Top test scores from Shanghai stun educators
Students in Shanghai have surprised experts by outscoring their counterparts in dozens of other countries, in reading as well as in math and science, according to the results of an international standardized test, the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment. The results appeared to reflect the culture of education there, including greater emphasis on teacher training and more time spent on studying rather than extracurricular activities. The United States ranked 16th in reading, 22nd in science, and 31st in math. “We have just flatlined. We haven’t moved. Other countries have passed us by,” Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a December 7 interview on PBS NewsHour…. New York Times, Dec. 7; PBS NewsHour, Dec. 7
by D’Vera Cohn, Senior Writer, Pew Research Center
December 6, 2010
The Census Bureau today released five sets of population estimates for the nation as of April 1 — but not from the soon-to-be-released 2010 Census count. The estimates are based on an alternative measurement technique, called demographic analysis, that agency officials say employs plausible assumptions about population change. The demographic analysis estimates range from a low of 305.7 million to a high of 312.7 million. The first numbers from the 2010 Census, which will include a national population total and state totals for reapportionment purposes, will be released later this month.
Youth Matters: Screening your reads
Jennifer Burek Pierce writes: “YALSA sponsored a book-trailer contest for teens in 2010, embracing a concept that existed for almost a decade before gathering steam in recent years. A Wall Street Journal Speakeasy media blog entry (May 21, 2010) dates the term ‘book trailer’ to 2002. Elsewhere, publicity and marketing gurus have observed that book trailers became all but de rigueur around 2007. Their effects, however, are debated. Yet some book trailers are more popular (2:47) than others.”… American Libraries column, Jan./Feb.; YouTube, Sept. 1
Recorded Books announced last week that over 300 titles in their Adult
Premium Core Collection have been re-released in mp3 format. Titles
include many Christian fiction authors, and bestselling authors like Ruth
Rendell, Anne Perry, Jane Smiley, and Ivan Doig. MP3 format files are
compatible with iPods and many more devices than the more strictly
licensed wma format files.
We now have 5,700 eAudiobook files available in the Netlibrary service,
with nearly 4,000 of those in mp3 format. About 60 new titles are added
to our collection each month, with additions to the Adult Premium Core,
Blackstone Audio, and the Children’s and Young Adult Collections.
More information about Netlibrary is available here:
Oh no! We are sinking….
