Strategy & Technology Consulting for Education by SourcePOV Cary, NC

Strategy & Technology Consulting for Education by SourcePOV Cary, NC


Innovation: the Path to Ecosystem Change

Paradigms create models that define the way things work.

Do you know the prevailing paradigms for EDUCATION?

How are the core forces going to shift? What are we doing to shift them?

We are bringing focus to opportunities for innovation at the National and State level, to better frame the challenges and pathways ahead. We advocate transparency and an open agenda for change. See samples of our work, below.

OUR INSIGHTS:

RESEARCH: Framing Issues in Public Education (Nationally).

RESEARCH: A Framework for Change in SOCIAL ECOSYSTEMS (Blog).

RESEARCH: A Framework for Change in SOCIAL ECOSYSTEMS (PDF).

RESEARCH: Process Model for Problem Solving in COMPLEX ADAPTIVE ECOSYSTEMS.

RESEARCH: Paradigm Basics.

BLOG: Reflections on Twitter as New Communications Paradigm.

NEA - American Education Week

NEA - American Education Week:

"NEA's American Education Week (AEW) spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college, and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making public schools great.

Our annual tagline, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, reflects the Association's calling upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century."

In 2009, the 88th annual American Education Week will take place November 15–21. Each day during the week spotlights a different aspect of school life:

Monday, November 16Open House Day From national commemorations to local community events, millions of Americans celebrate public education.

Tuesday, November 17Parents DaySchools invite parents into the classroom for a hands-on experience of what the day is like for their child. (En español)

Wednesday, November 18Education Support Professionals Day Individuals who provide invaluable services to schools are recognized for their outstanding work. (En español)

Thursday, November 19Educator for a Day Community leaders are invited to serve as educators to get a glimpse at a day in the life of a school employee. (En español)

Friday, November 20Substitute Educators DayThis day honors the educators who are called upon to replace regularly employed teachers. (En español)

Use Our Toolkit to Plan Your AEW EventUse our online tools to plan your celebration. Download our 2009 artwork here.

The materials presented here reflect NEA's mission as an advocate for the nation's public schools, school employees, and the communities they serve.

Other organizations are free to use this material or create their own. If you use this material (art, theme, articles, resources), please credit NEA as the creator of content.

Chickashanews.com - Parent involvement + attendance = success

Chickashanews.com - Parent involvement + attendance = success:

"Many parents are not aware of how important they are in their child’s education. The family is the young child’s earliest educator, and parents have a lasting influence on children’s attitudes, values, learning, concepts, emotions, and ideas.

They have the right and the responsibility to influence their children’s education. There is extensive and convincing evidence regarding the benefit of parent involvement in the development and education of their children.

Educators believe parents make the difference between a mediocre school and a great school. Everyone benefits when parents are involved in children’s education, and all parents have the ability, when fully supported, to help their children succeed in school."

For the teaching of young children to be effective, a positive link must be made between the school and the home; they must be partners, since the two are vital parts of the child’s life and education. Involving parents in children’s education improves the children’s achievements and the overall level of achievement in our schools.

The overall level of achievement in our school can only come from the understanding of the importance of attendance. Bill Wallace is committed to the success of all its students. A critical component of academic success is coming to school on a regular, consistent basis.

Students who are in school each day, all day learn in a consistent manner. They apply the knowledge they have gained one day to the new insights and understanding they will gain in the next day. A disruptive attendance pattern interferes with the continuity of instruction that is essential to the learning process. There is simply no substitute for being in class: to listen, to participate, to question, to experiment, to challenge. The stimulation of being in a classroom with other learners, guided by a highly qualified teacher, is the core of a sound education.

Learning builds day by day, and consistent attendance is vital to make learning meaningful. Parents should help children understand that coming to school on time and everyday is a family priority that will help them as they become contributing citizens of their world. Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.

•Thomas Jeffries in principal at Chickasha’s Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center.

Sacramento schools superintendent continues tour of schools - Latest News - sacbee.com

Sacramento schools superintendent continues tour of schools - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"Since his appointment in late August, Sacramento City Unified School District Supt. Jonathan P. Raymond has traveled to more than 60 schools on a 'listening and learning' tour.

