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Public Education Network Weekly NewsBlast
"Public Involvement. Public Education. Public Benefit."
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AN EDUCATION REBELLION IS STIRRING
From Utah to Virginia, a revolt is building in classrooms and
legislatures
against the biggest education reform in a quarter century. As elements
of
the federal No Child Left Behind Act take effect, state and local
education officials, upset over the stringency of testing requirements
and
the cost of implementation, are openly criticizing the measure -- and
even
threatening to defy it. The rebellion, in some cases led by GOP
lawmakers,
reports Amanda Paulson, could endanger a signature achievement of the
Bush
administration in an election year. At the least, it highlights the
frequent tensions between policies in Washington and their effects in
the
classroom.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0211/p01s02-ussc.html
OREGON REJECTS BUDGET PLAN FOR SCHOOLS
Oregon voters last week defeated a measure to shore up school spending,
the second statewide victory claimed in recent months by national
conservative activists who promise to stamp out state tax increases
wherever the issue arises. Education advocates, reports David J. Hoff,
said that the Oregon defeat and others like it show that although
people
support public schools, they won't blindly agree to increase the amount
of
public dollars spent on them. "I don't think people have turned their
backs on public education," said Wendy D. Puriefoy, president of the
Public Education Network. "Success [on such measures] is largely due to
well-structured public engagement that explains what the money is for,
where it is going to go, and why it is going to benefit the entire
community." Oregon's Measure 30 -- which would have funded health care,
prisons, and police as well as schools -- failed in part because the
public didn't understand exactly how increased income, cigarette, and
corporate taxes would benefit schools, she contended. Last year, she
added, voters in Multnomah County, Ore., which includes Portland,
approved
a local income tax when they understood how the money would be used to
aid
schools.
http://www.edweek.com/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=22Oregon.h23
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR TEACHERS: A BILLION DOLLAR HOAX
The term "National Board Certification" conjures up visions of the
highest
levels of expertise in the area of certification. The reality is
however,
far from such visions. Teachers who are National Board Certified need
only
have as much content knowledge as some of the more advanced students
that
they teach. In this brief commentary, M.O. Thirunarayanan attempts to
demonstrate that despite the lofty image conveyed by its name, the
standards for National Board Certification for Teachers are closer to
entry level standards for teachers. Thirunarayanan also argues that
teachers who attain such certification do not deserve the humongous pay
raises and other incentives that have been lavished on them.
http://www.tcrecord.org
FALSE ACCUSATION CONTRIBUTES TO DEATH OF TEACHER
A high school student told authorities that he'd been assaulted by Ron
Mayfield, who taught English to non-native speakers. Mayfield denied
it,
but his word, his reputation and his spotless record were not enough.
He
had been suspended, and police were called in to investigate. What
Mayfield didn't know -- as he mounted a bridge preparing to jump -- was
that the police had cleared him of wrongdoing. No national statistics
are
kept on the number of false accusations students make against their
teachers, reports Timothy Dwyer, but experts have said the evolving
culture of the classroom has caused the number of reports of abusive
teachers to increase in the past 15 years. "Whenever there is an
allegation," Greg Lawler, general counsel for the Colorado Education
Association said, "there is a victim, whether it is the accused or the
accuser."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34637-2004Feb11.html
HIGHLY QUALIFIED EDUCATORS EARN BONUSES AT LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS
In what educators called a "massive reallocation of funding," the
Mobile
County school board has agreed to pay highly qualified teachers up to
$16,000 in bonuses for voluntarily moving to any of five low performing
schools this fall, reports Rena Havner. At least 97 percent of the
students at each of the five schools is black and 90 percent is poor,
according to information from the State Department of Education. School
officials said the plan would attract higher quality teachers to the
underachieving schools, thus improving student learning and test
scores.
http://www.al.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1076496301284920.xml?mobileregister?nmet
A MOVE TO INVEST MORE IN EFFECTIVE TEACHING
Many education experts and policymakers who think all schools should
pay
more to their most effective teachers are watching an experiment in and
a
few other initiatives like it, reports Jay Mathews. Even some teachers
unions, which often argue that merit pay is unsound and unfair, appear
receptive. Gerry Dowler, an official of the Tennessee Education
Association, which represents Chattanooga teachers, said the changes
were
a result of union bargaining. "When you look at what is best for
students,
sometimes it does take some radical changes and requires us to
experiment
and try some options," she said. The Chattanooga effort has been helped
by
private donations, including a $5 million grant from the local Benwood
Foundation, said Dan Challener, president of the Public Education
Foundation, a local education fund, which promotes community
involvement
in schools.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26936-2004Feb9.html
RISING TENSIONS BETWEEN HETEROSEXUAL & OPENLY LESBIAN GIRLS
Philadelphia high schools are struggling with a new problem in student
behavior: rising tensions between heterosexual and openly lesbian
girls.
