Eye on Curriculum

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Research: Harlem Children's Zone closes black-white achievement gap
A new study shows that Harlem Children's Zone -- a New York City program in which charter schools are rounded out with community support services such as parenting workshops, early-childhood education and health initiatives -- effectively closed the achievement gap between black and white students in most categories that were looked at. The Obama administration has praised the initiative as a model for community schools, but some education experts warn the model does not provide a one-size-fits-all solution. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (11/12)

Storywalks are used to promote reading to preschoolers
A Pennsylvania elementary-school program used an "Everyday Heroes" theme to get preschoolers excited about reading and learning. As part of the Storywalk program, preschool-aged children toured classrooms staffed by a police officer, a school nurse and other "heroes" on hand to answer questions after children were read stories about their professions. Early-childhood education efforts like Storywalk are paying off, kindergarten teacher Betsey Wilson said. "Some kids are coming in here reading," she said. "It's unbelievable." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (11/12)

Professional Leadership

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Indiana educators recognized for elementary-school book club
Two educators at Stony Creek Elementary School in Indiana are receiving national recognition for a book club they created to help promote reading outside of school. The club features monthly lunch sessions at the school media center, where first-grade teacher Karen Duvall and media specialist Gwen Tetrick read to students from a selection of award-winning books. The book club complements other literacy initiatives at the school, say the educators, which have helped to boost achievement. The Indianapolis Star (11/11)

Economic recession to blame for fewer available teaching jobs
While widespread hiring in education was the norm just a few years ago, the national economic crisis is being blamed for making it more difficult for recently certified teachers to find teaching jobs. One Texas school district recently received about 5,000 applications to fill 322 teacher jobs. But research shows there is still a shortage of math teachers nationwide, and experts are urging education graduates to be flexible and receive training in hard-to-fill areas such as special education. Google/The Associated Press (11/12)

Survey: D.C. principals say they are receiving more support, resources
 The Washington Post (11/12)

Technology Solutions

History-based video games are designed to inspire further study
Game developers are hoping history-based video games will inspire more interest in subjects as diverse as Leonardo da Vinci and World War II. Recognizing that the games help with technical, critical-thinking and literacy skills, some libraries are including the games in their collections. "My hope is that bringing the idea of these types of characters into more popular culture will arouse some people's curiosities to investigate further and learn more," a game designer said. The Washington Post/Reuters (11/12)

NYC's School of One makes Time magazine's best inventions list
A pilot program to teach math to sixth-graders in New York City has been named one of Time magazine's 50 Best Inventions of 2009. The School of One provides students with a daily playlist of educational games, online tutoring and classroom instruction, all designed specifically to meet the individual learning style and pace of each student. TIME (subscription required) (11/12)

SmartBlogs

What do the Race to the Top rules mean for teachers?
According to guidelines released Thursday, reforms in the area of teacher effectiveness will be a major qualifier for states competing for Race to the Top funds, writes Education Week journalist Stephen Sawchuk in this blog post. But in outlining the multiple measures states should use to assess teachers, education officials are vague about the "significant part" student tests scores should play, he writes. Education Week/Teacher Beat blog (11/12)

Policy Watch

Opinion: Guidelines will not help put effective teachers in poor schools
By not including specific provisions in the latest federal education grant criteria to end practices that put unprepared and unqualified educators in the most disadvantaged schools, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and the Obama administration have missed an opportunity to ensure real progress in education reform, writes the editorial board of the New York Times. Until this problem is addressed, argue the writers, these practices will continue to have a negative effect on children in low-income areas. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (11/12)

Houston's KIPP wins $10 million Gates Foundation gift
Houston's largest charter-school group has been awarded $10 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help with its $100 million expansion plan. The Knowledge is Power Program wants to double enrollment to 21,000 students over the next 10 years. Charter programs in Houston such as KIPP have become popular because of their extended school days, weekend programs and their effectiveness in boosting college enrollment among low-income and minority students. Houston Chronicle (11/11)

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In the Field

Private schools in Connecticut remain strong despite economic crisis
Enrollment is down slightly and more families are applying for financial aid at Connecticut private schools, but officials say they are weathering the nationwide economic crisis. Officials say parents seem to be looking at the recession as temporary and not a reason to cut back on education costs. "The bulk of our income goes toward funding our daughter's education. We made a decision to continue on that path because we've seen her develop and turn into a leader," said one parent who recently experienced a two-year gap in employment. The Hartford Courant (Conn.) (11/12)

Other News

• Debate continues over chocolate milk in schools
  Chicago Tribune (11/12)

Association News

Free Author Video
Last week, Baruti Kafele, author of the new ASCD book "Motivating Black Males to Achieve in School and in Life," spoke to an audience of 50 educators and students from the ASCD headquarters in Alexandria, Va., near Washington, D.C. Kafele's remarks helped educators understand why lack of proficiency in reading, writing and math among black males is a symptom of deeper problems that are generally ignored.

• Watch the video.

ASCD Express Is Looking for Submissions
ASCD Express is looking for 600-to-1,000-word essays on the theme "Turning to National Standards." As common core standards gain traction at the state and federal levels, what do you think? How can national standards aid school-reform efforts and promote a common base of knowledge for all students? What are the challenges to implementing standards? How have other countries succeeded -- or not -- with national standards? Submissions are due Nov. 23.

• Write for ASCD Express.

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