Group items tagged

If you don't have a Twitter account and you are in education...you NEED one.  I cannot tell you how many people have told me that it is the best and most personalized Professional Development that they have ever experienced...I'd agree.

This article is from the discussion led by Rowland Fellow Adam Rosenberg who visited Finland in 2010. The author, Pasi Sahlberg, emphasizes how Finnish teachers are respected as innovators and experts in their field--much like the philosophy of the Rowland Foundation! He contrasts this approach with the test-based accountability system so prevalent in the U.S. Here's another Finland article which discusses The Finland Phenomenon, a film featuring Tony Wagner's exploration of the Finnish school system. Wagner will be the keynote speaker at this year's Rowland Foundation Conference on School Transformation. http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/11602/the_finland_phenomenon/ Watch The Finland Phenomenon trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcC2l8zioIw For more on the Rowland Foundation Conference at the University of Vermont: http://www.therowlandfoundation.org/annual_conference.shtml

When it comes to NCLB and educational opportunity, Darling-Hammond & Ravitch are rock stars in the field. Here's a very approachable presentation of some of their Finland ideas. Good for a school board meeting? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP3tF2fF2B4&feature=related

I believe that the most Powerful...and Empowering...piece of this is in Teacher Preparation. I also believe that this is where the biggest obstacles and push-back would be found if we were to try to implement this across Vermont.

"The Leader in Me is a whole-school transformation model that acts like the operating system of a computer - it improves performance of all other programs. Based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People..." "...our schools should not merely be focused on improving test scores, but should provide opportunities for students to develop their full potential." Leadership Accountability Adaptability Initiative and Self-direction Cross-cultural Skills Responsibility Problem Solving Communication Creativity Teamwork

I know that many educators grimace at the thought of implementing a piece of "Corporate America" into public education. But, take a look at the 7 Habits and then ask yourself if these are habits you would want for your students. Habit 1 - Be Proactive Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind Habit 3 - Put First Things First Habit 4 - Think Win-Win Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood Habit 6 - Synergize; Together Is Better Habit 7 - Sharpen The Saw; Balance Feels Best

A Principal's Leadership Principles. VisionRelationshipsClear ExpectationsCommunicationTeam Work and ServiceAccountabilityLearning

"Here are five of the key leadership lessons that you can take away from Captain Kirk as you pilot your own organization into unknown futures."

Kobayashi Maru? I was never very good with languages in school. Does that translate to No Child Left Behind?

In our educational leadership analogy, yes! However, while being the ultimate no-win scenario, I think NCLB has still encouraged leaders to innovate and improve learning in their schools by holding them accountable and providing funding for improvement.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report on Finland. Covers: * Commitment to education and to children * Cultural support for universal high achievement * Teacher and principal quality * Accountability * How money is spent * Instructional practice * School organization * Sequencing of reforms to economic development * Cultivating behaviors for the knowledge economy

"Florida's standardized testing program is being misused and has 'severely impacted student learning,' according to a new white paper that says that school districts in the state are required to give as many as 62 tests a year to students."

"While the specifics are about Florida, the general conclusions about the negative impact of state standardized programs are relevant across the country - not only because other states have their own version but because some looked to Florida as a model as they developed their own school accountability systems."

"How do the Millennials work--what motivates them?

No lecture in the classroom The FIZZ Lecture professional development program trains teachers to create and publish a series of video lectures in order to make the content of their course completely transparent. "Why I flipped my classroom" - Math Teacher, Katie Gimbar

Why: 1. Flipping the Classroom for Accountability 2. Is this Recreating the Wheel? 3. Better Than A Front Row Seat 4. "Why it has to be me!" - Model Teacher, Katie Gimbar 5. Using Classroom Time to Differentiate 6. Self-paced, Differentiated and Collaborative 7. The Research Behind Flipping the Classroom with FIZZ How: 1. Buying the Lecture Boards 2. Writing on and Cleaning the Boards 3. Camera and Tripod 4. Condensing the Content to 6 Boards DOWNLOAD > FIZZ Lecture Planning.doc 5. Sliding the Boards 6. Setting up the Camera and Tripod 7. FIZZ Lecture: The Fine Print 8. Uploading and Posting Screencast tutorials on using Google Docs: Why use Google Docs? Part 1. Uploading Videos to Google Docs Part 2. Creating a Simple Web Page (click here for the template) Part 3. Sharing the URL with Your Students

"Those who hold leadership roles within our schools must come to terms with the fact that standards, curriculum, instruction, assessments and accountability will only get you so far in improving student achievement. If you do not address the underlying issue of the student experience, these efforts might not have a discernible impact." "...if students felt as if they belonged to the school community, the more likely they would be confident of succeeding in college." "...students who feel a sense of psychological connection to their school community are more likely to be engaged in their learning and are more likely to behave in ways that promote self-development and socialization."

Simple article with profound implications for students and for working with faculty.

"...argues that education policymakers should take a closer look at another accountability system-on-site inspections."

"...detailed look at the methods school inspectors use to evaluate schools. The process is thorough and rigorous: '[I]nspectors observe classroom lessons, analyze student work, speak with students and staff members, examine school records, and scrutinize the results of surveys administered to parents and students,' he notes."

"The 6 Characteristics of A Successful Educator 21st century teaching skills ... an excellent account of the 6 main characteristics of people you should be around."