A weekly report on education news and commentary you won’t find anywhere else — from the nation’s leading voice on education innovation and opportunity.
MIRACLE AT PHILADELPHIA. September 17, 1787 has a strong argument for being the actual date that what we know as the United States came into being. That was the day that “We The People” formed a more perfect union by replacing the dysfunctional Articles of Confederation with our Constitution.
The famous painting above by Howard Chandler Christy may show the greatest assemblage of brain power and character ever assembled in one room. If you’re like most of us it has been some time since you read the actual document. No matter what your politics, do yourself a favor and give it a look. It’s guided the greatest nation on earth through good times and bad for 232 years. If you’re interested in taking a deeper dive into the actual constitutional convention, highly recommended is the National Book Award Winner Miracle at Philadelphia.
WHY AMERICA WAS ASKED IN PHILADELPHIA. Happily the delegates came up with answers. At CER we’re helping students ask the same question and have developed an extraordinary effort to ask - and answer - “Why America?” on topics ranging from Women’s Suffrage to the origins of Elections. You can learn more here and if you’re interested in replicating in your community, just ask! Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough said “You cannot love what you do not know.” That’s why we do “Why America?”
THE CASE FOR CIVICS. Surveys and assessments abound showing the sad truth about our collective understanding of civics, and the history and practices that have built this still new nation. Only two in five Americans even know our three branches of government! Next time you are unhappy with election results, remember that these people are voting. They can’t love what they don’t know. You should take a look at the test given to applicants for U.S. citizenship. Read, share and get engaged to rebuild an informed and engaged citizenry.
ANOTHER CIVICS LESSON - NO RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION. The 800 lb gorilla of parental rights cases will be before the US Supreme Court next month in a challenge to so-called “Blaine Amendments” to state constitutions. Blaine Amendments are 19th century anti-Catholic state laws forbidding parents from using the funds allocated for their education to access any religiously affiliated education. Thirty-seven states have them. The case centers around the constitutionality of Montana’s Blaine Amendment. A favorable, broad ruling in Espinoza vs. Montana Department of Revenue could open educational opportunities to millions of kids. CER is teaming up with organizations around the country to make our case on that. More to come.
“Blaine’s Teas(e)” 20 March 1880, by Thomas Nast for Harper’s Weekly. Source: UDel-Walfred.
OFFENDED BY THE CARTOON? That’s James Blaine, who before he went after Catholics, worked to exclude the Chinese, which the media was all over. That’s whose amendment will be up in front of the US Supreme Court this session!
COLLEGE LESSONS ON “WHY AMERICA?” - FOR FREE! - Michigan’s Hillsdale College offers free online courses, among which one of the best is a series on the Constitution and the foundations of the American Republic. Courses offered are “Introduction to the Constitution”, “Constitution 101”, “Constitution 201”, “The Presidency and the Constitution”, and “The Federalist Papers.” Never too early to start or continue your learning!
BEST TYPE OF CIVICS LESSON - CITIZENS IN ACTION. The very appropriately named Success Academy in Queens, New York has a waiting list of students and was promised space to expand by the city Department of Education two years ago, was told last year that it would get space this year, and now is being stonewalled. At least five public school buildings across Queens have ample room for the new school, with 450 to 725 empty seats each. But Mayor De Blasio’s educrats regularly invent excuses, and now have literally stopped returning calls from Success officials. Saying “enough is enough”, Success Academy parents, staff and students are holding a rally at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans, Queens, on Sept. 26. Help them out if you can. For more information call the Academy at 347-602-4335.
MORE CITIZEN ACTION - OPEN THE DOORS AND LET THE KIDS IN! Last week’s Reality Check podcast focused on the absurd situation where D.C. public schools have empty buildings while thousands of kids are on a waiting list to get into charters. Citizen activists at End The List are holding an "Open Doors - Unlock Opportunity" event on November 14th at the Atrium Hall of the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown DC. Help strike a blow for sanity - and civics - by attending the rally!
MICHAEL MOE - CIVICS IN ACTION. This week’s guest on Reality Check with Jeanne Allen is a walking, talking example of civic involvement helping all sectors - including education. GSV Founder Michael Moe discusses the future of learning; new advances rapidly changing the workplace and the classroom alike, “How we get people the skills, the knowledge, the connectivity” to thrive in the 21st century,” and breakthrough alternative ways that people are learning and sharing ideas today. Listen for more on why both AI and China should be on the U.S. ed and tech world radar screens (and you can bet they make sure their kids know their civics!)
