National Teachers Group

NATIONAL NEWS
Federal Researchers Find Lower Standards in Schools
From The New York Times
A new federal study shows that nearly a third of the states lowered their academic proficiency standards in recent years, a step that helps schools stay ahead of sanctions under the No Child Left Behind law. But lowering standards also confuses parents about how children's achievement compares with those in other states and countries. The study, released Thursday, was the first by the federal Department of Education's research arm to use a statistical comparison between federal and state tests to analyze whether states had changed their testing standards.

Conflict of Interest Arises as Concern in Standards Push
From Education Week
A literacy group says that many of the writers of the common national academic standards are "representatives of multiple commercial entities that stand to profit."

Report Questions Duncan's Policy of Closing Failing Schools
From The New York Times
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan presided over the closing of dozens of failing schools when he was chief executive of the Chicago public schools from 2001 until last December. In his new post, he has drawn on those experiences, putting school turnaround efforts at the center of the nation's education reform agenda. Now a study by researchers at the University of Chicago concludes that most students in schools that closed in the first five years of Mr. Duncan's tenure in Chicago saw little benefit.

U.S. Publishes Final Rules on Higher Ed Accreditation
From Inside Higher Ed
The U.S. Education Department published final regulations Tuesday to carry out changes Congress made to federal law governing higher education accreditation. The rules, which were published in the Federal Register, deal with a wide range of issues involving the relationships between the federal government and accrediting agencies, and between the agencies and the colleges they accredit.

Blair, Duncan Push Schools as Community Hubs
From Education Week (LOGIN REQUIRED)
British Prime Minister Tony Blair joined U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan Wednesday at a "community schools" event sponsored by the Center for American Progress. The occasion was the release of a new report by the Washington-based think tank pointing to England as a model for the nationwide spread of community schools, which offer a venue for both academics and social services. By next year, all of England's 23,000 public schools will become "extended schools" open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

National Academy of Education Releases White Paper on Teacher Quality
From Reuters
The National Academy of Education has released a new white paper on teacher quality calling for improvements in teacher recruitment, preparation, and ongoing professional development. The paper calls for research on a variety of approaches to teacher preparation. Investments should be made in research and development on the core practices and skills that early career teachers require, and preparation programs should then focus on these skills.

How Institutions Can Leverage Change as an Opportunity for Educator Preparation
From NCATE's Quality Teaching Newsletter
NCATE President James Cibulka challenges schools of education to build new models of preparation to meet the needs of 21st century learners. The brief also includes a summary of changes in the major components of the accreditation process under the NCATE redesign.


NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Licensing Debate Pits Indiana Chief vs. Teacher Colleges
From Education Week
Indiana schools chief Tony Bennett has never been afraid to ruffle a few feathers. But Bennett's latest proposal – one that would revamp teacher licensing standards – has sparked fierce opposition and created a turf battle between teacher colleges and the Department of Education that could come to a head Monday when the state holds its final public hearing on the issue in Indianapolis.

Mich. Board Asks Governor, Lawmakers to Reduce Education Cuts
From the Associated Press
Michigan's bipartisan State Board of Education urged Gov. Jennifer Granholm and lawmakers to find money to reduce cuts in public education and buy time for a long-term funding solution. The 8-0 vote October 26 came after a series of blows delivered to public schools the previous week.

Teachers' Trainers Must Make the Grade, Too
From the Houston Chronicle
Texas is among the first states to toughen its standards for colleges of education and other teacher-training programs amid criticism that too many are "cash cows" that produce weak instructors. Under a proposed new rating system, the programs would be held accountable for their graduates' effectiveness on the job – especially regarding student achievement. Teacher programs that repeatedly fall short of the standards could lose their state accreditation.


OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS / REPORTS
Last Chance to Comment on Proposed Priorities for Investing in Innovation Fund
Deadline: November 9
The U.S. Department of Education seeks public comment on proposed priorities for the Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund. The final application for the competitive grant program will be posted in the late winter 2009/early spring 2010. Grants will be given to LEAs or to partnerships of nonprofit organizations (which include institutions of higher education) and LEAs or school consortia. AACTE encourages its members to review the proposed priorities and to submit comments.

AASCU Commission Warns of Waning U.S. Competitiveness
A drop in the number of college degrees, particularly in the sciences, is threatening U.S. supremacy in scientific advances and the nation's edge in the world marketplace, according to a report from the Presidential Leadership and Global Competitiveness Commission of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

Partnership for 21st Century Skills Releases State Implementation Guides
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has released state implementation guides that offer best practices on building standards, assessments, curriculum and instruction, professional development and learning environments – to help integrate skills more purposefully into core academic subjects.



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