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January 23, 2013

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NBCT makes the case for data-driven instruction
While many teachers may be frustrated with multiple-choice standardized testing, National Board Certified Teacher Elizabeth Stein makes the case for collecting and using data that will benefit student instruction. Stein in this commentary suggests teachers set clear goals and learning objectives that can be measured, ensure those goals are appropriately matched with classroom lessons, collect meaningful data and use that data to make informed decisions regarding instruction. Education Week Teacher (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (1/22)

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Focus on Practice

Learning about history through cinema
The writers of this blog post suggest several ways teachers can use Oscar-nominated films "Lincoln," "Argo" and "Zero Dark Thirty" to teach history. Among the suggestions are to examine whether the films reflect reality, and in the case of "Zero Dark Thirty," look at how filmmakers obtained their information -- much of which was classified. The blog post also includes additional resources and tips for aligning the movie-based lessons to the Common Core State Standards. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/The Learning Network blog (1/22)

NBCT: Why students still need teachers' guidance with technology
Many students have mastered entertainment technology -- such as Facebook and YouTube -- before their teachers, but that does not mean they know how to use technology beyond play, National Board Certified Teacher Bill Ferriter writes in this blog post. Instead, it is a teacher's job to show students what can be done with technology. "It's OUR job to help kids to realize how to leverage technology for something more than keeping themselves entertained," Ferriter writes. Teacher Leaders Network/Tempered Radical blog (1/18)

Other News

Should teachers avoid teaching the way they learned?
Edutopia.org/Elena Aguilar's blog (1/21)

Schools Today

Supply exceeding demand for teachers of lower grades
Recent data show that teaching colleges are producing more elementary-school teachers than there are available jobs. The issue is complex, observers say, and solutions difficult. "If you increase the number of elementary teachers beyond what the market will bear, you are going to be forcing far too many trainees into an overburdened K-12 system," said Arthur McKee, managing director of teacher-preparation studies at the National Council on Teacher Quality. "We need to have some equilibrium so we can set up strong clinical programs. And everybody wants to do that," he added. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (1/23)

Other News

Ravitch, others announce support for Wash. state test boycott
The Seattle Times (1/21)

Chicago commission considers fewer school closures
Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model) (1/23)

Developing Leaders

National Board Certification sets high bar for special educators
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has specific standards in place -- created for teachers by teachers -- for special educators, writes National Board Certified Teacher Renee Moore. In this blog post, the second in a series on National Board Certification, Moore writes that part of those standards include advocating for students with special needs. Teacher Leaders Network (1/20)

Policy News

Tenn. seeks to make teachers' evaluations more fair
Officials in the Tennessee Department of Education are working on legislation that would reduce the importance of schoolwide test scores in the evaluations of school librarians and educators who teach subjects not tested by state exams, such as music. Currently, 35% of teachers' evaluations are determined using such schoolwide test scores -- affecting decisions regarding tenure and compensation. At issue, supporters say, is that many teachers, particularly elementary-school teachers, are evaluated based on the performance of students they did not teach. The Tennessean (Nashville) (tiered subscription model) (1/23)

The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)

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"Incredible...helps all of us de-clutter and organize classroom spaces" (Teacher Leaders Network). Debbie Diller's Spaces & Places is filled with color photos and step-by-step instructions for organizing and managing your classroom to support literacy learning and independence. Click here for details!

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NBPTS Update

New video series "Ask Arne" with Secretary Arne Duncan
NBCT and Teaching Ambassador Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education Dan Brown writes about the launch of a new #AskArne video interview series beginning with the topic of school safety and gun violence. Watch now.