Teachers

Recent news about teacher policies, quality, assessment, and practices.

State Complaint Filed Against Ind. Teachers' Union

December 2, 2009, AP

Tighter Oversight Promised on Stimulus' Jobs Impact

Obama administration officials concede reporting errors, but tell skeptics in Congress the program is creating and saving many jobs. December 1, 2009

Commentary

The 'Master's Pay Bump'

Patricia Wasley and Marguerite Roza tell why education schools should not fear a proposal advanced by their university that would decouple advanced degrees and teacher pay. December 1, 2009

Commentary

What If Faculty Meetings Were Voluntary?

Thomas R. Hoerr counters five common myths about faculty meetings and tells how they might become production—and popular—gatherings. December 1, 2009

Federal Education Official Visits Hawaii Schools

December 1, 2009, AP

News Briefs

Teacher Education

A new report documents growth in "practice-based" teacher education programs in Massachusetts and makes recommendations on next steps to support them. December 1, 2009

Project Offers Teacher Scholarships

Math and science teachers in Michigan will be eligible for stipends to pay for their master's-degree training if they commit to working in high-need schools. November 17, 2009

Washington State Supreme Court Overturns Ruling on Salary Money

Variation in the way Washington state teachers are paid does not pose a constitutional problem, the Washington Supreme Court ruled last week. November 17, 2009

Teacher Quality

A new paper from the National Academy of Education argues that, while weeding out ineffective teachers is important, improving the supply of skilled teachers is "critical." November 10, 2009

Ford Foundation Targets H.S. Reform

The Ford Foundation has committed $100 million to improving high school education in seven cities over the next seven years. November 10, 2009

Hawaii Education Department Found to Have Underpaid Substitutes

A court ruling that held the Hawaii Department of Education underpaid substitute teachers millions of dollars from 2000 to 2005 has been upheld. November 10, 2009

More News Briefs

Oregon Lawmaker Wants Repeal of Teacher-Garb Ban

November 25, 2009, AP

Majoring in Math Not Always a Classroom Plus

The evidence, experts say, does not show a link between teachers who majored in math and higher student achievement, especially before high school. Updated: December 1, 2009

Commentary

Who Should Decide What Students Read?

Young people should be free to choose their own books for reading, writes Dane L. Peters, but teachers and parents should be there to provide them support and inspiration. November 23, 2009

Denied Relief, W.Va. Schools Ready to Sue

November 23, 2009, AP

Ohio Teachers' Union Fights GOP Records Request

November 23, 2009, AP

Lawmakers Want Teacher Vote on Hawaii School Reopen Deal

November 23, 2009, AP

Ga. District Hones Social Media Policy

The Barrow County Schools superintendent put the brakes on a proposed policy that would have limited teacher-student online communications and restricted what teachers can post on social networking sites. November 19, 2009, MCT

N.Y. Regents OK Plan for Preparing Teachers

The proposed reforms are based on the premise that the training, testing, and licensing of new teachers are not directly related to their ability to help students learn. November 18, 2009, MCT

Teacher Broke Law by Posting Top Test Scores

The Minnesota Department of Administration agreed with a parent who complained that posting her son's test results was a violation of state law. November 17, 2009, MCT

Prospect of Health-Plan Tax Draws Union Opposition

November 17, 2009

Hawaii Leaders Working to Reopen Schools

November 17, 2009, AP

Commentary

Remembering 'Horace,' Too

November 16, 2009

Commentary

Schools Need a Culture Shift

November 16, 2009

Education Department to Demand School Pay Data

November 16, 2009