AKRON, Ohio – Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan on Thursday officially enrolled the city in the process to become part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.“Age-Friendly Akron” is a five-year partnership between the city, AARP, Direction Home Akron Canton, the University of Akron and the city’s Senior Citizens Commission to make Akron more livable for residents of all ages.The program will focus on issues that affect quality of life for seniors, including housing, transportation, walkability, public spaces, community engagement, complete street design and public health. “Well-designed, livable communities promote wellbeing, sustain economic growth and make for happier, healthier residents of all ages,” AARP State Director Barbara Sykes said at Thursday’s launch at the Kenmore Community Center. “By becoming part of the network, Akron is making a commitment to improve livability in the city and involve all of Akron, especially … [Read more...] about Akron begins five-year process of becoming an Age-Friendly City
Education
Homeschooling in Louisiana: what you need to know
“The public school systems offers so much opportunity, diversity in options, ranging from where you can go, to the programs, the clubs, the extra-curricular activities - AP, which is advanced placement, is a huge opportunity for students, to gain preparation for college - or we also have just resources that we can pour in," Clanton said. … [Read more...] about Homeschooling in Louisiana: what you need to know
NCCC trustees unable to pick new president, extend search
The search for a new president of Niagara County Community College is being extended after the college's trustees were unable to decide on hiring two finalists for the post. The college said the trustees expect to hire a president in the spring of 2020. “After extensive and thoughtful discussions and deliberation, the board has decided to extend the search," said William L. Ross, chairman of the board of trustees and a search committee member. "Once the academic year resumes in August, we will reconvene the current presidential search committee and continue the search process.” William J. Murabito will continue to serve NCCC's interim president. The trustees on May 16 re-interviewed finalists Stephen W. Dunnivant of Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla., and Darrin Q. Rankin of Lone Star College System in Kingwood, Texas, but neither received enough support. NCCC President James P. Klyczek resigned in April 2017 while under fire for remarks he reportedly … [Read more...] about NCCC trustees unable to pick new president, extend search
Alabama may adopt make-or-break reading test for third-graders
Alabama is speeding toward massive change, as lawmakers right now are tinkering with what it means to make your way through elementary school. The current plan, which is picking up steam in the statehouse, calls for a single high hurdle halfway through the lower grades.Can you read on grade level by third grade? If not, you can't advance. It's a tough standard, one that could hold back more than 10,000 children in its first year, but a standard that supporters argue will better enable Alabama schools to keep up as children are forced to master a basic skill before advancing. It’s called the Alabama Literacy Act. The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, calls it “the Alabama Reading Initiative on steroids.” The bill has had bipartisan support, passing the House with only three no votes. Collins said she is, "so excited to see the support around the state and in the legislature to ensure all our children read," after the Senate education committee … [Read more...] about Alabama may adopt make-or-break reading test for third-graders
It’s not just Bishop’s absences that are inexcusable
The leadership at Southern University at New Orleans seems to have a soft spot for an employee who would be written up, disciplined and possibly fired for excessive absenteeism if he worked just about any other place.But when it comes to Wesley Bishop, SUNO appears to be remarkably lenient.Bishop, associate vice chancellor of academic affairs at SUNO, got caught last November misusing sick leave from his full-time job to double-dip in his part-time gig as a state senator. Both, by the way, are taxpayer funded. Fox 8 News investigative reporter Lee Zurik revealed that Bishop, D-New Orleans, has taken 122 days of sick leave from SUNO — 79 days in 2018 and 43 days in 2017 — to attend meetings and sessions in Baton Rouge, where he also received a per diem.Setting aside the question of what kind of organization can afford to give employee 43 days of sick leave, let alone 79, it turns out that state law and school policy both allow such paid absences only for legitimate illness, … [Read more...] about It’s not just Bishop’s absences that are inexcusable