“Bar Exam” for Teachers looks more likely

According to the 46th annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll, the American public sees a need for change in how teachers are prepared, meaning a higher likelihood for the teacher “bar exam”. With stunning unanimity, the American public has concluded the nation must demand more of its future teachers and those who prepare them, a new Read more about “Bar Exam” for Teachers looks more likely[…]

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CCSSO Wants Your Comments on Revised Standards for Education Leaders

The Council of Chief State School Officers is seeking feedback from the public on draft standards for education leaders that aim to ensure district and school leaders are able to improve student achievement and meet new, higher expectations. The standards detail the leadership skills and knowledge effective district and school leaders need in order to Read more about CCSSO Wants Your Comments on Revised Standards for Education Leaders[…]

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U.S. Department of Education Issues New Guidelines On Collecting Student Data

This past July, the U.S. Department of Education released the Transparency Best Practices for Schools and Districts, a new set of guidelines created to improve relations between school districts and parents surrounding school districts’ collection, maintenance, and distribution of student data. The new guidelines seek to keep parents more informed and if properly implemented, such Read more about U.S. Department of Education Issues New Guidelines On Collecting Student Data[…]

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Teachers as Researchers: Another Mark of Professionalism

On his Education Week blog, Marc Tucker argues that teachers should serve as the agents of education research, not just subjects of it. There is no argument about the need for research in the United States, but Tucker worries that most of it is done by academics not involved in the daily demands of teaching. Read more about Teachers as Researchers: Another Mark of Professionalism[…]

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Ten Things to Know About PARCC

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) has released a list of 10 things you should know about the PARCC assessments as you start off this school year: PARCC is your state’s homegrown assessment. PARCC is not a testing company – it’s a group of states working together to build better Read more about Ten Things to Know About PARCC[…]

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September Issue Brief: School Culture

The job of the teacher today is more demanding than ever, and teachers need the support of colleagues and a productive school culture for continuous growth and ongoing resilience in the face of challenges. But a vibrant school culture is an elusive concept. In this month’s issue brief, we explore various commentary, resources, and ideas Read more about September Issue Brief: School Culture[…]

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Engaging Educators: A Reform Support Network Guide for States and Districts

Many states are proactively engaging educators in shaping key reforms, including evaluation, feedback, and support systems. The Reform Support Network has released a study titled Engaging Educators: A Reform Support Network Guide for States and Districts that takes a close look at five states/districts to watch. These include Denver Public Schools; Hillsborough County, Florida; Illinois; Read more about Engaging Educators: A Reform Support Network Guide for States and Districts[…]

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Educator Accountability for Education Professionals – A New Idea

On his Education Week blog, Marc Tucker discusses the National Center for Education and the Economy’s latest report, which calls for replacing the current system of test-based accountability with a system much more likely to result in improvements in student performance. Following is an excerpt  describing the plan outlined in the new report: Fixing Our Read more about Educator Accountability for Education Professionals – A New Idea[…]

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McREL Policy Brief: Continuous Improvement in Schools and Districts

Discussions about improving public education often focus on outcomes without considering how schools and districts can accomplish those outcomes. Research shows that using a continuous improvement process has proven successful in healthcare, manufacturing, and technology, and may hold potential for use in education as well. This brief defines and describes the continuous improvement process, and Read more about McREL Policy Brief: Continuous Improvement in Schools and Districts[…]

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Landmark Partnership in Maryland

In a landmark agreement, leaders of eight Maryland education organizations are joining together to support the implementation of Student Learning Objectives (SLOs), a key component of the new teacher and principal evaluation system. This level of collaboration is unprecedented at the statewide level. All of the organizations have agreed to coordinate resources and strategies and Read more about Landmark Partnership in Maryland[…]

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Creating Anytime, Anywhere Learning for All Students

A new report from the Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed) argues that a comprehensive digital infrastructure must include changes in teaching practice, professional learning, assessment, and other key elements. While connecting the nation’s schools and libraries to the internet by modernizing and expanding the federal E-rate program currently dominates education technology efforts, a new report Read more about Creating Anytime, Anywhere Learning for All Students[…]

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The Rich Potential of a Student-Centered Approach

A new research brief from the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE) documents practices and outcomes of four urban high schools that, through student-centered approaches, are providing building blocks of knowledge and skills students need as adults. These schools are non-selective and predominantly serve low-income students of color. Their vision shapes what students Read more about The Rich Potential of a Student-Centered Approach[…]

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Cutting Red Tape: Overcoming Bureaucracy to Develop High-Performing SEAs

In many ways, the success of educational policies in the United States depends greatly on the success of state education agencies. States—traditionally through state education agencies, or SEAs—monitor districts and schools to ensure that students are safe in school and that their education meets minimum quality standards. But the space occupied by SEAs is also Read more about Cutting Red Tape: Overcoming Bureaucracy to Develop High-Performing SEAs[…]

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Wallace Foundation aims to help school leaders get better, donates $30 million

Fourteen school systems around the country, including the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County (MD), will receive grants totaling $30 million to improve the effectiveness of unsung middle managers in large urban districts – those who supervise principals. The five-year program, funded by the Wallace Foundation, is designed to help improve management in sprawling Read more about Wallace Foundation aims to help school leaders get better, donates $30 million[…]

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States Forge Ahead on Principal Evaluation

Since 2010, at least 36 states have adopted laws requiring principals to undergo regular assessments and increasing the rigor of those reviews, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This change is in large part due to demands set on school systems by No Child Left Behind and the later waivers granted by the Read more about States Forge Ahead on Principal Evaluation[…]

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New Issue Brief from the ACT on College and Career Readiness

The ACT doesn’t only make tests; they also write policy reports. Their newest one, “Communicating College and Career Readiness through Proficiency Standards,” has several policy recommendations for states adopting new educational standards. The brief describes how Kentucky, New York, Florida, and the District of Columbia transitioned their state assessments to reflect college and career readiness Read more about New Issue Brief from the ACT on College and Career Readiness[…]

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