Donald Burkins's List: Learning Communities - York

"Because of the success of the Learning Community Initiative in the Sunnyside District and because of the partnerships with Pima Community College and the University of Arizona, Scholarship America has selected Tucson as the first site in the nation to pilot a new program called the Four G's. This represents a philosophy regarding college of Get Ready, Get In, Get Through and Give Back."

"As children return to classrooms in six communities, they are benefiting from a unique effort to enhance their opportunities to pursue postsecondary education. USA Funds® has joined a coalition of organizations that are focusing services on six pilot communities in a bid to improve access to postsecondary education for low-income students. "

A manager's perspective on the value of Future Search Conference.

"As of last fall, more than 1,300 schools took up the Design for Giving challenge, organized by k12 Lab; the
Riverside School, in Ahmedabad, India; and the design firm
Ideo, cofounded by David Kelley, who also founded
Stanford's design school. Students and teachers tackled only problems that could be addressed in a week."

""At the end of the day, it's an empirical process," says David Botstein, the biologist at Princeton University who figured out how to map human genes, laying the foundation for the Human Genome Project. "If you disagree with conventional wisdom and the data are on your side, then you've got to persist. If on the other hand, you have a crackpot idea and the data are on the other side, you have to not be in love with your own idea.""

Looking at student work is a way to move out of complacency. Looking at student work brings you face to face with your values.

Microsoft-sourced ed reform site

"The Mission Hill Habits of Mind are an approach to both the traditional academic disciplines (math, science, literature and history) and the interdisciplinary stuff of ordinary life. They are what lead us to ask good questions and seek solid answers. They are our definition of a well-educated person." Deborah Meier, Founding Principal