I belong to Phi Delta Kappa, a national professional educators’ association. Each year, PDK solicits the Gallup Organization to conduct a poll concerning the public’s opinion regarding a myriad of educational issues. Here are three major issues addressed in the recently published poll I would like to share with you:
1.The Importance of Professional Development and Training
The annual poll, administered for the Phi Delta Kappa professional association by the Gallup organization, indicates that parents view teacher learning as a critical factor in improving outcomes for students.
"The findings of the PDK/Gallup poll demonstrate that the public recognizes professional development is key to offering quality teaching and improving student performance," said Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director of the National Staff Development Council.
"Education stakeholders from classroom teachers to superintendents and elected officials can use these findings as incentives to shift professional development from an occasional event to a cycle of continuous improvement that is grounded in research, addresses student performance data and is incorporated seamlessly into every school day," Hirsh added.
Nearly half of the respondents – 44 percent – ranked "having teachers spend more time learning new ways to teach" as the tactic that would have the greatest impact on improving student learning. Respondents also routinely selected "improving teacher quality" as the single most important need for our nation's schools.
I totally concur with the above finding. Not only is it research based, but I have witnessed firsthand on many campuses the positive impact correct teacher training can have on student learning and achievement. This is the area where school districts can really get the “most bang for their buck!”
2. Performance-based Pay
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The large majority of parents with children in the public K-12 school system would like to see teacher pay revolve around teacher performance, not the standard scale of pay. Seventy-two percent of public school parents say teachers' salaries should be tied to the quality of their work. Additionally, 75% say teachers' salaries should be somewhat or very closely tied to their own students' academic achievement.
In theory, this sounds good. However, I would want to see this proposal include a way to measure actual improvement from baseline data in September up to the end of the school year in May. It’s not as difficult for children of college educated parents, living comfortably with three meals a day to do well in school as it is for students living below the poverty level, with virtually no parental supervision or support.
3.What About Charter Schools?
The annual PDK/Gallup poll on public education shows a significant jump in public support for public charter schools—from 51 percent in 2008 to 64 percent this year. While almost two out of three Americans support public charter schools, they continue to admit confusion about whether they are public schools and whether they can charge tuition, teach religion, or select their own students.
To answer the three confusions above: no, no, and no. Charter Schools are public schools, supported by our tax dollars, so “No” they can’t and don’t charge tuition. “No,” as a public school they can’t teach religion. Finally, “no,” they can’t select their own students. Every student that applies will be accepted, except in cases where the charter school cannot offer specific services for the child. For example, if a student is severely autistic, and the school can’t afford and doesn’t have a special teacher to meet that student’s needs, the child may have to attend a different school. In addition, since most charter schools have a fairly tight budget, they tend to have fewer non-essential personnel, such as nurse, school psychologist, etc. Nonetheless, parents don’t seem to mind. Go figure.
“Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.” ~Edward Everett
Please read this book of true, inspirational stories about "my kids."
http://www.publishamerica.net/product89724.html
No comments:
Post a Comment