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| | LATEST NEWS FOR PRINCIPALS |
Education Week
At a time when students of color now comprise a majority in the nation's schools, the supply of principals, much like the teaching profession, remains overwhelmingly white. In the following interviews, assistant editor Ross Brenneman talks with two principals of color about how they mitigate bias within their schools, infuse cultural competency into instruction and use their life experiences to anchor their leadership.
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District Administration Magazine
K-12 education is making strides in the digital shift. According to MDR's 2015 EdNET Insight survey, more than 50 percent of curriculum directors anticipate a significant conversion from print to digital materials within the next three years. And it appears this shift is about to get a big boost from the Every Student Succeeds Act, the nation's new education law, which is poised to provide the funding and flexibility to immerse U.S. schools in digital learning.
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By: Dorothy L. Tengler
 Thinking on your feet has always been thought of as how to perform well under pressure and staying composed. But now, the concept is being taken to another level. Findings published recently in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health provide the first evidence of neurocognitive benefits of stand-height desks in classrooms, where students are given the choice to stand or sit based on their preferences.
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The Washington Post
The vast majority of states have adopted Common Core academic standards, but individual states are still setting different definitions of "proficient" on annual math and reading tests, according to a new study. And in many states, the study says, annual tests set a significantly lower bar for "proficient" than the National Assessment for Educational Progress, or NAEP, a national exam that is administered every two years to a sample of students in the fourth and eighth grades.
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The Conversation (commentary)
Standardized tests have become the primary tool for determining a student's academic ability. Legislators and administrators use test data to evaluate the effectiveness of schooling on children and create curriculum. Their use is supported by two fundamental assumptions: that the tests do not have a bias, and that they accurately assess a student's academic knowledge. A typical standardized test assesses a student's knowledge base in an academic domain, such as science, mathematics or reading. When taking a standardized test, it is assumed that the substance of the test and its administration will be the same for all takers. The tests are identical, with identical degrees of difficulty and identical grading methods.
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eSchool News
The push for computer science education, including making it more accessible and making it eligible for high school science or math requirements instead of only counting as an elective, is growing. At the National Governors Association Winter Meeting, Governors Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., and Jay Inslee, D-Wash., announced a new partnership intended to promote K-12 computer science education at the state level. The partnership focuses on specific policy goals to help states advocate for and advance computer science education. Despite growing national awareness of and support for computer science skills, few school offer it as a course – just 1 in 4, according to Code.org.
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Education World
The "lack of financial literacy is a major factor in the burgeoning student loan debt crisis," said Robert Johnson, president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services to TheStreet.com. "And, the lack of financial literacy contributed to the financial crisis of 2008-2009, as many Americans didn't understand how variable rate mortgage debt worked." In order to fix the problem of American adults largely being financially illiterate, teaching financial literacy early on is crucial, says a variety of experts to TheStreet.com.
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Edutopia (commentary)
Matt Weyers, a contributor for Edutopia, writes: "In the first few years of my career, I never understood the nuances of differentiated instruction. When asked by administrators, teachers, or parents, I would confidently proclaim that I was indeed differentiating content, process, and products for all my students, and doing it well. Reality however, was different. If pressed on how I was doing it, I knew I would devolve into incoherent teacher-speak on providing flexible due dates, shorter assignments, and the like."
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THE Journal
Calling equitable Internet access the "civil rights issue of today," the Consortium for School Networking has launched a Digital Equity Action Toolkit to give school district leaders tools they can use to advocate for and obtain Internet access for their students in their communities. The digital toolkit is intended to help district administrators understand the historical context that has led to what CoSN representatives have labeled the "homework gap" and lays out steps they can take to resolve the issue in their own communities. Those steps include everything from surveying the district's connectivity and devices to engaging the community to ensuring sustainability and considering creative out-of-the-box solutions.
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"The Fundamental 5 improves instruction. The power of these practices will transform classrooms and schools," E. Don Brown, NASSP past president. Order now at Amazon.com
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eSchool News (commentary)
Most educators want the classroom to change; to improve teaching and learning by leveraging technology. The terms blended learning and its subset, flipped learning, are touted extensively as useful educational goals. However, to increase the probability of long term success and to reduce teacher/instructor frustration, organizations need to ensure that the broader fundamentals are in place before asking teachers to change. Fundamentals fall into a number of categories.
