The 20th century curriculum paradigm was dominated by the power (and needs) of publishers who took a considerable amount of time to develop textbooks and drove a profitable mass market in educationally acceptable knowledge. The 21st century curriculum paradigm is far more anarchic, with “textbook” knowledge being accessible and created through “social production”2 (collaborative work with open platforms) and largely available for free.
‘Priority’ Students: The Unpleasant Side of ‘Demand in Excess of Supply’
One of second-tier markers of the ISM Stability Markers® is “demand in excess of supply.” While it would be desirable for every grade to be described this way, ISM has always viewed this Marker as critical when it describes the situation at the school’s traditional “entry” grades (e.g., pre-kindergarten, sixth, ninth)—the first grade of the school and the grade(s) where it expands, either through attrition or by design, the number of seats available for new students.
No "Sexting" at Your School? It's More Common Than You Think
In its new study Sex and Tech: Results From a Survey of Teens and Young Adults, The National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy found that 39% of teens have sent or posted sexually suggestive messages via text, e-mail, or instant message. And 20% of teens have sent or posted online nude or semi-nude pictures or videos of themselves. This collision of cyber technology and judgment, dubbed "sexting," could have a profound effect on your school.
21st Century Teaching: Lessons That Are Challenging, Relevant, and Reflective
Two veteran teachers in a school each teach a secondary World Geography class. They have approximately the same class sizes, the same content, and the same access to technology. The students of the first teacher groan at the mention of his subject, while the students of the second teacher can't wait to get to class. So what is making the difference???
In this case it has to do with the pedagogy each has elected to use.
Faculty and Staff Use of Social Media: Sample Policy
Social media—including sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, and other online discussion forums—has extended its reach into many areas of modern life, including (or especially) the lives of students, as well as teachers and administrators. While the origins of these services are social in nature (i.e., not job-related), they have evolved to the point where certain uses of these outlets may impact the reputation and well-being of your school and its members (for example, if they inadvertently serve as a conduit facilitating inappropriate relationships between students and faculty/staff). Due to this possibility, the use of social media resources becomes part of the school’s appropriate purview with respect to employees.
Budget Cuts Mean an Opportunity to Reach Out to Public School Students
Every day, there are stories in the news that public school districts are forced to cut programs for budgetary reasons. Chances are this has happened in your community. This can be a perfect opportunity to offer after-school, evening, or weekend programs to your community that will introduce your school to a wider audience.
College Degree Provides the Best Guarantee of Economic Mobility
Low-income students miss out on college for two key reasons: they don't know how much it actually costs, and they're not aware of how to get access to billions of dollars in financial aid, according to a report from Pew's Economic Mobility Project.
This matters because postsecondary education is among the most important factors in determining whether a person achieves the American Dream of upward economic mobility, according to the report, titled Promoting Economic Mobility by Increasing Postsecondary Education.
Has 'General Education' Gone the Way of the Dinosaur?
There's a new free, online "college guidance" tool for students and parents. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is appalled at the state of higher education, finding that many major colleges and universities no longer require classes in what it has identified as seven key subjects: composition, literature, foreign language, history, economics, mathematics, and science. This lack of "general education" will have a significant impact on the country's ability to innovate and compete in the global marketplace, the nonprofit organization says.
10 Resolutions for a Great School Year
The Apple, a Web site "Where Teachers Meet and Learn," is an ongoing source of information, communication, and inspiration for teachers. Among the resources at www.theapple.com are news, lessons, videos, as well as "Ask a Teacher" and "In the Workplace" forums. Recently, the site posted these 10 ways for teachers to boost their job satisfaction and effectiveness in the classroom.
Teens' Online Interactions Can Put Their Digital Reputations at Risk
Today's instant-access electronic environment provides a range of opportunities for learning, communication, and interaction. But teens can be careless in the way they present themselves online, and those short-term actions can have long-term repercussions.