News for Week of July 11, 1999
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Annual Report Shows Hopeful Picture for U.S. Youth
On July 8 the government released its annual America's Children report indicating an increase in vaccinations and preschool enrollment and a decline in teen smoking, childbirth, and violence. While the recent violence in the schools is still disturbing, youth violence has actually been dropping since a peak in 1993. It reported that most children and teens had diets that needed improvement. This report presents 23 key indicators of the well-being of children which are monitored through official Federal statistics covering children’s economic security, health, behavior and social environment, and education. The report also presents data on six key demographic measures and includes a special feature indicator "Children Who Have Difficulty Performing Everyday Activities." The report, America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, is available to view and download from the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics.
In a study released July 7, researchers at UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center say cognitive decline is not a normal part of aging for the majority of elderly people. In fact, only people with high levels of atherosclerosis or diabetes and also those with the apolipoprotein E4 gene associated with Alzheimer's disease are both at high risk for a decline in cognitive ability as they age. The study tracked changes in cardiovascular health and cognitive function in 5,888
community-dwelling senior citizens annually over a ten-year period. The results of the study are reported in the July 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. An abstract can be viewed on line.
Japanese Education Ministry Plans Fund for Educational Exchange
The Education Ministry in Japan is considering the establishment of a fund to promote short-term exchange visits for students and teachers with other countries over ten years starting in 2000. The project would allow about 500 students and 500 teachers to exchange positions with foreign counterparts for a month during summer recesses. The government plans to bear participants' travel and living costs through the fund which would be established under UNESCO.
NSW Australia to Review Teacher Education
The state of New South Wales has announced the first review of the curriculum and faculties of teacher education in 20 years. A report released last year by the NSW Ministerial Advisory Council on Quality of Teaching said new teaching graduates felt inadequately prepared to cope with students suffering physical and emotional problems.
Major Overhaul to Post-16 Learning in England
Major reforms to post-16 learning announced by the Education Secretary in England include plans to merge the provision of post-16 education with training outside universities under a single national body and to set up a National Learning Skills Council to take responsibility for funding and contracting of further education and training. The proposals intend to provide more clarity, co-ordination and coherence between further education and training, to develop more equivalent funding, and to reduce layers of duplication. The White Paper called Learning to Succeed: A New Framework for Post-16 Learning can be viewed and downloaded from the Department for Education and Employment.
Updated July 11, 1999