Tonight he visits Leonardo da Vinci School, a kindergarten through eighth-grade campus in South Sacramento's Hollywood Park neighborhood. Da Vinci, 4701 Joaquin Way, is an ethnically diverse school of nearly 600 students with thematic instruction at its core, according to a district Web site."

The meet-and-greet for parents, community members and students occurs from 6 to 8 p.m. Board of Education Vice President Patrick Kennedy and Sacramento City Vice Mayor Lauren Hammond are sponsoring the gathering.

Children taught not to stamp on insects and to respect worms - Telegraph

Children taught not to stamp on insects and to respect worms - Telegraph:

"New curriculum guidance says the well-being of 'mini-beasts', including bees, ants and worms, should be taught in classes as part of primary school's 'animals and us' section of the citizenship curriculum.

By the age of seven, pupils will have learnt that 'not stamping on insects' is appropriate behaviour 'in areas where animals live'.

The guidance, drawn up by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, says children can learn good citizenship skills by learning about the wellfare of insects because 'other living things have needs and they have responsibilities to meet them'.

Rhiannon Pursall, a beetle expert at the Royal Entomological Society, welcomed the move, which is not compulsory."

Soldiers of the Soil – United States School Garden Army — City Farmer News

Soldiers of the Soil – United States School Garden Army — City Farmer News:

"“Every boy and every girl should be a producer. Production is the first principle in education. The growing of plants and animals should therefore become an integral part of the school program. Such is the aim of the U.S. School Garden Army.”

With these words, the federal Bureau of Education (BOE) launched the United States School Garden Army (USSGA) during World War I. The USSGA represented an unprecedented governmental effort to make agricultural education a formal part of the public school curriculum throughout the United States."

All Learning is Personalized

All Learning is Personalized:

"Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. — Oscar Wilde

Let’s imagine a conversation at the close of the 19th century. You and a team of designers are considering elements of the internal combustion engine that will, if successful, trigger a revolution in personal transportation and change the course of history. In a conversation with team members, you are presented with a series of challenging questions regarding the use of a sparkplug.

“How do we know that’s the right design? Where has this worked before?”"

Resources for Districts and Charter Management Organizations - The Broad Foundation - Education

Resources for Districts and Charter Management Organizations - The Broad Foundation - Education:

"The guides and toolkits described below were created by and for school districts and charter management organizations with support from The Broad Foundation to help with some of the most pressing and complicated issues facing school systems.

For more information, please email tools@broadfoundation.org."

SCHOOL CLOSURE GUIDE

EMPLOYEE EVALUATION GUIDE

SCHOOL SATISFACTION SURVEYS

CPS board chairman had gunshot wound to head :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime

CPS board chairman had gunshot wound to head :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime:

"Chicago School Board President Michael Scott had a gunshot wound to the left temple when authorities found his body in the Chicago River near the Merchandise Mart early this morning, sources said.

An autopsy will be performed later today to rule how Scott, 60, died. He was reported missing from his home in the Monroe police district on the Near West Side in Chicago Sunday, sources said."

His car -- a blue Cadillac -- was found parked near the river where the body was found, police said. It was towed from the scene.

Fire crews arrived about 3:20 a.m. to recover the body just west of the Apparel Center at 350 N. Orleans St., home of the Chicago Sun-Times.

A Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman did not return calls for comment.

Belmont Area detectives are conducting a death investigation.

A stunned Rev. Jesse Jackson showed up at the scene Monday morning after hearing about Scott's death on the news. He said he spoke with him last week -- and Scott sounded normal to him.

"Everyone thought Michael was their guy," Jackson said. "People are so very sad. .. . The suddenness of it all -- midday has become midnight. The sun has been eclipsed."

Education Department raises the bar on city high school grading system

Education Department raises the bar on city high school grading system:

"The Education Department has made it harder for high schools to get top marks on the report cards the city is releasing Monday.

The move follows widespread criticism last year when a whopping 82% of secondary schools earned A's and B's under the city's controversial grading system.

