From: "Public Education Network" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: PEN Weekly NewsBlast <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 19:12:56 -0800 Subject: PEN Weekly NewsBlast for April 5, 2002
Public Education Network Weekly NewsBlast “America's Favorite Free Newsletter on Improving Public Education” *************************************************************************** OVERCOMING AMERICA'S OBSESSION WITH STANDARDIZED TESTS According to Ron Wolk, “The foolish emphasis we put on testing is expensive, unnecessary, and probably harmful to millions of children.” In this brash analysis, Wolk writes that standardized tests have too many deficiencies to be the determining factor in assessing student achievement. He believes the most egregious flaw is that they don't address the qualities that most parents want their children to have -- such as the skills and attitudes needed to continue learning on their own and to be good citizens, productive workers, and fulfilled human beings. Wolk is the chair of Editorial Projects in Education and is a Public Education Network board member. http://www.teachermagazine.org/tm/tmstory.cfm?slug=07persp.h13 BATTLING TEACHER BURNOUT Unrelenting fatigue, never-ending paperwork and planning, stagnant environments, higher expectations with flat or decreasing support: all these are real for teachers, and they all contribute to burnout. Read tips from teachers who have been successful at battling burnout by rejuvenating, taking care of themselves, and improving their skills and knowledge. http://www.publiceducation.org/cgi-bin/downloadmanager/publications/p104.asp How Bush Stole Education When President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act -- the breakthrough education bill of 2001 -- he secured a significant domestic policy achievement for his administration. The legislation was not only noteworthy for its policy changes; it was also an important political victory. This remarkable Republican turnaround on education helped boost the president's enviable approval ratings. As Congress prepares during the rest of his term to overhaul federal policy on special education, education research, and higher education, the president has the wind at his back. What explains a Republican's stunning success on what has traditionally been Democratic turf? http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?knlgAreaID=110&subsecID=181&contentID=250319 PARENT'S GUIDE TO TESTING & ACCOUNTABILITY With a flourish of the President's pen, annual testing in grades 3-8 became the law of the land. This sweeping mandate from Washington means changes in America's classrooms. According to the National Education Association (NEA), “Consumers demand more information from the labels on a can of soup than the current law does in passing judgment on students and schools.” Many parents wonder how annual testing will affect their child and what they should do to prepare. Read a simple guide that helps parents navigate the new world of testing. The guide helps parents answer basic questions such as, What should I ask my child's principal? How can I help my child do well on tests? What should I ask about test scores? http://www.nea.org/parents/testingguide/ KEY WORK OF SCHOOL BOARDS While the national conversation about student achievement often focuses narrowly on students' abilities to perform well on standardized tests, school boards must work to define achievement in ways that are meaningful to the communities they represent. This interactive website outlines the role of school boards as they work with their communities and district professionals to set this vision and bring it to fruition. Learn the eight key components of school board work. http://www.nsba.org/keywork/ DIALOGUE BETWEEN COMMUNITIES & SCHOOL BOARDS One of the main lessons learned by local education funds (LEFs) is the importance of a continuing dialogue between a community and its school board. This five-part online guide gives proven tips and strategies to schools and community-based organizations, in convening, structuring, and facilitating a successful conversation between the community and its school board. http://www.publiceducation.org/resources/public_conversation.htm CONNECT FOR SUCCESS: BUILDING A TEACHER, PARENT, TEEN ALLIANCE This unique resource for middle and high school teachers -- especially new teachers and those in high-poverty schools -- provides tips, tools, and tried-and-true strategies for building partnerships with parents to help all students reach their potential. This publication offers strategies and tools to help teachers break down barriers to parent participation, establish open, two-way communication with parents, and mobilize the resources parents bring to the education of their children. The toolkit also shows how this alliance can help parents improve their children's academic future while improving teachers' day-to-day practice and job satisfaction. http://www.recruitingteachers.org/news/2002toolkit.html 12 MILLION REASONS FOR CONDOMS & SEXUAL EDUCATION According to former Surgeon General Dr. Jocelyn Elders, there are about 12 million problems with promoting abstinence in schools -- 12 million being the number of sexually active teens in this country who are 19 or younger. More than 70 percent of teen-agers have had sex by the age of 18, and 80 percent by 19. The United States is spending a quarter of a billion dollars for abstinence education in our schools when there is no scientific basis that abstinence-only education is effective. Abstinence education as it is presently taught does not allow our educators to tell young people anything about contraception or disease-prevention. Dr. Elders admits that condoms can break or slip off. But she says that they are still the best protection that we have available. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/editorial/outlook/1320959 EVEN SUPERINTENDENT DO IT Relationships hold marriages, friendships, teams, work forces, and businesses together. Relationships also hold schools together and veteran teachers and administrators know this simple reality. This article challenges superintendents and other school leaders to stop hiding behind their desks and to actively create a shared school culture and clear professional norms. Leaders lead and they lead by caring enough about the success of their teachers that they will roll up their sleeves and model instructional leadership. http://teachers.net/gazette/APR02/wong.html DISTRICTS NARROW RACIAL GAP At Shubert Elementary School every wall is filled with student essays and posters of literary concepts. At Ulysses Byas Elementary School students wear uniforms and teachers offer them care and attention. At Walnut Street Elementary School parents pour into meetings and workshops leaving standing room only. Though the districts are distinct, they have at least one thing in common. Each has in some way succeeded in narrowing the performance gap between minority students and their white peers. With the recent release of test scores indicating race gaps across New York State, districts like these have already begun to land in the spotlight. Experts say breaking out scores by race and ethnicity offers the opportunity to identify districts that succeed in educating minority students and use them as a model. Time and again administrators in these districts offered similar secrets for success: a strong curriculum, early intervention for low performing students, parental involvement, staff development and a building atmosphere that, above all else, focuses on students. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-liskul292645348mar29.story NEW PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER Introducing “Field Notes,” a newsletter for professional developers written by professional developers. It offers practical knowledge in the form of tips and tools to help meet the challenges of planning and implementing meaningful professional development. The first issue focuses on communicating effectively with one's audience. http://www.ncrel.org/info/notes/wtr02/wtr2002.htm BREAKING UP LARGE HIGH SCHOOLS: 5 COMMON ERRORS This digest reviews recent research on breaking up large, impersonal high schools and discusses five common errors made in downsizing attempts: errors of autonomy, size, continuity, time, and control. The author also recommends several technical assistance resources to help reformers avoid the errors described. http://www.ael.org/eric/digests/edorc01-6.htm CELEBRATING NATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS WEEK According to Charter Friends National Network, America's first charter school opened a decade ago in St. Paul, MN. Since then, educators, parents, and community and business leaders have struggled to create new public schools that attempt to deliver educational excellence through programs tailored to meet student and community needs. National Charter Schools Week, April 29-May 3, celebrates the spirit and achievements of successful charter schools. To get a copy of the “Organizer's Idea Kit” visit: http://www.charterfriends.org/csweek.html MICHIGAN CHARTER SCHOOLS OFTEN COME UP SHORT When it comes down to access and equity, student achievement, efficiency and oversight, Michigan's 184 charter schools often come up short. So say Drs. Gary Miron and Christopher Nelson, authors of the new book, "What's Public About Charter Schools? Lessons Learned About Choice and Accountability." For the past five years, Miron and Nelson, researchers based at Western Michigan University's Evaluation Center, have been analyzing evidence from charter schools in Michigan. "What we've learned is that charter schools, on the whole, are not working well in Michigan," Miron says. "This doesn't mean categorically, however, that charter schools don't work." Instead, the problems with Michigan's charter schools -- from a lack of diversity among students to paltry gains on standardized tests -- are ones that can be fixed. "The ultimate reason for charter schools to exist is to build achievement," says