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Greatest Hits & Biggest Misses in Education 2010
posted by: Alix | December 27, 2010, 03:32 PM   

As we wrap up 2010, websites and magazines of all topics are releasing their annual "best-of" lists. People in the education reform world are no different. This week, the Hoover Institution released its best and worst lists for 2010:

BEST Education Events of 2010

  1. Release of high-profile movies that illuminate America's education crisis and failure, especially Waiting for Superman, as well as The Lottery and The Cartel.
  2. Los Angeles Times publishes teacher evaluations based on test scores.
  3. Ratification of the Washington, DC, teachers' union contract.
  4. The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) published "Achievement Effects of Four Early Elementary School Math Curricula: Findings for First and Second Graders," as well as first-year findings of an ongoing study of professional development for middle-school math teachers.
WORST Education Events of 2010

  1. Stimulus dollars for education were mainly spent on avoiding layoffs.
  2. Adrian Fenty lost the DC mayoral primary, followed by the departure of schools chancellor Michelle Rhee.
  3. Governor Charlie Crist's veto of the Florida tenure reform bill.
  4. The demise of the District of Columbia opportunity scholarship program.
BEST and WORST Education Events of 2010

  1. "Race to the Top"
Depending on your perspective, this list would vary dramatically. Take a minute and you can vote on the website Education Next.

What education issues made your lists?
Comment below.



Comments (4)Add Comment
2010
written by BethanyG, December 30, 2010

"Stimulus dollars for education were mainly spent on avoiding layoffs." I think it is fitting for this to be on the list. I think that there should be more money spent on education but it seems that regulations and testing is more important than learning in the education system. I remain hopeful that it will eventually get better poker sites
...
written by Robert, SETX, December 30, 2010

Worst List: As a way to cut back on costs, the Texas legislature is considering eliminating the cap of no more than 22 students in k-4 classrooms. Texas is facing a $20 billion budget deficit and is required by state constitution to have a balanced budget. The 22:1 cap for grades k-4 has been in place since the Ross Perot led education reforms of the 1980s.
Tenure reform veto
written by Rookie NW FL, December 27, 2010

When Charlie Crist vetoed SB 6, it wasn't the worst news of the year. I am not a fan of the unions, and I certainly don't care for anything they support, whether it be candidates or social issues. But the unions brought in tenure, which in smaller, rural school systems is a good thing. Not all school boards, superintendents, or administrators strive for the best teachers for students: sometimes political cronyism and nepotism get in the way of what is best for students and schools, and great teachers are threatened or replaced.

My husband feels threatened because he doesn't have tenure yet: he won't attend school board meetings for fear of losing his job. He says instead of making him look concerned (he is), he would look like a complainer (he isn't). But, he taught 20 years in another state, he is Nationally Board Certified, and he just was nominated as Teacher of the Year at his school an honor bestowed upon him before in another state). He is NOT a union member, but he feels he must walk on eggshells until his tenure is effective on the first day of the next school year.

What should happen here in FL is that administrators should have more power to remove an INEFFECTIVE teacher. There are legal avenues to remove these deadbeats. As it is now my non-tenured husband could be let go immediately, for NO CAUSE!

Finally, SB-6 was crafted by politicians with very little input from educators.
Finally
...
written by Bobby, NC, December 27, 2010

Flip flop your two lists and then I think you would have it right, especially #1, 2 on your best list.

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