'We absolutely raised the bar,' said Education Department spokeswoman Ann Forte. 'Our goal is to continue to create stretch targets for schools.'

This year, 97% of elementary and middle schools scored A's and B's, raising even more eyebrows."

Presidents of UNT, UTA and UT-Dallas to push for Tier One status | News | Star-Telegram.com

Presidents of UNT, UTA and UT-Dallas to push for Tier One status News Star-Telegram.com:

"The presidents of North Texas’ three largest public universities say their schools will push toward Tier One status now that voters have approved Proposition 4.

Though the presidents say it could take five to 10 years for their schools to become major research institutions, they also say residents and students will see improvements along the way.
Expectations include erecting new buildings, hiring more professors, offering more scholarships and raising more money for endowments."

Interviews: Educators Speak Out on Pay for Performance

Interviews: Educators Speak Out on Pay for Performance:

CAP Interviews Teachers and School Leaders Implementing Compensation Reform

"Researchers, policymakers, and the general public agree that skilled teachers are valuable, but there is also a growing understanding that states and districts do not have adequate systems for attracting, developing, and retaining effective teachers. Improving these human capital systems would yield long-term dividends for both teachers and students."

The Teacher Incentive Fund, or TIF, is one of the few federal investments that can incentivize significant changes in human capital systems in participating states and districts. TIF supports performance-based teacher and principal compensation systems in high-needs schools. It also supports providing additional compensation for teachers who take on increased roles and responsibilities or teach in subject shortage areas, such as mathematics, science, and special education. Many of the TIF programs also upgrade their evaluation systems and professional development programs to help teachers become more effective. This is federal funding that goes directly to support effective teachers and those taking on challenging assignments.

The Obama administration and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan understand the importance of smart, forward-looking investments in education. That’s why the administration has proposed a dramatic increase in funding for the Teacher Incentive Fund from $97 million this year to $487.3 million in fiscal year 2010. And it provided additional support for the program with $200 million in funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The House has approved $446 million in funding for the program (H.R. 3293), and policymakers should support this funding level as they complete work on the final 2010 Labor-Health and Human Services appropriations bill.

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Bright and Early

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Bright and Early:

"It's better than coffee, I've heard it argued. Launch into your week with the school newsblitz!

Sweetwater school board members will discuss behind closed doors whether Superintendent Jesus Gandara violated his contract by quietly interviewing for a job in Austin, the Union-Tribune reports. If you missed the exacting reporting on this from the Chula Vista Star News, you should check it out.

We blog that the long and winding case of a former San Diego County Office of Education employee takes another twist.

Also in the UT: University of California students protest upped fees due to the schools' budget crisis. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that some of the increased fees break the universities' own rules.

A Healthy Constitution

A Healthy Constitution:

"I was moved by the way Morgan Spurlock framed a narrow long-distance shot down the corridor of a Beckley, West Virginia, middle school in his outstanding 2004 film, Super Size Me. The film is about the toll that fast and processed food takes on all of us. Clearly visible in the background of this particular shot were dozens of students, many of whom were overweight."

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that Beckley's cafeteria offers only processed food, which is high in fat, sodium and sugar and of very little nutritional value.

Contrast this with the Central Alternative High School in Appleton, Wisconsin. The school serves troubled youth, but teachers, parents and administrators found a way to turn things around; and when they did, discipline problems dropped sharply. Their secret? Instead of the usual processed meals, the school cafeteria offers fresh, locally grown, low-fat, low-sugar alternatives. The healthier meals are delicious. The students love them. They perform better in class and don't get sick as often.

We are learning that when schools serve healthier meals, they solve serious educational and health-related problems. But what's missing from the national conversation about school lunch reform is the opportunity to use food to teach values that are central to democracy. Better food isn't just about test scores, health and discipline. It is about preparing students for the responsibilities of citizenship.

UTLA spotlights Teacher-Parent-Administrator Collaboration | United Teachers Los Angeles

UTLA spotlights Teacher-Parent-Administrator Collaboration United Teachers Los Angeles:

"UTLA invited the media to get a glimpse of constructive collaboration in action on November 10, when representatives from focus schools and new schools gathered at UTLA headquarters to finalize their letters of intent as part of the Public School Choice motion.

