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ASCD Association News


Public or Private?

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 20, 2008

While many people are focusing on who President-elect Barack Obama will pick for his cabinet, there is another debate about where he should send his children to school. Many feel he should send them to public school since he is an elected official who spent much of his career fighting for education improvement. Others think private schools may offer better security and provide his children with a better education considering the current state of many D.C., schools. An ASCD blog post asks readers for their thoughts about whether they think a decision to send the Obama girls to private school would demonstrate a lack of faith in public education. View the post


Qualities of Effective Principals

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 20, 2008

Principals are crucial in advancing student achievement and school success, but it has not been clear which components of the principal's job are the highest priorities. Following on the results-based approach from the ASCD book "Qualities of Effective Teachers," the authors of "Qualities of Effective Principals" explain how the research-based qualities of effective principals can be applied to training, hiring, mentoring and supervising school leaders. Synthesizing decades of research into clear guidelines, this book establishes definitive benchmarks for top education administration, leadership academy and professional development programs. Find out more


New Report: Measuring Skills for the 21st Century

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2008

This week, Education Sector released the report "Measuring Skills for the 21st Century" and hosted an online discussion about 21st century learning. An ASCD blog highlights that discussion and response from a panel expert. The post also seeks questions about teaching and assessing for 21st century skills for an upcoming January 2009 issue of Education Update, in which ASCD will sit down with the executive director of West Virginia's Teach 21 project, a statewide initiative to align teaching, standards, and assessments with 21st century skills and learning, and examine how one state is "turning the tide on a practical level." View the post


Leading Schooling by Design

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2008

What is the mission of schooling, and how should a school's mission guide its work? How should principles of learning influence educational practice? The ASCD Web seminar, "Leading Schooling by Design" will explore these questions and provide an overview of the book, "Schooling by Design." The seminar will also look at issues such as whether "backward design" enhances school improvement planning, how to make assessment a "photo album, not a snapshot," and determining the primary job of teachers and leaders. The seminar will be held on Monday, May 11, 2009, 4:30-5:30 p.m. ET. Find out more


How to Be an Effective Advocate

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2008

The newly updated ASCD Advocacy Guide provides tips to help educators take action to support effective education policy. Educators will learn how to build a network, work with their policymakers, communicate with the media, and publicize their advocacy work. Using the strategies and tactics in this guide, educators can make the most of their time as an advocate. ASCD Advocacy Guide


Fostering Self-Direction

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2008

Arthur W. Combs writes in Educational Leadership, "The information explosion has blasted for all time the notion that we can feed all students the same diet... this calls for student cooperation and acceptance of major responsibility for his own learning." An ASCD blog post looks back at this passage which comes from the article "Fostering Self-Direction," which appeared in the February 1966 EL. If the "information explosion" of that era compelled students to take more responsibility for their own learning, imagine how urgent Combs might regard the situation in 2008. View the post to read the article


Springing into Active Learning

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2008

One of the most significant and persistent barriers to student achievement resides in the collective mindset of the very students we teach. Too many students have become compliant workers who simply follow directions and finish the necessary paperwork on time. An article in the latest issue of Educational Leadership looks at how educators must reevaluate the degree to which compliance has affected every aspect of the learning environment, including the use of established classroom assessments and grading systems to identify success. Read more


No-Grades, No-Stress Learning Environment

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2008

Christa McAuliffe School, a school that parents once clamored to get their children in, is now struggling to fill seats. Christa McAuliffe is a public school that has no tests and no formal grades. The school is based on the premise that students learn better in a stress-free environment that allows them to get more individual attention and learn at their own pace about things they're interested in. An ASCD blog post points out how Christa McAuliffe has suffered because of the focus on testing and assessments that schools now face under No Child Left Behind. The post also asks readers if they think schooling without grades or testing is good preparation for the real world. View the post


Content-Area Conversations: How to Plan Discussion-Based Lessons for Diverse Language Learners

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 14, 2008

Time pressures, standards-driven curricula, and rising populations of students who are struggling with English can make it hard to include discussions in teaching, yet there are more good reasons than ever to use academic discourse to promote learning. In the book "Content-Area Conversations...," the authors introduce a four-component framework for discussion-based lessons. They present strategies and guidelines for educators to help students -- especially English language learners -- to process and remember information, develop higher-order thinking, and advance their literacy skills. See sample chapters. Related resources: Content-Area Conversations.


Did Well on Your Test? Here's an MP3 Player

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 14, 2008

Last week's most-clicked SmartBrief news item examined incentive programs that reward students for attending class or doing well on tests. Students in cities ranging from Washington, D.C., to Boston can receive cash or other lucrative rewards for improvement in class. An ASCD blog post highlights some of the arguments from proponents and supporters. The post also asks readers if they support rewarding students with cash and gifts for achievement, or if they think it is only a short-term solution that may do future harm. View the post.


