SAVE THE DATE:

Stay tuned for a happy hour….if anyone has suggestions about times and places, please email me! Thanks!

HOT TOPICS:

• Teachers aren’t teaching kids how to read? Bigger schools=Better?....Uh Oh, What’s Next….no Santa Claus?
  Some new studies came out this week spotlighting on the topics of reading, teacher prep, and the small schools movement. This study released yesterday by Kate Walsh et al, found that teacher prep schools are not teaching teachers how to teach reading effectively. Some interesting comments about the study here and here. Another new study came out today at the Brookings conference on small schools about how small schools have shown no significant impact in achievement.
  


• Matthews Explores Conflict over Dropout Rates
  This week, Matthews has been reporting on Political Scientist Jay Greene, and Economist Larry Mishel’s work on dropout data and assessing its accuracy. Interesting reads

• Schools Bank On Teaching Kids How to Save: Students Are Learning Habits Their Parents May Not Have Mastered Washington Post
  
• Heavy Turnover in New York's Principal Ranks New York Times
  
• Teachers Union Defers Endorsement in Governor's Race Washington Post
  
• Patriotism and Education Phi Delta Kappan
  
• What We Owe Immigrant Children Education Week
  
• Some Schools Cancel Fridays Due To Fuel Costs CNN.com
  
• Candy Math For Fat Kids LA Times
  
• Calories In, Calories out: Food & Exercise In Public Elementary Schools Dept. of Ed
  
• Band-Aids Or Bulldozers: What's next for NCLB?Rethinking Schools Online
  
• Special Needs Students: A Tale Of Betrayal & Hypocracy Batory.net
  
• School Recess Common But No Longer a Given CNN.com
  
• Alternative Certification Exams Produce Better Teachers American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence
  
• Teacher Retires After 69 Years of Classroom Teaching Miami Herald
  
• No More Silently Praying the Teacher Won't Call Your Name University of Florida
  
• Superintendent Perks Hard to Spot Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  
• How States Inflate Their Progress Under NCLB Education Sector
  
• Soaring Health Care, Pension Costs Threaten District Finances American School Board Journal
  
• Getting Students Involved in the Fight for Quality Education Our Education
  
• States Struggle to Computerize School Records New York Times
  
• Most Blacks in Low-Rung School Jobs Washington Post
  
• How Does Your School Website Measure Up? eSchool News
  
• Do Exit Exams Make Diplomas More Meaningful? NPR

**Comments and questions can be emailed to emilyc@gwu.edu