ChrisCollins's blog

The White House announced today that the President will be speaking at a High School Commencement. "Race to the Top" is a competition - one school will be selected from applicants to receive a visit from the President. Principals of public high schools can apply for the "Commencement Challenge" online.

Six schools will be selected from the applicants by the White House and Department of Education. They will be posted on whitehouse.gov and the public will have the chance to vote for three to move forward. The President himself will choose the winning school from among these three finalists.

The application includes several essay questions and a video submission, giving local administrators the chance to get their students and teachers involved in the process of applying.

The White House has also set up a Facebook page specifically for "Race to The Top".

Pretty cool stuff, I think. High School students should let their administrators know about this.

Pew's study on Social Media and Young Adults has some really interesting findings: teens don't blog or tweet. According to the study, 14% of online teens blog. This is down from around 28% just a few years ago. As for Twitter, only 8% of people 12-17 use the service.

The study also found that 93% of young adults go online, with 63% of those using the internet daily. This is comparable to only 38% for those over the age of 65.

So what does this mean? We know that teens use the internet, regularly. We know they are active on social networks - they post comments (83% of online teens say they've posted comments on a friends' pictures), they communicate (although less teens now say they use social networking to contact friends), and more. They do not, however, create that much content.

Only 38% of teens share content in general, 21% remix content, and once again - only 14% blog. For adults, the numbers are even worse. The difference comes in the fact that the numbers for adults have come up in recent years. Teens, on the other hand, created more just a few years ago.

Some, such as Ben Parr, have come to the conclusion that teens just don't have the life experiences needed to create quality content. They are simply consuming. Even though I am a teen, I tend to agree with this rather negative view...Most teens are not interested in creating content. Instead, they are simply consuming.

Members of my generation are consuming more information in a day than one might have come across in a lifetime in centuries past. They're reading, watching, and listening. The number of teens who simply USE the internet (93%) are huge. These young people will be heading into college and jobs with a new and unique outlook, gained by exposure to such huge amounts of information.

Overall, the study is interesting, but there isn't much to feel bad about if you're a teen. The fact we're able to consume so much more content than previous generations means we will be creating much more high quality content of our own in the future.

HeadCount hosted a poll on health insurance last fall, asking users whether they had insurance, and if so, who provided it. Now, they are planning to launch a new poll every few weeks. Their first is "Solutions on Climate Change".

What's the best way to fight climate change?

• Strict limits and regulations
• Personal responsibility
• Taxing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions
• Climate change is a bunch of hooey!
• Other

Go vote, and afterwards, add a comment about why you voted the way you did.

HeadCount is also partnering (one of nine non-profits participating) with Reverb's new Green Music Group. HeadCount, along with various venues, labels, artists, and groups, will be working together to make the music industry greener.

Reverb, a non-profit organization involved in the industry and in climate change movements, founded the project and the launch event was held late last month. GMG is meant to be large-scale and widespread - which explains the great number of artists signed on, and their diversity. Their website lists four essential goals:

1. Creating an engaging online community of musicians, music industry leaders, and music fans all committed to addressing our greatest environmental concerns.

2. Facilitating large-scale greening of the music community through touring, venue, and label standards, resource development, green grants mentoring, and viral video and public service campaigns.

3. Providing environmental nonprofits with a megaphone for their cause, allowing them to expand their reach and support base.

4. Creating a sustainable green music guild to support and inform the efforts of the music community and position leaders in the music industry as voices for change, working to shine a light on the most pressing environmental issues of our time.

Seems like good stuff to me. Other groups, venues, artists, and labels involved include:

Warner Music Group
Brushfire Records
American Airlines Arena
Verizon Wireless Center
Comcast Center
Barenaked Ladies
Linkin Park
The Roots
Guster
and more!

GMG also has partnerships with DoSomething.org, The Sierra Club, and other groups. Overall, it looks like they've drawn in some big enough names to actually make some waves and get something done in the industry. We'll keep an eye on them to see what develops.

I actually heard someone complaining about Haiti at one of my town's hottest coffee shops today...An older gentlemen was really gettin' upset about the entire situation. Haiti was, in his opinion, not worth America's time or money. Those people could take care of themselves. They, he claimed, would never do the same for us.

I really wanted to explain to him that you don't do the right thing because you expect something in return...you just do it because it is right.

We're America...and this, my friends, is what we do. I am proud of the 16,000 members of our Armed Forces that have been sent to help the Haitian people. I am proud of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have donated money to the cause...I only wish I, personally, could do more.

I encourage you to donate to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, the Red Cross, or the charity of your choice that is working in Haiti (just check them out on Google to make sure they're reputable first). Every dollar counts and will help these devastated people.

I am amazed at how the American people have pulled together - raising more than $22 million through text message donations alone.

