Older Students on Campus
Aired Monday, October 2, 2006

For many, college is the first time to leave home, along with experiencing life in the dorms, parties, and the excitement of being around thousands of people your own age. But if you are a non-traditional student, age may be your biggest worry. Older students on campus are on the rise. Join KPLU Education reporter Gary Davis as he profiles one such student's joys and fears.

Special Edition: The Best of The Learning Curve
Aired Thursday, July 6, 2006

The best of KCTS' Learning Curve reports from the last four years.

A Senior Prom for the Ages
Aired Thursday, June 8, 2006

Jenny Cunningham reports on a senior prom for the ages! We take you to Whidbey Island where middle and high school students put on a prom for elders and in turn learn a tremendous life lesson.

Grading the WASL -- Part 2
Aired Friday, May 26, 2006

In part one of "Grading the WASL', KPLU's Liam Moriarty spoke with former employees of the company that scores standardized tests for more than 20 states, including Washington. Today, he looks at whether the problems those scorers encountered could happen with the WASL.

Grading the WASL -- Part 1
Aired Thursday, May 25, 2006

There's a lot riding on standardized tests such as the WASL. But chances are, you don't know much about how those tests are scored. Now, former employees of the nation's top scoring company are raising questions about whether the tests are graded fairly and accurately. On the next Learning Curve, we take an inside look at scoring those high-stake tests.

Shades of Grey -- Scoring Standardized Tests
Aired Thursday, May 25, 2006

Open-ended or essay questions are the gold standard of standardized tests. But did you ever consider how those kinds of questions are graded?

Bible Class in Public School?
Aired April 20, 2006

See how one award-winning teacher, also a devout Christian, walks the very fine line between teaching and preaching.

Hip Hop High
Aired April 13, 2006

How do you teach students who have no interest in reading? Alan Sitomer, author of Hip-Hop High School shares his amazing story.

The California Exit Exam
Aired March 23, 2006

Jenny Cunningham uncovers the lessons that Washington state's WASL can learn from the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam).

The French Connection part 3 - Foreign Language
Aired March 1, 2006

Less than 10 percent of Americans speak a second language. More than 60 percent of the French do. But when it comes to learning English -- the dominant language of international business -- France has lagged behind. In the final installment of our Learning Curve series The French Connection - KPLU's Liam Moriarty looks at how both countries are working to boost their ability to talk with the rest of the world.

The French Connection part 2 -- Parents and Community
Aired February 28, 2006

The United States and France share egalitarian values, but their different cultural roots have given shape to different approaches to public education. Today, in part two of our KPLU Learning Curve special, The French Connection, Liam Moriarty looks at how both countries are responding to challenges from immigration and changes in the role of the family.

The French Connection part 1 - Early Childhood Education
Aired February 27, 2006

While living in France, KPLU reporter Liam Moriarty had a chance to compare schools in Europe with schools in the US. As part of our series The Learning Curve -- he'll explore the differences -- and unexpected similarities. Liam looks at the French system of universal preschool, and whether it offers any lessons, as Washington struggles to make early education more available here.

Should the WASL be a Graduation Requirement?
Aired February 2, 2006

This year, for the first time, 10th graders must pass the WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) in order to graduate from high school. Should or shouldn't it be kept as a requirement of graduation? Jenny Cunningham reports on the latest developments of the WASL debate.

The Bilingual Education Center
Aired January 19, 2006

Jenny Cunningham highlights the education challenges facing immigrant students and the effort to keep them from dropping out.

Lessons Learned: Part Three, The Gates Foundation in Enumclaw High School
Aired December 2, 2005

Kirsten Kendrick examines a rural Western Washington high school where Gates Foundation money has made a difference -- but the school must now carry on without it. Jennifer Wing contributed to this story.

Lessons Learned: Part Two, The Gates Foundation in Seattle High Schools
Aired December 1, 2005

Kirsten Kendrick reports on what went wrong with the Gates Foundation's efforts to change large schools in the Seattle School District into smaller, more personalized learning communities. Jennifer Wing contributed to this story.

Lessons Learned: The Gates Foundation Goes to High School
Aired December 1, 2005

If you were the richest man in the world, could you fix America's beleaguered public schools? Bill and Melinda Gates have spent a billion dollars on a national effort to transform high schools. They started the ambitious make over right here in Washington State. Now some of the grants have run their course. On the next Learning Curve, how did Gates' dollars improve student performance? Was it all for nothing? Get the inside story including what internal school district documents reveal about how students and parents feel about the changes. Find out what Bill Gates thinks about the 26 million dollars he spent on Seattle Public Schools.

