State looking at practical side of education

As a graduate student in Northern Ireland, I used to marvel at just how different the United Kingdom's educational system was from our own.

For one, 11-year-olds took an exam called the "Eleven Plus" - designed to determine whether students are college prep or technical school bound.

Additionally, students often take a "gap year" in high school to try their hands at different trades.

This system may not be perfect. But it does suggest that educators and students there have a good idea of what's needed out there in the working world.

Tuesday, the State Board of Education announced in a news release that Illinois (along with Louisiana and Nevada) may be following a similar train of thought, joining a dozen other states in developing better career-ready standards.

By joining the state leadership initiative, Illinois has committed to make curriculum, teaching and tests more practical and applicable in the working world. The initiative is supported by the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Principals Association and the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Along with Illinois, Louisiana and Nevada, Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia are members.

ECC employees honored: Elgin Community College recently honored several employees for going beyond their job requirements.

Among the awards, the college honored director of technology services Jeff Metzger for producing a DVD to help senior citizens in the area learn about Medicare and a program that offers help to seniors learning about computers.

English professor Alison Douglas received a leadership award for her work with the College Readiness Alliance - a group tasked with defining just what "college ready" means in area districts. Congrats!

Proud dad writes in: Micky Johnson, father of St. Edward High School valedictorian Matt Johnson, writes that St. Edward Central Catholic High School's 65th commencement was a night to remember.

Rockford Bishop Thomas Doran, a St. Ed's alum himself, gave diplomas to 102 graduates. Salutatorian Therese Barry of Elgin urged the graduates to find their own niche in the world.

There were two valedictorians, Tommasina Domel of Sleepy Hollow, who spoke of believing in your own abilities and Johnson of West Dundee, who encouraged classmates to embrace change in their lives.

Every single member of this year's graduating class will attend two or four-year colleges in the fall. Schools include the University of Notre Dame, the University of Illinois, Vanderbilt University, DePaul University, Loras College, Illinois State, North Central College, and Winona State University.

Domel and Johnson have the additional honor of having been named to the Daily Herald's Academic Team.