Comments

• On the article Movement to Change School Times Lands in Howard County

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  9:38 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  I don't think any research I provide will satisfy you, seeing as you have set the goal post rather high. I could provide you with studies of financial effects on a few reported districts/schools, but you have said that wouldn't be enough. Seeing as you want precise financial data from ~every~ school system, that's a rather tall order from someone in a public forum.

  As I am only a supporter of this movement, not someone who is directly working on it, perhaps one of them can fulfill your demands?

  Of course, I could ask you the same: Can you provide me with a single school system that has enacted the program that has accrued more costs?

• On the article School Start Times: Too Early or Just Right?

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  4:51 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  So, because someone posts more than cursory information on a topic, you're going to sit there and:

  A) Accuse them of having too much time;
  B) Accuse them of gaining said information from a common search engine;
  C) Suggest that either of these negates their argument

  Do you have anything constructive to add to the conversation or are you simply going to make random fallacious (and false) comments?

• On the article School Start Times: Too Early or Just Right?

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  2:50 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  The concept of Start Later, however, is not based on cultural upheavals, paradigm shifts in psychology, or interests in esoteric concepts. It is based on the physiology of teenagers and is no different than any other movement based on medical and scientific knowledge.

  They have already implemented later start times across the United States. Two Minneapolis districts in 1997, Arlington County (VA) in 2001, Jessamin County (KY) in 2002, Santa Rosa County (FL) in 2007, Indianapolis area in 2010... all of these are success stories. Lower dropout rates, higher grades, positive shifts in student mental health, lower school spending, etc.

  These are far different than the pedagogical fads of the 60's and 70's. There is a scientific reason to implement this program. There is over a decade of proof that it works and provides many positive benefits. There is support from not just a singular group with their own ideas, but from a multi-disciplinary movement. That is why I don't believe you can compare this program to the failed attempts of the mid-20th century.

• On the article School Start Times: Too Early or Just Right?

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  2:47 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  The New Math style originated out of the space race with the Russians; it was an attempt to increase future generations scientific knowledge through the use of teaching advanced mathematical techniques over basic ones. The program was quickly discredited as being unnecessarily complex and having little application to basic American life. Almost everyone today agrees that the only reason it was tried was out of fear during the Cold War, and not for any valid concerns over our current educational system.

• On the article School Start Times: Too Early or Just Right?

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  2:46 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  The Look & Say method grew out of the holistic approach of psychology, which believed that the whole is different from the part. There was a great conflict in the psychological community over behaviorism versus humanism, and it affected many areas of mental health and developmental studies (including education). Again, testing found that the "whole language" approach did not accurately teach children and it was generally abandoned. Psychology, being a "soft" science and not beholden to strict rules, changed and found that the concept was not without its merits. Today, with the advent of socio-cognitive theories, many educators and psychologists use a mixture of phonetics and whole language approaches to teach reading.

• On the article School Start Times: Too Early or Just Right?

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  2:46 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  The Open Classroom model was brought over by American educators interested in British schooling styles. There was never any evidence that this model was better than the American one; it was simply something new to try because of criticisms about the current U.S. schooling system. Testing found negligible effect on the majority population, but increases in learning from specific student personality types. Of course, the U.S. program was criticized for taking the program too literally and ignoring the core tenets of an "open classroom". Today, many of these tenets are still used, particularly in student-based education found often in special programs, charter schools, and private schools.

• On the article School Start Times: Too Early or Just Right?

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  2:46 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  You bring up a good point that sometimes programs don't work out. However, you neglect to note that the programs you mentioned were not based on physiological needs but on more esoteric questions regarding the efficiency of schools. In addition, all three of these programs were implemented during the 60's and 70's, know for being a period of unconventional ideas and cultural conflicts. To understand why these ideas were tried and why they may not have worked out, we have to recognize the historical context.

• On the article Movement to Change School Times Lands in Howard County

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  1:45 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  "The studies may show they need more sleep but they won't get it, unless you start school at 4pm for them."

  Hyperbole. There is no study that says anything of the sort.

• On the article Movement to Change School Times Lands in Howard County

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  12:34 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  How will changing school start times lead to more taxes?

• On the article Howard County Teacher Nationally Recognized for Using Technology in Music Education

  

  

  Brook Hubbard

  10:50 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

  References:

  Bastos, Flávia. (2009, November). Can art education shape society? Art Education, 62(6), 4-5.

  Chémali, K. R. (2010, April). The science of music rehumanizing medicine: Scientists and musicians discover the importance of their collaboration. Music and Medicine, 2(2), 73-77.

  de Oliveira, J. A., & da Silva, A. J. (2011, December). Arts, culture and science and their relationship. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 24(6), 565-574.

  Estrella, M. A. (2010, September). The vital importance of the arts in personal development. Museum International, 62(3), 26-30.

  Herron, E. C. (2009, Fall). Feeling, art, and sustainable civil society. Jung Journal, 3(4), 112-122.

  Levinowitz, L. M. (1999, July). The importance of music in early childhood. Music Educators Journal, 86(1), 17.