DENVER POST
Students not learning a lot in college, tracking study finds
By Eric GorskiThe Associated Press
Posted: 01/19/2011 01:00:00 AM MST
A new study answers questions about how much students actually learn in college — for many, not much — and has inflamed a debate about the value of an American higher education.
The research of more than 2,300 undergraduates found 45 percent of students show no significant improvement in the key measures of critical thinking, complex reasoning and writing by the end of their sophomore years.
One problem is that students just aren't asked to do much, according to findings in a new book, "Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses." Half of students did not take a single course requiring 20 pages of writing during their prior semester, and one-third did not take a single course requiring even 40 pages of reading per week.
That kind of light load sounded familiar to University of Missouri freshman Julia Rheinecker, who said her first semester of college largely duplicated the work she completed back home in southern Illinois.
"I'm not going to lie," she said. "Most of what I learned this year I already had in high school. It was almost easier my first semester (in college)."
Three of the five classes she took at Missouri were in massive lecture halls with several hundred students. And Rhein eck er said she was required to complete at least 20 pages of writing in only one of those classes.
"I love the environment, don't get me wrong," she said. "I just haven't found myself pushing as much as I expected."
"Academic rigor"
The study, an unusually large-scale effort to track student learning over time, comes as the federal government, reformers and others argue that the U.S. must produce more college graduates to remain competitive globally. But if students aren't learning much, that calls into question whether boosting graduation rates will provide that edge.
"It's not the case that giving out more credentials is going to make the U.S. more economically competitive," said Richard Arum of New York University, who co-authored the book with Josipa Roksa of the University of Virginia. "It requires academic rigor. . . . You can't just get it through osmosis at these institutions."
The book is based on information from 24 schools, meant to be a representative sample, which provided Collegiate Learning Assessment data on students who took the standardized test in their first semester in fall 2005 and at the end of their sophomore years in spring 2007. The schools took part on the condition that their institutions not be identified.
The Collegiate Learning Assessment has its share of critics who say it doesn't capture learning in specialized majors or isn't a reliable measure of college performance because so many factors are beyond control.
The research found an average-scoring student in fall 2005 scored 7 percentage points higher in the spring of 2007 on the assessment. In other words, those who entered college in the 50th percentile would rise to the equivalent of the 57th after their sophomore years.
Among the findings outlined in the book and report, which tracked students through four years of college:
• Overall, the picture doesn't brighten much over four years. After four years, 36 percent of students did not demonstrate significant improvement, compared with 45 percent after two.
• Students who studied alone, read and wrote more, attended more selective schools and majored in traditional arts and sciences majors posted greater learning gains.
• Social engagement generally does not help student performance. Students who spent more time studying with peers showed diminishing growth, and students who spent more time in the Greek system had decreased rates of learning, while activities such as working off campus, participating in campus clubs and volunteering did not affect learning.
• Students from families with different levels of parental education enter college with different learning levels but learn at about the same rates while attending college. The racial gap between black and white students going in, however, widens: Black students improve their assessment scores at lower levels than whites.
Authors spread blame
Arum and Roksa spread the blame, pointing to students who don't study much and seek easy courses and a culture at colleges and universities that values research over good teaching.
So what to do? The report warns that federally mandated fixes similar to No Child Left Behind in K-12 education would be "counterproductive," in part because researchers are still learning how to measure learning. But it does make clear that accountability should be emphasized more at the institutional level, starting with college presidents.
Some colleges and universities are taking steps, pledging to improve student learning, use evidence to improve instruction and publicize results. Read more: Students not learning a lot in college, tracking study finds - The Denver Post
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
AHS Weekly Update- Week of January 17th, 2011
I hope this email finds you well and recharged after our first 3 day weekend of 2011. Please take a moment to review the following updates:DHS Athletes and Thespians
9th Grade NWEA Testing
10th Grade Humanities Exhibition
AHS News and Happenings
DHS Athletes and Thespians
Students participating in athletics and the theatre program at DHS must participate in eligibility checks this week. Student MUST CHECK IN WITH the AHS FRONT OFFICE so that Mrs. Truax can send progress reports to DHS. Please remind your student athlete/thespian to check in with the Main Office by WEDNESDAY!
