Accentuate the mole
June 25, 2008
Truth be told, I have to look up the spelling of UB President Robert Bogomolny’s name every time we write about him (Brother, can you spare a vowel?), but I’ve never worried about how to pronounce it.
Apparently, though, many people do. Luckily for them, the school takes its educational mission seriously, in a light-hearted kind of way, offering this pictorial and phonetic guide on its Web site.
BARBARA “accentuate the ZIN” GRZINCIC, Managing Editor/Law
Sphere: Related ContentCreationism in sheep’s clothing?
June 4, 2008
Whether it’s “creation science” or “intelligent design,” courts have generally barred public schools from teaching religious belief in the science classroom.
But according to an article in today’s New York Times, people who emphasize the “theory” in the theory of evolution hope another species of argument will prove to be a little more fit. They hope to convince the state education board of Texas to include a discussion of the “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution in the curriculum.
While proponents say the strengths-and-weaknesses movement is just trying to provide balance in the classroom — “Why in the world would anybody not want to include weaknesses?,” the chairman of Texas’ education board says in the article — critics call this another example of “antievolution policies in sheep’s clothing.”
What do you think?
CHRISTINA DORAN, Assistant Legal Editor
Sphere: Related ContentMaryland’s college savings plan ranks high
April 18, 2008
Maryland is in the top tier on this report card.
For the second year in a row, Maryland’s College Investment Plan is rated as a top choice by Morningstar Inc. in its report on the best - and worst - college savings plans.
Our state’s plan, managed by T. Rowe Price, earned its top position due to its “solid lineup of actively managed funds.” Low fees also count in its favor: the annual fees range from 0.68% to 0.97%, which is reasonable for actively managed funds.
Also included in the “best” category: Colorado, Illinois, and two plans from our neighbor, Virginia.
If you’re saving for your child’s education, Morningstar says, be glad you’re not in these states: Mississippi, Nebraska, New York and Ohio.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentVideo: JHU President Brody on retirement
March 10, 2008
You may have seen Karen Buckelew’s report this morning on President Bill Brody’s impending (well, Dec. 31) retirement from Johns Hopkins University.
Watch below as Brody talks about his experiences with the JHU faculty, student body and connecting with the community during his twelve years as president.
Video shot by Daily Record photographer Max Franz.
Corporate support for high school curriculums
March 6, 2008
Through free lesson plans and glossy handouts, Deloitte LLP urges classrooms full of high school students to “consider a career you may never have imagined: working as a professional auditor.”
They’re right about the imagination part.
A story in today’s Wall Street Journal highlights how Deloitte, Lockheed Martin and other corporations are lending a helping hand to high schools, providing materials, computers and training for teachers - and “hoping to create a pipeline of workers far into the future.”
At first glance, it seems like a win-win; companies are fearful of a future labor shortage, and state education funding isn’t cutting it.
But critics say the line between academics and commercialism is being crossed.
What do you think?
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentVilla Julie: What’s in a name?
February 8, 2008
In another of a series of changes at Villa Julie College, Shelton Rhodes Ph.D. would be the new business school’s first-ever dean.
The move comes as school officials are also brainstorming on what to re-name the 60-year old college, which will be re-christened as a university.
According to a press release from the school, a total of about 80 names were originally suggested to the naming committee. From those, six finalists were selected and are now being reviewed by focus groups.
The names, in no particular order from Villa Julie’s Web site are:
- Billiart University — This name comes from the school’s founder, Sister Julie Billiart.
- Stevenson University — From the Villa Julie Web site, this name was selected because it reflected “the rural and sentimental roots of the College.”
- Tufton University — Pays homage to a community that lies between the Stevenson and Owings Mills campuses of the school.
- Great Oaks University — Inspired by seven oak trees on the college’s original grounds not to mention its legacy fund.
- Sagamore University — Chosen because it is the name of an estate that lies between the Stevenson and Owings Mills campuses.
- Greenspring University — I figured it was because the main campus was on Greenspring Valley Road. But, according to the site this name was inspired by “the valley, roads and history connecting our two campuses the “green” motif.”
BEN MOOK, Assistant Business Editor
Sphere: Related ContentBaltimore students to get cash for test score improvements
January 23, 2008
We had a lot of interest in recent news of a cash reward offered to HoCo high schoolers who “snitched” on the perpetrators of a food fight.
If you felt that a cash bribe for information was iffy, this might go entirely over the line in your estimation: students in Baltimore high schools will soon get a cash incentive to boost their scores on state graduation exams.
The AP reports:
Students who have failed at least one exam under Maryland’s High School Assessments will earn $25 for improving test performance by 5 percent. If they improve an additional 15 percent, they will get an additional $35. Another 20 percent improvement will earn an additional $50.
I wonder, now, what is the incentive to do well on the exam the first time?
JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor
Update: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports here that Fulton County, Ga. students will be paid $8 per hour to attend after-school tutoring programs.
Sphere: Related ContentShould high school athletes be drug tested?
December 17, 2007
With all the hubbub lately over steroid use in professional athletes, isn’t it a little surprising that random drug testing is so very rare in high school sports?
States including Texas and New Jersey have legislated the issue, but the programs are very expensive and difficult to implement, said Maryland Del. William J. Frank, a Baltimore County Republican.
Frank, who heads up Powered by ME!, a Towson-based nonprofit focused on steroid awareness in youth sports, said that for those reasons, he won’t bring the issue before his fellow lawmakers.
“You can get away with using substances and no one will catch you,” said Mike Gimbel, a substance abuse expert and consultant to Powered by ME!
Tell us what you think: Should Maryland require drug testing in high school sports?
KAREN BUCKELEW, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentSt. John’s College strives to attract minority students
December 16, 2007
WaPo has an interesting front-page profile today of Annapolis’s St. John’s College and its struggle to attract and enroll minority students. Its goal is shared by many academic institutions, including the University System of Maryland.
Only 35 of St. John’s 489 students are minorities - just over seven percent of the student body.
The story concludes by pointing out how the tables have turned: it’s no longer the school that needs to be convinced that it needs minorities; now, the minority students are the ones who need convincing that St. John’s is the best place for them.
JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor
Sphere: Related ContentUniversity presidents are doing alright
November 12, 2007
Tuition isn’t the only dollar figure climbing at universities across the country.
According to a new survey published by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the salaries for college presidents are going up, with 12 university presidents earning at least $1 million for the 2005-2006 school year.
Among the 12 was Maryland’s own William Brody of the Johns Hopkins University. Brody saw $1,938,024 in total compensation for the period.
An AP story on the report notes that the continued rise in tuition is outpacing inflation. I can’t help but think of all those massive corporations that pay their CEOs tens of millions of dollars while cutting back funding in other areas. Are presidential salaries really the best place to direct all those educational funds?
To tell you the truth, I have no idea. But I’m interested in what you think.
-JOE BACCHUS, Web Specialist
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