Newsletter of Phi Delta Kappa International, the Professional
Education Fraternity
VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1, FALL 1996 (ISSN 0028-923X)
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS
At its summer meeting, the PDK Board of Directors signaled a major priority for Phi Delta Kappa. The board took action to make PDK the advocacy organization for public schools. That means a commitment to the public schools as the best way to meet our responsibility for mass education. We understand that the public schools, while better than they have been portrayed, still must improve significantly to reach the level of excellence that our children, nation, and society deserve. But public education has been under such severe attack from a variety of sources that even its existence is being questioned. We must answer the criticisms in a reasoned and coherent fashion, but we can be neither neutral nor silent. We must become a more forceful advocate for the public schools. Advocacy of the public schools is consistent with the mission and purpose of Phi Delta Kappa. PDK's Constitution and Bylaws clearly express the organization's commitment to public education. And Phi Delta Kappa's credibility, the breadth of its membership, and the programs already in place give PDK a unique opportunity to provide leadership in this area. People frequently ask what they can get from membership in an organization. The benefits of belonging to Phi Delta Kappa go far beyond receiving publications. These benefits come from the heart, from pride in supporting the ideals for which the organization stands, those ideals to which each of us took an oath when we were initiated. All members should be proud that their organization is making this commitment. Phi Delta Kappa is taking the lead in establishing the League of Values- Driven Schools. Initially this league will involve more than 40 schools, local chapters, and PDK International in fostering the development of positive beliefs and behaviors among students, teachers, administrators, and parents regarding certain core values. The director for the league is PDK Senior Fellow Jack Frymier. Frymier explained that the League of Values-Driven Schools grew out of PDK's chapter-based Study of Core Values, which he also directed. That study found that there are a number of core values on which most people agree, and that those values have changed very little over at least the last 60 years. At the conclusion of the Study of Core Values, a number of schools and chapters were interested in continuing to work on values, Frymier said. Chapters in that study also collected materials, activities, and programs that have been used in schools to teach values. That study concluded with a formal recommendation that PDK establish a league of schools to further democratic values. The league will focus on seven values: learning, honesty, cooperation, service to others, freedom, responsibility, and civility. "Other values are important and should be fostered," Frymier said, "But these seven values will be singled out for regular attention and special emphasis in all league schools." Funding for the league is being provided by the Templeton Foundation and the Gund Foundation. In addition, an anonymous Kappan has made a large donation to the PDK Educational Foundation for the sole purpose of supporting the league. "The problems associated with such an undertaking are obvious," Frymier said. Many people are reluctant to deal with values in the school, and some may resist any discussion of values. However, the questions concerning schools and core values come up repeatedly over the years. Frymier explained that "the possibilities for teaching and learning about values in schools dare not be ignored." The league initially will involve only high schools. Schools that participate must show commitment to the principles of the league by the principal, faculty, and parents. These schools will establish a local task force of professionals and parents that will coordinate activities in the school. Among those activities will be at least one major project to be carried out by students. Those projects and other accomplishments will be shared with other members of the league. PDK International will establish regular channels of communication among the league schools, provide sample materials and activities, and conduct and coordinate research. In addition, PDK will plan and conduct two biennial conferences for the league, one for students and one for the principals of league schools. PDK also will conduct evaluations and provide technical assistance whenever possible. PDK chapters in the league will work with the local schools and PDK International to provide support for various activities. In addition, chapters may be able to provide or coordinate special resources for local activities. Frymier pointed out that this league provides a unique opportunity for Phi Delta Kappa to focus its organizational efforts, resources, and talents on a project that is specifically designed "to promote quality education. . . as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life," which is mandated in PDK's Constitution. The league also will provide chapters with the opportunity to practice leadership and service and to emphasize school improvement activities. And it provides schools with information, assistance, materials, and special opportunities for students and