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Showing posts from October, 2020

“Finding Gratitude in Uncertain Times”

During a typical year, it’s a challenge getting some kindergartners into school the first day. They are usually crying and hugging their parents, refusing to let go to enter the building. It takes some very convincing, persuasive talks to get them in. This usually lasts a week or two.   The first day of school this year, however, was quite different. When they dropped the kids off, I felt like some of the cars didn’t even stop before kids jumped out. The pandemic changed the dynamic of nearly every family’s home environment. Because they were in quarantine, both children and parents were tired of being “stuck” inside together all day. Many parents had to balance work and caring for multiple children. Because of the many challenges this caused, both parents and students are now starting to appreciate and value being in school more, specifically valuing their teachers.   Parents showing gratitude:   Some parents have always truly appreciated teachers, especially if they value quali

Texas: Trump Supporters Blockade Biden Campaign Bus, Forcing Event Cancellation

A Biden campaign bus driving from San Antonio to Austin was surrounded by Trump supporters who slowed it dow n and endangered those on the bus. Some of the Trumpers were armed. They appeared following a call from Don Trump Jr. to show up at Biden-Harris events. In a video ahead of a Friday event by Biden’s running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, Trump Jr. encouraged his father’s supporters to show up at Harris’s event. “Hey Laredo, Don Jr. here,”  he said . “I heard you had an awesome turnout for the Trump Train. It’d be great if you guys would all get together, head down to McAllen and give Kamala Harris a nice Trump Train welcome. Get out there, have some fun, enjoy it. Don’t forget to vote and bring all of your friends. Let’s show them how strong Texas still is as Trump country. Get out there, guys.” Some Trump supporters appeared to heed the call. At least one Facebook event with more than 700 responses, viewed by The Daily Beast, encouraged Trump fans to attend a Harris event in For

I Just Want to Teach, but My District Won’t Let Me Do it Safely

I love teaching. But I can’t do it if I’m dead. Therein lies the back to school nightmare I’ve been living through for most of the summer and fall. The Coronavirus pandemic has affected people unequally. Folks like me with pre-existing conditions are at greater risk from the virus than others. I have heart disease and Crohn’s Disease. My doctors tell me that I am more susceptible to contracting the virus because my medications suppress my immune system. And that also means that if I do contract the disease, I will be more likely to have severe, life-threatening complications from it. So what am I to do? The western Pennsylvania district where I work, Steel Valley, is reopening next week with a hybrid model. The United States recorded more than 98,000 coronavirus cases yesterday – the highest single day count since the pandemic began. Two dozen states – including Pennsylvania – are reporting their worst weeks for new cases — and none are recording improvements.

Court of Appeals Decision Short Circuits Requests for Independent Evaluations

A recent decision by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals got the attention of the special education community. The court ruled that a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is only a “tool” and not an “evaluation.” This ruling will restrict parents’ right to get a publicly funded Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) for specific, targeted assessments of their children, such as FBAs. Not long ago, when I worked as a school district support specialist, one of my jobs was to perform FBAs. Suppose a student had exhibited challenging behavior , but the strategies the school team tried were not working. In that case, an FBA is a logical next step. According to Denise Marshall, CEO of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) , “an FBA, if it is done right, will include interviews, observations, record reviews, and most importantly data.” Marshall went on to say that an FBA is “certainly a tool, but an evaluation is much more accurate to what happens.” As someone who com

New data: Even within the same district some wealthy schools get millions more than poor ones

At Ronald D. O’Neal Elementary School, in Elgin, Illinois, none of the third graders could read and write at grade level according to state tests in 2019. Nearly 90 percent of the school population is considered low-income and nearly three-quarters are labeled English learners, meaning that the state language arts test assesses their reading and writing ability in a language they’re still trying to learn. This story also appeared in Daily Herald Just nine miles away sits Centennial Elementary School, where 73 percent of third graders met grade-level standards on that same test. A fifth of Centennial’s student body is considered low-income, and 17 percent get extra supports as they learn English. The state has celebrated Centennial for “exemplary academic performance.” It designates O’Neal as a school in need of targeted assistance. But despite its low performance and its students’ needs, O’Neal received $9,094 per student in 2019 in state and local funding compared to Centenn

