Teachers, Unions, and the NCLB 'Blueprint'
As you no doubt already know, the Obama administration finally revealed its blueprint for ESEA reauthorization.
Much of what's in the blueprint EdWeek has already reported based on a close reading of the FY 2011 budget documents and stimulus bill. For instance, over a month ago I noted the proposal in the budget for all states to create a definition of an "effective teacher," based partially on student scores. Second, you can read all about the new teacher-quality programs in this story, including the plans to put revamped teacher evaluations at the center of the Title II state grants program. And finally, the changes to the "comparability" test were signaled clearly in the stimulus legislation.
So, what's new here? Well, the proposals would also tackle leadership, by requiring states to define what an effective principal looks like. Also, the requirement for states and districts to distribute teachers equitably among high-and low-poverty schools would be strengthened by making "effective" rather than "highly qualified" teachers the measuring unit.
Finally, will there be less teaching to the test? The proposal would maintain