July, 2007

I. Teachers and Teaching

1.Teachers dubious of merit pay-student score link

Wednesday, July 04, 2007 from CNN

Merit pay tied to student test scores seems all the rage in some educational circles, but many teachers think it's an idea whose time hasn't come. Members of the National Education Association listen to a speaker at a convention in Philadelphia on Tuesday. It's a concept that is gaining ground in state capitals and in Washington, nevertheless. Members of Congress, for instance, are considering adding funding bonuses for teachers who raise student achievement as part of the No Child Left Behind Act, which is up for review this year.

2. Free teacher-training courses

Friday, July 27, 2007 from China daily

Students are flocking to the country's top universities after the Ministry of Education reintroduced its policy of free training for those aspiring to become teachers. Six institutions of higher learning under the administration of the ministry enrolled 12,000 students this year.

II. Learners and Learning

1. Online summer school classes a 'blessing'

Monday, July 23, 2007 by CNN

With a growing number of schools around the country allowing students to take classes and make-up credits online, summer school's punitive reputation is slipping. And more students are finding they need not miss out on summer camp, vacation or jobs.

2. Students to dance without partners: SGAS official

Sunday, July 15, 2007 by Xinhua

The State General Administration of Sports (SGAS) has planned to re-compose the group dances, which will be introduced into schools this September, to calm the parents who have been worried that the dances would encourage young love, a Shanghai-based newspaper reported.

III. Leaders and Leadership

1. Certain Degrees Now Cost More at Public Universities

Sunday, July 29, 2007 by The New York Times

Should an undergraduate studying business pay more than one studying psychology? Should a journalism degree cost more than one in literature? More and more public universities, confronting rising costs and lagging state support, have decided that the answers may be yes and yes.

2. Banks urged to expand education loans to poor students

Monday, July, 2007 by chinaview.cn

The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank, has urged all banks nationwide to expand education loans to college students from needy families, according to a notice on its website on Sunday.

IV. Curriculum

Mexico urged to launch earlier sexual education

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 by EducationGuardian.co.uk

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday called on the Mexican government to offer sexual education at an earlier age and strengthen health services to reduce deaths linked to pregnancy. The UNFPA's Mexico representative Arie Hoekman said in a press conference that 500,000 women die worldwide each year, more than 1,000 in Mexico, from problems linked to pregnancy, and that this figure could be reduced by 75 percent.

2. Demand for summer class at fever pitch in Shanghai

Wednesdat, July 4, 2007 by www.chinaview.cn

Competition for limited spots in various summer classes has led some parents to wait outside overnight in front of schools to ensure a place for their child. Training schools said they added more classes this year, but the supply is still inadequate to satisfy demand.

V. Family and Community

1. When There’s No Place Like Home

Sunday, July 29, 2007 by The New York Times

It is a nagging worry for many parents this time of year, as their children pack up and go off on their own for the first time. Will my child be homesick?

2. Ban against university students living off-campus triggers debate

Sunday,July 15, 2007 by www.chinaview.cn

**UPDATE OR ADD A SUBSCRIPTION**

If you would like to sign up for this free service and receive Hot Topics in US-China Education, simply register with us.  [Register]

Note: If you cannot see the links or images in this e-mail, register to receive future e-mails in text format only.

The Center wants you to receive Hot Topics at your preferred e-mail address. Please notify us if your e-mail address has changed. Send your name and new e-mail address to cnus@msu.edu. Be sure to let us know your old e-mail address so we can remove it from our list. We also welcome new subscribers. Feel free to forward this subscription information to others.

Hot Topics is produced by the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence which is funded by the Sun Wah Education Foundation.