staff. COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS CELEBRATES Recently the University of South Dakota Chapter sponsored a Community of Learners Celebration, which involved the entire community in celebrating the success of the local schools. The four-day event at the Vermillion Public Schools involved students, teachers, parents, local businesses, and other community members. Throughout the celebration, the schools hosted a variety of events for parents and others in the community, such as demonstration teaching, student programs, and speakers. Among the activities sponsored by the chapter was an inspirational speech by Keith Nord, former team captain of the Minnesota Vikings. Nord spoke with students during the day and was the featured speaker at an evening session for the community. A large part of the community was involved in the celebration. More than 500 adults visited the schools during the day for various activities, and 100 local businesses were honored for the resources they provide for students. In addition, the programs gave chapter members a chance to tell the community about PDK and its mission to support the public schools. Five Kappans received PDK's 1995-96 Empowering Students for Success Awards. These awards are presented to Kappans who submit one-page papers that describe how student empowerment can be used to improve education at any level, from kindergarten through college. The Kappans who received the 1995-96 Empowering Students for Success Awards and their chapters are: Ann Anderson (East Central Florida), J. Merrell Hansen (Brigham Young University), Marjorie Hermans (Greater Juneau Alaska), June Hornsby (University of Southern Mississippi), and William R. Martin (George Mason University). Information about this year's awards has been sent to each chapter. More than 200 awards may be offered this year. The award includes $50 and wider dissemination of the papers. For parents in rural areas, the information they need to help rear their children may not be easy to get. The Lynchburg Virginia Chapter has established two Family Resource Lending Libraries in area schools to help parents get the information they need. These schools are in very isolated areas, explained project director Hilari Hinnant. It can be difficult for parents to travel to the nearest public library. Therefore local educators decided to make a variety of parenting resources easily available through the school. The lending libraries include books, videotapes, and pamphlets on a variety of topics, from discipline and safety to ideas for family activities. Materials in the libraries were purchased with grants from District VIII or were donated by publishers. In addition, local businesses, individuals, and the PTA contributed to the lending libraries. At the elementary school, the materials are kept in the school hallway so that parents can have access to them before classes begin in the morning. A team of one fifth-grader and two first-graders are trained to help parents check out materials. In addition, a list of available materials is included in each child's folder, which the student takes home each week. Parents can request materials from the list, and the child can take the book or tape home in a plastic bag. "PDK fastbacks were some of the most popular items to be checked out by parents, especially on discipline and attention deficit disorder," Hinnant reported. Other popular topics have been nutrition and health, stress, and reading. Perhaps most important, the family resource libraries have increased communication between the schools and parents and provided parents with information they want and can use. In addition, Hinnant said, the project has generated positive publicity for both the schools and PDK. Seventeen chapters will celebrate their Diamond, Golden, or Silver Anniversaries during 1996-97. Four chapters are celebrating their 75th anniversary. These chapters are: University of Virginia, installed 21 October 1921, Washington State University, installed 18 February 1922; Kansas State University, installed 20 May 1922, and University of Southern California, installed 10 June 1922. The Washington University/Maryville University Chapter will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The chapter was installed on 20 June 1947. Twelve chapters will celebrate their 25th anniversaries. These chapters and their installation dates are: Shenandoah Valley Virginia (16 September 1971), Farthest North Alaska (24 September 1971), Colorado Springs Colorado (29 September 1971), Smoky Valley Kansas (12 October 1971), Northeast Iowa Area (14 October 1971), Saskatoon Saskatchewan (22 October 1971), Golden Crescent Ohio (4 November 1971), Prairie View A&M University (10 December 1971), Towson University (25 February 1972), College of William and Mary (23 April 1972), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (17 May 1972), and Big Rapids Michigan (16 June 1972). These chapters may take advantage of special program resources offered to chapters celebrating their Diamond, Golden, or Silver Anniversaries. Some of these resources include a board or staff person or a fastback author for chapters celebrating their 25th anniversary, a distinguished lecturer for chapters celebrating their 50th or 75th anniversary, and complimentary Kappan subscriptions. Six chapters sponsored PDK fastbacks that will be published in October 1996: Developmental Education at the College Level, by Karen