Teacher Update: AFT Prez: Performance Pay Works

[Howard Hartman]

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Republishing of Teacher Update e-newsletter and access to articles courtesy of edweek.org

	November 19, 2008
Top Stories TOP Get these and other stories at: www.teachermagazine.org. (Note: Links to AP stories expire in 30 days.) Teacher Leaders Network + Lesson Learned on the Couch Content knowledge and passion aren't enough to keep students awake, says Bill Ferriter. Teachers must also know their audience. Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook + Failing Sam It’s one thing to teach kids. It’s a whole other thing to make sure what we’re teaching is of high quality. + 'Reading First' Shows no Effect on Comprehension The $6 billion spent on the program has helped students with basic decoding but not with understanding, a major study finds. (Education Week) + Union Prez: Performance Pay Works Randi Weingarten, who heads the 1.4 million-member American Federation of Teachers, says there is a role for raises based on how well students learn. (AP) + Plans Delayed for Bully-Free School Backers of a safe high school for gay and bullied youth will spend another year finalizing their proposal. (AP) + Idaho Mayor Apologizes for Hateful Student Chant Shawn Larsen wrote a public apology after 2nd and 3rd graders chanted “assassinate Obama” on their school bus. (AP) + Speechless Teachers Voice strain can be a true job hazard for teachers, causing many to seek medical treatment. (AP) Discussion TOP Dealing With Tardiness A reader asks: I am writing a paper for a class, and I was wondering what, if any, policies/actions any of you taken, seen, read about, or been exposed to that have helped reduce the frequency of student tardiness in your school? Conversely, any ideas that completely bombed and why? Join the discussion. Also: What education issue should Obama address first? Got a topic you want to discuss? Start your own forum discussion. Chat Transcript TOP The Evolving Definition of Giftedness The three editors of the upcoming book The Development of Giftedness and Talent Across the Life Span, answered your questions about what researchers currently believe about giftedness, and its implication for classroom practice. Read the transcript. What Does RTI Mean for the Classroom? Response to intervention (RTI) is the process of identifying and addressing student learning needs with a tiered approach to early intervention. Guests Judy Elliott and Douglas Fuchs answered questions about RTI and its role in the classroom and school. Read the transcript. Featured Blogs TOP Blogboard Teacher's look at what's new and noteworthy in educator blogs. Recently: Bicycle Jousting, Fake Social Security Numbers, Better Teaching, and more. Living in Dialogue Anthony Cody suggests two possible candidates for U.S. Secretary of Education; both have criticized NCLB. The Book Whisperer The country’s highest achieving students have made the fewest gains in the era of NCLB and Donalyn Miller isn’t happy about it. Web Watch TOP Our Web Watch feature is now a daily blog! Get the latest and most provocative education news for teachers. Comments welcome. PD Time Not Easy to Come By A Mass. school district’s decision to add more early release days for professional development has upset some parents. Denim Debate Some principals in Jefferson Parish, La., enforce more stringent dress codes than others. The teachers’ union wants a consistent policy. How Not to Recruit ELL Teachers The embattled Dallas Independent School District has come under fire for assigning fake social security numbers to newly hired foreign nationals. Teacher Blogs TOP Career Corner Deborah R. Snyder offers advice for planning and executing the kind of demonstration lesson that will land you the job. Unwrapping the Gifted Tamara Fischer reminds readers about the edweek.org chat on the nature of giftedness: Is it static or can it be taught? Eduholic Emmet Rosenfeld emails and conferences with students during pre-writing to prevent getting off-topic final drafts. New Terrain As President-Elect Barack Obama chooses a school for his daughters, Jessica Shyu ponders whether she’d send her children to a low-performing public school. A Place at the Table Susan Graham reminds readers that although some people may have hoped for a different result on Election Day, Americans need to stand together to achieve their common goals.	Advertisement View All Top School Jobs + Leadership Opportunities, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, IL + Mathematics Program Officer, Knowles Science Teaching Foundation, Moorestown, NJ + View all top jobs. Advertisement Poll: Clothing in the Classroom TOP Should teachers be allowed to wear jeans to work? Add your vote to our online poll. Last week’s results: What kind of school should President-elect Obama’s children attend? Advertisement Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook TOP Different Students, Different Approaches The Fall 2008 issue of the Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook is now online! This issue focuses on the fast-growing practice of differentiated instruction—in which teachers work to accommodate and build on students' diverse learning needs. The Sourcebook also includes our exclusive resource directory of professional development products and services, updated and expanded. Search resources in Differentiated Instruction, English/Reading, English-Language Learners, Classroom Management, and more.
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