Stuff You Should Know
Education Reform Marks Anniversary
On April 11, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) into law. This historic education bill was part of President Johnson’s War of Poverty initiative. Johnson believed that government could play an effective role in areas such as health care and education. ESEA provided equal access to education for all children, especially the disadvantaged. Federal money went to each of the states so that it might fund programs that best addressed the needs of its citizens.
Over time, the details of the ESEA have changed to meet the needs of a modern-day world. For example, specific programs have been created to address the needs of students identified as “at risk,” including English-language learners and Native Americans.
The original bill was set to expire in 1970. However, the federal government has voted to renew and update the legislation every five years since it was originally signed. The most recent version is known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). This version of the bill, signed to law during the George W. Bush administration emphasized strict accountability measures to ensure that students were receiving a good education.
Dig Deeper–Familiarize yourself with an overview of the original ESEA, including Title I-VII. Name at least one major difference between the original and the most current re-authorization, NCLB.
Update on North Korea
A few weeks ago, btw reported on North Korea’s controversial decision to perform nuclear tests. Since then, the small Asian country with strained relationships with much of the world (notably the United States and its border-sharing neighbor, South Korea) has been getting more attention than usual. Most recently, North Korean leadership has made a formal announcement encouraging all foreigners to leave South Korea immediately. While celebrating the birthday of its founder, the state news agency reported that retaliatory actions against South Korea would “start immediately” and without notice.
North Korea has a long history of alienating any potential ally and using threatening language. In the early 1950s, it invaded South Korea, which led the United States to become involved in the 3-year Korean War. In more recent years, North Korea has ramped up its nuclear ambitions while the United Nations has issued economic penalties against the nation. Witholding this aid has negatively impacted the country’s very impoverished citizens.
What Do You Think? Do some research with at least three different sources that report on this story. Based on the opinions and facts offered, how likely is it that North Korea will engage in a full-on military strike? What actions do you think sound the most likely to detour such an attack?
Meet the Parents (of the parents of the parents…)
In an excavation similar to this one in Johannesburg, human fossils are causing controversy about humanity’s history.
Archeologists in South Africa recently assembled a collection of fossil remains into two incomplete skeletons with a unique combination of human and ape characteristics. The remains were unearthed in a tiny village northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa. Scientists believe that these skeletons represent an adult woman (labeled MH1) and a male child (MH2). These remains have been categorized as australopithecus sediba. Australopithecus is a scientific designator for a hominid species believed to have lived in Africa between two and four million years ago. The bone structure of the specimens suggest that they had difficulty walking upright, but were likely quite skilled at climbing trees.
This recent discovery is likely to be the topic of much debate. If verified, this new finding would challenge the long-held view that another species, called Australopithecus afarensis (based on the “Lucy” skeletal remains found in Ethiopia in 1974), was the immediate ancestor to homo sapiens. Other scientists believe that there is no connection. A team of scientists from all over the world has published recent papers on their findings. They agree that it is too early to make definitive statements as to the origin of the new fossils found in the Johannesburg area. But it is their hope that continued research will help us gain a clearer understanding of humanity’s evolutionary ancestry.
Dig Deeper–This discovery is likely to generate many articles in the upcoming months. Note any new discoveries or theories based on the findings as well as any opposing opinions.
Have You Heard of Bitcoin?
The Bitcoin is a new, purely digital (internet-based), currency that was created in 2009 by an anonymous person known as Satoshi Nakomoto. They exist only in “online wallets” managed by Web site companies known as Bitcoin exchanges. (BTC-e, Coinlab, Coinbase, Blockchain and Tradehill are some popular sites.) What makes bitcoin different from other currency is that it is not controlled by any particular country or regulated by a bank. Some are comparing it to gold, because it needs to be “mined.”Anyone can mine for Bitcoins by using computer software to search for transactions that contain one of a limited number of Bitcoins created. This is more difficult and time-consuming that it sounds. The bitcoin mining software uses a complicated mathematical formula. The value of a Bitcoin is based on this mathematical formula and its value is determined by how many are in circulation. There are currently around 11 million Bitcoins in existence.
Because bitcoins are still so new, people are divided as to the currency’s strengths and weaknesses. Bitcoin digital transactions can be completed quickly. Bitcoin is also free from the bureaucracy of banks. A major concern, however, is that because bitcoins can be used anonymously, it has become a popular way to buy illegal items on the internet without being traced. Another downside is that a lack of a central authority can make supply and demand unbalanced.