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Advocacy, Training, Resources and Networking to Promote the Value of Student Activities

Karen Dawson Wins
National Earl Reum Award

Earl Reum (left) and Jeff Sherrill, associate director of NASC, congratulate Karen Dawson on receiving the 2008 National Earl Reum Award last month. (photo by David Brame)

Alliance Advisory Board member and long-time student activity advisor Karen Dawson, of Washington, Missouri, was recognized last month at the National Conference on Student Activities as the national recipient of the 2008 Earl Reum Award, given to honor those who teach other advisors.

"She is a fountain of information and a veritable limitless supply of training tools for those of us in this important profession," said Diane Dryer in nominating Karen for the award. "The beauty of Karen is that she is totally unselfish in her willingness to share her knowledge and her own lesson plans or activities with anyone who cares to ask."

Join us in congratulating Karen on this well-deserved honor!

Feature Article by Dr. Steven M. Constantino, Ed.D.

I'm Tired of the Debate

I have been involved in public education for 29 years. I began my career as a high school band director and rose through the ranks of leadership through to my present position as Associate Superintendent for Leadership and Learning in Cobb County, Georgia. For all of these 29 years, I have listened to, and participated in, the debate as to whether or not co-curricular and extra-curricular activities assist students in meeting higher levels of achievement. Quite frankly, I am tired of this debate.

I am well aware of the research. Half the researchers want us to believe that students involved in these types of activities are more likely to reach higher levels of academic success. The other half of the researchers want us to believe that the students who choose activities are already the academically successful students and the notion that activities beget achievement is false...

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