March 14, 2012
Education Week, Vol. 31, Issue 24
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
Fostering a Holistic Path to College
Students who aren't developmentally ready to set and achieve the goal of a college education need support within schools and beyond, Mandy Savitz-Romer and Suzanne M. Bouffard write.
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
How Can We Avoid These Senseless Shootings?
Character education and building meaningful relationships with students can be big steps in helping school communities prevent tragedies, writes Mark Hyatt.
Reading & Literacy
Districts Gear Up for Shift to Informational Texts
Because of its emphasis in the common-core standards, millions of teachers are faced with increasing their use of nonfiction.
School & District Management
Oregon Community Schools Model Shows Staying Power
The SUN Community Schools network provides lessons on scaling up and sustainability.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Junk-Food Advertising
Maine high schools are plastered with promotions for junk foods despite a state law that prohibits marketing unhealthy snacks and drinks in public schools, according to a new study.
School & District Management
Opinion
Rethinking the U.S. Department of Education
Peter W. Cookson Jr. recommends revamping the U.S. Education Department to reflect 21st-century needs.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
School Schedule
New research suggests that a four-day school week not only doesn't hurt student achievement but also seems to help.
Teaching Profession
Report Roundup
Teacher Incentives Fall Short in Chicago Study
The Chicago Teacher Advancement Program increased mentoring and improved teacher-retention rates, but didn't appear to raise student achievement, according to a study released last week.
Teaching Profession
Report Roundup
Alternative Routes
Three Florida alternative-certification programs attracted teacher-candidates who were more qualified on paper, but varied in how effective their graduates were in the classroom, concludes a study.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
College-Placement Tests
Two studies find many students are misplaced in remedial classes and suggest high school grades would be better predictors of college success.
Mathematics
Report Roundup
Middle School Math
A new middle school survey turned up one finding that mathematics teachers might find surprising: 70 percent of the responding students said they like math.
School Climate & Safety
Minn. District Settles Lawsuit Over Bullying
The agreement ends a federal probe into whether Anoka-Hennepin schools could have done more to address gay-related bullying.
IT Infrastructure & Management
First Graders Read, Write, and Tweet in Ill. Classroom
Jodi Conrad's class at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Glen Ellyn, Ill., is among a growing number that use social media and other technology to supplement lessons, even for very young students.
School Climate & Safety
Restraints on Pupils Variable
New statistics show that students with disabilities and black students are most likely to be restrained or isolated in school.
School & District Management
CoSN Technology Leaders Urged to 'Reimagine Learning'
Behind that call may be the reality that teachers and students are already driving change, and it’s up to technology leaders to harness it for good.
School & District Management
Chicago Touts High-Tech Partnership
Technology companies such as IBM and Microsoft will help design curriculum to develop students’ technology skills and prepare them for jobs.
Teaching Profession
Teachers' Satisfaction With Jobs Plummets, New Survey Reveals
Teacher job satisfaction is the lowest it’s been in more than two decades—the result, in part of a sour economy and education budget cuts.
Accountability
Letter to the Editor
Evaluation Is Not the End Goal
To the Editor:
This is in response to the article "Educators and Parents Prefer Formative Assessments" (Feb. 22, 2012).
This is in response to the article "Educators and Parents Prefer Formative Assessments" (Feb. 22, 2012).
IT Infrastructure & Management
Q&A: Google's 'Senior Education Evangelist' Talks About K-12
In an interview with Education Week, Jaime Casap addresses the Internet giant's strategic push into the education market.
Standards
Letter to the Editor
Brookings Report Based On Flawed Research
To the Editor:
Tom Loveless' recent Brookings Institution report, "How Well Are American Students Learning?," described in a Feb. 16, 2012, Curriculum Matters blog post "Study: Common Standards Will Not Affect Student Achievement" and a Feb. 22 Report Roundup item, relies on flawed research by Andrew C. Porter et al. and ignores other pieces of evidence ("Common Standards.")
Tom Loveless' recent Brookings Institution report, "How Well Are American Students Learning?," described in a Feb. 16, 2012, Curriculum Matters blog post "Study: Common Standards Will Not Affect Student Achievement" and a Feb. 22 Report Roundup item, relies on flawed research by Andrew C. Porter et al. and ignores other pieces of evidence ("Common Standards.")
Equity & Diversity
News in Brief
Request to Reinstate Ethnic Studies Denied
A federal judge has rejected a request to reinstate an Arizona district's contentious Mexican-American studies courses.
Education Funding
News in Brief
National Standards Issued for Catholic Education
A newly released set of national standards and benchmarks for Roman Catholic schools provides guidance.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
N.J. Gov. Backs Plan For Anti-Bullying Law
A bipartisan agreement has been reached to fix New Jersey's anti-bullying law following complaints that it was financially burdensome.
Accountability
News in Brief
Tennessee Will Make Teacher Ratings Public
The job-review scores of thousands of Tennessee teachers will be made available to the public, starting this summer.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
'R' Rating for Bully Film Generates Protests
"Bully," directed by Lee Hirsch, is an examination of school bullying that follows five students and their families throughout a school year.
College & Workforce Readiness
News in Brief
Two New AP Courses Stress Research Skills
The College Board is piloting two new Advanced Placement courses designed to focus on research skills.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Obama Will Address Joplin, Mo., Graduates
President Barack Obama will speak at this year's high school graduation ceremony in Joplin, the city recovering from a devastating tornado.
School Choice & Charters
Study Probes Special Ed. Students' Voucher Access
Claims of enrollment hurdles for special education students seeking private school vouchers prove hard to nail down.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
Fla. Bill Could Allow Prayer in Schools
A measure that would permit students to read "inspirational messages"—including prayers—has cleared the Florida legislature.