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Joellen Kriss

'Race to the Top' - we expected better - 0 views

www.sfgate.com/...article.cgi

Reforms Race to the Top Obama Policy

shared by Joellen Kriss on 18 Sep 09 - Cached
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 18 Sep 09
       
      Strong start, right out of the gate!
  • From the perspective of a classroom teacher, reform must be rooted in classroom practice and supported by research.
  • Public education faces complex problems and won't be fixed by simplistic solutions. Standardized tests can be a useful tool among others to assess student learning. But it is too narrow of a measure on which to base a student's grade, let alone gauge a teacher's performance.
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • States must enact a laundry list of federally mandated "reforms" to qualify for the competition. Duncan and Obama call this initiative "Race to the Top."
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 18 Sep 09
       
      Hittleman talks about how they'd looked forward to education law that helped, and race to the top doesn't look that much different from NCLB
  • funding mandates are controversial because they have never been shown to improve student learning.
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 18 Sep 09
       
      Totally on target with the fact that there's so much more to education than tests and standards.
  • No Child Left Behind, an education law that focused on one-size-fits-all standardized testing.
  • A portfolio that includes multiple-choice tests but also essays, research projects, homework and classroom presentations gives a much more complete picture of student achievement.
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 18 Sep 09
       
      A very well rounded argument, bringing in all of the factors outside of the classroom that affect learning.
  • Likewise, to judge teacher effectiveness solely on student test scores ignores a range of factors outside a teacher's control, including support (or lack of it) in the home, changes in the student's situation from year to year, or even whether the student happened to be sick on the day of the test.
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 18 Sep 09
       
      At the end of the day, teachers want reforms that WORK, made by people who know about teaching from first hand experience.
  • We are for reforms that work, which include standards-based and common curricula that have multiple source assessments; student data available for classroom teacher use based on a comprehensive approach; smaller class sizes; new teacher mentoring; and peer assistance and review. What we oppose are reforms based on the latest bright idea that has caught the eye of a politician or pundit with no experience teaching.
  • Joellen Kriss on 18 Sep 09
     
    Marty Hittelman offers one of the most comprehensive, well rounded opinions on the current policy reforms being enacted. It covers everything, which might be something I think because I agree with it all, but just read it. It's pretty good.
Lindsay Andreas

National Governors Association - 0 views

www.nga.org/...58ec82f5b198d18a278110501010a0

state education policy secondary postsecondary NGA National Governors Association

