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August 21, 2012 | Thinking Outside the School Day
It's almost back-to-school time, and there's already plenty of conversation about education: what learning means for children and youth, where it really takes place and how to improve supports so that all children are fully prepared for college, work and life. This week, read youth development guru Karen Pittman's commentary on expanded learning time -- and expand your thinking about education.
Congress is still in summer recess, but advocates are hard at work educating policymakers about budget decisions that will affect children and families this fall. But they need your help. We know you have a busy schedule, so SparkAction has made it quick and easy for you to take action and support policies that protect children. Check out our latest SparkAlerts.
This week we've got more original content from the SparkAction team and the latest news and resources from advocates who are anything but lazy during the dog days of August.
SparkAction will be on vacation for the next two weeks. Happy summer, everyone!
Jan is on a well-deserved vacation this month. Julee Newberger is writing the Update.
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| SparkAction Blog Spot
Brand new original content
Social Media: Pinning = Winning Alison Waldman
SparkAction's resident social media fanatic Alison Waldman explores Pinterest for nonprofits.
The Real Penn State Scandal: It's Typical Patrick Boyle
Boyle is fired up about the Penn State scandal -- but he's not as mad at Joe Paterno as most are.
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 Fun watching the Kids State Dinner! Awesome to see kids excited about eating healthy 1.usa.gov/Kxflnl
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Connect with SparkAction!
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| Let's Get Graphic
Every time we power up or log on, we're bombarded with data and information. Infographics catch our eye because they put the data in context, telling a story about what matters. Create your own clear, colorful infographic from KIDS COUNT data and win cool prizes in our latest crowd-sourced contest.
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| Speaking for Kids in the Election
The Democratic and Republican conventions start next week and two plucky teens from California have a request for Michelle Obama and Ann Romney: speak for kids. Sign the petition on Change.org asking the candidate's spouses to speak for young people across the country who do not have the platform to speak for themselves.
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| Education: Learning and Thinking Outside the Box
Expanded Learning Requires Expanded Thinking 
In this interview with FrameWorks Institute, youth development expert Karen Pittman stresses that we need to think about learning in its more intrinsic form, not about something that happens primarily in structures such as schools.
College Access and K-12 Reform: Are We There Yet?
For years, we have invested in programs, strategies, and interventions that have sought to keep kids in school, improve their grades, and ensure their graduation. These may be noble efforts, but Anderson Williams of the Tennessee College Access and Success Network argues that none of them has transformed K-12 education enough to improve access to college.
No Child Left Behind: Not Dead Yet
Two-thirds of all states and Washington, DC have won exemption from some aspects of the federal No Child Left Behind education law, most notably its escalating federal proficiency targets for students in math and reading. In exchange, states have promised to beef up standards on their own and develop state accountability systems. Stateline.org follows the evolving story. |
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| Following the DREAMers
The Road to Deferred Action: Photos and Stories 
August 15 marked the first day that some undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as young children -- popularly known as DREAMers -- could apply for the Deferred Action program to stay in the U.S. and legally work or go to school. Read the stories of these young people and their journeys through the immigrant rights movement.
Advocates Help DREAMers Pay $465 'Deferred Action' Fee
Public Interest Projects has launched a national fundraising effort to help DREAMers pay a $465 fee that is part of the Deferred Action application process, which also requires a background check, paperwork and other personal information. |
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| A Federal Budget that Serves Kids and Families
Watch and Learn: What is Sequestration and What Does it Mean for Hard-Working, Low-Income Families?
You can't talk about the federal budget these days without hearing the word "sequestration." But what does it mean, exactly? In this blog, CLASP's Alan Houseman highlights a Washington Post video that explains sequestration and elaborates on how children and families will feel its effects.
We Can Cut the Deficit and Cut Poverty at the Same Time blog by Julee Newberger
Having it all: why Half in Ten says boosting minimum wage and shoring up the safety net is a job creation strategy -- and what you can do about it. |
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| Infographic of the Week
The Good Grade Pill
The New York Times reports that up to 40 percent of American students are illegally taking drugs like Adderall, usually subscribed for ADD and ADHD, to stay awake and study longer in the hopes of getting better grades. This infographic explores these "study drugs," including their short- and long-term effects.
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Caitlin Johnson and Thaddeus Ferber
SparkAction and the Forum for Youth Investment
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