More than 15 media outlets took UTLA up on the offer and filmed parents, teachers, and administrators as they worked with each other and, in some cases, with UTLA‐provided grant writers. Reporters also interviewed participants about the Public School Choice motion and the customized reform plans they are developing for their schools. The letters of intent are due on November 16.

The positive nature of the UTLA press event contrasted sharply with a negative, hastily organized press conference in front of the UTLA building earlier that day by Alliance for a Better Community, Families in Schools, and LAUSD School Board members Yolie Flores Aguilar and Monica Garcia. During that event, the groups displayed a copy of a crudely laid‐out flyer reportedly distributed to parents that says they could be deported for signing a charter school petition. The groups also made other vague, unsubstantiated claims of parent intimidation, with no particulars shared."

Download at : http://www.docstoc.com/docs/16501685/UTLA-spotlights-teacher-parent-administrator-collaboration

Los Angeles Unified School District

Los Angeles Unified School District:

"The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is committed to excellence in education for all children. Toward that end the District is always looking for models of excellence and new ways to improve educating our children. There are currently instructional models within our traditional class settings that are doing much to prepare our children for college and new careers. However, one size doesn’t fit all and we are always open to new and innovative solutions to continue our quest for the finest public education has to offer.

Students and families are demanding high quality schools and we share that same goal. We want all of our students to graduate and move on to become productive and contributing members of our community."

12 L.A. schools: Who gets to run them? Key deadline today in reform plan | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

12 L.A. schools: Who gets to run them? Key deadline today in reform plan L.A. NOW Los Angeles Times:

"Today marks the first key deadline for a much-watched school-reform plan that allows groups inside or outside the Los Angeles Unified School District to bid for control of 12 struggling schools as well as 18 newly constructed campuses. Groups must turn in “letters of intent” by the end of the day signaling their plans to submit full-fledged bids by Jan. 11.

The reform effort will be highlighted at two competing news conferences, the first one called by the school district’s teachers union and the other by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The United Teachers Los Angeles event, at Jefferson High School in Central Alameda, was set to start at 7 a.m., to allow teachers to participate before their classes begin. UTLA has predicted that groups of teachers will submit bids for every school on the list."

Rewriting the Old Script for California’s New Future

Rewriting the Old Script for California’s New Future:

"“What were they thinking in 1978?”

That was one of the questions USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development Professor Dowell Myers answered during a presentation about the future implications for California as a result of the recent 40 percent decline in home values.

Myers discussed how the history and future of Proposition 13 are not headed in the same direction as a part of USC’s ongoing Critical Issues in Public Policy series.

Dramatic raises in house prices in the 1970’s fueled shocking increases in property taxes, and the innovations of Prop. 13 provided much needed solutions. Myers told the audience at the California Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento about the need to look at how the demographics of the state have changed in the 31 years since the proposition was passed, as well as the outlook going forward."

€150m computers scheme unveiled - The Irish Times - Mon, Nov 16, 2009

€150m computers scheme unveiled - The Irish Times - Mon, Nov 16, 2009:

"Every school classroom in the State is to get a laptop, software and a digital projector over the next three years under a €150 million plan to bring Irish schoolchildren “up to speed” with the digital revolution.

Details of the plan were announced by Taoiseach Brian Cowen at the launch today of a report by the hi-tech industry advisory group, chaired by Paul Rellis of Microsoft Ireland.

The Smart Economy, Smart Schools report identified an “infrastructural deficit” in schools’ basic technology systems that needed to be addressed to ensure that Ireland keeps pace with global technological developments."

Education Week: States' Fiscal View: Gloomy, Gloomier

Education Week: States' Fiscal View: Gloomy, Gloomier:

"Ouch!

That may be the simplest way to describe the latest (preliminary) national data on states’ financial pictures, issued last week.

“We are seeing the worst numbers and indicators that we’ve ever seen in terms of state fiscal conditions,” Scott D. Pattison, the executive director of the National Association of State Budget Officers, said at a..."

Read full preliminary report: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/16498553/Fiscal-Survey-of-States-Preliminary-Data