Tech Prep News and Notes

North Carolina Tech Prep Conference
North Carolina recently held a Tech Prep conference and they have placed their powerpoints, supporting websites and more online.
http://www.wcpss.net/school_to_career/resources/presentations/index.html

3-D Modeling
Have a great picture that would be better if it was 3D? researchers at Stanford University have developed a web based application that just might foot the bill.
http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/20385/?a=f

Lessons in Government
While you are teaching your government class or doing a lesson on politics, did you know that you can listen in or watch the Oklahoma State Senate.

Steam live video from the State Senate here: http://www.oksenate.gov/news/listen.htm

Listen the to the legislative session of the House of Representatives here: http://www.okhouse.gov/OkhouseMedia/AudioOrArchives.aspx

The State of Creativity
The Oklahoma Creativity Project, launched in January 2008, is a statewide effort to showcase the creativity and innovation Oklahomans have in commerce, culture and education.
http://www.stateofcreativity.com/

House Passes Legislation to Extend School Day
Legislation passed by the house to increase the school day by 3 days was passed.
http://ap.ardmoreite.com/pstories/state/ok/20080226/251386769.shtml

OHLAP Bill
http://newsok.com/article/3209581/1204177323

Google.org
You have heard of www.google.com, but have you ever visited www.google.org?


ALLIANCES AND COLLEGE TRANSITION

Pew Report
According to a new Pew Report, Oklahoma spends $.51 on corrections for every dollar spent on higher education, placing OK in a 3 way tie for 24th. This is above the $.49 average for Southern states. Minnesota spends the least on corrections at $.17 and Vermont the most at $1.37.
http://insidehighered.com/news/2008/02/29/prisons

Oklahoma’s Promise Update
A bill to add textbooks to cost covered by Oklahoma’s Promise has passed it first obstacle.
http://ap.ardmoreite.com/pstories/state/ok/20080304/253791578.shtml


CAREER MAJORS

Oklahoma Dept of Commerce
Commerce article talking about the benefit of Certified Work Ready Communities
http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=content&task=rss&id=2338&src=RSS


PREPARATORY SERVICES

In the United States, which of the following forms of taxation currently represents the largest source of tax revenue for the federal government?
A) Property tax
B) Sales tax
C) Corporate income tax
D) Personal income tax

If you new that D) Personal Income Tax was the correct answer, you are a part of the 36% of 12th graders tested in 2006 who correctly identified this economics questions answer.
You can learn about the NAEP assessment, get examples of past questions and watch a video on what it all means here: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/itmrls/


ACCOUNTABILITY

Closing The Expectations Gap
http://www.achieve.org/node/990