Douglas Reeves Makes the Case for Teaching Handwriting

From the Marshall Memo #446 

In this thoughtful American School Board Journal article, author/consultant Douglas Reeves asks whether teaching cursive is worth the time and effort schools used to put into it. Handwriting is still a hot-button issue for many educators and parents. What’s the right course of action, given the shortage of time in…

Written by Mark Phillips, Teacher and Educational Journalist

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-kids-to-read-images-mark-phillips

AUGUST 9, 2012

The image projected on the screen in the front of the classroom is Magritte's painting of a…

Education Secretary Arne Duncan declared August Connected Educator Month. To the delight of many connected educators, this was a validation for much of their time spent and their many accomplishments achieved through the use of technology in general, and using the Internet specifically. Many connected educators have gathered virtually to assemble panels, webinars, podcasts and blog posts about all of the advantages of being a “connected educator” and its possibility of transforming education…

What’s Right About the Common-Core Math Standards 

From the Marshall Memo #446

In this Education Week article, Michigan State professor William Schmidt reports on a study he conducted with Richard Houang comparing the Common Core State Standards in mathematics with U.S. state standards as of 2008-09 and standards from other high-performing countries. Their conclusions refute the contention of some…

An Argument Against Requiring Algebra – and Some Reactions

From the Marshall Memo #446

In this provocative New York Times opinion column, Queens College (NY) political scientist Andrew Hacker questions whether algebra and subsequent upper-level math courses should be required. Failing algebra is a major reason for our high dropout rate in secondary school and college, he says. “Why do we subject…

Teachers who excel: A lesson from Miss Smoot

Nothing is more important in K-12 education than the quality of a teacher. But how do we make great teachers? We could start with someone like Jane Smoot.

By John Yemma / August 13, 2012…

10 THINGS WE NOW KNOW ABOUT EDUCATION SPENDING

by staff writers

ONLineColleges.com

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We learn more with lessons study at my school

Don’t the NYS Legislators deserve a salary raise? Yes, I am aware that our state has employed tax caps, decreased budgets and initiated massive layoffs.  But, give our Assemblyman and Senators a break.  They have not received a raise since 1999 and claim that it is their time.

I agree with them. But before administering a raise, let’s hold them accountable to the same standards required of many other government workers. We could start with a simple item, attendance.  It…

From the moment our son, Paul, was born almost eight years ago, my goals as an educator began to evolve, grow and expand. I instantly wanted to do whatever I could to keep Paul safe, happy and fulfilled on every level. Initially it was difficult to see how this unconditional love for Paul would manifest itself in my classroom and shape me as an educator. However, six months later, after I began my first building administrative position, that parental love quickly molded me, impacted me and…

Why Web Literacy Should Be Part of Every Education

WRITTEN BY: Cathy Davidson and Mark Surman