CFK home December 17

Featured Articles:

Susan B. NeumanDecember 17—You may know Dr. Susan B. Neuman as the apostate former Bush administration official who publicly opposes No Child Left Behind in its current form, and has made headlines by arguing that schools alone cannot close achievement gaps. But Neuman has received less attention for her affirmative vision of what we can do to improve poor students' odds dramatically—which she shares with Claus von Zastrow in this Public School Insights interview (with audio). Read more.

 

Earth SchoolDecember 3—Concerned that young people were increasingly disconnected from the real (read: natural) world, actress and teacher Barbara Sarbin turned a county farm into a hands-on Earth School. Here’s a look at how she did it. Read more.

 

NY Beacon CenterNovember 19—Engaging young teens in quality out-of-school time programs is no easy feat. Cypress Hills-East New York, a Beacon Center located in Brooklyn, has developed a strategy for reaching and enrolling youth ages 9 to 14—and it works. So what's the secret of their success? The Youth Development Institute shares some tips. Read more

 

Parents Save HousingNovember 5—In California, the journey from parent to activist starts at home: the Los Angeles Community Action Network won a citywide law to preserve affordable housing in residential hotels targeted for luxury development. Read more.


IDRAOctober 22—Texas graduation rates haven't improved much in over 20 years. In fact, the newest Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) study finds that Texas schools lose one high school student every four minutes—that's one-third of the state's students. So what would it take to get to a drop out rate of zero? IDRA's Grad4All looks at what can work, and how adults can get involved to make sure more students in Texas and across the country graduate on time and with the skills they need to succeed. Read more.

 

The CFK Update
From the editor, Caitlin Johnson
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Weekly EditorDecember 17 issue—As we approach the holidays and the end of 2008, you certainly don't need us to recap the list of woes and worries facing our nation—instead, we'd like to send '08 out with a bit of cheer and optimism.

 

That's not as hard as it sounds because many in the child and youth field are turning hopeful eyes toward the new administration and offering recommendations for specific steps to improve the lives of children and youth, even in these tight times. We've got a round-up of several transition ideas.

 

There's also some powerful calls to action on behalf of families and ideas for including children and youth in the economic recovery—with the underlying message that yes we can ensure access to quality after-school programs and child care for families. We can preserve critical social services, even in the face of state budget cuts.

 

We at CFK congratulate all of you for the work you do to foster the well-being of children and youth and we join you in looking toward (and acting for) the future! Read the last Update of 2008.


Karen Pittman's Youth Today Column

Karen Pittman

To say that young people should be ready for college, work and life often provokes public criticism. People question if college is for every young person. But, Karen Pittman challenges leaders to "... stay with [all young people] to ensure that they complete some form of post-secondary credential—academic or technical."

Karen suggests must-read resources from nonprofits, business leaders and youth themselves for those people who question the important of college. She answers the question, "Why should young people be credentialed by 26?" Read Karen's column.

 

Recent Columns:

Reading Into the Hope Meadows Story

Hershel Sarbin, CFK/Child Advocacy 360

Hershel CA 360

I’m struck by how smartly Brenda Eheart and Martha Power, the founders of  Hope Meadows intergenerational community, have adapted to changing conditions over the years. Therein lies a model for all of us. Read Hershel's column.

 

Recent Columns:

 


SomeoneToday
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