Top Rank Schools

Could the LA Times‘ decision to publish teachers’ value-added scores have a chilling effect on school research? That question came to me as I read about a case in Arizona. Arizona officials are seeking the names of teachers and schools that took part in a study of the state’s policies on teaching English, even though those teachers and schools were promised that their names would remain confidential. Needless to say, many in the research community are none too pleased.

The UCLA study found that the state’s ESL policies were doing more harm than good. The state isolates English language learners so they can study only English for several hours every day. UCLA researchers found that this practice does not narrow learning gaps but does raise the specter of segregation. State Chief Tom Horne argues that he cannot rebut those findings without full access to the data used in the survey.

His opponents counter that schools will never again open the doors to researchers if they feel their anonymity is at risk.

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Preparing your child for back-to-school can be one thing; preparing yourself is quite another! These helpful tips for parents will help with the sometimes rocky transition from summer to the school year.

10. Contact information. Get e-mail addresses from all of your child’s teachers. It is easy for teachers to type a quick note about issues as they arise and keep parents informed with short e-mails.

9. Organization is essential. Teach your child to use a planner. The planner can include a list of what to take home, a to-do list, and a list of what should come back to school the next day.

8. Praise and encourage. Praise your child when she does well or excels at something, and when she has trouble with something, practice with her and provide encouragement.

7. Meet the teachers. Most schools have parent-teacher conferences towards the beginning of the school year. If your school does not, be sure to schedule some time to meet with your child’s teacher at the start of the school year.

6. Set

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It is no secret that districts are struggling in the current economic climate. They are looking to cut costs every way they can.

One area worth exploring in cost-cutting debates is energy. With energy costs rising—to say nothing of the environmental impact it is becoming more and more clear that our current sources of energy can have—districts need to take a closer look at how they are using energy.

Louisiana’s St. Tammany Parish Public Schools did. And as a result, this growing district, which currently has 72 facilities and serves about 36,000 students, has saved about six million dollars in utility costs over the past four and a half years. They’ve put that money back into schools, providing resources to help the district maintain its reputation as one of the best in the state. And they’ve received national and state recognition for their work.

How did they do it? A comprehensive energy management program. And when we say comprehensive, we mean COMPREHENSIVE. The progr

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To kick off the new school year, each week we will publish a featured Lesson Plan.  Be sure to check back each week for our newest post!

By Jove, I Think You’ve Got It Download Worksheet

Language Arts, Writing, Writing Process, Oral Language, Listening Grade 5- 8

Objective

A light bulb is used creatively to highlight student writing.

Directions

1. As a class, brainstorm a list of problems involving the environment (for example, the hole in the ozone layer, deforestation of the rain forests, poaching of endangered species, etc.).
2. Hold a class vote to select the problem the students most wish to write about. Write the chosen problem on the board.
3. In small groups, allow the students to brainstorm for solutions to the problem. Each group should think of at least three solutions.
4. Individually, each student will write a problem and solution essay, using the problem the class chose and one of the three or more solutions the small group suggested.
5. After each student has written a first draft, have them return to their small groups for responses to their writing. Ea

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The new 2010-2011 Hudson PTO Calendar lists the former phone number  used by First Student  for Hudson City Schools transportation. In addition, First Student is still answering at the old number. However, all parent should now be using the new phone number for Petermann Ltd. of 330-653-3355. Please make this correction in your calendar if you purchase a Hudson PTO membership and receive a new calendar.