Nelson. "What we're saying is let's look at the evidence and reassess what we're doing." http://www.wmich.edu/evalctr/charter/whatspublic.html |---------------GRANT AND FUNDING INFORMATION--------------| “The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes” The Barron Prize seeks to recognize young people from diverse backgrounds who have shown extraordinary leadership in making our world better -- whether by helping people, protecting the environment, halting violence, or leading other important service work. In all cases, nominees must have been the prime mover of the service activity, and demonstrated positive spirit and high moral purpose in accomplishing their goals. Winners of the Barron Prize, who may range in age from 8 to 18 years old, each receive $2,000. Nomination packets must be received by May 31, 2002. http://www.barronprize.org/criteria/index.html “Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award” Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year Program is designed to recognize outstanding teachers throughout the U.S. and in areas where Wal-Mart Stores or SAM'S CLUBS are in operation. Every year Wal-Mart associates work with schools in their communities to select an outstanding teacher and award a $500 grant to his or her school. Since the program began in 1996, Wal-Mart has saluted nearly 11,000 Teachers of the Year and contributed $5.1 million in education and grants to local schools. Anyone can nominate a teacher by visiting a local Wal-Mart store, Supercenter, Neighborhood Market, or SAM'S CLUB. Nominations are due by April 14, 2002. “The Braitmayer Foundation” The Braitmayer Foundation supports organizations and programs that enhance the education of K-12 students through curricular and school reform initiatives, professional development for teachers, and local community efforts. Normally the grants are used as seed money, challenge grants, or to match other grants to the recipient organization. Proposals are due by June 30, 2002. http://www.braitmayerfoundation.org/guid.htm “Share the Technology” Share the Technology is a nonprofit organization that repairs, upgrades, and donates used computers to nonprofit organizations, schools, and people with disabilities. They provide listings of computers available for donation and a database for public and private schools, and other nonprofit organizations to list their computer needs. http://sharetechnology.org/ “Fundsnet Online Services” A comprehensive website dedicated to providing nonprofit organizations, Colleges, and Universities with information on financial resources available on the Internet. http://www.fundsnetservices.com/ “Department of Education Forecast of Funding” This document lists virtually all programs and competitions under which the Department of Education has invited or expects to invite applications for new awards for FY 2002 and provides actual or estimated deadline dates for the transmittal of applications under these programs. The lists are in the form of charts -- organized according to the Department's principal program offices -- and include programs and competitions the Department has previously announced, as well as those it plans to announce at a later date. Note: This document is advisory only and is not an official application notice of the Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCFO/grants/forecast.html “eSchool News School Funding Center” Information on up-to-the-minute grant programs, funding sources, and technology funding. http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/funding/ “Philanthropy News Digest-K-12 Funding Opportunities” K-12 Funding opportunities with links to grantseeking for teachers, learning technology, and more. http://fdncenter.org/funders/ “School Grants" A collection of resources and tips to help K-12 educators apply for and obtain special grants for a variety of projects. http://www.schoolgrants.org QUOTE OF THE WEEK "On September 10, we were told there was not enough money for Social Security. But on September 12 or thereabouts, there was $40 billion to find a cave man in Afghanistan -- and we haven't found him yet…We come to this Chautauqua because 53 million children trapped in separate and not equal schools, and 45 million Americans without health insurance, deserve the same (level of) national response that bin Laden got." -Rev. Jesse Jackson (politician/civil rights leader) ===========PEN NewsBlast========== The PEN Weekly NewsBlast is a free e-mail newsletter featuring school reform and school fundraising resources. The PEN NewsBlast is the property of the Public Education Network, a national association of 70 local education funds working to improve public school quality in low-income communities nationwide. There are currently 43,750 subscribers to the PEN Weekly NewsBlast. Please forward this e-mail to anyone who enjoys free updates on education news and grant alerts. Some links in the PEN Weekly NewsBlast change or expire on a daily or weekly basis. 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