State of Education
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne asked lawmakers in his annual State of Education speech for authorization to add history to the AIMS test.
Horne noted that education theorist E.D. Hirsch linked the decline of American public education to the idea that it's more important for students to have the ability to learn and think creatively than to garner a lot of knowledge that will change over time.
Horne agrees with Hirsch that students instead need to acquire a large body of knowledge to think creatively. The more background knowledge students have, the faster new knowledge can be absorbed, he said.
Two years ago, a bill to test history in grades three, six, seven and in high school had advanced, but it was dropped in budget negotiations. Horne implored lawmakers to pass the bill this year, even if implementation is delayed until funding becomes available.
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"It would send a signal to the schools that these tests are coming," he said.
He also asked lawmakers to pass a law extending a ban on junk food in high school vending machines, to build upon a law that eliminated the sugar- and fat-laden products from the younger grades.
"I see this as an issue of parental rights," Horne said. "If parents give students candy bars to bring to school, no one will take it away from them, but most parents teach their children at home to eat healthy and resent it when the schools undermine that by putting high-fat, high-sugar snacks in the vending machines."
And best of all, he noted, this won't cost any money.
Writing awards
Several Tucson students have been singled out for awards in an essay-writing contest exploring the impact that America's new president will have on Arizona.
Although Maricopa County schools ranked high in the middle school and high school junior and senior categories, Southern Arizona dominated the freshman and sophomore categories in the Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest, sponsored by the Arizona Educational Foundation and the Arizona Public Service utility company.
Selena Padilla of Desert View High School came in second; Brittney Smith of San Manuel Junior/Senior High School came in third; and Anna Sanchez, also of Desert View, scored honorable mention.
Second-place winners receive a $20 certificate good at the Capitol Museum Store, a certificate signed by Gov. Jan Brewer and a pen. Third-place winners receive a $10 certificate for the store as well as the gubernatorial certificate and pen.
Honors in Amphi
The Amphi Foundation is accepting nominations for the Heart of Amphi Awards through Friday.
Forms to nominate a school district volunteer, an area business or business leader and an Amphi employee for the Heart of Amphi Awards can be obtained by contacting the foundation by e-mail at amphifnd@amphi.com or by calling 696-5147.
The foundation asks that nominees exemplify the foundation's mission, which is to promote "academic excellence through the expansion or resources that enrich the education, development and well-being of the students in the Amphitheater Public School District."
The awards will be presented at the foundation's 25th Anniversary Gala on March 28 at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort.
The Amphi Foundation operates a clothing bank and provides scholarships, health and fitness assistance, and classroom technology to Amphi schools and their students.
Checkmate champ
Fifth-grader David Wang won first place in the Arizona State Grades Chess Championship.
David, a student at the Sonoran Science Academy who has played since kindergarten, brought home a trophy just a few inches shy of his own height. It's too big for the school trophy case, so it's been on display in the school hallway.
David said he prepared by playing chess at lunch with the chess club every day.
