Is there any positive news?

The various headlines today:

·         “Michelle Rhee's Group Grades States, And No One Gets an A” (http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2013/01/michelle_rhees_group_grades_states_and_no_one_gets_an_a.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2)

·         “Do Veterans Graduate?” (http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/01/08/new-effort-collect-student-veterans-graduation-rates)

·         “Controversy on Prof Who Disputes Newtown Killings” (http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/01/08/controversy-prof-who-disputes-newtown-killings)

·         “ITT's $46 Million Settlement” (http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/01/08/itts-46-million-settlement)

·         “Humboldt State, Mocked by Jimmy Kimmel, Invites Him to Campus” (http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/01/08/humboldt-state-mocked-jimmy-kimmel-invites-him-campus#ixzz2HPAFThSB)

Does anyone have anything good to say? Why do the education headlines have to be full of made up controversy, negativity, rudeness, and just plain old bad news? There is good stuff in education, so why not lead with that?

Has anyone ever thought that the ‘tone’ of educational reporting could have a lot to do with the perceptions and lack of confidence that people have? As educators, students learn a lot from our examples and right now, the perception is that we are not setting a good example.

Keep the conversation going, but let us change the tone shall we? After all, we do want students to have the best example do we not?

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

The ETeam