shared by Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09 - Cached
  • increase student participation in rigorous college preparatory courses, better align expectations between high school and postsecondary education, hold these systems accountable, and ensure students graduate from high school ready for college or the workplace in the global economy.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      An important part of our mission as secondary educators is to prepare students for either post-secondary work and the workplace.
  • While states invest significant resources in education programs, governors also recognize and appreciate the federal government’s contribution to provide additional resources or assistance for those most in need.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      It is important to remember the break-down in financing, and therefore, where real power lies. If we want policy change, we need to know the most effective avenues for lobbying. We may think Obama sets the education policy agenda but the reality is, governors have a lot of power and persuasion in the field. For example, it always amazes me how different public higher education systems are, and this is because certain states have made it a priority to fund higher education greatly.
  • In this new economy and era of education reform, now is the time to reform postsecondary education by increasing relevance and rigor, accountability, and linkages with kindergarten-12th grade (K-12) education and the workplace, and by expanding financial aid to students of all ages.
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • Provide capacity-building incentives to states to increase teacher supply and retention, as well as education research.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      On the national level, you only seem to hear about accountability but it is refreshing to see that the NGA takes a lot more into account. I really feel like they are better in touch with the realities of education policy.
  • Authorize states to provide diverse learning options and assessment options, including the option for growth models, determined at the state level.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      Again, they are concerned with other models of assessment for accountability. I think it is safe to say no one disagrees that there should be accountability but the approach varies greatly and I am more aligned with NGA approaches.
  • Congress should refrain from establishing any federal mandates to ensure maximum state and local flexibility to create aligned systems.
  • A one-size-fits all approach to high school learning is outdated and does not support the diverse needs of students. Governors encourage Congress to support state and local policies and programs that expand the availability of learning opportunities for students of all ages including, but not limited to, virtual school options, service learning, internships, apprenticeships, programs addressing out-of-school-youth, alternative learning programs, and the availability of financial aid.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      Thank you! School choices and meeting diverse needs. I really like their recommendations, they want to leave room for discretion.
  • Maximum flexibility in designing state accountability systems, including testing and other indicators of achievement, is critical to preserve the unique balance involving federal funding, local control of education, and state responsibility for system-wide reform. Maximum flexibility in state testing will help improve how students are assessed for academic proficiency and postsecondary readiness. Flexibility should include the option for states to utilize growth measures to assess student performance.
  • Teachers and school leaders must receive the professional support and training needed to provide students with the skills necessary to compete in a global society, particularly in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), literacy, and international and language studies.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      I think the support issue is very relevant because of my experience at McKinley. They are in the process of introducing AP and a STEM program but the teachers are confused about how it should work, I think if they were given more support and guidance, things would run much more smoothly.
  • High schools must compete with other more highly compensated professions for teachers and school leaders, especially in the areas of mathematics and science. Congress should continue to support and expand state-administered pilot projects on performance pay, especially in critical shortage areas or hard-to-staff schools.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      There are a lot of bright young people that don't think about getting into the education profession because it doesn't pay enough and doesn't get enough respect. I really do believe we must make the profession more attractive in order to get the best pool of professionals.
  • Federal policies should encourage—not discourage—promising state efforts in dual enrollment programs that permit students to obtain high quality college-level credits or provide the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized credential while still in secondary school.
  • Congress also should support state efforts that encourage more students to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework and pay for student AP testing.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      I don't necessarily know if I believe in these programs, I'm undecided. I did AP in H.S. and I don't know if I get the point exactly, however, if you are going to do these programs, make sure it is clear the goal of having such programs.
  • The use of a high school graduation rate in any accountability framework must serve as an incentive to promote state and local innovation to better engage and educate every student, and count all students who graduate from high school. Congress and the Administration should work closely with governors to ensure the proper use and application of the NGA Voluntary High School Graduation Rate.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      I think this is so on point, sometimes we do all this testing and numbers/stats but don't even know why we are using them. If we use them to better innovate, that seems like a good thing to me.
  • Governors believe that career and technical education programs and career and technical education teacher certification requirements should reflect the need to better integrate career and academic curriculum and integrate career professionals into the career and technical education teaching corps.
    • Lindsay Andreas
      Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
       
      Amen! I believe in a balance between theory and practice, you need both! Let's invest in prep, it's not the most popular thing because it takes time to see the results but I think it is important and worth the wait.
  • Lindsay Andreas on 25 Sep 09
     
    This is the National Governors Association, education policy website, specifically, I have selected the policy position on High School Reform, as it is most pertinent to us, the end goes into higher education but that is for another time. The NGA is one of the best education policy sites. As we know, the states are the primary forces in setting education agendas and it is important to see what bi-partisan work they are doing. Governors are usually very influential in education politics.
Laura Wood

Rethinking Schools Online - 0 views

www.rethinkingschools.org

education teaching resources reform rethinking globalization critical pedagogy justice creative sensory magazine

shared by Laura Wood on 25 Aug 09 - Cached
  • Check out these Rethinking Schools Publications
    • Laura Wood
      Laura Wood on 25 Aug 09
       
      Rethinking schools offers some fantastic resources for teachers. The Rethinking Globalization text has activities for all ages to start making students aware of the global nature of our lives and to help them to take action instead of being passive consumers of world goods/culture.
  • Teaching for Environmental Justice
    • Laura Wood
      Laura Wood on 25 Aug 09
       
