Public schools serve all

A recent news story expresses the idea that the quality of education in the nation has remained unchanged, that "the tide of mediocrity remains high," despite reports such as "A Nation at Risk" and the "No Child Left Behind" legislation. If you compared the population enrolled in U.S. schools today with those 20 years ago, dramatic changes would be apparent, says Dr. Dorothy Craig, associate dean for Teacher Education. "The soaring numbers of students representing special needs, cultural diversity and linguistic diversity put heavy demands on teachers in public school. The key word being 'public.'" 'Public' means serving all, not just a few--and the schools' successes are not applauded enough, she adds.

Contact Craig at 615-898-5573
dvcraig@mtsu.edu

The sound of sagging sales

Album sales are on the decline, with 20 million fewer having been sold thus far this year compared to last year. Nielsen Soundscan numbers show an 8 percent decline over last year, adding to the two previous years of slumping sales, notes Dr. Paul Fischer, associate professor, recording industry. "The industry often points to 'Internet piracy' as the primary cause, and it does contribute--but conservative release strategies by the major labels, legal competition in the entertainment marketplace and tight economic times also play significant roles."

Contact Fischer at 615-898-5470.
pfischer@mtsu.edu

An OK fourth quarter

According to the Spring 2003 "Global Commerce," produced by MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center, Tennessee exports grew 6.31 percent, to $2.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2002, despite substantial trade loss in Canada, the state's primary market, Tennessee's second market, Mexico, was unable to make up for losses, as it purchased substantially fewer auto-related goods than a year earlier. The state made major gains in Asia, Europe and Latin America. The most troubled markets were the Middle East and South Asia, with Turkey off by more than 40 percent and India off by a similar amount.

Contact Dr. Steven Livingston, editor, at 615-898-2720.
slivings@mtsu.edu
Online: http://www.mtsu.edu/~berc/trade_database.html

TR EXTRA

STARTING YESTERDAY AND FOR THIS ENTIRE WEEK--The MTSU Summer Discovery Institute welcomes a select group of African American teen-agers to the world of aerospace--in a program called "In Flight." With the help of the university's nationally acclaimed aerospace department, students will get hands-on experience in MTSU's flight simulator and aircraft and a behind-the-scenes tour of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY? The day will consist of breakout sessions on being innovators, risk-takers and dreamers--a welcome by President Sidney A. McPhee at 10 a.m., a 10:30 rocket launch project, and much more through 7:30 p.m. Most sessions will be in the Business and Aerospace Building. "This program is promoting the value of higher education across the state to this population of minority students," says Dr. Debra Sells, associate vice president of Academic Support Services. Contact Sells at 615-898-5342 or Dr. Paul Craig, aerospace chair, at 615-898-2788.