J. Miller. University of Minnesota/Twin Cities. Implementing Multiple Intelligences: The New City School Experience, by Thomas R. Hoerr. Sinnissippi Illinois. Intergenerational Education Programs, by Dawn E. MacBain. University of Miami. Copyright in the Age of New Technology, by Hope Roland Botterbusch. Decatur Illinois. Teacher Study Groups for Professional Development, by Genny Cramer, Beth Hurst, and Cindy Wilson. Valdosta State University. Understanding Professional Ethics, by Paul A. Wagner. University of Pittsburgh-Three Rivers. Sponsoring chapters contribute $500 to the PDK Educational Foundation and, in return, receive recognition in the fastback, are provided 150 free copies of the sponsored fastback, and may invite the fastback author to speak to the chapter. Many chapters build program activities around fastback sponsorship. Many students need help to achieve their dreams. The Jackson Area Tennessee Chapter and the Victoria C.T. Read Adopt-a-Scholar Program are helping one young woman reach her goal of becoming a teacher. The chapter worked with their adopted student through high school and continues to support her now that she is enrolled in college. And the Adopt-a-Scholar Program is providing a $1,000 scholarship to help the student meet her college expenses. The Victoria C.T. Read Adopt-a-Scholar Program began in 1989 when Gerald H. and Victoria C.T. Read provided a grant to the PDK Educational Foundation to establish a program using chapter volunteers to help at- risk youth. Each chapter receives a $300 grant to "adopt" at-risk students in grades 9 to 11 and to develop programs to help them overcome the environmental, cultural, and academic barriers to success in school. Mary Wadley, project director for the Jackson Area Tennessee Chapter, explained that the chapter wanted to tailor their program to help at- risk minority students who want to be teachers. The chapter sent applications to all area high schools and announced the program in a local minority newspaper and a minority radio station. "We did not base acceptance on academic performance, but on the need and willingness of the student," Wadley said. She reported that the chapter also looked for recommendations from teachers and pastors. Kawana Robertson, the chapter's adopted student, was highly recommended by her teacher, guidance counselor, and pastor, Wadley said. Robertson has long wanted to be an elementary teacher and was a preschool Sunday school teacher at her church. However, Robertson lived in a very impoverished, rural county and did not have the opportunities that many other students take for granted. One thrust of the chapter's support was to provide Robertson with the cultural and educational opportunities that she did not have near her home but which were sure to spark her interest. For example, Robertson was a member of her high school's marching band and very interested in music, so the chapter provided tickets to the Jackson Symphony and other musical programs. One problem was the distance between chapter members and their adopted scholar, Wadley reported. Robertson's family lives about 50 miles from Jackson, and there were no Kappans in her local high school. "We didn't want a 16-year-old girl driving a couple of hours alone on country roads at night," Wadley said. "We always provided her with two tickets so a friend or teacher could go with her." Despite the distance, Robertson did attend several chapter meetings. The first meeting she attended with her family, when the chapter presented her with a copy of The Next Step: College, a PDK publication that provides practical information on preparing and applying for college. The chapter also helped Robertson financially. For example, the chapter paid the fees for the ACT exam and college applications. The chapter also provided money for Robertson to visit college campuses. In addition, chapter members helped Robertson with money she needed for classes and to take a trip with the marching band. "She has been one who never asked for much, but we tried to help her as much as we could," Wadley said. Robertson now is enrolled in Lane College in Jackson and living on campus. That puts her close to a number of chapter members and makes it possible for chapter members to give her rides to meetings and other events. "It also means that there are a lot more of us around to help her out," Wadley said. Wadley emphasized that the chapter is continuing its commitment to Robertson and intends to support her throughout her college career. "She knows we're just a phone call away if she needs something," Wadley said. "And she knows she has a friend nearby." Forty-eight Kappans were awarded Gerald H. Read International Travel Seminar Scholarships for 1996. These scholarships, established in 1980 by an endowment from Gerald and Victoria C.T. Read, are a PDK Educational Foundation program that subsidizes travel and study. They may be used on any PDK-sponsored travel seminar within two years of the date they are awarded. The recipients and their chapters are: Irene Allen (Eastern Michigan University), Sharon Andelora (Montclair State University), Rhea Ashmore (University of Montana), Leslie Brown (Wayne State University), Marilyn Burstein (Beaver College), Patricia Cerulli (Rowan College of New Jersey), Kathleen Ciarlo (Fairfield University), Martha Cobble (Roanoke Area Virginia), Judith Crowson (Meridian Area Mississippi), Sandra Crowther (University of Kansas), Virginia