This is from the Census Bureau:
The field of training can sometimes have as dramatic an effect on
earnings as the level of education, according to a series of data tables
the U.S. Census Bureau released today.
Workers who held vocational certificates in engineering averaged about
$3,880 a month, which is nearly the same as those with bachelor's degrees
in natural science. Likewise, those with associate's degrees in computers
averaged about $3,760 a month, which is close to those with bachelor's
degrees in education or social science.
The tables, What It’s Worth: Field of Training and Economic Status in
2004, examine the relationship between field of training for post-secondary
degree holders and monthly earnings. They also present data on the average
years taken to start and complete various degrees and on occupation of
workers by educational attainment and field of degree.
Other highlights:
· Business was a popular field of training in 2004, as 8.6 million
people held bachelor's degrees, 3.9 million earned associate's degrees and
2.7 million received advanced degrees in this field. Those with
bachelor's degrees in engineering earned an average of $5,992 a month.
· People who pursued higher degrees often spent more than the minimum
number of years to complete the degree or certificate. On average,
students took more than a year to complete vocational programs,
more than four years to complete associate's degrees and more than five
years to complete bachelor's degrees.
· Women earned less than men at every degree level. The female-to-male
average monthly earnings ratio for full-time workers 18 and
older in 2004 was 0.71 for women who held bachelor’s degrees
and 0.67 for women with master's, doctorate or professional
degrees. The ratios were not statistically different from one
another at these levels of education
- X -
These data were collected from June 2004 through September 2004 in the
Survey of Income and Program Participation. As in all surveys, these data
are subject to sampling and nonsampling error. For further information on
the source of the data and accuracy of the estimates, including standard
errors and confidence intervals, go to
<http://www.sipp.census.gov/sipp/source.html>.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Press Release: More Education Pays Off; As Does Certain Fields of Training
Friday, January 11, 2008
Some random (but interesting) facts from the Census Bureau
Detailed tables:
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/011196.html
One-Third of Young Women Have Bachelor’s Degrees
About 33 percent of young women 25 to 29 had a bachelor’s degree or more
education in
2007, compared with 26 percent of their male counterparts, according to
tabulations released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The series of tables, Educational Attainment in the United States: 2007,
showed that
among adults 25 and older, men remain slightly more likely than women to
hold at least a bachelor’s degree (30 percent compared with 28 percent).
However, as the percentage for women rose between 2006 and 2007 (from 27
percent), it remained statistically unchanged for men.
The tables also showed that more education continues to pay off in a big
way: Adults with advanced degrees earn four times more than those with less
than a high school diploma.
Workers 18 and older with a master’s, professional or doctoral degree
earned an average of $82,320 in 2006, while those with less than a high
school diploma earned $20,873.
Other highlights:
-- In 2007, 86 percent of all adults 25 and older reported they had
completed at least high school and 29 percent at least a bachelor=s degree.
-- More than half of Asians 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or more
(52 percent), compared with 32 percent of non-Hispanic whites, 19 percent
of blacks and 13 percent of Hispanics.
-- The proportion of the foreign-born population with a bachelor’s degree
or more was 28 percent, compared with 29 percent of the native population.
However, the proportion of naturalized citizens with a college degree was
34 percent.
-- Workers 18 and older with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of
$56,788 in 2006, while those with a high school diploma earned $31,071.
-- Among those whose highest level of education was a high school diploma
or equivalent, non-Hispanic white workers had the highest average earnings
($32,931), followed by Asians ($29,426) and blacks ($26,268). Average
earnings of Hispanic workers in the same group ($27,508) were not
statistically different from those of Asian or black workers.
-- Among workers with advanced degrees, Asians ($88,408) and non-Hispanic
whites ($83,785) had higher average earnings than Hispanics ($70,432) and
blacks ($64,834).
The package contains a series of data tables on educational trends and
attainment levels. Data are shown by characteristics, such as age, sex,
race, Hispanic origin, marital status, labor force status, occupation,
industry and nativity.
The data are from the 2007 Current Population Survey’s Annual Social and
Economic Supplement, which is conducted in February, March and April at
about 100,000 addresses nationwide.
