ASCD SmartBrief

Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/kCfMmrugyAwwmOLpol

May 9, 2008

Forward

Archive

Advertise

News for the Education Profession

Eye on Curriculum

Report: NCLB data masks struggle of many Asian students
The method used under NCLB to classify Asian students fails to recognize that Asian-American learners are not homogeneous in terms of academic performance, and some groups are struggling and aren't getting the resources they need to succeed, according to a new Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund report. The group supports more native-language testing in schools where certain Asian ethnic subgroups exist in large numbers. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (5/8)

Survey: Ohio K-8 children being given short-shrift on P.E.
Notwithstanding data that suggests physically fit students perform better academically, elementary and middle school students in Ohio are getting far less in the way of daily physical-education classes than national recommendations say is ideal, according to a new state survey. The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) (5/8)

A tale of two high schools
The closure of Lafayette High School, a failing Brooklyn high school, and its planned conversion into five mini-schools (three of which are open so far) has dramatically affected a successful nearby high school, John Dewey, to which many students fled. The subsequent overcrowding, compounded by school budget cuts, is pushing Dewey beyond its limits. NYTimes.com (5/7)

Other News

Maryland middle schools make steady progress on standardized exams
The Washington Post (5/8)

America's favorite early reading and writing technology is proven to raise reading scores. Scholastic WiggleWorks^® combines powerful technology, leveled books and instructional materials to develop reading, writing, and language skills, and helps teachers scaffold instruction to advance PreK-3 students toward reading independence. Learn More.

Professional Leadership

How principals can make classroom observation more constructive
Pre-announced, yearly classroom evaluations do little to improve teacher performance, writes former Boston teacher, principal and administrator Kim Marshall. "The best way for principals to get a reality check on teachers' practices and to stay in close touch with classrooms is to make several unannounced classroom visits a day, and then have candid face-to-face conversations with each observed teacher within 24 hours," Marshall writes. "Using this approach systematically throughout the year sparks hundreds of substantive conversations about teaching and learning -- which are even more robust if the principal is part of discussions about interim results." Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (5/6)

Detroit board wants more details on turnaround plan
Some members of Detroit's school board believe more details should be made available on superintendent Connie Calloway's plan to remake five struggling schools, and were particularly peeved on Thursday when Calloway sent a staff member in her place to a committee meeting a school board member had convened to learn more about the makeover. The Detroit News (5/9)

This Differentiated Instruction reference card from DayOne is jam-packed with strategies, techniques and other best practices. Ideal for any K-12 educator who has mixed-ability classes, this card is also a great resource and training tool for all staff developers and in-service planners. Summarizing the very best of differentiation, this card is an invaluable addition to any professional's plan book! More information.

Technology Solutions

Handheld computers help teachers evaluate student learning
Handheld devices are engaging Indiana students and helping their teachers better assess whether their lessons are sinking in. "It's a very quick way to gauge the understanding of everybody across the board without that fear of being made fun of," said school president Joan M. Hurley. The Indianapolis Star/Associated Press (5/8)

Tech for tots
This article rounds up the numerous options children have for online virtual play. Many of the sites are tied to merchandising ventures, while other subscription-based sites are free from commercial come-ons. NYTimes.com (5/8)

The Paraprofessional's Guide to the Inclusive Classroom: Working as a Team, Third Edition is a newly updated handbook perfect for training paraprofessionals. It includes strategies for building classrooms that welcome and support all students as well as the latest information on legislation, the family's role in education, classroom management, and behavioral supports. For more information and a 20% discount, click here.