Dietrich (California State University/Long Beach), Robert Dobis (Fordham University), Leticia Ekhaml (West Georgia College), Elaine Ericson (Des Moines Area Iowa), David Ford (Southwest Florida), Patricia Ford (Southwest Florida), Jeannine Fox (Springfield Area Ohio), Richard Gates (St. Bonaventure), Dianne Gillar (Victoria Area Texas), George Haines (Saskatoon Saskatchewan), Carolyn Harmon (Kanawha Valley West Virginia), Emmaline Henriksen (Kent State University), Eileen Hilke (Sheboygan Wisconsin), Cynthia Jones (Texas Lone Star), Kennon Cassandra (Chattahoochie Valley Georgia). Jonathan Laabs (University of Michigan), Chester Lesniak (Broward County Florida), Betty Lewis (Triad North Carolina), Nancy Livingston (Imperial Valley), Winston Long (Indiana University), Kathryn Muehlrath (St. Louis University/Webster University), Betty Lou Newcomb (Charlotte North Carolina), Dona Pasto (South Bend Indiana), Raymond Pelton (University of North Dakota), John Peper (University of Texas/El Paso), Mary Proffit (University of Kentucky), Margaret Rabideau (Toledo Ohio), John Sauerberg (University of Wisconsin/Madison), Noreita Shamblin (Kanawha Valley West Virginia), Rowena Simmons (Charlotte North Carolina), Ranny Singiser (Shippensburg University), Angeline Smith (Tennessee State University), Nelson Smith Jr. (Montclair State University), Maria Thomas (California State University/Long Beach), Geraldine Turner (Texas Coastal Bend Area), Randall Wells (Morehead State University), Brenda Winkler (Kutztown Pennsylvania), and Lillian Wright (Fairfield University). Criteria for these travel seminar scholarships include how the applicants will use the travel experience in their professional work and recognition for outstanding service to Phi Delta Kappa. The members of the 1996 Gerald H. Read International Travel Seminar Scholarship Committee are: Joan Francis (University of New Orleans), Mary Helen Pelton (University of North Dakota), Beverly School (University of Pittsburgh-Three Rivers), Jeff Swink (George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt University), and Brenda Youngblood (St. Louis Missouri). At the conclusion of the 1995-96 Annual Fund campaign, 28,977 Kappans had contributed $343,494 to the PDK Educational Foundation. In addition, 588 Kappans had pledged another $4,500. At the district conferences this fall, chapters will be recognized for their contributions. District VIII, for the fifth year in a row, is the Outstanding District in PDK. District VIII had the highest percentage of members in good standing contributing to the Annual Fund. The district will receive a $750 project grant. For the eighth year in a row, Area 7K is the coordinator area with the highest percentage of members contributing to the Foundation. Area 8E, for the second year, is the coordinator area with the largest number of contributions. The chapters with the best giving records are: St. Bonaventure is the chapter with the highest percentage of members contributing to the Foundation. Northern Virginia, for the fifth year in a row, is the chapter with the largest number of contributors. Douglas County Colorado is the outstanding new chapter among those installed in the last biennium. The St. Bonaventure and Northern Virginia Chapters each will receive a $750 project grant. The Douglas County Colorado Chapter will receive a $500 award. Five chapters are "Sweepstakes Award" winners, and each will receive a $1,000 project grant. Sweepstakes Awards are given to the chapters with the highest combined rankings based on the percentage and number of contributors and the average gift per good-standing member. The chapters receiving this award are: Jacksonville Florida The chapters in each district with the highest percentage of good- standing members making a contribution and those with the largest number of contributors each will receive a $500 award. Chapters winning an international award are not eligible for district awards. The chapters in each district with the highest percentage of members contributing are: District I - Sitka Alaska The chapters with the largest number of contributors are: District I - Cook Inlet Alaska Fifty-five students received PDK's first Excellence in Student Teaching Awards. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for the award. Candidates must receive an application from a PDK chapter, and the application must be signed by the college or university official who oversees the teaching experience. In addition to the application, candidates for this award supply up to three pieces of evidence to support their application. These may be brief videotapes, portfolios, letters of recommendation, demonstration projects, or other evidence of their teaching skills. Each recipient of the Excellence in Student Teaching Awards received a certificate of recognition, a one-year subscription to the Kappan, a set of fastbacks, and a $100 cash award. The applications for this award were evaluated by chapter committees, with up to two applications from each chapter submitted to the area coordinator. Committees appointed by the area coordinators judged the applications and sent one from each area to PDK Headquarters. Applications for next year's Excellence in Student Teaching Awards have been sent to all chapter presidents. PDK Director of Chapter Programs Howard Hill emphasized that all chapters and coordinator areas should participate in this program. He explained that not