April 18, 2012
Education Week, Vol. 31, Issue 28
Data
Letter to the Editor
Achievement Gap Needs Further Study
To the Editor:
The article "Data Show Retention Disparities" (March 7, 2012) reveals nothing surprising or especially new to those who have been around the education scene for a while or who are familiar with the recent reports issued by the Schott Foundation. It simply affirms what we have been aware of via anecdotal evidence or data from our local hardworking but unexceptional public schools.
The article "Data Show Retention Disparities" (March 7, 2012) reveals nothing surprising or especially new to those who have been around the education scene for a while or who are familiar with the recent reports issued by the Schott Foundation. It simply affirms what we have been aware of via anecdotal evidence or data from our local hardworking but unexceptional public schools.
Ed-Tech Policy
Letter to the Editor
Individualized Instruction Is the Way Forward for Schools
To the Editor:
The retention problem ("Data Show Retention Disparities," March 7, 2012) has its origins in the development of the age-grading system, which began in the late 1830s to cope with the rising population of immigrant children.
The retention problem ("Data Show Retention Disparities," March 7, 2012) has its origins in the development of the age-grading system, which began in the late 1830s to cope with the rising population of immigrant children.
Teaching Profession
Letter to the Editor
La., Texas Districts See Gains From TAP
To the Editor:
I was surprised to read the recent Report Roundup item about Chicago's experience with the Teacher Advancement Program ("No Achievement Boost Found for Chicago TAP," March 14, 2012). My experience has been completely different. I have been a school superintendent for more than 30 years and have seen many programs come and go. However, TAP sustains itself. Since adopting TAP in 2008, we have found that, quite simply, the TAP system is a comprehensive, well-researched program that works. We believe so strongly in TAP that we have implemented the system districtwide.
I was surprised to read the recent Report Roundup item about Chicago's experience with the Teacher Advancement Program ("No Achievement Boost Found for Chicago TAP," March 14, 2012). My experience has been completely different. I have been a school superintendent for more than 30 years and have seen many programs come and go. However, TAP sustains itself. Since adopting TAP in 2008, we have found that, quite simply, the TAP system is a comprehensive, well-researched program that works. We believe so strongly in TAP that we have implemented the system districtwide.
School & District Management
Opinion
Using District Resources to Scale Up School Reform
District employees are an underused force for school change, Trent Kaufman, Emily Dolci Grimm, and Allison Miller write.
Teaching Profession
Teacher Evaluation a Hurdle for SIG Schools
Many in the School Improvement Grant program have yet to overhaul teacher rating and reward systems.
Federal
School Turnaround Push Still a Work in Progress
Two years in, the federal School Improvement Grant program shows momentum, but sustaining gains may be a challenge.
School & District Management
SIG Aid Gives Schools Budget Relief—For Now
School Improvement Grant recipients are anxious about sustaining gains once the funds run out.
Standards
Opinion
Does the Common Core Matter?
Tom Loveless weighs in on the quality and rigor of the standards and whether they can make a dent in student achievement.
States
La. School Choice Options Expand After Sweeping Education Overhaul
A package of K-12 changes, largely orchestrated by Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, will dramatically expand families' access to aid for private school tuition.
School & District Management
Education Issues Factor Into Governors' Races
As gubernatorial campaigns heat up around the country, K-12 policy feeds into the fight, though specifics vary state to state.
Special Education
Feds Back Off on Easing Special Ed. Funding Restriction
The U.S. Department of Education took back an offer it made to school districts that would have let them cut special education spending permanently.
Curriculum
No Obituary Needed for Arts Education, Study Reveals
Two new federal reports present a complex picture of the arts' presence in schools and the benefits derived from students' exposure.
Early Childhood
Study Points to Drop in Per-Pupil Spending for Pre-K
Researchers say funding for state preschool programs has not kept up with the growth in enrollments.
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
Talk With Your Students About Trayvon Martin
Students want and need to talk about difficult and complex life events and educators shouldn’t avoid the discussions, explain Jeffrey P. Carpenter and Scott Weathers.
Education
Opinion
Teaching to the Common Core by Design, Not Accident
The Gates Foundation's investment in developing the Common Core State Standards now depends on translating big ideas into practices that teachers can and will use, write Vicki Phillips and Carina Wong.
Education Funding
Common-Core-Test Group Gives Higher Ed. Voting Rights
The move puts college representatives at the voting table on pivotal questions about crafting tests that reflect college readiness.
Education
Opinion
Let's Keep Moving
The nationwide effort to battle childhood obesity is making progress, but schools should continue and expand efforts to promote healthy lives for children, writes First Lady Michelle Obama.
Education
Opinion
Is Modeling Enough?
Leaders must be explicit if they want teachers and others to get the messages they're trying to communicate., says Khym G. Goslin.