December 7, 2011
Education Week, Vol. 31, Issue 13
English-Language Learners
Letter to the Editor
Author Offers Perspective on ELL Teaching
To the Editor:
It was with great interest that I read the article "New York and Los Angeles Vow to Shape Up ELL Services" (Oct. 26, 2011). This is an important article. Changes are needed in the education of our foreign-born students in large urban areas such as New York City and Los Angeles, and other large and middle-size school districts around the country. Since the number of English-language learner students is growing, the importance for educational revision is essential.
It was with great interest that I read the article "New York and Los Angeles Vow to Shape Up ELL Services" (Oct. 26, 2011). This is an important article. Changes are needed in the education of our foreign-born students in large urban areas such as New York City and Los Angeles, and other large and middle-size school districts around the country. Since the number of English-language learner students is growing, the importance for educational revision is essential.
Early Childhood
Letter to the Editor
Head Start Extends Beyond Classroom
To the Editor:
Your article "New Head Start Rules Aim to Set High Bar" (Nov. 16, 2011) effectively captures the importance of early-childhood-education programs adhering to the highest-quality standards for our youngest learners. However, it is important to note that the unique Head Start model, by its very design, is intended to extend beyond the classroom by partnering with parents and providing a comprehensive range of critical early-learning services that place poor children on a pathway to lifelong success.
Your article "New Head Start Rules Aim to Set High Bar" (Nov. 16, 2011) effectively captures the importance of early-childhood-education programs adhering to the highest-quality standards for our youngest learners. However, it is important to note that the unique Head Start model, by its very design, is intended to extend beyond the classroom by partnering with parents and providing a comprehensive range of critical early-learning services that place poor children on a pathway to lifelong success.
Teacher Preparation
Letter to the Editor
Commentary Lacks Classroom Perspective
To the Editor:
Regarding the Commentary "Dispatch From Denver" (Nov. 16, 2011): This essay is typical of reform discussions in that it totally ignores what happens in the classroom cognitively and operationally between the teacher, the student, and the subject matter at hand. It shows no understanding that teachers are at a professional disadvantage as soon as they enter the classroom because the training they receive in schools of education and professional-development programs continues to be based on cognitive sequentialism.
Regarding the Commentary "Dispatch From Denver" (Nov. 16, 2011): This essay is typical of reform discussions in that it totally ignores what happens in the classroom cognitively and operationally between the teacher, the student, and the subject matter at hand. It shows no understanding that teachers are at a professional disadvantage as soon as they enter the classroom because the training they receive in schools of education and professional-development programs continues to be based on cognitive sequentialism.
Families & the Community
Letter to the Editor
Family Literacy Valuable in College Preparation
To the Editor:
In your recent article about the overhaul of the General Educational Development program ("GED Revision Opens Path to Higher Ed.," Nov. 16, 2011), the importance of literacy partnerships is mentioned. We believe parents are a key to our nation's reaching its educational goal of 5 million new degrees in a decade.
In your recent article about the overhaul of the General Educational Development program ("GED Revision Opens Path to Higher Ed.," Nov. 16, 2011), the importance of literacy partnerships is mentioned. We believe parents are a key to our nation's reaching its educational goal of 5 million new degrees in a decade.
Reading & Literacy
Letter to the Editor
Rigid Instruction Fuels Poor Reading Scores
To the Editor:
The latest national reading-achievement results, showing no gain in 4th grade reading scores, will not surprise anyone who has followed the policy assault on reading education these last 15 years ("NAEP Results Show Math Gains, But 4th Grade Reading Still Flat," Nov. 9, 2011). Triumphant, thanks to political power, not empirical evidence, have been the proponents of so-called scientific reading instruction, i.e., skills-heavy, lock-step, "teacher proof," publisher-manufactured pedagogy that has dominated reading instruction. Through state and federal legislation in the 1990s, culminating with the Reading First portion of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, this instruction has damaged millions of children. Every other instructional alternative, particularly constructivist/whole language, was beaten back by legislative manipulation, all in the name of scientific evidence.
The latest national reading-achievement results, showing no gain in 4th grade reading scores, will not surprise anyone who has followed the policy assault on reading education these last 15 years ("NAEP Results Show Math Gains, But 4th Grade Reading Still Flat," Nov. 9, 2011). Triumphant, thanks to political power, not empirical evidence, have been the proponents of so-called scientific reading instruction, i.e., skills-heavy, lock-step, "teacher proof," publisher-manufactured pedagogy that has dominated reading instruction. Through state and federal legislation in the 1990s, culminating with the Reading First portion of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, this instruction has damaged millions of children. Every other instructional alternative, particularly constructivist/whole language, was beaten back by legislative manipulation, all in the name of scientific evidence.
