AzTEA Mini-geekfest Resources

Very informative article that describes successful strategies for using data to improve instruction that goes beyond standardized test scores and ties it to possible uses for stimulus funds.

Montgomery, a suburb of Washington, D.C., spends $47 million a year on technology like Edline. It is at the vanguard of what is known as the "data-driven" movement in U.S. education. The high-tech strategy, which uses intensified assessments and the real-time collection of test scores, grades and other data to identify problems and speed up interventions, has just received a huge boost from President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan. The Obama economic stimulus plan provides $100 billion for schools over the next two years, almost doubling the federal education budget. To qualify for much of the money, states will have to provide data showing progress in student achievement -- giving the edge to districts such as Montgomery that already have systems in place.

Excellent discussion groups for K-12 educators!

Google for Educators Discussion Group. We'll be using this group to keep you updated on Google's K-12 Education initiatives, but our real hope is that this will become the home of a vibrant community of educators. We encourage you to use this space to start discussions with fellow teachers. Excellent lesson plans are shared in the "Submit your Lessons" group for using Google tools in the classroom. Lots of great resources for teachers.