9th Grade NWEA Testing
Ninth grade students are participating in their winter NWEA testing this week. Questions about NWEA testing can forwarded to jeff.digiacomo@animashighschool.com
10th Grade Humanities Exhibition
Humanities Exhibition this Thursday, January 20, 2011 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Animas High School.
In John Fisher's Humanities class, students have been studying colonialism and imperialism on the African Continent. Students have read King Leopold's Ghost, a text that uncovers Belgian imperialism in the Congo, have researched African countries of their choosing, and have interviewed individuals from the countries they are studying.
The goal of this project has been to demystify Africa, and to study the continent from the perspective of people who live there. At exhibition, students will be presenting narrated slideshows that discuss history of imperialism/colonialism in their country, and illustrate the perspective of people living in their country today.
In Lori Fisher's humanities class, students have been grappling with the issue of genocide. After doing a case study of the Rwandan Genocide, students have turned their attention to other genocides of the 20th century, and are delving into many questions and issues surrounding their genocides. Topic covered include the motivations of the killers, the experiences of the victims, the long-term consequences of genocide, the role of international involvement, and the social psychology of genocide. Students are building exhibits for our genocide museum, and hope to educate and inspire viewers.
Please note that due to the graphic nature of genocide, these exhibits may not be appropriate for young children.
AHS News and Happenings
It was a busy weekend for AHS students. The Pandemonium Robotics team took Flagstaff and the AZ Robotics Championships by storm! Students in the AHS Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Club braved a different storm as they persevered through blizzard conditions on their second field trip of the year. There’s been a lot of great coverage of AHS in the media lately as well!
With so much going on, we want you to stay connected! Follow us daily at:
http://www.animashighschool.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Animas-High-School/129694133734262
Friday, January 14, 2011
AHS Robotix in the Durango Herald!
Elijah Gutt, 14, left, Dusty Cocherell, 13, center, and teacher David Heerschap, watch Nanobot maneuver on the floor. JERRY McBRIDE/Herald PhotoRead the Article Here:
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Droves still flock to rural hospital run by Durangoan’s kin
‘People moved out and stayed’
Droves still flock to rural hospital run by Durangoan’s kinBy Ann Butler Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 11:32pm
When the earthquake struck late afternoon Jan. 12, 2010, Durangoan Dr. Wendy Grant knew immediately how she would help.
In 1956, her grandparents founded Hôpital Albert Schweitzer 90 miles from Port-au-Prince, and Grant’s family spent countless vacations in Haiti.
She knew the hospital would be flooded with cases from the city where several hospitals were destroyed, and money and medical supplies would be sorely needed. She put her energy into raising money and getting the word out about the hospital and its work.
A year later, the hospital continues to serve more people than ever.
“People moved out and stayed there, so we’re serving about one-third more patients on a daily basis,” Grant said.
The cholera outbreak, which began in late October and has killed about 3,400 people, is adding to the hospital’s load.
“We still have quite a few cholera patients,” she said. “We’re getting about 40 new adult cases each day and 10 to 12 children.”
Her uncle and cousin treated a cholera patient in a remote area in the mountains just last week, Grant said.
“Some people came running carrying a guy on a door, which they often use for stretchers,” she said. “They resuscitated him and got him down to the hospital. It’s all about getting fluids in and distance – many patients are like this man and hours away from medical facilities.”
Since the quake, the hospital has become involved in community projects, such as sports programs for youths. Grant’s son, Ian Bowers, will be in Haiti soon to work on one of those programs through “project week” at Animas High School, where he is a sophomore. Grant said other organizations are assisting the hospital with the community initiatives.
“We’re feeling good about the resources now, both financial and human,” she said. “We have new contacts, new friends and new alliances with other organizations in Haiti.”
