Franklin is a featured speaker on School Leadership Briefing for September speaking about Creating Safe Schools: Addressing Truancy and Out-of-School Suspensions

Two particularly vexing tasks for many school leaders are dealing with truancy and the suspensions of students. To discuss these important topics and to provide several strategies and tools to address them, we’re joined by Franklin Schargel, an internationally recognized expert in the areas of school dropout prevention, creating positive school cultures, and working with at-risk learners.

This presentation is based on Franklin’s latest book, Creating Safe Schools: A Guide for School Leaders, Teachers, Counselors and Parents. published by Routledge Press

You can access this presentation by going to:  https://schoolbriefing.com/5661/creating-safe-schools-addressing-truancy-and-out-of-school-suspensions/

Bookstore Discounts

• Barnes & Noble: B&N Educator Program: 20% off list price & up to 25% off during Educator Appreciation Days. See our Barnes & Noble Coupons page for other savings.
• Book Warehouse: Educators’ Book Club: 15% discount.
• Books-a-Million: 20% off for faculty (in-store only)
• Half Price Books: Teacher & Librarian Discount Card: 10% off

Online School Supply & Teacher Discount Stores

• Academic Superstore: Discounted classroom supplies. See our Academic Superstore Coupons page for other savings.
• Creative Teaching Press: Sales on various products
• Discount School Supply: Discounted classroom supplies. See our Discount School Supply Coupons page for other savings.
• ETA/Cuisenaire: Outlet Store ““ up to 75% discount on classroom supplies
• Raymond Geddes: Take 10% off any order with code WEB1 at checkout.
• Software Express: Discounts of up to 75% from a variety of publishers, requires a teacher ID and email from the principal
• Teacher Deals: Teaching supplies at 20-50% off everyday
• Teachers’ Discount: Discounted classroom supplies
• Teacher eBooks Now: Features a “deal of the day,” discounted downloadable e-books
• The Teacher Store at Scholastic.com: Up to 50% off deals and sales
• TeacherStorehouse.com: Gain credits toward future purchases, get 2% of all purchases made by people you refer to the site.
• ThinkEDU: Teacher discounts on software, hardware, textbooks, Apple products and more
• Western Digital Store: 20% off all products when you create an account with a school email address.

Retail School Supply Discounts

• A.C. Moore: Teacher Discount Program: mail in information to get discount card
• Ben Franklin Crafts: 10% off every Tuesday with teacher ID.
• Big Lots: Teacher Appreciation Day on August 11, 2012. See our Big Lots Coupons page for more savings.
• The Container Store: Organized Teacher Discount Program: 10% off. See our Container Store Coupons page for other savings.
• Crayola: Gold Star Teacher program: Discounts from CrayolaStore.com & opportunities to test/provide feedback on new products & lesson plans. See our Crayola Coupons page for other savings.
• FedEx Office: National Educators Discount Program: 15% off
• Hancock Fabrics: Show your school ID for 15% off. See our Hancock Fabric Coupons page for more savings. (in-store only)
• Home Depot: Teachers pay no sales tax with tax exempt paperwork. (in-store only)
• JoAnn Fabrics: 15% off with Teacher Rewards membership.
• Kmart:Various teacher-exclusive savings. See our Kmart Coupons page for other savings.
• Lakeshore Learning: Teacher’s Club Members can save 15% and monthly specials.
• Lowe’s: Teacher’s pay no sales tax with tax exempt paper work (in-store only).
• Michael’s: 15% off with school ID
• MPM School Supplies: 10% off for teachers on their first purchase.
• Office Depot: Star Teacher Program: 10% back in rewards on ink, toner, & paper; 1% back on almost everything else; 15% off copy & print orders. See our Office Depot Coupons page for other savings.
• Office Max: MaxPerks Rewards for Teachers: $10 reward for every $75 spent. See our Office Max Coupons page for other savings.
• Staples: Teacher Rewards Program: 10% back in rewards on most purchases. See our Staples Coupons page for other savings.
• Room Store Furniture: 10% off with school ID  (in-store only).

