Nick and Marc discuss Secretary Duncan's recent about face on the abundance of standardized testing time.
"Methods Lab" - Flippin' Review
How much time, if any, should be dedicated to review?
Nick offers a great solution for increasing test preparation while preserving instructional time in the classroom.
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Links from the show:
NY Times article on the rollback of testing time by Secretary Duncan
A listener shares a great video
Nick and Marc welcome Dr. Carol Burris, former New York State High School Principal of the Year and current Executive Director of the Network for Public Education Fund, as well as the co-director of the Schools of Opportunity Project at the National Policy Education Center.
"Methods Lab" - The Observation Process
What is a principal looking for?
What makes for an effective post-observation conference?
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Links from the show:
NY Times article on the rollback of testing time by President Obama
Dr. Burris takes on APPR
www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the-dangers-of-building-a-plane-in-the-air/2011/09/30/gIQAojqWAL_blog.html
www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/forging-ahead-with-nutty-teacher-evaluation-plan/2011/12/29/gIQAkMiYQP_blog.html
www.newyorkprincipals.org/appr-paper
www.nepc.colorado.edu/blog/teacher-evaluation-going-bad
www.nepc.colorado.edu/blog/what-thoughtless
Dr. Burris tackles Common Core
www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2013/03/04/principal-i-was-naive-about-common-core/
www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/09/17/four-common-core-flimflams/
www.nepc.colorado.edu/blog/why-young-kids-are-struggling
Nick and Marc welcome Karen Bronson, former teacher and principal, who currently serves as a staff developer for SAANYS.
"Methods Lab" - Professional Development
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Nick and Marc discuss Arne Duncan's exit and the arrival of John B. King as U.S. Secretary of Education.
"Methods Lab" - The First Progress Report
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Nick and Marc welcome Dr. Christina Sapienza to the show. They discuss the impact that gender bias is having on young girls and the role schools can play in ending this unfair practice.
"Methods Lab" - Teacher Training
Are new teachers adequately trained to enter the classroom?
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Links related to this episode:
Teacher Training piece in NY Times
The Threat of Stereotype by Joshua Aronson
Aronson’s research - Women and math
Dr. Sapienza’s links on gender bias
seejane.org
Bechdel test
Nick and Marc discuss some changes to A.P.P.R. in New York State, an ongoing legal action by a teacher in Great Neck and a valedictorian's appeal for greater college affordability.
"Methods Lab" - The First Days of School
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Nick and Marc welcome Barry Isseks, former Technology Coordinator of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, to discuss the infrastructure and software that has driven unprecedented change in education over the past two decades.
"Methods Lab" - Distance Learning
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Nick and Marc discuss social-emotional learning (a.k.a. character education) and how it can create improved learning environments in schools.
"Methods Lab" - Vocabulary
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Nick and Marc welcome their first guest, Mary Craig, to the show. They discuss the ousting of Pearson, the Value Added Model and the incredible efforts of librarians and teachers in Charlottesville, Virginia to bring books to underprivileged children.
"Methods Lab" - Summer Assignments
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Nick and Marc discuss personnel changes at the New York State DoE and debate whether or not cell phones should be permitted in class.
"Methods Lab" - Attire
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Nick and Marc discuss the educational impact of the Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage, "scrubbing" in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Pixar's latest film, "Inside Out."
"Methods Lab" - Differences in teaching preadolescents and teens
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Links related to this episode:
NY Post Article on Scrubbing
Nick and Marc discuss a recent article in the Washington Post regarding teacher burnout and high turnover rates.
"Methods Lab" - The Drain
a) How can teachers leave at the end of the day with more energy than the students?
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Nick and Marc discuss Nick's recent sojourn to Kentucky to score AP US History exams.
"Methods Lab" - College Board Workshops
a) What sessions did Nick attend?
b) Is there anything worth implementing in the classroom? Sharing with colleagues?
c) Were there any administrators in attendance?
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Nick and Marc discuss the recent appointment of Commissioner Elia. They also break down various commencement speeches and offer suggestions to the Class of 2015.
"Methods Lab" - Cooperative Learning
a) How can you make it work well?
b) When is it too much?
c) Why doesn't it work all the time?
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Nick and Marc discuss the social, emotional and academic damage caused by social media and offer suggestions to help children and parents navigate the dark waters of technology with greater success.
"Methods Lab" - Reading Aloud
a) When should a teacher read aloud in class? What about the students?
Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com
Links related to this episode:
BBC: Rescue Our Kids From the Digital World
NY Times: Diagnosing The Wrong Deficit
Nick and Marc celebrate 100 downloads! They also discuss Advanced Placement courses, debate merit pay and review the recent cheating scandal in Atlanta.
"Methods Lab" - Homework
a) How much is too much?
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Subscribe to the podcast in the iTunes store.
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Nick and Marc debate the need for tenure (for both teachers and administrators). They also discuss the impact of Vergara v. California and the educational reform agenda of New York's Governor Cuomo.
"Methods Lab" - Testing
a) What should classroom assessments look like?
b) To review or not review?
Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com
Links related to this episode:
Time Magazine: A Brief History of Tenure
Opinion piece on tenure and the Vergara case in The Daily News
Education Reform in New York State
Details of Vergara v. California
Can you figure out Cheryl's birthday?
Kristof's column: Are You Smarter Than An 8th Grader?
Nick and Marc debate the need for Common Core Learning Standards and how "core" has become a four-letter word, in every sense.
"Methods Lab" - Discipline
a) What role does it play in the learning process?
b) A review of both simple and complex strategies to "do discipline right."
Listeners are welcome to ask a question or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com
Links related to this episode:
New Study Linking Education to Income
Opening Ceremonies in Beijing, 2008
Which states have adopted CCLS?
Sir Ken Robinson's amazing video
Nick and Marc launch the podcast. They discuss the "Opt Out" movement that is resulting in tens of thousands of students refusing to take the New York State assessments.
In the "Methods Lab" segment, Nick and Marc share their views on the importance of the Motivational Activity.
Follow Nick and Marc online at stateofedpodcast.com or on Twitter @soepodcast