Earlier this month, the Gates Foundation released its most recent report on the MET Project (Measures of Effective Teaching). The report focuses on the second set of preliminary findings, particularly on classroom observations. Five instruments for classroom observations are studied: the Framework for Teaching (FFT), developed by the Danielson Group; Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), Read more about Gathering Feedback for Teaching[…]
In an article published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, author Carrie R. Leana argues that education reforms have yet to identify a major component to boosting student achievement: teacher collaboration. She calls these patterns of teacher interaction “social capital,” the quantity and quality of which can measurably affect school improvement. Leana asserts that the Read more about The Missing Link in School Reform[…]
Reporter-turned-charter school teacher Marilyn Rhames blogged last week on an experience that changed her perception of education and the core values that should guide education reform. She began her student teaching in an elementary school on the West Side of Chicago, where conditions were such that “after six months, I fled.” From the administration’s selfish, Read more about It Happened to Them[…]
In an article in the most recent edition of Education Outlook, Fairfax County Schools Superintendant Jack Dale shares his vision for the “21st century teacher-leader.” He claims the current system of negotiated contracts, 10-month work, various pay schemes, etc. are moving the teaching profession “toward an hourly, blue-collar, piecemeal work paradigm.” We need to stop Read more about Dangerous Mind Games Are We Ready to Overhaul the Teaching Profession?[…]
Education|Evolving Founder Ted Kolderie has encouraged a strong look at the current management of schools. He explains, “Our deal with teachers has been that we don’t give you professional authority, and you don’t give us accountability. Cut a new deal: in exchange for real accountability we’ll give you real authority.” The premise is that when Read more about Education/Evolving’s National Inventory of Schools with Teacher Autonomy[…]
Nearly four in 10 teachers report that they are interested in combining their classroom work with other roles or responsibilities in their school or district, including 46 percent of teachers with five or fewer years of experience. Across the country, interest is increasing in alternative approaches to school staffing that provide more flexible work roles Read more about Beyond Classroom Walls: Developing Innovative Work Roles for Teachers[…]