Clothing Discounts

• Ann Taylor Loft: Loft Loves Teachers: 15% off. See our Ann Taylor Loft Coupons page for other savings.
• Banana Republic: 10% off with employee ID. See our Banana Republic Coupons page for other savings.  (In-store only, *call store to confirm)
• Club Monaco: 20% off for students (In-store only)
• Eddie Bauer:15% off on regular priced merchandise in-store with valid student ID
• J. Crew: valid at outlet locations as well: 15% off with employee ID. See our J. Crew Coupons page for other savings.(In-store only)
• NY & Co.: 5% off with employee ID. See our NY & Co. Coupons page for other savings.(In-store only)
• The Limited: 15% off with pay stub or teacher ID card. See our The Limited Coupons page for other savings.(In-store only)
• Aerosoles: 15% off for teachers who are members of The National Education Association. See our Aerosoles Coupons page for other savings.

Tech & Computer Discounts

• Adobe: Heavy Discounts (25-75% off retail) via Adobe Teacher & Student Store. See our Adobe Coupons page for other savings.
• Apple Store: 5-10% via Apple.com’s Edu Store for Faculty, Staff, Students. See our Apple Store Coupons page for other savings.
• AT&T: Usually around 19% off your monthly bill. Varies by educational institution ““ need to enter work/school email address for discount eligibility
• Best Buy: Will honor other manufacturer discounts; up to individual store. See our Best Buy Coupons page for other savings.(in-store only)
• Bose: Educators Direct Group: special pricing for US Educators only on certain items; have to call the Customer Focused Development Team (1-800-353-4207). See our Bose Coupons page for other savings.
• CampusTech: Discounts on software & technology products
• Dell: Dell University ““ savings vary by college (offer high school discounts too). See our Dell Coupons page for other savings.
• Gradware: Discounts vary, good for student or teachers, just online
• HP: Up to 10% off via Academic Purchase Programs. See our HP Coupons for other savings.
• JourneyEd.com: Faculty pricing ““ varies by school
• Lenovo: 5% off. See our Lenovo Coupons page for other savings.
• PBS: PBS Teachers program: sign up to receive 10% discount on next purchase at ShopPBS for Teachers
• PrintPal.com: School sales & discounts: 10% discount on all orders over $100
• Sony: Eye on Education Program: various pricing discounts, financing solutions, & trade-in programs. See our Sony Coupons page for other savings.
• Sprint: Up to 18% off for teachers in participating schools.
• Verizon: Employee Discount Program: varies. See our Verizon Coupons page for other savings.
• AT&T:  Offers a 15% teacher discount on monthly bills in most states. This discount, however, varies state to state, so be sure to call your local AT&T store to confirm.

Travel Discounts

• Educators Bed & Breakfast Travel Network: Members can get discounted travel at $40 per night for 2 people; Home Stays with other members of the EBBN
• Explorica: Book trips & join Extra Rewards program: chance to attend an international teacher convention for free
• Sta Travel:  Discounts vary
• Student Universe: Discounted group airfares for students & faculty members (groups of 12+)
• Teachers Travel Web: B&B and home exchange for members worldwide
• Vacations To Go: Cruise discounts ““ vary by cruise line & availability
• Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel: Teacher/education staff discount ““ have to check rates & availability. See our Disney Coupons page for other savings.
• Magmall.com: Educator Subscription Discounts: up to 50% off regular magazine subscription rates.
• National Geographic: Teachers are eligible for discount on Geographic Project kits; Have to email info to receive additional info about discounts.
• Time Magazine for Kids: School-wide volume discounts (from 10-99 to 300+)
• Marriott Hotels: Discounts vary. Show your ID and say you’re a local government employee.
• National Park Service: Show a valid school ID to receive 15% off park purchases. This is not valid on park entry fees, camping fees or Smoky the Bear Petting Zoo fees.
• Marco Island Marriott: Show a valid school ID to receive 20% off the lowest rate Sunday through Thursday.
• Jupiter Beach Res0rt: Show a valid school ID to receive 20% off the lowest rate, plus 20% off spa treatments and 50% off valet parking.
• San Juan Marriott Resort: Show a valid school ID to receive 25% off the lowest rate

