Teacher evaluation in classrooms where the content learning and assessment are not numerically objective is tricky and at times, ends up as a less than perfect process. Core content materials assessments are reasonably objectve and the results can reasonably be used to predict teacher effectiveness. Other content areas such as the arts and even physical education do not …
September 2013 archive
Sep 19
OEI Opposition Increases
Opposition in the Commonwealth to the Opportunity Educational Institution (OEI) is increasing. In Southwestern Virginia, the Roanoke County School Board as well as Botetourt County School Board have voted to oppose this take over by state government and support the lawsuit begun by VSBA and Norfork City School Board. Other neighboring school divisions are planning to take similar action soon. …
Sep 19
Need Some Topics for Faculty Meetings or School Wide Goals?
If you are looking for topics/practices to tackle in your faculty meetings or administrator think tanks, then Alfie Kohn probably has some possible opportunities in his recent blog, “Encouraging Educator Courage,” Education Week, September 18. Kohn, the author of several books including The Homework Myth (2006) and The Schools Our Children Deserve (199), writes on …
Sep 18
Faculty Meetings Should Mean Something
Two recent blogs from separate authors bring to light a significant topic for school leaders: What is the Purpose/Focus/Value of your Faculty Meetings? Principal Peter DeWitt and Mel Riddle, NASSP coordinator for The Principal Difference both have reviewed common formats and rationales for faculty meetings. Having learned early on as an assistant principal that “sit and …
Sep 18
McDonnell Announces Members of the Governor’s Teacher Cabinet
Governor McDonnell announced today the formation of a Teachers Cabinet which will “focus on strategies for enhancing Teacher Quality, Leadership and Professionalism for 21st Century Learning.” The cabinet will meet later this month and will submit an interim report with “initial recommendations by November 15, 2013.” The Governor noted in his comments that the cabinet …
Sep 16
Advice for Educators Wanting to be Principals
If you have spent time as a school principal for a long enough time, you should have had the opportunity to recognize leadership potential in one or more staff members. It is a special opportunity that you may have to encourage and “grow” that staff member into a leadership position. It may be as a …
Sep 09
Need Help Remembering Names or Items?
Let’s face it, next to Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, no one has a greater need to remember names and materials than building administrators. You have student names, faculty member names, school board staff names and parent names just to mention a portion of your list. In addition, you also at times need to recall names …
Sep 08
School Attendance Myths
In a recent NASSP blog, Mel Riddle brings into focus the one constant that is always identified for limited learning for students: poor school attendance. It is not a new topic by any means and many educators have put forth recommendations for improving student school attendance. In his blog, Mel does not offer remedies as much …
Sep 05
Rule of Law Project for Middle School Students
Once again, the Virginia Law Foundation (VLF) and the Virginia Bar Association (VBA) will sponsor the Rule of Law Project in the Fall of 2013 and Spring 2014. This program for middle school civics classes is designed to enhance the teaching of the rule of law. Materials for this learning opportunity are aligned to the …
Sep 24
State Board President Foster Reflects on Recent SOL Assessment Results
Now that the updated SOL assessments in English and science have joined the cadre of scores in mathematics, it is time to review and read commentaries on the results, both positive and not-so-positive. In a recent article in the Richmond Times Dispatch (September 22) , Mr. David Foster, president of the Virginia Board of Education, …
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