Budget cuts and tuition.

Prince George's County in Maryland is cutting hundreds of jobs, increasing class size, reducing transportation, and requiring unpaid furloughs. Times are tough, but for all the politicians' lip service to improving education, when it comes to raising taxes to pay for things, the will just isn't there.

I'm sympathetic, as, on a much smaller scale, our Board has to make similar decisions each year. The only way to improve "productivity" (getting more done with the same resources) is to increase class size, as education is a people intensive business. So do we increase class size, cut programs, or increase tuition to what it costs to operate our program? In an independent school, our reason for existing is our program, so while increasing tuition is never ideal, it sure beats cutting our program. Of course, our families have the choice to return to public school if they don't feel that what we're doing is of value. I imagine that the parents in Prince George's County will be looking for safe havens, which is good news for Queen Anne School, Bishop McNamara High School, and other private schools. Not so great for folks who can't afford them.

Graphic Representation of our Economy

Enough said!

Social media research

Just stumbled across an interesting lady, danah boyd (spelling is correct, you'll have to see her blog to understand). As we wrestle with kids and social media/web 2.0 it's nice to see some real research going into it's effects. Assignment books being so 20th century, if we put assignments on Google Calendar will kids check their text messages from us? Looking at her research and career also reminds me of why I had no desire to spend my life in academia (at least at that level). Hands on applications are better for many adults as well as adolescents (or perhaps adults who are still a bit adolescent?)!

Good news for photographers

Apropos of nothing, the National [U.S.] Park Service has announced that all 392 national parks will have free admission during National Park Week, April 17 to 25. A good week to head off to Great Falls or White Oak Canyon (in Shenandoah) to shoot waterfalls!