Those resources and alliances helped the hospital deal with both the cholera epidemic and people injured during flooding in March, September and November.
“Every time we need an extra doctor or two, we have more volunteers than we have room for,” Grant said. “We put a call out for two, whether it’s medical or surgical, and we get 12 volunteers. We have all these doctors willing to come on short notice.”
Grant expects donations to go down this year.
“Contributions will be way down in 2011,” she said, “but the need goes on.”
abutler@durango herald.com
See the Article here:http://durangoherald.com/article/20110112/NEWS01/701129907&source=RSS
Droves still flock to rural hospital run by Durangoan’s kinBy Ann Butler Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 11:32pm
When the earthquake struck late afternoon Jan. 12, 2010, Durangoan Dr. Wendy Grant knew immediately how she would help.
In 1956, her grandparents founded Hôpital Albert Schweitzer 90 miles from Port-au-Prince, and Grant’s family spent countless vacations in Haiti.
She knew the hospital would be flooded with cases from the city where several hospitals were destroyed, and money and medical supplies would be sorely needed. She put her energy into raising money and getting the word out about the hospital and its work.
A year later, the hospital continues to serve more people than ever.
“People moved out and stayed there, so we’re serving about one-third more patients on a daily basis,” Grant said.
The cholera outbreak, which began in late October and has killed about 3,400 people, is adding to the hospital’s load.
“We still have quite a few cholera patients,” she said. “We’re getting about 40 new adult cases each day and 10 to 12 children.”
Her uncle and cousin treated a cholera patient in a remote area in the mountains just last week, Grant said.
“Some people came running carrying a guy on a door, which they often use for stretchers,” she said. “They resuscitated him and got him down to the hospital. It’s all about getting fluids in and distance – many patients are like this man and hours away from medical facilities.”
Since the quake, the hospital has become involved in community projects, such as sports programs for youths. Grant’s son, Ian Bowers, will be in Haiti soon to work on one of those programs through “project week” at Animas High School, where he is a sophomore. Grant said other organizations are assisting the hospital with the community initiatives.
“We’re feeling good about the resources now, both financial and human,” she said. “We have new contacts, new friends and new alliances with other organizations in Haiti.”
Those resources and alliances helped the hospital deal with both the cholera epidemic and people injured during flooding in March, September and November.
“Every time we need an extra doctor or two, we have more volunteers than we have room for,” Grant said. “We put a call out for two, whether it’s medical or surgical, and we get 12 volunteers. We have all these doctors willing to come on short notice.”
Grant expects donations to go down this year.
“Contributions will be way down in 2011,” she said, “but the need goes on.”
abutler@durango herald.com
See the Article here:http://durangoherald.com/article/20110112/NEWS01/701129907&source=RSS
Monday, January 10, 2011
I want to thank everyone who turned out for yesterday’s PAC meeting. Having two bald eagles soar above our heads as we met was an inspirational omen don’t you think?
Please take a moment to review the following updates:
2011 Enrollment Opens
Humanities Exhibition
AHS Info Nights and Prospective Student Shadow Days
Powerschool Updates
MLK DAY- No School
2011 Enrollment Opens
Enrollment for the 2011-2012 school year opened Monday, January 3rd at 12:00 AM and our rosters are filling up fast! If AHS receives more enrollment forms than student capacity, then AHS will conduct an admissions lottery on March 1st. If the classes of 2014 and 2015 are not over enrolled on 3/1, then the school will accept enrollments until capacity is reached.
Humanities Exhibition
Save the Date- 10th grade Humanities students will be putting on their first exhibition of semester two entitled: Genocide and Imperialism. The exhibition will take place on Thursday, January 20th, from 5 to 6:30 PM. at Animas High School.
AHS Info Nights and Prospective Student Shadow Days
Animas High School will host info nights on Tuesday evenings from 5 to 6:30 PM. A short presentation about AHS’s program is followed by a Q & A session involving staff, current students, parents and board members. Info nights are a fantastic opportunity for our community to learn more about all the great things happening at Animas!
