Latest news with #PatrickKelly
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SC must address reasons why a diploma doesn't guarantee success after high school
While South Carolina's rising graduation rate is positive, recent reports raise important questions about changes in the value of those diplomas, writes Patrick Kelly with the state Palmetto State Teachers Association. (Stock photo via Getty Images) In an era where change is seemingly constant, the high school graduation ceremony remains a largely unchanged part of the American education experience. While audience noise levels have definitely increased, ceremonies are defined by much that is familiar: the playing of 'Pomp and Circumstance,' the smiles of graduates and tears of families, the tossing of caps, and, most significantly, the awarding of diplomas. If recent trends hold true, more of those diplomas will be distributed this year than ever before. According to data from the South Carolina School Report Cards, the statewide high school graduation rate has increased from 80.3% in 2015 to 85.4% in 2024. (That's the percent earning a diploma four years after entering high school.) While this trajectory for the number of diplomas awarded is positive, recent reports raise important questions about changes in the value of those diplomas. For example, the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) High School Transcript Study found 12th graders selected to participate in the 2019 NAEP administration had, on average, a higher GPA and earned more course credits than graduating seniors in 2009. Yet, as measured by NAEP, 2019 graduates demonstrated no improvement in science and lower achievement in math compared to the 2009 cohort of students. As an educator and parent, I find this apparent disconnect between core markers of student achievement troubling but not completely surprising. Teachers, universities, the military, and employers have been sounding the alarm in recent years about the declining readiness of graduates for life beyond high school. In response, policymakers are considering actions ranging from offering collegiate remedial coursework during high school to creating a 'tiered credential' system to demonstrate student readiness for the workforce. These programs are well-intentioned and can be beneficial for students, but ultimately, they are more akin to a doctor that focuses on treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of illness. In this instance, curing the disease requires addressing reasons why a high school diploma does not always guarantee readiness for employment, enlistment, or enrollment in higher education. Such action must start with continuing to reverse our state's persistent educator shortages. South Carolina experienced encouraging progress in this area this school year through increased salaries and the passage of policies to improve educator working conditions. Even still, this school year opened with more than 1,000 teacher-less classrooms, a number that is almost certainly underreported. At the start of the spring, I talked with one Midlands-area high school math teacher that had been assigned to 'grade' the work of nearly 40 students in an adaptive online math program where the students never interacted with the teacher. These types of classroom settings are certain to lead to the awarding of credits on the basis of limited academic substance and content mastery. South Carolina also must address excessive rates of student absenteeism. According to the Education Oversight Committee, nearly one quarter of students were absent for more than 18 days during the 2023-24 school year. Not surprisingly, measures of student achievement consistently demonstrate a strong correlation between chronic absenteeism and lower student performance rates. In response, too many schools across the state offer 'credit recovery' programs without meaningful instruction so students can 'make up' absences. Such an arrangement most likely contributes to the 15% of parents who believe students should be able to 'frequently miss' school. While no single policy can reverse this trend, states like Rhode Island are experiencing promising results from a comprehensive mix of policies and community engagement. Once students are in class consistently, action is needed to maximize instructional time. An important step was taken this year with the Department of Education's 'Free to Focus' cellphone policy. Further steps require addressing the high rates of persistent 'disruptive (student) behaviors' reported by the 2023 Teacher Recruitment and Retention Task Force and diminishing instructional time lost to district- and state-mandated assessments and surveys. In our state, current required assessments can disrupt more than 10% of instructional days for the average sixth grade student. Finally, any effort to enhance the value of a high school diploma must address the rigor, relevance, and validity of grading practices. The Legislature has started to look at policies such as the use of 'grade floors' and 'credit retrieval,' practices that teachers often identify as sources of grade inflation. However, simply prohibiting those programs will do little to improve academic outcomes and readiness without a simultaneous reevaluation of an accountability system that limits opportunities and ways by which a student can demonstrate mastery of content and a Uniform Grading Policy that lacks uniformity in the awarding of 'quality points' across all numeric grades 0 to 100. By taking these types of actions, South Carolina can become a national leader in ensuring that the pomp and circumstance of graduation serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a prelude to future success.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cyclists gather to take part in Ride For Silence in Beaufort
BEAUFORT, N.C. (WNCT) — The annual Ride of Silence is an event taking place worldwide to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roads. In Beaufort, a big group of locals got together to ride through the historic downtown and backroads all on bicycles. 'Years ago, I was involved in an accident riding my bike and it had taken quite a toll on me,' Outsiders Bike Club Member and Ride for Silence Organizer Patrick Kelly said. 'But here I am today, still riding and trying to advocate for people to be safe on.' The ride was also to help drivers remember to share the road with cyclists. 'For promoting that advocacy is key for safety, for not only our riders but also our drivers too,' Outsiders Bike Club Member Michael Bridges said. 'You got the town involved, town police escorting us through. So, that's really showing the presence of the bike there and then people like paying attention to that with like kids, older folks and, you know, all different types of people that are out riding.' For people who have been impacted by cycling injuries, rides like this can be emotional but they are important for increasing awareness to always be on the lookout for bicyclists on the road. 'Happy feelings. There was sad feelings. People here were thinking about people they know who have been in accidents,' Kelly said. 'One lady shared that she knew someone that was killed in an accident riding their bikes. So, you know, we had all the feelings tonight, but most importantly, there was a really good group of people out there enjoying themselves and we were sharing with the cycling community.' The ride through Beaufort was 4.7 miles and ended with drinks and fellowship at Fishtowne Brew House on Turner Street. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Eyewitness News
