| News for the Education Profession |  |
- NAEP results show positive momentum of student achievement
 A study released Thursday found that California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas have made progress in recent years on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. National Center for Education Statistics analyzed the data and the National Assessment Governing Board released a statement saying the report represents the "overall direction of educational progress" in the country. While the states met or trailed national averages in most areas, in Texas, for example, students outperformed national averages more than once. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org)
(2/21)      
- Mass. district considers themes for middle schools
Members of the School Committee Curriculum subcommittee in Lowell, Mass., recently discussed options of forming an "exam school," as one potential theme for public middle schools. However, the plan drew criticism from some members who said principals are concerned that such a school would draw their top-performing students and cause a drop in their own exam scores. Other potential themes for schools include the arts and science, technology, engineering and math. The Sun (Lowell, Mass.)
(2/22)
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- Award-winning Fla. teacher flips his classroom
Math teacher Jeff Baugus' flipped classroom approach started with complaints from students who struggled to complete their homework. Baugus, from Woodlawn Beach Middle School in Gulf Breeze, Fla., and last year's county Teacher of the Year, experimented with technology that allowed him to record lessons that students could watch at home, and then lead the class the next day to help answer questions and guide students through the new material. "It is very interactive learning, with the entire class involved," he said of the approach. Gulf Breeze (Fla.) News
(2/21)
- Mentor relationships thrive when students use technology
Five high schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas are participating in an e-mentoring program, operated through Big Brothers Big Sisters, in which local professionals are more easily able to interact with students. Now, there are plans to expand the mentor2.0 program, which launched in September, to Houston. "This program is speeding up that whole process of getting to know someone," said Big Brothers Big Sisters' marketing director, Dan Stuchal. "The kids are so comfortable with this digital environment that they open up more quickly." The Dallas Morning News (free content)
(2/19)
| Managing Budgets | | |
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- Education layoffs loom ahead of federal sequestration
Across-the-board federal budget cuts, known as sequestration, scheduled to take effect next week, will have a dramatic effect on education, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. Already, he noted, school districts are planning layoffs and taking other steps in response to the potential cut of more than $1.3 billion in education spending, which funds programs for many children from low-income families and students with disabilities. "There's no one in their right mind who would say that this is good for kids or good for the country, yet somehow it becomes tenable in Washington," Duncan said. The Washington Post
(2/21)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- Parent-trigger proposal draws opposition in Fla.
A proposed parent-trigger law in Florida has drawn opposition from two civil rights groups -- The Florida Council of the League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Florida State Conference. One group says the laws are "controversial, experimental, and lack evidence of effectiveness" and adds it opposes the proposal because of concerns it diminishes civil rights and gives too much control to a small group of parents. StateImpact
(2/21)
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Math Exchanges shows K-3 teachers how to foster rich discussions in small groups and help students construct new meaning and understanding. Includes hands-on activities, an extensive appendix with reproducibles, and a chapter focused on kindergarten. Click here now to read Chapter 1: Creating Space for Math Workshop.
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- Fla. high school teaches students how to serve the community
A Florida high school is offering an Engaged Citizenship course, in which students learn how to successfully complete community service projects. The course, an elective for all students, is intended to encourage students to get involved in their community or build upon an existing interest in community service. "It gives the students an opportunity to see a global perspective on life," said the assistant principal for curriculum, Rosemary Owens, who came up with the idea for the course. The Tampa Tribune (Fla.)
(2/21)
| ASCD News | | |
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What is the purpose of educator evaluation systems?
Join the ASCD Forum discussion online to weigh in on this crucial topic and to see what fellow educators have already written about how best to define and measure teacher and principal effectiveness. Don't miss recent posts by ASCD EDge community members, like Mamzelle Adolphine's "Both sides of the scale" and Dawn Chan's "The road to principalship and beyond."
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Assessing creativity
In the February issue of Educational Leadership, Susan M. Brookhart gives tips on how to assess and give feedback about creativity. She delves first into what creative schoolwork looks like, emphasizing that, "Before you can assess creativity, you need to make sure that the tasks you set for students are conducive to creativity." Brookhart also presents criteria and a rubric that can support teachers of any subject and at any grade level in assessing creativity. Read on.
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| Position Title | Company Name | Location |
| K-12 School Teachers Needed for International Schools | The International Educator | Multiple Locations, International |
| Educational Trainer/Consultant | Confidential | Oklahoma City and Tulsa Metro Areas, OK |
| Senior Associate Leadership and Professional Development | Community Training and Assistance Center | Boston, MA |
| Teach Overseas! | International Schools Services | Multiple Locations, International |
| Independent Sales Representative | USATestprep, Inc. | Multiple Locations, United States |
| Director, Content & Curriculum-World Languages | The College Board | Duluth, GA |
| Principal at Brooklyn Excelsior | National Heritage Academies | Brooklyn, NY |
| Professional Development Facilitator | NWEA | Washington, D.C., DC |
| Assistant Professor of Special Education | Saint Joseph 's College | Standish, ME |
| Regional Assistant Director, IL Center for School Improvement | American Institutes for Research | Naperville, IL |
| Founding High School Principal | Charter School for Global Leadership | Camden, NJ |
| Senior Associate National School Reform | Community Training and Assistance Center | Boston, MA |
| Manager for Regional Support -IL Center for School Improvement | American Institutes for Research | Naperville, IL |
| Senior Consultant - District and School Improvement | American Institutes for Research | Naperville, IL |
| Senior Communication Strategist | American Institutes for Research | Naperville, IL |
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