By John-Paul Holden

IT was impossible to escape a heart-sinking feeling this week when reading reports that a senior UK Government source believed people were “addicted” to the furlough scheme.

CAN I tell you how I feel? I feel, sometimes, like everyone in my life has suddenly been reduced to flat, distant images on a computer screen, like we’re in Star Trek. And I don’t like it.

Rocker’s bum note

THE most recent onslaught on Scotland’s farmed salmon industry has come from The Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust, who commissioned a report from Salmon & Trout Conservation Scotland claiming that the value of farmed salmon to the Scottish economy, and the number of people it employs, are both massively overestimated by a staggering 251%. The success of Scotland’s aquaculture industry and its employment of large numbers in remote, rural parts, has always rankled with the industry’s crit

GLUMNESS settles on a large part of the nation whenever the subject of comedy comes up now. The lockdown has led to a more frenetic search for entertainment, and the current state of humour hasn’t wanted for critics. This week, Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson, 80, said it was dire, and listed several comedians, adding: “They should be done under the Trade Description Act.”

The bipartisan proposal to overhaul the Elementary and Secondary Education Act may take up a week or more of the Senate's time.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan may only have eighteen months left in office—but they're critical months when it comes to the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

The pending departure of Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, the speaker of the House seems to have lit a fire under negotiations on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Part two of Marc Tucker's suggestions to state leaders as ESEA reauthorization swings responsibility for standards and accountability systems back to the states.

The first season of the Netflix political potboiler was rich with education-policy plotlines, and we're hoping for more of the same.

A group of prominent researchers on English-learners is forcefully challenging the findings of a recent working paper that posits that 3rd grade retention was a benefit to struggling English-learners in Florida.

High school teacher Kateryna Haggerty explains how visual aids in her classroom help her English-language learner students write more confidently.

New research suggests that English-language-learner classification has a "direct and negative effect on teachers' perceptions of students' academic skills."

Few teachers reported assigning English-learners to use digital learning resources outside of class, in part because of concerns about students' lack of access to technology at home, finds a U.S. Department of Education survey.

Rooting out teacher bias and focusing on family engagement are some of the steps schools can take to identify more English-language learners for gifted and talented education.

In five northern U.S. states, black students comprise more than a fifth of ELL enrollment.

Most teachers say that school discipline is inconsistent or inadequate, a new study from the Fordham Institute finds.

Discrimination based on race and disability demands our attention—and action, writes Catherine E. Lhamon, the chair of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Two high-powered N.Y. officials have put out a blueprint for overhauling teaching in the state, aiming for more-coherent policies for the profession.

Are you smarter than a teacher in 1966? Take this real test, taken from the "Equality of Educational Opportunity" report, to find out how you fare.

More than half of the state plans fail to publicly report data on educator equity gaps, the National Council of Teacher Quality found in its analyses.

The hiring pool improved for schools when the recession squeezed teachers, study finds.

Marc Tucker discusses a new report on teacher shortages from Linda Darling-Hammond's Learning Policy Institute and gives insights into how the U.S. can produce the high-quality educators it needs.

This week, you'll hear from guest blogger and longtime reader favorite Heather Harding. Heather kicks off the week by discussing reforms to identify, retain, and prepare high-quality teachers—and why it's still important that we pay attention to these things.

The current system for accrediting schools of education isn't working, argue two former senior U.S. Department of Education officials. They think school districts and philanthropists can help.

Over the last two decades, STEM teachers have become increasingly more likely to be female and well-qualified.

Saskia perseveres through language learning and connects with a young Albanian girl who becomes a follower of Jesus.

Jose, an Argentinian worker serving in Southeast Asia, tells of how he entered overseas service and what he has seen God do through his not-so-typical ministry.

Rosario, Argentina :: Crewmembers with experience working with least-reached people share a message of unity between churches.

From age 17, Ana Maria prayed to serve God in Switzerland. While she waited, she became a dance instructor with no idea dance would become her ministry.

An OM worker in Cambodia shares about how a new training she is attending is transforming the way she does ministry.

Buenos Aires, Argentina :: Maintenance crew share Christ's love with local welders helping repair Logos Hope.

Penn State Schuylkill LionLaunch held its fourth annual Business Plan Competition on Thursday, April 16. The program awarded $6,000 in funding to three small businesses at the competition, totaling $69,000 awarded to 21 small businesses throughout Schuylkill County over the last four years.

The Albert L. Evans Jr. Honorary Scholarship is a tribute to Bert Evans and his example of generous philanthropy.

Penn State Schuylkill hosted two online celebrations for its Honors Program students, outstanding student scholars and tutors the week of April 20, 2020.

With their spring season canceled due to the global coronavirus pandemic, three senior student-athletes reflect on their time as Penn State Schuylkill Nittany Lions.

Penn State Schuylkill senior Abigayle Kaiser has embraced leadership roles on campus throughout her undergraduate experience. From Schuylkill Benefitting THON, to the Lion Ambassadors, the Blue & White Society and so much more, Kaiser is a student who did it all. As she nears graduation with a full-time marketing job secured, Kaiser reflects on her time as a Penn Stater.

Having transferred to Penn State Schuylkill from another school her sophomore year, current senior Morgan Edge didn’t let a non-traditional start hold her back. She succeeded academically and athletically, captaining the women’s basketball team this year and leading them from an 0-23 season in 2018-19 to a PSUAC playoff berth in 2019-20.

Few students become more engaged in clubs, academics and student life activities than Raquele Amato. A prominent figure on Penn State Schuylkill’s campus, Amato has served as an officer in more than half a dozen student organizations, swept spring awards ceremonies, worked as a resident assistant, and helped her family run their pizza shop in Frackville, Pennsylvania, all while maintaining a full-time course load. Before she closes the book on her time at Penn State Schuylkill, Amato reflected on her time at the campus and considered what’s next.

Pro licence students from the Azeri, Estonian, Russian and Welsh national associations have visited UEFA for the latest coach education exchange programme seminar.

Talented young referees and international women referees are in Nyon this week for the latest courses in UEFA's referee development programme.

Youth and grassroots football was the focus on Tuesday as UEFA President Michel Platini attended the finals of a grassroots programme and a new maxi-pitch was opened in Bucharest.

The 2012 UEFA Grassroots Day Awards have been revealed, with the best leaders, clubs and projects from around Europe recognised for their achievements in the grassroots game.

UEFA Grassroots Day has been marked in Munich and all over Europe with a series of especially arranged activities promoting the message that football is open to everyone.

Three teams of youngsters from the United States were given the chance to impress at the UEFA Champions Festival with a series of special exhibition matches in Munich.