Nationwide, lesbians increasingly are declaring their sexual
orientation
and publicly displaying their affection for each other at younger ages,
and Philadelphia appears in step with that trend, reports Susan Snyder.
The phenomenon has led to embarrassing moments in some cases and
physical
clashes in others. Accusations of intimidation have surfaced on both
sides: from lesbians who say they are being harassed and from
heterosexual
girls who say they have been grabbed and bothered.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/education/7899956.htm
EDUCATION: WATCHING THE JOBS GO BY
Nicholas Kristof reports that there is one step we should take in
response
to the continuing wave of job outsourcing: bolster our second-rate
education system. "For too many graduates, the American high school
diploma signifies only a broken promise," declares a major new study by
three education policy organizations. Called the American Diploma
Project,
it found that 60 percent of employers rated graduates' skills as only
"fair" or "poor." In 1957, the Soviet launching of Sputnik frightened
America into substantially improving math and science education.
Kristof
is hoping that the loss of jobs in medicine and computers to India and
elsewhere will again jolt us into bolstering our own teaching of math
and
science.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/11/opinion/11KRIS.html
TECHNOLOGY TRAINING FOR TEACHERS: A BETTER WAY
Everyone believes teachers have to understand technology before they
use
it in their classrooms, and professional development is the preferred
method to grow that understanding. The U.S. invested $40 billion in
educational technology in the ten years between 1993 and 2003. But
teacher
technology usage counts more than hardware installation, writes Dale
Mann.
Conventional professional development is expensive and widely derided
by
teachers as irrelevant, ineffective, too late, or too far removed from
the
reality of classrooms. But, without an alternative, people who care
about
adding technology to teaching are left to reconcile themselves to a
melancholy reality: Conventional practice may not work very well, but
what
else is there? Mann outlines the achievements of a new program called
TeachNet.
http://www.teachersnetwork.org/aboutus/eschool1.htm
NEW RESEARCH OFFERS SOLUTION FOR CHILDREN WITH READING DISABILITIES
Results of a research study involving sixth-graders with below average
reading skills revealed that visual attention therapy significantly
improved reading comprehension and test scores by up to two grade
levels.
This research, reported in the November/December 2003 Journal of
Learning
Disabilities, confirms prior studies indicating correctable visual
problems may strongly contribute to learning disabilities.
http://www.pnnonline.org/article.php?sid=4998
EDUCATORS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (ESR)
ESR teaches young people and adults skills to help them become engaged
citizens in their schools and communities. Their newest website helps
teachers take advantage of "teachable moments" by giving them a fresh
supply of classroom readings and activities on issues in the news. The
teaching ideas featured on TeachableMoment.org encourage inquiry,
dialogue
and thoughtful reflection on current issues -- for instance, the 2004
presidential race or U.S. policy in Iraq. The website also includes an
array of teaching ideas to improve students' skills in conflict
resolution
and intercultural understanding.
http://www.teachablemoment.org
NINTH GRADE: THE PIVOTAL YEAR
Nearly all students enter ninth grade with high aspirations, but many
lose
their self-confidence by the time they get their first report card,
reports Susan Black. Tedious lessons, overcrowded classrooms, and
indifferent teachers were among the factors Anne Wheelock found that
diminished students' already fragile attachment to school. And when
students feel their teachers and schools are uncaring and inhospitable,
she said, the attachment is easily broken.
http://www.asbj.com/current/research.html
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The month of February is a time to celebrate the considerable
contributions of African Americans in the United States. February was
chosen for Black History Month because of the month's many important
anniversaries and remembrances relating to African Americans, including
Frederick Douglass's presumed birthday (February 14) and Abraham
Lincoln's
birthday (February 12). For PTAs, Black History Month is an excellent
time
to look at how well the organization reflects the diversity of its
community. If you're looking for ideas on promoting diversity in your
PTA,
the "Respecting Differences Resource Guide" is a great place to start.
