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CEC offers a teacher’s blog and other resources for Special Education students. Check it out.

http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/AboutCEC/Communities/Students/default.htm

A study by the National Council on Teacher Quality says that Baltimore teachers should get more pay but they should also work longer hours and it should be easier  to dismiss those who perform poorly. The study, funded by grants from the Abell Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, says that excess teachers, even tenure ones, should be let go after a year if no principal wants them. See complete Baltimore Sun article.

Public Affairs Specialist position available in the U.S. Department of Education. Resume and applications are due by June 25. For more information about the position, go to U. S. Department of Education, Jobs, Federal Career Intern programs – PDF.

For the last few years, there has been a movement in education away from traditional subjects to a more interdisciplinary approach. The basic idea is to apply more than one discipline simultaneously. There is no doubt that cross-curricular approaches to education can be very effective when properly applied.  Read more…

Congress is debating legislation to avoid massive layoffs of teachers. The $23 billion measure would help states facing deep spending cuts. Click here to see Education Week article.

Steve Ross, of the Center for Research and Reform in Education (CRRE),   is quoted in a Washington Post article questioning the effectiveness of new technologies in the classroom.  The article focuses on the use of whiteboards. Click here is see full article.

How did you like the book?  What did you think of the characters?  What are your thoughts?  Please reply by clicking on “Comment”.

See complete press release from Maryalnd Department of Education:

BALTIMORE (June 1, 2010) – Maryland today delivered its application for the federal government’s $4.3 billion Race to the Top (RTTT) education initiative. 

The unprecedented federal program is aimed at boosting student achievement, reducing gaps in achievement among student subgroups, turning around struggling schools, and improving the teaching profession.  Maryland is eligible for up to $250 million in the grant program’s second round. 

Twenty-two of Maryland’s 24 school systems joined in the application process, along with the Baltimore Teachers Union, the Prince George’s Education Association, and scores of other state education groups.  The Maryland State Board of Education last week voted unanimously to apply for the grant. 

State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick said that Maryland’s long history of strengthening struggling schools gives the State an advantage in this new phase of school improvement.  

Maryland’s primary RTTT reforms will:

* Revise the PreK-12 Maryland State Curriculum, assessments, and accountability system based on the Common Core Standards to assure that all graduates are college- and career-ready.  The State Board last week endorsed the draft Common Core Standards. 

• Build a statewide technology infrastructure that links all data elements with analytic and instructional tools to monitor and promote student achievement. 
• Redesign the model for preparation, development, retention, and evaluation of teachers and principals. 
• Fully implement the innovative Breakthrough Center approach for transforming low-performing schools and districts. 

It’s a great video of the day commencement – less than 5 minutes.  Mayor Bloomberg of NYC was the commencement speaker.

Take a look!

2010 JHU Commencement

CONGRATS TO THE SOE GRADUATES!

Will put up the SOE commencement as soon as it’s available.