only does this award program provide prospective teachers with an opportunity to certify their talents, but it also allows chapters to cultivate relationships with future Kappans. Five graduate students were selected as recipients of the 1996 Howard M. Soule Graduate Fellowships in Educational Leadership. Named in honor of the late Howard M. Soule, a past president of PDK, these fellowships were established to support full-time graduate studies. Applicants for the Howard M. Soule Graduate Fellowships must be members in good standing of Phi Delta Kappa and full-time students during the year in which the award is to be used. The fellowships are awarded in three categories: doctoral degree ($1,500), master's or specialist degree ($750), and dissertation or thesis research ($500). There were 27 applicants for the 1996 fellowships. The recipients and their chapters are: Doctoral Degree: Nancy L. McLaughlin (Dallas Texas) and LeeAnn Reeves (Spokane Area Washington). Master's/Specialist Degree: Jacqueline A. Allen (Wright State University). Dissertation/Thesis Research: Christopher King (Jefferson County Colorado) and Christopher J. McAuliffe (State University College/Buffalo). Serving on the selection committee were: Carole Arnold (Broward County Florida), Robert Calvery (Lyon College), Jerry Kelley (University of Michigan), and Joanne Monahan (University of Ottawa). The nine PDK districts will hold their conferences next October. Chapter delegates will conduct the business of the fraternity, learn about effective chapter programs, and participate in professional programs planned by district representatives and area coordinators. Each chapter is required to send at least one delegate to a district conference, and many chapters send more. Any PDK member is welcome to attend a district conference. The schedule and sites for the 1996 district conferences are:
At the close of the 1995-96 Annual Fund campaign, 287 chapters qualified for membership in the 20/20 Club. To qualify for membership, either 20% of a chapter's members in good standing or 20 members, whichever is larger, must contribute at least $5 to the Educational Foundation. The 1995-96 20/20 Club chapters not previously mentioned in NN&Q are listed below. The number in parentheses after the name of each chapter indicates the number of consecutive years in which the chapter has qualified for the 20/20 Club. Abilene Texas (2) Every teacher eventually needs to deal with a disruptive and angry student, a student whose aggression signals deeper problems. But many teachers are at a loss when faced with these students. Two special conferences co-sponsored by PDK will help communities to help these children. This program, "Strategies for Reaching Disruptive and Angry Students: Creating Caring Communities," will bring together teams of educators, community members, students, parents, and youth professionals to learn about positive prevention and intervention strategies and to develop action plans that can be implemented in their own communities. The conferences will meet in Madison, Wisconsin, on 10-11 October 1996 and Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, on 1-2 November 1996. Among the keynote speakers are Allen Mendler and Richard Curwin, authors of Discipline with Dignity, and Larry Brendtro and Martin Brokenleg, authors of Creating a Circle of Courage. In addition to PDK, other sponsors of these conferences include the National Middle School Association, the University of Vermont, Bayridge Educational Consortium, and the National Educational Service. For more information or to register for these conferences, call the National Educational Service, 1-800-733-6786. At its summer meeting, PDK's Board of Directors took action to make Phi Delta Kappa International the leading advocate for public schools. Taking on this role, however, does not mean that we believe the schools do not need to improve, the board emphasized. Nor does it mean that PDK does not see the need for strong private and parochial schools or that it does not encourage involvement by educators from these schools and other types of education organizations. "Public schools have increasingly come under attack by a variety of critics, some of whom would like to see the public schools gutted or eliminated," explained PDK Executive Director Ronald Joekel. "We need to recognize that, given the demographic trends, the vast majority of children will continue to be educated in our public schools. The future of those children, and of democracy, depends on keeping public schools strong and supporting their continuous improvement." The board noted that Phi Delta Kappa International already has a variety of programs that place PDK in a leadership role, and PDK will continue to support those programs. In addition, the board voted to support initiatives that will increase PDK's leadership role. These programs include the new League of Values-Driven Schools (see story on page 1) and the Forums on the Public Schools (see story on page 7). These initiatives are designed to further the public dialogue about public schools and to increase support for the schools. The board also approved an interim amendment to PDK's Constitution and Bylaws, which has been sent to a referendum by the chapters. That amendment is designed to streamline Phi Delta Kappa's governance system. The amendment is based on recommendations made by the ad hoc governance committee, which included representatives from each of PDK's nine districts (see story on this page). In other actions, the PDK Board of Directors:
