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In a nationally syndicated op-ed published last week, Roger Beckett, executive director of the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, Ashland, OH; argues that teachers are being mistakenly blamed for U.S. high school students' pitiful understanding of our American history and unique form of constitutional government. Without this knowledge, he asks, how can we expect today’s students to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship as adults? This may explain the low voter turnout in recent elections in Chattooga County and in the State. Just 12 percent of all U.S. high-school seniors, for instance, scored at or above the "proficient" level in the most recent NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) U.S. history exam (2010). In civics – the test covering the subject of U.S. government – the scores were somewhat better, but still, less than one fourth of all 12th graders (24 percent) performed at or above the “proficient” level. (The results from the 2014 exam will be released later this spring.) It’s unfair to blame America’s 125,000 social studies teachers, however, Beckett writes. The problem, instead, is the way teachers are educated. Teachers spend too much time learning how to teach – the mechanics of pedagogy – and not enough time learning what to teach. The Ashbrook Center believes that without a major change in how teachers are taught, America will continue down the same path, raising generation after generation of students who do not understand what it means to be an American, who equate freedom of speech with “selfies,” who think our Founding Fathers – denigrated in popular culture as Dead Old Men – are irrelevant. |
Beckett writes: “Teaching government and history involves more than just stringing together an agreed-upon chronology of significant dates and events and connecting them with names. It involves more than cursory familiarity with a handful of historically significant documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Emancipation Proclamation. “To successfully teach U.S. history and government, so students understand and appreciate the principles that define our American character, teachers need to rely less on textbooks and more on the writings and thinking of those who shaped our country. “We have evidence – both anecdotal and statistical – that teachers who understand the importance of such documents and use them in the classroom will be better teachers. Their students will learn more. And they’ll be better prepared for the responsibilities of citizenship as adults.”
Ashbrook Center- was founded in 1983, as an independent center at Ashland University, restores and strengthens the capacities of the American people for constitutional self-government through its education programs for teachers, students and citizens.
There will be Egg Candling Classes held in Walker County on Wed., April 29.
Classes will be held at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. There is a maximum limit of 14 people per class. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Class materials and study information will be emailed upon registration for the course. To reserve your spot, please call Bradley or Tina at 770-535-5955 and let them know the following information:
- Name of each person who will attend the class.
- Mailing address for each person (certificate of course completion is mailed).
- Email address for each person.
- The specific class time you would like to attend. **Please be sure to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
The class will be held at the Walker County Ag Center located at 10054 North Hwy. 27, Rock Spring, GA 30739.
The AZ Hive will be featured at the April 14th meeting of the Chattooga Beekeepers Association. All beekeepers, those wanting to become beekeepers, and bee friends are invited to come and learn about this hive that is used in Europe. Mary Lou Blohm from Ellijay will share her knowledge with us at 7 pm at the Agricultural Building, 32 Middle School Rd, Summerville, GA 30747.
MR. RAYMOND W. COOPER, age 89, of Jenkins Gap Road, Summerville, Georgia passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2015, in a LaFayette Health Care. Native to Jackson County, Alabama, He was born to the late George A. and Ethel Goff Cooper on December 21, 1925. Mr. Cooper was a retired farmer and logger, and a member of the Silver Hill Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife the late Gladys Louise Crabtree Cooper, a son, the late Jerry Cooper, and a granddaughter, the late Mary Burrage.
Surviving are daughters and son-in-law, Faye Cooper and Shirley and Michael Herring; sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Essie Cooper, William Cooper, Clayton Cooper, Sherman and Barbara Cooper; bother-James Reece Cooper; seven Grandchildren, twelve Great Grandchildren, three Great Great Grandchildren, also with several Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 11th, at 11:00 A.M. from the J.D. Hill Memorial Chapel of Earle Rainwater Funeral Home with Wayne Cooper officiating, interment in Silver Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Grandchildren. The Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home Friday evening from 6 until 8 P.M.
Earle Rainwater Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Thelma McKenzie Jones, age 86, of Trion, GA passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at a Rome Hospital.
Mrs. Jones was born in Trion, Georgia on March 2, 1929, daughter of the late Taylor McKenzie and Mary Swallwood McKenzie. She was a member of the Trion Heights Baptist Church and was a homemaker. Mrs. Jones was a caring mother, sister, daughter and grandmother, and enjoyed looking after her family, especially her dog Suzie. Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Jones, and her brothers, Conley McKenzie, Lee Gene McKenzie, Carl McKenzie and Marion McKenzie.