To donate $10 to the relief efforts, click the links above or text QUAKE to 20222 (Bush-Clinton Fund) or HAITI to 90999 (Red Cross).

A friend of mine at American University put up a few status posts on Facebook last week about filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It was long, complicated, scary, and confusing. Some of the forms it asked for were incorrectly labeled and overall the entire system just seemed messy.

Some reports suggest that as many as 1.5 million students who are ELIGIBLE for Federal Aid don't even apply. Most would tell you that the application is just too large and confusing to bother with. Those involved in education, especially students, have been calling for FAFSA Reform for years. Some universities are even offering special workshops to explain the FAFSA to students.

The Obama Administration has made reform of the application a priority for their Education Department. The new application has eliminated SEVENTEEN web screens and TWENTY-TWO questions. If you've ever even glanced at the system, you know this is a huge step forward.

Another step I would like to see taken is removing questions about assets and finances which require information not found on a standard tax return! The United States Student Association says the House has already passed legislation aimed at doing just that.

Although not everyone agrees that the changes are good, I can tell you that the first time I looked at the FAFSA I was completely scared off. I'm glad the Administration and Congress understand that something needs to change.

ALSO if you'd like to donate to the Disaster Relief Effort in Haiti, you can text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross.

Lauren Forcella, of the Orange County Register, has written a nice article where she asked a panel of millennials about their opinions on the state of humanity and what we face in the next decade. She intends to interview more young people and post their responses soon. I was struck by just how progressive their answers were.

"Let's stop lying and hating each other and instead support each other. World peace starts here." said one student. Another said, simply, "We need more love." There were comments about homophobia, racism, and prejudice in general.

One panelist offered up an opinion on college - how college without vocational and practical training can still leave you without the vital knowledge your new job may require.

Others spoke about the environment, waste, the food industry, and there were several more "let's be nicer" style comments. I agreed with pretty much all of them. It made me wonder...are all millennials this progressive in their views? I thought surely they wouldn't be in my rural hometown.

Today, I asked a few randomly chosen kids at school about their opinions on issues and about the next decade. Several of the answers were really surprising for me.

I noticed that most responded negatively to questions about President Obama...but, still, many didn't have any problem with gay marriage, believed in working with other nations to solve problems, and believed Iraq was a mistake and a mess.

What got to me was that these students agreed with the President on so many issues and yet didn't support him personally. Of course, there were a few areas where they were actually conservative...things like gun control and sportsmanship got strong responses. It seems like they're scared of losing these things that play such huge roles in their lives.

I guess most millenials are progressive, naturally. There are many who don't pay enough attention to politics or public policy to realize it, though. There were only a few people who were truly conservative in their views.

I think next time I'll take a camera with me and throw something together with their responses.

The last ten years have seen a lot of changes for average Americans. Internet is faster. Networking is easier. The world has watched us and laughed...and lately, looked on us for guidance with a new respect. For me, the biggest change has been taking an interest in my government and what it does. Since I was only 7 when this decade started, I think I can be forgiven for my lack of civic involvement.

Adam Rogers, at change.org, has an interesting post out with his Utopian vision for the next decade of gay rights. He's got everything; a handful of openly gay Governors, Tammy Baldwin as Speaker of the House, President Linda Sanchez, SecEd Jared Polis, and marriage equality secured in most states. He also threw in the demise of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and a few federal laws and regulations that have been a long time coming.

Kristin Ivie, with Social Citizens (whose quiz tells me I AM, in fact, a Social Citizen!), compiled a list of thoughts and comments from leaders like Maya Enista, Ben Rattray, and Jason Rzepka.

Rzepka, Vice-President of Public Affairs at MTV, makes the point that in 2000 nobody really could have predicted the huge changes that were made in the last decade. Which made me realize it probably isn't a good idea to try to make specific predictions.

I had grand ideas of writing a big ol' post about everything I think might happen in this country over the next ten years. I also considered writing about the last ten years (as E.J. Dionne has - and he did a good job, too). But, instead, I'm just sharing with you these few articles on the past and the future...on our failures and our hopes.

As for me, I am optimistic. A lot of young progressives are doubtful about 2010. They're worried about what will happen over the next few years - what if 2008 was a one-time-deal? I'm confident that this decade will be a good one for us. We may not win every battle but in the overall struggle, we are always inching forward. The 2010's will be no different. I know this generation will not accept that we have come this far - we have achieved so much - to stop now. We will continue to fight. We will meet the challenges that face us head-on, and we will find success in this new decade.

My High School has less than 400 students. We have a few dilapidated buildings and a less than stellar average when it comes to standardized testing. But one thing we've managed to excel in? Technology. Our school has done a lot to ensure teachers have the most advanced resources available to help them teach.

Every classroom has a computer and a smartboard. These are frequently used in many of my classes for everything from advanced programming demonstrations to simple educational videos in a History class.

