Subject: EdWeek Update: Skills Gap on State, Federal Tests Grows, Study Finds

From: "edweek.org" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:27:37 -0400 (EDT)

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April 11, 2007
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Dear David Harris,
Welcome to EdWeek Update, a newsletter brought to you by edweek.org.
Spring is finally here, and we’re holding a Spring Break Open House from March 19 to April 15, featuring COMPLETE, FREE access to ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING on edweek.org. Explore our rich 25 years of archives, run your own state reports and enjoy loads of Web-only content. Spread the word.

| Special Report | TOP

Technology Counts 2007: A Digital Decade
The 10th edition of Education Week’s annual report on educational technology, looks back, and ahead, after a decade of enormous upheaval in the educational technology landscape.

| Online sponsorship provided by CDW-G.

| Top Stories | TOP

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Skills Gap on State, Federal Tests Grows, Study Finds

Far greater shares of students are proficient on state reading and math tests than on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Governors Enter Fray Over NCLB

The National Governors Association has released recommendations for NCLB renewal that aim to preserve the federal role in holding states accountable for student learning.

Major Study on Software Stirs Debate

On the whole, the use of educational software in classrooms yields no significant gains, according to the federal study.

High School, College Standards Out of Sync, Survey Finds

College professors want students to have a deeper understanding of selected topics, while high school teachers focus on a broader array of content.

Leaders in L.A. District at Odds Over School Reforms

As Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa awaits a court ruling on his bid to control the city's schools, the direction of the district is unclear.

Nine States to Be Partners on Algebra 2 Assessment

The collaboration comes as some policymakers appear to be rekindling the push for national academic standards.

Final Rules Offer Greater Testing Flexibility

Federal regulations on assessments for special education students may help schools make adequate yearly progress.

In Perspective

Pathways to a Diploma

In New York City, high school students who are overage and undercredited can take several routes to graduation.

| This Week's Live Chat | TOP

| Making Curriculum Meaningful

| Join us Thursday, April 12, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern time for a discussion on ideas for adding depth and creativity to lessons while still covering tested material.

Guests:
Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, digital learning consultant and instructor at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia;
Marsha Ratzel, 6th grade math and science teacher at Leawood Middle School in Leawood, Kansas;
and Mark Clemente, science chairman at Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

| Submit questions in advance.

| Daily News | TOP

Our hand-picked compilation of daily education news from around the country, updated daily by 12 p.m., Eastern time. Visit the Daily News for a full listing.

(NOTE: Papers may require registration.)

D.C. Schools Takeover Gets Initial Approval

The Washington Post: April 4.

DPS Middle Schools Deficient, Report Finds

Rocky Mountain News: April 6.

FCAT Revisions Gain Steam

The Miami Herald: April 5.

Gingrich Admits -- In Spanish -- 'my Word Choice Was Poor'

CNN: April 5.

| Agent K-12: Top Jobs | TOP

| Executive Director, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL

| Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services, Stockton Unified School District, Stockton, CA

| Chief Financial Officer, Stockton Unified School District, Stockton, CA

| Director of Testing, Fairfax County Public Schools, Falls Church, VA

| Executive Director, SPEED Special Education School District 802, Chicago Heights, IL

| Deputy Superintendent, Colorado Springs School District 11, Colorado Springs, CO

| View all Top Jobs.

| TalkBack | TOP

| Not Performance Pay Alone

| Pay-for-performance may be necessary for higher achievement, but it is far from sufficient, write Theodore Hershberg and Barbara Lea-Kruger. Teacher incentives only reward some teachers, the best teachers, and do nothing for struggling teachers and their students, argue Hershberg and Lea-Kruger.

| More than incentives alone, Hershberg and Lea-Kruger say we need large-scale systemic changes to improve the effectiveness of all teachers. These changes include better evaluation processes for teachers, more support for struggling teachers, changing the school calendar, and professional development spending reviews.

| Is pay-for-performance a viable strategy for educational reform? Would it be effective without other systemwide changes? How can it be improved?

| Join the discussion, and let us know what you think.

| Blogs | TOP

Bridging Differences
Leading education thinkers Deborah Meier and Diane Ravitch engage in an ongoing conversation about what matters most for today's students, educators, and policymakers.
Recently: The "declining" education myth.

Learning the Language
Veteran Education Week reporter Mary Ann Zehr tackles difficult policy questions, explores learning innovations, and shares stories about different cultural groups on her beat.
Recently: Newt Gingrich on bilingual education.

Alexander Russo's This Week in Education
This blog covers education news, policymakers, and trends with a distinctly political edge.
Recently: Reading First hearing witnesses; battle over NCLB reauthorization; voucher programs; and more.

Around the Web
Edweek.org reporter Michelle Davis looks Around the Web throughout the week for good reads, compelling audio, blog posts, and must-see video about important developments in the K-12 world.
Recently: English novelist and poet Tobias Hill teaches at the illustrious English boarding school Eton College.

Motivation Matters
Edweek.org Assistant Managing Editor Kevin Bushweller tackles questions on what it takes to motivate students.
Recently: Survey on teen motivation.

| Grants | TOP

| See our grants section for regular updates on grants available for educators, administrators, policymakers, and researchers.

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| Newsletter: Research Connections | TOP

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| Teacher Magazine | TOP

Web Watch
Teacher's take on education news from around the Web.
Recently: Is it immoral to be pregnant without being married? What if you’re a teacher?

Blogboard
Teacher's look at what's new and noteworthy on educator blogs.
Recently: A correlation between student achievement and school names; and more.

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| Agent K-12 Blog: Career Corner | TOP

| On Agentk-12.org's Career Corner blog, recruitment experts offer career advice and discuss trends in the education job market.

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