January 27, 2010
Education Week, Vol. 29, Issue 19
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Measuring Teaching Effectiveness
We must and can produce ways to evaluate teachers that are fair, rigorous, and valid, and offer helpful feedback, Linda Tyler writes.
Special Education
Opinion
Charters: Students With Disabilities Need Not Apply?
With the push for more charter schools, it's time to address the thorny issue of students with special needs, writes Harvard professor Thomas Hehir.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
What Is 'Excellence for All'?
Different kids have different needs, and schools need to pursue particular strategies for particular students, writes former high school history teacher Jack Schneider.
School & District Management
Scholars Identify 5 Keys to Urban School Success
A capstone book from Chicago researchers sees the interplay of those “essential supports” as critical to improving student outcomes.
Federal
Study Links Rise in Test Scores to Nations' Output
With modest improvement in student achievement, the U.S. could see growth of nearly $41 trillion in its GDP, the analysis projects.
Education Funding
Experts Urge Districts to Do More With Less
Warning that school systems are facing permanent budget constraints, the authors of 10 papers present ideas for targeting spending to achieve results.
Teaching Profession
Unions Within Sweep of Campaign Finance Ruling
Teachers' unions were cool to the Supreme Court ruling that scrapped corporate and union spending limits on political communications.
Federal
RTI Said to Pay Off in Gains for English-Learners
One district's use of "response to intervention" with students learning English has helped increase test scores.
Teaching
Opinion
The Modern Student's Bill of Rights
Teacher Katie Hanifin strikes a blow for students, young and old, who get little from their classes and training sessions but yawns and disengagement.
School Climate & Safety
Attacks on Asian Students in Phila. Spur Complaint
An advocacy group accuses the district of ‘intentional discrimination,’ but the school system says the charge is unfair.
Standards & Accountability
Quality of Questions on Common Tests at Issue
Cost, reliability, and governance may deter states from using the kind of open-ended questions called for by Race to the Top.
School & District Management
Duncan Tells Mayors to Expect Incentives in ESEA
Districts’ achievement gains could earn rewards under a renewed version of the law, the education secretary said at a national conference.
States
States Change Laws in Hopes of Race to Top Edge
A spate of hard-fought legislation around the country was aimed at earning points in the competition for federal stimulus aid to education.
States
All But 10 States Throw Hats Into Race to Top Ring
Stiff competition is expected for the $4 billion in federal economic-stimulus grants aimed at spurring state-level education reform.
Education Funding
Obama to Seek $1.35 Billion Race to Top Expansion
The budget proposal would open the high-profile grant competition to districts—and extend it beyond the economic-stimulus program.