You will find a backgrounder on education reform, talking points and things you can do with this information.
Posted on 02/13/13 at 3:38pm
In yet another blow to "reform" advocates who claim the superiority of charter schools, a new report shows that charter schools largely mirror traditional public schools in terms of student test scores.
Posted on 01/28/13 at 5:08pm
In what National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel said is a “defining moment within the education profession,” teachers in Seattle are boycotting a district-mandated standardized test because it would have the ultimate effect of harming student learning.
Teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle unanimously decided on Jan. 9 not to administer the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) standardized test, a move that has garnered national attention and support from educators, parents and students. Other Seattle-area teachers have followed the Garfield teachers’ lead and are refusing to give the test.
The MAP is a computer-administered test that is supposed to measure math and reading skills. It’s intended to be used for high-stakes evaluations of teachers. What it really does, however, is rob students of critical class time and tie up computer labs, all while failing to measure what students are actually learning in the classroom.
Posted on 10/27/11 at 3:24pm
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan is now backtracking on some aspects of the administrative rule changes for teacher certification issued last month.
Citing his position as final authority, Flanagan is now assuring teachers that the new rule stripping teachers of their certification if they did not receive three consecutive evaluation ratings of “highly effective” or “effective” will be removed.
Posted on 04/13/11 at 5:02pm
Education reform is on the minds of policymakers in Lansing and in Washington, D.C.
But, there’s a difference between education reform that would help students and proposals that aim to whittle the jobs and collective bargaining rights of public employees.
Posted on 04/11/11 at 5:03pm
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Reprint the backgrounder in communications with members, including e-mail, newsletters, or as a flyer to distribute at an upcoming meeting.
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Use the talking points to communicate with members, supporters, legislators, superintendents, school board members, and others.
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Ask one member to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
Posted on 04/11/11 at 5:02pm
