Articles

A dozen middle and high school teachers seated around a U-shaped table are scrutinizing stacks of papers spread out before them. The papers include a math problem that one of the teachers’ classes worked on the previous week, copies of student work on the problem, and a transcript of the classroom conversation among one group of students. EDC’s Mark Driscoll stands at the center of the U, leading the teachers through a careful analysis of the “artifacts” before them.

Dr. Mildred Solomon directs EDC’s Center for Applied Ethics and Professional Practice. The center researches the complexities associated with advances in medical knowledge and technology, and designs programs aimed at improving clinical practice, health care decision-making, and, ultimately, patient and family well-being. She was recently named to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Transplantation, which advises the Secretary on national organ donation policy.

Most of the 80 percent of teens who work enjoy a positive and enriching experience. However, teenagers in the workplace may be at risk for injuries on the job due to inadequate safety training, unsafe equipment, and stressful environments.

Reinforced by the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans colleges, U.S. campuses are taking more deliberate approaches to planning for emergencies, including accidents, epidemics, natural disasters, violent incidents, and terrorist attacks.

In line with these efforts, emergency preparedness on campus is the focus of Catalyst, a 12-page newsletter recently published by the U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention (HEC). The center is operated by EDC’s Health and Human Development Programs.

Teachers know that the Internet is full of useful and creative materials to improve reading, but often they are too busy to find the best ones. To make these Web resources more readily available, Judith Zorfass and her staff at EDC’s Center for Family, School, and Community have developed the Literacy Matters Web site. The site aims to improve the literacy development of middle and high school students, especially those who may be struggling.

More than 200 educational leaders from across the country gathered in Boston last September for a three-day conference focused on a particularly promising school improvement strategy.

EDC is collaborating on a ground-breaking program in Germany designed to improve education by attending to the physical, social, and mental health of teachers and students, as well as the quality of the learning environment.

EDC’s International Education Systems Division recently hosted a study tour for 15 Egyptian education experts who are working with the Egyptian Ministry of Education to reform early childhood education. The tour, conducted in partnership with the Academy for Educational Development, was funded by USAID and focused on best practices in early childhood care and education training.

Many Afghans who grew up during decades of war and repressive rule are now in their twenties, struggling to find their footing in a dramatically altered and rapidly changing country. Deprived of the opportunity for schooling in their early years, many are unable to read; some can’t even recognize letters of the alphabet. In rural areas, about 70 percent of heads of households cannot read or write.

Marilyn Clayton Felt had a commitment to social justice and equity that found expression in her work as a researcher, curriculum designer, and playwright. A long time member of EDC’s staff, Felt died last week of cancer at the age of 68.

“At the age where most people would retire, she was just in the middle of her career,” said her husband, George Lukas.

Responding to new data that reveals “deep and troubling” findings about dating abuse among U.S. teens, Senators Mike Crapo and Hillary Rodham Clinton are joining with Liz Claiborne Inc. Chairman and CEO, Paul R. Charron to announce the national distribution of the curriculum, Love Is Not Abuse, developed with EDC. The program is designed to help teens understand and prevent teen dating abuse and violence. During the week of April 24th, Love Is Not Abuse will be taught in over 365 schools in 37 states reaching more than 33,000 students.

What caused the Hindenburg to explode in 1937? What happens if a runner drinks too much water during a long race? How do you determine if an envelope with a powdery white substance contains anthrax? These are some of the questions that ninth grade chemistry students wrestle with in Foundation Science, a new high school science curriculum developed by EDC.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs), if appropriately deployed, can bring about new and innovative teaching and learning practices among educators and students. dot-EDU’s E-School project in Macedonia is pioneering uses of ICT for improved teaching and learning—and is demonstrating quantifiable impact.

Struggling to emerge from decades of civil war, the people of Sudan are working to rebuild their society. With funding from USAID, EDC’s International Development Division (IDD) has developed Sudan Radio Service (SRS), the first independent and unbiased radio service to reach across the country with accurate news and information.