapid Enterprise Adoption of Social Networks.
For many educators, the implications of social media are huge. Blogging is an enjoyable way to share information, to learn from others, and also to make professional acquaintances, while podcasts or videos can help others learn anytime, anywhere. Just take a look at my own website, http://www.roccobasile.org/, where you can note all the educational articles that I have compiled having to do with the programs I am involved with for my educational charities.
What amazes me is how fast kids have adapted to the concept of social media. MySpace is a huge congregation of sharing among kids. And as another example, at one of my charities known as ChildrenoftheCity.org, one of the ways in which we raise funds involves online social media marketing to share our successes and to let others know the good work being done.
Anyone can use social media tactics for one of the following goals:
1. Conversation Mining. Research and mine consumers in vertical and horizontal networks and communities.
2. Invite influencers (customers/teachers/parents) into the circle to share and learn.
3. Choose the tools. Subscribe to tools and assign several people to watch and listen to online conversations about education in your area.
Social media in education also provides the ability for students to interact across cultures, both virtually and directly. It also allows intercultural researchers to create new forms of study abroad via co-seminars, to create or even analyze culture creation through new social technologies. This could radically transform our approaches to international and intercultural education.
Here are some social media networking sites for educators, networking and sharing information:
Education Futures - exploring the rise of innovative knowledge societies
Twitter - where people can share in real time
Facebook.com - (Sign up; review groups; use Friendster)
LinkedIn.com - ask “Questions” and “Answers” on Linked-In
Squidoo.com - a place to post and share topical information
Gather.com - where you can post educational content
Skype - for instant messaging using audio/video
Second City - for virtual teaching and conferences
In summary, social media today is blending innovative technologies with social interaction, and the co-construction of new knowledge into popular social media outlets for online interaction that are centered around Web 2.0. Who knows what tomorrow will bring!
-- Rocco Basile
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Children of the City: Remembering 9-11
It was just like any other Tuesday, but it ended up being Tuesday 9/11: and as 
the world watched in horror while two hijacked airplanes bought down the Twin Towers in New York, many families and children suffered. Children of the City was one of the first organizations to reach out to children who lost family members and loved ones, who were traumatized by visually seeing the attacks live or were exposed to the barrage of media attention. Its program, Heal New York, was birthed out of an immediate response to 9/11. The charity's program ran from September 2001 through August 2005, and served critical trauma and prevailing mental health issues and social problems, through counseling, and activities with group therapy.
Today, in memory, for four hours heads were bowed at Ground Zero in New York, as the names of all 2,974 victims were read out in memorial to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The memorial included a total of 208 people who took part in the roll call as thousands of relatives of those who died in the attacks gathered in Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan, overlooking the site of the World Trade Center on the seventh anniversary of its collapse.
Years later, the effects of that day are not forgotten—and Children of the City continues to counsel children and their families, most of whom would otherwise not have received help to cope with this devastating trauma in their lives. The program officially ran from Sepember 2001 through August 2005.
Some parents today even have trouble teaching their children how to deal with such a horrible event in our history. This article posted on the TeacherVision web site, written shortly after the attacks, give some age-specific ideas on how to deal with the subject.
Children who experience trauma have typical reactions that hinder them from completing one stage of development, says Erickson's Developmental Stages. 9/11 created feelings of helplessness, fear, and general regression for very young kids. Children between the ages of 6-11 were unable to focus on their school work resulting in many being held back to repeat the grade.
The good news is that more than 600 children and youth were served to through Heal New York. Counseling sessions have been provided in the homes monthly, and coupled with the counseling, there have been many group therapeutic activities, including art and play therapy, sports, and journaling.
Children of the City expanded its Heal New York counseling program to a broader populace of children due to the large amount of pre-existing trauma and prevailing mental health issues. This detection, followed by adequate counseling and instruction for both parents and children, ensure that destructive behavioral patterns are not perpetuated from generation to generation.
Learn more about the charities that I support for education of our youth at http://www.roccobasile.org/.
the world watched in horror while two hijacked airplanes bought down the Twin Towers in New York, many families and children suffered. Children of the City was one of the first organizations to reach out to children who lost family members and loved ones, who were traumatized by visually seeing the attacks live or were exposed to the barrage of media attention. Its program, Heal New York, was birthed out of an immediate response to 9/11. The charity's program ran from September 2001 through August 2005, and served critical trauma and prevailing mental health issues and social problems, through counseling, and activities with group therapy. Today, in memory, for four hours heads were bowed at Ground Zero in New York, as the names of all 2,974 victims were read out in memorial to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The memorial included a total of 208 people who took part in the roll call as thousands of relatives of those who died in the attacks gathered in Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan, overlooking the site of the World Trade Center on the seventh anniversary of its collapse.
Years later, the effects of that day are not forgotten—and Children of the City continues to counsel children and their families, most of whom would otherwise not have received help to cope with this devastating trauma in their lives. The program officially ran from Sepember 2001 through August 2005.
