ASCD SmartBrief

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/gmnghMrCCnAqaVEMQN

February 23, 2007

Forward

Archive

Advertise

News for the Education Profession

Eye on Curriculum

Study: Despite hard courses, high schoolers learn less
Two Department of Education studies released Thursday show high-school students are learning less than students just 15 years ago, despite more rigorous classes and higher grade-point averages. The reports -- part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress -- also showed only the slightest narrowing of the student achievement gaps between blacks and whites and Hispanics and whites since 1990. Los Angeles Times (2/23)

Editorial: NCLB needs tweaking
The Economist points to flaws in federal subsidies as part of the problem with No Child Left Behind. The publication believes NCLB is one of the domestic issues on which President George W. Bush still has a chance to leave a positive mark. The Economist (2/22)

What are educators saying about First Steps in Mathematics? Come visit us at the ASCD and NCTM Conferences to find out about the recently released Washington State OSPI mathematics review. First Steps and 30 other mathematics programs were reviewed to identify those that ensure acceleration for students whose learning is below grade level. Click here to see the results of this review and our conference schedule.

Professional Leadership

D.C. board tries to dissuade mayoral takeover
The Washington, D.C., school board says it knows better what students need than Mayor Adrian Fenty and has submitted a preliminary plan to help the ailing schools in the area. Mayor Fenty is seeking to assume over authority over the D.C. school system. The Washington Post (2/23)

Teaching positions trimmed amid budget cuts
Confronted with having to make $820,000 in budget cuts, school board members in South Milwaukee have cut two part-time foreign language teaching positions and a social studies position. The South Milwaukee School District is not alone in its struggle to balance its budgets under the restrictions of the state's school funding cap, this article says. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (2/22)

Do essays have a bad reputation in your classroom? Essay Writing is a practical guide that will help you engage students purposefully. This book covers all of the basics and is filled with lessons, tips, reproducible forms & templates for assignments, and assessment tools. Click here to browse the entire book online!

Technology Solutions

South Korea's online program lets students pick teachers
The South Korean government is running an online pilot program that lets students pick their homeroom teacher and evaluate other teachers. In Korea, the homeroom teacher also plays a counseling role by monitoring scores and advising on class selection. The Korea Times (Seoul) (2/23)

Schools' e-Pads given to middle schoolers
The 1,370 middle school students in San Diego's Lemon Grove School District are now using e-Pads, a school district-designed laptop. The e-Pads enable students to access electronic versions of textbooks, play educational games and text message teachers and other students. San Diego Union-Tribune (2/23)

Talk About It-The anonymous online messaging service that bridges the gap between students and school officials. Simple to use, it gives students a voice they're comfortable using. Help students communicate serious issues before tragedy strikes. Visit talkaboutit.ancomm.com to learn more.

Policy Watch

Ohio voucher program infrequently used
Ohio's EdChoice program, which provides between $4,250 and $5,000 annually for low-income public school students to attend private schools, is getting mixed reviews in its first year. Fewer than 3,000 students used the vouchers this year, although the Ohio Legislature set aside funding for about 14,000. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (2/22)

The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)

50% Off NSDC Memberships--10+ schools in your district can join the National Staff Development Council for $59 each, 5+ schools for $79 each. Membership includes publications, web site access, resource discounts, and more. Join by 4/30/07 and get free CDs of annual conference keynotes and lectures. Call 800-727-7288 or visit www.nsdc.org/benefits.pdf today.

Proven Methods for Preventing Reading Difficulties
Please join respected educator Dr. Marcia Davidson and educators from across the nation on March 15 for a webinar hosted by LeapFrog SchoolHouse. Dr. Davidson's presentation, Three Tiers of Early Reading Success, highlights proven strategies to optimize early literacy instruction. Register now.

Join the educators from 30 states who have participated in Just ASK's Mentoring in the 21st Century Institutes. The final 2006-2007 two-day institutes are scheduled for Denver on May 3^rd and 4^th and for Washington, D. C. on May 22^nd and 23^rd. Click here for details and registration forms.

Download the introduction to The Opportunity Gap—FREE!—the just released title from Harvard Education Press and the Harvard Educational Review features wide-ranging essays that examine the central question: Do we need to look beyond classrooms and schools for the answers to disparities in educational outcomes? Click here to learn more.

Interested in learning more about advertising in ASCD SmartBrief? Contact Joe Riddle at (202) 407-7857 or jriddle@smartbrief.com.

In the Field

PTAs expand beyond fundraisers
The PTA at New Jersey-based Collins Elementary School, which went from deficits to garnering $100-per-week profits, is one example of parent-teacher groups that are taking a more corporate approach to fundraising. In many public schools, these sorts of "corporatized" PTAs have become powerful forces that have alienated some parents, teachers and local elected officials, according to this article. NYTimes.com (2/23)

Education Foundation helps fill funding gaps
The Gloster Elementary Foundation is a nonprofit that was set up to allow donations to go directly to the school, rather than be funneled through the district. The group has funded such things as student trips and helped fund a two-day reading fair. Enterprise-Journal (McComb, Miss.) (2/22)

Schools' security guard transfers a concern to parents, teachers
A handful of Pittsburgh elementary and middle schools have lost their security guards at a time when officials have pledged a focus on safety. Parents are concerned by the development, as are teachers' unions, but a school district spokeswoman said the guards were transferred to fill vacancies at schools were there was more of a need. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2/23)

Association News

ASCD Poll: Who is most responsible for teacher professional development?
ASCD's homepage is featuring a poll to receive feedback from members, constituents, policymakers and others, who care about education. The poll includes related resources on professional development for teachers. Take the Poll.
- Have a comment? Share your thoughts on the ASCD blog.

Learn more about ASCD ->


Upper School Spanish	Collegiate School	Richmond, VA
Coordinator of Mathematics Instruction	Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School	Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School in Los Angeles, California 90077
Mathematics Education	Grove City College	Grove City, PA 16127
Principal	The Preparatory Charter HS	Philadelphia, PA
Early Childhood Elementary Teachers	The UFT Elementary Charter School	Brooklyn, New York
Chief Academic Officer	Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools	Los Angeles, CA
Chief Academic Officer	Los Angeles Unified School District	Office of the Superintendent
Health and Physical Education Department Chair	Collegiate School	Richmond, VA
Secondary Educational Consultant	National Urban Alliance	National