from the Education
Commission of the States
To subscribe, send your name, title, organization and e-mail address to e-Connection@ecs.org with the words "subscribe e-Connection" in the subject line.
To unsubscribe, reply to e-Connection@ecs.org with the words "unsubscribe
e-Connection" in the subject line.
Submit ideas for future
e-Connections to Stephanie Rose. View the e-Connection Archives.
______________________________________________________________________
December 17, 2012
ECS would like to express condolences and support for the victims and families affected by last week’s tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. The U.S. Department of Education has provided resources for schools to prepare for and recover from crisis as well as resources for parents following traumatic events. If ECS can provide further assistance, please contact Kathy Christie at kchristie@ecs.org.
Teacher Expectations of Students
This issue of The Progress of Education Reform provides a review of the research on the relationship between teacher expectations and student achievement. It also explores how policy can be used to improve how schools are evaluating, monitoring, and providing training to teachers on the potential negative effects fixed teacher expectations.
Teacher Evaluation
Earlier this month, the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development approved regulations regarding school districts’ evaluations of teachers, administrators, and special service providers such as school psychologists. For the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years, student growth data will compose 20% of an educator’s evaluation, and will increase to 35% and 50% of an educator’s evaluation in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years, respectively.
In 2011, the West Virginia Department of Education launched a pilot in 25 schools to test a revised educator evaluation system, expanded to include 136 schools in the 2012-2013 school year. The department recently announced that results from the pilot indicate the majority of teachers believe the new evaluation system is having a positive effect on their individual skills and student performance by promoting continuous growth.
Postsecondary Institutions as Economic Development Engines
The South Carolina SmartState Review Board recently reported that the SmartState Program, which uses state lottery funds to create Centers of Economic Excellence at the state's three public research institutions, has resulted in more than $1.4 billion in non-state investment entering, or committed to enter, the South Carolina economy, and has created 8,078 new jobs.
P-3: Mathematics
A new report from EdSource highlights policy and practical challenges for preschool mathematics, as research has found that mastery of early math concepts is a better predictor of later academic outcomes than literacy. "The key to a successful math curriculum at a preschool level is not a formal math program, but integrating math concepts into daily interactions and activities of children themselves," said Louis Freedberg, EdSource's executive director and author of the report. "Many preschool staff would benefit from greater preparation and training to acquire the skills they need to introduce math concepts into a child's world in a seamless way."
Teacher Absence
This report from the Center for American Progress takes a look at teacher absence and raises the question of equity. Students in schools serving a high proportion of African American or Latino students suffer a higher rate of teacher absence as do students whose schools serve predominantly low-income families. In addition to concerns about equity, the author asserts that teacher absence costs at least $4 billion a year.
P-3: Literacy
A recently released one-page memo in Harvard’s Lead for Literacy series looks at the importance of identifying potential problems early — and intervening to mitigate them.
Health
The American Heart Association and National Association for Sport and Physical Education have released the 2012 Shape of the Nation report. While 74.5% of states require physical education in elementary through high school, most don't mandate a specific amount of instruction and nearly half allow waivers and substitutions. Read the full report, executive summary, or quick facts.
Tony Bennett
Former Indiana superintendent Tony Bennett has been selected as the new Education Commissioner in Florida, the state board of education announced on December 12.
Dr. James Phares
Last week, the West Virginia Board of Education appointed Dr. James Phares to be the state’s 28th state superintendent of schools. Phares will begin his new post on January 2, replacing Chuck Heinlein, who will resume his previous role as deputy superintendent.
Job Opening
The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is hiring a Director of State and Federal Policy. NACSA provides training, consulting, and policy guidance to charter school authorizers and advocates for laws and policies that raise the bar for excellence among authorizers and the schools they charter. The Director will work with NACSA’s policy team to aid in the development and implementation of the organization’s advocacy strategies.
Physical Education
“Forty-three states (84%) mandate that schools must provide their students with elementary physical education.” Forty-one states mandate middle school physical education, and 44 states mandate physical education at the high school level.
Source: National Association for Sport and Physical Education & American Heart Association. (2012). 2012 Shape of the Nation Report: Status of Physical Education in the USA. Reston, VA: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Get More Engaged with ECS
Social Media
Become a Fan of ECS On Facebook.
Underwriting e-Connection
For information on underwriting ECS e-Connection, please email econnection@ecs.org.
International Reach
Join the rest of the world in using the ECS Web site (www.ecs.org).
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
