20 February 2010, 6:06 am
President Obama has proposed quite a change to the 2011 budget for schools.
Of worthy note:
- An increase of 4.5 billion dollars of discretionary funds.
- An increase of 1.35 billion dollars towards Race to the Top incentives
- 500 million for the investing in innovation program, a competitive awards program.
- 900 million for the school turnaround grants designed to help administrators turn around the 5,000 lowest preforming schools over 5 years
- 950 million for teacher and leader innovation program, creating incentives for effective teachers
- 405 million for teacher and leader pathways, promoting alternate certification routes
- 1 billion for effective teaching and learning for a complete education, a new program to support college and career readiness.
- 490 million for expanding educational options, which consolidates 5 programs into one, focused on charter schools and public school choice.
- 450 million for Assessing Achievement authority, which will help improve assessments for ESL students and students with disabilities, among other assessment developments.
- 210 million for the Promise Neighborhoods initiative, a competitive award for neighborhood programs working against poverty.
- 410 million to consolidate 6 authorities into one Successful, Safe, and Healthy Student authority. This program will provide communities the ability to focus on improving school climate and safety for students.
- 7.5 billion over 10 year to expand the income-based repayment options in post-secondary student loan programs.
Note among the proposals the amount of funds that are provided as rewards, awards and grants. This is a huge shift towards incentive based pay, a concept that many in administrative positions think is the solution for raising student test scores.
The fact, though, is that restructuring the way teachers are paid will not have a significant impact on the student test scores. Changes need to be made in the resources available to teachers as well – curriculum options, how time is spent during the school day, and similar changes.
What do you think will make a difference? Will these proposed budget changes bring about the needed turn-about in public education?
14 February 2010, 9:46 am
When preparing students for the standardized state tests that contribute to the No Child Left Behind Act and AYP, there are a few things that it is important for teachers to keep in mind. First, it is important to note that everyone as an opinion as to how to improve test scores. The bottom line is, what brings about results? So much of what schools/teachers/administrators choose to do or have others do, is based on opinions and ideas and not research.
Here are some tips for improving test scores based on research from the National Center for Educational Statistics. Check out these tips for improving test scores, then follow the links to read more and find out what surprising things actually make no difference in the test scores.
First, my opinion – be sure that in the ever present push to get through each standard on the state mandated curriculum, that children are learning why they need to know the information. Understanding the facts may help them pass a test, but understanding how that information is applicable to their lives is priceless and will ultimately result in better educated adults. It may also be worthy of note to reduce test stress.
Here are research-based specific things that teachers can do to ensure higher test scores.
To Improve Elementary Reading Test Scores:
- Make reading a fun and enjoyable activity. Research shows that students who preform well on standardized reading tests enjoy reading and find it fun.
- Focus on building student vocabulary.
- Provide time for silent reading
Read more tips on improving reading test scores.
To Improve Elementary Level Math Test Scores:
- Spend 3-5 hours on math. While this may seem simple, it provides teachers the amount of time necessary to teach each skill.
- Avoid excess homework. Research shows that an excess of 15 minutes of math homework each day might actually hinder the goal of improving test scores.
- Ability grouping is helpful as well, providing teachers the ability to focus on a single level of student ability at a time and really bring up the skill set of each group.
Read more tips on improving math test scores.
Teach Middle or High School level? Here are some tips for you on improving reading test scores:
Raising Middle School Reading Test Scores
Raising High School Reading Test Scores
11 February 2010, 12:51 pm
Student assessment is a vital part of teaching. There is some confusion surrounding lesson plan assessment, though. Student assessment is not an opportunity to find out if a student learned the required material. Rather, it is an opportunity for teachers to measure the success of their own teaching methods.
With this understanding comes a bit of confusion, though, as teacher performance begins to play into teacher salary. While it is true that student assessment demonstrates teacher effectiveness, it is not true that a standardized test can demonstrate the overall effectiveness of any one teacher, school or school district.
When the proper tools and ample amount of teaching time is provided to teachers, all students should learn. Unfortunately, though, all students cannot be expected to learn at the same rate. Even two students in the same grade cannot be expected to learn at the same rate, and expecting teachers to have all students passing the same test at the same time is ludicrous.
Instead, teachers should be held responsible for student learning. If John knows 50% of the information on a test prior to instruction, that teacher should be held responsible for Johns increase in knowledge to, say, 80% on the same test. The problem is, without knowing what the student starting level is, there is no way to hold teachers properly responsible for student growth.
10 February 2010, 9:33 am
Bullying is one of the most serious social issues that a child can face. It is important that both teachers and parents know how to help a child learn to deal with a bully.
Signs of bullying include:
- Teasing
- Making choices in play that will purposefully hurt another child
- Being mean to another child
Signs that your child is being bullied:
- Not wanting to go to school
- Avoiding playing with other children
- Emotional (either upset or angry) after time spent with other children or at school
It is important to teach children to not only treat each other nice, but to react appropriately when they are bullied.
Grandma, Why Didn’t God Make Me a Bird by Amanda Hines provides a unique perspective on bullying and how to deal with a situation where a child is being bullied. Read more.