21-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Inflation increases slightly to 2.8% in April
CAPE TOWN - Consumer inflation for April has increased to 2.8%, slightly up from the 2.7% seen in March. Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in prices for a range of consumer products in a basket of goods. Statistics SA released the latest inflation reading on Wednesday. It comes on the back of a mixed outlook, with economists divided on what to expect. READ: Inflation eases for first time in five months Inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose to 4%, the highest annual rate since September 2024. "The rise in food & NAB (inflation for food & non-alcoholic beverages) inflation was mainly due to higher meat prices, particularly for beef products such as stewing beef, mince and steak. Meat prices increased by 2,3% on average between March and April, the highest monthly rise since January 2023 when it rose by 2,5%," said Chief Director for Price Statistics at Stats SA, Patrick Kelly.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Work requirement for Medicaid: How GOP's plan for cuts would affect Nevada
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — When House Republicans on Monday unveiled a plan for at least $880 billion in cuts, mostly to Medicaid, the implications for Nevadans began to come into focus. Foremost is a mandated 80-hour-per month work requirement that would be attached to benefits for able-bodied adults ages 19-64. Medicaid has ballooned as employees with no medical benefits have come to rely on the program for their health care needs. Volunteer work and school would count toward the work requirement. Patrick Kelly, president and chief executive officer of the Nevada Hospital Association, emphasized that it's still very early in the process. He said he expects the Republicans' proposal to change as it moves forward. The biggest questions have to do with changes in who is eligible for Medicaid benefits, Kelly said. 8 News Now has reached out to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services for additional comment on the proposal. Statistics from August indicate two out of three Nevadans who receive Medicaid are working. The bulk of Medicaid expenditures — about two-thirds of the total — goes for care to adults and children, with the other third going to the elderly and individuals with disabilities. While there are no state-by-state estimates yet, the Congressional Budget Office said the proposals will reduce the number of people with health care by 8.6 million over the decade. The goal of the cuts is to come up with at least $1.5 trillion in savings to continue tax breaks that were put in place during President Donald Trump's first term. Those tax cuts were due to expire at the end of the year. Among the other factors that could affect Medicaid: Medicaid beneficiaries with incomes over the federal poverty line ($15,650) must pay up to $35 per medical service. That cost is likely to be based on family income, Kelly said. Requirement to do eligibility checks on expanded Medicaid enrollees every six months. (Previously, checks were done once a year.) State Medicaid programs can't reimburse health care providers, such as hospitals, more than Medicare does. Kelly said that might not apply if the state was already reimbursing at a higher rate. Those programs might be grandfathered in. States are banned from adding or increasing provider taxes to help finance their portion of Medicaid costs. (A freeze that would not reduce benefits by itself.) Ban on Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding for gender affirming care. Restrictions on large abortion providers from getting Medicaid funding. Bars 'middlemen' pharmacy benefit managers from charging higher prices to Medicaid than they actually pay for drugs. According to Kelly, the result of these changes will be higher insurance rates in the coming years. He said if someone isn't eligible for Medicaid, they still get sick and they still go to the hospital. The cost of that 'uncompensated care' is shifted to the cost of commercial insurance, but it takes years. Information published in August shows 811,962 people were enrolled in NV Medicaid. An estimated 368,000 people are eligible for benefits under expanded Medicaid. Stacie Weeks, administrator over Nevada Medicaid, said during a February hearing at the Nevada Legislature that 66% of Medicaid recipients are underemployed. She said if reimbursements are not paid, it will place an enormous burden on hospitals and doctors, Weeks said. It would have the deepest impact on people who are getting the 90-10 coverage under expanded Medicare. 'If you can't fill that hole or we don't find ways to make cuts to address it, it would impact coverage and our ability to pay medical services for that 300,000 people,' Weeks said. The federal government took aim at California with a rule aimed at the state's practice of routinely treating illegal immigrants. Doing so would bring a penalty under federal rules, dropping Medicaid reimbursement rates to 80%. They are currently 90%. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Vogue
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Ego Nwodim Pays Tribute to Patrick Kelly at the 2025 Met Gala
It's all about the details for the 2025 Met Gala, especially for live stream co-host Ego Nwodim. The SNL star donned a special tribute to late Black fashion designer Patrick Kelly with multicolored button nail decals and matching colored buttons. Kelly was known for his fun and playful motifs, such has dolls, hearts, and buttons, on his designs and he often used humor to reframe more serious topics, especially racism. The designer was also known for playing with fashion historical references to make an even bolder statement with his designs. Nwodim sweet reference to the beloved designer is the perfect touch to the rest of her look. She sported a black LaQuan Smith suit set with the multicolored buttons popping bright against the sleeves. For her hair, she styled it in a Thom Browne-like structural geometric updo and kept makeup minimal with a glossy netural lip, subtle smoky eye, and long lashes.
