Michigan flunks report on minority dropout rates: "In Michigan, just over a third of Hispanic students earn diplomas, the report found, while African-American rates could not be established for the state because of poor data from Detroit Public Schools.
Michigan reports its overall graduation success at nearly 88 percent. Using a different measurement, the report found that to be inflated, pegging it instead at 74 percent.
It is the second national report questioning Michigan's graduation claims. In December the Education Trust, a national nonprofit group working to close the achievement gap, reported Michigan's graduation rate at 73 percent. "

Iowa State Daily | Online Edition:"Minority students may feel alienated due to scholarships

By Kurt Boettger
Daily Staff Writer"

Georgia education board approves curriculum using word 'evolution'

"Board members said the curriculum could change again before it is approved. [So why announce that the orignal decision had been reversed? - Barry]

'It needs to be emphasized that this is not cast in stone,' board member Dean Alford said. 'There is still going to be a lot of input, and I'm sure a lot of people will have comments.'"

CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Federal school rules spark revolt: "ASHEVILLE - Resentment over costly obligations attached to the federal No Child Left Behind Act could prompt North Carolina to join a growing number of states rebelling against President Bush's centerpiece education law.

The Republican-controlled Utah House voted 64-8 last week not to comply with any provisions that cost more than what the federal government is willing to pay for. The bill, now headed to the Utah Senate, represents the strongest position yet taken by lawmakers around the country.

Elsewhere, state lawmakers have passed or introduced legislation or nonbinding resolutions challenging the 2002 law's tougher standards for student testing and teacher credentials.

North Carolina state Rep. Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, said he would support such legislation. Many legislators are angry about what they see as a federal takeover of education that leaves states to pay the bill.

'I think there is genuine, broad-based concern in our state about No Child Left Behind,' Nesbitt said. 'I'm really glad to see other states are having similar difficulties.'

The act adds an array of new standards to existing tests. Educators have said it is unwieldy and would further confuse parents wanting to evaluate schools and their child's performance in school"

News Channel 10 - News - Whites-Only Scholarship Recipient Donates Award To Charity: "Adam Noska, 20, of Weymouth, Mass., announced on Friday that he would donate the $250 scholarship from the College Republicans student group to a fund benefiting The Station nightclub fire survivors and victims' families. He also pledged to raise an additional $750 for the fund."

HoustonChronicle.com - Group offers scholarships, parodies affirmative action: "Matthew Maddox, an A&M senior from Tomball who is chairman of the campus YCT organization, said the Texas scholarships are open to all students.

'We certainly hope to get applicants who are not white,' Maddox said. 'I know for a fact that not all minorities agree with affirmative action policies.'

Applicants must submit an essay of 1,500 words or less describing 'how you or a family member have overcome institutionalized discrimination and/or the stigma imposed by policies giving preference to particular racial or ethnic groups in college admissions, employment and other competitive arenas.'

The essays will be partially evaluated on 'the applicant's narrative of how he or she has worked to overcome the adversity created by such preferences.'

Cedrick Bates, a black junior from Houston, said the scholarship will only perpetuate the image of the campus as being inhospitable to minorities. "

Church Executive Magazine - Late Breaking News

"February 20, 2004 - Rodgers offers scholarships for organ students

HILLSBORO, OR-Rodgers Instruments LLC announced it will offer five full scholarships for organ study at the International Music Camp, a 48-year-old summer arts program that brings together an outstanding faculty of musicians and performing organists at the International Peace Gardens in North Dakota. This internationally recognized camp is located on the U.S.-Canada border.

The scholarships include full tuition for music courses, including private organ lessons, room and board at the camp, and transportation including airfare from the nearest airport. Camp dates are July 11-17, 2004.

Completed applications must be submitted to Rodgers by May 25, 2004. Scholarships will be awarded by a panel of outstanding artist/organists selected by Rodgers, who will judge applicants based on cassette tapes or CDs of organ playing.