-X-
Statistics from sample surveys are subject to sampling and nonsampling
error. For more information on the source of the data and accuracy of the
estimates, standard errors and confidence intervals, go to Appendix G of
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Boy glues hand to bed to avoid school
This is funny stuff.
On a separate note, Steve has moved on to another newspaper, like he wrote in his post. We are re-shuffling the beats and should be back on track in about a week. In the meantime be sure to check our main page at www.annistonstar.com. -aj
MEXICO CITY - A 10-year-old Mexican boy dreaded returning to school after Christmas break so much that he glued his hand to his bed. Sandra Palacios spent nearly two hours Monday morning trying to free her son Diego's hand with water, oil and nail polish remover before calling authorities, police chief Jorge Camacho told The Associated Press from outside the northern city of Monterrey.
"I didn't want to go to school because vacation was so much fun," Reforma newspaper quoted the boy as saying.Full story
Friday, December 21, 2007
Farewell and thanks!
This will be the last post from here me on the Classroom Blog. After nearly two years at the Star, I'm headed to North Carolina.
Thanks to all of you who have kept coming back for local education news since we launched in August. Happy holidays everybody, and remember to check back once school's back in session for even more updates.
Calhoun County Schools' financial director to retire
 |
| Bob White will conclude his 23-year career today as the chief financial officer for Calhoun County Schools. Photo: Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star |
In his nearly 23 years on the job, the Calhoun County Schools annual budget has tripled, and the cost of a school bus has grown 20-fold.
But during his tenure, chief financial officer Bob White has maintained the county's reputation for doing the most with what it has.
White spends his final day on the job today before heading for retirement.
He said the biggest difference he's seen since joining the school system in May 1985 is the heightened glare of accountability's spotlight.
"We had it before, but it's more formal now," he said.
"From how we managed money then and where we are now is a ton of difference. But it gives us an opportunity to publicly display what good stewards we are with taxpayer money."
White grew up in Memphis, Tenn., served four years in the Navy, and graduated with an economics degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He took his first job out of college as an accountant with Shell Oil Co.
After that he worked in banking in Talladega until coming to Calhoun County.
"I think back to how much more simple life was when I came here," he said.
"When we started measuring how well each school system is doing compared to everybody else, it put a different picture on everything."
See the full story here.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Anniston students lend hand to local charity projects
Misha Whatley and Niketa Hughley paused in Anniston High School's hallways to see what their hard work led to.
The seniors gazed at a poster showing the 168 gifts bought with money they raised for Toys for Tots.
With beaming smiles, they high-fived.
"We did it," Whatley said.
Their efforts were part of a busy holiday season at the high school as students offered a hand to local community service projects.
"We teach more than reading, writing and arithmetic," said Melinda Hicks, an Anniston High math teacher and sponsor of the school's chapter of national math honor society Mu Alpha Theta.
"Giving back to the community starts when you're a young adult."
The math honor society students raised about $250 in a week last year, mostly from patrolling the school for loose change donations.
This year, the group's 14 students — plus Hughley, who volunteered on her own, Hicks said — began their efforts around Veterans Day and tripled last year's haul.
Donations went to Ginger Bunn, who set up her store as a drop site with the Marines, who organize the toy drive for needy children each year.
See the full story here.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Winners and travelers at Donoho
A couple of announcements from The Donoho School have come my way thanks to Paige Faulkner.
First, eighth-grader Jack Lentjes won the school-level competition for the National Geography Bee, sponsored by the National Geographic Society, last week. He answered the most oral questions on geography in the first round of the 20th annual bee. He will take a written qualifying test next month for a chance to advance to the state bee.
Also, two students have been accepted into the People to People World Leadership Forum.
Richard Bateman and Samuel Garner will join a group of students in Washington next September. They'll earn high school credit while studying leadership and exploring some of the U.S. capital's monuments and institutions. Forum delegates will also participate in small-group discussions and experience first-hand how leaders develop strategies, make decisions, build consensus and foster change.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower began the program in 1956.
New drama club takes center stage at Saks Middle School
 |
| The Saks Middle School drama club works on the final script before the broadcast of the morning news to the school’s classrooms. Pictured from left are Kelly Kilgore, Marissa Washington, Deja Dorman, Tiffany DeBoer, Jacob Callahan and Akeem Webster. Photo: Kevin Qualls/The Anniston Star |
Tiffany DeBoer likes to stay involved at school.