Become a leader in your community!

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 13, 2008

ASCD Connected Communities are a unique way for ASCD members to provide leadership for self-organized groups within their local area. ASCD is committed to supporting groups designed from the educator's perspective to both meet local needs and enrich the overall ASCD community. ASCD Connected Communities offer opportunities for professional development, developing communications, influencing policy and practice, leading professional dialogue and more. Because each community determines its focus and definition, the possibilities are endless. Find out more at the ASCD Connected Communities Web site.


Loose Lips at Detention Slip

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 13, 2008

There have been some objections leveled against the controversial education blog Detention Slip. Focusing on the absurd and salacious, this popular site collects news stories from around the country and provides brief abstracts and snarky commentary. Although much of Detention Slip is light on nuanced analysis, some educators find the hot tips useful. An ASCD blog posts ask readers what they think. View the post.


Research-Based Strategies to Engage Students in the Classroom

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 12, 2008

Drawing from the ASCD book, "The Art and Science of Teaching," by Robert J. Marzano, this Web seminar allows educators to explore techniques and strategies for promoting high levels of student engagement and energy in the classroom. The seminar will include specific action steps you can take to promote increased achievement and understanding. Find out more.


Following Grades Like the Stock Market

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 12, 2008

Numerous schools have started posting grades online so that both parents and students can check them with a few clicks of a mouse. An ASCD blog post highlights how these online "grade books" allow users to receive e-mail alerts when grades are posted; calculate what grade a student needs to get on a future project to achieve a certain overall grade; and perhaps most important, track their children's progress and intervene if one is struggling. The post also asks readers if they think grades will improve if parents have access to them 24/7 online. View the post.


Changes Announced for NCLB

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 11, 2008

Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings recently announced new changes to the controversial No Child Left Behind law just months before the Bush administration leaves office. An ASCD blog highlights some of the most significant changes, and asks readers if they think adding new requirements now is a wise move. View the post


Footprints in the Digital Age

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 11, 2008

In the Web 2.0 world, self-directed learners must be adept at building and sustaining networks. The author of "Footprints in the Digital Age" examines how the new Web 2.0 world has resulted in digital footprints-the online portfolios of who we are, what we do, and by association, what we know-becoming increasingly woven into the fabric of almost every aspect of our lives. This article in the latest Educational Leadership explains that if we embrace the moment, rather than recoil from it, we may find opportunities to empower students to learn deeply and continually in ways that we could scarcely have imagined just a decade ago. Read more


Disrupting education

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 10, 2008

Clayton M. Christensen, Michael B. Horn and Chester E. Finn Jr. discussed disruptive innovation in education at the American Enterprise Institute on Oct. 27. Despite the negative-sounding theme, their discussion wasn't about wrecking the educational system; rather, they discussed how to improve it. An ASCD blog post highlights some of their discussion, and seeks reader feedback on whether virtual schools would be a positive disruption to education's status quo. View the post


Investing in healthy teachers

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 10, 2008

In the U.S., more than 30% of teachers leave the profession within five years. In urban areas, attrition rates are even higher. In a message in the October Education Update, ASCD President Valerie Truesdale discusses the importance of investing in teachers to ensure that they stay focused and fresh and have opportunities to renew their passion for the profession. She also discusses how many states are forming partnerships to support teachers. Read more.


Letters to the Next President

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 07, 2008

Although most K-12 students aren't eligible to vote, that doesn't mean elections are irrelevant for them. An ASCD blog post highlights the Google Docs/National Writing Project "Letters to the Next President" campaign which is collecting thousands of student-written letters. The post points out that of the over 5,000 letters posted on the Letters to the Next President site, nearly 10% are related to education and discuss such topics as attracting and keeping good teachers, better facilities, and more affordable college options. View the post


How to Give Effective Feedback to Your Students

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 07, 2008

The feedback a teacher provides a student can be very powerful if done well. The book, "How to Give Effective Feedback to Your Students," helps readers determine the right feedback for all types of assignments at every grade level and in every subject area. This guide covers everything from how to use oral, written, and visual feedback to tailoring feedback for different kinds of learners, including successful students, struggling students, and English-language learners. See sample chapters


Perspectives / Learning: Whose Job Is It?

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 06, 2008

In this age of technology, many college students find themselves on their cell phones or on their laptops doing non-academic activities such as listening to music or being on Facebook during classes. Many of the comments on a YouTube video called "A Vision of Students Today" suggest that traditional teaching practice does not meet the needs of students who have at their fingertips an array of data sources, exciting outlets for creativity and collaboration, and-depending on how you look at it -- either short attention spans or amazing abilities to multitask. An article in latest issue of Educational Leadership looks at how educators can instill ownership of learning in students. Read more


Will Obama Be the Whole Child President?