Our computer lab has recently been updated with around 30 desktop computers and around the same number of laptops. Our elementary students are lucky enough to be part of a pilot program, in which there is roughly one laptop per child in several classes. These computers, and the internet, are incorporated into classes everyday.

In rural areas like mine, the internet can absolutely be the difference between knowledge and ignorance. It is the only opportunity for many to explore the world outside their hometown while in High School.

I also read an article about schools in Lawrence, Kansas being changed by technology. Teachers there are using other technologies, such as a 'clicker' for each student in a class to respond to an oral multiple choice question immediately.

Teachers in Lawrence were quick to remind everyone of their own importance, something I understand completely...“You get knowledge, you get facts, but you don’t get the underlying realistic elements in life.” one said.

He's right...there is nothing better than a History teacher who can tell you a war story, or a science teacher who can take you out in the courtyard and blow something up...but these new technologies are making their jobs a bit easier, and hopefully making school more engaging for students.

The President has called, during his Cairo speech, for a way for a "teenager in Kansas" to "communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo" Education Secretary Arne Duncan, along with the Jordanian Minister for Education, recently demonstrated video technology which can allow a student to immerse themselves in another culture...all from the comfort of a classroom.

Thankfully, the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and the White House are investing money where it's needed in our educational system. Technology is an integral part of that system and will continue to become more and more important in the future.

Liz Shuler, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, has got a great post up on HuffPo. As a national AFL-CIO officer, she's traveled across the country talking to workers and advocating on their behalf. One thing she has found - young people (she specifically mentions those between 18 and 34) are being hit the hardest by the economic downturn. She has some really interesting statistics:

• One in three young workers is worried about being able to find a job--let alone a full-time job with benefits.
• Only 31 percent make enough money to cover their bills and put some aside--that is 22 percentage points worse than it was 10 years ago.
• Nearly half worry about having more debt than they can handle.
• One in three still lives at home with parents.

To me, those are some pretty insane stats. ONE in every THREE young workers still lives at home? Only 31 percent make enough to cover their bills and still save? Wow...The report these statistics are taken from is called Young Workers: A Lost Decade and it's really a good read.

Liz thinks the workers this study covers could very well be the first in recent history to end up worse off than their parents. She says the way things are done now (our health care system, the low-wage workforce, attacks on unions, etc.) is simply not working for young people. She listed five steps she believes need to be taken immediately to improve the situation.

Young people don't trust their employers and believe their job situations could be improved, according to the study. The top three issues they would like Congress and the President to focus on? Creating jobs, ensuring the availability of affordable health care for all, and enhancing public education.

Even though they've been hit hard by the recession, young people are still informed, involved, and for the most part (see the map? on the right? yeah...) progressive. Example: 50% of workers OVER 35 expressed confidence in President Obama's agenda. For those under 35 the number expressing confidence was 62%.

We know the turnout among younger voters was amazing in 2008. We know that they have been more engaged and excited than they have been in years. I think we can carry this momentum forward and I agree wholeheartedly with Liz - "Young people are being hit hard in this jobs crisis. But I believe they provide much of the fuel we need to get out of it."

I am super-excited about the White House finally doing some major promotion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education programs. They just launched a campaign called “Educate to Innovate”. It’s goal is to increase participation in these programs, through the work of the federal government, major corporations, non-profits, and other organizations.

Although there weren’t a lot of specifics about the campaign, it was announced that the White House will be partnering with Time-Warner, Discovery Channel, Sesame Street, Sally Ride, and other organizations and science-engineering big shots to make sure that American students are excited about science and math.

The President says that it is the goal of his administration to ‘move to the top in science and math education’ and that this campaign will be part of working towards this goal. During his speech, he mentioned that private companies have already committed more than $260 million.

One exciting element of the campaign was an after school program with FIRST Robotics, which I’ve had some experience with. I know it to be a great opportunity for students to learn in a hands-on way…and it gives them somewhere to go, and something safe to do, during the after-school hours.

Another program being launched - an annual White House Science Fair for students. The President spoke about how NCAA athletes visit the White House, and so should young scientists and engineers who are finding success in their fields.

The President spoke about the importance of hard work for students, support from parents, and a strong basic education system to work along with these specialized STEM programs. He told a brief story about meeting with the Mayor of Shanghai, where he learned of how teachers in his city were treated – with reverence and respect. There is no problem recruiting them because they are payed nearly as much as an average doctor or lawyer, which of course makes perfect sense.

Students from a local high school demonstrated a robot they built as part of a STEM program…and the President was genuinely interested. I feel like this program will be a great step forward in the Obama Administration’s Education Policy and I hope it succeeds in getting students excited about STEM and providing them with the knowledge to innovate for the future.

The White House Blog did a post about the program and Education Secretary Arne Duncan took questions from the online community. Here is the full text of the President’s remarks.