Reservations for student shadow experiences are now being taken by the AHS Main Office. Shadow experiences run from 8 AM to 12:30 PM every Friday and space is limited to six student shadows a week. There are opportunities for both incoming 9th and 10th grade students to shadow current AHS students. Thank you for sharing these opportunities with you family, friends and neighbors!
Powerschool Updates
Every family should be receiving automatic weekly updates from Powerschool regarding your student’s performance/grades. Please let the Main Office know if you’ve changed your email address or if you are not receiving these weekly check-ins.
MLK DAY- No School
A reminder that there’s no school on Monday, January 17th as campus is closed in observation of the Martin Luther King Day holiday.
AHS Info Nights and Prospective Student Shadow Days
Animas High School will host info nights on Tuesday evenings from 5 to 6:30 PM. A short presentation about AHS’s program is followed by a Q & A session involving staff, current students, parents and board members. Info nights are a fantastic opportunity for our community to learn more about all the great things happening at Animas!
Reservations for student shadow experiences are now being taken by the AHS Main Office. Shadow experiences run from 8 AM to 12:30 PM every Friday and space is limited to six student shadows a week. There are opportunities for both incoming 9th and 10th grade students to shadow current AHS students. Thank you for sharing these opportunities with you family, friends and neighbors!
Powerschool Updates
Every family should be receiving automatic weekly updates from Powerschool regarding your student’s performance/grades. Please let the Main Office know if you’ve changed your email address or if you are not receiving these weekly check-ins.
MLK DAY- No School
A reminder that there’s no school on Monday, January 17th as campus is closed in observation of the Martin Luther King Day holiday.
Monday, January 3, 2011
AHS Weekly Update- Week of January 3rd, 2011
Happy New Year!I hope this email finds you well, recharged and refreshed for 2011. It’s been an incredibly busy vacation for the staff and we are excited for the months ahead! The administration had the opportunity to meet with every 9th and 10th grader yesterday and I know I speak for all the staff when I say “our students rock!” It was so inspiring to hear about the students plans for semester two, listen to them advocate for themselves and each other and witness how motivated they are to get back into their studies! It’s fantastic to be surrounded every day by students who enjoy the challenges in front of them and have such a positive commitment to their school. Thank you all for the honor and privilege of working with your student!
Please take a moment to review the following updates:
Report Cards
Spanish Program Change
New Math/Science Instructor
New Spanish Instructor
10th Graders
2011 Enrollment Opens
Humanities Exhibition
Report Cards
Student report cards were mailed home over the holiday recess. If your student did not receive their report card or there are questions about their report card, please contact our Assistant Head of School via email at: jake.lauer@animashighschool.com
As a reminder to those who may not have had as strong of a first semester as they would have liked. From Animas High School’s Colorado State Charter:
AHS will require each student to earn a grade of C or higher in all academic courses. Students who do not achieve this minimum grade requirement in two or fewer courses will be given options of attending summer school or repeating the grade to achieve these minimum grade requirements. Students who do not achieve the minimum grade requirement in greater than two classes must repeat the grade.
Spanish Program Change
In order to best serve our students, the AHS Board of Directors has adopted a new four-year Spanish program format. Based on overwhelming student and parent feedback and educational best practices, AHS has decided to offer Spanish as a full-year class, rather than a one semester class. AHS students are required to complete two years of Spanish study. The school has determined it fits our model and our students’ interests best to follow this format:
Beginning next year, students at AHS will complete their two-year Spanish requirement during their sophomore and junior years. Students are also encouraged to participate in one or more summer Spanish Jam opportunities/summer Immersion trips that will begin this summer! If an AHS student was to pursue all of the foreign language opportunities offered by the school, that student has the opportunity to earn 6 years of Spanish credit. By starting our foreign language journey in the sophomore year, it allows our ninth graders to earn a full year of Digital Arts credit as freshman. Additionally, with the importance our school places on digital portfolios and the employment of technology for research, production and presentation, our 9th graders will now have a full year to gain, practice and refine digital skills that are essential for success in all classes here at AHS.
