| News about teaching and education excellence |  |
- Georgia lawmaker: State's NBCT bonuses should be "set in stone"
A Georgia lawmaker says he is committed to restoring stipends for National Board Certified Teachers that were cut this year. State Rep. Earl Ehrhart says restoring the NBCT bonuses is a "major priority" and he wants them to be "set in stone going forward." However, Ehrhart says, he is unsure when the state's budget will allow the program to be reinstated, and he called a lawsuit filed by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators "counterproductive." The organization says it wants the state "to do the right thing by our best educators." The Forest-Blade (Swainsboro, Ga.)
(11/16)
     
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- Rubik's Cube is used as a tool in geometry, algebra lessons
Some New York City schools are incorporating the Rubik's Cube into their math curriculum. Makers of the iconic toy recently reworked their problem-solving guides to make them user-friendly for students as young as 8. Teachers say such puzzle-solving helps with geometry and algebra as well as memorization and perseverance. They also say that solving the cube gives students a feeling of accomplishment. The New York Times/City Room blog
(11/16)
- NBPTS board member: Likert-scale questions improve learning
 A National Board for Professional Teaching Standards board member asserts that student-response systems, which give teachers instant feedback on student learning, don't have to focus only on multiple-choice questions. Bill Ferriter, who is also a National Board Certified Teacher, writes in this blog post that student responses will have more educational value if teachers ask questions in a manner similar to a Likert scale, asking students if they agree with certain statements and to what degree. Teacher Leaders Network/The Tempered Radical blog
(11/14)
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- Census Bureau reaches out to immigrants through schools
The Census Bureau has launched a program intended to reach 56 million students at 118,000 schools with the goal of reaching out to children to count more immigrants. The Census Bureau is developing materials for school curricula that explain to students why they and their families should be counted in the census, which will begin early next year. The Wall Street Journal
(11/17)
- Budget concerns leave foreign-language programs in jeopardy
Budget woes have Fairfax, Va., officials questioning whether foreign-language learning -- especially for younger students -- is needed. Sixteen states and Washington, D.C., require students to take foreign-language courses to graduate, but Fairfax officials say that although early foreign-language programs are crucial to developing bilingual students, the recession leaves everything except reading, writing and math on the chopping block. The Washington Post
(11/17)
- African boarding school suggested as a way to save inner-city students
A group of Indiana University professors is suggesting that inner-city students consider enrolling in a boarding school in western Africa to avoid the risks of gangs and violence. "The core idea is to pull kids out of an environment where they cannot thrive," one professor said. "and put them in one where they can." However, the group says it recognizes the plan carries some legal and safety concerns. The Indianapolis Star
(11/16)
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| Policy News | | |
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- New Tennessee tests attempt to eliminate confusion for ELL students
Tennessee officials are modifying state tests to make them less wordy and more understandable for English-language learners. A state education official says the tests are "simplified in that it's a very straight-to-the-point type of question with a straight-to-the-point type of answer" -- eliminating some of the confusion that could lead to poor performance among students who are not proficient in English. The Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tenn.) (free registration)
(11/17)
- Judge: Chicago schools must discuss transfer options after violence
 A judge on Monday ordered the Chicago school system to discuss transfer options with 10 Fenger High School students who have sued to transfer to another school after violence at their school. Their requests follow the beating death of a classmate. School officials said Monday they will meet with the students to discuss transfer arrangements. Chicago Tribune
(11/17)
| NBPTS Update | | |
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NBCTLink launches new features
NBCTLink, the online community for National Board Certified Teachers, has launched two new features. Through the "Teaching Resources Center," NBCTs can upload lessons featuring their accomplished teaching that would generate collaboration using lessons, videos and photographs. NBCTs can also share their good news through the "NBCT Recognition" group, which was set up to collect news of accomplishments, honors, awards and opportunities NBCTs have received since achieving National Board Certification. Read more. (Membership required.)
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"My Profile" -- Up to date?
"My Profile," a candidate's secure online NBPTS account, allows National Board Certification candidates and Take One! participants the ability to track their status throughout the assessment process, update their personal information, make payments and more. As the National Board prepares to release 2008-09 scores and certification decisions, candidates and participants should log in to www.nbpts.org/myprofile to verify the completeness and accuracy of the information in their accounts, paying close attention to the three pieces of information required to access their score reports. Read more.
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