| |
|
January 31, 2012 | Connecting Generations, Working Toward Common Goals
Do people in their sixties have anything to say to young people today? Being in my sixties myself, I certainly think so!
Exhibit 1: Karen Pittman's column on what bolstered her ambitions and achievements coming of age in the 1960s.
Young people certainly have a lot to say to the older generation too.
Last week, the State of the Union shone a national spotlight on high school dropout rates and college costs. We've pulled together some explanations, reactions and research that should inform efforts to boost graduation rates in high school and college.
On Feb. 13, the President will submit his blueprint for next year's federal budget to Congress and the House is sure to propose a markedly different budget outline, sparking more debate over whether we're spending too much or allocating our resources in all the wrong places. Check out the best charts I've seen on the federal budget - the source of our current deficit and where our money goes.
The Republican presidential campaign moves on from Florida tonight. We and our partners (and you're invited!) continue to work for inclusion of child and youth issues in the election discussions with our Kids 2012 campaign.
Need a little more info on the rules and regulations for nonprofits in an election year? Join the collaborative webinar today. It's not too late to register.
Here's to making a difference in 2012!
Jan
Jan Richter, SparkAction Update editor emeritus
---
We heart feedback. Email jan@sparkaction.org.
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
What got tweeted 3,600 times during #SOTU? One of our favorite topics: #Education bit.ly/x9GrII
Follow us @sparkaction!
|
|
Connect with SparkAction!
|
|
|
| |
|
| Kids 2012: Recapping Florida's "Ask the Candidates" 
"We work so hard to put children and families front-and-center in the policy arena. Many thanks to SparkAction and their partners for providing this opportunity for Floridians to make that happen during the presidential debates!"
- Ted Granger of United Way of Florida
Before the Florida debates last week, we and our partners in the Kids 2012 campaign gave Floridians a way to suggest and vote on the questions they most want to hear the Presidential primary candidates address. We shared the winning questions with each candidate and the debate hosts. Next stop: Arizona. We hope you'll join us!
This week is Children's Week in Florida, but the Children's Week network works year-round to improve the lives of children and youth.
|
|
| Good Reads: New from Sparkaction
First Focus and the Foundation for Child Development hosted a Congressional briefing on the factors that influence state policy and funding decisions, and how emphasizing child well-being can help states drive better outcomes. The Forum for Youth Investment's Hannah Lythe was there and shares the highlights.
What did young people think about the State of the Union? Jamira Burley shares a dispatch from this discussion hosted by the League of Young Voters Education Fund, AllHipHop.com and Rock the Vote, which engaged more than 33,000 people online and in person.
New year, new goals? Check out Alison Waldman's top 5 things to keep in mind as you tackle your 2012 social media agenda.
|
| Building a Strong Future, No Matter Where You Start
Ready, Willing, and Able
 In a new blog and book review, Karen Pittman begins with a description of what it was like for her coming of age as a black teenager in DC in the 1960s. The help and support of caring relatives, teachers and musicians set her on her path to ensure a supportive environment for every child coming of age today.
In her blog, Karen notes that the youth orchestra was her after-school activity of choice. A half century later, the Wallace Foundation reports on successful programs that bring young audiences to the arts.
Children Exposed to Violence Task Force
The U.S. Attorney General's National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence is holding a series of four public hearings. You can watch today's (January 31) hearing focusing on rural and tribal communities as a free live webinar.
In Brief
|
| Learning from the Past, Charting the Future
Think 2040: A Blueprint for Millennial America
The generation born between 1980 and 2000 is the largest generation in American history and will constitute a third of the eligible electorate by 2016. The new Millennials' blueprint for the future of this generation and the nation acknowledges the achievements of the past but also focuses on the problems they are inheriting.
How We Got Here: Making Sense of the Federal Budget (Video)
If you think we have spent our way into a ballooning deficit that will ruin our children's future, check this great slideshow on the federal budget from the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities. Knowing the real source of the problem should guide efforts for a solution.
|
| Improving Education Outcomes, from Cradle to Career
SOTU Shines Spotlight on High School and College Completion
 In last week's State of the Union speech, President Obama addressed some of the challenges facing young people, their families and our nation -- including keeping students in school long enough to earn a high school diploma to keeping colleges affordable. Some highlights:
- When it comes to graduation rates, the Alliance for Excellent Education finds that many states have made progress in aligning accountability with college and career readiness in their education plans, but some proposed changes could threaten the accuracy of graduation rate measurement.
 12 for 2012: Issues to Move Education Forward in 2012
The Education Commission of the States identifies 12 important issues for 2012, noting the benefits if states address these issues and the challenges to adoption or implementation they may face.
The latest report from the University of North Carolina'sAbecedarian study finds quality early learning programs have a positive effect on adult achievement.
Building Teacher Quality Systems
- ...but putting a system in place that accurately and fairly evaluates teacher performance is not easy, as the Wall Street Journal reports on tough negotiations in New York.
State News
|
| Help for Students and Families: It's a SNAP
Last week, the USDA redefined what constitutes a healthy school lunch -- adding more fruits and vegetables to the plate for starters. Here are some resources:
- The Half-Empty Plate report from the Food Research & Action Center digs into the data to highlight the difficulties for families to afford fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those struggling with hardship and/or obesity.
- SNAP: effective, popular - and under fire? The Food Stamp program (SNAP) is the largest anti-hunger program we have, and it is effective and efficient, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. While a new poll finds strong public support for SNAP and strong opposition to cutting food stamp benefits, the program is likely to become a political football in this election year.
- SNAP & college success: helping eligible college students access SNAP benefits has even been identified as a way to boost college success, as you'll see in this report on the work of a Ready by 21 partnership in Maryland.
|
|
Caitlin Johnson and Thaddeus Ferber
SparkAction and the Forum for Youth Investment
|
|
|
