Error message

Updates from Organizations - Government agencies - Advertise Various Artists

Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 4:30pm

Utah is well known for its natural beauty with white-capped mountain tops, enormous canyons and flowing streams, but in the feature Ogden stood out for also offering its own man-made artistic touches in the way of architecture and historical structures that can't be beat.

See it here: 10 Most Beautiful Towns in Utah

========================

Jeanne Allen, the founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform, today issued the following statement:

News Reports Have It Wrong: Education Next Poll Shows Continued Support for Charter Schools

 

Reports by news outlets today including Politico and the Associated Press about the latest Education Next poll have it wrong. The poll does not show a drop in public support for charter schools; it shows a drop in support for the word “charters.”

When respondents were asked the generic, undefined question, “Do you support or oppose the formation of charter schools?” the numbers dipped, but when the question included a definition of charter schools, there was no drop in support for charter schools from the general public or parents. Their support remained at 51 percent and 52 percent respectively — exactly what it was in 2015.

The defined question reads: “As you may know, many states permit the formation of charters schools, which are publicly funded but not managed by the local school board. These schools are expected to meet promised objectives, but are exempt from many state regulation. Do you support or oppose the formation of charter schools?”

When asked this way, not only did support remain constant for parents and the general public, there were slight increases in support for charter schools from teachers — up from 39 percent to 41 percent; among African American — up from 45 percent to 46 percent; and, among Democrats — up from 42 percent to 45 percent. There was slight erosion of support among Hispanics, down from 48 percent to 44 percent, and Republicans, down from 62 percent to 60 percent.

Based on 15 years of polling on charter schools and other school reforms, when the question is asked with more clarity about what a charter school is, the numbers are dramatically higher. CER’s Survey of America's Attitudes on School Reform issued annually until 2013 consistently showed support well above 70 percent, and highest for minorities and single mothers for charter schools, when defined as “public schools, free from most rules and regulations that apply to other public schools and open by choice.” The definition is key; polls consistently show that the public is less than 50 percent knowledgeable about charter schools in general.

The Education Next survey is simply another in a series of surveys that tests the public’s knowledge. It revealed not waning support for charter schools, but a lack of support for the word “charter.” That, in itself, might merit investigation — most notably efforts by unions, school boards and the like to demonize the word.

The biggest takeaway from the Education Next poll is that despite concerted efforts to undermine the credibility of charter schools and their extraordinary impact on students nationwide, public support has remained steady, and, we believe, will continue so, as long as the public education system continues to offer a 19th century model of schooling which nets barely passable results for most students.

 

Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — thus ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom, and flexibility throughout U.S. education.

For more information, contact Tim Sullivan, at 202-750-0016 or tim@edreform.com

==========================

Secretary Perdue Heads to Florida to Discuss State of Citrus Industry and Keynote Citrus Expo Dinner

(Washington, D.C., August 15, 2017) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will travel to Florida to visit Charlotte and Lee Counties TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 16th for several events to discuss the state of Florida’s citrus industry with local growers, researchers, and industry stakeholders. In addition, Secretary Perdue will be joined by Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-17) and will give the keynote address at the Citrus Expo Dinner.

*NOTE: The following events are open to the press. Media must RSVP to press@oc.usda.gov.

Secretary Perdue’s Public Schedule for Wednesday, August 16th:

Alico Bermont Grove Tour

What: Secretary Perdue and Congressman Rooney will participate in a private grove tour, which press are welcome to attend for b-roll purposes.
When: TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 16th, from 11:20 – 12:15 p.m. ET
Where: 1451 State Road 31 
             Punta Gorda, FL 33982
Point of Contact: Leah Valenti, Congressman Rooney District Director, 941-932-6316

Citrus Farm Bill Listening Session

What: Secretary Perdue and Congressman Rooney will host a Citrus Farm Bill Listening Session moderated by Mike Sparks of Florida Citrus Mutual. The goal of this listening session is to bring together researchers and growers and to have them discuss the successes and challenges they have faced while combatting citrus greening disease. Secretary Perdue, the Congressman and all participants will be available to speak with the media and answer questions after formal discussion has concluded.
When: TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 16th, from 1:10 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Where: Davidson House
            Lee Civic Center
            11831 Bayshore Road
            North Fort Myers, FL 33917
Point of Contact: Leah Valenti, Congressman Rooney District Director, 941-932-6316

Citrus Expo Booth Tour

What: Secretary Perdue and Congressman Rooney will walk through the Citrus Expo to visit various exhibits and speak with vendors. Press may accompany them.
When: TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 16th, from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Lee Civic Center
            11831 Bayshore Road
            North Fort Myers, FL 33917
Point of Contact: Leah Valenti, Congressman Rooney District Director, 941-932-6316

Citrus Expo Dinner

What: Secretary Perdue will offer the keynote address at the Citrus Expo Dinner.
When: TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 16th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Florida Gulf Coast University Alico Arena
            12181 Fgcu Lake Pkwy E
            Fort Myers, FL 33913
Point of Contact: USDA Office of Communications, press@oc.usda.gov.

