Full News Day Here, Piling-On with Education

First some breaking news...

We were delighted to bring you updated information about scholar Haleh Esfandiari's release from detention in Iran. We, along with other NPR programs, have been following the story of her detention, for mysterious reasons, in Iran. Her family and her colleagues have been extremely worried about her, as she was prevented from leaving the country after a visit to check on her elderly mother. She was detained, then arrested and imprisoned, then released...but still not allowed to leave. Suddenly, over the weekend, her passport was restored. She is in Austria now and is expected back in the U.S. within days. We first spoke with her daughter, Haleh Bakash, in the middle of her mother's detention. She was kind enough to speak with us again, now that this is resolved. ...Or is it?

Three other Iranian-Americans are still there. Iran also released the passport of Iranian American journalist Parnaz Azima, who has been detained since January. She was also visiting her mother. But two other Iranian-Americans -- both men -- are still being held. It's been reported that Kian Tajbakhsh might be released soon (he was working on HIV/AIDS issues with the health ministry when he was arrested). And businessman Ali Shakeri, who was also visiting his mother, is still in custody.

We were also delighted to bring you an update from the elections in Jamaica, where there was a major upset -- the country's first female Prime Minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, seems headed for defeat in a very close race.

And then we went back to school...

As I've mentioned before, we are very committed to covering issues in education at Tell Me More. So far this week, we have only been able to scratch the surface of compelling issues in education. So, we are going to keep at it...

Let us know what you think.

I thought Marva Collins' take on excellence was well worth the time. I know she's a controversial figure, and her prescriptions aren't for everyone, but I think we can all agree that hearing educators make clear their philosophy of teaching is worth our attention.

Speaking of teaching and education...

I am off for the next two days so I can accompany my little ones to their first day of pre-school. I hope I don't cry this time...

While I'm out, please welcome our NPR colleague Lynn Neary to the chair. If you're a fan of Talk of the Nation and Morning Edition, I'm sure you've heard her filling-in on those two shows.

...and I'll see you on Monday.

Michel Martin

6:37 PM ET | 09- 5-2007 | permalink

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6:37 PM ET | 09- 5-2007 | permalink