Lessons Learned: Part One, Private Money in Public Education
Aired November 30, 2005

How do partnerships between non-profits and school districts work? Jennifer Wing has an in-depth interview with Richard Colvin of the Hechinger Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Making Schools Work
Aired September 29, 2005

We hear so much these days about what's wrong with education in America. KCTS Connects host Enrique Cerna talks with author Jonathan Kozol about his new book: The Shame of the Nation: the Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America. Jenny Cunningham takes us to classrooms from Kingston to Walla Walla – where scores are on the rise and the achievement gap is closing. Then find out what's working in schools on a national level with a preview of the PBS documentary: Making Schools Work and interview with producer and Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Hedrick Smith. There's no magic here – just hard work and reality-tested strategies that help kids learn - from the cradle to college.

Foreign Languages in Schools: Part One, Q&A with Michele Anciaux Aoki, Ph.D.
Aired September 12, 2005

In an era of globalization, how well are our schools teaching the languages of the world? Washington state is heavily dependent on foreign trade, yet there are no state standards regarding the teaching of foreign languages. Leader of the Washington State Coalition on International Education and long time foreign language advocate, Michele Anciaux Aoki, Ph.D., interviews with KPLU to discuss these issues.

Foreign Languages in Schools: Part Two, Arabic
Aired September 13, 2005

September 11th exposed the dire shortage of Arabic language translators in the U.S. Since then, Congress has poured millions of dollars into Arabic programs and demand for learning this “strategic language” is high. But are schools rising to the challenge? KPLU’s Deborah Wang reports.

Foreign Languages in Schools: Part Three, John Stanford School Profile
Aired September 14, 2005

There is no question that young children are the great learners of language - but only 25 percent of our public elementary schools offer any language classes. “Language immersion” has proven to be the most effective way to bring about bilingualism in young students and is gaining popularity. John Stanford International School, the only language immersion school in Seattle, has won national accolades for its formula of language immersion and international curriculum. KPLU’s Deborah Wang profiles this award winning school and why parents are clamoring to send their kids there.

When Insult Turns to Injury -- Violence in our Schools
Aired June 9, 2005

A boy armed with a hunting rifle takes hostages. Two teens develop an elaborate plan to kill hundreds with bombs and guns. Two gang members ask a man if they can use his cell phone — then stab him. These acts of school violence are even more disturbing when you know they happened at school.

Serious Gaming
Aired May 23, 2005

Halo 2. Grand Theft Auto. Sim City. You may not know the names of today's hottest video games, but chances are your kids do. It seems almost every child has an X-Box or PlayStation — or knows someone who does. In the latest edition of The Learning Curve, KPLU's Kirsten Kendrick travels to the Quinault Indian Reservation and introduces us to the students of the Taholah School. They're among the first in the nation to use virtual video game technology to learn.

Teen Health Center
Aired April 28, 2005

Getting students to do well in high school doesn't just involve books and teachers. Sometimes it takes a little medicine and someone to who will listen to your problems. These things and more can be found inside Teen Health Centers. Every Seattle Public High School has one. In the latest edition of the Learning Curve, KPLU's Jennifer Wing introduces us to the work that goes on at the teen health center at Franklin High School.

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WASL: Making up for Lost Time
Aired April 15, 2005

What if passing all of your classes in high school wasn't enough to get a diploma? That's what today's ninth graders face. They're the first class to have the extra task of doing well on the state's WASL exam in order to graduate in 2008. But as the deadline approaches, schools are discovering thousands of students are far behind in reading and math.

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WASL: Setting Kids Up to Fail?
Aired April 14, 2005

Jenny Cunningham reports on the challenges students face as they prepare for the 2006 WASL exam and looks at what's being done to help struggling students get up to speed.

Student 2 Student
Aired April 14, 2005

Our peers are sometimes our best teachers. It's easier to take advice from someone who knows what you're going through—someone who's recently had the same experience. That's especially true for teenagers, who are more likely to talk to fellow students, rather than adults, about the pressures of high school. That's what's happening right now in Washington schools, as older students teach younger students about some pretty big changes coming their way. Those changes include passing the state's WASL exam in order to graduate.

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ADHD/ADD in College
Aired March 29, 2005

As more children and young adults are diagnosed with ADD and ADHD, schools — up through universities — are trying to respond to their special needs. In part two of our series, KPLU's Kirsten Kendrick explores how universities are trying to meet special needs while still preparing these students for the real world.