Other Discounts

• Art Institute of Chicago: Free admission for Illinois teachers that have registered for the Educator Network.
• Boston Children’s Museum: Free admission for teachers with valid ID; discount at museum store
• Dallas Museum of Art: Call the Member Services desk at 214-922-1247 to learn about discounted single-day tickets and annual memberships.
• Field Museum of Chicago: Free admission for teachers with valid ID
• Graceland TN: Free tours for teachers with valid ID.
• Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida: Free admission for teachers with valid ID
• Izzit.org: Free educational DVD to teachers grade 6-12 on their birthday.
• John Mable Ringling Museum of Art: A valid school ID will get you a discounted day pass.
• Kennedy Space Center: Free Educator Study Pass to teachers from Florida and Georgia
• Life’s Little Favors: Call customer service at 1-800-406-9985 to find out how you can get 10% off at this online favor boutique. (in-store only)
• Mote Aquarium in Florida: Present a recent pay stub at the admissions desk for one free ticket.
• My Corporate Logo: 15% off custom logo design (code: bWNsMDAx)
• Museum of Science in Boston: Register for the Teacher Partner Program to receive special benefits and discounts.
• NEA (National Education Association): Various NEA member benefits & discounts
• New England Aquarium: Current teachers can get 10% off in the store and on family memberships.
• Regal Theaters:  in-theater only, *depends on theater, usually 25% off
• Replace My Contacts:  5% off an order of $100 or more
• Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, SC: Free admission for teachers and half off for their guests with valid ID.
• Shedd Aquarium in Chicago: Free general admission with teacher ID. On the Shedd Aquarium page that is hyperlinked here, scroll down to “Other Discounts” to find out more information.
• TeacherDisCount.biz: Various discounts for NEA members/AFT members/Non-Union teachers
• Teachers’ Insurance Plan:  Special savings on car insurance for active & retired education professionals
• U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development: Good Neighbor Next Door Program: up to 50% discount on the list price of homes
• PETCO: Free aquarium for select teachers with application (PETCO only gives this aquarium to a set number of teachers each year)
• Pets in the Classroom: Teachers of pre-K-8th grade students in both public and private schools can apply for a hassle free grant that will refund them the costs of having a small classroom pet (Up to $150).
• Pizza Hut: 10%-20% off depending on the store with a teacher I.D. (in-store only)
• Schlotsky’s: 10% off with school ID (in-store only)
• Visible Changes: 10% off with school ID. Just show your ID the first time you get your hair cut there.

“”Via TeachThought

This post was featured on TeachThought on August 6 2014 and was posted by the staff of TeachThought. The lists were compiled by bradsdeals.com.

Opposition to the Common Core, a set of reading and math standards for elementary, middle and high school students that were originally adopted by 46 states and the District of Columbia, has gathered momentum among state lawmakers in recent weeks.

The governors of Oklahoma and South Carolina are considering signing bills to repeal the standards and replace them with locally written versions. In Missouri, lawmakers passed a bill that would require a committee of state educators to come up with new standards within the next two years. Indiana is the only state to have enacted a law repealing the Common Core so far.

Although the Common Core, developed by a coalition convened by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, was initially backed by a group of Republican governors, the Obama administration also lent its support. For the past year, conservative Republicans, seizing on the administration’s backing, have argued that the standards amount to a federal takeover of public schools.

Jason Nelson, a Republican state representative from northwest Oklahoma who sponsored the bill to withdraw the state from the Common Core, said he and his colleagues wanted to “break any kind of nexus where any private organization or the federal government would exert control over our standards.” The bill passed the Oklahoma House overwhelmingly last week, and this week it passed the Senate, 31 to 10.

The pushback from the right has been fueled by an unlikely alliance with critics on the left, who are upset by new standardized tests and the high stakes associated with them, including teacher performance reviews..

The American Federation of Teachers, the country’s second-largest teachers union,  executive council recently passed a resolution supporting “the promise and potential of the Common Core State Standards.”

A spokesman for Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina told The State, a newspaper in Columbia, S.C., that the governor, a Republican, would fight the Common Core “until it’s no longer part of our school system’s curriculum.”

The standards leave decisions about curriculum, textbooks, technology and other materials to local districts.

Many states and districts have already developed lessons and trained teachers in new methods built around the Common Core, in some cases spending millions of dollars. Missouri’s bill would allow teachers to continue using any recently adopted curriculums while a committee of educators, parents and business leaders develops new standards to be put into effect in two years.