Top 5 Myths Of Online Remote Test Proctoring

The rise in remote test proctoring has fostered some evocative mythology. It's time to set it aside. This post was first published on eLearning Industry . from eLearning Industry https://ift.tt/3mHVsgi via IFTTT

Mercedes Schneider: Surviving Hurricanes, COVID, and DeVos

Mercedes Schneider teaches English to high school students in Louisiana. In this post, she describes her triumphs of recent months: one hurricane after another has swept across her state. COVID threatens. DeVos expresses her contempt for public schools and their teachers, like Mercedes. Yet she feels triumphant! Well, Betsy, my public school is a good school, and I am a good public school teacher. In the last several weeks, seven new students have enrolled in my Eng IV classes. Six arrived from other schools. That would not happen in a private school. There is no obligation to enroll whoever shows up on the private school doorstep. But we enroll students as they arrive, and each one enters my classroom with a circumstance that I must figure out how to navigate so that the student can become part of my class as successfully and seamlessly as is possible. It is quite a challenge, but we do not turn students away. We. Do. Not. Turn. Students. Away. That is profound, and the likes of

As a ‘Second Wave’ Looms, Here Are 4 Steps Schools Can Take to Boost Resiliency and Minimize Outbreaks

Health experts have warned for months that the U.S. could see a second wave of COVID-19 infections. As daily case counts in the U.S. set records and hospitalizations soar, it appears that the surge we’ve been bracing for is already here. This raises important questions about how to minimize the risk of further spreading the virus, especially in schools. A school’s ability to function and protect its members from COVID-19 depends largely on the willingness of each individual to engage in prosocial behavior —voluntary actions aimed at helping others. So in preparing for a resurgence of COVID-19 as the weather changes, this is an ideal time to reflect on the effects of efforts so far, and consider what else we can do to most effectively promote prosocial behavior within our school communities. It is imperative that we define COVID-19—and not each other—as our common enemy. 1. Recognize Differences and Foster Solidarity Research shows that people are more likely to help others who

Texas Parent PAC: A Model of Action for Every State

Parents in Texas got disgusted 15 years ago when the Legislature almost passed a voucher law. They organized the Texas Parent PAC, which is a highly effective voice on behalf of public schools and more than five million students. The website of Texas Parent PAC has a list of the endorsed candidates, both Democrats and Republicans. Their guiding principles are a model for parents, grandparents, and civic activists in other states. I recently heard from Dinah Miller, co-founder and co-chair, who explained the PAC’s origins. She wrote: Texas Parent PAC formed in 2005 after taxpayer-funded private school vouchers failed to pass the Texas House by only one vote. Five PTA moms called a press conference during PTA Summer Seminar in Austin and announced we were forming a political action committee to elect better talent to the Texas House who would oppose vouchers and support public schools. We recruited Diane Patrick from Arlington who had local and state school board experience to run

NCWEB Cut Off 2020 (Released) | DU NCWEB Online Admission 2nd Cutoff, Check Here

NCWEB Cut Off 2020: The Non-Collegiate Women Education Board, University of Delhi (DU NCWEB) has released the 2nd cut off list on 31st Oct 2020 (Saturday). The cut off holds the minimum marks which are required for one to get admission in NCWEB. In order to get admission in Non-Collegiate, the candidates must make sure […] The post NCWEB Cut Off 2020 (Released) | DU NCWEB Online Admission 2nd Cutoff, Check Here appeared first on Next in Career . from Next in Career https://ift.tt/2WmNoq4 via IFTTT

Sambalpur University Syllabus 2020: Download Entrance and Semester Exam Syllabus pdf

Sambalpur Univerity Syllabus 2020 is now available for the Entrance Test and Semester Examination. The syllabus will help the candidates to prepare well for the examination. The University conducts an entrance test for Postgraduation Courses. Sambalpur University also offers Distance Education to the students. With the help of Sambalpur University Exam Syllabus pdf you can get […] The post Sambalpur University Syllabus 2020: Download Entrance and Semester Exam Syllabus pdf appeared first on Next in Career . from Next in Career https://ift.tt/2XdYKxU via IFTTT