Room 310
Aired March 28, 2005

For children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a regular classroom can be challenging. Everything from bright colors to a crowded room can be a major distraction and lead to a lot of frustration. In the upcoming edition of The Learning Curve, KPLU's Jennifer Wing tells us about Room 310 — a classroom in Seattle that's a safe haven for these students.

Lunch Wars: What's Your Child Eating at School?
Aired March 24, 2005

It's lunch period in a middle school in Spokane and the din is deafening. A round-cheeked boy shoulders past the salad bar, then piles two packets of mayonnaise on a burger. "I'm not a big vegetable fan," he says, biting in. On the next Learning Curve we examine school lunch and the growing obesity epidemic in children. Find out which school districts are cutting the fat. You'll also learn why most school districts say they can't afford to cut out sodas. And you'll get an earful from teens who say they should be able to choose what they eat.

Seattle School Closures
Aired March 10, 2005

How would you feel if the school in your neighborhood was boarded up? It could happen in Seattle. The school district is raising the alarm: in the school year 2006-2007 it will be $20 million in debt. To help make up that budget shortfall, district administrators propose closing 12 to 22 schools. Tune in to KCTS Connects on Thursday, March 10 at 8:00 when Learning Curve reporter Jenny Cunningham tells you how to determine if the schools near you are vulnerable -- and KCTS Connects host Enrique Cerna talks with parents and decision makers about the growing money crunch that's putting the squeeze on all public schools in our state.

Fit to Learn
Aired February 24, 2005

In our state and across America, more kids are overweight. At the same time, school districts are canceling and cutting back on gym classes and recess. In our next report, KCTS Education reporter Jenny Cunningham examines whether kids are fit to learn. We take you to one district in Washington state that’s jumping and jogging to become a fitness model for the nation.

Cutting Gym Class
Aired February 24, 2005

When you were growing up there probably weren't many overweight kids in your school, or classmates with type two diabetes. Today, these conditions are common. More than 30 percent of students are overweight, and they aren't burning off a lot of calories at school. In our ongoing series the Learning Curve, KPLU's Jennifer Wing looks at why schools are cutting back on physical education at the same time childhood obesity is skyrocketing.

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Q and A with Dr. Don Shifrin
Aired February 24, 2005

"Who is responsible for keeping kids fit? Schools or parents?" Jennifer Wing talks about this with Doctor Don Shifrin (SHIF-rin) at "Pediatric Associates" in Bellevue. He's a member of a national task force that's looking for ways to combat childhood obesity.

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Single-Sex Education
Aired January 27, 2005

At Thurgood Marshall Elementary in Seattle you won't see boys teasing girls in the classroom. That's because boys and girls have separate classes. On the next Learning Curve we take a look at single-sex education, a growing national trend in public schools. Find out how girls and boys learn differently and how gender-targeted teaching boosts performance. You'll also hear from critics who believe single-sex schools are risky business for public schools because they could promote discrimination and reinforce gender stereotypes. Despite that criticism, you'll see what the Bush administration is doing right now that could lead to an explosion of boys-only and girls-only classes and schools under "No Child Left Behind."

Paraprofessionals
Aired January 24, 2005

KPLU's Deborah Wang reports on the impact of "No Child Left Behind" on paraprofessionals - the individuals who work as tutors, translators and classroom assistants in our state's schools. Thousands of paraprofessionals in Washington are hurrying to meet new educational standards before the January 2006 deadline.

Online Learning
Aired December 20, 2004

KPLU's Jennifer Wing takes a look at the growing world of online learning. New technology is bringing academic resources to hard to reach places. Teachers say in the "virtual classroom" they are able to give all students the attention they need.

The Incredible Shrinking School
Aired December 9, 2004

In this Learning Curve report KCTS Connects examines the growing pains that come with shrinking schools. At Truman High School overall academic achievement has not improved much. But we meet students like Teri Suia who demonstrate the power of this intimate approach to impact individuals.

Bergeson VS Billings: Candidate Profiles
Aired October 21, 2004

For the Superintendent of Public Instruction race it's a rematch between Terry Bergeson and Judith Billings. KPLU's Jennifer Wing reports both of these women want all children to succeed, but their approaches are very different.

Initiative 884
Aired October 21, 2004

KCTS Connects provides a Learning Curve report to look at Initiative 884, which would increase the state sales tax from 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent to create an education trust fund. During this live program, viewers will be invited to call the studio with their questions and comments.

