Author Archives: Julie Ewart

The Hard Work of School Turnarounds—When a Struggling School Becomes a Place Where Students Want to Be

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Julie Ewart

Hammond High School junior Katherine Lopez has seen a big change in teachers’ attitudes since her freshman year at the northwest Indiana school in 2009/10. “Teachers seem much more involved with students and with what they’re teaching,” she said. “If … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, Parent & Family Engagement, Success Stories, Turnaround Schools | Tagged , | 5 Comments

i3 Grant Puts “I” in Team

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Julie Ewart

As a 9th grade counselor at St. Louis Park Senior High School in suburban Minneapolis, Angie Jerabek was jarred by the 45 percent failure rate posted by the school’s freshmen in 1998.  She responded to the challenge by developing a … Continue reading →

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North Minneapolis Promise Neighborhood Comes Together to Boost Education Opportunity

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Julie Ewart

Tornado devastation, rampant foreclosures, tragic street violence and initial disappointment at not earning a Promise Neighborhoods planning grant in 2010 did not deter the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) from moving ahead with plans to build a culture of achievement in … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News | Tagged | 2 Comments

Springfield, Ohio: ‘We Don’t Let Barriers Get in the Way’

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Julie Ewart

While Springfield, Ohio schools cope with a growing number of poor families, an achievement gap and a declining population — similar to many other districts nationwide — the community is tackling those challenges head-on. “We don’t let barriers get in … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, Race to the Top, Schools and Community, Success Stories | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Working Together Is the Only Way

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Julie Ewart

“In these times of limited resources, working together is the only way,” said Aurora, Ill., Mayor Tom Weisner during Assistant Secretary of Communications and Outreach Peter Cunningham’s visit to his city last month. The President’s proposed American Jobs Act and … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, Schools and Community | Tagged | 3 Comments

“We Need Help to Have Better Schools”

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Julie Ewart

“When ceiling tiles need to be changed once a week, it’s hard for students to feel like they’re here for serious business,” said LaTanza Boarden, principal of Lew Wallace Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Academy, during a visit by Peter Cunningham, … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, Schools and Community | Tagged | 3 Comments

What Inspires Young Teens?

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Julie Ewart

What inspires young teens to do well in school? The admission from President Obama that he wasn’t always a perfect student really struck a chord with 6th – 9th graders as they watched the President’s  3rd Annual Back-to-School speech on Sept. 28 in Chicago. “I … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, Teachers, What We Heard | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Answering Federal Student Aid Questions in Chicago

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Julie Ewart

CHICAGO – Parents and students voiced questions about federal funding for college, and got some answers in an informal town hall meeting with Assistant Secretary of Postsecondary Education Eduardo Ochoa at Mather High School on Chicago’s north side last Friday. … Continue reading →

Posted in Back To School Tour, Headlines, News, Schools and Community | Tagged | 3 Comments

Teachers ‘Go Bananas’ Over Real-World Connections to STEM

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Julie Ewart

How can a room full of bananas help teachers get kids excited about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)? Secretary Duncan and other national leaders say that U.S. students need to complete a rigorous math and science coursework so they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in A Teacher We Met, Headlines, News, Rural, Teachers | Comments Off

Public Gives Input on Race to the Top Assessments

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Julie Ewart

According to Secretary Duncan, the new Race to the Top Assessments (RTTA) are “an absolute game-changer in public education.” Which is why ED is taking the necessary steps to ensure that stakeholders have a voice in the development of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, Race to the Top | 7 Comments

Inspiration Overcomes Anxiety for Future Teachers in Rural Illinois

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Julie Ewart

Why teach? “This may sound like a hippie answer, but I want to change the world,” said future teacher Joelle Schulda, when asked what drew her to education. “If I can reach just one child—who knows?—that child could grow up to … Continue reading →

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