by Guest Blogger Maren

I am a high school biology and chemistry teacher, deeply concerned about changes to the Washington graduation requirements and state science testing. 

The biology end-of-course exam is going to be introduced next school year. Not only is it going to be introduced for the first time, it is going to be introduced in a very high stakes fashion—this year’s freshmen must pass it to graduate. This is a new test, the first to focus on biology, and will be the first tenth grade exam covering new science standards.  To adequately prepare for such a new exam takes time at the school level—curriculum must be examined and potentially modified; alignment must be checked between new standards, class work and laboratory investigations; classroom formative and summative assessments need to be researched or created.

One might think that this is all work that could be started now in preparation for next year’s big changes.  However, this year, we have an equally new, equally high stakes, yet completely different exam to prepare for: the science HSPE, which current sophomores must pass to graduate.  Then, after only one year as a graduation requirement, the science HSPE is going to be abandoned and replaced by the biology EOC.

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For the past two years teacher leader bloggers here at Stories from School: Practice meets Policy have written hundreds of posts about how policies impact learning and teaching in their Washington State classrooms, and through thousands of comments you have continued the conversation with them. Now we are excited to introduce a new partner to expand the conversation even further!

Through the new blog Stories from School-AZ, ten accomplished teacher leaders will post about how policy impacts teaching and learning in their Arizona classrooms and schools. The bloggers come from across the state of Arizona, and teach and lead in a wide variety of interesting contexts. Check out their bios to see for yourself.

Stories from School-AZ launched with support from the fabulous leaders at the Arizona K-12 Center. We could not ask for a better partner in this important work. If you’re not familiar with the Center, a trip to their website is well worth the time.

A new school year began this week in Arizona, and Stories from School-AZ bloggers are writing about it as we speak. When Washington bloggers come back from their well-deserved vacations later this month, you’ll be able to find them right here, connecting with their Arizona counterparts on issues that impact learning and teaching in both states.

More teacher leader voices. Broader insight and analysis. This is the beginning of a powerful partnership!

by CSTP staff

Great news! Stories from School: Practice meets Policy was named one of the BEST EDUCATION BLOGS for 2010 by Washington Post bloggers Jay Matthews (Class Struggle) and Valerie Strauss (The Answer Sheet).

Congratulations SFS bloggers Brian, Kristin, Luann, Mark, Rena, Tom, Tracey and Travis. We knew you rocked before, but it is nice to know that others agree!

And one other shout out to SFS friend and education blogger extraordinaire Nancy Flanagan. Nancy brought her wisdom here and helped SFS bloggers find their virtual voices back when SFS was just an idea. Nancy's blog, Teacher in A Strange Land, debuts at Teacher Magazine on Monday. Be sure to check in with her there.

Here's to 2010!

By Representative Marko Liias 

We can all remember classic sitcoms about American
families.  In every one, there is at
least one episode about a bully.  I can
still remember the Brady Bunch episode where poor little Cindy is teased by the
mean bully, Buddy Hinton.  Like all
sitcoms, there is conflict, but everything works out and always a happy ending.

In the 21^st Century, we understand that school
bullying and harassment is much different than these classic images.  Fights are no longer about lunch money, they
are about the very basic characteristics of our students, and today’s bullies
use the powerful tools of technology to harass and intimidate their victims 24
hours a day.

And the impacts of this behavior are devastating.  Victims of school bullying and harassment
struggle to perform in the classroom, and fall behind their classmates.  Many face emotional and psychological stress
that turn into on-going mental health challenges.  In the most extreme cases, these victims try
to take their own lives, and a few succeed.

Simply put, we’re not doing enough to prevent bullying and
harassment in our schools.

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By Guest Blogger Sarah 

What really sticks with me is Governor Gregoire saying that Legislators need teacher mentors to educate them about the important issues of education.  What a terrific idea. But honestly, I think a lot about the barriers and not always about the possibilities and I need to get over that.  I think about people’s lives already being full with teaching, parenting, trying to eat right and get enough sleep – being a “Legislative Mentor” is probably the furthest thing from our minds, realistically, but I wonder- would the efforts put in now make a difference down the road?  Would becoming legislatively active and aware and influential, create a school system in Washington state that would ensure our students were prepared for the world they are going to, and maybe even lighten our day to day load by having smart, teacher influenced, educational policy?

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Greetings avid Stories from School readers. The school year is off and there are many exciting topics popping up in the world of education. Stay informed and join us in the discussion of what impacts children.

There are two easy ways to follow our posts. One is through Twitter, or if you prefer, RSS or email. 

And you can always keep on coming back to the web site. Hope to meet you there.

It's August, which means Stories from School: Practice meets Policy is returning! Travis, Tom and Kim are back, along with a great group of new blogger colleagues. Readers can get a sneak preview by reading their bios now, located in the left hand column of this page. Then get ready. Each blogger is set to ready to connect practice and policy with a bold first post, "Five Ways I Would Change Education if Money Was Not An Issue." You'll be surprised about the ways in which they'd transform education funding. Stay tuned!

Thanks for visiting Stories from School: Practice meets Policy.  We are on hiatus for the month of July so that SFS bloggers can spend time thinking exceptionally big thoughts. Have no fear though, SFS posts are still accessible during this time through the archives or on Twitter. We will return in August, charged up and ready to go. Be ready to read new ruminations from your favorite SFS bloggers, plus get to know a whole new group of accomplished teachers who are ready, willing and able to connect practice and policy.

Thanks SFS community, for a great first year.

Year two is going to be interesting!