Some Possible Sources to Refer to

Listed below are some possible sources of information for my book:


1.   Ryan, Julia. "American Schools vs. the World: Expensive, Unequal, Bad at Math." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 03 Dec. 2013. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.

"Not much has changed since 2000, when the U.S. scored along the OECD average in every subject: This year, the U.S. scores below average in math and ranks 17th among the 34 OECD countries. It scores close to the OECD average in science and reading and ranks 21st in science and 17th in reading."

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/12/american-schools-vs-the-world-expensive-unequal-bad-at-math/281983/

2.   This one is a collection of issues in the US Education System. It has multiple sections, each addressing a different problem:

https://www.boundless.com/sociology/boundless-open-textbook/education-e3dc22c5-f052-43ef-be63-b7fa6fbbce7b/issues-in-the-u-s-education-system/

      a.   https://www.boundless.com/sociology/boundless-open-textbook/education-e3dc22c5-f052-43ef-be63-b7fa6fbbce7b/issues-in-the-u-s-education-system/unequal-access-to-education/

      b.   https://www.boundless.com/sociology/boundless-open-textbook/education-e3dc22c5-f052-43ef-be63-b7fa6fbbce7b/issues-in-the-u-s-education-system/violence-in-schools/

      c.   https://www.boundless.com/sociology/boundless-open-textbook/education-e3dc22c5-f052-43ef-be63-b7fa6fbbce7b/issues-in-the-u-s-education-system/standardized-tests/

      d.   https://www.boundless.com/sociology/boundless-open-textbook/education-e3dc22c5-f052-43ef-be63-b7fa6fbbce7b/issues-in-the-u-s-education-system/gender-bias-in-the-classroom/

      e.   https://www.boundless.com/sociology/boundless-open-textbook/education-e3dc22c5-f052-43ef-be63-b7fa6fbbce7b/issues-in-the-u-s-education-system/educational-reform-in-the-u-s/

Let me know what you think about these for credibility, accuracy, and bias.

Start of a New Project

When we begin a journey, one of the first questions asked is "Where do I start?". It's always easy to set a goal, but so much harder to actually start the project. Why is that?


 Currently, I have a general outline of what I want to do for my project. Here's the objective list:


1. Brainstorm what to write for the picture book (something engaging that addresses issues about the current education system of America)


2. Write out the storyline and have someone edit it for grammatical mistakes


3. Generate pictures to go along with the text


4. Have said pictures scanned and copied with the text in the desired fashion


5. Distribute proto-copies to parents and receive feedback


6. Request a publishing company to publish it


7. Have a hard-covered version by the end of my high-school career


Ultimate goal: Sell at least 20 hard-cover copies and donate all income to charity organizations that I deem beneficial to mankind and effective in their work


Well, now that I look back at this bare, back-bone list, I realize that I a lot of communicating to do. I worry a little at the scope of this project, but this one is also covering not just for my 20Time Project, but also for my Girl Scout Golden Award Project and for my IB CAS Project. It's like killing three birds with one stone; instead of killing birds, I'm using one arrow to hit 3 targets, hopefully smack dab in the center.


Wish me luck!