I applaud the authors of this
funding proposal, a group of legislators involved with the Joint Task Force on
Education Funding, for acknowledging, “One of the most pernicious failings in education
is the divergence in educational attainment between children of modest means
and those with more money.” I’m just not sure that remediation is the answer.
Category Archives: Education Policy
My Neighbor’s Bike Skills
Teachers can teach anyone, anything. Last week I taught my neighbor’s son how to ride a bike. Being a highly trained teacher, I used widely accepted educational practices, current trends in education, and data based analysis. Read about our week through my daily notes . . . .
How Will this Education Funding Proposal Impact You???
Like many places around the nation, the funding of education is a hot topic. Is funding adequate? Are the limited state / federal educational resources being allocated efficiently? How can a state budget be ‘rewritten’ to better meet the needs of education? Recently, a few state legislators looked at this issue and want to know what you think…
ProCert or ProCertifiable?
According to OSPI, “The Professional Certificate (ProCert) is designed to help teachers demonstrate they have a positive impact on student learning. It is an individualized, classroom-based process that focuses on increased skills to impact student learning rather than credits. ProCert expectations apply state-wide, focus on student learning, and emphasize closing the achievement gap and reaching student learning goals. It is fully aligned with Washington’s expectations for K-12 student learning. Through ProCert, teachers demonstrate their competency in the 3 standards of Professional Certification: Effective Teaching, Professional Development, and Professional Contributions.” http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/Teacher/procert-program.aspx
Beginning in 2001, new Washington teachers have had to complete the ProCert program (or National Boards) to be able to apply for continuing certificate. Isn’t a university-educated and trained teacher “professional” enough? Isn’t holding a Washington state certificate “certificated” enough?
You Cannot Measure with Measure 60 (ORE)
I do not usually have a newspaper in my house. I usually do not read the newspaper. However, on this cold, wet Sunday, I read the newspaper. You see, it was left there by a guest and I am glad they did. I was able to read about Measure 60 in Oregon. Not our state you say, well, it is only one state away from Washington, and not too many away from the others.
Hey, School is Not for Everyone
Not everyone should go to school. Not everyone needs school. School is not for everyone. Not every one has the ability to do well in school. In general, schools just are not for everyone!
Standards for ALL Beginning Teachers
Recently, there has been much written about teacher certification – and the different pathways that teachers can take to receive their initial (or advanced) certification. Here in our own blog, National Board Certification has even been highlighted. So, it was with great interest that I began to follow the Washington State Professional Educators Standards Board’s (PESB) discussion about teacher certification, especially online teacher certification.
GRADES: A Necessary Evil?
Fall is a beautiful time…the colorful leaves, the crisp air, and the grueling grading period. Many of you will be sending grades out soon. Have you ever reflected on how you grade? Every year, I find myself closer to the ideal grading situation. There is nothing inherently wrong with grades. However, grades have always been a hot topic in education. What are your thoughts?
Join in the discussion on grades. This post is unique. I have not written a 400 word post, carefully crafted with my opinion. I do have a bias and it is relatively transparent…I suppose the photo for this post is a bit revealing. However, I want to hear what you think; I came to my current philosophy on grades by talking with parents and teachers and adjusting my practices. If we each take from the discussion a new way to impact our teaching, the students will benefit.
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me…”
Emma Lazarus’ famous words are carved at the base of the Statue of Liberty, one of the greatest – if not THE greatest – symbols of American freedom and the American dream. This is the basis of everything we stand for as a nation – that we will take those who have been disadvantaged and give them opportunity equal to that given to the majority of citizens in this country.
Sadly, NCLB works contrary to this ideal when it allows parents to move their students out of “failing” schools – at the expense of the district – to other schools that are making standard. This might seem like a non sequitor, but it isn’t.
NBPTS Survival Knife
What do about 1850 teachers have in common? What do 3.5% of Washington teachers have in common?