October 6, 2010
Education Week, Vol. 30, Issue 06
Education
Letter to the Editor
'RTT' Applicants Need Creative Writing, Too
To the Editor:
President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan were neither students, parents, nor teachers when the highly touted education reforms known as “whole language” and “discovery math” wreaked havoc in our schools two decades ago. I was a math teacher in Los Angeles and witnessed the costly consequences.
President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan were neither students, parents, nor teachers when the highly touted education reforms known as “whole language” and “discovery math” wreaked havoc in our schools two decades ago. I was a math teacher in Los Angeles and witnessed the costly consequences.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Showing No Sympathy for D.C. Chancellor
To the Editor:
Regarding your front-page article "Rhee Reflective in Aftershock of D.C. Primary" (Sept. 22, 2010):
Regarding your front-page article "Rhee Reflective in Aftershock of D.C. Primary" (Sept. 22, 2010):
Education
Letter to the Editor
Challenge to 'Pledge' Could Wreak Havoc
To the Editor:
Regarding Michael Newdow's renewed legal challenge to the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance ("Pledge of Allegiance Debate Heard in Federal Court," News in Brief, Sept. 22, 2010):
Regarding Michael Newdow's renewed legal challenge to the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance ("Pledge of Allegiance Debate Heard in Federal Court," News in Brief, Sept. 22, 2010):
Education
Letter to the Editor
Accountability Rests With the Students
To the Editor:
Education has never lacked for new mantras, programs, methods, and means—each touted as a cure for poor student achievement. The latest, "teacher accountability," stands little chance of outshining any of the past attempts.
Education has never lacked for new mantras, programs, methods, and means—each touted as a cure for poor student achievement. The latest, "teacher accountability," stands little chance of outshining any of the past attempts.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Essay on Early Learning 'Danced Around' Issues
To the Editor:
The Commentary by Paul Vallas and Nina Rees danced around the issues crucial to getting preschool education policy right ("From the Cradle to the Classroom," Sept. 22, 2010). The problem is not the shortage of interdepartmental coordinating committees or meetings between principals and preschool operators. Putting more money into day-care centers will, likely, worsen the problem, as will relying on for-profit operators.
The Commentary by Paul Vallas and Nina Rees danced around the issues crucial to getting preschool education policy right ("From the Cradle to the Classroom," Sept. 22, 2010). The problem is not the shortage of interdepartmental coordinating committees or meetings between principals and preschool operators. Putting more money into day-care centers will, likely, worsen the problem, as will relying on for-profit operators.
Teaching
Opinion
Teaching for Inspiration
Sixth grade teacher David Rockower explains why a standards-based curriculum need not, and should not, be stifling.
School & District Management
Opinion
Can 'Portfolio Management' Save Urban Schools?
A collection of status-quo-busting ideas held together by a stock market metaphor has both pros and cons, write three scholars who have edited a book on the subject.
School & District Management
Union Buy-In Varies Among Big TIF-Grant Winners
Some districts awarded hefty grants through the Teacher Incentive Fund have yet to win support from local unions.
Federal
E-Rate Revisions Seen as Good First Step
But ed-tech advocates still want to see the program's funding expanded.
College & Workforce Readiness
Appeals Court Curbs U.S. Rule on Alternative Certification
A federal panel's decision centers on California's use of teachers with "intern" status.
School & District Management
Spurred by Statistics, Districts Combat Absenteeism
Research linking absenteeism to dropping out of school is mobilizing some districts to take action.
Teaching Profession
State Campaigns Draw Unions' Money, Muscle
Democratic candidates on state-level ballots this fall are drawing the lion's share of support from teachers' unions, with the maintenance of school funding a prime concern.
School & District Management
Laura Bush Unveils Bold Principal-Training Initiative
Former first lady Laura Bush announced an effort, set to begin in six cities, that aims to change the way America's principals are recruited and prepared—and how they run schools.
Federal
Groups Say ELLs Got Short Shrift in Race to the Top
Federal officials promise to do better when they provide technical assistance to states.