| Participation in High School Physical Education—Ontario, Canada ...
School-based physical education (PE) programs provide regular and structured opportunities for youths to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activities that help meet the Canadian public health recommendation for 90 minutes of daily physical activity.1 To examine prevalence and trends in PE participation among high school students (i.e., grades 9-12) in Ontario, Canada, during 1999-2005, researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of Guelph analyzed data from the Ontario Student Drug Use Survey (OSDUS). This report describes the results of that analysis, which indicated a significant linear decrease from 1999 to 2005 in the percentage of students who were enrolled in PE. Female and older students were least likely to be enrolled in PE and to participate in vigorous physical activity during the average PE class.
$200000 Grant to Provide Computer Skills for Juneau's Public ...
ANCHORAGE, AK -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/05/07 -- A $199,905 grant from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development will serve economically and educationally disadvantaged adults who lack the technology skills needed to be successful in the workplace. The grant to Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) under HUD's Public Housing Neighborhood Networks program will target tenants in Juneau's Cedar Park and Geneva Woods public housing developments, along with those in the Mountain View elderly/disabled complex. Under a three-year contract with AHFC, Southeast Regional Resource Center will provide services for adult basic education and computer skills instruction, and after-school homework and literacy support for children, including literacy skill development, academic enrichment, and supervised computer labs using educational software and activities.
Raffle's chances
Was your Feb. 12 article ("Lottery idea: $20 a play for $1 million") on the upcoming state raffle a math test for us, or was it to see if we were paying attention?Recently you reported that the lottery might be falling short of expected revenues, and some noted that North Carolina pays a smaller percentage back to the players (about 52 percent) than many states, including South Carolina (59.9 percent) and Virginia (58.1 percent). According to your article on the raffle, it will pay even less than that -- 50 percent. It would take another $200,000 given out in prizes to meet the 52 percent return (I would suggest 2,000 winners of $100 each).You also reported that if all tickets are sold [the plan is to sell 500,000 tickets at $20 each], the game will generate $3.5 million for education. Granted, that is the 35 percent designated for education, but that leaves $1.5 million left over.
A big, fat F for State Board of Education
The State Board of Education and interim Chancellor Thomas Corts had fundamental differences about cleaning up the two-year college mess. That's why he resigned Wednesday amid public criticism from board members that they were dissatisfied with his performance during his seven-month tenure. Dr. Corts, the retired president of Samford University, wanted to reform the system; school board members wanted to clean out the nepotism and other activities within the system without getting to the crux of the problems. He said the board's duties are too spread out, ranging from kindergarten to adult education. He suggested a separate board to run the two-year college system. Doing that, however, would cost board members the political power they wield. Forcing Dr. Corts out doesn't make the school board look like its members want substantial change.
Kindergarten Savings $310000 Less than Expected
Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon tonight clarified how much will be saved on transportation because of all-day kindergarten, which is $380,000 less than originally anticipated. The Board of Education approved a plan to implement three full days of kindergarten in the fall along with two days of classes that will end 2 hours earlier than the remainder of elementary students. At that time, Landon said school officials would save $390,000 in transportation costs. Landon said tonight during the announcements portion of the meeting that he "misspoke" and the actual savings will be $80,000. Board Chairwoman Mary Parmelee noted that the board approved the measure for its education value and not the savings, but she asked the board if any member wanted to bring the plan back for a re-vote.
Benefits of PE go beyond the physical
Stretching out physical education time in schools is sometimes hard to do but local teachers are doing their best to provide programs that give students flexibility to choose what activities are interesting to them.
The California Endowment released a brief in January highlighting studies that show why there should be an increase in physical activity for children, especially in school physical education programs. Currently, the state mandates that high school students take two years of physical education and students in all levels are required to have 200 minutes of physical education every 10 days.
The benefits of physical education are not only physical but mental as well, according to the California Endowment brief. Local schools keep track of the correlation between physical activity and academic performance.
Sallie Mae Unveils Private Loan to Meet the Needs of Community ...
RESTON, Va., March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Sallie Mae, the nation's leading saving- and paying-for-college company, announced today that Sallie Mae's private Signature Student Loan is now available to community college students enrolled at least half-time at Title IV eligible schools. While the total cost of attendance at community colleges is often lower than the cost of attendance at four-year institutions, there may be certain circumstances where students need additional financial support. The Signature Student Loan features interest rates that reward good credit, with rates as low as Prime minus 0.50 percent and no fees. If students have less-than-ideal credit, they still may be eligible if they apply with a creditworthy cosigner. Even if students have good credit, a cosigner may help them qualify for lower rates and fees.
Financial Aid Officials Continue to Call on Congress to Support ...
RESTON, Va., March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to proposals in Washington to cut the private sector student lending program, financial aid administrators at colleges and universities across the country continue to voice their support of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). These comments from financial aid officials in support of the private sector student lending program echo those issued in similar news releases by Sallie Mae. The FFELP currently serves 80 percent of all students who borrow to pay for college and plays a crucial role in the delivery of aid and benefits to students and parents. Financial aid and school officials continue to speak out in support of the FFELP and called on Congress to support the private sector: "The FFELP program is an exceptional example of the way more federal programs should be administered -- a federal-private partnership.
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