The Common Core was established, in part, to create a NATIONAL standard and eliminate individual state standards.  If students move from one state to another, the leaving state may have a higher or lower standard than the receiving state, causing students to be placed at-risk.  This latest furor also creates problems for teachers who have been preparing to teach to the new standards.  States and local districts have spent large sums buying texts and adopting new curriculum to meet the Common Core Standards.  While I have many reservations about the standards which I do not feel give schools and teachers a say in what should be taught.  If we look at the high performing countries like Finland, Singapore, and South Korea they have national standards, not local standards.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)  projects more than 1.6 million students will graduate with bachelor’s degrees in the Class of 2014. Some cities are more promising than others, providing college grads exceptional opportunities for growing careers and affordable housing. Homes.com teamed up with sister site, ForRentUniversity.com, to make a list of the 10 most favorable cities for new college graduates. The best cities to live, work and play were all chosen based on mean entry-level income, average price of a one-bedroom apartment, proximity to postgraduate institutions, and social opportunities. The list also analyzes unemployment rates and the percentage of the population ages 25 to 34. These are the 10 best cities for new grads:
10. Washington, D.C.
Mean entry-level income: $46,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,600
Unemployment rate: 5.1%
Nearby colleges/universities: 6
Holding the second-lowest unemployment rates and boasting one of the highest entry-level salaries on the list, the nation’s capital is of strong appeal to new young professionals. While the federal government is the city’s top employer, there are an abundance of promising career prospects in technology, international business and hospitality. From vivacious night life and world-class dining to world-renowned museums and cultural attractions, there are endless forms of entertainment options for 20-somethings.

9. Boston
Mean entry-level income: $46,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,590
Unemployment rate: 5.9%
Nearby colleges/universities: 21
Boston is a vibrant city full of activities and things to explore. It boasts one of the largest populations of 18- to 24-year-olds, making it an excellent choice for new college graduates. Although Boston’s average rent is nearly double that of other cities on this list, it does tie for the highest average entry-level income.

8. Seattle
Mean entry-level income: $39,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,300
Unemployment rate: 6.0%
Nearby colleges/universities: 10
College graduates are flocking to Seattle in favor of the enticing combination of work and social possibilities. Home to prominent corporate headquarters — including Starbucks, (SBUX) Nordstrom, (JWN) Microsoft (MSFT) and Amazon.com (AMZN) — Seattle has many entry-level job opportunities. This coastal seaport city prides itself on its efforts to provide residents with a clean and green environment.

7. Denver
Mean entry-level income: $35,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $970
Unemployment rate: 6.5%
Nearby colleges/universities: 9
Denver’s moderate unemployment rate makes it easier to find a job there than in most metro areas. Basketball, baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, rugby — Denver’s got it all when it comes to professional sports teams. The city also houses the most bars per capita, as well as an energetic and affordable social scene.

6. Raleigh, N.C.
Mean entry-level income: $35,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $800
Unemployment rate: 6.2%
Nearby colleges/universities: 10
Raleigh prides itself on having a small town feel, which can be alluring to many new college grads trying to escape the city. As the location of three universities, Raleigh’s cost of living is one of the lowest on the list. Raleigh also has social, sports, cultural and arts scenes, good career opportunities and mild year-round climate.
5. Minneapolis/St. Paul
Mean entry-level income: $32,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $900
Unemployment rate: 5.0%
Nearby colleges/universities: 10
With more than 50% of homes in Minneapolis listed as rentals and roughly 5% of them currently unoccupied, finding a place is relatively easy. A city with a dynamic music scene, a physically fit mantra, professional sports teams and a vibrant art, theater and literary culture, Minneapolis is worth a second look for college grads. More than 82,000 Minneapolis residents are between the ages of 25 and 34. Home to large company headquarters, including PepsiCo, (PEP) Target (TGT) and General Mills, (GIS) Minneapolis offers a variety of job opportunities for young career seekers.
4. St. Louis
Mean entry-level income: $38,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $960
Unemployment rate: 8.2%
Nearby colleges/universities: 7
St. Louis topped Forbes’ 2012 list of happiest places for postgraduates, earning accolades based on overall career happiness among those with jobs requiring less than two years of work experience as well as the average cost of living-adjusted salary in each city

3. Houston
Mean entry-level income: $41,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $800
Unemployment rate: 5.7%
Nearby colleges/universities: 14
Houston boasts one of the highest average incomes for entry-level jobs and is home to 24 Fortune 500 companies. Coupled with a relatively low cost of living, commuter-friendly transportation and a promising job market, Houston is ideal for young people looking to launch their careers.