Bergeson VS Billings: The Debate
Aired October 12, 2004

KCTS Connects host Enrique Cerna moderates a live debate between Terry Bergeson and Judith Billings, the two candidates vying for the title of Washington's State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

A Teacher's Thoughts
Aired June 24, 2004

School is out and summer is here. Anne Fitzpatrick is a teacher at Seattle's Mercer Middle School and a mentor to new teachers. She says the past school year was full of "high stakes" for both students and teachers. As a part of our ongoing series The Learning Curve, Fitzpatrick reflects on the challenges of the last several months and is already looking ahead to September.

Rainier Scholars
Aired June 21, 2004

The majority of students enrolled in college are white, even though many public high schools are quite diverse. In the latest edition of The Learning Curve, we look at an organization in Seattle called "Rainier Scholars." It recruits bright children of color and puts them through an intense college prep program beginning in the 6th grade. The ultimate goal for these low-income students is college graduation. KPLU education reporter Jennifer Wing has the story.

Gifted Education
Aired June 14, 2004

Educators who work with gifted students often say they have special needs, just like students with disabilities. Teaching gifted children also raises questions about how and whether they should be included in regular classrooms. In the latest edition of The Learning Curve, KPLU's Jennifer Wing compares two approaches to gifted education. (This story was written and produced by Walter Stern.)

Keeping Students Safe
Aired June 1, 2004

The shooting at Columbine High School five years ago in Littleton, Colorado brought school safety to the nation's attention. Today schools in Washington state are working hard to make sure an event like that never happens here. In the latest edition of The Learning Curve, KPLU's Jennifer Wing looks at some of the ways schools are trying to keep students safe. They involve mutual respect and some help from new technology.

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Closing the Achievement Gap
Aired May 20, 2004

This Learning Curve special examines one of the most pressing and disturbing problems in education, the achievement gap. Why do black, Hispanic and Native American students continue to underperform in reading and math compared to their white and Asian classmates? The program includes host Enrique Cerna's one-on-one interview with U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, a panel discussion with local activists and experts, and a look at schools throughout the state that are closing the achievement gap even in the face of poverty, language barriers and budget shortfalls.

Charter Schools: What Can WA Expect?
Aired May 17, 2004

For years lawmakers and initiative sponsors have tried to bring charter schools to Washington. What sets the new law apart from previous attempts is its emphasis on educating disadvantaged students. In the latest edition of The Learning Curve, KPLU education reporter Jennifer Wing visits a charter school in New York City that inspired state lawmakers to move ahead.

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Preparing for the WASL
Aired April 19, 2004

Imagine taking a test that goes on for two to three weeks. That's what thousands of 4th, 7th and 10th graders in Washington State are embarking on. It's the Washington Assessment of Student Learning Exam, also known as the "WASL," and a lot rides on the results. Schools that don't do well could eventually be taken over by the state or shut down. Students and teachers are feeling the pressure. In the latest edition of The Learning Curve KPLU's Jennifer Wing looks at the aggressive steps one struggling Seattle middle school is taking to help students ace the exam.

Native American Literacy
Aired April 12, 2004

Children of Native Americans rank near the bottom of almost every economic and educational indicator in Washington. For these kids, learning is handicapped by poverty, cultural differences and by their families' mistrust of the school system. In the latest installment of our ongoing series, The Learning Curve, reporter John Ryan examines how tribal stories are helping some of the state's most disadvantaged first graders learn to read.

Brian's Story
Aired January 30, 2004

The number of high school dropouts in Washington state is predicted to grow sharply in the coming years. New research from leading education experts who track graduation rates see a crisis on the horizon. In our ongoing series, The Learning Curve, KPLU's Jennifer Wing introduces us to 19-year-old Brian Morales. His troubled story of poverty, crime and survival reflects the lives of thousands of students who often find high school doesn't work for them. But many, including Brian, still hold onto the hope of getting an education and having a future by passing the GED.

Early Childhood Learning
Aired November 20, 2003

The Learning Curve: Early Childhood Learning examines the learning process from its earliest stages. One of the first things babies tackle is the physical world of objects. According to local pediatrician and early learning expert Dr. Danette Glassy, until babies are about six months old, their world is like a magic show: When an object is out of sight, it doesn't exist; when it appears, it's as if it popped into existence from out of nowhere. At around six months, babies figure out that something can exist even when they don't see it. At around two years of age, what has been a gradual learning process gives way to a burst of exploration and experimentation as babies become curious about everything in their world.

Reform in Career and Technical Education
Aired November 17, 2003

Reporter Jennifer Wing looks at how career and technical education (CTE) is being impacted by the latest wave of education reform. The report looks at the future of programs such as auto mechanics and broadcasting in an era when schools are aiming to groom all students for college and white-collar professions. The story also explores how CTE is evolving and becoming more sophisticated, and asks whether the expectation that all students will enter higher education is realistic.

