Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, April 2, 2012

Illinois Teachers and Neighbors United - A Community of Pro-Public Education Activists in Illinois

Illinois Teachers and Neighbors United - A Community of Pro-Public Education Activists in Illinois:


Join our community and start networking with other people and organizations who are fighting for public schools, teachers, the pension systems, the community colleges and our higher ed systems. Network for education, not corporate reform.When you join the community, please join the appropriate senate or representative district group. If one doesn't exist for your district, create it! You'll catch on. 
What makes this community different is that we're trying to unify people who are working toward the same end-- the promise of quality public education. There are so many well established groups throughout Illinois--- we live dispersed throughout the state. If we can team up inside our own political districts, think of the impact we can have with the people who represent us in Springfield.
Please join us, and when you do, be sure to join or form a group based on your home senate district and representative district.
save image

Free Webinar: What Makes the Adolescent and Teen Brain So Different? — Whole Child Education

Free Webinar: What Makes the Adolescent and Teen Brain So Different? — Whole Child Education:


Klea Scharberg

Free Webinar: What Makes the Adolescent and Teen Brain So Different?

Judy Willis
Join renowned author, neurologist, and teacher Judy Willis for an exciting free webinar on the differences between the adolescent and teen brain and what educators can and should do.
Thursday, April 5, 2012, 3:00 p.m. eastern time
Register now!
In the adolescent and teen brain, the rate of change exceeds that of even the body. The highest cognitive brain networks in the prefrontal cortex undergo their most profound maturation during the school years. What has neuroscience research revealed about the very unique adolescent brain that has important correlations to planning instruction and teaching strategies?
From seeking immediate gratification and risk, to developing and achieving long-term goals, educators are 

Arne Duncan on school reforms: 'What will your next excuse be if you have enough money?' | MLive.com

Arne Duncan on school reforms: 'What will your next excuse be if you have enough money?' | MLive.com:


Arne Duncan on school reforms: 'What will your next excuse be if you have enough money?'

Published: Monday, April 02, 2012, 8:30 AM
Education Secretary.JPGU.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan speaks during a town hall meeting on reform in Denver in February. Duncan served as Chicago Public Schools superintendent before being tapped by President Obama.
CHICAGO: It was a powerful and insightful moment.
Don Fraynd, the Chicago Public Schools’ turnaround officer, recalled a question posed by the city’s former superintendent, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
“What will your next excuse be if you have enough money?” Duncan asked, laying the groundwork 

Next step in education reform could be schools grading parents - Providence special education | Examiner.com

Next step in education reform could be schools grading parents - Providence special education | Examiner.com:


Next step in education reform could be schools grading parents





Florida bill proposed teachers grade parents

Video: Florida teachers to grade parents



 Education reform has focused on grading teachers and schools based on students' performance.  It seems that schools are fed up with taking all the blame and have been stating that parents should be graded.  The goal seems to be parent involvement, but this may not be the best way.
Florida's Representative Kelli Stargel introduced bill HB255 in 2011.  The bill would have required teachers of students in grades kindergarten through the third grade to grade parents.  Parents would have received a grade of satisfactory, unsatisfactory or needs improvement.  It was an attempt to involve parents and make them accountable for


Continue reading on Examiner.com Next step in education reform could be schools grading parents - Providence special education | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/special-education-in-providence/next-step-education-reform-could-be-schools-grading-parents#ixzz1qu9FvFoW