Category: schoolreform
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Teacher Leader Effectiveness (TLE) and the Tulsa Model #oaesp12
These are my notes from Michael Barlow, Dr. Cassandra Funderburk, Cindy Taylor, Talia Shaw and Linda Hendrick’s presentation, “Teacher Leader Effectiveness (TLE) and the Tulsa Model” at the Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals (OAESP) mid-winter conference on January 20, 2012, in Oklahoma City. The conference is sponsored and organized by the Cooperative Council for…
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Introduction to the Common Core State Standards by Karen Robertson
These are my notes from Karen Robertson‘s presentation on January 9, 2012, for the school board of Yukon Public Schools providing an introduction to the Common Core State Standards. Karen is the Executive Director of Curriculum and Assessment at Yukon Public Schools in Oklahoma. Common Core state standards initiative – state-led and developed common core…
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The Dangerous Nexus of Cyber Charter Schools & For-Profit Curriculum Companies
On November 13, 2011, Ali Carr-Chellman (@aac3 on Twitter) shared an important and courageous message at TEDxPSU. Her 13.5 minute message was titled, “A Closer Look at Cyber Charter Schools.” Among other things, Ali challenges us to question the growing nexus between non-profit “cyber charter schools” and for-profit curriculum companies. As we continue hear different…
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Standardized Test Results Obfuscate Real Learning
As 2011 draws to a close I’m organizing, sharing, and tagging a variety of photos I took this past fall with my iPhone on Flickr. In the past at times like these I’ve tended to upload large bunches of photos and skip the process of individually labeling photos. Instead, I’ve just organized photos in sets…
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Podcast386: Implementing 1:1 Classrooms in Grand View Schools, Oklahoma
This podcast is a a recording of Cheryl Beaman and Michelle Barnes’ presentation, “Implementing 1:1 Classrooms” at the 2011 Innovative Learning Institute in Norman, Oklahoma, on November 10th. This annual conference is hosted by the K-20 Center at the University of Oklahoma. Cheryl Beaman is the director of technology for Grandview Public Schools, and Michelle Barnes is…
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Resources for Going 1:1 in School
I received an email recently from an educator in Iowa, whose school is considering a 1:1 learning project. He asked about resources to help them decide which device to select for different grade levels, and for research connecting 1:1 computing to improved student achievement. My three best recommendations for organizations which provide helpful information about…
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Ask Your School Board Members to Take Your State Standardized Tests
For years I’ve wished our state elected officials were required to take the same “exit” level standardized tests our students are coerced to take in public schools. I’ve not only wished our elected officials would take them: I’ve wanted those officials’ test results to be published and shared. The reason for this is simple: Much…
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Advocating for Balanced Content Filtering in Oklahoma City Public Schools
(cross-posted from balancedfiltering.org) Today I had an opportunity to meet with the superintendent and CIO of Oklahoma City Public Schools to discuss my concerns as a parent in the district about the overblocking of Internet websites. I had heard a great deal from other people about the district’s policies and the reasons for those policies,…
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Pennsylvania Newspaper Article / School Tech Director Misrepresents CIPA
(cross-posted from balancedfiltering.org) Update 11/16: Note the original title of this article has been changed, my intent in writing this is not to personally attack the reporter who wrote the article, but rather call attention to these issues which desperately need clarifying in our communities. Update 11/17: After reaching out to the newspaper reporter via…