The blogosphere is awash with wonks, pundits and regular folks putting in their two cents about statements made in the State Of The Union (SOTU) about NCLB by President Bush.
Read just a few of them after the jump.
It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through another school year. What’s astounding, however, is how much time testing has eaten from our classroom schedules since winter break.
Since Jan. 7, teachers have given nearly 30 standardized tests, including the Dominie, given in grades 2–5; quarterly assessments given in grades 2–12, and the full-length OAT practice test, given in grades 3–8.
At minimum, that’s 60 hours spent giving the tests, not to mention the hours spent teaching the test format through sample questions and practice exercises and filling out paperwork. Teachers are frustrated by the enormous amount of testing; and our students are burnt out, also. Click on the jump below to read more. (more…)
“History is a great teacher. Now everyone knows that the labor movement did not diminish the strength of the nation but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of millions, labor miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of production. Those who attack labor forget these simple truths, but history remembers them.”
Martin Luther King, speaking to the AFL-CIO in 1961.
The CEA Blog has been trying to keep up with the flurry of online discussions centered around an Ohio Education Association (OEA) memo distributed in early October warning members to stay away from online social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace. Blogger reactions were documented in Part 1 and Part 2, but bloggers continue to sound off on the memo. More after the jump.
Columbus City Council approved the Nationwide Arena valuation deal between CCS and the Arena’s owners, despite the fact that several city council members don’t think the issue of the Arena’s worth is truly settled.
Terry Boyd and Carole Perkins were unanimously elected President and Vice President of the Columbus Board of Education.
The 7 members of the Board spent an honest 8 hours assessing themselves and their performance; no word on if the group used multiple choice, short answer or extended response items for their assessment.
Is CCS getting its Superintendent on the cheap? Cincinnati Public Schools has 20,000 fewer students than CCS, yet their superintendent is paid $30,000 more than Dr. Harris earns.
The Ohio Department of Education announced its schools of distinction; CCS’s Columbus Alternative High School, Centennial High School and Clinton Elementary made the cut.
More than 100 teachers in Columbus City Schools give high school students a second chance at graduating through their active involvement in the districtwide Credit Recovery program (CR).
The 5- year-old program allows students to earn high school credits by retaking previously failed core academic courses through mastery- based computer software.
While CR has helped to increase high school graduation rates across the district, serious questions have been raised and remain unanswered about the day-to-day operations of the program.
More kids are getting free tutoring in CCS.
One new elementary and two new middle schools join the CCS building roster.
Terry Boyd was reelected Board President and declares the CCS levy to be the number one goal of the Board; Carol Perkins joins him as Vice President; newcomer Gary Baker participates in his first board meeting and speaks about his goals for the coming school year.
In more Board of Education news, Board Member W. Carlton Weddington has thrown his hat into another political ring.
More about CCS’s Project Mentor reaching its goal of 1,000 volunteers here.
Many of the former students of the now defunct Harte Crossroads Charter School have rejoined CCS, but the failed charter’s financial mess hasn’t gone away; the forensic accountant has said “Show me the money” but the former founder/ operator has since left Columbus.
The Columbus Education Association is pleased as punch to host the 153rd edition of the Carnival of Education on our new blog. Located in Ohio’s capital city, CEA and its ancestor organizations have represented the teachers of Columbus City Schools since 1871. More about our history here. Click on the jump below to proceed to the 153rd edition of the Carnival of Education!
At the December 18th, 2007 Columbus Board of Education meeting, an updated version of the district’s real estate plan was presented to all seven members by Carole Oshavsky. The senior executive in charge of capital improvements, Oshavsky’s report updated the board on progress in the renovation and construction of new and existing schools. In addition, updates were made regarding land acquisition for new school sites as well as plans for vacant buildings within the district. The potential lease of two district buildings to charter schools outside of the district was presented to the Board, an event completely ignored by every local media outlet.
Bill Todd is still suing CCS, despite losing the mayor’s race.
CCS has reached its goal of obtaining over 1,000 mentors for Project Mentor.
Superintendent Harris and board members share their thoughts on what it’s going to be like to put an operating levy on the ballot.
Ousted Board member Jeff Cabot plans to stay involved with Columbus City Schools.
Superintendent Harris elucidates her vision for 2008 for CCS.
Merion Village residents anticipate the reopening of Southwood Elementary for the 2008-2009 school year.