May 16, 2012

Education Week, Vol. 31, Issue 31
Mathematics Letter to the Editor Algebraic Thinking Should Be Taught Early, Often
To the Editor:
Some thoughts in response to "Researchers Suggest Early Algebra Harmful to Struggling Students" (April 25, 2012): In our extensive work with algebra-readiness programs across the country, we believe that preparing students for success in algebra is more important than pushing students to take the Algebra 1 course as early as possible.
May 15, 2012
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1 min read
Special Education Letter to the Editor Training Is Crucial to Protect Students in Crisis
To the Editor:
A recent article, "Restraints on Pupils Variable" (March 14, 2012), shares several reports that offer various points of view regarding the use of restraint and seclusion. I would like to share mine, garnered from my 27 years of experience as a public school teacher and building administrator, and my 11 years at the Crisis Prevention Institute, or CPI, training and working with educators from around the world.
May 15, 2012
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1 min read
Curriculum Letter to the Editor Research Skills Need to Be Taught
To the Editor:
During the past few years, the practice of asking high school students to interview experts in connection with school projects has become commonplace. I am an academic psychologist who studies adolescent development. In a typical week, I receive multiple requests from students who are writing papers on the topic. The emails I receive from students are always courteous, and many are thoughtful. But given their number, it is simply not possible to respond to all of these students' inquiries with the care they deserve.
May 15, 2012
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1 min read
Student Well-Being Opinion Push Back High School Start Times
The high school day should start later for public health and learning reasons, Terra Ziporyn Snider says.
Terra Ziporyn Snider, May 15, 2012
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6 min read
IT Infrastructure & Management Opinion The Legal Cost of Improper Internet Censorship
Schools cannot block access to nonpornographic websites that deal with homosexuality, the ACLU's Joshua Block writes.
Joshua Block, May 15, 2012
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4 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Opinion The Ed.D. Dilemma
Harvard's move to a Ph.D. in education holds implications for the field, Ted Purinton writes.
Ted Purinton, May 15, 2012
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6 min read
Education The Changing Face of Education Advocacy: Political Capital in Colorado
Colorado’s largest teachers’ union and two of the education advocacy organizations profiled in this Education Week series made significant political contributions and endorsed candidates in state elections in 2010.
May 14, 2012
Education The Changing Face of Education Advocacy: Trickle Down
A number of prominent foundations have supported the charitable wings of national education advocacy groups. The engagement of philanthropies in policy advocacy is a relatively recent phenomenon that roughly parallels such education groups’ expansion over the past decade. This list details three foundations’ investments; it is not a comprehensive list of all private foundation contributions, nor does it include local, public, or community charities’ contributions.
May 14, 2012
BRIC ARCHIVE
Steve Braden
School & District Management Opinion States Lack Capacity for Reform
Michael D. Usdan and Arthur D. Sheekey write that state education agencies are ill-equipped to handle reform, but the process of reauthorizing the ESEA could change that.
Michael D. Usdan & Arthur D. Sheekey, May 14, 2012
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6 min read
Federal New Advocacy Groups Shaking Up Education Field
The organizations' influence over policy and politics appears to be growing, especially at the state and local levels.
Stephen Sawchuk, May 14, 2012
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17 min read
Then-Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll, a Democrat, gavels to a start the 2010 state legislative session. Mr. Carroll, who was term-limited and left office in 2011, relied on education advocacy groups, including Democrats for Education Reform and Stand for Children, in helping to pass a new teacher-evaluation law. He says the groups helped organize teachers, parents, and students in support of the measure, which was fiercely opposed by the state teachers’ union.
Then-Speaker of the House Terrance Carroll, a Democrat, gavels to a start the 2010 state legislative session. Mr. Carroll, who was term-limited and left office in 2011, relied on education advocacy groups, including Democrats for Education Reform and Stand for Children, in helping to pass a new teacher-evaluation law. He says the groups helped organize teachers, parents, and students in support of the measure, which was fiercely opposed by the state teachers’ union.
--Andy Cross/The Denver Post-File
Education Funding New K-12 Advocacy Groups Wield State-Level Clout
New organizations are making their impact felt in statehouses on issues such as teacher evaluation and charter schools.
Stephen Sawchuk & Sean Cavanagh, May 14, 2012
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13 min read
Education Funding Foundation Cash Boosts Education Advocacy Groups
Grants to prominent K-12 groups often helps underwrite activities touching on sensitive areas of education policy.
Stephen Sawchuk, May 14, 2012
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4 min read
Education An Overview of Campaign Finance and Lobbying
An influx of money from the financial industry to single-issue advocacy groups threatens to challenge the hegemony of unions in political lobbying.
May 14, 2012
Education An Education Campaign-Finance Primer
Act as an individual or organization advocating for a specific effort related to education. Navigate the myriad of options you have to fund your cause.
Stephen Sawchuk, May 14, 2012
Standards Public Gets Glimpse of Science Standards
An ambitious effort to refocus K-12 science education across the nation enters a new phase today with the release of the first public draft of voluntary, "next generation" standards in the subject.
May 11, 2012
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6 min read
Students climb on new playground equipment at Bennett Elementary School last fall in Bennett, Colo. The town is taking advantage of federal grants to help improve the physical fitness of its citizens, investing in new playground equipment, city beautification, and signs that promote healthy activity.
Students climb on new playground equipment at Bennett Elementary School last fall in Bennett, Colo. The town is taking advantage of federal grants to help improve the physical fitness of its citizens, investing in new playground equipment, city beautification, and signs that promote healthy activity.
-- Aaron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post/AP-File
Student Well-Being Groups Offer Ways for Feds to Improve Student Well-Being
Recommendations include appointing new federal staff members to shepherd school health efforts and undoing Medicaid red tape so schools can be reimbursed for health services.
May 11, 2012
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4 min read
Science 2011 NAEP Science Scores, Achievement Levels, and Achievement Gaps
Though most students improved and achievement gaps narrowed, fewer than a third of 8th graders reached proficiency in science last year on "the nation's report card." Data charts illustrate the latest state average scores, achievement levels and the narrowing of achievement gaps.
May 10, 2012
Assessment Most 8th Graders Fall Short on NAEP Science Test
Though most students improved and achievement gaps narrowed, fewer than a third of 8th graders reached proficiency in science last year on "the nation's report card."
Sarah D. Sparks, May 10, 2012
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5 min read
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