| News for the Education Profession |  |
- The science behind math anxiety
 Students' fear of math can hinder their learning, according to one study that shows math creates a stress reaction in the brain for some students that could direct brainpower to worrying -- rather than math. Separate experiments show that such students might otherwise be enthusiastic about the subject. Researchers also have found that students' anxiety about math often starts at an early age and even can be passed down from their parents. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org)
(5/18)       
- N.C. district adds new diploma to encourage service learning
The Guilford County, N.C., school district will begin offering in 2012 a new service-learning diploma, as part of an effort to encourage students to identify and address community needs. Educators are working to integrate volunteer service throughout the K-12 curriculum and motivate students to take the initiative on long-term projects that benefit others. The district is considered a leader in the state on service learning. The News & Record (Greensboro, N.C.)
(5/15)
| Professional Leadership |  | |
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- Broward County, Fla., sends layoff notices to 1,400 teachers
More than 1,400 teachers in Broward County, Fla., are expected to receive layoff notices today, with hundreds more expected in the coming weeks as the district works to offset a $144 million deficit. Many of those laid off will be teachers whose salaries were paid with federal stimulus funds -- those with one-year contracts or who have worked in the district for less than two years. Some teachers in hard-to-fill specialties, such as chemistry and calculus, could be rehired after the final budget is approved. The Miami Herald (free registration)
(5/17)
| Technology in the Classroom | | |
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| The Whole Child | | |
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- Mentoring helps black teens avoid trouble, study suggests
Black youths ages 17 and 18 were less likely to break rules or exhibit aggressive behaviors at age 19 or 20 when they received intervention from community mentors, and the benefit increased with better youth-mentor relationships, a study in the American Journal of Community Psychology found. Researchers also found that the mentoring program was more effective for youths who were experiencing hardships. United Press International
(5/14)
- Michigan school program improves children's heart health
Researchers said a four-year program in a middle school in Ann Arbor, Mich., that aimed to promote healthy foods and regular exercise, among other goals, helped improve cholesterol levels and the average resting heart rate of children. The program will be extended to almost 20 middle schools in the state, the researchers said. HealthDay News
(5/13)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- Elimination of federal ed-tech grant program is criticized
Some education groups are criticizing a House bill introduced Friday that would end 43 education programs, including the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology program -- the only dedicated funding stream for education technology. "The elimination of the ed tech funds is a disappointment," ASCD Policy Director David Griffith said. "It is both shortsighted and contradictory to support increased student access to technologies, improved student proficiency with technologies, and teacher capacity to utilize technologies while eliminating the funding supporting these goals." T.H.E. Journal
(5/16)
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Find out more: Read ASCD Policy Director David Griffith's response to the bill.
- Future of Ga. charter schools is uncertain after ruling
 Georgia's Supreme Court has ruled that only local school boards can approve and finance charter schools -- not the Georgia Charter School Commission. It is unclear whether 17 authorized charter schools in the state -- eight of which were expected to open in the fall -- will continue to operate. Similar commissions are in place in six states and the District of Columbia, and four others are considering them, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(5/16)
| In the Field | | |
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- Obama praises Memphis, Tenn., students in graduation speech
President Barack Obama on Monday addressed graduating seniors and their families at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tenn., along with many city and state leaders. The school, located in a poverty-ridden area of Memphis, won a national competition for the speech by demonstrating how it has worked to overcome adversity and pursue academic goals. "You inspire me, that's why I'm here," Obama said. Google/The Associated Press
(5/16)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Real-world writing and real writers don't follow a script. The new DVD Writing with Mentors gives you and your staff an in-depth look at effective lessons that use children's literature to teach both informational and narrative writing. Over 3 hours of video, plus viewing guide. Click here to preview 2 sample clips!
Be a Singapore Math "Rock Star"! Wow your colleagues! Delight your administrators! Gain the confidence and competence to bring math instruction in your school to a whole new level! Register today for SDE's Math With Meaning Intensive Institute to learn advanced Singapore Math concepts and application strategies-3 exciting days of full immersion into Singapore Math! 1-800-462-1478.
Interested in learning more about advertising in ASCD SmartBrief? Contact Joe Riddle at (202) 407-7857 or jriddle@smartbrief.com.
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| ASCD News | | |
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Focused feedback and practice: Teacher self-rating
What does recent research reveal about the practice of teacher self-rating using video? In a recent blog post, Robert Marzano, co-author of the ASCD book "Effective Supervision: Supporting the Art and Science of Teaching," shares an excerpt on self-rating from the book. You'll find this excerpt and additional wisdom from Effective Supervision in Marzano's latest series of ASCD EDge posts. Read on.
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Mike Anderson on working smarter and staying sane inside the classroom and out
Busy educators often neglect their own basic needs, choosing instead to focus exclusively on their students. If this sounds familiar, Mike Anderson's strategies for reinvigorating and improving your daily routine are for you. Visit his ASCD author's page to catch up on his latest work and learn how you can stay healthy and connected. Learn more.
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 Head of Instructional Systems | Bridge International Academies | Worldwide, NY |
| K-12 School Teacher | The International Educator | Worldwide, DC |
| Teachers - Think Global School - Mandarin, Science, Creative Arts | Think Global School - International Schools Services | Princeton, NJ |
| Vice President of Curriculum & Instruction | Connections Education | Baltimore, MD |
| Principal, Lewis Elementary Dual Language Magnet School | Red Clay Consolidated School District | Wilmington, DE |
| Assistant Principals | Green Dot Public Schools | Los Angeles, CA |
| District Superintendent | Oxnard Union High School District | Oxnard, CA |
| Chicago Area & Southern CA - Account Executives | MIND Research Institute | Chicago, IL |
| Principal | Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School | Philadelphia, PA |
| Director of Research and Assessment | Connections Education | Baltimore, MD |
| Associate/Assistant Professor in P-12 Education | East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN |
| Implementation Manager | CompassLearning | Multiple Locations, United States |
| Area Superintendent | Fulton County Schools | Atlanta, GA |
| Turnaround Principals-Elem/HS | Academy of Urban School Leadership | Chicago, IL |
| Field Supervisor for Student Teachers | Teachers College, Columbia University | New York, NY |
| Principal (K to 8) | Gary Lighthouse Charter School | Gary, IN |
| Administrators-in-Residence (2011-12) | Green Dot Public Schools | Los Angeles, CA |
| Cluster Director/Area Superintendent | Green Dot Public Schools | Los Angeles, CA |
| Principals | Green Dot Public Schools | Los Angeles, CA |
| Dean-Milwaukee Scholars Charter School (School Leadership) | National Heritage Academies | Milwaukee, WI |
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