News

 

NAEP Releases Results of First Computer-Based Writing Assessment

On Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at 11 a.m. EDT the National Assessment Governing Board, which sets policy for NAEP, will host a live webinar to explore the results of a groundbreaking assessment that used technology and tools comparable to those in America’s workplaces to test the writing skills of 8th- and 12th-grade students.

 

Arizona Leaders Focus on Training Teachers for Common Core Standards

The Common Core Standards must be fully implemented in Arizona by the 2013-14 school year, and state leaders have unveiled a website to help teachers and the community understand and adhere to the standards. The Arizona Department of Education has held over 400 training sessions and trained more than 14,000 of the state's nearly 70,000 teachers so far.

 

State Superintendent Invites Public Comment on New Education Standards

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has requested public comments on the new Career Technical Education (CTE) Model Curriculum Standards that is defined as the knowledge, concepts, and skills students need to acquire at each grade level. State law requires the development and adoption of these standards, which should incorporate career technology into academic education for grades 7-12.

 

Georgia and Microsoft Team on Tech, Business Classes

The Georgia Department of Education, with the help of $600,000 in state funding, is collaborating with Microsoft to provide access to Microsoft's IT Academy to public high school students across the state. These specialized classes enable students to obtain industry certifications and prepare them for college and careers.

 

Lyon Teachers Continue Training for Common Core

At the Aug. 28 meeting of the Lyon County (Nev.) School District's Board of Trustees, Claudia Fadness, the district's director of curriculum and accountability, discussed steps the district plans to take in the near future to train teachers in the Common Core State Standards. Grant money has been used to hire instructional coaches to support implementation of the instructional units at each school.

 

CCSSO Highlights State Common Core Implementation Work in New Publication

To provide all states with quick access to sample practices they can quickly and easily use, CCSSO has compiled examples of state Common Core implementation work in three keys areas: system alignment and systems change; educator supports; and communication and engagement tools.

 

Gene Wilhoit, CCSSO Executive Director Announces Retirement

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced today that executive director Gene Wilhoit will retire. The CCSSO board of directors has begun a national search for a successor. Wilhoit plans to remain at CCSSO until a new executive director assumes the post.

 

CA Teacher Named 2012 National Teacher of the Year

April 23, 2012, Washington, DC – The Council of Chief State School Officers announced today that Rebecca Mieliwocki, a 7th grade English teacher in California is the 62nd National Teacher of the Year. Mieliwocki, along with all 2012 State Teachers of the Year will be recognized by President Barack Obama in a ceremony at the White House, on Tuesday, April 24.

 

Twenty-Seven States and DC Submit NCLB Waivers Applications

Today 27 states and the District of Columbia submitted applications to the U.S. Department of Education seeking waivers of certain provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). These waivers will allow states the flexibility to develop stronger accountability and teacher evaluation systems, and provide relief from current provisions preventing states from moving forward with reform. The 11 states that submitted waivers earlier this year in November have all been approved.

 

CCSSO Statement on Waiver Announcement

Today President Barack Obama announced that his Administration has approved 10 state waiver proposals that move beyond current No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements and present comprehensive reform plans focused on preparing every child for college and career.