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 06, 2008

Throughout his campaign, Barack Obama stressed improving education, and his plan for doing so cuts along a lot of the same lines as ASCD's policy recommendations. An ASCD blog post highlights President-elect Obama's pledge to address the lack of funding allocated to fulfill the requirements of NCLB, as well as his proposed programs to solve the dropout crisis and to recruit, prepare, retain, and reward teachers. The post also asks readers if they think the recent national and state election results were a win for education. View the post


Global Understanding the Focus of ASCD November Podcast

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2008

In our increasingly interconnected global society and economy, it's imperative that students understand the world we live in. Three leaders in international education will join host Molly McCloskey for the second episode of ASCD's Whole Child Podcast: Changing the Conversation About Education. The episode goes live tomorrow, Nov. 6, at 3:30 p.m. EST at www.ascd.org/news_media.aspx in the "Podcasts" section.


ASCD's Message to President-Elect Barack Obama

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2008

ASCD Executive Director Gene R. Carter, in an ASCD statement issued today, expressed hope that President-Elect Barack Obama will make a commitment to improving our country's education system. ASCD, Carter said, "stands ready to support an Obama administration in creating and implementing sound education policy that recognizes academic achievement is inextricably linked to the civic engagement; motivation; and the emotional, physical, and social health of our students." Find out more


ASCD Launches Web Site Redesign

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2008

ASCD launched the first phase of its comprehensive Web site redesign last week. According to ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter, ASCD's Web site redesign is part of the Association's mission to continually meet the needs of its members and the broader education community. The redesign features easier browsing, improved usability, and enhanced interactivity for users. Find out more


Five Reasons Educators Must Vote

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2008

Education is the most important factor in shaping our country's future. As an educator, you have the expertise to determine which candidate's education policies will lead to a bright and promising future for our country's children. An ASCD blog shares ASCD's top five reasons educators should vote. To add your own reasons to the list, share your comments on the post. View the post


ASCD Express Calls for Submissions

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2008

ASCD Express is looking for short, 600- to 1,000-word essays on the theme "Collaboration to Support Instruction." When teachers can rely on instructional leaders in the school for support and guidance, they can improve their classroom practice significantly. Please consider the following question when writing your essay: How should such collegial relationships be structured for professional success, which means maximum influence on student learning? This issue will look at collaborative models that encourage mutual sharing of classroom practice and insight among educators with different levels of experience in an atmosphere of trust. Send us your submissions by Tuesday, Nov. 11.


No Soldier Left Behind?

ASCD SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2008

When Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., took office in 2007, the first thing he did was introduce and help pass the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The new bill will nearly double the amount of money veterans can receive for higher education and start keeping pace with the rising tuition costs that the current, but dated, GI Bill struggles to keep up with. An ASCD blog post highlights a Washington Post article on the topic and points out the unfortunate fact that the bill will not go into effect until August 2009 -- eight years after 9/11 when many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will already be out of school or have already accumulated a large amount of debt. View the post


MathML Strengthens Digital Math Texts

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 31, 2008

Digital texts are moving beyond simply putting pages on a computer screen. An ASCD blog post highlights how last week's most-clicked SmartBrief article focuses on a small pilot study that is demonstrating the benefits of this textbook technology for students with different learning styles. The article explains the benefits of using digital texts that use math markup language, or MathML, that are able to speak words and equations while highlighting corresponding elements on a computer screen. View the post


The Art and Science of Teaching Video Series

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 31, 2008

Based on the framework from ASCD's guide "The Art and Science of Teaching," this DVD series provides a visual for educators to see how to implement this comprehensive approach and promote high levels of student achievement. Robert J. Marzano explains the scientific basis for effective teaching, the three main teacher-level factors that influence student achievement, and the relationship between teaching as an art and as a science. Find out more


Differentiated Instruction: Beginning the Journey

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 30, 2008

"One size fits all" instruction does not serve students well, especially when the backgrounds of students are so diverse and their needs are so numerous. To help educators teach all students with different needs, ASCD offers a three-day institute that will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of how to recognize and respond to students' varied readiness levels for new learning, honor and celebrate their diverse interests, and understand their unique preferences for how they learn new information and practice new skills. The expert presenters will explain essential concepts to expand the use of differentiation, and provide a take-home plan for setting up, managing, and grading in the differentiated instruction classroom. Find out more


Talent Development vs. Schooling

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 29, 2008

Think of those people who have achieved the highest levels of accomplishment in cognitive, artistic, and athletic fields. What contributed to their greatness? What role did schools play in their success -- and what role could they play? An ASCD blog post looks back at the article "Talent Development vs. Schooling," which appears in the November 1981 issue of Educational Leadership. The article provides a glimpse at research on the backgrounds of highly talented individuals and discusses the importance of home-school coordination to reinforce learning, the value of recognition, and the need for formative assessment that gives feedback to students as they learn. View the post