So the Saks Middle School seventh-grader came in to school at 7 a.m. Tuesday even though she had no exams that day and could have stayed home.
Marissa Washington, also in seventh grade, did the same to help deliver the day’s announcements on a closed-circuit TV newscast.
It’s the first of what advisers hope will be many activities for the school’s new drama club.
“In their classes, doing skits, we saw how the kids just eat that up,” said Diana Durham, a reading teacher and one of the group’s sponsors.
“The children need an outlet. We have to teach the academics, but we’re so pushed by testing. There are just not enough arts in our schools.”
Another sponsor, Holly Dougal, prepared a script for student tryouts earlier this year. Students in any grade with at least a C average and no disciplinary issues could audition, and 42 were selected.
“I’m just glad it gives kids who aren’t interested in sports an opportunity to do other things,” Dougal said.
“They were all real excited that first meeting.”
See the full story here.
Merging schools: Gadsden superintendent praises consolidation of high schools
Bob Russell will tell anyone who asks about the success of consolidating Gadsden’s three high schools into one.
Tuesday he offered a report to the Anniston Rotary Club.
“As you go around the state, people talk about (consolidation) all the time, but they’re too scared to do it,” said Russell, a 38-year veteran of education and Gadsden’s superintendent for the past eight years. “People come to us to see how we did it.”
Consolidation talk in Calhoun County pops up sporadically and is generally met with a chilly reception.
But the state could soon offer millions of dollars from a bond issue specifically for consolidation efforts. Clay County is examining the possibility of combining its two high schools. And with dwindling enrollments in Anniston, it could be a topic for a new superintendent to address.
In Gadsden, the City Council and mayor approved a one-cent sales tax in 2002 to produce about $1 million a year for 20 years to help the schools get a bond for a new, consolidated high school.
Russell said he began a series of dozens of community meetings to discuss combining the former Gadsden, Litchfield and Emma Sansom high schools.
“Certainly, the most difficult thing was getting people sold on our idea,” Russell said. “We knew we could get the kids. The adults are the people who have things to say.
“We had lost enrollment over a 10-year period, and we weren’t teaching the things in our system to compete with other high schools.”
See the full story here.
Grant would team up JSU with Oxford
MONTGOMERY — Jacksonville State University is in the running for a $20,000 grant that would establish Oxford City Schools as a demonstration site for co-teaching.
Known throughout the state for its success in teaming-up general and special education teachers in the classroom, Oxford City Schools is a natural fit for such a collaborative program, said Stephen Armstrong, professor of special education at JSU.
“Oxford City Schools are already doing great things in special education and its one of the top systems in the state for co-teaching,” he said. “One of the issues for school systems that want to do this (co-teaching) is having enough special education teachers, but Oxford does have enough and they also have good administrative support.”
Armstrong said if JSU is successful in getting the grant from the Alabama State Improvement Grant program it would bring about a marriage of the academic study of co-teaching and the realities of making it work.
What they learn from the seven-month project could be beneficial to school systems and educators throughout the state and beyond, he said.
Khristie Goodwin, special education coordinator for Oxford City Schools, said for several years the school district has sought to educate students with disabilities in “the least restrictive social and academic environment.”
Putting general and special education teachers side by side in the same classroom helped make that happen, she said.
See the full story here.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
ACT offers tips for high schoolers
ACT has sent along a couple of news releases over the past week trying to keep high school students and parents on their toes.
First, they offer advice for courses college-bound students should be taking. Generally, they advise that taking the most challenging classes available is the best way to prepare for college and the workplace. That means, four years of English, four years of math including one course beyond Algebra II, and three years each of science and social studies.
Also, ACT provides a checklist for assessing your progress.
Seniors:
- Continue to take challenging courses
- Keep track of scholarship and financial aid deadlines
- Apply for the FAFSA online in January
- Schedule visits to colleges
- Register by Jan. 4 to take the ACT on Feb. 9
- Start investigating scholarship and financial aid opportunities
- Meet with your adviser to discuss college
- Start gathering information on schools that interest you
- Emphasize the importance of challenging courses
- Talk to high school staff to make sure you understand preparation needs
- Look into financial aid and college funding, including at the U.S. Department of Education
JSU housekeeper Ester Uesry named employee of the year
Ester Uesry spends her days on five floors of Jacksonville State University’s library.