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Early Learning
Aired September 15, 2003

What children learn from birth to five is vital to their success in life. Tomorrow, voters in Seattle will decide if they want to pass a $.10 tax on espresso drinks to fund early learning programs for the poor. There is a large debate over whether this is the right solution to the critical problem of providing quality preschool and daycare for all children. In the latest installment of our ongoing series, The Learning Curve, KPLU education reporter Jennifer Wing looks at the state of early learning in Seattle and at what's being done to ensure that young children are getting the most of their first few years of life.

A Student Making Waves in Education Reform
Aired June 16, 2003

Monday, June 16th at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, the Enumclaw High School class of 2003 will graduate. Among the students who will receive a diploma is Lacey Androsko. For the last two years, Lacey has served as a student representative on the State Board of Education. In the latest installment of our education series, The Learning Curve, KPLU's Austin Jenkins takes us back to school for a student perspective on education reform.

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Special Education: Dealing with Emotional Behavior Disorders
Aired June 3, 2003

One of the most difficult jobs to fill in public schools is that of the special education teacher. And within the field of special education, it is even more challenging to find teachers willing to instruct students with emotional behavior disorders. These students can pose a physical danger to themselves and the people around them. In the second part of our Learning Curve series on Special Education, KPLU's Jennifer Niessen talks to teachers who work with these children and are determined to make a difference.

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Special Education: Making It Accountable
Aired June 2, 2003

The same principles found in the No Child Left Behind Act are being applied to special education. But making special education more accountable through testing and tracking student achievement is giving educators and policy makers pause for concern. In the latest installment of our series, The Learning Curve, KPLU's Jennifer Niessen looks at the complexities of special education in Washington state and whether new federal mandates to hold these students to higher academic standards are realistic.

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No Child Left Behind
Aired May 29, 2003

This Learning Curve special will examine the impact of the No Child Left Behind Act on Washington state school districts. Find out what constitutes a "failing school," see how many schools in our state are in danger of not meeting the standards, and hear what state officials, school administrators, teachers and parents think of this new effort for education reform.

Who Profits From Standardized Testing?
Aired May 19, 2003

As the school year winds down, students in Washington state — and across the country — have just finished taking standardized tests. Increasingly, student performance on these tests is how schools are judged. That means testing and test preparation is big business. In the latest installment of our education series, The Learning Curve, KPLU's Austin Jenkins looks at who's profiting from this trend in testing - the companies, the students, or both.

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Beating the Odds: Stanley Elementary
Aired March 4, 2003

KPLU Education Reporter Jennifer Niessen explores Stanley Elementary in Tacoma's roughest neighborhood. Despite students that are poor and largely minority, Stanley has extremely high test scores and even higher student and teacher morale.

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Martin Luther King: "The School No One Wants to Go To"
Aired March 3, 2003

More than ever before, public schools are being judged and funded based on test scores. That puts particular pressure on schools with below-average results. One of those struggling schools is Martin Luther King Elementary in Seattle. KPLU Education Reporter Jennifer Niessen reports on the "school no one wants to go to."

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Rural Districts Fighting to Meet Standards
Aired December 17, 2002

States are predicting failure for many schools when the No Child Left Behind reqirements kick into full gear. In Washington, many schools considered "at risk" are in the far-reaches of the state. KPLU Education Reporter Jennifer Niessen reports from one of those districts, Quinault Lake School District on the Olympic Peninsula.

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Education Reform and Federal Control
Aired December 16, 2002

The No Child Left Behind Act has helped bring more money to public schools and mandated tougher penalties on schools whose students aren't meeting basic requirements. The law has also increased the federal government's control over local schools. KPLU Education Reporter Jennifer Niessen examines the impact on Washington state.

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STAR Program
Aired September 5, 2002

Enrique Cerna interviews Pat Wasley, dean of the University of Washington College of Education. Also includes stories about the Seattle School District's STAR (Staff Training Assistance and Review) program.

The History of Public Education in Washington State
Aired September 5, 2002

How did the State of Washington develop its education system? From pre-statehood through the turbulent 1970's, this state has seen many ups and downs. As KPLU Reporter Liam Moriarty explains, much of that roller coaster ride can be traced back to some unique language in Washington state's original Constitution.

The History of Education Reform in Washington State
Aired September 5, 2002

The 1970's and early 1980's brought fierce change to school funding methods. But while more money was being put into local schools, many business owners wondered what children were learning in school. That sparked a state-wide education reform campaign that is still bringing about change today. KPLU Education Reporter Jennifer Niessen has more on the history of education reform in Washington state.