November 9, 2011
Education Week, Vol. 31, Issue 11
School Choice & Charters
News in Brief
New Charter-Advocacy Lobby Forms With Walton Funding
A new high-powered lobbying group has been formed to push the expansion of charter schools in Florida.
Curriculum
Letter to the Editor
Tutoring Program Works, Even If It Could Improve
To the Editor:
A recent entry in the Sputnik blog on edweek.org argues that tutoring for low-income students has not done much to turn around failing schools, and thus is not an effective program ("Supplemental Education Services: Noble Idea + Unreasonable Expectations = Disappointing Results," Oct. 19, 2011).
A recent entry in the Sputnik blog on edweek.org argues that tutoring for low-income students has not done much to turn around failing schools, and thus is not an effective program ("Supplemental Education Services: Noble Idea + Unreasonable Expectations = Disappointing Results," Oct. 19, 2011).
Education
Letter to the Editor
Even Cheap, High-Stakes Testing Is a Waste
To the Editor:
In "The Truth About Testing Costs," Bill Tucker reveals the cheapness of our current standardized-testing regimes (Commentary, Oct. 12, 2011). Garbage in, garbage out.
In "The Truth About Testing Costs," Bill Tucker reveals the cheapness of our current standardized-testing regimes (Commentary, Oct. 12, 2011). Garbage in, garbage out.
Curriculum
Letter to the Editor
Expanded Learning Should Address Summer
To the Editor:
Your article on expanded learning ("Push Is On to Add Time to School Day, Year," Oct. 26, 2011) calls attention to current interest in extended learning time. It also highlights some challenges associated with implementation. These include ensuring that school districts and community partners have the know-how to provide quality programming for additional time and the resources to bring programs to scale sustainably. Another issue is the relationship between extending the school day and addressing summer learning loss.
Your article on expanded learning ("Push Is On to Add Time to School Day, Year," Oct. 26, 2011) calls attention to current interest in extended learning time. It also highlights some challenges associated with implementation. These include ensuring that school districts and community partners have the know-how to provide quality programming for additional time and the resources to bring programs to scale sustainably. Another issue is the relationship between extending the school day and addressing summer learning loss.
Ed-Tech Policy
Letter to the Editor
We Need to Empower Teachers With Technology
To the Editor:
It is amazing how Jack Schneider in his Commentary "Tech for All?" (Oct. 5, 2011) repeats the same discredited arguments made in a recent New York Times article about technology in the Kyrene school district in Tempe, Ariz. What Kyrene is doing is cramming and overlaying technology toys (smartboards, etc.) on top of the traditional way education is delivered in America's classrooms. The potential of technology to transform the way our children learn in the 21st century does not lie in the proliferation of gadgets, but in blending online content with a new kind of pedagogy provided by teachers in the classroom.
It is amazing how Jack Schneider in his Commentary "Tech for All?" (Oct. 5, 2011) repeats the same discredited arguments made in a recent New York Times article about technology in the Kyrene school district in Tempe, Ariz. What Kyrene is doing is cramming and overlaying technology toys (smartboards, etc.) on top of the traditional way education is delivered in America's classrooms. The potential of technology to transform the way our children learn in the 21st century does not lie in the proliferation of gadgets, but in blending online content with a new kind of pedagogy provided by teachers in the classroom.
Teaching Profession
Letter to the Editor
Tips for Teachers Facing New Evaluation Systems
To the Editor:
With many districts trying to tie teacher evaluations to standardized tests that are often neither valid nor secure ("Evaluation System Weighing Down Tennessee Teachers," Oct. 19, 2011), it's only a matter of time before teachers take unfair evaluations to court. With that in mind, I'd suggest teachers keep careful records of student progress.
With many districts trying to tie teacher evaluations to standardized tests that are often neither valid nor secure ("Evaluation System Weighing Down Tennessee Teachers," Oct. 19, 2011), it's only a matter of time before teachers take unfair evaluations to court. With that in mind, I'd suggest teachers keep careful records of student progress.
Equity & Diversity
Feds Press Ala. Schools for Attendance Data
The Justice Department wants districts to show the state's new immigration law isn't hindering students' access to an education.
School Climate & Safety
Many Teens Endure Sexual Harassment
A national survey finds that, when it comes to sexual harassment in school, many students don't know where to draw the line.
School & District Management
Academic Gains Vary Widely for Charter Networks
A national study of middle school students in 40 charter networks finds that, when it comes to having an impact on student achievement, results vary and, overall, charter students don't learn dramatically more than their counterparts in regular public schools.
College & Workforce Readiness
Student Aid Emerges as Hot Political Topic
Federal policymakers seek to balance the need to help students gain access to college and the pressure to rein in spending and cut the deficit.
Assessment
New NAEP, Same Results: Math Up, Reading Mostly Flat
Despite some gains in math and 8th grade reading, only about one-third of students have reached the "proficient" level on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
College & Workforce Readiness
More States Flag Potential Dropouts With Warning Data
A new study finds growing numbers of states using data to identify students at risk of dropping out but researchers say these early warning systems ought to reach students in even earlier grades.