Teachers

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

Commentary

Justin Snider tells why policymakers should be wary of tying teacher tenure and compensation to student test scores. February 9, 2010 – Education Week

States Rethink Policies on National-Board Teachers

Both the economy and a push to measure teacher effectiveness in new ways have led states to revamp funding for the certification. February 9, 2010 – Education Week

Philadelphia's EduCon Promotes Innovative Teaching

February 8, 2010 – AP

Stimulus Reflects Push for Teacher Effectiveness

The legislation emphasizes on-the-job performance as a gauge of teacher quality more than such criteria as formal credentials. February 5, 2010 – Education Week

Nev. Schools Seek Flexibility With Budget Woes

February 5, 2010 – AP

News Briefs

Atlanta Gets Teacher Grant

February 9, 2010 – Education Week

Ethics-Code Issue Irritant in Alabama

Alabama lawmakers have overturned Gov. Bob Riley’s veto and blocked a teacher code of ethics from being placed into the state code. February 9, 2010 – Education Week

Ala. Case on Racial Bias in Testing For Teachers Ends After 30 Years

A nearly 30-year-old racial-bias case that revamped the way Alabama tests teachers for certification was dismissed last week. February 2, 2010 – Education Week

Gates Calls Teacher Grants a Risk

Bill Gates describes his foundation's recent investment in developing evaluation systems to improve teacher effectiveness, saying there is a "high risk" the work could fail. February 2, 2010 – Education Week

Rating Teaching

The level of student engagement in a class is a better measure of teaching success than standardized-test results, according to a survey of nearly 900 teachers. February 2, 2010 – Education Week

Gates Calls Teacher Grants a Risk

In his 2010 annual letter, Bill Gates describes his foundation’s recent $335 million investment in developing evaluation systems to improve teacher effectiveness, saying there is a “high risk” the work could fail. January 29, 2010 – Education Week

More News Briefs

Phila. District Considers Overhauling 14 Schools

Parents, staff, and students at 14 schools put on the district's overhaul-eligible list Wednesday still are trying to figure out what the future might hold. February 3, 2010 – Education Week

Nevada Gov. Says Hundreds of Layoffs Possible

February 3, 2010 – AP

Ariz. Principal Suspended Over Sarcastic Letter

February 3, 2010 – AP

Mo. Schools Seek Legal Loophole to Protect Students

February 3, 2010 – AP

Ala. Lawmakers Override Governor on Teacher Ethics

February 2, 2010 – AP

Lingle and Hawaii Board of Education Continue Spat

February 2, 2010 – AP

Union, NAACP Sue Over N.Y.C. School Closings

February 1, 2010 – AP

Furloughs Hurt Military's View of Hawaii Schools

February 1, 2010 – AP

Commentary

Attention, Gates: Here's What Makes a Great Teacher

Before shelling out $45 million for research, ask retired teachers like himself the secret of good teaching, writes James D. Starkey. January 29, 2010 – Education Week

Ala. Senate Overrides Gov. on Teacher Ethics

January 29, 2010 – AP

Report Gives State Policies on Teachers Low Grades

January 28, 2010 – AP

Court: Teacher Union E-mails Not Public Records

January 28, 2010 – AP

Court Ends 3-Decade-Old Ala. Teacher Test Case

January 28, 2010 – AP

Teacher-Dismissal Powers Found to Affect Absences

Updated: February 1, 2010 – Education Week

S.C. Legislators Want Statewide Teacher Furloughs

January 27, 2010 – AP