Teacher Magazine: Instruction

May 18, 2008

Instruction

Okla. Bill Protects Teachers from Lawsuits

A new measure will allow teachers and principals to use “necessary and reasonable force” to control students. (Updated: May 13, 2008)

School Districts to Face NCLB Sanctions

Facing a possible shortage of as many as 100,000 qualified teachers in the next decade, California contemplates how to turn around failing districts. (May 12, 2008, AP)

Technology-Rich Classrooms Render Textbooks Useless

(May 9, 2008, AP)

Best Practices: Writing for Fun (and Learning)

Science teacher Anthony Cody says creative writing assignments can help tap students' imagination and enhance learning. Add your comments at the end of the story. (May 7, 2008)

Reading First Doesn't Help Pupils 'Get it'

The $1 billion-a-year program has had no measurable effect on students’ reading comprehension, on average, a major federal report finds. (May 1, 2008)

Fla. Evolution Bills Die

Legislation dies which would have prohibited school officials from punishing teachers who challenged evolution. (May 5, 2008, AP)

Teachers, Testing, & Civil Disobedience

Members of the Teacher Leaders Network discuss the significance of Seattle science teacher Carl Chew’s refusal to administer a standardized test. Add your comments at the end of the story. (April 30, 2008)

Science Fairs an NCLB Casualty

As schools focus increasingly on math and reading benchmarks, time for other subjects, including science, continues to dwindle. (April 30, 2008, AP)

National Teacher of the Year Chosen

A guitar-wielding Oregon teacher known for making science fun will be honored in a White House ceremony. (Updated: May 13, 2008)

Best Practices: Rethinking Bulletin Boards

Members of the Teacher Leaders Network share ideas for effective use (or not) of that most venerable of instructional resources—the classroom bulletin board. (April 23, 2008)

Teacher Suspended for Refusing to Give State Test

Seattle middle school science teacher says he made a decision to stand up for his beliefs as he was walking down the hall to pick up this year's test booklets. (April 22, 2008, AP)

S.C. Offers Housing Loan Incentive

Teachers with South Carolina certification or a contract to teach in the state for a year will have an easier time buying a home. (April 22, 2008, AP)

Morale Low for Texas Teachers

More than one in four Texas teachers have a second job and close to half are considering another career, survey shows. (April 21, 2008, AP)

Wanted: Teachers in Kansas

With 36 percent of the state’s teachers retiring in the next five years, recruiters travel far and wide to fill anticipated gap. (April 21, 2008, AP)

Salaries Jump in Post-Katrina New Orleans

Teacher pay has increased by 16 percent following two statewide raises and the need to attract educators to the devastated city. (April 21, 2008, AP)

Bill Would Bar Teachings Counter to Democracy

An Arizona House Committee has approved a measure that calls for public education "to inculcate values of American citizenship." (April 17, 2008, AP)

Ore. to Pilot Teacher Pay Program

In a move away from merit pay, two Oregon districts will compensate teachers for coaching and mentoring assignments. (April 18, 2008, AP)

Iowa Considers Core Curriculum

Once the domain of Iowa’s local school districts, curriculum requirements could move to the state level for private and public schools. (April 15, 2008, AP)

Fl. Lawmakers Press Teachers on P.E.

A new bill being considered in the Florida state legislature would prevent schools from skirting state P.E. requirements. (April 8, 2008, AP)

IT: Where the Girls Aren't

Some promising initiatives can help educators encourage girls’ interest in technology and science, according to panelists who spoke recently at an influential interactive media conference. (April 1, 2008)

A Novel Approach to Diversity

With the young-adult novel Ethan, Suspended, author Pamela Ehrenberg creates an opportunity for students and teachers to discuss racial and cultural differences. (April 2, 2008)

New Texas Curriculum Under Fire

The Texas State Board of Education makes some concessions after teachers criticize a new English and reading curriculum for its rigidity. (March 28, 2008, AP)

The Power of Parent-Teacher Relations

For one teacher, reaching out to parents is the key to reaching students. (March 26, 2008)

Calif. Ruling Has Home-Schoolers Worried

Families are voicing concern about the effects of a Calif. appeals court ruling that requires home-schooling parents to have a teaching certification. (March 24, 2008, AP)

Ed. Dept Offers More Flexibility on NCLB

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings plans to allow stattes to submit proposals for assigning different consequences to schools based on the degree to which they miss annual progress goals. (March 18, 2008, AP)