- PARCA unveils new school data tool;
- School Board: Jobs bill;
- Obama stands firm on education agenda;
- Torchbearers prove demographics aren’t destiny;
- RESEARCH: Recovering economy needs more people with post-high school education;
- BLOG: 9 things every AP science teacher should know;
- BLOG: Rigor for leaders;
- A+ News.
PARCA unveils new school data tool
Ever wanted to know how your local school is performing compared to the state as a whole? Now you can easily look up that comparison through a new website from the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. The analysis is meant to help schools target areas for improvement.
User-friendly analysis is available for every public school with grades 3-8. The data tool is being jointly promoted by Leadership Alabama and A+.
PARCA’s Jim Williams previewed the new tool in a blog post: “AYP” Not the Only Way to Measure or Create School Success.
State School Board highlight: Jobs Bill status
During an 8/26 work session, board members were briefed on the federal jobs bill, which is sending Alabama $150 million in aid that will be divided among the state’s 132 school systems.
Torchbearers prove demographics aren’t destiny
State recognized 8 high-achieving, high-poverty schools as Torchbearers. The list (PDF) includes George Hall Elementary of Mobile, which U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is visiting Friday. Mobile dominated with 5 winners, and the Birmingham, Montgomery and Phenix City systems had one each.
Obama stands firm on education agenda
To critics of his reform initiatives, Obama made his position clear during a recent speech. “Let me tell you, what’s not working for black kids and Hispanic kids and Native American kids across this country is the status quo. That’s what’s not working,” Obama said.
“Obama Stands Firm on Education Agenda Amid Qualms from Lawmakers, Advocates,” Education Week (free registration required)
Research Finding:
Recovering economy needs more people with post-high school education
“America needs more workers with college degrees, certificates and industry certifications. If we don’t address this need now, millions of jobs could go offshore,” says Georgetown researcher Anthony Carnevale.
Most Alabama jobs already require some education after high school, and the majority of new jobs created by 2018 will require some postsecondary education, according to this new research.
Get the report (and state-specific analysis)
“Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018”
From the blog:
9 Things Every AP Science Teacher Should Know
1. As you plan each unit, or each learning cycle, or each daily lesson, I want you to keep two guiding questions in mind: “What do I want my students to know?” and, “What do I want my students to be able to do?”
Book Review: Rigor for Leaders
“Rigorous Schools and Classrooms: Leading the Way” is a follow-up to Barbara Blackburn’s 2008 book, “Rigor is Not a Four-Letter Word” (see Karen Molter’s review here), and the books should be studied together.
A+ News:
• Our new annual report was released this week.
• The Alabama Best Practices Center has begun a new partnership with the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative.
0 Comments on "New School Data Tool From PARCA"