At its summer meeting, the Board of Directors of Phi Delta Kappa International approved an interim amendment to PDK's Constitution and Bylaws and sent the amendment to a referendum by the chapters. The amendment represents a restructuring of Phi Delta Kappa International's system of governance that would replace biennial councils with a legislative council. This amendment was initiated by an ad hoc governance committee with members representing each of the nine districts in PDK. The committee was chaired by former PDK Associate Executive Director Don Park. The amendment would increase the importance of the district conferences in PDK's governance system, but it would replace the biennial council with a smaller legislative council composed of the area coordinators, district representatives, international president, president-elect, immediate past president, and two vice presidents. The Board of Directors also would be reduced by one vice president, and the Coordinator Legislative Committee would be eliminated. A major reason for the proposed amendment is to streamline the governance system. It has become increasingly difficult to find facilities to accommodate the biennial councils. In addition, an increasing number of chapters have found it difficult to send a delegate to the biennial council, although they are required to do so by the current Constitution and Bylaws. Another reason for the proposed amendment concerns the financial cost of the current governance system. For example, PDK's costs for governance this year, which does not include a biennial council, are expected to exceed $860,000. In addition, next year's biennial council is expected to cost more than $550,000. And these are only the costs to PDK International. If each chapter sends only one delegate, the cost of each biennial council for the chapters would be approximately another $283,000. Before approving this amendment, the board explored a number of alternatives to the current governance system. Without this amendment, for example, PDK's Constitution and Bylaws could require the chapters to pay all or part of the costs of attending a biennial council. PDK Executive Director Ronald Joekel, agreeing with the recommendations of the ad hoc committee, said, "It is time to make a change in the governance structure of Phi Delta Kappa and to deal with the realities. I don't believe we can justify to our membership the cost of the biennial council as it currently exists, with the small amount of actual business that is conducted." Full details on the proposed amendment have been sent to each chapter. If the amendment is ratified by the chapters, it will take effect on 1 July 1997. Two new district representatives were appointed to PDK's Board of Directors this summer. David Labuhn, former Area 0A Coordinator (Europe), is the district representative for the new District IX, which includes Europe and the Pacific Rim. Labuhn currently is chief of staff at the DoDDS-Europe Superintendent's Office in Wiesbaden, Germany Ranny Singiser, former Area 6B Coordinator, was appointed in June as District VI Representative to fill the position left vacant by the resignation of Evelyn Pasteur Valentine. Singiser currently is coordinator of field placement and an instructor at Pennsylvania State University in Harrisburg and an education consultant. Twenty-eight Forums on Public Schools this fall will bring together educators, parents, business people, and other stakeholders to discuss the need for public schools, the state of those schools, and what must be done to achieve excellence in the schools. These forums are a central part of PDK's emphasis on becoming the advocacy organization for public schools. These forums are a chapter-based program that will allow Kappans to provide leadership in building community support for public schools. Almost 50 chapters are co-sponsors for the forums, and the project directors from the sponsoring chapters met at PDK Headquarters in July for special training. Representatives of the National PTA from Los Angeles, Miami, and Atlanta also attended the training sessions. The PDK Forums on Public Schools are sponsored by the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation in cooperation with the National PTA and the Center on National Education Policy (CNEP). Sponsoring chapters are encouraged to bring together representatives from all groups in their communities, including those who are critical of the public schools, in order to reach a better understanding of the schools and a consensus on what must be done to improve them. Phi Delta Kappa will provide a facilitator and materials for each forum. Two new publications from PDK and CNEP, Do We Still Need Public Schools? and The Good - and the Not-So-Good - News About American Schools, will serve as a basis for discussion. In addition, a short videotape and facilitator's guide, including a database describing the current state of the nation's public schools, will be provided. Sponsoring chapters will bring similar data on the state of their local schools. These forums are intended to be the start of an ongoing effort. Chapters sponsoring a forum will continue efforts to build community support for their schools and already have planned follow-up activities. In addition, Phi Delta Kappa will produce materials to allow other groups to