The
guide is loaded with strategies that will help your PTA build a diverse
membership.
http://www.pta.org//parentinvolvement/helpchild/respectdiff/understand.asp
MAKING GOOD ON WHAT MATTERS MOST
A new report from The Teaching Commission, "Teaching at Risk: A Call to
Action," reminds the American people of how much more needs to be done
to
improve teacher quality in our public schools. In its urgent call for
more
comprehensive reforms, The Teaching Commission puts forth a number of
important ideas that could help make teaching a "true profession" -- a
goal that must be reached if we expect all students to have the
educational opportunities they deserve and our democratic society
requires. The report raises a familiar spectre, one that haunts
reformers
who are committed to closing the achievement gap in America. Poor
children
and those of color are far more likely not to have a qualified and
effective teacher. Yet growing research evidence shows that a teachers
knowledge, skills, and experience are the best predictors of whether a
child will learn in school, writes Barnett Barry in this critique and
call
to action.
http://www.teachingquality.org/resources/pdfs/GerstnerReview.pdf
FUTURE FEDERAL ROLE: OBSERVATIONS & IDEAS
During his 32 years in Washington, D.C., Christopher T. Cross has been
a
close observer of the evolution of the federal role in K-12 public
education. In an excerpt from his new book, Mr. Cross discusses new
ways
the federal government is poised to shape policy in K-12 education. In
this excerpt, Policy Perspectives presents Cross discussing (1) the
federal directions already established, (2) potential new federal
policies, (3) factors that will influence federal policy, (4) what will
not happen within the coming decade, and (5) what remains that requires
attention. Cross concludes with a discussion of congressional
organization
and how it affects schools. (Click button that says "View online/pdf".)
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/view/rs/723
|---------------GRANT AND FUNDING INFORMATION--------------|
"BellSouth Foundation"
The BellSouth Foundation is now accepting concept papers for its 2004
Opportunity Grants. Opportunity Grants are available for unsolicited
proposals that compliment Special Initiatives or issues where the
BellSouth Foundation is currently focusing its work. Focus areas for
this
year include: college-going minorities; leadership and education
policy;
teaching quality; technology & learning; No Child Left Behind; and
business/education partnerships. Initial concept papers are due March
1,
2004 and grants will be awarded in May. For complete grant guidelines
and
more information, visit:
http://www.bellsouthfoundation.org/grants/og/index.html
"P. Buckley Moss Foundation"
The P. Buckley Moss Foundation is giving five $1,000 grants again this
year along with $10,000 in teacher awards. Grants will be given to
educators who need money to further their program goals. Programs
eligible for these grants must be in the planning stages or in
existence
for less then two years. Awards are given to recognize outstanding
teachers who consistently integrate the arts into their teaching of
children with learning disabilities and other special needs. Grants
applications must be received by March 1, 2004.
http://www.mossfoundation.org/
"Department of Education Forecast of Funding"
This document lists virtually all programs and competitions under which
the Department of Education has invited or expects to invite
applications
for new awards for FY 2004 and provides actual or estimated deadline
dates
for the transmittal of applications under these programs. The lists are
in
the form of charts -- organized according to the Department's principal
program offices -- and include programs and competitions we have
previously announced, as well as those they plan to announce at a later
date. Note: This document is advisory only and is not an official
application notice of the Department of Education. They expect to
provide
updates to this document through July 2004.
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html
"Grantionary"
The Grantionary is a list of grant-related terms and their definitions.
http://www.eduplace.com/grants/help/grantionary.html
"GrantsAlert"
GrantsAlert is a website that helps nonprofits, especially those
involved
in education, secure the funds they need to continue their important
work.
http://www.grantsalert.com/
"Grant Writing Tips"
SchoolGrants has compiled an excellent set of grant writing tips for
those
that need help in developing grant proposals.
http://www.schoolgrants.org/tips.htm
"FastWEB"
FastWEB is the largest online scholarship search available, with
600,000
scholarships representing over one billion in scholarship dollars. It
provides students with accurate, regularly updated information on
scholarships, grants, and fellowships suited to their goals and
qualifications, all at no cost to the student. Students should be
advised
that FastWEB collects and sells student information (such as name,
address, e-mail address, date of birth, gender, and country of
citizenship) collected through their site.
http://www.fastweb.com/
"Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE)"
More than 30 Federal agencies formed a working group in 1997 to make
hundreds of federally supported teaching and learning resources easier
to
find. The result of that work is the FREE website.
http://www.ed.gov/free/
"Fundsnet Online Services"
A comprehensive website dedicated to providing nonprofit organizations,
colleges, and Universities with information on financial resources
available on the Internet.
http://www.fundsnetservices.com/
"eSchool News School Funding Center"
Information on up-to-the-minute grant programs, funding sources, and
technology funding.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/funding/
"Philanthropy News Digest"
Philanthropy News Digest, a weekly news service of the Foundation
Center,
is a compendium, in digest form, of philanthropy-related articles and
features culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide.
http://fdncenter.org/pnd/
"School Grants"
A collection of resources and tips to help K-12 educators apply for and
obtain special grants for a variety of projects.
http://www.schoolgrants.org
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of
its
value is not in its taste, but in its effects."
-J. William Fulbright, US Senator (1905-1995)
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