============================

Law enforcement officials to host media briefing on Operation Rio Grande

 

What: Law enforcement officials will hold a briefing to update media on Operation Rio Grande Phase 1 developments, including a preliminary report on day-one arrest numbers and continued efforts.

 

Who:

Keith Squires, Commissioner of Public Safety

Mike Brown, Police Chief, Salt Lake City Police Department

Justin Hoyal, Chief Deputy Salt Lake County Sheriff Office

Lana Dalton, Director of Community Connection Center

 

When: Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

 

Where:

Utah State Emergency Operations Center

State Capitol Basement

350 N. State Street

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

======================

National Airborne Day 2017 

Saturday, 19 August 2017, 9am to Noon
 

Celebrate the museum's 17th anniversary 

and honor the 77th anniversary of the original test platoon paving the way for the United States Army's Airborne.

 

Visit with active duty Soldiers displaying their equipment and experience  

what they do best! 

 

 

  Support the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation

  

The sole mission of the ASOM Foundation is to support the United States Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum located in historic downtown Fayetteville, NC.

Please consider donating to the foundation at
Donate Now! on our website.

==========================

 

Non-Profit Organization is Seeking Local Host Families for High School Exchange Students

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE), in cooperation with your community high school, is looking for local families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 18 from a variety of countries: Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Japan, to name a few.

ASSE students are enthusiastic and excited to experience American culture while they practice their English. They also love to share their own culture and language with their host families. Host families welcome these students into their family, not as a guest, but as a family member, giving everyone involved a rich cultural experience.

The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. ASSE students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.

To become an ASSE Host Family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, please call the ASSE Western Regional Office at 1-800-733-2773 or go to www.host.asse.com to begin your host family application. Students are eager to learn about their American host family, so begin the process of welcoming your new son or daughter today!

 

ASSE INTERNATIONAL (FORMERLY AMERICAN SCANDINAVIAN STUDENT EXCHANGE) IS A NON-PROFIT, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANIZATION.  ASSE IS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS AN EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WAS FOUNDED BY THE SWEDISH MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, COOPERATES WITH THE CANADIAN PROVINCIAL MINISTRIES OF EDUCATION,  and the NEW ZEALAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.                      STUMPED? STYMIED? STUPEFIED?  NEW BOOK BY FORMER UTAH RESIDENT EXPLAINS HOW TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS:

The Art of Making Good Decisions by Philip Kimble Now Available Nationwide

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  – Feeling stumped, stymied, or stupefied by a big (or small) decision? A new book, The Art of Making Good Decisions by former Utah resident Philip Kimble, takes the guesswork out of common decision-making quandaries and explains how to make good, solid, choices—easily, quickly, and consistently.

Sources estimate that an individual makes more than 30,000 conscious decisions each day.  While most decisions are relatively minor—researchers at Cornell University suggest that persons typically make over 200 decisions a day on food alone—decisions, even the small ones, matter.  Consequently, being able to make consistently good, solid decisions is vitally important to our well-being, our livelihood, and our happiness.

Written by Atlanta area resident Philip Kimble, The Art of Making Good Decisions, explains how—and why—to make good decisions.  A groundbreaking book filled with fascinating insights, tips, tricks and techniques, The Art of Making Good Decisions is publishedin trade paper (ISBN: 978-1542404075, 168 pages, $9.95) and eBook ($9.50) editions and is now available wherever fine books are sold.

Author Philip Kimble takes readers on an enlightening journey through the decision-making process in The Art of Making Good Decisions.  In this thoughtful and thought-provoking guide, Kimble sheds light on such topics as:  the three driving elements to any decision; elements of the decision model sequence; the key component behind bad decisions; how to recognize a good decision; what happens when decisions need to be tweaked—aka zigging and zagging;  becoming a more confident decision maker; and other important topics. Moreover, The Art of Making Good Decisions is filled with step-by-step examples, sage advice, and anecdotes.

Clear, concise, and imminently readable, The Art of Making Good Decisions presents an eye-opening look at the decision making process. Part how-to manual, part coach, part mentor in a book, The Art of Making Good Decisions is intended for anyone who has struggled with making decisions.

So the next time you find yourself frustrated, flummoxed, or frazzled when facing a decision, take heart:  by applying the principles outlined in The Art of Making Good Decisions, you can begin your transition from inaction to decisiveness and bring sense and clarity to choices. Now that’s a good decision.

Philip Kimble lives in the Atlanta area with his wife Julie.  He received an undergraduate degree from BYU and an MBA from the University of Utah.

Members of the news media wishing to request additional information are kindly asked to contact Maryglenn McCombs by phone:  (615) 297-9875 or by email:  maryglenn@maryglenn.com