      Articles, resources, and publications from teachers and educators that subscribe to critical pedagogy. The information is based in opinion, theory, historical documents, and cool lesson plans and curriculum ideas. I recommend checking out the articles that are here, and checking out some of their publications from a library (or from me, I have "Rethinking Globalization").
    • Laura Wood
      Laura Wood on 25 Aug 09
       
      MAPS!
  • Laura Wood on 25 Aug 09
     
    Rethinking Schools is an organization committed to equity and to the vision that public education is central to the creation of a humane, caring, multiracial democracy. While writing for a broad audience, Rethinking Schools emphasizes problems facing urban schools, particularly issues of race. Rethinking Schools tries to balance classroom practice and educational theory. It is an activist publication, with articles written by and for teachers, parents, and students. It also addresses key policy issues, such as vouchers and marketplace-oriented reforms, funding equity, and school-to-work.
  • Lindsay Andreas on 26 Aug 09
     
    This is my go-to site! Thanks for posting it!
jbdrury

Suit looming against California over school funding - San Jose Mercury News - 1 views

www.mercurynews.com/...ci_13517231

california school funding education california education education suit law suit state funding of schools

shared by jbdrury on 14 Nov 09 - Cached
  • California spends $35.7 billion, or about 30 percent of its budget, on its 10,000 public K-12 schools
  • California has trailed national per-pupil spending since 1979, and now the gap is $1,700 per student
  • Since 1979, cases have been brought in about 30 other states. But while 14 resulted in court-ordered funding increases, cases decided in the past four years have tended to favor the states
  • ...4 more annotations...
    • jbdrury
      jbdrury on 14 Nov 09
       
      I may be wrong, and I don't know how feasible it is, but it would seem to me a better solution would be to redistribute property tax revenue, as opposed to putting burdens on the state government to come up with additional funding for the educational system.
  • But Michael Rebell, executive director of the Campaign for Educational Equity, which successfully sued to win more money for New York City schools, said that achievement has improved dramatically, especially among minority and low-income students, after lawsuits in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont.
    • jbdrury
      jbdrury on 14 Nov 09
       
      This is an important point; the very size of California's population and economy has always made it a key influence on national trends.
  • Without reform, Hanushek said, because the state is so big — it educates one of every eight children in the nation — and because its schools perform so poorly, "California is dragging down the nation
  • jbdrury on 14 Nov 09
     
    As those of you in my EDU 522 class know, we have spent quite a while on the issue of unequal school funding. The Kozol video we watched in class raised the question of how each state pays for its public schooling, and as a result I have been trying to determine which states still use local property taxes (thus perpetuating the inequality of schools within the state) and which have instituted reforms to equalize funding. The problem is, none of this information is compiled in a concise manner. This is a recent article discussing this issue; I am still trying to find others.
Nate Merrill

Immigration Reform - 0 views

www.pbs.org/...-from-different-points-of-view

lesson Social Studies history immigration social_studies socialstudies resources lesson plans reform understanding issue plan pbs

shared by Nate Merrill on 04 Dec 14 - No Cached
  • Nate Merrill on 04 Dec 14
     
    Understanding the Issue From Different Points of View | Lesson Plan | PBS NewsHour Extra
kkasargodstaub

Rethinking Schools - 1 views

www.rethinkingschools.org/index.shtml

socialstudies education educationreform

shared by kkasargodstaub on 20 Sep 10 - Cached
  • Proving Grounds: School “Rheeform” in Washington, D.C.
  • Michelle Rhee is the exemplar for Duncan's school “reform.” What's really happening to children and teachers in D.C.?
    • kkasargodstaub
      kkasargodstaub on 21 Sep 10
       
      An interesting and not often heard take on Michelle Rhee's reforms in Washington D.C.
  • kkasargodstaub on 20 Sep 10
     