Starting at 6:30 a.m., she mops, vacuums, dusts, and cleans bathrooms on floors eight through 12 of Houston Cole Library, pausing occasionally to speak to students she recognizes.
When the JSU Board of Trustees meets on the 11th floor of the library, Uesry is especially careful to make sure everything is neat before they arrive.
Uesry, 55, was honored as the university’s 2007 employee of the year at a staff luncheon Monday. She said she was surprised to receive the award, which came with a plaque.
“I think maybe they chose me because everybody says I do a real good job and I try to get along with everybody,” she said. “I work real hard at being good at my job.”
Brenda Measles, housekeeping supervisor for Jacksonville State, said Uesry is one of her best workers. Measles said Uesry’s dedication to her job is one reason she wrote a letter nominating her for employee of the month. Uesry won that honor in May, which put her in the running for employee of the year.
See the full story here.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Out-of-district attendance policy undergoing revisions
JACKSONVILLE — The out-of-district attendance policy at Jacksonville schools, unchanged since 1995, is undergoing revisions that could mean increasing tuition costs next school year for students enrolled in the system who live outside the city limits.
Unlike other school systems in the county, Jacksonville and Piedmont city schools have defacto unitary desegregation status, which means they are not restricted from allowing nonresidents to attend their schools.
Children of Jacksonville State University faculty have long been considered for admission, as well as the children of business owners in the city.
For other nonresidents, an annual tuition charge of $350 per student, and $200 for each additional student, is applied.
“From outside (the district) you can pick and choose. You can use any criteria except for race or gender,” explained Jacksonville Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey.
While the appeal of attending the city’s schools is a strong incentive for many people to move to Jacksonville, board members say further loosening of enrollment options would risk loss of the system’s identity.
“I’m not in favor of just letting anybody who wants to come to Jacksonville,” said Sue Jones, vice president of the Jacksonville board of education. Jones said she favors making allowance on a case-by-case basis.
See the full story here.
Calhoun County considers plan to provide laptops to students
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| Megan Singleton, left, and DeAnthony Smith, students at Weaver High School, work on their new laptops. The Calhoun County School System are considering a program that would provide laptops for all students in grades 7-12. Photo: Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star |
The Calhoun County school system is considering a plan to keep every high school student connected.
The system’s plan could mirror programs in Auburn and Cullman to equip each student in grades 7-12 with his or her own laptop computer.
“How many jobs do you see today that don’t involve using any type of technology?” said Lisa Amerson, technology director for the county schools.
“If we’re going to prepare a student, we need to put those tools in their hands.”
Amerson and Superintendent Judy Stiefel presented the program to the county school board during a recent work session.
“We haven’t made the commitment to this yet,” Stiefel said. “It’s a wonderful idea, but my intention was so board members could be thinking about it and gather any questions they might have.”
Amerson said the county could start with a pilot program with seventh-graders at one of the county’s schools. They would receive their laptops next fall and keep them for four years.
See the full story here.
Friday, December 14, 2007
More from Huntsville
During yesterday's hearing about the construction of White Plains Middle School, judge C. Lynwood Smith Jr. complimented the Calhoun County Schools for what he saw on a tour last week to examine whether facilities are equal regardless of racial makeup.
"Everyone was very courteous," he said. "The principals were exceptional and you should be proud of what you have been able to accomplish with the limited funds available."
Smith toured White Plains elementary and high schools and the elementary, middle and high schools in Saks. He said that though the buildings were neat and clean, the need for new facilities across the county was evident. He called White Plains Elementary, the newest school in the county, "the crown jewel exception."
The judge also said he understands the myriad difficult situations faced by school systems today, such as taking on roles formerly served by parents or the community as a whole. He also said his son attends a public school and his wife is involved in the local foundation in Huntsville that aims to assist the school system.
White Plains school hearing concludes; decision pending
HUNTSVILLE — Calhoun County Schools officials offered more than two hours of testimony Thursday and now await a federal judge's ruling on construction of a new middle school in White Plains.
