The Teaching Now blog explored the latest news on the teaching profession, from practical classroom tips to raging policy debates. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: teaching, teaching profession, and curriculum.
Assessment
In 'Superman's' Shadow
A Pittsburgh high school that is singled out for criticism in the film "Waiting for Superman" is working to salvage its reputation.
Law & Courts
The Risks of 'Friending'
NYC Educator says that it's not even close to worth the risk for teachers to friend their students on Facebook:
Education
Field Trip to the Polls
A Cincinnati public school took three vanloads of voting-age students to the polls during school hours and gave them sample ballots--which only showed Democratic candidates.
Assessment
Spotlight on Assessment
Advertisement/Shameless Plug: These days, for better or for worse, teachers have to start thinking about testing on Day 1. Our colleagues over at Education Week have put together a set of articles on assessment as part of their Spotlight series. The bundle contains four stories and five commentaries, addressing topics such as computer-adaptive testing, using multiple measures of achievement, and the debate over standardized testing. The online package is available for $4.95.
Social Studies
History Lessons
The Washington Post's Jay Mathews reports on an "Expectations of Integrity" code distributed by AP History teachers at a Virginia high school that essentially restricts students from using any resources outside of their course textbook and other classroom materials. The code bans students not only from using the Internet but, apparently, even from talking to their own parents or classmates about their assignments. The rationale for the policy is that it will keep students on a level playing field—but it seems reasonable to wonder, as Mathews does, whether it's really the best way to foster the spirit of historical inquiry.
School & District Management
Toward a National Teacher-Licensing Assessment
Proponents of a pilot teacher-performance assessment hope it will one day be used as a requirement for teacher licensure nationwide.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Economist: 'War on Teachers' a Fallacy
In an op-ed piece roundly attacking teachers' unions, economist Erik A. Hanushek argues that recent school reform manifestations—e.g., Race to the Top, the L.A. Times teacher-effectiveness rankings, "Waiting for Superman"—constitute not a "war on teachers" but a growing recognition of the importance of effective teachers over highly ineffective ones. He writes:
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Teacher Internship Available
We interrupt our regularly scheduled blogging just to let you know that Teacher is currently looking for a new editorial intern. And it's a paid position. Please see the ad here. Background as a teacher (or student-teacher) is a huge plus. Pass it on if you know someone ...
School Climate & Safety
Study: Male Teachers Live in Fear
According to a new Canadian study, 13 percent of male teachers said they have been "wrongly accused of inappropriate contact with pupils."
Classroom Technology
New Directions in Teaching: 'Blending'
A growing number of public schools are blending traditional, face-to-face teaching with online learning environments.
Education Funding
Obama's Teacher Poster-Child Laid Off—Twice
Even a photo op with the president couldn't save one Ohio kindergarten teacher's job.
School & District Management
Questioning the Logic of Rhee's Resignation
In reaction to the news that D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee has resigned, Miss Eyre, on NYC Educator's blog, writes:
Reading & Literacy
The Write Stuff
Arguing that high school students should be required to write a "serious research paper" before graduation, Washington Post education columnist Jay Mathews highlights the example of a Virginia physics teacher who requires all of his honors students to enter a national science essay-writing contest. Despite Mathews enthusiasm, however, the teacher himself is dubious as to whether such a program could be scaled up:
Assessment
Are We 'Right Answering' Kids to Death?
Will Richardson says schools need to put more emphasis on students (and teachers) as learners—as opposed to passive consumers of knowledge: