Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked about the next phase of the ESSA transition. Today, we examine the perspective from the classroom, as many teachers have been voicing their concerns on how the ESSA transition in the next year might change their ability to support students. Last week, Education Week released the results of a new survey on ESSA readiness, which revealed both teachers and district leaders shared concerns over measuring student success, the support they need in the classroom, and where the priorities for funding should be. We examine some of the key research findings and what…
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Survey: K-12 Teachers Concerned with ESSA’s Impact on Their Classrooms
Experts Weigh in on ESSA at Education Week Summit
As the ESSA transition takes shape this year, there is anxiety and uncertainty at both the state and district levels. ESSA implementation has already begun, as some states have submitted their plans early (or they’re close to finalizing) for the U.S. Education Dept. How can educators better prepare for the next step of ESSA, and how will the shake-up on the federal side impact them in coming months? On February 1, Education Week hosted a virtual summit on ESSA, bringing together their top journalists and a handful of speakers/moderators from state education department leaders, district curriculum and CAOs, accountability and…
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This Week: Top Headlines in Education
The latest stir on Capitol Hill could spell trouble for ESSA. Late last week, House Republicans have started moving toward disassembling the ESSA accountability rules created by the Obama administration. Get the full run-down of what’s happening on the federal front for ESSA and check out the rest of the week’s top stories in education. House Republicans Move to Scrap Rules on ESSA, Teacher Preparation Last Thursday, Republican lawmakers in Congress announced their resolutions of disapproval regarding two ESSA rules regarding accountability and teacher preparation. While these moves won’t immediately end these regulations, they could have far-reaching consequences for states….
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Superintendents and Their Double Bottom Line
Superintendents have a tough road. They’re leaving the field in “unprecedented numbers,” cracking under the political and fiscal pressures placed on them. In Pennsylvania, superintendents spend an average three years on the job before leaving, according to a 2014 survey. The role has changed a lot in recent years, and the expectations are even higher now to move mountains – raising test scores and other student performance numbers, increasing their teaching talent, and adding new technology capabilities. And all without spending more money. It’s a delicate balance for them to manage their district’s financial health and student achievement. Some pressures seem…
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This Week: Top Headlines in Education
There’s so many new education technology apps and tools being released, it can be overwhelming for teachers. The U.S. Department of Education has just released a free online tool that will help teachers save time in choosing the best technology solutions out there. The RCE Coach Tool is designed to evaluate new technologies by whether they can achieve a school’s desired goal. Read more about the Education Dept.’s new tool and other top headlines in K-12 and higher education this week. Department of Education Creates New Evaluation Tool for K-12 In partnership with the research group Mathematica, the Education Dept….
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4 Important Things Educators Can Learn from Other Industries
Many of the struggles for school leaders are nothing new outside of the education world. They’re the most universal questions faced by other industries – banking, healthcare, retailers, law enforcement, and business – how can you meet the rapidly-changing demands of the people you serve? How do you create a balance of quality and efficiency? What role can technology serve to improve how you work? There are a few important lessons that education could borrow from other industries that have faced similar barriers to change. In this post, we take a look at some of the ideas and practices that…
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First Look at How States Will Get ESSA Off the Ground
The Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA) is finally ready to be implemented in schools across the country, after the past couple of years spent reaching out to educators and creating detailed plans on how to handle effective hiring of teachers, school ratings, education quality, and accountability. 17 states and the District of Columbia are expected to submit their ESSA state plans to the Department of Education between January and April – many of them have already started filing their plans. However, there’s one hitch: On his first day in office, President Trump decided to push back on ESSA. What Could…
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This Week: Top Headlines in Education
A few days before the presidential inauguration, the U.S. Dept of Education released their national plan on the future of education technology. In it, they propose a vision that radically reshapes the discourse by focusing less on the use of ed tech in classrooms and more on how it can contribute to the development of a student-centered higher ed ecosystem. Read about their technology report and other major issues taking place in K-12 and higher education below. U.S. Department of Education Releases New Report on Ed Tech Challenges In the National Higher Education Technology Plan, the department highlights the need…
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4 Big Problems Created By the Standardized Testing Craze
The Obama administration confirmed what many have been saying for years: U.S. public school students are taking too many standardized tests. This came after a two-year movement to revolt against standardized tests around the country, which is still growing among students, parents, teachers, principals, superintendents, and others. Starting in February 2015, more than a dozen states reported stories of test refusals. There were a number of bills being introduced in 11 states that afforded parents the right to opt their children out of standardized tests. Is there still an argument to be made in favor of standardized testing? They’ve been…
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Few Educators Are Prepared to Teach the Common Core
Even as states first began implementing the Common Core standards, educators knew that it would take several years to fully understand the new guidelines and be able to shift instruction in the new direction. It’s no major feat bringing together parents, teachers, district leaders, policymakers, and communities to work together to make the Common Core a success. At this point, has this initiative been a success? And what could this mean for educators in 2017? This week, we examine the current state of the Common Core State Standards and the challenges for teachers in K-12. Teachers Still Face Challenges with…
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