| News for the Education Profession |  |
- A teacher-driven curriculum from a student's perspective
 In this blog post, Kim Farris-Berg, an independent consultant and senior associate with Education Evolving, writes about her own 7-year-old daughter's reaction to learning about the curriculum at Mission Hill, a school that allows teachers to design the curriculum, resulting in more hands-on learning and individualized instruction. Farris-Berg writes that her daughter described Mission Hill's students as "lucky," and was particularly intrigued by the concept that the school's teachers trusted their students to guide their own learning. Education Week/Of, By, For: In Search of the Civic Mission of K-12 Schools blog
(3/5)      
- Retired justice O'Connor advocates for civics education
Sandra Day O'Connor may have retired from the U.S. Supreme Court, but she continues to work on an issue of national importance -- greater civics education in schools. O'Connor, co-chairwoman of the national advisory committee for Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, travels to speak to conferences and has worked with a high-tech team to produce iCivics.org, an interactive computer game to help teach students about the democratic system of government. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration)
(3/3)
- How nonfiction teaches scientific problem-solving
Nonfiction works written by scientists can help illustrate the process of inquiry, problem-solving and discovery for students, and satisfy common core goals, educators Myra Zarnowski, Marc Aronson and Mary Ann Cappiello write. They offer examples of book titles and questions to pose when discussing books they consider "literature of inquiry." "Teachers have reported that when students closely follow an unfolding inquiry, they feel as if they are accompanying the scientists on their journey," they write. School Library Journal
(3/4)
 | How to Teach Students to Evaluate Information
FREE WHITE PAPER by Rebecca Stobaugh. Higher-order thinking skills are critical to achieving career and college readiness for all students. This white paper focuses on one critical thinking skill that students need to learn—how to evaluate. How to Teach Students to Evaluate Information>> |
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- Researchers seek common goals for teacher education
Researchers at the University of Denver are completing the first year of a three-year study into teacher-education programs, with the goal of determining whether a "coherent, measurable set of beginning-teacher competencies" can be established. To start, researchers identified nine competency areas, including classroom management and the development of a safe classroom environment, and are then working to determine whether teacher-education programs address those skills, whether novice teachers retain the information and what the results are for students. Education Week/Teacher Beat blog
(3/5)
 | Establish a baseline of shared learning
Research shows your staff needs about 50 hours of PD to become proficient in new techniques. Online courses get you to the 50-hour benchmark faster—without using staff development days or budgeting for substitutes. Supplementing your online course with on-site training ensures deep learning and deep implementation. Learn more!
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| Technology in the Classroom |  |  |
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- Why some schools are making the switch to digital textbooks
For schools using electronic textbooks, students are receiving up-to-date information about current events, research and other matters as publishers can make almost-instant changes. Educators and others say the benefits of the switch to electronic textbooks include the speed at which they can be updated, the lower cost and the vast resources they open up for students. However, officials also point out that many students do not have access to such technology and stress that districts must focus on teacher training when rolling out digital textbooks. U.S. News & World Report/The Associated Press
(3/6)
 | Close the Gap for Students at Risk of Reading Failure
Lexia is a powerful RTI implementation tool that identifies and groups students for intervention based on risk of reading failure. This research-validated approach has been shown to help two-thirds of high-risk students in grades 1—3 close the gap and advance one or more grade levels within one year. Read more. |
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| The Whole Child | |  |
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- Why grading social skills puts some students at a disadvantage
 Students' grades often take into account their behavior, social skills and emotional maturity -- a trend that can put socially awkward students, including those with forms of autism, at a disadvantage, says Katharine Beals, a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and an adjunct professor at the Drexel University School of Education. In this commentary, Beals suggests that schools leave "social skills training" to professionals to ensure that such students are given an equal opportunity to succeed. The Atlantic online
(3/6)
| Policy Watch | | |
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| ED Pulse | | |
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How much more challenging is it to foster creativity in your school or classroom now that you're implementing Common Core State Standards and/or other new initiatives?
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Very challenging |
31.18%
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Somewhat challenging |
26.75%
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Not at all challenging |
12.10%
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Not very challenging |
11.75%
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Neutral |
10.73%
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I am not currently implementing new standards or initiatives |
7.50%
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If you've participated in professional development or training on the Common Core State Standards, what type was it?
 | A one-day training |
| Multiday training |
| An online webinar or video |
| Job-embedded training or coaching at my school |
| Professional learning community (PLC) |
| More than one of these |
| None of these |
| Faculty Lounge | | |
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- Duncan: Districts slash positions due to sequestration
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said he misspoke last week when saying that teachers were being issued "pink slips" as a result of federal across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration. Instead, he said Monday, he should have said that school districts were eliminating positions for educators, including teachers, guidance counselors, support staff and those who work with students with special needs. The Wall Street Journal
(3/4)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
100 Minutes shows teachers how to fit balanced literacy into a daily 100-minute literacy block using a framework of whole-class & guided small-group instruction, writing sessions, and independent work. You'll get strategies for using exemplars, providing effective feedback, integrating technology, and thinking critically about all kinds of texts. Preview the entire book!
Stage a memorable staff development experience with School Play, an award-winning documentary film that reveals the profound impact of knowing and nurturing students, both at school and at home. The extensive Study Guide provides options for both full- and half-day workshops, discussion questions, handouts, and more. Click here now for details!
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| ASCD News | | |
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Gearing up for the Annual Conference experience
The 2013 Annual Conference and Exhibit Show is coming to Chicago on March 16-18, and it's not too late to register for a one-, two-, or three-day pre-conference institute; the main event; or the live streaming Virtual Conference. Also, whether you'll be attending virtually or in-person, be sure to bookmark the Conference Daily newspaper for event coverage, schedule changes, photos, and more. And if you're looking for tips on where to eat and what to see in Chicago, we have you covered.
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The faces of poverty
An upcoming issue of ASCD Express will explore how schools must challenge traditional ideas of poverty and create new responses. We're looking for short essays on the theme "The Faces of Poverty" by March 15. Visit the Inservice blog to access the submission guidelines, and stop by the ASCD website to read the current issue on putting students at the center.
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| Position Title | Company Name | Location |
| Teach Overseas! | International Schools Services | Multiple Locations, International |
| 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 |
| Manager for Priority Support Unit, Illinois Center for School Improvement | American Institutes for Research | Washington, DC |
| Independent Sales Representative | USATestprep, Inc. | Multiple Locations, United States |
| Assistant Professor of Special Education | Saint Joseph 's College | Standish, ME |
| Founding High School Principal | Charter School for Global Leadership | Camden, NJ |
| Principal / Director of Alternative High School | Taunton Public Schools | Taunton, MA |
| Rosalyn S. Heyman Endowed Chair in Educational Administration | Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA |
| Tenure-Track Position in Policy Development | Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA |
| Assistant Superintendent for Organizational Development | Baltimore County Public Schools | Towson, MD |
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| Click here to view more job listings. |
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| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Scientific progress makes moral progress a necessity; for if man's power is increased, the checks that restrain him from abusing it must be strengthened."
--Anne Louise Germaine de Staël,
Swiss author
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| | Recent ASCD SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, March 06, 2013
- Tuesday, March 05, 2013
- Monday, March 04, 2013
- Friday, March 01, 2013
- Thursday, February 28, 2013
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