Policy Watch

Top Cleveland charters, public schools to work together on kids' behalf
A decade of bickering over funds and academic results was set aside Wednesday as three of Cleveland's top-performing charters agreed to help the city's public schools implement successful strategies. "This is about changing the conversation," said Cathy Whitehouse, co-founder of the only Ohio charter school to receive the state's top academic rating for four years straight. "We'd like to teach other interested schools in the community or districts things we found that have worked." The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (5/8)

Florida educators must trim $332 million while reducing class sizes
Florida schools must reduce class sizes further next school year under a constitutional requirement while dealing with $332 million in state funding cuts and potentially facing further revenue cuts due to another constitutional amendment reducing property taxes. "It was a disastrous session," said Wayne Blanton, the Florida School Boards Association's executive director. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (5/8)

House panel approves $6.4B school-renovation bill
The U.S. House Education and Labor Committee has approved a bill that would provide $6.4 billion to renovate and modernize public school buildings nationwide in fiscal year 2009. Under the plan, most of the funds would be for renovations that meet certain green-building standards, and schools would be encouraged to track their energy use. FacilitiesNet (5/6)

Other News

Michigan district official denies using school funds to build private rec-room
The Detroit News (5/9)

The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)

In her short DVD Fluency Rubric Debbie Diller shows how students can record themselves reading and score their fluency on a four-step scale, giving them a fun new tool for monitoring pace and expression with a partner or by themselves. 12-min. DVD + Viewing Guide. Click here for details, including a sample clip!

Partner with a proven leader in education. Walden University is ranked the No.1 largest online graduate school by enrollment for education by U.S. News & World Report's Special Annual E-Learning Guide. Enhance your leadership skills and achieve your career goals with a Ph.D., Ed.D., or M.S. in Education from Walden. Learn more today.

Interested in learning more about advertising in ASCD SmartBrief? Contact Joe Riddle at (202) 407-7857 or jriddle@smartbrief.com.

In the Field

Student guides others through the scholarship applications process
Sam Lim won nearly 20 scholarships ranging from $50 to $70,000 as he applied for college, funding his entire cost of attending the University of Washington. Now he helps younger students, especially those from families who cannot afford college, win funds for their own college education. SeattlePI.com (5/9)

Overcrowding in top NYC public schools disappoints parents
Parents who buy pricey Lower Manhattan condos to enroll their children in top city public schools are facing an unwelcome reality: waiting lists. New residential developments that have sprung up to draw young families to top schools have not been accompanied by new schools or expansion of existing ones, some parents and public officials say. NYTimes.com (5/9)

Association News

The Power of Formative Assessment to Advance Learning
Formative assessments guide instruction and teacher decision making, and help determine what students know, what they need to know, and what types of instructional interventions are effective. For any school or district considering or already using formative assessment, ASCD offers new tools, The Power of Formative Assessment to Advance Learning DVD Set and User Guide, that explain what formative assessment is, why it's important for teachers to use this approach in the classroom, and how to use formative assessments to gather evidence about student learning and use this evidence to adjust teaching. Find out more
- Also Available: ASCD book, "Checking for Understanding: Formative Assessment Techniques for Your Classroom"

Outstanding Young Educator Reflects on Grading
Deirdra Grode is a middle school social studies and language arts teacher at Hoboken Charter School in New Jersey, and she is ASCD's 2008 Outstanding Young Educator Award recipient. In an ASCD blog post, Grode reflects on how two annual conference sessions challenged her to think about the way she has structured her instruction and assessment for years. In both sessions, presenters discussed the elimination of zeros and the flaws with traditional weights given for schoolwork. Her post seeks feedback from readers on how much we can differentiate student to student when it comes to something as objective as grading. View the post

Learn more about ASCD ->



K-12 Teaching Jobs	Carney, Sandoe & Associates	Nationwide
Director of Instructional Development	YES Prep Public Schools	Houston, Texas
Curriculum & Training Developer	PASCO scientific	Roseville, CA
Principal	National Heritage Academies	Michigan, Ohio, Indiana
Director of Professional Development	Austin Independent School District	Austin, Texas
Smart Lab Facilitator	Friendship Public Charter School	Washington, D.C.
Dean of Education	CS Partners	Ann Arbor, MI
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR INSTRUCTION	WAPPINGERS SCHOOL DISTRICT	DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK
COORDINATOR – MATHEMATICS & BUSINESS EDUCATION	WAPPINGERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	Poughkeepsie, NY
Instructional Improvement Coach	Insight Education Group	Washington, D.C.