Mrs. Jones is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Mitzi and Steve Payton; sons, Jay McKenzie Jones and his companion, Pam Glenn and William Scott Jones; grandchildren, Nicole Jones, Anna Ball, Haley Payton, Hannah Payton, Kevin Glenn and Eric Glenn; grandchildren, Olivia Glenn, Shiloh Glenn, Cassidy Glenn, Dawson Glenn, Zeke Ball and Ellie Ball; special niece, Vicki McCorsley; neighbors, Margaret and Larry Langston; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside and Interment services will held Friday, April 10, 2015 at 2:30 P.M. in the West Hill Cemetery with Rev. Ken Johnson officiating.
Pallbearers will be Eric Glenn, Kevin Glenn, Charles Wade, Robbie Hamby, Quinton Watson, and Brandon Ball.
Mrs. Jones will be in state at the Coffman Funeral Home and the family will receive friends Friday from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00.
Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Thelma McKenzie Jones.
Consumers are asked to use due diligence and read terms and conditions, there is no guarantee that you will get an accurate picture of the real cost of free or discounted services offered by some businesses, according to Better Business Bureau.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced two cases of deceptive advertising that it says put consumers at a disadvantage.
The FTC charges DIRECTV, in its promotion of discounted monthly prices, "failed to disclose about a two year contract obligation, significant increases in the second year, and the need to cancel "free" premium movie channels." The federal agency says DIRCTV does not make clear disclosures to help consumers understand what happens after an introductory price period and what is required if they want to cancel.
In another action, the FTC says it has arranged an $8 million settlement for consumer restitution with Allstar Marketing Group, LLC., for failing to disclose hidden fees when selling "as-seen-on-TV" products when they offer a "buy one get one free" promotion.
BBB Serving Metro Atlanta, Athens & NE Georgia says these cases illustrate how important it is to not only read terms and conditions, but also to ask specific questions when signing up for a free or discounted services offer. These should include: What happens after the free trial ends? Will I be automatically billed at a higher price at the end of the special offer? By accepting the offer, am I signing a contract for service beyond the trial period?
To help avoid problems associated with free and discount offers, BBB recommends:
Research the company – Visit bbb.org to see whether there is a pattern of consumer complaints about free trial problems.
Watch for pre-checked boxes when singing up online – They may mean you are giving the company authorization to make repeated credit charges, extend the offer or sign you up for more products – likely at a significantly higher price.
Know how to cancel – Be certain that you understand how long in advance you have to give notice to cancel and the procedure for canceling and any associated fees. Keep all of your paperwork to show you met termination requirements.
Mark your calendar – Put a note on your calendar before the end of the trial so that if you change your mind and don't want the service, you can make sure that you can meet a cancellation deadline.
Watch for unexpected charges – If you did not read the terms and conditions, you may be billed for services or products you never ordered. Keep a close watch on credit card statements for any charges for products or services you did not order.
Hays State Prison would like to announce a part-time Storekeeper position available. The position will be 29 hours a week earning $8.92 per hour. To apply for this position contact Patty Bishop at 706-857-0402. Deadline to apply is April 13th.
The Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Chattooga County welcome you to join their community meeting planned for April 9th, at 6:00 pm at the Chattooga County Extension Office. Our guest speaker for the month is Barry Bailey. Mr. Bailey is an FFA adviser as well as the Chattooga County’s Young Farmer adviser. He holds a PhD from Auburn. Mr. Bailey will help gardeners get off to a great start with vegetable gardening tips. Both beginners and experienced gardeners are sure to learn something new. There will be a plant drawing to help support our local Master Gardener projects of plants donated from Master Gardeners! You do not have to be a Master Gardener to attend! For more information, please call the Chattooga County Extension Office at 706-857-0744.
The Commissioners office will be seeking bids for the construction of indoor public restrooms in the County Courthouse.
The bid is to include;"the main floor men's and women's restroom renovations as well as the jury room renovations and renovations to include a handicapped accessible restroom on the second level." Commissioner Jason Winters said. "Our goal for this is to have men's and women's public restroom facilities inside the courthouse and removing that rear outside men's restroom." The men’s bathroom is currently located on the back of the building. The only entrance to the men's bathroom is from the outside of the courthouse.
Bid packet should be ready next week and awarded to the winning company by May 1st.
Construction would start immediately and be completed before Aug. 1st before the next superior court term.
Summerville News