Some parents today even have trouble teaching their children how to deal with such a horrible event in our history. This article posted on the TeacherVision web site, written shortly after the attacks, give some age-specific ideas on how to deal with the subject.
Children who experience trauma have typical reactions that hinder them from completing one stage of development, says Erickson's Developmental Stages. 9/11 created feelings of helplessness, fear, and general regression for very young kids. Children between the ages of 6-11 were unable to focus on their school work resulting in many being held back to repeat the grade.
The good news is that more than 600 children and youth were served to through Heal New York. Counseling sessions have been provided in the homes monthly, and coupled with the counseling, there have been many group therapeutic activities, including art and play therapy, sports, and journaling.
Children of the City expanded its Heal New York counseling program to a broader populace of children due to the large amount of pre-existing trauma and prevailing mental health issues. This detection, followed by adequate counseling and instruction for both parents and children, ensure that destructive behavioral patterns are not perpetuated from generation to generation.
Learn more about the charities that I support for education of our youth at http://www.roccobasile.org/.
Monday, September 8, 2008
The Status of Educational Reform
Have you ever wondered why all of the sudden there are more computers in K-12 classrooms across the U.S? For over ten years now, reformers have attempted to revolutionize the way schools operate, and this includes how students learn. There have been a number of top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top changes in areas including administration, curriculum and even outreach. The result of many of these reforms, is that technology is now playing a bigger role in education.
When you look back, education reform appeared in 1983 when a report called A Nation at Risk was published, outlining the poor state of affairs within the K-12 environment. It highlighted low basic comprehension rates to high dropout rates, and was what made administrators and policy makers pay attention to the fact that educational reform was needed.
After that, one of the changes was in the area of standardization of testing among students. A number of states began to legislate merit pay programs for educators, so by 1986, there were 46 states that offered merit pay plans, an increase from 28 states in 1983. Teachers were evaluated on their educating ability and knowledge of their subjects in order to determine not only raises but also their bonuses.
Today research now suggests that the initial focus on standardization did little to affect student learning and comprehension, and that the studies suggested that changes in professionalism and administration did not indicate an effective education strategy implementation - with teaching guidelines becoming more complex but less coherent. What was missing? One of the core issues was teacher empowerment.
Which brings me to the question, which I have covered on my own website, http://www.roccobasile.org/, what motivates kids to learn from their teachers? During this reform movement, educators were interested in a number of new education theories offering insights into the way students learn. One of the theories includes something called "constructivism," where students learn by doing rather than observing.
One of the biggest complaints about the American education system has been its top-down approach with the states governing schools. Today, schools and teachers are asserting more control over education management decisions. Non-profit charter schools and for-profit education management programs are offering students public school learning environments that break away from the traditional state-run system.
Children of the City, for example, has been wildly successful with its after school and summertime programs. By personally connecting with each child and youth in their environment, the non-profit fosters strong relationships to teach, inform and counsel on various life issues and skills through programs such as its Create Success, where parents have seen dramatic increases in student’s reading and math levels, healthy study habits, communications, and improved peer relationships.
All in all, parents today now have more choices. They can actually choose to take their students out of poorly run schools and place them into parochial schools for example, or as with an increasing number of families, parents and their offspring can get out of the classroom and do homeschooling instead.
When you look back, education reform appeared in 1983 when a report called A Nation at Risk was published, outlining the poor state of affairs within the K-12 environment. It highlighted low basic comprehension rates to high dropout rates, and was what made administrators and policy makers pay attention to the fact that educational reform was needed.
After that, one of the changes was in the area of standardization of testing among students. A number of states began to legislate merit pay programs for educators, so by 1986, there were 46 states that offered merit pay plans, an increase from 28 states in 1983. Teachers were evaluated on their educating ability and knowledge of their subjects in order to determine not only raises but also their bonuses.
Today research now suggests that the initial focus on standardization did little to affect student learning and comprehension, and that the studies suggested that changes in professionalism and administration did not indicate an effective education strategy implementation - with teaching guidelines becoming more complex but less coherent. What was missing? One of the core issues was teacher empowerment.
Which brings me to the question, which I have covered on my own website, http://www.roccobasile.org/, what motivates kids to learn from their teachers? During this reform movement, educators were interested in a number of new education theories offering insights into the way students learn. One of the theories includes something called "constructivism," where students learn by doing rather than observing.
One of the biggest complaints about the American education system has been its top-down approach with the states governing schools. Today, schools and teachers are asserting more control over education management decisions. Non-profit charter schools and for-profit education management programs are offering students public school learning environments that break away from the traditional state-run system.
Children of the City, for example, has been wildly successful with its after school and summertime programs. By personally connecting with each child and youth in their environment, the non-profit fosters strong relationships to teach, inform and counsel on various life issues and skills through programs such as its Create Success, where parents have seen dramatic increases in student’s reading and math levels, healthy study habits, communications, and improved peer relationships.All in all, parents today now have more choices. They can actually choose to take their students out of poorly run schools and place them into parochial schools for example, or as with an increasing number of families, parents and their offspring can get out of the classroom and do homeschooling instead.
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