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Headlines
Association & Related News
NAEP Arts Assessment Released
The Principal Story set to Air in September
Reminder: Registration Open for Chiefs to Attend CCSSO’s 2009 Summer Institute
Education Newsbriefs
"New Jersey to Adopt Tougher Standards for High School Students" (NJ)
"Education Chief Says System is Antiquated" (VT)
"Partnership for 21st Century Skills Adds 3 States to Membership"
"WV Among States to Win 21st Century Skills Award"
"Northwest Evaluation Association Hosts Annual Summer Conference in Portland, Oregon"
Association & Related News
NAEP Arts Assessment Released
By Laura Smyth
The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) released the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in the Arts. The NAEP Arts Assessment—also known as The Nation’s Arts Report Card—reveals significant achievement gaps based on economic status, racial and ethnic identification, gender, and school type and location.
"These important findings confirm the persistence of barriers to achievement for far too many young people, and underscore the need to ensure access, equity, and quality in arts instruction for all students,” said Sandra Ruppert, director of the Arts Education Partnership, a national coalition of over 100 government, philanthropic, arts and education organizations.
A nationally representative sample of grade 8 students across the country was tested to measure knowledge and skills in music and visual arts for the first time since 1997. Dance and theater were not assessed.
For both music and visual arts, on average among the 8th graders assessed:
- Students eligible for reduced or free lunch scored lower than students ineligible.
- Black and Hispanic students scored lower than White and Asian/Pacific Islander students.
- Public school students scored lower than private school students.
- Students in urban schools scored lower than students in suburban schools.
“All students deserve access to a complete education, and this includes a comprehensive arts education,” said Gene Wilhoit, executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers, a national nonprofit organization of public officials who head state departments of elementary and secondary education. “The arts are ideally suited in both content and process to develop the skills and capabilities necessary for success in a complex, global environment.”
While the NAEP provides valuable information about students’ knowledge and skills in the arts, it also emphasizes the need for a more complete national picture of the status and condition of arts education in our nation’s schools. For more information about the NAEP Arts Assessment please click here.
The Principal Story set to Air in September
By William Bentgen
The Wallace Foundation has commissioned a film documentary, “The Principal Story,” and a related outreach campaign to educate people both inside and outside the education world on serious issues facing today’s school principals. The documentary, produced by Nomadic Pictures, will air nationally as part of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS’s) P.O.V. series on Sept. 15, 2009.
This hour-long documentary follows two school leaders—novice principal Tresa D. Dunbar of Henry H. Nash Elementary School in Chicago, IL, and veteran principal Kerry Purcell of Harvard Park Elementary School in Springfield, IL—over a school year. The film portrays the challenges principals face in turning around low-performing public schools and raising student achievement, especially in high-poverty communities.
“The national PBS broadcast of ‘The Principal Story’ will help shine a light,” says Simon Kilmurry, executive director of American Documentary/P.O.V., “not only on the stresses, strains, and challenges school leaders face on a daily basis, but also on the incredible commitment and dedication principals have to their staff, students, and their families.”
An outreach campaign for the film will be launched and includes local events hosted by public television stations around the country. Supplemental videos and accompanying discussion guides will be used to assist in outreach and professional development efforts. There will also be an executive video released called “Leadership Matters,” which will be directed at district and state officials in order to spark conversation on policy solutions that can improve training and on-the-job support for principals.
“The Principal Story” is a national PBS broadcast film and media outreach project. Funded by The Wallace Foundation, the documentary and related video and print materials are designed to connect those interested in learning more—including educators and policymakers—to reliable, useful resources. To order the full documentary, please register on The Wallace Foundation website here.
Reminder: Registration Open for Chiefs to Attend CCSSO’s 2009 Summer Institute
By Bevin Kennedy
CCSSO’s 2009 Summer Institute will be held July 18-21, at the Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield, Colorado. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, July 18, with a reception and dinner, and concludes with a dinner and celebration, Tuesday, July 21.
The Summer Institute will be an opportunity for chiefs to:
- Discuss the imperative to transform state educational systems
- Be exposed to sensible approaches to transforming education systems in relation to the Council’s four strategic initiatives
- Experience both networking and collaboration opportunities
The deadline for registration is Monday, July 6. If you have questions about registration or the program, please contact Bevin Kennedy at bevink@ccsso.org or 202-336-7014.
Education Newsbriefs
New Jersey to Adopt Tougher Standards for High School Students
New Jersey Star-Ledger (06/14/09) Rundquist, Jeanette
The New Jersey Board of Education likely will approve new high school graduation requirements on June 17, which will be phased in over seven years. The requirements beginning with the Class of 2016 involve more rigorous math and science courses, personalized learning plans to map each student's learning goals, and seven state exams on various subjects. The number of required credits will rise to 120 from 110, and students will be required to complete Algebra I, geometry, a third advanced math course, three years of lab science, a half-year of financial literacy, and four years of grade level language arts. The new requirements include a focus on 21st century skills, namely critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication, and collaboration. According to State Education Commissioner Lucille Davy, "The changing economy demands a different level of preparation for our graduates. The days of being able to leave high school and get a job and say 'I'm done learning' have ended. . . . For many districts, these are not being changes. . . . The real change is saying we have these expectations for every child. In order to succeed in the 21st century, that minimum bar is higher."
