February 25, 2009
Education Week, Vol. 28, Issue 22
Education
Letter to the Editor
Thoughts and Questions on 'Response to Intervention'
To the Editor:
Some observations on using "response to intervention" in departmentalized middle, junior, and senior high schools ("High Schools Try Out RTI," Jan. 28, 2009):
Some observations on using "response to intervention" in departmentalized middle, junior, and senior high schools ("High Schools Try Out RTI," Jan. 28, 2009):
Teaching Profession
Layoff Policies Could Diminish Teacher Reform
With the poor economy endangering more novice teachers' jobs, experts are questioning the costs of "last hired, first fired" policies.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
Lack of Teaching Experience a Liability for School Leaders
To the Editor:
It is hard to understand how anyone who has never taught in a public school can be expected to provide credible leadership in these troubled times for education ("Best Minds Sought for Central Office, Startups," Feb. 2, 2009). The wherewithal that served candidates well when they were in management, law, and public policy does not necessarily transfer to administrative positions in schools. In fact, it can act as a liability.
It is hard to understand how anyone who has never taught in a public school can be expected to provide credible leadership in these troubled times for education ("Best Minds Sought for Central Office, Startups," Feb. 2, 2009). The wherewithal that served candidates well when they were in management, law, and public policy does not necessarily transfer to administrative positions in schools. In fact, it can act as a liability.
Education
Letter to the Editor
'After School': Don't Waste Time on Terminology and Hyphens
To the Editor:
Few would disagree with Robert Stonehill and Fritz Edelstein, the authors of the online Commentary "'Expanded Learning Opportunities': Re-Branding 'After School' for the 21st Century" (Feb. 4, 2009), that we should think about all the ways children learn so that we can make sound choices about how we teach, what we teach, who teaches, and when. The groundbreaking "A New Day for Learning" report and initiative of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is invaluable in helping us do just that.
Few would disagree with Robert Stonehill and Fritz Edelstein, the authors of the online Commentary "'Expanded Learning Opportunities': Re-Branding 'After School' for the 21st Century" (Feb. 4, 2009), that we should think about all the ways children learn so that we can make sound choices about how we teach, what we teach, who teaches, and when. The groundbreaking "A New Day for Learning" report and initiative of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is invaluable in helping us do just that.
Education
Letter to the Editor
'A New Title I': Support for Targeting Early Childhood
To the Editor:
Edward Zigler’s Commentary on the possible future of Title I deserves amplification and support ("A New Title I," Feb. 4, 2009.) A reframing of his ideas may help those committed to the current approach to federal spending on education appreciate the proposal’s merits.
Edward Zigler’s Commentary on the possible future of Title I deserves amplification and support ("A New Title I," Feb. 4, 2009.) A reframing of his ideas may help those committed to the current approach to federal spending on education appreciate the proposal’s merits.
States
State of the States
State of the States 2009: Hawaii, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia
Here are summaries of recent annual addresses by governors around the country.
Education
Correction
Correction
An article on virtual field trips in the Feb. 11, 2009, issue of Education Week gave an incorrect Web address for Scott Mandel’s online resource. It is www.pacificnet.net/~mandel/.
School & District Management
Stimulus Sets Stiff Management Challenge
Federal officials will have to balance speed and accountability in dispersing billions of dollars in education assistance to states and districts.
Federal
Private Management in Philadelphia District Found to Yield Payoff
Philadelphia schools run by for-profit companies outperformed district-run schools in math, and also do better in both math and reading than schools that are managed by nonprofit organizations.
Federal
Network Says 'YES' to College for All
A group of Texas charters aims to expand the ranks of disadvantaged students who graduate, not just from high school, but college as well.
School & District Management
$5 Billion Pot of Money Draws Plenty of Interest, Raises Some Eyebrows
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will have wide latitude in doling out incentive grants from this pot of economic-stimulus money.
Federal
Rush to Pump Out Stimulus Cash Highlights Disparities in Funding
Pumping out money fast under existing education funding formulas may reward some states while leaving others short in meeting K-12 shortfalls.
Teaching
Opinion
Waiting for the Transformation
“It would make more sense to have an education system that focuses on what students learn, rather than what they are taught,” writes Arthur E. Levine.
School & District Management
Opinion
A Report's Forgotten Message: Mobilize
"The tragedy of A Nation at Risk is that those who were roused to action by the language of crisis got only half the report's message: the need for school standards," writes David S. Seeley.
School & District Management
Opinion
The Long Progression of New Ideas
A tour of the Commentary archives shows writing on reform ideas has been a time-honored tradition.
Federal
Local Educators Prepare to Use One-Time Funds
Officials in hard-hit states are breathing a little easier now that they can use some of the more than $100 billion in emergency federal education support. But they still don’t know how they will allocate money for the 2009-10 school year.
Federal
Stimulus Package Gives Boost to School Technology
Though advocates are disappointed the final amount was less than projected, they plan to maximize ways to use the infusion of federal money.
Teaching Profession
Layoff Policies Said to Hurt Teacher Effectiveness
With the poor economy endangering more novice teachers’ jobs, experts are questioning the costs of “last hired, first fired” policies.
School & District Management
Stimulus Aid to Schools a Management Challenge
Federal officials will have to balance speed and accountability in dispersing billions of dollars in education assistance to states and districts.