Links of Interest

 

There's Something Happening Here: What it is ain't exactly clear. Something is shifting in the education debate. There is a sense forming that since our quietly held perspectives and knowledge are not sought or respected, only our creative and bold actions will make a difference. The March 4 protests will serve to deliver this message: you cannot demand that we teach all students to high levels, then slash support for our schools. Read the article

Rhode Island School Fires Entire Staff: When high school teachers refused to work extra hours without pay, Central Falls, R.I., fired them all. Will that improve performance? Christian Science Monitor Washington Post New York Times Providence Journal

Hawaii Furlough Fridays Google News on Furlough Friday

New Jersey's Teacher of the Year: Merit Pay Is Wrong: I was intrigued by the recent Star-Ledger opinion piece headlined "Good N.J. teachers should speak up for merit pay" (Feb. 21). By most measures, I think I qualify as a good teacher. I am a foreign language teacher at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale and in October I was named New Jersey’s Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education. Read the full article

Race to the Top Funding: Announced on July 24th, 2009, The Race To The Top Funding program has been hot button issue in education. According to the official press release, "states leading the way on school reform will be eligible to compete for $4.35 billion in Race to the Top competitive grants to support education reform and innovation in classrooms." For more on the program and related information: NJEA on the RTTT program News on New Jersey's application and entry into the RTTT. The U.S. Department of Education's RTTT blog