Focus
WILL - Focus - September 20, 2012 ~
Lisa T. McElroy, J.D., Associate Professor of Law, Earle Mack School of Law, Drexel University
Daniel W. Hamilton, J.D., Ph.D., Professor of Law and History, University of Illinois
Host: Craig Cohen
The Supreme Court’s new term begins on October 1st, and includes cases dealing with issues ranging from affirmative action to the constitutionality of a global terrorism wiretapping program, to the Fourth Amendment and law enforcement use of drug-sniffing dogs. The High Court may add other cases to the docket, potentially including a challenge to a law banning same sex marriage in California. We’ll preview the fall term with Daniel Hamilton, Professor of Law and History at the University of Illinois…and Lisa McElroy, an Associate Professor of Law from Drexel University Law School.
WILL - Focus - September 05, 2012 ~
Dr. Christopher A. Koch, Illinois State Superintendent of Education
Ulrich Boser, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Co-author of CAP study
Host: Craig Cohen
We often wring our hands over failing schools, and worry about drop-out rates, and students who just can't catch up. But public policy does not as often focus on those students who excel, and seek stronger academic engagement. According to a recent report released by the Center for American Progress, student surveys conducted over the last three years by the Department of Education’s National Assessment of Education Progress indicates school may, in fact, be too easy for a lot of students. Among the findings:
•37% of 4th graders say their math work is "often" or "always" too easy;
•57% of 8th graders say their history work is "often" or "always" too easy;
•39% of 12th graders say they rarely write about what they read in class.
Is it possible that, after years of aggressive efforts to push for standardized testing in public schools, we’ve created an environment of “teaching to the test” that has resulted in some students simply not being challenged? How does classwork today compare to 10, 20 or 30 years ago? And what about “grade inflation?” What message do we send to students who can earn GPA greater than 4 on a 4 point scale? In short, is school, for some, truly, just too easy?
WILL - Focus - July 27, 2012
This is a repeat broadcast from Thursday, May 31, 2012, 11 am
WILL - Focus - July 26, 2012
This is a repeat broadcast from Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 11 am
WILL - Focus - July 25, 2012
How do we explain the willingness of one person to sacrifice for another? People will put the interests of family ahead of their own. But biologist Edward O. Wilson says more important in human development has been the advancement of the group, even those members who don’t share our genes. E. O. Wilson talks about his new book "The Social Conquest of Earth." The book explores the biological roots of human culture.
This is a repeat broadcast from Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 11 am
WILL - Focus - July 11, 2012 ~
Ronald A. Smith, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Sports History, Penn State University
Host: David Inge
Intercollegiate athletics began in the U.S. in the 1850s, but it wasn’t long before people were talking about the need for reform. Penn State historian Ronald Smith says the story of big-time athletic reform is generally one of failure, in large part, because it ignores the one group that has a direct interest in reform--the faculty. We’ll go to the archives for a conversation with Ronald Smith, author of "Pay for Play," a book that explores the history of college athletic reform.
This is a repeat broadcast from Monday, February 06, 2012, 10 am
WILL - Focus - July 02, 2012 ~
More than 90 percent of today’s students earning a bachelor’s degree borrow money to pay for school. That can leave them with a huge burden of debt when they graduate. Why have so many students turned to borrowing to pay for college? And what happens to them and to the country if they can’t repay their loans? Our guest will be Lauren Asher, president of the Institute for College Access and Success, and we’ll explore the growing problem of student debt.
This is a repeat broadcast from Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 10 am
WILL - Focus - June 26, 2012 ~
Ben Locke, Ph.D., Counseling and Clinical Psychology Associate Director, Clinical Services, Center for Counseling and Psychological Services; The Pennsylvania State University
Host: David Inge
On college campuses all across the country, the mental health of students is a growing concern. But what do we know about the national student population? How many students today experience depression, or anxiety? How many are taking medication? How well do schools respond to their needs? We’ll explore these and other questions with Ben Locke, from the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services at Penn State University.
WILL - Focus - June 25, 2012 ~
Phyllis Wise, Ph.D., Vice President and Chancellor, University of Illinois
Host: David Inge
Our guest will be Phyllis Wise, chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She came to Illinois last fall from the University of Washington, and we’ll talk about some of the challenges she has faced in her first year at Illinois. She will also share her thoughts on some of the major issues in higher education, including rising tuition costs, declining access, and the challenges of meeting the needs of today’s students.
WILL - Focus - May 31, 2012
NPR’s Cokie Roberts shares stories about growing up in a political family. She was in Urbana earlier in the month to speak at this year’s commencement ceremony. Before that, she stopped by our studios to talk about some of her experiences in journalism. As it was the day before Mother’s Day, she told some stories about her Mom, who, like her Dad, was a member of Congress. We also talked about some of the important, yet overlooked women in early American politics.
This interview was recorded on May 12, 2012.
Page 2 of 43 pages < 1 2 3 4 > Last ›