As always, please drop us a line, with any input and suggestions.
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 — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education.
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SKI.COM ANNOUNCES ITS SECOND YEAR OF HIRING FOR THE ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN GIG: THE SKI.COM DREAM JOB - Including a trip to Jackson Hole
Twelve candidates will be chosen to document what it’s like to experience it all at six top destinations around the world
Aspen, Colo. – September 17, 2019 – For the second year in a row, Ski.com, the largest provider of ski vacations in North America, is once again searching for candidates to document what it’s like to experience the hottest ski destinations around the world. Starting today through October, 29 2019, Ski.com will be accepting applications for the ultimate on-mountain gig: The Ski.com Dream Job. Twelve applicants will be selected—two per destination—and assigned to travel to and document the “ski-boots-on-the-ground” experience at one of the following six destinations during the 2020 winter: Aspen Snowmass, Colo.; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Big Sky, Mont.; Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta; Chamonix, France; Niseko, Japan.
Ski.com’s Dream Job hires will be compensated with an all-expenses paid VIP resort experience, flights on United Airlines, gear from Stio, Black Crows, Giro and GoPro, custom forecasts from OpenSnow, a paycheck of $2,000 per person and the opportunity to save our snow with Protect Our Winters.
“Last fall, for Ski.com’s Epic Dream Job, we received nearly 1,200 video entries and a very passionate community formed online in support of the applicants,” said Dan Sherman Ski.com chief marketing officer. “This year, instead of hiring one person, we are now looking for candidates to fill 12 open positions who will visit six incredible destinations around the word while receiving products and services from an all-star group of partners.”
The ideal candidates must have a serious desire to travel to some of the most amazing mountain destinations on the planet, they must be able to ski and/or snowboard at at least an advanced intermediate level and they must love après, mingling with locals and documenting their travel experiences.
To apply, interested job seekers must first choose the destination to which they would like to apply and then submit an application video between September 17, 2019 and October 29, 2019 explaining in 90 seconds or less why they should be hired and what drew them to the destination. Ski.com encourages applications from individuals or two-person teams. Each applicant can choose one resort or apply to multiple destinations.
For more information and to apply, applicants should visit www.ski.com/dreamjob. Ski.com will announce the 12 people who have been selected for the job on November 19, 2019.
About Ski.com
Founded in 1971 in the heart of Colorado ski country, Aspen-headquartered Ski.com is North America’s largest provider of mountain vacation packages and an industry leader in online travel technology. The company specializes in booking custom ski vacations at more than 120 of the most popular ski resorts and heli- and cat-skiing destinations in North America, Europe, Japan and South America and offers the largest collection of mountain lodging and ski-vacation components, including discounted lift tickets, flights, equipment rental, ski school, activities and more. Providing unsurpassed mountain-travel expertise, Ski.com’s 70 Mountain Travel Experts average 26 years of experience in the ski travel industry.
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Press Release
Secretary Perdue Swears In USDA’s Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Donald “DJ” LaVoy
(Washington, D.C., September 17, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today administered the oath of office to swear in Donald “DJ” LaVoy to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary.
“DJ LaVoy brings decades of leadership in economic development and affordable housing to this role and we are excited to welcome him to our USDA team,” Secretary Perdue said. “DJ has effectively led large-scale IT innovation, interagency relationships, and public-private partnerships to improve government customer service and the quality of life for Americans across the country. DJ is well equipped to fight for rural America’s economic prosperity and development, working hard to fulfill one of President Trump’s top priorities.”
About Donald “DJ” LaVoy:
An experienced leader who focuses on people and effective management outcomes, DJ LaVoy has more than 22 years of experience working as a leader in affordable housing and economic development at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Most recently, LaVoy served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) where he was highly effective in driving agency innovation. LaVoy led the replacement of numerous, outdated IT data collection systems with data streaming, and web portals architecture in a cloud environment. LaVoy also partnered with members of the federal family and all 58 State Housing Finance Agencies to lead the way in establishing a universal inspection standard for federally subsidized properties. The standard will increase customer service and improve the lives of millions of Americans across the country. LaVoy started his career with the United States Marine Corps and is a marine aviator and combat veteran. He earned his Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from Old Dominion University and his Master of Industrial Engineering from U.S. Army War College.
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USDA Radio Newsline
Tuesday, September 17th Story:
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