U.S. District Judge C. Lynwood Smith Jr. scheduled the hearing to find out why he wasn't informed construction was under way until the school system had spent more than $3.2 million on building the new school.
In brief closing remarks at the end of the hearing, Smith said he would save his ruling for a written order. But he left school officials with one directive:
"Don't let this happen again," he said before adjourning.
The Calhoun County school system remains under a 1970 federal court desegregation order that requires a federal judge's approval of any new school construction.
Court records show that work on the new White Plains Middle School began June 21. The school system petitioned Smith on Sept. 17, but did not inform him until Nov. 2 that construction had begun.
"If I were angry, as a rule, and you were less than completely truthful, I could have issued an order enjoining any construction and had U.S. Marshals enforce that order," Smith said.
The judge said the system had followed the order with all new construction through 2006. No previous projects ever had required a hearing.
But the school board approved a five-year capital plan that included the new school in August 2006 and hired an architect in September of that year.
In a federally mandated biannual report filed with Smith in October 2006, the system did not mention the new middle school.
"If Calhoun County Schools had been forthright and honest, we likely would not be here today," Smith said.
See the full story here. And check The Star's Web site for updates when the judge's order comes down.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Anniston High could get new sports programs
At last night's Anniston BOE work session, Interim Superintendent asked for some guidance on starting new golf and wrestling programs at Anniston High School.
County Commissioners James "Pappy" Dunn and Robert Downing combined to give Anniston $10,000 to start the programs. The school hasn't yet spent that money. Board members told Frazier they would like to see a plan for what the coaches would do before they agree to pay the coaching supplement from the commission's donation.
Also, board member Bill Robison suggested getting together more often, especially as the system moves toward February, when it can formally begin its search for a permanent replacement to former superintendent Sammy Lee Felton. Tuesday's work session was the first since the board received Felton's evaluation in June. Robison suggested meeting for the work sessions once each month, earlier in the month, to perhaps set the tone for the formal board meetings, which occur on the third Thursday of each month.
Trinity Christian has new principal
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| Trinity Christian Academy principal Tim Snow talks with students Hunter Bennett, left, Katie Spenlove and Katlyn Dobbs, right. Photo: Kevin Qualls/The Anniston Star |
OXFORD — Tim Snow never thought he’d find himself teaching a classroom full of students.
Now he’s gone to the principal’s office.
Snow is the new principal at Trinity Christian Academy.
As a history major at Pensacola Christian College in Florida, he planned a career working with museums.
“I never thought I could get up in front of people, let alone children,” he said.
But the college required every student to take one course in education. It spurred his change in plans.
“I kind of fell in love with teaching,” he said.
In considering a career in education, Snow wanted it to connect with his Christian faith.
“My faith is not something I do on Sundays,” he said. “It’s something very personal to me. I want to see my students develop the same thing I have, not just a casual relationship with Jesus.”
After 13 years of teaching at private Christian schools in South Carolina, North Carolina and Ohio, Snow said he began to feel led to administration.
It timed out with Trinity’s principal vacancy.
See the full story here.
Anniston BOE to decide payroll issue later
The Anniston Board of Education will decide next week whether to seek a loan to make its December payroll.
Board policies require employees be paid on the last working day of each month, which will be Dec. 20.
But the system will not find out from the Alabama Department of Education when its monthly state money will be transferred to its account until Dec. 17.
In 1999 as well as the past three years, the board approved a short-term loan to make sure its account was sufficient to pay its more than 300 employees for December.
Interim Superintendent Joan Frazier said at Tuesday’s work session that the state typically transfers Anniston’s money anywhere between the 17th and 21st of each month.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Felton out of running for Russell post, for now
Sammy Lee Felton, Anniston's former superintendent, was one of five finalists to be the next schools chief in Russell County. The board there plans to meet tonight to discuss salary negotiations with its first choice, Yvette Richardson.
in Monday's Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, writer Sara Pauff examines the Russell board's dealings with superintendent turnover.
The Anniston BOE signed Felton to a four-year contract in 2005 but voted 3-2 to buy him out in August. He remains on paid administrative leave through February. Joan Frazier is currently serving as interim superintendent. The search for Felton's permanent replacement is one item on the agenda for a board work session at 6 p.m. tonight.