Information and applications may be requested by writing or calling Dr. Jeannine Cansler at the following location:
Rodgers Instruments LLC
1300 NE 25th Ave.
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 681-0430
jcansler@rodgers.rain.com

Additional information about the camp and its 2004 program can be found on the Web at www.internationalmusiccamp.com."

WTVY | College Scholarships: "Auburn University Interim President Ed Richardson has introduced a new freshman scholarship offered to Alabama high school students.

Ultimately, $2 million will be awarded to 400 students in the 4-year program, beginning with 100 students in the 2004-05 academic year."

Galveston County Daily News: "Summer tennis camps sometimes can cost a pretty penny.

So the United States Tennis Association-Texas Section is offering young tennis enthusiasts the opportunity to apply for scholarships that will help send them to a week-long camp that provide accommodations, meals and tennis.

Those interested need to fill out a scholarship application, along with an essay on "CWhy you would like to attend summer tennis camp."

Applicants also are required to include two letters of recommendations from their teachers and coaches who are familiar with the child%u2019s character and tennis interest.

A limited number of scholarships are being awarded. Financial need is taken into consideration.

The application deadline is April 23.

The News-Gazette Online: "Five $2,500 scholarships are available to high school seniors who plan to study agriculture at an Illinois college or university in the fall and have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 during their senior year.
"

Scholarships Available for National Rural Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse: "The Medical Scholarships are open to first or second year medical students, interns, and residents. The track includes sessions on addiction, psychomotor stimulants, screening, dual diagnosis (DSM-IV) narcotic intoxication and withdrawal, alcohol intoxication and withdrawal, benzodiazepines, xanax, ativan et.al., and addiction and recovery. Faculty will include David G. Benzer, DO, and Kirk Moberg, MD.
"

Daily Nebraskan - Merit-based scholarships may rob poor to attract rich: "Scholarship search engines like FastWeb or EducationQuest make financial assistance available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Corporations such as Peter Kiewit and ConAgra are more willing to shell out money to help finance students' education.

But the influx of money isn't necessarily going to the students who need it most. Increasingly, wealthier students are reaping the benefits of the myriads of scholarships offered, as wealthier students tend to find greater academic success. And families, more aware of financial aid than previously, are scrambling to find the best deal for their children."

The Penn Online - Many scholarships available for students: "IUP offers more scholarships than it actually gives out because many students do not take the time to inquire about scholarship opportunities, said Shari Trinkley, director of IUP Planned and Major Giving.

IUP offers between 200-300 private scholarships per year, she said.

The majority of these scholarships are listed on the university's Web site, www.iup.edu, and they can change occasionally depending on the individuals who found them.

She said a variety of students are eligible for these scholarships, which are designated by major, college, geographic location and class level."

CNN.com - New scholarship created for whites only - Feb. 15, 2004: "The application for the $250 award requires an essay on 'why you are proud of your white heritage' and a recent picture to 'confirm whiteness.' "

AP Wire | 02/14/2004 | Education Oversight leader tells court of have, have-not education system: "Anderson said poverty in the state follows the Interstate 95 corridor, while prosperity lies along Interstate 85. Many counties along I-95 contain poorer districts with larger black student populations and fewer residents with high school diplomas."

American Express - Learn How to Save for a Child's Education Free of Federal Tax: "Receive a FREE guide on the tomorrow's scholarSM529 College Savings Plan"

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Summer Internships 2004
Look no further for an exciting, meaningful summer internship!

The FAA is looking for students who:

* Have a 3.0 or better grade point average
* Major in engineering, computer science, mathematics,
economics, business administration/management & more
* Are U.S. citizens
* Attend a Historically Black College or University

If you meet these requirements, send a resume to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program Manager:
Genise Stancil
Genise.Stancil@faa.gov
FAA AHP-300, Rm. 523
202-267-3895 (p)
202-267-9508 (f)
800 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20591

The Tufts Daily:After Supreme Court rulings, minority only scholarships still legal

n the wake of the June 2003 Supreme Court rulings regarding affirmative action, conservative groups such as the Center for Equal Opportunity (CEO) are still concerned about minority scholarship funds like Tufts' Pritzker fund.
The fund was recently started by new Trustee Karen Pritzker and husband Daniel (A'81) and will match dollar for dollar any money given towards minority scholarships up to $5 million. The grant stresses that it serves specifically "undergraduate African American, Hispanic American and Native American students from underprivileged backgrounds."
Funding minority-only scholarships is entirely legal. "Individuals who choose to invest their own money in causes and opportunities that are meaningful to them are not restricted by affirmative action rules," Public Relations director Siobhan Houton said.

