Reform through Sustained Union-Management Collaboration

Posted on July 21, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

Last week, the Center for American Progress published a paper discussing an alternate path to school system reform: collaboration of stakeholders through labor-management partnerships among teachers’ unions, school administrators, and school boards. The authors base their recommendations on six examples of how teachers’ unions have been critical to improving public education systems in collaboration with Read more about Reform through Sustained Union-Management Collaboration[…]

NEA Shifts Position on Teacher Evaluations

Posted on July 20, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

Recently the nation’s largest teachers’ union, the National Education Association, changed their position on including student performance in teacher evaluations. In passing the new policy, the union hopes to take a leadership role in the national movement towards revamped teacher evaluation methods. However, the union also made it clear that it continues to oppose the Read more about NEA Shifts Position on Teacher Evaluations[…]

The Teacher Salary Project presents “American Teacher”

Posted on July 19, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

American Teacher is a new full-length documentary based on the New York Times bestselling book Teachers Have It Easy, produced by co-authors Dave Eggers and Ninive Calegari and directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth. The film seeks to shed light on the startling statistics of the teaching profession—such as, 46 percent of public Read more about The Teacher Salary Project presents “American Teacher”[…]

Education Wars: Who is the Most Influential Educator?

Posted on July 18, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

Several weeks ago renowned education journalist John Merrow began speculating on who might be the most influential educator in America. Of his four “nominees,” (Wendy Kopp, Big Bird, Arne Duncan and Joel Klein), Merrow settled on Joel Klein, former New York City School chancellor, for his “remarkable network of eleven protégés now influencing what happens Read more about Education Wars: Who is the Most Influential Educator?[…]

D.C.’s IMPACT: Round 2

Posted on July 17, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

On Friday the new IMPACT teacher evaluation results were announced by D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson. All told, 413 DCPS teachers and staff have been given separation notices, but not all of the firings were directly related to IMPACT. The controversial evaluation system identified 288 DCPS teachers and staff who did not meet expectations; Read more about D.C.’s IMPACT: Round 2[…]

Dangerous Mind Games Are We Ready to Overhaul the Teaching Profession?

Posted on July 14, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

In an article in the most recent edition of Education Outlook, Fairfax County Schools Superintendant Jack Dale shares his vision for the “21st century teacher-leader.” He claims the current system of negotiated contracts, 10-month work, various pay schemes, etc. are moving the teaching profession “toward an hourly, blue-collar, piecemeal work paradigm.” We need to stop Read more about Dangerous Mind Games Are We Ready to Overhaul the Teaching Profession?[…]

Should Tenure Be Abolished?

Posted on July 13, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

In a recent article for Time, Andrew Rotherham explored the tenure system in higher education. Critics claim that the tenure system is outdated and no longer necessary; while proponents claim that tenure ensures a continued culture of intellectual independence and inquiry. Rotherham begins with an examination of the complaints against the tenure system: It creates Read more about Should Tenure Be Abolished?[…]

Teacher Residency Programs: Successes and Barriers

Posted on July 12, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

In a recent Education Week article, Stephen Sawchuk turns to teacher residency programs. These programs apprentice teacher-candidates to a mentor teacher in a high-need school for one year. Funded in part by the USDE’s Teacher Quality Partnership grants, residents receive stipends for their on-the-job training and take coursework concurrently. The goal is to better align Read more about Teacher Residency Programs: Successes and Barriers[…]

Inside IMPACT: D.C.’s Model Teacher Evaluation System

Posted on July 11, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

In her report Inside IMPACT, Reporter Susan Headden takes a close look at D.C.’s teacher evaluation system. IMPACT was developed by former Chancellor Michelle Rhee to address the gulf between the high rate of “satisfactory” teacher evaluations and student NAEP scores that were among the lowest in the nation. IMPACT was developed with an eye Read more about Inside IMPACT: D.C.’s Model Teacher Evaluation System[…]

Tennessee Approves New Teacher Evaluation Model

Posted on July 10, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

Last month, the Tennessee State Board of Education adopted a state-recommended, state-wide teacher evaluation model currently being used in South Carolina. The Board also adopted three alternate models for districts to choose from, and the state will monitor each district closely in the coming year to make sure that teachers are being judged fairly regardless Read more about Tennessee Approves New Teacher Evaluation Model[…]

Arne Duncan speaks on DREAM Act, Atlanta scandal on Tell Me More

Posted on July 8, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sat down with Michel Martin, host of NPR’s Tell Me More on July 7 to talk about current issues in education. Duncan addressed several issues, how the current economic conditions are unduly affecting education, the cheating scandal in Atlanta Public Schools, No Child Left Behind, the DREAM Act, and the Read more about Arne Duncan speaks on DREAM Act, Atlanta scandal on Tell Me More[…]

Evaluating Teacher Effectiveness: The Cincinnati Model

Posted on July 7, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

In a recent EducationNext report, researchers examine the Teacher Evaluation System (TES) of Cincinnati to test if it is as effective as has been touted and whether it could address the “Widget Effect” cited by The New Teacher Project (2009). Cincinnati’s TES uses classroom observations performed by trained evaluators external to the school who are Read more about Evaluating Teacher Effectiveness: The Cincinnati Model[…]

America’s Biggest Academic Cheating Scandal Unfolds in Atlanta

Posted on July 6, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

The Christian Science Monitor reported on July 5 that at least 178 teachers and principals in Atlanta Public Schools cheated to raise student scores on standardized tests, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). So far 82 teachers and principals have confessed to changing student answers and conspiring to cover-up the scandal. Since the Read more about America’s Biggest Academic Cheating Scandal Unfolds in Atlanta[…]

Smart Spending for Better Teacher Evaluations

Posted on July 5, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

In its latest report, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) addresses eligible applicants of Round 3 of the Race to the Top (taking place this fall), and other states seeking to most effectively invest their time and resources in implementing revised teacher development and evaluation tools. Their investment suggestions fall into five categories: 1. Tools and Read more about Smart Spending for Better Teacher Evaluations[…]

Technology Trends

Posted on July 5, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) released its eighth annual National Educational Technology Trends Report, State Leaders Leveraging Technology to Transform Teaching and Learning. This annual report highlights innovative educational technology activities that are playing a crucial role in K-12 school improvement efforts in states and local communities across the country. The report includes Read more about Technology Trends[…]

Education/Evolving’s National Inventory of Schools with Teacher Autonomy

Posted on June 30, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

Education|Evolving Founder Ted Kolderie has encouraged a strong look at the current management of schools. He explains, “Our deal with teachers has been that we don’t give you professional authority, and you don’t give us accountability. Cut a new deal: in exchange for real accountability we’ll give you real authority.” The premise is that when Read more about Education/Evolving’s National Inventory of Schools with Teacher Autonomy[…]