2. Dallas
Mean entry-level income: $38,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $900
Unemployment rate: 5.8%
Nearby colleges/universities:17
Well above the national average, Dallas’ 8.67% rental vacancy rate results in notably affordable rent in relation to most comparable metros. With more money for leisure opportunities, renters can enjoy the many attractions and activities Dallas has to offer. Home to five professional sports teams, one for every major American team sport, Dallas offers an abundance of athletic events, entertainment and professional options to residents.

1. Atlanta
Mean entry-level income: $43,000
Median price for a one-bedroom apartment: $800
Unemployment rate: 6.9%
Nearby colleges/universities: 19
Average salary for recent college grads in Atlanta is 21% higher than the national average. Tied with Raleigh and Houston for the lowest average rent, this city is extremely friendly to recent grads with minimal savings. The city is also home to a number of postsecondary educational institutions including Clark Atlanta University and Georgia Institute of Technology, among others. According to Busy Travelers, Atlanta holds the country’s third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies and is the global headquarters of corporations including The Coca-Cola Co.,(KO) Home Depot (HD), Delta Air Lines (DAL) and UPS (UPS).

With the start of schools, I am concerned about the possibilities of school violence.  In my latest book, “Creating Safe Schools: A Guide for School Leaders, Counselors, Teachers and Parents” I indicate that the best recourse for schools is to be prepared.

According to the Education Commission of the States, more than 20 states require lockdown or similar types of drills, and 30 states require schools to have broader emergency plans.

Kenneth Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services recnetly gave an interview in the New York Times which included his comments about school security and emergency crisis plans.

How many yearly lockdown drills do you recommend?

We recommend schools conduct a minimum of two lockdowns per school year.

What are the biggest weaknesses you see in the lockdown drills?

Far too many school administrators still will not conduct lockdowns during lunch period, because doing so is more of an inconvenience to adults and keeping lunch periods moving forward. Yet lunch periods can span across several hours each school day, meaning that some schools will never practice a lockdown for 20 to 30 percent of their school day.

What’s the most common thing that tends to go wrong during lockdown drills?

While the majority of students and staff tend to treat drills seriously, one of the most common concerns we have is when some individuals choose to not do so. In particular, it creates quite a safety hazard and a serious concern to us when staff and/or students talk during a lockdown drill.

I will be speaking at a number of conferences about safe schools, if you are interested in having me speak at your school/district or conference, feel free to contact me at [email protected]

When schools reopen in August and September, Black, Latino, Asian, and Native American students will together make up a narrow majority of the nation’s public school students. The change marks far more than a statistical blip.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, in just three years, Latino students alone will make up nearly 28 percent of the nation’s student population. The growth of the Latino student population growth is combined with a slow but steady decline in the number of white children attending public schools will transform the country’s schools.

As public schools increasingly become institutions serving large numbers of students of color, some states with largely white state legislatures and aging electorates have already proven unwilling to raise taxes or divert needed funds to meet the needs of public schools.

School funding and other public resource needs will become increasingly critical as children of color go on to become the majority of the U.S. workforce and total population by 2042.

A recent report printed in USA Today indicated that 17-year olds with one to two hours of homework each night dropped from 27 percent in 1984 to 23 percent in 2012.  The percentage of students who studied more than two hours a night remained at 13 percent.

One of the more controversial discussions in education today is whether to give homework and if so, how much?  Parents complain that teachers give to much homework and when (or if collected) is either not returned or not graded?  How much homework is too much?  How much is not enough?  In my school, teachers agreed that homework would be assigned by specific days by department.  For example, English teachers would give homework on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Social Studies teachers would assign homework on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

 Testing would  be given on assigned days.  For example, Science tests would take place only on Mondays.  Math tests only on Tuesdays, And so on.  This would relieve the student of studying for 5 tests on one day or having too much homework on any day.

 Research has indicated that elementary teachers should assign less homework than middle or high school teachers.