Education Chief Says System is Antiquated
Rutland Herald (VT) (06/12/09) Hirschfeld, Peter
Acting Vermont Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca says the public school system has not changed much over the last century, noting that changes must be made to preserve state resources and boost student success. Vilaseca says schools still adhere to the agrarian calendar, with evenings and summers off. He proposes a "transformational" school that remains open all year from early morning to late at night, with students using the school as a "home base" for online courses, commuting to local colleges, or serving as interns in real-world jobs during the day. "The single most valuable resource in most communities is not being used for probably 50 percent of the time, and that has to change," Vilaseca remarks. "I'm looking at a school where a kid comes to school in the morning, takes an English class, maybe goes to the library for an online course, and then heads off to an internship with a local veterinarian or auto parts store. Then he still goes back to school to play in the band or the chorus or basketball." He adds that the state does not need as many teachers and staff as it has now and that personnel costs account for a large portion of educational expenses.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills Adds 3 States to Membership
T.H.E. Journal (06/09) Nagel, Dave
Indiana, Louisiana, and Nevada recently joined The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, bring total membership to 13 states. The group, which is a coalition of business and education groups, focuses on the integration of technology in education and the expansion of technology education. Illinois Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch says, "Joining the Partnership reinforces Illinois' priority of preparing students to become productive citizens in today's world. Our plan represents a shared responsibility among stakeholders to ensure they contribute to the vital role of creating an education system with high expectations for academic and skill achievement." The partnership provides members with a roadmap for education, technology and skills-focused learning, and tools for educators to use to bolster 21st Century learning in grades K-12. "We are committed and focused on connecting education to the workforce needs of our state, nation and world. If we concentrate on equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in college, their career and today's knowledge-based economy, not only will they be able to compete with their peers around the world, but the economy of our state will benefit. We have high expectations for our students and our state, and we are looking forward to Louisiana's participation in the Partnership and the opportunity to work with other states," says Louisiana Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. Meanwhile, Nevada's membership coincides with its plans to incorporate 21st Century skills into state standards and assessments and ensure teachers and educators have the professional development tools necessary to foster positive student outcomes. Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Keith Rheault says, "Nevada's citizens have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, which could make us a leader in innovative economic sectors. Still, our ability to maximize this potential requires an education system that prepares students for today's world. Becoming a partner state supports Nevada's commitment to educational improvement and our goal of a sharper focus on 21st century skills."
WV Among States to Win 21st Century Skills Award
WHSV-3 (Va) (06/11/09)
Seven states--Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Jersey, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin--recently received the 21st Century Skills Practice of the Year Award from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Iowa received the award for its "Authentic Intellectual Work" and the Iowa Core Curriculum that define the knowledge and skills students must achieve in basic subjects like math and literacy and such 21st Century skills as financial and technology literacy. New Jersey received the honor for its "Standards Revision Project," which aligns state content standards with the skills and knowledge students need to succeed in college and the global workplace. New Jersey Education Commissioner Lucille Davy says, "We are very proud that our state has been recognized as a leader in the 21st century skills movement. Our standards revision effort has been a major undertaking for the department, but we know that it is a major element in our efforts to ensure that New Jersey has the best education system in the world, and that our young people graduate from high school ready to take on the challenges of being productive citizens in the 21st century economy." In West Virginia, the state has worked to create and integrate engaging content and learning skills through its "Assessing 21st Century Skills through Relevant and Engaging Content Applications" project to create project learning units for teachers. "As we work to incorporate 21st century skills into rigorous core courses, we must also develop assessment practices that measure what students need to know and do in today's world. I am proud of our program model and hope it serves as a shining example as other states work to develop state tests," says Dr. Steven Paine, State Superintendent of Schools. In Maine, projects focus on helping students learn through multiple pathways with its "Creating the Conditions for All Students to Graduate Post-Secondary, Career, and Citizenship Ready for the 21st Century' initiative. State Education Commissioner Susan Gendron says, "Students and teachers must be the focus of all education reform. Maine's system ensures that each student is at the center of their education and that they obtain deep subject matter knowledge and learn how to apply that knowledge to real world contexts."
Northwest Evaluation Association Hosts Annual Summer Conference in Portland, Oregon
CNBC News (05/28/09)
At the Northwest Evaluation Association's annual summer conference, 2008 National Teacher of the Year Michael Geisen will speak on July 1, and author Rick Stiggins will speak on July 2. The conference will be held in Portland, Ore., from June 30 to July 2, 2009. The conference is expected to highlight the best practices related to the use of adaptive assessment to help all students learn, as well as foster idea and experience sharing among attendees.
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