School Furniture Blog

There is a science to creating a great space for both students and teachers to thrive in the classroom.  Visit http://www.worthingtondirect.com today for all of you classroom furniture essentials.  Science tables, science stools, mobile lab stations, science lab sinks and microscope storage cabinets from National Public Seating and Diversified Woodcrafts are just the tools that your school needs to get back to science.

In the past six years, science has slipped as a priority in public schools while reading and mathematics have grown dominant. But in coming years, experts say, the same federal law that elevated reading and math could spark a resurgence of science in the classroom.

The 2002 No Child Left Behind law required states to test students in science starting in the 2007-08 year, on top of reading and math assessments mandated from the start. Virginia has given science tests since 1998, but the exams are new for Maryland and the District. (Separately, Maryland tests high school students in biology as a graduation requirement.) Unlike the reading and math test results, science scores won’t be used to grade schools for accountability.

But education leaders predict that the scores will matter when disseminated to the public. At least six states, including Maryland, released their first science scores this fall. The first science scores from D.C. schools will be released later this year. Overall results from the new tests "are not very good," said Francis Q. Eberle, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association in Arlington. "As a matter of fact, they’re pretty dismal. And it really shouldn’t surprise anybody," he said, because science as a topic "has really gone off the instructional radar."

In New Hampshire and Rhode Island, according to news reports, three-quarters of students failed the first science exams. But in Maryland, more than three-fifths of those tested passed inaugural science tests in grades 5 and 8. Mary Thurlow, state coordinator for science, said she was "pleasantly surprised," considering that many schools "were not teaching science as often as they should."

Science advocates recommend 45 minutes to an hour of science instruction daily starting in upper elementary grades. But many elementary and middle schools now offer half as much science as they did before the law was enacted. Middle schools that used to teach a full year of science and social studies now may offer a half-year of each. Elementary schools have squeezed the two subjects into one block of time to make room for more reading and math. continue reading

Bretford last month announced an end of an era – Bretford, long a leader in TV carts, has announced the end of their traditional CRT carts, long the standard in schools across the nation; in favor of flat screen – LCD, Plasma and DLP display carts. The flatscreen display form factor allows exciting new designs and approaches to the classic TV cart. Worthington Direct‘s catalog has changed to reflect this turn of technology as more flatscreens find their way into schools, churches and commercial settings every day.

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Do you have an office that needs some organization?  Is the mailroom slow to deliver your mail?  Perhaps a new system is needed to help improve the flow of mail and memos that stream throughout offices everyday.  Worthington Direct, a great source for school and office storage furniture, has newly added E-Z Sort by Safco to their selection of quality institutational products.

It’s almost too E-Z! The E-Z Sort® mail sorter supports up to 500 lbs. on extra-thick 1-1/2″ steel legs. The table surface adjusts from 28″ to 36″ high and includes a shelf that has a 14″ clearance and 150 lb. capacity for additional storage space. Sorter Module features extra-wide 11″ mail trays that form any combination of compartments up to 25. Can be used stand-alone or stacked. Includes 20 molded compartment trays, each with finger cutouts and label holders. Shelves adjust in 7/8″ increments. Additional mail trays (Model 7753GR) available in cartons of 5.

Tired of the messy hand-off of mail?  Why not assign and label each compartment to a specific person and have them collect the sorted mail at their convenience.  General office memos can easily be inserted in each compartment or to save more time, use a small dry erase board to indicate that each person should pick up a memo and simply leave the stack on the handy table surface.

Aside from mail, the E-Z Sort unit can be used to organize paper or letterheads that are used on a daily basis.  Teachers can use the sorter in the classroom to help organize worksheets or assign compartments to students for great real-world training.  Visit www.worthingtondirect.com today and create a more organized workspace today!

Safco E-Z Sort Mailroom Furniture | Safco 7750 Series | Mailroom Sorting Furniture | Storage Furniture

You are one of the most gracious, courteous, helpful and excellent salesperson I have ever interacted with.  You went the extra mile to make sure that every detail was well covered for us.  We will be ordering more of these chairs in the future and because of you, we will definitely order from Worthington Direct for future orders.

John F.