Yes, I think that the standardized tests should be made public as this parent demands. If a measure is worth using it is worth scrutinizing. I remember when my youngest son did poorly on the environment section of the test for K4. Then, I found out that he missed a question misidentifying a subway turnstile (we live in the country) and also a man with a long grey wig and a gavel who was supposed to be a judge. (The teacher and I agreed that both just didn’t fit knowledge of a K4 kid!)

We need to know what kids know but we also need to know if what we think they need to know makes sense at all. Pineapple-gate may just be a hinge of history that swings the educational publishing industry in an entirely different direction.

As I read this post, all I could think of is how our Flat Classroom community is so practical. We’re all focusing on what works and working together to do things while everyone else is just saying things are broken. While this article riffs on keynoters and I am one a few times a year (when I have time to leave the classroom) - in my own work, I work hard to be very practical and real with what works. I think of a new keynote I’ve done a few times on the 12 Habits of Highly effective 21st century teachers and how it does talk about what teachers can do. We can do more than we think but I totally agree that I’m tired of hearing the “bandwagon” speeches so eloquently discussed in this article. “Enough with the false prophets of change!  http://awe.sm/5pAiZ

Dan Pink has a recent article (February 2012) on the issue of merit pay for teachers with some compelling points. He also has a TED talk on the topic in which he quotes research on how performance pay can backfire in unintended ways.This leads me to think that this is a voter-driven issue and what voters need is leadership in this area by people who are willing to find out the information and become well educated on the topic. The world needs education and it starts at the top with people who will drill down into an issue.

Post test teaching - so many teachers are happy, like this one. It is like they get to be real teachers and all is good with the world. 

educatedtodeath:

#education #SOSchat #occupyedu

I enjoy post-test teaching. The air is fresh and light like after a storm. People are energized now that the weight is lifted. Teachers relax and classrooms look begin to resemble think-tanks instead of training facilities. Discipline becomes less punitive. People…

This tool helps you evaluate Open education tools to see how they align to Common Core  state standards. By using this rubric, you can demonstrate how resources that are free can be integrated into your curriculum. There are 7 of the 8 already created. IF you want to save money while you align standards you must share this with your curriculum directors and administrators. Use this as an opportunity to increase quality AND save money (that is a win for everyone.)

Facebook releases groups for schools. This is only for colleges but will allow you to create a community, classes, clubs, and groups and add people without havign to be their friend. Facebook may become an educational learning platform instead of just a social network. This is a huge move for Facebook. 

Excellent article by Justin Reich sums up much of conversation happening here at Harvard University this week about Open Education.

“The richest exchanges on day two of the Hewlett Open Educational Resources Grantee Meeting came from those who challenged the fundamental premises of the meeting. In designing the meeting, Berkman staff imagined three groups: Learners, Facilitators (teachers, librarians, coaches, educators, etc.), and Builders. They assumed a kind of “supply and demand” model of OER where builders create stuff and distribute it to learners, sometimes through the mediation of facilitators (wholesalers, I guess?).