The Sound of Ideas: January 2007

How They’re Negotiating
Wednesday, January 31
Contract talks open this week between teachers and the Cleveland schools - the surprise isn't in what they're negotiating, it's in how they're negotiating. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll discuss what's at stake as a new schools chief negotiates his first contract with Cleveland teachers. Also, as the Cleveland Police Department accepts applications for the first time in six years, we'll hear how life on the beat is changing. That's Wednesday morning at nine on 90.3.

A Conversation with the Mayor
Tuesday, January 30
Frank Jackson's plans for Cleveland involve everything from fixing broken windows and building bike lanes to erecting a convention center right in the heart of downtown. You're cordially invited to join a conversation with the Cleveland Mayor and members of his cabinet. We'll talk about the planned capital improvements and the vision they say will make Cleveland a community of choice. That's on The Sound of Ideas, Tuesday morning at nine on 90.3.

Talking Racial Diversity
Monday, January 29
Affirmative action, achievement gap, economic inclusion, health care disparities: such terms have one thing in common - race. Last week a forum in Cleveland Heights started what they hope will be an open and candid dialogue on race. It attracted an audience of close to 400. They left with homework: to keep the conversation going. Monday morning, that's what we'll do - talking racial diversity and bridging racial divisions on The Sound of Ideas.

Your Friday Assignment
Friday, January 26
Some parents hate seeing their kids slaving over homework. And some experts agree. But - not so fast. Some veteran educators say homework builds knowledge, character and good work habits. Join us on The Sound of Ideas as we take up the subject of homework - what's it's worth and how much is too much. We'll find out how teachers can make homework meaningful, Friday morning at nine on 90.3.

Regional News Roundup
Thursday, January 25
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson issues a $1.6 billion to-do list - will it be enough to bring the city back? Meanwhile, in Columbus, Governor Strickland halts death row executions, raising questions about the future of the death penalty in Ohio. This week, he's also gotten an earful from college presidents across the state who have their own ideas about higher education in Ohio. You're invited to join us for the The Sound of Ideas regional news roundup, Thursday morning at nine on 90.3.

State of the Union Analysis
Wednesday, January 24
With proposals for health care reform, immigration reform, and a surge in troop levels, there are few surprises left in the State of the Union. Join us Wednesday morning for analysis of President Bush's plans for the nation. We'll hear some locally focused perspective from our congressional delegation and correspondents on Capitol Hill, and from those whose work will be directly affected by the President's proposed policies.

Flushing Out Higher Sewer Bills
Tuesday, January 23
Sewer rates are going up across the region - 50% in five years. You know what, though? That's not even the bad part. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll flush out the story on the rising costs of sending waste down the drain. Also, as part of his plan for Ohio, Governor Strickland is turning around energy policy. We'll chat with the newly appointed energy czar. Join us Tuesday morning at nine on 90.3.

The Present and Future of Juvenile Justice
Monday, January 22
When it comes to juvenile offenders, rehabilitation does not seem to be the priority for Ohio, which raises the question: what is? When the lives of more than 1,800 incarcerated young Ohioans are at stake, it becomes an important question, and even more so when we consider that more than 300 of them will likely end up back in prison as adults. On The Sound of Ideas, a conversation about the present and future of juvenile justice. That's Monday morning at nine on 90.3.

The Lost Boys of Sudan
Friday, January 19
They survived a raging civil war in Sudan only to see one of their own die on the streets of Cleveland. The Lost Boys of Sudan came here five years ago. They expected to find the American dream - not the nightmare they've experienced struggling to get by. Everything was unfamiliar and difficult... learning English, driving cars, using computers, understanding the culture, laws and social norms of a new country. They talk about how they have kept hope alive, about their vision for the future and about what the community can do to help them achieve it. Hear the discussion Friday morning on The Sound of Ideas.

Regional Reporter Roundtable
Thursday, January 18
Education advocates unveil a proposal they say will fix Ohio's school funding problems. The latest chapter in a homegrown homeland security story - a former Cleveland Imam deported to the West Bank winds up in the hands of Israeli security forces. And the Cleveland Clinic faces new challenges - one in court, the other in a sales demo. Those stories and more on The Sound of Ideas regional roundtable. Join us Thursday morning at nine on 90.3.

Alternative Energy
Wednesday, January 17
Fuel cells, windmills, solar panels: some say they're more than a source of energy - they could be the future of economic growth. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll talk about current efforts to put Northeast Ohio at the center of the alternative energy industry. Also, we'll hear about the new proposal to fix school funding in Ohio and we'll meet the man who's been put in charge of making sure economic growth includes success for minorities, too.

