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February 21, 2007

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News for the Education Profession

Top Story

Did Reading First officials overreach?
An analysis of e-mails sent between former Reading First director Christopher J. Doherty and G. Reid Lyon, a former branch chief at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, suggests the two officials often took unprecedented control over the federal initiative. While some argue that level was needed, others say it went too far. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (2/20)

Eye on Curriculum

Columnist: Studies slight progress in California
Columnist Peter Schrag takes to task two studies of the California public education system, arguing that they are based on arbitrary standards and fail to cite real improvements in school quality and student performance. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (2/21)

The budget ax often falls on gifted programs
In Minnesota's Belle Plaine school district, gifted classes are facing cuts after voters shot down a plan to raise more money for the schools. One principal says many parents see the gifted programs as elitist and don't mind cutting them. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (2/20)

New York City's small schools to get funding boost
Twenty of New York City's small middle and high schools to be opened in the fall will receive additional funding to help accommodate special education and ESL students, the city's education department said Tuesday. The New York Times (2/20)

"Yardsticks is the best single book on child development. I give copies to teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents." Clear descriptions and charts of children's development from ages 4 to 14 with classroom implications. Click here for details.

Professional Leadership

Some Florida teachers eligible for merit pay
A quarter of the teachers in Florida's Seminole County will get 5% pay raises disbursed from a $3.7 million bonus pool. The raises are part of Florida's statewide performance-pay plan. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (2/20)

Baldwin-Whitehall teachers strike
For the first time in 32 years, teachers in the Baldwin-Whitehall school district have gone on strike. They've been working without a contract since June. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2/20)

Make the most of your time with struggling readers! One Child at a Time presents a four-part framework for assessing students and tailoring instruction. It helps K-6 teachers increase their understanding of the reading process and impart strategies to comprehend text and solve words. Click here to browse the entire book!

Technology Solutions

Tech execs meet with Texas educators
Apple Computer's Steve Jobs and Dell's Michael Dell met with education leaders in Texas. Jobs raised hackles with his negative comments about teacher's unions. Dell emphasized the importance of students being taught skills appropriate for today's employment market, but he did not agree with Jobs regarding unions. eSchool News (free registration) (2/20)

Make a computer for every student reality
Its compact size, extraordinarily long battery life, and wide range of computing capabilities make Neo the perfect tool for writing, keyboard learning, and quizzing. No wonder it's being hailed as "the better laptop for schools." Click here for more information.

Policy Watch

States consider ways to combat cyber-bullying
Lawmakers in several states are considering legislation to regulate the online behavior of young people. Advocates of regulating cyber-bullying say the problem requires attention and that teachers and school administrators are not equipped to handle the problem. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas)/Associated Press (2/21)

The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)

NEW! Brookes Publishing introduces Evidence-Based Reading Practices for Response to Intervention, a necessary addition to the library of every present and future education professional. In this must-read volume, some of the biggest names in reading research share what they know about today's hottest topic in education—Response to Intervention (RTI), the key to helping struggling students before they fall behind. Click here for a special discount.

Turn your school into a professional development zone! Let us help you plan and deliver an on-site conference that's hassle-free and meets your staffs' needs. Choose from a who's who of today's best education experts and the hottest teaching topics critical to student success. Learn more, or call Staff Development for Educators at 1-877-388-2054.

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.

Gain The Vocabulary Edge! Wordly Wise® 3000^TM vocabulary is the key to success on high-stakes tests and in content-area reading for grades K - 12. Find out how Wordly Wise 3000 fits into your curriculum. Request a FREE sample and learn how you can get a FREE classroom set.

Interested in learning more about advertising in ASCD SmartBrief? Contact Joe Riddle at (202) 737-5500 x228 or jriddle@smartbrief.com.

In the Field

D.C. mayor plans to overhaul special ed
Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty said Tuesday if he takes control of the city's public schools from the school board he will fix problems in special education and place more students with special needs into mainstream classes. He is also promising to cut transportation costs and strengthen teacher and administrator training. The Washington Post (2/20)

State lawmaker pledges aid for New Jersey schools
The president of the New Jersey Senate says the state's public schools will receive "hundreds of millions of dollars" in increased aid next school year. "For the first time in a long time they're going to get an increase," Senate President Richard J. Codey told The Associated Press. The Philadelphia Inquirer/Associated Press (2/20)

Association News

High School Reform: It's About Time
The current educational model that was designed to serve the United States in the early 1900s is no longer relevant in preparing students to succeed in today's global economy. The latest Infobrief examines the problems faced by American high schools, and ASCD's High School Reform Proposal. Read more.
- Also available: See the Infobrief, The Achievement Gap: Keeping Students in School

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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
Director	Hope Academy -- The Recovery High School at Fairbanks	Indianapolis
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