Everyone agrees finishing high school is a good thing - for the student, for the family, for the community. High school graduates earn more, pay more taxes and are less likely to become criminals. Sure, not everyone graduates from high school, but the problem is under control in the Valley and getting better. Right?

Scott Key, an education professor at Fresno Pacific University, isn't so sure. But he does have some ideas on how to help more students stay in school. And without bond issues and building programs. Read his thoughts in this week's Scholars Speak.

 I went to Greece this summer to teach a Bible class: Paul’s Letters to Greek Cities. I expected to trace the footsteps of Paul. I expected to gain new insights into the writings of the Apostle simply by being in this land. And I expected to eat a lot of gyros. In none of these things was I disappointed.

 Forgiveness is not usually the lead story on national news, but lately it has been because of the murder of Amish children in their one-room school in Pennsylvania. The demented actions of a milk truck driver have thrown open a window into a closed community where forgiveness is as natural as breathing.

 Driving. Nothing is more American. Nothing is more central to our lives. Since the first cars rolled off Henry Ford's assembly lines, the car has been integral part of our lives and economy. One in six jobs revolves around the car. We are dependent upon the car which makes us dependent upon oil . . . foreign oil.

 In 1909 Rose Schneiderman, a worker in a New York City ladies’ garment factory, approached the factory foreman. He had been pinching the young women who worked for him and they were unhappy about it. Like most women at the time, they (being mostly young, recent immigrants and poor) believed their only option was to endure the abuse if they wanted to keep their jobs.

Schneiderman, however, confronted him. He, in turn, expressed surprise at their discomfort. “But they are like my children.” Schneiderman did not miss a beat. “Then they would prefer to be orphans.”

Monica, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross—no longer in prime time, they’re still good Friends to millions through the magic of DVD and cable.

What does this generation of 20-somethings have to say to and about their now 30-something fans on marriage, maturity and childrearing? TV watcher/scholar and Fresno Pacific University faculty member Eleanor Hersey has some ideas in this weeks’ Scholars Speaks.

 As the school year begins, California middle and high school students will benefit from increased access to qualified and credentialed school counselors. The increase in school counselors was due to a bipartisan state budget agreement that allocated $200 million to provide more counselors. Governor Schwarzenegger gave his full support to the addition, recalling his own positive experiences with school counselors as an immigrant high school student.

 Hospitality was Germany’s motto for World Cup 2006: “The world as guest among friends.” Yet there was a note of anxiety in Germany’s effort to present itself as a good host and a good neighbor. Ironically, World-Cup visitors had little contact with their German hosts. “German” hospitality was extended by proxy, by Turkish taxi drivers and Taiwanese hotel receptionists, because Europe’s low-pay tourist industry is manned by almost anyone except the local citizens. 

Ah, the car . . . nothing is more American. We drive to work. We drive to the ballpark. We drive to the beach. We drive to the mall. We drive our kids to and from school. Americans have more cars per capita and drive more miles per capita than anyone else. For most of us, especially in the Central Valley, life without a car would be unthinkable.