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The Pursuit
I have been focused recently on best practices in education and have been reflecting on some of the teachers and schools that have excelled. I remember about a decade ago when Edutopia described a teacher from Everett, Washington who was working with her students on architectural projects. This was shortly after NCLB came out, and rather than focusing on teaching to the test, this teacher continued to use a project-based approach and teach using methods ...
Learning and Young Children
I recently returned from a visit to an international school in Dubai. One of the most impressive things I observed was the respect that teachers showed young children. One teacher, when she heard that some of the children had already read a particularly story, asked the group if they would like to hear the story again. The children were eager and very agreeable. Another teacher had arranged learning centers where children could chose both the centers ...
Rigor and Waivers
Could it be that providing a NCLB waiver will result in greater rigor? What will states propose to do to demonstrate that they are striving for rigor, even as they request a waiver from the NCLB requirements? When someone is learning to play an instrument, sometimes the best performance occurs during rehearsal. Sometimes the pressure alone can force a golfer who does very well during practice to "choke" during a tournament. Could performance anxieties, such ...
Global Competence
CEI's current Wow! Ed Newsletter focuses on Global Competence. If you could visit schools in another country, which country would you chose and why? What would you like to see? What do you believe you might take back to your school? In the 80's and 90's, I visited over 10 schools in India. These were schools that served youth with disabilities. Some of them, like the State Institute on Mental Retardation, were operated by the ...
Visioning the Future of Schools….Visioning the Future
How closely is the future of schools correlated with the future for all globally? Any guesses? What are the 5 top trends in education today? Perhaps: Common Core Standards; Global Competition for the U.S.; more rigor; more technology; and school improvement. Other recent initiatives: STEM, Charter Schools, project-based learning, preparation for college, and the small school movement-- schools within schools. At least for those of us in the U.S. What about internationally? Some of the global ...
The Future of Education
"The times they are a change 'n'" and they are continuing to change. Last year it was the Common Core Standards, Race to the Top, and school stimulus funds. This year it is waiver of NCLB standards, as we hear of cheating, students and schools that are not meeting the latest standards, increased pressure for student accountability, and state and federal budget woes. So what is next? Where should schools focus? Are there somethings that are ...
Technology, Differentiation, & the Future of Education
I just returned from the ISTE (International Standards in Technology Education) Conference in Philadelphia. I can remember when ISTE first started, so imagine my surprise to see the huge attendance (someone estimated 20,000), the hoards of technology gadgets, and the mini-theater style presentations by all the major technology players. The future of education certainly rests with technology. There are apps, websites, software, and hardware available for just about any facet of education. From robotics for STEM, ...
Testing and Common Core
The "moment of truth" is arriving as students across the country are taking standardized state assessments. Teachers and administrators are both asking "what else can we do?" and simultaneously lamenting the amount of time and energy that goes into test prep and testing. One school discusses peppermint candies for energy; another will have plenty of water on hand to keep students hydrated. Schools are sending notes to parents about the importance of meals and sleep ...
Drawing Students into the World of Literature
Today's Blog is by Jacque Hayden, English Teacher at Hospitality High Public Charter School in Washington DC Drawing Students Into the World of Literature Jacque Hayden M.Ed. As a teacher of urban youth I have often been challenged with getting my students to read literature that they may not have been exposed to or may initially feel intimidated by. Building excitement, making real-world/life connections, and offering meaningful projects with a range of options has been the key to ...
The U.S. is Playing Catch-Up: Education in Singapore and Finland
According to the 2009 Program for Student Assessement (PISA) given by the Organziation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the U.S. placed average in reading, math, and science compared to 57 other countries tested. Finland and Signapore, however, placed in the top tiers of the PISA. So what are these countries doing differently to bring their students to have the highest academic achievement of the world, and how can the U.S. learn from them? Finland Finland's educational system has evolved ...
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