AHS administrators have met with the student body to discuss these changes. Since the students have advocated for more focused instructional time in all their classes, this change has been very well received! Our current tenth graders are excited to have their basic Spanish requirements completed by the end of this semester. Our ninth graders are enthusiastic that they will be able to achieve mastery of the complete CS4 Adobe Suite. (They’ve got flash animation up next!) We appreciate all the great conversations, related to this change, that have taken place at PAC meetings, board meetings, curriculum subcommittee meetings and through personal dialogue with the school’s staff over the past two months. We look forward to our first, on-campus Spanish Jam this summer and our first foreign language trips abroad next year.
New Math/Science Instructor
It is with great excitement that AHS announces the hiring of Erin Zarko as a Math/Science Instructor at AHS. Equally at home in a Physics or Algebra classes, Erin recently completed her student teaching here at Animas High first semester. (Erin co-taught 9th grade Physics with Dave Heershcap and taught Algebra1 and 2 at school semester one) Her strong performance semester one, both as an instructor and as an advisor has impressed us all. Likewise, Will Camp from Fort Lewis College’s Dept of Education and teacher training program has said, “Erin is the one of best students to come out of our program in many years!”
Erin will be taking on the lead instructor role in our Algebra classes. Cathy Eagan continues to instruct our advanced math classes and serve as the Math Dept. chair. Josh Dalley, continues in his role as math specialist and student advisor. Adding Erin to the mix now gives our students more contact time with instructors, allows us to maintain small numbers in our math classes and results in AHS having more time for math and science extra help periods, math/science SIGs and more faculty office hours. Welcome aboard Erin, we are excited to have you as part of the AHS team!
New Spanish Instructor
It is with great disappointment that AHS announces the resignation of AHS Spanish teacher Maria Goodin. Since this past summer, Maria had been instrumental in developing our foreign language program and instructing our Spanish classes. Unfortunately, Maria will be unable to continue her strong work here at AHS and we are truly going to miss her talents and positive energy.
Although a change like this is never a good thing, AHS is fully prepared to continue our foreign language instruction this year. We will introduce our new Spanish instructor in the next weekly update. Stay tuned!
10th Graders
Winter NWEA testing, CSAPs, SATs/ACTs, college counseling appointments, internship assignments, not to mention a full line up of classes, project week, extracurricular activities, SLCs, exhibitions, tPOLs, summer jobs; I’m tired just listing all these demands!
This is a friendly reminder to all our 10th grade families concerning the robust and challenging agenda for sophomores in semester two. There is a tremendous amount of work the class of 2013 needs to accomplish and it’s going to take every minute available this semester to complete it all. Teachers and staff have been reviewing these objectives with students and we hope you can too! Now is the time to be checking in with your student about their scholastic plans and asking them how you can best support them this spring! Please know that our faculty advisors are on stand-by, ready to speak with you and your student about their progress and plans for AHS and beyond!
Yes, we understand we are asking a tremendous amount of all of our students but with your support and encouragement, we are confident that they will achieve tremendous success. Thank you for helping us keep the bar high!
2011 Enrollment Opens
Enrollment for the 2011-2012 school year opened Monday, January 3rd at 12:00 AM and the action has been steady! If AHS receives more enrollment forms than student capacity, then AHS will conduct an admissions lottery on March 1st. If the classes of 2014 and 2015 are not over enrolled on 3/1, then the school will accept enrollments until capacity is reached.
Humanities Exhibition
Save the Date- 10th grade Humanities students will be putting on their first exhibition of semester two entitled: Genocide and Imperialism. The exhibition will take place on Thursday, January 20th, from 5 to 6:30 PM. Location TBD. Look for more on this event in next week’s update.
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