conduct similar forums. "This project has the potential to expand to a whole series of similar forums conducted by chapters and others across the world," PDK Executive Director Ronald Joekel explained. "Phi Delta Kappa is ideally suited to head this effort. Our nonpolitical stance has given us the credibility such leadership requires. And supporting the public schools is the major purpose of Phi Delta Kappa." The director for this project is Lowell Rose, former PDK executive director. The members of the international planning committee for these forums are: Don Anderson, vice chairman of the PDK Educational Foundation Board of Governors; Shirley Igo of the National PTA; PDK Senior Fellow Jack Frymier; Director of Chapter Programs Howard D. Hill; John F. (Jack) Jennings, director of CNEP; PDK Executive Director Ron Joekel; Arliss Roaden, secretary of the PDK Educational Foundation Board of Governors; and Sandra Weith, PDK assistant executive director for administration. Phi Delta Kappa International is challenging each chapter to play an important part in revitalizing PDK through membership development. To encourage chapters to recruit and retain members, PDK has announced a series of new membership development awards, called Achieve 80. The Achieve 80 awards are based on an index figure that takes into account both the number of educators that a chapter initiates and the percentage of its membership that remains in good standing. Chapters that reach an index figure of 80 or higher are eligible for a series of awards. The outstanding chapter in each district and five premier chapters in Phi Delta Kappa International will be honored with monetary awards. Billie Spellman, assistant for membership, explained that PDK's leadership development depends on its members. In addition, Kappans should be concerned with the future of education and should initiate young educators who will be tomorrow's leaders. However, too many chapters did not initiate any new members last year, even though recruiting and initiating members are required by the PDK Constitution and Bylaws. "We want to attract future education leaders," Spellman said. "If we are to be the leading advocate for public schools in the next century, we must include educators who will be leading education in the next decades." In addition, PDK needs to keep its current members involved in the organization. There is a great wealth of talent and experience that we are allowing to become inactive, Spellman explained. We need these educators to stay involved if we are to benefit from their experience. Information about the Achieve 80 Awards has been sent to every chapter. For more information about how you can help, call PDK International Headquarters. How big should a school be? The new volume in PDK's popular "Hot Topics" series examines that question from a variety of perspectives to suggest strategies that may enhance any school environment. Big Schools, Small Schools: What's Best for Students? includes more than 230 pages of articles that examine the relationship between school size and curriculum, school climate, student achievement, and restructuring. The editors point out that any discussion of the optimal size for a school must consider those four areas. There are benefits and drawbacks with any size school. However, there are strategies for capitalizing on the size-related strengths and minimizing the weaknesses of any school. The "Hot Topics" series is designed to provide the highest quality and most relevant research in one source to help busy practitioners find practical solutions to current problems in education. The editors of this volume have taken great care to provide the most recent research and comprehensive coverage of this topic and have included an annotated bibliography. The cost for each title in the "Hot Topics" series is $25, plus a processing charge. A discount is available for three or more copies; call for details. Forty-seven high school seniors received the 1996 PDK Scholarship Grants for Prospective Educators. This program, sponsored by Phi Delta Kappa International and the PDK Educational Foundation, encourages outstanding high school seniors to pursue careers in education. Applicants are judged on their scholastic record, school and community services, letters of recommendation, and written expression. The student selected as having the best essay receives a $2,000 scholarship. The other finalists receive $1,000 scholarships. Special scholarships were provided this year by the Association of State Advisory Councils, Metropolitan Printing Service, the Katherine Ann Swann Memorial Grant, and the Howard D. Hill Family Scholarship. In addition, scholarships were provided by six named funds established in the PDK Educational Foundation: the Lowell and Mary Rose Scholarship Fund, the Meissner Family Scholarship Fund, the Sol and Mollie Liebowitz Scholarship Fund, the Wilmer Bugher Scholarship Fund, the Edna Wilhelmina Snell Nichols Scholarship Fund, and the Bessie Gabbard Scholarship Fund. Laura Rose Beasley of Ruston, Louisiana, received the $2,000 scholarship. Beasley, a graduate of Ruston High School, is attending Louisiana Tech University this year. Bradley Thomas Gilmore, from Huntington Beach, California, received the Lowell and Mary Rose Scholarship. The Rose scholarship is renewable for all four years of a qualified applicant's college career. Juleene Marie Fisher, Edmonton, Alberta, and Kelly Manning