Posted by Beth DuBose on Jan 29, 2010
In the State of the Union address on Thursday, January 27, 2010, President Obama discussed a $4 billion increase in the education budget. A large part of the billion dollar increase, $1.35 billion, will go to increasing the amount of funding in the Race to the Top funds. As well as increasing funding, he will also have these grants, originally limited to states, opened up to school districts.
Posted by Beth DuBose on Nov 30, 2009
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered the city’s public schools to start using student achievement data in the evaluations of teachers who are up for tenure this school year. He stated in a panel discussion at the Center for American Progress on November 25, 2009 in Washington that he has ordered his principals to include student-performance data in teacher assessments.
Posted by Beth DuBose on Nov 17, 2009
Spectrum K12 School Solutions Inc, the leading provider of response to intervention (RTI), special education and student achievement management software solutions for K12 school districts, today announced a strategic partnership with Alphanumeric Systems, where Alphanumeric will be authorized to sell Spectrum K12’s award winning EXCEED™ product suite in NC, SC, VA, MD, FL and GA.
Posted by Beth DuBose on Nov 12, 2009
The Education Department has set aside $4.35 billion for states in the Race to the Top fund. The rules for the Race to the Top funds have recently been finalized. Bids will be rated on a point system, with the highest vales going to improving teacher and principal effectiveness. A perfect bid would be worth 500 points. The Education Department made the following statement on where these funds will go:
Posted by Beth DuBose on Nov 09, 2009
Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc., announced today it has awarded 29 grants totaling $287,875 to non-profit organizations dedicated to helping youth throughout the country. These organizations were selected for their commitment to providing educational programs that help at-risk youth develop the skills and confidence necessary to become responsible adults and future community leaders.
Posted by Beth DuBose on Jul 15, 2009
When I was working in the classroom, I always tried to incorporate technology into my lessons throughout the week. But I also know that for most educators, trying to bring technology into the classroom seems like another burden. Yet, if educators are properly introduced and trained on the multiple technologies that could enhance their classrooms, I believe more teachers would use these products willingly and find more exciting ways to teach.
Posted by Beth DuBose on Jul 13, 2009
By Earle Dean Christian, who has devoted 21 years of her life to furthering education
Grant funds are available as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A portion of the funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) program.
Posted by Beth DuBose on Apr 16, 2009
The Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) has put together a webpage with resources around the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and how it will effect special education. Resources include a Q-and-A summarizing portions of the act that CEC believes to be of particular interest to special-educators.
Posted by Beth DuBose on Apr 03, 2009
A study published in the February 2009 issue of the journal Pediatrics studies links between recess and classroom behavior in 11,000 children aged 8 to 9. The study showed that those children receiving more than 15 min of recess a day had better behavior and concentration in class.
Posted by Beth DuBose on Jan 30, 2009
House Democrats offered a two-year an $825 billion stimulus package that they will now negotiate with the Senate in preparation to deliver a joint package to Obama by February 13th, 2009. The proposed package offers good news for education.
“As states begin tackling a projected $350 billion in budget shortfalls these investments will prevent cuts to critical education programs and services,” said Rep. David Obey, WI, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, in his release of Stimulus Package Details.