    While this is not directly a lesson planning website. I think it's really important for social studies educators to understand the issues that students, teachers and schools are facing. In order to be informed and powerful in our work, we must understand the entire context.
Erin Power

Reauthorization of ESEA: Why We Can't Wait -- Secretary Arne Duncan's Remarks at the Mo... - 1 views

www.ed.gov/...09242009.html

Education Policy Duncan

shared by Erin Power on 27 Sep 09 - Cached
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 27 Sep 09
       
      What a conundrum this is...
  • People want support from Washington but not interference. They want accountability but not oversight. They want national leadership but not at the expense of local control.
  • And now that I'm here I'm even more convinced that the best solutions begin with parents and teachers working together in the home and the classroom.
  • ...19 more annotations...
  • Many teachers complain bitterly about NCLB's emphasis on testing. Principals hate being labeled as failures. Superintendents say it wasn't adequately funded.
  • And many parents just view it as a toxic brand that isn't helping children learn.
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 27 Sep 09
       
      I like how he/his speech writers recognize here that schooling is something that belongs to the states. It seems like he's saying that the federal government is just stepping in for a moment, until things start going well.
  • Until states develop better assessments—which we will support and fund through Race to the Top—we must rely on standardized tests to monitor progress—but this is an important area for reform and an important conversation to have.
  • it places too much emphasis on absolute test scores rather than student growth—and it is overly prescriptive in some ways while it is too blunt an instrument of reform in others.
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 27 Sep 09
       
      SUPER DUPER BINGO! NCLB encourages hig TESTING standards, but not LEARNING standards!! Good for you Arne (that's what he wants his staff to call him...in case you didn't know.)
  • NCLB is that it doesn't encourage high learning standards. In fact, it inadvertently encourages states to lower them. The net effect is that we are lying to children and parents by telling kids they are succeeding when, in fact, they are not.
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 27 Sep 09
       
      This is one of the issues in my practicum schools and one of the big debates there right now.
  • They are simply not ready for college-level work when they leave high school.
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 27 Sep 09
       
      ...because the goals are and always have been, decent, but the means, are and always have been, bad (to keep it clean.)
  • In my view, we should be tight on the goals—with clear standards set by states that truly prepare young people for college and careers—but we should be loose on the means for meeting those goals.
  • We don't believe that local educators need a prescription for success. But they do need a common definition of success—focused on student achievement, high school graduation and success and attainment in college.
    • Joellen Kriss
      Joellen Kriss on 27 Sep 09
       
      But do they really?
  • Before we do, however, we want to hear from you. We want your input.
  • We don't need another study. We must stop simply admiring the problem. We need action.
  • And so the work of reauthorizing ESEA begins in states and districts across America—among educators and policy makers, parents and community leaders. This work is as urgent as it is important.
  • And yet we are still waiting for the day when every child in America has a high quality education that prepares him or her for the future.
  • Our shared goals are clear: higher quality schools; improved student achievement; more students going to college; closing the achievement gap; and more opportunities for children to learn and succeed.
  • Let's build a law that respects the honored, noble status of educators—who should be valued as skilled professionals rather than mere practitioners and compensated accordingly.
  • Joellen Kriss on 27 Sep 09
     
    Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's speech at the Monthly Stakeholders meeting this past week. It's a part of a series of town hall style meetings that the secretary is holding with those who have a stake in the policy they will be shaping: teachers, parents and others. The speech is interesting mostly because, what he's calling for sounds great to me, but I wonder if there's any possibility of anything this reasonable ever happening. Secretary Duncan seems like an ok guy (didn't know he is a former superintendent) but I still wonder what the next big thing is going to turn out to be and how/if it's going to help.
  • Erin Power on 05 Oct 09
     
    The Duncan speech we were talking about in class
Samantha Greenwald

Bill of Rights: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Lib... - 2 views

www.loc.gov/...billofrights.html

primary document bill of rights american government

shared by Samantha Greenwald on 19 Sep 10 - Cached
    • Samantha Greenwald
      Samantha Greenwald on 19 Sep 10
       