The Times Plus, Monroe Times, Monroe, Wisconsin, USA: "Edgewood College announces scholarships available for music students in 2004

MADISON -- Edgewood College, a four-year liberal arts college in Madison announces the availability of Fine Arts Grants in Music for students planning to attend Edgewood beginning in Fall 2004. Available to music majors and non-majors alike, the grants are renewable for up to four years. A brief audition is required. Audition dates remaining for spring include Thursday, Feb. 26 and Saturday, March 6 and will take place on the Edgewood College campus.

The Edgewood College Music Department offers numerous performing opportunities, including two concert bands, a jazz ensemble, two orchestras, and three choral groups. All ensembles are available to students in any major. Degrees in music include music education, music business and a liberal arts music degree. More information is available by contacting Dr. Julie Dunbar, Department Chair, at (608) 663-3400 or by e-mail at jdunbar@edgewood.edu. "

Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/10/2004 | Private-school scholarships offered: "The Children's Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia is accepting applications for 300 new four-year scholarships to help low-income city families send their children to non-public schools.

The scholarships are being offered for children for kindergarten to fifth grade.

The amount is based on household income.

The amounts generally cover 25 percent to 75 percent of a student's tuition.

Scholarship winners will be selected in March through a computerized lottery.

Students' families must meet income requirements and live in Philadelphia.

The application deadline is March 1.

Applications are available from all branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia, area Police Athletic Centers, YMCAs, and city recreation centers.

The application also can be downloaded from the scholarship fund's Web site at www.csfphiladelphia.org."

allAfrica.com: Zambia: US Gave 700 Girls Scholarships: "US ambassador to Zambia Martin Brennan said his government was looking at extending the programme to give an opportunity to more girls to complete school."

The Tullahoma News: "NASHVILLE - The Leadership Council of NFIB/Tennessee, in conjunction with the National Federation of Inependent Business' Education Foundation, has announced that applications for the 2004 NFIB Free Enterprise Scholars Award will be accepted through March 31. "

The Seattle Times: Opinion: No Child Left Behind: Test-obsessed education won't move us ahead: "Two important studies from the late '80s-early '90s, commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor to connect what students are learning with the needs of employers, acknowledged that basic academic skills, such as reading, writing and mathematics, were central for student success in school and adult life. But both studies included additional categories of competence and knowledge as being equal in significance to traditional academics: speaking and listening skills, problem-solving skills, creative-thinking skills, knowing-how-to-learn skills, collaboration and organizational effectiveness skills, and personal-management skills.

These reports looked not only at which skills were needed to support the economy, but also considered the wider range of human capacities, including citizenship, personal relationships, creativity and self-expression. But during the past decade, a string of political leaders (Bill Clinton, Gary Locke and most other governors, and now George W. Bush) have abandoned the needs of the present and future and retreated into the familiar paradigm of the industrial school, only with more testing and more penalties. "

The Ohio Legislature is offering 106 scholarships for Ohio high school graduates seeking enrollment in colleges and other post-secondary education programs.

Twelve of these scholarships are designed to provide full tuition. Another 26 will pay half tuition and the remaining 68 are set at various, pre-determined amounts.

University replacing $16 million in loans with scholarships: "CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The University of Virginia will spend more than $16 million a year to replace loans with scholarships for poor and middle-income students, an initiative dubbed 'Access UVa' to ease the debt students carry from college.

The project, announced Friday, is the most expansive financial aid effort at a public university in the nation and rivals similar programs at elite private schools."