Did You Know?

The United States is the only industrialized country in which today's young people are less likely than their parents to have completed high school.

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Changing the Conversation

At this moment in history, there is nothing more nonpartisan than the desire for change.

We've heard a lot about change recently. What kind of change do your kids need—the kids in your school, your community, and your home? What skills must students learn today so that they will be prepared to reach across the aisle and the globe to collaborate, innovate, and solve the challenges of their future? What changes must the Obama administration make in education, in health care, in housing, and in community development to ensure that all children are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged? Read ASCD Executive Director Gene R. Carter's statement to President-elect Obama asking him to keep his commitment to educating the whole child, and share your ideas with the new administration, and help them solve the biggest challenges facing our country today.

» Changing the conversation about children requires alignment from the White House to the school house. Join us as whole child advocates as we make our message clear to Congress and the Obama administration. With a few clicks of your mouse, you can send letters asking your Congressional representatives to support these three key pieces of legislation to support the whole child:

• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
  In 2007, the U.S. Congress voted to reauthorize the SCHIP to extend its benefits to 4 million more children in need while continuing to cover the 6.7 million already served. Unfortunately, the President vetoed the legislation, and Congress settled on providing funds to sustain the current enrollment through March 31, 2009, but not increase it. Act Now!
• The GRADUATES Act
  A bill in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives that aims to increase the graduation rate while maintaining high standards for all students. The bill provides $3 billion for high schools to create and run innovative programs. Act Now!
• The Increased Student Achievement through Increased Student Support Act
  A bill in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives that aims to increase desperately needed instructional and school-based mental health services for students in low-income communities. The bill provides $300 million annually over 10 years for low-income schools to increase the recruitment and retention of school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists. Act Now!

Now is the time for meaningful change that ensures children are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Visit the Get Involved section of the Whole Child Web site for more information.

November Whole Child Podcast

This month's episode of the whole child podcast focuses on how to develop students' global understanding. Listen to Kate Berseth from EF Education, a leader in international exchange programs, give us her perspective on the state of American students understanding about the world. Paul Sandrock from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction explains his state's innovative international education efforts. And Chris Sperry, a social studies teacher from Ithaca, N.Y., and director of Project Look Sharp describes how he engages students in learning by asking them to think deeply about tough issues from different cultural perspectives.

Download ASCD's "The Whole Child Podcast: Changing the Conversation About Education" on the first Thursday of every month and listen to archived episodes. The whole child podcast features educators and policymakers from around the globe who share their insights about sound education policies and practices.

» Expect More. Get More.

“I am pleased to have so much support behind my efforts to make sure students are prepared for the 21st century and graduate ready to succeed by ensuring that our schools and communities are a source of learning and support.”

—Representative Dave Loebsack (D-IA), recipient of the ASCD Whole Child Leadership Award for his sponsorship of the GRADUATES Act

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