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The Atlantic (commentary)
Erica Reischer, a contributor for The Atlantic, writes: "After working with thousands of families over my years as a family psychologist, I've found that one of the most common predicaments parents face is how to get kids to do what they're asked. And one of the most common questions parents ask is about tools they can use to help them achieve this goal. One such tool is the sticker chart, a type of behavior-modification system in which children receive stickers in exchange for desired behaviors like brushing their teeth, cleaning their room or doing their homework. Kids can later 'spend' their accrued stickers on prizes, outings and treats."
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Choose from 87 digital, conceptual K-8 science units, with STEM, in grade-level bands, to meet evolving standards. Email for free sample and details: rseela@seelascience.com MORE
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HealthDay News
Rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have risen globally, and adults' unreasonable expectations of young children could be one reason why, researchers suggest. In a recent issue of JAMA Pediatrics, researchers from the University of Miami point to evidence that the rise in ADHD diagnoses coincided with ever-growing demands on young children's attention and focus. Since the 1970s, the researchers said, elementary school children have been getting more and more homework, while preschoolers have spent more time in full-day programs — and getting coached in reading and numbers by mom and dad. During those same years, the prevalence of ADHD doubled in the United States.
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The Associated Press
When Debra Aldridge became her grandson's primary caregiver, she was making $7.50 per hour as a cook. The alternative for the newborn, she was told, was to put him up for adoption. "I took one look at the little fella, and that was it," said Aldridge, now 62. "I couldn't let go." For more than 11 years, Aldridge, who is divorced and lives in Chicago, has struggled to feed, house and clothe her "baby," Mario. As she ages, Aldridge sinks deeper into poverty.
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Transform your recess transitions from chaos to cooperation. Get tools and techniques to reduce conflicts and keep your students active on the playground. www.playworks.org
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| | FEDERAL ADVOCACY AND POLICY |
The Associated Press via U.S. News & World Report
The Obama administration says too many minority students are being singled out for special education and is asking states to address the issue. With new data in hand, the Education Department said that disparities persist in the nation's public schools, where oftentimes minority students are more likely to be identified as having a disability and face harsher discipline than their white counterparts. "When we see students in any racial or ethnic group identified with disabilities at vastly higher rates than their peers, we owe it to these students to pause, step back and rethink," Acting Education Secretary John B. King Jr. said in a phone call with reporters."
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THE Journal
Instead of a traditional open house, a 564-student school in Oregon recently ran its first "technology night," to show its community of families how it was using technology in the classroom. Juniper Elementary School in Bend began its adoption of technology in 2006 when it formally became a technology magnet school within Bend-La Pine Schools. The school's vision is to use technology to "maximize student engagement, increase feedback for growth, extend differentiation and prepare our students for the changing future." Teachers spend "many hours" in professional training and development in technology to increase their "tech fluency."
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Education Week
Again and again, state supreme courts in Washington and Kansas have deemed their states' school funding formulas unconstitutional, in various rulings spread over a number of years. In response, state legislatures — in the view of the impatient justices — have either dragged their feet, backpedaled, or come up with inadequate solutions. Both courts seem to be fed up. A ruling by Kansas' high court would effectively shut the entire school system down if lawmakers fail to come up with a formula the court finds equitable by June 30. The justices are expected to decide later this year if the state's current block grant formula is adequate in terms of overall funding.
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Courier-Post
School districts saddled with crowded classrooms or high numbers of students who need additional services could receive proportionately larger chunks of state aid next year, but not nearly enough to meet ever-rising needs. Gov. Chris Christie's office released district-specific state education aid numbers recently, part of his overall proposed budget for 2016-2017. Christie said the state is spending more money on K-12 education than at any time past — $13.3 billion, including $9 billion in direct aid to schools.
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NAESP
Participants will engage in activities that will assist with identifying areas in their current schools so they can establish themselves as instructional leaders. This webinar takes place Thursday, March 10, 3 – 4:30 p.m. ET. For more information and details on how to register, visit www.naesp.org/webinars.
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NAESP
The 2016 Vice President election is fast approaching, and NAESP is encouraging members to cast their vote. The two candidates are Eric S. Cardwell, principal of Besser Elementary School in Alpena, Michigan, and David N. Wick, principal of Columbia Falls Junior High School in Columbia Falls, Montana. Voting will take place March 16-29. Eligible NAESP members may vote for Vice President during this voting window through the NAESP website. For more information, visit www.naesp.org/2016-naesp-election.
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| Students will enjoy reading all 5 books in the Cornbread Series (appropriate for 3rd - 5th).
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| Students will enjoy reading all 5 books in the Cornbread Series (appropriate for 3rd - 5th).
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7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063
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