      This can be used especially on Constitution Day (September 17th).
    • Samantha Greenwald
      Samantha Greenwald on 19 Sep 10
       
      A bibliography is provides as well as other external resources for students and teachers to explore.
    • Samantha Greenwald
      Samantha Greenwald on 04 Oct 10
       
      This site provides exhibitions and primary source documents which provide more detailed descriptions of certain events/people which teachers can use to expand student learning.
    • Samantha Greenwald
      Samantha Greenwald on 04 Oct 10
       
      This is one site of three that provides primary documents. The other two discuss national expansion and reform and the civil war and reconstruction.
  • Samantha Greenwald on 19 Sep 10
     
    This Library of Congress website provides access to primary documents including letters, notes, papers, Washington's inaugural address, and copies of the amendments to the US Constitution.
  • Adrea Lawrence on 04 Oct 10
     
    Any other ways in which teachers might use this site?
Adrea Lawrence

Public Education Network: Home - 0 views

www.publiceducation.org/

del.icio.us education imported socialstudieseducation

shared by Adrea Lawrence on 24 Jun 08 - Cached
  • Adrea Lawrence on 24 Jun 08
     
    The Public Education Network website is an accessible, interactive citizen's gateway to the world of public school reform and local education funds.
Laura Wood

Learning Matters - 0 views

learningmatters.tv

Michelle Rhee education reform news violence documentaries interviews podcasts blogs

shared by Laura Wood on 28 Aug 09 - Cached
  • Laura Wood on 28 Aug 09
     
    The Actual Home Page with links to the blog, podcasts, videos, interviews, latest news, etc.
Maria Mahon

Initiative Focuses on Early Learning Programs - NYTimes.com - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...20child.html

Head Start Early Learning Education Reform Education Bills

shared by Maria Mahon on 24 Sep 09 - Cached
  • A result is that poor children, even many who have access to government-financed early care or learning programs, tend to enter kindergarten less prepared for school than those with wealthier parents.
    • Maria Mahon
      Maria Mahon on 24 Sep 09
       
      I was especially struck by this line when I thought back to Ch. 5 in Mathison - Defining the Social Studies Curriculum. It lists the goals of Goals 2000: Educate America Act. The first thing listed is "All children in America will start school ready to learn". The reality is that not all students start school ready to learn or at least at the same place. As this newspaper article acknowledges, many poor children enter less prepared for school than those with wealthier parents and this is, in some cases, despite some having access to learning programs. Would an influx of new funds from such a bill create a more organized and directed early learning strategy? And if so, I wonder how educators can really help parents take advantage of the available services.
  • ; a plan for reaching out to parents;
    • Maria Mahon
      Maria Mahon on 24 Sep 09
       
      I think a plan for reaching out to parenst will be a crucial step in making this worthwhile. Communities need to provide the structures that would enable to parents to take advantage of these options and that might include adult education or parenting classes, too.
  • Maria Mahon on 24 Sep 09
     
    This article provides a look at a bill that proposes to raise the quality of early learning and care programs that serve children from brith through age 5.
Laura Wood

Learning Matters | Learning Matters - 1 views

learningmatters.tv/...60

Michelle Rhee Paul Vallas New Orleans John Merrow Education reform blog podcast news npr interviews

shared by Laura Wood on 28 Aug 09 - Cached
  • watch this 6-minute video
    • Laura Wood
      Laura Wood on 28 Aug 09
       
      This video ROCKS! and has tons of information
  • Laura Wood on 28 Aug 09
     
    WATCH THE 6 MINUTE VIDEO ON THIS PAGE! Learning Matters has a ton of resources from blog interviews with Diane Ravitch and Herb Kohl on the new "Race to the Top" incentive program to podcasts with Michelle Rhee (DC) and Paul Vallas (New Orleans)
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