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December 4, 2007

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News for the Education Profession

Eye on Curriculum

Several countries outperform U.S. in math, science
Teenage students in several other developed countries have a better understanding of math and science than students in the U.S., according to new results from the 2006 Program for International Student Assessment, released today. "It's a sad state to be in," said Gerald F. Wheeler, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (12/4)

Girls sweep prestigious Siemens competition
For the first time, girls swept the grand prizes of $100,000 scholarships, at the annual Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology. Isha Jain, a Pennsylvania senior, won the individual grand prize for her work on bone growth in zebrafish fins, and New York seniors Janelle Schlossberger and Amanda Marinoff won the top team prize for their research into tuberculosis treatments. The Boston Globe/Associated Press (free registration) (12/3)

Teen's computer-networking project nets $40,000 scholarship: Jacob Steinhardt's research may speed computer networks and netted him a third-place $40,000 Siemens Foundation college scholarship. Steinhardt, 18, is a senior at the prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia. The Washington Post (12/3), The Washington Post (12/4)

More states move to require consumer-math classes
As math classes in personal finance increasingly are being phased out as schools and students stress college-preparatory curriculum -- potentially leaving teens less financially literate -- some educators, parents and lawmakers are pushing to require more of such coursework. The Washington Post (12/2)

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Professional Leadership

Study: Teacher experience tied to student success
An analysis of several studies indicates that student achievement improves when teachers are more experienced. Arming a teacher with an advanced degree, however, had a negligible effect on student achievement. SeattlePI.com/Associated Press (12/3)

Rural S.D. schools endeavor to attract teachers
As a state with low starting teacher salaries, South Dakota is struggling to hire teachers especially for small, rural schools. Fewer new teachers are graduating from the state's universities, and some principals have started sharing applicant names in hopes of filling more open positions. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org)/Associated Press (12/3)

Other News

Retired Alabama teacher recognized for contributions to art education
Times Daily (Florence, Ala.) (12/3)

New Greensboro, N.C., educational supply warehouse opens its doors
American City Business Journals (12/3)

Now available! The revised and expanded edition of the best-selling Craft Lessons by Ralph Fletcher and JoAnn Portalupi features 17 brand-new writing craft lessons, revisions to other lessons, expanded resources, and more—a total of 95 lessons grouped into sections for K-2, 3-4, and 5-8. Click here to browse the entire book online!

Technology Solutions

Inexpensive laptops can help schools' digital dollars go further
Some Ohio districts are buying low-cost, stripped-down laptops that access a central mainframe and are half as expensive as desktop computers. "It'll close the digital gap for our kids and provide them with opportunities to participate in the global society," said Tianay Amat-Outlaw, the principal of a low-income school where less than a fifth of the students have a home computer. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)/Associated Press (12/3)

University makes GPS mobiles mandatory for all students
New Jersey's Montclair State University has become one of the first U.S. colleges to use GPS-equipped cell phones to help keep track of students' locations, keep them abreast of campus security issues and let them alert school officials to emergencies. The students must purchase the phones through the school, but the devices come equipped with unlimited text messaging at no charge and other free features. Boston Herald/Associated Press (12/3)

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Policy Watch

Report: Racial disparities in Seattle's gifted program
Of the roughly 1,300 students enrolled in Seattle Public Schools' gifted program, 70% are white -- even though white students represent just 40% of the overall district, a review panel reported. The 80-page report, which includes interviews with students, educators and other school leaders involved with the gifted program, said district officials are aware of the socioeconomic and racial discrepancies and have expressed a commitment to remedying the problem. SeattlePI.com (12/3), The Seattle Times (12/3)

Environmental literacy a growing priority for lawmakers, educators
Most U.S. students are "totally environmentally illiterate," even as climate change make such issues more important than ever, says Brian A. Day, the North American Association for Environmental Education's executive director. Some U.S. lawmakers are pushing for a new emphasis on environmental education, as many education experts advocate for science test scores to be included in NCLB ratings. Houston Chronicle/Associated Press (12/1)

Other News

Research: Potentially life-threatening peanut allergies in children on the rise
Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org)/Associated Press (12/3)

The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)

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Discovering New Horizons: Leadership Coaching for the 21st Century Principal. Teachers21 and ATLAS Communities present a unique three-tiered Leadership Coaching model that Roland Barth credits with "suggesting how a school district might be transformed into a community of learners and a community of leaders." Order the book at www.teachers21.org.

CORE Annual Literacy Leadership Summit February 28 - 29, 2008
Promoting Literacy Equity summit brings together state & district literacy leaders, principals, literacy leadership teams, & K-12 reading specialists. All sessions deliver practical, up-to-date information from leaders within the literacy community. Click here for more information.

Explore A Whole New Way of Learning Algebra
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Interested in learning more about advertising in ASCD SmartBrief? Contact Joe Riddle at (202) 407-7857 or jriddle@smartbrief.com.

Association News

Making Math Count: What's Right About Looking at What's Wrong?
To teach mathematics for conceptual understanding, we need to treat it primarily as a realm of ideas to be investigated rather than a set of facts, procedures, and definitions to be used. The latest Educational Leadership examines why teachers must have a deep understanding of content as well as the skill to implement concept-based pedagogy to implement this approach. Read more

Become a Leader in Your Community!
ASCD Connected Communities are a unique way for ASCD members to provide leadership for self-organized groups within their local area. Be involved in offering professional development, developing communications, influencing policy and practice, leading professional dialogues, participating in joint programs with other ASCD constituent groups, promoting ASCD resources, and more. Because each community determines its focus and definition, the possibilities are endless. Contact Meg Simpson at Connected@ascd.org or go to the Connected Communities Web page www.ascd.org/connectedcommunities for more information.

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Lecturer, Asst, Assoc or Full Professor - Educational Foundations	CUNY City College	New York, NY
Chief Academic Officer	St. Louis Public Schools	St. Louis, Missouri
Lecturer - Secondary Science Education	CUNY City College	New York, NY
Online Adjunct Faculty	Wilkes University	Online Position
Director Of Elementary Education	Fairfield Public Schools/Fairfield, Connecticut	Central Office/Fairfield Public Schools
Principal	National Heritage Academies	Cincinnati, Oh; Metro-Detroit, MI; Denver, Co; Washington D.C.; Raleigh, NC; Cincinnati, OH
System Administrator	Friendship Public Charter Schools	District Office
Technology Support Specialist	Friendship Public Charter School	District Office
Assistant, Associate or Full Professor (Childhood Edu)	CUNY Hunter College	New York, NY
Assistant Superintendent of Schools	School District of Clayton	Clayton, Missouri
Exceptional Education Teacher	Lee County Schools	Sanford, North Carolina
Principal for Middle School	Lee County Schools	Sanford, North Carolina
Superintendent of Schools	Horry County Schools	Myrtle Beach/Conway, South Carolina
High School Principal	Propel Charter School	Munhall PA