To assist states as they continue to pursue opportunities for ESEA flexibility, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) has released a series of informational brochures and fact sheets related to ESEA Flexibility.
On Jan. 24, the Illinois State Board of Education voted to increase the cut-off score for elementary and middle school students taking the Illinois Standards Achievement Test in English language arts and math.
In the last two years, West Valley (Ariz.) school districts have focused efforts on teacher training and curriculum development to meet the needs of the new Common Core standards that will be used beginning next fall. The standards are expected to help students with critical thinking and ensure a deeper understanding of subjects. Arizona will replace its AIMS test in 2015 with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) online test.
Carol Jago, a past president of the National Council of Teachers of English, clarifies the Common Core question of where the 70 percent non-fiction 30 percent fiction for seniors actually came from and how English classes should look. "It may be the case that in some schools high school English teachers are being told to cut back on the poetry and teach more informational text. I'm hoping this mistaken directive can soon be reversed. English teachers need to teach more poetry, more fiction, more drama, and more literary nonfiction. More is more when it comes to reading, " said Jago.
CCSSO convened representatives from 38 states to collaborate on shared challenges and successes related to accountability on January 9-10. Many of the states in attendance have received ESEA flexibility, while others are in the process of applying for flexibility or have decided not to apply at all. . Many of the states in attendance have received ESEA flexibility, while others are in the process of applying for flexibility or have decided not to apply at all.
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have schools and teachers concerned about their curriculum, particularly the emphasis on informational texts under the standards. Educators working in literature and with poetry are particularly concerned, but Center for Teaching Quality's Teacher Leaders Network member Ben Curran says poetry is a perfect fit and should play an important role.
University of Oregon's College of Education Presidential Chair and Associate Dean for Global Education Yong Zhao says the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are "working to perfect an outdated paradigm," and National Center on Education and the Economy President Marc Tucker agrees.
The College Board has selected 31 Georgia high schools, including Northgate High School, to apply for funding through the new AP STEM Access program to increase the number of minority and female students who participate in Advanced Placement Program courses in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines.
A second and final public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards to reshape K-12 science education was released for comment after eight months of review and rewriting. Organizers expect the final set of standards to be ready by March, after which the standards will be given to the states for adoption.
New Mexico will be one of 14 states to receive millions in federal "Race to the Top" education spending. The state Public Education Department (PED) said New Mexico will receive $25 million over the next four years as part of Race to the Top's Early Learning Challenge grant competition, which focuses on "improving early learning and development programs for young children," according to the U.S. Department of Education.
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