July 15, 2009
Education Week, Vol. 28, Issue 36
Teaching Profession
'Value Added' Gauge of Teaching Probed
As a method for evaluating teachers’ effectiveness, researchers say, the technique has some drawbacks.
Recruitment & Retention
Top-Scoring Nations Share Strategies on Teachers
Educators from Singapore and Finland discuss approaches that have yielded high rankings in global comparisons of student achievement.
Federal
SREB Urges Greater Focus on Middle Grades in South
The Southern Regional Education Board says many states set standards too low and need to better prepare students for high school.
Special Education
Stimulus Tensions Simmer
Striking the right balance on use of federal education aid requires accommodation on both sides—and produces some friction.
Early Childhood
Infant-Toddler Spec. Ed. Program Gets New Life From Stimulus
Advocates say economic-stimulus funds will let states keep paying for services for youngest children with disabilities and their families.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
Extracurricular Choices for a Global Age
“Today’s economy requires strong minds developed in classrooms, rather than strong bodies developed on playing fields,” writes John R. Gerdy.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
The Academic Quality of Teachers: A Civil Rights Issue
“New teachers should be able to use a more diverse range of strategies than they are now taught in their preparation programs,” writes Sandra Stotsky.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Extracurricular Choices for a Global Age
“Today’s economy requires strong minds developed in classrooms, rather than strong bodies developed on playing fields,” writes John R. Gerdy.
Teaching
Opinion
Will We Do What It Takes to Improve Public Education?
“Why is our public education system being aligned to create cultures of testing, as opposed to cultures of learning?,” writes Sam Chaltain.
Families & the Community
Opinion
Equity Is Elusive in Educational Markets
“Not all children have parents who are involved enough in their education to take advantage of choice. Concern about food, clothing, and shelter takes precedence over schooling," writes Walt Gardner.
Standards & Accountability
Texas Reworks School Accountability, Budgeting
Lawmakers toughened graduation requirements and lifted a mandate that districts spend 65 percent of their operating budgets in the classroom.
School Climate & Safety
Bullying a Top Concern for New Safe-Schools Chief
The new head of the Education Department’s office of safe and drug-free schools has fought the kind of harassment he faced as a gay youth.
Law & Courts
Model State Charter School Law Unveiled
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is calling for states to overhaul and expand laws governing charter schools.
Federal
NCATE Offers Multiple Reaccreditation Paths
Schools can work toward a higher level of performance on NCATE standards, take on a major research project, or partner with a district.
School Choice & Charters
Supreme Court Backs Reimbursement for Private Tuition
Even when a student has never received special education services from public schools, federal law authorizes the payments, the justices rule.
School & District Management
Calif. Charter Group Proposes Renewal Standards
The influential association is calling for schools that fail to reach expected levels of performance to be closed.
Law & Courts
Penn. Graduation Requirements Spark Fresh Fight
Some lawmakers are pushing to block development of high school tests or curriculum without legislative approval.
Federal
N.Y.C. Small-Schools Push Found to Hurt Big High Schools
A report finds lower attendance and graduation rates at schools that received students whose underperforming buildings were closed.
Assessment
Students Often Use Technology to Cheat, Poll Finds
Schools need more instruction on the ethical use of cellphones, the Internet, and other digital devices, researchers say.
Federal
Scholars Make Case for Integration
Researchers travel to Capitol Hill to present new findings on the academic benefits of racially mixed schools.
Federal
NCLB Found to Raise Scores Across Spectrum
Scores for "advanced" and "basic" students rose in nearly three-fourths of tests studied, almost as much as those labeled "proficient."
Federal
Study Casts Doubt on Charter School Results
An analysis of half of the nation’s charter schools finds 17 percent of students faring better than their public school counterparts and 37 percent faring worse.