McFall, Warner Robins, Georgia, received this year's Bessie Gabbard Scholarships. Five students received Meissner Family Scholarships: Amanda Beth Cooper, Clarksville, Tennessee; Amanda Gillian Fingerhut, Toronto, Ontario; Cheryl I. Hazard, Orlando, Florida; Noelle Kristen Loue, Parkesburg, Pennsylvania; and Jessica Erin Sloan, Germany. Recipients of other special scholarships include: Kristina Margarete Florov, Suffern, New York (Sol and Mollie Liebowitz Scholarship); Summer Billings, Niceville, Florida, and Kim Petra, Poughkeepsie, New York (Edna Wilhelmina Snell Nichols Scholarships); Shomari Greene, Rochester, New York (Howard D. Hill Family Scholarship); Cynthia Iris Hinojosa, Freer, Texas (Wilmer Bugher Scholarship); Wayne Waterman Leighty, Juneau, Alaska (Katherine Ann Swann Memorial Scholarship); Tanvir Arij Rahman, St. Louis, Missouri (Association of State Advisory Councils Scholarship); and Leia Chevon Robinson, Detroit, Michigan (Metropolitan Printing Service Scholarship). Other international scholarship recipients are: Kristine Shannon Anderson, Sitka, Alaska; Kortnee Crishelle Barnett, Decatur, Georgia; Kristin Marie Butler, South Pasadena, California; Kelli Kay Carver, Eden, Utah; Diana Christiane Chapman, Sacramento, California; Elizabeth Ann Clasen, Kingsport, Tennessee; Carrie A. Corgel, Binghamton, New York; Martin Katsu Dufficy, Kamloops, British Columbia; Sarah Elizabeth Dunn, Peoria, Illinois; Kristina Margarete Fossum, Grand Forks, North Dakota; Sally Jane Funderburg, Corpus Christi, Texas; Kristin Elizabeth Grenfall, Ventura, California; Katherine Gloria Jones, Sunset, Utah; Yun Jung Lee, Columbia, South Carolina; Jason Jerome Mangan, Palmdale, California. Amy Jonine McKinnon, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia; Vanessa Renee Mosley, Dalton, Georgia; Jennifer Angella O'Brian, Aurora, Colorado; Jennifer Katherine Painter, Knoxville, Tennessee; April Marie Paramo, Highland, California; Honey Michelle Phillips, Stockbridge, Georgia; Jamie Anne Rice, Kelso, Washington; Jill Elizabeth Riley, Atlanta, Texas; Jennifer Anne Roiko, Green Bay, Wisconsin; Lauren Mackenzie Schmidt, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; Laura Kristine Schutte, Nampa, Idaho; Elizabeth Margaret Skomal, St. Peters, Missouri; Renee Laura Stahl, Davenport, Iowa; Emily Kay Stipp, Lebanon, Missouri; and Tina Mae Stremick, Renton, Washington. The 1996 Scholarship Grants Selection Committee met at PDK Headquarters to choose the finalists. The committee members and their chapters are: Darlene Haring, Scottsdale Arizona; Brent Macleod, University of Toronto; Romeo Munoz, Governors State University; and Angeline Smith, Tennessee State University. Eight chapters are sponsoring PDK Leadership Skill Institutes on the topic, "Self-Directed Learning: Knowledge, Strategies, and Motivation." The Leadership Skill Institutes, a program of Phi Delta Kappa International and the PDK Educational Foundation, are designed to help educators learn skills and strategies for dealing with professional issues. The institutes are planned and conducted by local chapters with cooperation and financial assistance from PDK. Chapters that sponsor these institutes send out registration materials locally, and PDK Headquarters conducts a promotional mailing to Kappans in the geographic area of the institute site. In addition, chapter officers receive training at PDK Headquarters in how to plan the activities, establish a budget, conduct publicity, and gain support from other local organizations. The chapters, sites, and dates for these institutes are: Northern Virginia Battlefield Area Chapter Louisville Kentucky Chapter Lander University Chapter Southern Illinois University Chapter Southeast Oklahoma Chapter University of the Pacific Chapter Germany Chapter Okinawa Japan Chapter The topic for the spring 1996 series will be "Inclusion: Its Impact and Ramifications on Education." Increasing numbers of students have witnessed violence in their communities and even in their homes. This problem is not restricted to urban areas, but increasingly is occurring in every part of the country. A new Professional Development Institute (PDI) offered by Phi Delta Kappa will provide participants with much-needed knowledge and skills for working with these children. "Strategies for Working with Children Who Have Witnessed Violence" is just one of the new PDI that have been added to this popular series. A program of PDK's Center for Professional Development and Services, PDI are intensive workshops designed to provide low-cost, high quality programs. Some of the other PDI that have been added to this series are "Converting Title I Funds to Schoolwide Use," "Standardized Testing and Performance Assessment," and "Understand-ing Sexual Harassment: Developing Policies and Procedures." Hundreds of PDI on a wide variety of topics already are scheduled for this year. For more information about the Professional Development Institutes, write or call the Center for Professional Development and Services at PDK International Headquarters. Net surfers should take some time to visit PDK's new page on the World Wide Web. The page includes information about PDK's Board of Directors and executive staff, copies of such publications as the Washington Newsletter and NN&Q, information about PDK services, and other items related to PDK. You can access the PDK International home page at: www.pdkintl.org Toll-free: 800/766-1156 |