Show IB Some Respect

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 29, 2008

High school students taking rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) courses hoping to get college credit may be disappointed when they arrive on campus. An ASCD blog post highlights how many universities refuse to recognize IB exam scores, while some of these same schools accept Advanced Placement scores. The post asks readers if colleges should honor both IB and AP credits. View the post


Understanding by Design Exchange

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 28, 2008

Understanding by Design is a framework for designing curriculum, assessments, and instruction. This framework explores questions like: What is teaching for understanding? How can you unpack content standards to identify the important big ideas that you want students to understand? What instructional practices are both engaging and effective for developing student understanding? To help educators enrich student understanding, ASCD offers the Understanding by Design Exchange, a Web site dedicated to the design of curriculum, assessment, and instruction that leads students to deep understanding of content. Find out more


Too Much Focus on Students' Weaknesses?

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 28, 2008

Are teachers focusing too much on struggling students' weaknesses instead of their strengths? That's what Yvette Jackson, chief executive officer of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education, said in a recent meeting at ASCD headquarters. An ASCD blog post highlights her presentation on reversing underachievement in urban schools and asks readers if they find themselves focusing on students' strengths or weaknesses. The post also allows readers to listen to Jackson talk about the power of educators to nurture potential in students. View the post


Classroom Politics in Racine

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2008

A mother in Wisconsin is questioning the Racine Unified School District's decision to use a textbook featuring a chapter on Barack Obama. She expressed her displeasure that neither John McCain nor any other politicians were predominately mentioned in the McDougal-Littell Literature, 8th Grade textbook. An ASCD blog post points out that the book includes selections from Obama's 2004 Democratic National Convention speech and his autobiography, Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, which were selected by a panel of educators within the district. The school system claims it does not support any presidential candidate and that the selection was made to provide a "contemporary and multicultural figure to explore." The post seeks comments from readers on whether they think this mother's concerns are well-founded. View the post


Expecting Excellence: Rigor Redefined

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 27, 2008

In the new global economy, what skills will students need to build successful careers? What skills will they need to be good citizens? Are these two education goals in conflict? An article in the latest Educational Leadership examines these questions. First, the author conducted research by speaking with several hundred business, nonprofit, philanthropic, and education leaders. With a clearer picture of the skills young people need, he then set out to learn whether U.S. schools are teaching and testing the skills that matter most. He observed classrooms in some of the nation's most highly regarded suburban schools to find out whether our "best" was, in fact, good enough for our children's future. Read more


Educating the Whole Child: An ASCD Action Tool

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 24, 2008

While everyone wants students to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged, it's tough to work toward that vision when there are so many other priorities and constraints. ASCD has developed a new action tool to help educators lead and implement a school- or districtwide initiative for the Whole Child. This action tool includes survey instruments and questionnaires to help assess a school's current strengths and weaknesses, as well as downloadable professional learning activities for conducting professional development workshops on educating the Whole Child. Using the resources and guidelines in this action tool, educators will be able to guide their schools toward a more personalized and supportive learning environment. Find out more


Leadership Skills for Working with Kids in Poverty

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 24, 2008

A recent ASCD blog post highlighted William Parrett and Kathleen Budge's work on the issue of improving schools with high concentrations of students living in poverty. A new blog post allows readers to listen to Part 2 of an interview with Parrett and Budge. In Part 2 of the interview, Parrett shares an example of how a veteran teacher and a 2nd-year teacher are collaboratively leading an effort to successfully transition 65 new limited-English-proficient students into their school. The interview also addresses some of the beliefs and practices that will help educators provide targeted interventions for students coping with poverty, without singling out or stigmatizing students as "the poor kids." View the post


Connecting the Classroom to the Capitol

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 23, 2008

In the final days before we elect a new president, it's clear that the upheavals on Wall Street and the war in Iraq have overtaken education as national priorities. In the latest "Is It Good for the Kids? "editorial, ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter explains the importance of refocusing our attention on education as a national priority since it's the single most important factor shaping our country's future. He expounds that if we don't educate our children well, they won't be ready to lead our country and solve its problems years from now. Read more


NCLB Asking Too Much ... For How Long?

ASCD SmartBrief | Oct 23, 2008

Prairie Elementary School, which serves mostly working-class families in Sacramento, Calif., has been making significant strides over the past few years in raising its students' proficiency. An ASCD blog post points out that even though Prairie students have improved by an average of three percentage points each year across all demographics, schools in California were required to make an 11% leap, so Prairie was placed on probation. The post also points out that with two wars, a failing economy, and health care and social security topping national concerns, it may be some time before reforming NCLB becomes a priority. It asks readers what they think we risk the longer our leaders delay reforming NCLB. View the post




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