October 27, 2010
Education Week, Vol. 30, Issue 09
Education
Letter to the Editor
Professional Learning: Collect the Right Data
To the Editor:
I write with a friendly amendment to Hayes Mizell’s Commentary "The Misuse of Professional Development" (Sept. 22, 1010).
I write with a friendly amendment to Hayes Mizell’s Commentary "The Misuse of Professional Development" (Sept. 22, 1010).
Education
Letter to the Editor
Tears at 'Superman' Weren't Only for Kids
To the Editor:
I shed more than a few tears for the kids who weren’t “winners” in the school lotteries filmed in the much-discussed documentary “Waiting For ‘Superman’ ” ("Anticipation and Controversy Surround ‘Superman’ Release", Sept. 1, 2010). But I was even more saddened that the film did not leave me optimistic about any miraculous transformation of America’s schools.
I shed more than a few tears for the kids who weren’t “winners” in the school lotteries filmed in the much-discussed documentary “Waiting For ‘Superman’ ” ("Anticipation and Controversy Surround ‘Superman’ Release", Sept. 1, 2010). But I was even more saddened that the film did not leave me optimistic about any miraculous transformation of America’s schools.
Education
Letter to the Editor
For 'Deeper Learning,' Assess Abilities Broadly
To the Editor:
While Barbara Chow’s Commentary "Rigorous and Deeper Learning" (Oct. 6, 2010) was very timely, it raises a troubling issue. Most states that use high-stakes testing for student promotion mainly assess students’ core-content knowledge. If we are to be fair to students, then, as we implement the five concepts that Ms. Chow proposes, our assessments must measure student abilities in all concepts.
While Barbara Chow’s Commentary "Rigorous and Deeper Learning" (Oct. 6, 2010) was very timely, it raises a troubling issue. Most states that use high-stakes testing for student promotion mainly assess students’ core-content knowledge. If we are to be fair to students, then, as we implement the five concepts that Ms. Chow proposes, our assessments must measure student abilities in all concepts.
School & District Management
Stimulus-Aid Bonanza Draws Heat on Campaign Trail
Republicans slam the economic-stimulus package, while some Democrats argue its $100 billion in education aid helped preserve crucial school jobs.
Teaching Profession
A Look at the Fuss Over Value-Added Teacher Data
Most teacher evaluations not only fail to single out successful teachers—they also don't help principals determine which teachers need help to improve and which ones are failing their students altogether.
Curriculum
Science Grows on Acquiring New Language
An emerging body of research dispels old myths about language learning and makes a case for multilingualism.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Coming to America
In her book about four young Mexican immigrants, Helen Thorpe seeks to understand what it means to arrive in this country without legal status.
Student Well-Being
Character Education Found to Fall Short in Federal Study
A study of seven schoolwide programs aimed at promoting students' social development has found that such efforts yield few, if any, academic and behavioral benefits.
English Learners
White House Renews Attention to Hispanic Education
Dropout prevention, the path to higher education, and the DREAM Act all shared the spotlight at a Washington summit culminating a months-long listening tour on the topic.
School & District Management
Gwinnett County, Ga., Wins $1M Broad Prize
Cited for closing the achievement gap, the 161,000-student urban district will receive $1 million in college scholarships for the class of 2011.
