Eye on Curriculum

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Low-income and black students raise scores in N.C. district
In a significant turnaround from a 2004 assessment, low-income and black high-school students in North Carolina's Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district performed better than peers in the Raleigh area and better than the statewide average on state tests. But with a significant achievement gap remaining and just more than half of low-income and black students earning high-school diplomas in four years, district officials said, there is still much work to be done. The Charlotte Observer (N.C.) (11/5)

L.A. sees enrollment down at traditional schools, up at charters
Los Angeles charter schools gained more than 9,500 students this school year -- an increase of 19% -- while enrollment at traditional public schools fell by more than 19,000 students, a 3% decline. The drop is forcing immediate staff reorganizations and affecting long-term funding for schools, which is based on attendance. Even including charter students, total enrollment in the Los Angeles district fell by about 1.4% from last year. More students attend charters in Los Angeles -- the nation's second-largest school district -- than in any other U.S. district. Los Angeles Times (11/5) Los Angeles Times/L.A. Now blog (11/4)

Professional Leadership

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Teacher-quality report receives criticism from union leaders
A report by a national education task force that called for a sweeping policy overhaul to improve teacher quality received sharp criticism from the American Federation of Teachers. Union representatives felt that the panel ignored much of the teacher input when developing the final report, which one union leader said did not address the "professionalization of teaching at all." The panel called for raising entrance requirements for teacher-education programs and the inclusion of residency-type internships for teacher candidates. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (11/4)

Learning and Teaching

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Schools are using robotics to teach math and science
Educators in some Washington state schools are using robotics projects as a hands-on way for students to learn math and science as well as improve teamwork, innovation and problem-solving skills. Members of the business community hope the program will also spur an interest in science and technology carers. "It's so empowering to children to build something and program it to do something, and it does it. It's better than any video game," one teacher said. The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) (free registration) (11/1)

Book clubs foster collaboration among educators
Some Tennessee teachers and principals have started a book club where they read and discuss professional-development books intended to make them better educators. The clubs are being formed in 44 schools in Hamilton County through grants from the Public Education Foundation. An anonymous donor provided $40,000 to buy the books. Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tenn.) (11/4)

Technology Solutions

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Disadvantaged students gain from school's laptop program
Student at an Illinois middle school are using MacBook laptop computers through the Apple 1:1 Initiative, a pilot program that educators say is expected to improve student learning, especially among disadvantaged students. Students are able to use the computers in class and also take them home at certain intervals, making the computers an "invaluable learning tool" for students who do not typically have access to a computer, an administrator said. Belleville News-Democrat (Ill.) (11/4)

Policy Watch

Off-year election results have implications for education policy
Results from some of Tuesday's off-year elections are expected to have an impact on education policy across the country. Voters in New York City gave Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- who campaigned on his public-education record -- a narrow margin of victory for his third term, while Detroit voters approved a $500 million ballot measure for school construction and renovations. In New Jersey, incumbent Jon Corzine was bested by Republican Christopher Christie, who promoted an education agenda that included expanding school choice for K-12 education. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org)/The Associated Press (11/4)

Opinion: Minnesota makes gains in literacy but needs to do more
The efforts of a group of Minnesota parents, educators and legislators to improve literacy is already showing results, writes the editorial board of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Strategies for further improvement should be acted upon, the board writes, including requiring literacy education as part of teacher licensure, introducing mid-career teachers to research-based instruction methods and convincing administrators to support methodical reading instruction. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (11/4)

Other News

• Resources are being dedicated to making dropout rates decrease
  eSchool News (11/3)

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In the Field

Chicago students compete, "Top Chef"-style, to create healthy cuisine
A wellness program in Chicago's public schools has high-school students competing to see who can produce the best-tasting nutritious and budget-conscious cafeteria food. Students participating in the Cooking Up Change program must develop a meal that meets specific nutritional guidelines and can be produced on a budget of just $1 per meal. Last year's winners had their meal -- stuffed green peppers, carrot quesadillas and refrescante salad -- served to 40,000 public-school students across the country. Chicago Tribune (11/4)

Detroit poetry program for students receives national award
Citywide Poets -- a Detroit after-school program that integrates reading, performing and writing with collaboration between students and professional writers -- received the 2009 Coming Up Taller Award presented by first lady Michelle Obama. The awards honor programs that improve academic scores, life skills and relationships. Citywide Poets was founded by Detroit's InsideOut Literary Arts Project and includes about 55 high-school students. Detroit Free Press (11/4)

Association News

Free Live Stream of Author Presentation Is Tomorrow
Baruti Kafele, author of the new ASCD book "Motivating Black Males to Achieve in School and in Life," will present his book to an audience of educators and students from the Washington, D.C., area from 11 a.m. to noon EST tomorrow at the ASCD headquarters in Alexandria, Va. Kafele's book helps educators understand why lack of proficiency in reading, writing and math among black males is a symptom of deeper problems that are generally ignored. "If we want to motivate our black male students to succeed, we as educators must be of the right mindset first," writes Kafele. Tune in to the ASCD Web site tomorrow for a free live stream of the event.

• Learn more about Baruti Kafele.

Whole Child E-Book Free Download
Through Nov. 17, ASCD's newest e-book, "Supporting the Whole Child: Reflections on Best Practices in Learning, Teaching, and Leadership," is free to download. This book, a collection of articles from Educational Leadership and other ASCD publications, explores the various meanings of support in the classroom, school and community, including how educators can build trust through exchanges that lead to positive behaviors and engagement, helping students confront new concerns and catching them before they falter. Authors such as Carol Ann Tomlinson, Douglas Fisher and Robyn Jackson share perspectives and strategies for shaping instruction, providing scaffolds and interventions, and preparing students for the 21st century.

• Download the e-book.

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