Teacher Education

Weekly News Briefs | January 22, 2009_____________

. . . delivered to your inbox so you can enjoy up-to-date news on Colleges of Education, Teaching and the Classroom, Campaigns, Legislation, STEM Teacher Issues, International Teacher Issues, Grants, and Upcoming Events. Please click on linked headlines for full story.





AACTE ANNOUNCEMENTS



You Spoke…and AACTE Listened!

In a recent AACTE membership survey, an overwhelming majority of survey respondents indicated they prefer to receive AACTE news updates online. We will continue to bring you the latest news in our popular monthly Briefs newsletter, but beginning with the March 2009 issue, it will be available online only at www.aacte.org. Representatives will be notified by e-mail when each issue is posted. If you currently receive AACTE’s weekly NewsBriefs e-mails, you will receive Briefs information at the same address. To confirm or update your e-mail address, please contact membership@aacte.org. To view the current or archived issues of Briefs on the web, click here (member login required).



AACTE Announces Member News

Has your institution recently received a grant? Is a former student now recognized as a teacher of the year? Have you recently received a prestigious award? Well here is your chance to showcase your accomplishments! AACTE has developed a “Member News” section on our website where members are encouraged to submit news stories including the recognition of awards, grants, and other notable achievements. All submissions postings are subject to the discretion of AACTE staff. Please email your accomplishments to Alyssa Mangino at amangino@aacte.org.





AACTE 61st ANNUAL MEETING & EXHIBITS

February 6 - 9, 2009
Hyatt Regency Chicago - Virtual Tour
Chicago, IL





REGISTER NOW!

Click here for more information on the 61st Annual Meeting & Exhibits as well as direct links for registration, hotel reservations, and answers to frequently asked questions.



AACTE Announces 2009 Annual Meeting Planner

Did you know that you can search an online database for ALL confirmed sessions as well as create your own customized itinerary for AACTE’s 61st Annual Meeting & Exhibits? You can do all that and more by using AACTE's exclusive Online Itinerary Planner!



Voting to Commence Soon on Proposed Changes to AACTE’s Bylaws and Resolutions

AACTE's Institutional Representatives will have one week, from February 9 through 16, 2009, to vote on changes to the Association's bylaws and resolutions for 2009 already approved by the Board. AACTE members will convene at the Chicago conference on Saturday, February 7, from 7:45 to 9:00 a.m. at the annual hearing of AACTE's Issues and Resolutions Committee to discuss the issues approved by the Board of Directors for this year's vote by the membership. Voting will be conducted online via electronic balloting.





NATIONAL NEWS



Obama Cites Schools in Inaugural Address

From Education Week

President Barack Obama today cited the shortcomings of the nation’s schools as one part of the broader economic crisis and called on Americans to come together to tackle the country’s challenges in a spirit of public service and personal accountability.

“Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many,” Mr. Obama said in his inaugural address as the 44th president of the United States. “Everywhere we look, there is work to be done. ...We will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.”



President Obama's Education Agenda

From the United States Department of Education

President Obama and Vice President Biden believe that our kids and our country can’t afford four more years of neglect and indifference. At this defining moment in our history, America faces few more urgent challenges than preparing our children to compete in a global economy. The decisions our leaders make about education in the coming years will shape our future for generations to come.



Few Specifics From Education Pick

From The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Arne Duncan, the Chicago schools chief, told the Senate on Tuesday that he would work for “real and meaningful change” in the nation’s schools if confirmed as education secretary and said he hoped President-elect Barack Obama’s example as a model student could inspire millions of American children. “Never before has being smart been so cool,” Mr. Duncan said.



Arne Duncan Confirmation Hearing

From the Washington Post

This article features Arne Duncan’s confirmation hearing transcript.



Stimulus Plan Aids Education

From Education Week

Cash-strapped school districts could see an unprecedented $100 billion infusion of federal aid under a massive economic-stimulus package unveiled by House Democrats this week. The overall measure, put forth Jan. 15 by the House Appropriations Committee, is aimed at providing a $825 billion jolt to the stumbling U.S. economy, and to help avert what could be draconian cuts in state and local programs, including education.



As Bush, Spellings Exit, They Put Last Signatures on No Child Left Behind

From Education Week

Through its last days in office, the Bush administration was seeking to preserve its legacy under the No Child Left Behind Act. President George W. Bush chose to give the final policy speech of his presidency on the law that was one of the most important domestic accomplishments of his eight years in office.



Summary of Teacher Provisions in Stimulus

From Education Week

Review the rundown of teacher-related funding in the House's stimulus package.






NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY



Report: Alabama teachers need more career incentives

From Bizjournals.com

An Alabama education task force has recommended offering teachers greater career advancement opportunities to help retain and recruit top candidates. A report produced by Gov. Bob Riley’s Commission on Quality Teaching Reforms found that reforms are needed to keep the state’s best teachers in the classroom.



Teachers In Training Take Lessons In Virtual Classrooms

From Tampabayonline.com

The latest job being added to the "working from home" list is teacher intern.

With the number of students taking online classes growing, it made sense to University of Central Florida and Florida Virtual School officials to have new teachers practice in the virtual world.



In-house teachers are trained for PV

From AZ Central.com

The Paradise Valley Unified School District is the newest location for the Professional Development School, a national program where school districts train their own employees and community members to teach in their district.

Two dozen students have enrolled in the school's inaugural programs, and some will be working in district schools as early as fall 2010.



University receives $170,000 grant to promote science in local schools

From DailySkiff.com

The Sid W. Richardson Foundation awarded a $170,000 grant to the College of Education and College of Science and Engineering to help provide summer workshops for elementary and high school teachers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and get students excited about math and science, a university official said.



College Teaching Programs See More Applicants

From MSNBC

The weak economy appears to be driving more people to teaching, especially at Johns Hopkins University, where teaching applications have risen by 30 percent over the past year. Most local school districts are facing a severe teacher shortage and said they welcome any program that can help them solve the problem. A tough local and state economy may help to fill some of those empty positions with people who leave the business world for the schoolhouse.





Other Announcements



AERA Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop

From AERA

Call for Applications

Deadline: February 20, 2009

The American Educational Research Association invites fellowship applications for an Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop to be held at the 2009 Annual Meeting in San Diego. This workshop is designed to build the talent pool of undergraduate students who plan to pursue doctorate degrees in education research or in disciplines and fields that examine education issues. Applicants are sought who have potential and interest in pursuing careers as education researchers, faculty members, or other professionals who contribute to the research field.



Free Live Webinar on Environmental Building in the Educational Sector

From Xtalks.com

Xtalks, a web-based news and information network, has produced a complimentary, live webinar on the topic, "Environmental Building in the Educational Sector," scheduled for March 5, 2009, 2:00pm – 3:00pm EST. Listeners will learn about the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) "green" building rating system for schools. LEED is the U.S. Green Building Council's voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Click here for more information and to register for the webinar.





Alyssa J. Mangino

Communications Manager

AACTE

1307 New York Ave., NW Suite 300

Washington, DC 20005

(202) 478-4596 -Direct

(202) 457-8095 -Fax

amangino@aacte.org