Ok, ok, this is anecdotal evidence, but it does not make sense to rely on one test for prospective teachers or students.


An incorrectly graded licensing exam for prospective teachers has stalled hiring in some places, sent school districts rummaging through employment records, and spawned at least one lawsuit so far.

The mistakes made by the Educational Testing Service that led thousands of teacher-candidates to believe they had failed the Praxis II test also have added to the debate over how much reliance educators and policymakers should place on standardized exams to make high-stakes decisions.

Locally:  Time to push back on underfunded federal education mandates

It's time for Oregon to push back harder against underfunded, federal, education mandates. These mandates attempt to set federal education priorities above those of states, while forcing states to pay the lion's share of the costs.

If the federal government has the temerity to assert that its priorities are more important, it is welcome to pay for the privilege.

Alexander Hamilton would be proud.

All politics are local -

How would Kerry's ed plan work in our district? After reading this aritcle I have a little better idea but there are some things I don't get:

Plan - Teachers who can demonstrate excellence--by proving through standardized tests that their pupils are learning well--would be eligible for pay raises of about $5,000.

Comment - Are standardized tests the only way to measure this?  What if this happens as it did in San Diego?

Only $5,000? I don't think that $416 a month will attract the "best and the brightest" into education.

Obviously I  want to be compenstated along lines with other professionals (Travis' credo) but I disagree with merit pay. I don't think carrot-stick approaches work in the long run. However, thats the idealist in me. Realistically, at least in Washington where the legislature has ignored two voter passed ed initiatives in the last 5 years, it may be the only way politically to ensure compensation. Sad but true.

As I enter my 8th year in education, I realize that everything about my job is political, from class size, to what books the kids use.

Update:

Another quote - Bust your butt, do an especially good job, make a noticeable difference, and you get an extra-big paycheck--that's the American way, and a straightforward inducement to hard work and results.
 
Sure that's the American way but is it the right way? Education should not be treated like other "industries". That's part of the problem

This isn't too cutting edge but it sounds like a great idea especially in comparison with VSD's Novanet credit makeup which is a joke.
 
Unlike an online course, the “E 2020” lab software uses a prerecorded teacher who appears on the student’s screen. In the classroom labs, a live certified teacher monitors and assists students when necessary.

“The students see and they hear a teacher,” said Gene Storz, president of Education 2020. “It has to be like a real class. Algebra is taught by an Algebra One teacher with an Algebra One textbook, whereas (typical) online classes are text-based or PowerPoint-based with some audio. It’s just a learning module. We emulate the classroom environment.”