Inside Ohio’s Foster Care System
Tuesday, January 16
When it comes to the foster care system in Ohio, it's often the abuses that grab headlines - but they don't really tell the whole story. For example, in six years, Cuyahoga County Children's Services has cut in half the number of children in custody. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll get the view from inside the state's foster care system. We'll hear from foster parents and foster children, and we'll find out what goes into helping kids in custody build new lives. That's Tuesday morning at nine on 90.3.

Manufacturing Ohio
Monday, January 15
We hear a lot of bad news about manufacturing in Ohio - but it's not dead yet. A recent study found Ohio is still among the most competitive states for manufacturing. On The Sound of Ideas, what a local advocacy group is doing to publicize and train people for career opportunities in manufacturing - from plastics to ball bearings. Also, we'll hear about job training in the skilled trades, too. You're a part of the conversation, so be sure to join us Monday morning at nine on 90.3.

Putting Homework on Hold
Friday, January 12
The great American institution called Homework is under attack. Experts are calling it "worthless busy work." What's in your child's backpack? Those endless worksheets and vocabulary lists might do nothing more than dull your child's love for learning. It could be time to declare a moratorium on homework. It does no good, according to recent books on the subject. With more moms working and more kids involved in endless after-school activities, homework eats up what little family time there is. Has homework become obsolete? Or is it even more important now with all the tests and pressure to perform? Host Regina Brett talks with education expert Alfie Kohn who's caught the attention of the teaching profession with his book The Homework Myth. We'll also talk with two local teaching experts who have their own ideas about how much homework is too much. Join us with your thoughts on The Sound of Ideas.

State and Local Headline Roundup
Thursday, January 11
Ted Strickland is flexing his newly-inaugurated gubernatorial muscles, demanding a turnover among all the ODOT district chiefs and vetoing a bill about to be enacted. Elsewhere, the No Child Left Behind Act has a 5th anniversary with debate continuing on whether the law is improving schools in Northeast Ohio? And, the Voices and Choices project has released a final report-but what's to come of it and who's listening? We'll analyze state and local headlines Thursday morning on The Sound of Ideas.

Lee Fisher’s Vision of Ohio’s Economic Growth
Wednesday, January 10
As head of the Ohio Department of Development, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher has a few decisions to make. On top of the list: how to spend the millions in his budget. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll chat with Fisher about his vision for economic growth in the state, and we'll hear from one of the Toledo Blade reporters whose work on economic growth seems to have caught the Lieutenant Gov's attention. You're a part of the conversation, so be sure to join us Wednesday morning at nine on 90.3.

BCS Championship Game Analysis
Tuesday, January 9
Well, the college football season is over, and there's nothing left in Glendale but memories. The Buckeyes are seven-point favorites over the Gators, and, odds are, if you're a fan, you know exactly where you're watching the game. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll take a look at the BCS Championship game with the Beacon Journal's Terry Pluto, and the Glenville High School Athletic Director who's been watching some of the Buckeyes top players since they were in high school. Also, a changing of the guard brings a new focus on ethics. That's Tuesday morning at nine on 90.3.

What’s the Exit Plan for the Inner Belt?
Monday, January 8
The Cleveland Clinic and the local McDonald's probably don't agree on trans fats, but they've found a common enemy in ODOT's inner belt plan. Local business owners, planners and council members have concerns about a proposal for the inner belt that would close off heavily used key downtown exits. The Ohio Department of Transportation says the design will help reduce accidents. Join the debate Monday morning at nine on The Sound of Ideas.

Racial Disparities and Juvenile Justice
Friday, January 5
More black youths end up in juvenile court than white youths. Do they commit more crimes or are they treated differently because of race? Fewer minority youths end up in community-based programs. In Cuyahoga County, 80% of the youth sentenced to the Department of Youth Services are black. A new report from the Children's Defense Fund calls for statewide reform to reverse the cradle to prison trend. Is the problem with the police who choose who gets arrested or with judges who sentence minority youth to juvenile prisons? Some blame poverty and missing dads. We'll discuss racial disparities and juvenile justice Friday morning on The Sound of Ideas. We'll also talk with Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh about the continuing problem of repeat DUI offenders.

Next Stop: The Moon
Thursday, January 4
The next giant leap for mankind may originate from Brookpark Road. NASA Glenn engineers are hard at work on lunar exploration vehicles and more. Putting robots on the moon, for example. On The Sound of Ideas, we'll talk with two of NASA's top researchers to learn what's in the works and how Northeast Ohio scientists continue to pioneer the final frontier. Join the conversation Thursday morning at nine on 90.3.

Setting WCPN’s Agenda for 2007
Wednesday, January 3
As we open the door to 2007, we have some questions for you. Specifically, this one: What stories do you think we should cover in the coming year? On The Sound of Ideas Wednesday morning, we'll open the phone lines to hear from you. ideastream Executive Editor David Molpus will be on hand to hear your suggestions about the stories we should cover and the conversations we should be having on the show. We hope you can join us.