21st Century School Teacher

El Milagro, one of my favorite blogs, had included this video with a recent post.  It is a powerful video that could be used in the classroom in a variety of ways--it is also a personal reminder of the truths that we hold dear...

"Too often we excuse those who are willing to build their own lives on the shattered dreams of other human beings..."

There are some naughty words, but the message is great!

Thomas Petra just launched a website titled Real World Math.  I poked around on it a little and was impressed.  He has some pretty cool ideas! 

"This website is designed for educators who wish to extend the concepts of the math curriculum beyond the pages of the text.  Google Earth is the dynamic tool that will be used to accomplish this.  Within this site you will find lesson ideas, examples, and downloads for mathematics that embrace active learning, constructivism, and project-based learning while remaining true to the standards.  The initial focus will be for grades 5 and up, but teachers of younger students may be able to find some uses or inspiration from the site.  The scope of this site is mathematics, but many lessons lend themselves to interdisciplinary activities also."

Right off the bat a lesson on U-boats from WWII caught my eye.  It's true that many of the lessons here can be used with more topics than math. 

If you're not a math teacher, check out the lessons under "project-based learning" first.  Looks great Thomas--thanks for the heads up on Classroom 2.0!

Teachers to Be Measured Based on Students’ Standardized Test Scores By JENNIFER MEDINA Published: October 1, 2008 www.nytimes.com

"New York City is beginning to measure the performance of thousands of elementary and middle school teachers based on how much their students improve on annual state math and reading tests."

It does stand to reason, as we become a nation obsessed with testing, tracking teachers and their students' test scores will follow. 

"To avoid a contentious fight with the teachers’ union, the New York City Department of Education has agreed not to make public the reports... nor let them influence formal job evaluations, pay and promotions."

That's a relief!  Likely, as administrators gain more power to let poor performing teachers go--as in Michelle Rhee's plan B--administrators will have a harder time looking past teachers that have below average test scores. 

I know that the district that I worked in followed teachers' testing scores--which seems natural.  Administrators want to know how effective their teachers are--it's a measure of success. 

One problem that I had with the process in the state that I taught in is that the state does not let the teachers, school or district see the actual tests that the students have taken.  The school scores are public record, but teachers and students can't question the results--that is unless it is the 10th grade exam that determines graduation. 

It seems to me that teachers need to see how students performed on the test if they are to make informed decisions about how to change their practice.  It has also always bothered me that the scoring process is off site, and that teachers that I know are not as qualified as I am are scoring the exams that my students have taken.  (Even so, there have been few test scores that I have questioned).

But if states are going to start to evaluate teachers based on their scores, they should be prepared for the backlash that will occur when students don't perform as their teachers expected.  I'm sure you've had the experience of a student that you knew was going to do well on a state test that ended up barely squeaking by, or possibly didn't pass at all.  Testing methodology, relevance, and assessment protocol will surely come into question. 

I've been tracking my scores for 9 years; most of my student pass the reading and writing exam consistently--you'd better bet that if my evaluation was on the line I'd want to see that test and know why the student didn't pass!  If merit pay is attached to test scores, as it looks like is in our future, things could get worse...    Interesting stuff; teachers should be paying close attention.

Every once in awhile, I go back and check out what's new on some of my favorite sites.  21st Century Schools has some new curriculum units for the fall.  They are project-based, and if they're not quite right, one of them is sure to inspire.

21st Century Schools' website is a great resource--if you want to break in to the consulting business, or if you're already consulting and want to broaden your reach, they are calling for more applications.  I like this site because it reinforces what I know to be true about education in the 21st century.  It looks like they are starting a new blog on their site, with contributing bloggers like Scott McLeod.  If you get a minute, check it out!