Accountability
News in Brief
N.Y. Students Surrender in Cheating Scandal
The last of 20 students accused in an alleged college-entrance-exam cheating ring in an affluent New York suburb surrendered to authorities.
School & District Management
California Schools Brace for Fiscal Fallout
The state's budget crisis means schools face the prospect of layoffs, cutbacks in the school week, and other consequences.
School & District Management
Study Tallies a District's Return on Investment
Virginia Beach school officials figure taxpayers get back $1.53 for every $1 invested in their schools.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
When Test Scores Become a Commodity
Rewarding educators financially for how their students perform on assessments is a dangerous path, warns teacher Jonathan Keiler.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
School Leadership Critical to Turnaround Success
To the Editor:
Sheldon H. Berman and Arthur Camins ("Investing in Turnaround That Endures," Commentary, Nov. 2, 2011) are certainly on the right track when they address the sustainability of turnarounds and their essential ingredients. The Investment Model certainly proved itself in the Jefferson County, Ky., schools under Mr. Berman.
Sheldon H. Berman and Arthur Camins ("Investing in Turnaround That Endures," Commentary, Nov. 2, 2011) are certainly on the right track when they address the sustainability of turnarounds and their essential ingredients. The Investment Model certainly proved itself in the Jefferson County, Ky., schools under Mr. Berman.
Federal
NCLB Waiver Plans Offer Hodgepodge of Grading Systems
The 11 states seeking flexibility under the No Child Left Behind Act differ widely on student-achievement goals and strategies to help low-performing schools.
School & District Management
Survey Shows Nearly All States Can Track Data on Students
The sixth annual survey by the Data Quality Campaign finds that nearly every state now has a system in place for collecting longitudinal education data, but the hard part is putting all the new information to good use.
Federal
Opinion
How Many Decades Before 'Reform' Becomes 'Status Quo'?
Too much of new education reform is a repeat of old, outdated reform ideas that have failed to work, Kevin G. Welner writes.
School & District Management
K-12 Cuts Loom as Deficit Deal Eludes Congress
Education aid would fall by $3.5 billion in 2013 under one scenario requiring across-the-board cuts to government.
Curriculum
STEAM: Experts Make Case for Adding Arts to STEM
Momentum is building to explore how the arts can be linked with STEM subjects to enhance student learning and help foster creativity and innovation.
Federal
Experts Say Social Sciences Are 'Left Behind'
Between common standards and the No Child Left Behind law, advocates for social and behavioral sciences worry their field is getting getting short shrift in schools.
Student Well-Being
Rewrite of School Lunch Rules Falls Short of Goals
Congressional lawmakers put a crimp in a U.S. Department of Agriculture proposal to limit starchy foods and serve more fresh vegetables in school meals.
Families & the Community
Middle Schoolers Getting Prepped for College
Successful efforts aimed at the middle grades, experts say, must go beyond specifying coursework.
School & District Management
Kansas City-Area Districts Brace for Influx
The impending loss of accreditation for Kansas City, Mo., schools could cause an exodus of students to neighboring districts—and impose new financial burdens on the troubled Kansas City school system.
School & District Management
Study Links Academic Setbacks to Middle School Transition
While much research points to 9th grade as a problem transition year for students, a new study suggests the move from elementary to middle school may be more of a worry.
Classroom Technology
Virtual Ed. Advocates Respond to Wave of Criticism
As e-learning moves into the K-12 mainstream, it is attracting a growing number of critics, who say it suffers from a lack of accountability and insufficient evidence of effectiveness.
Federal
Opinion
The 'Supercommittee' Fails Kids, Too
The supercommittee admits defeat, and Andrew L. Yarrow looks at what this could mean for public schools.
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
Penn State and the Perils of Loyalty
Recent events at Penn State offer pointed lessons on the impact of misguided loyalty to an institution, ethicist Jack Marshall writes.
School Climate & Safety
Penn State Scandal Shines Light on Child-Abuse Reporting Laws
The child sex-abuse scandal at Penn State has renewed questions over educators' duty to report suspected abuse, but most states are clear on K-12 reporting requirements.
College & Workforce Readiness
Counselors See Conflicts in Carrying Out Mission
A survey of 5,300 counselors shows a committed but frustrated corps that sees a divide between what schools do and should do.