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March 28, 2008

The Things We Take for Granted

The Things We Take for Granted

Friday, March 28, 2008 from Orlando, Florida

By Andrew C.M. Mizsak
Member of the Bedford City School District Board of Education (Bedford, Ohio)
E-Mail: amizsak@sbcglobal.net

As a self-proclaimed news hound, as I mentioned yesterday, I cannot get enough of newspapers, TV news, and updates through e-mail, text messaging, SMS, RSS Feeds, etc. I love the opportunity to be able to just open up a new Internet Explorer browser window and click on Cleveland.com or CNN.com or whatever to find out which elected officials are getting indicted or which Member of the Congress or the Legislature has proposed something terrible to harm public education, or God forbid, hear about another senseless act of violence in a school.

Continue reading "The Things We Take for Granted"

Posted by Andrew Mizsak, Blog Team, at 7:52 PM

21st Century Learning Leadership Summit.

United States schools today face different challenges than the educational arenas of twenty years ago. With the accountability required by NCLB, some schools become driven and financially obsessed by standards and assessments. In many districts the emphasis is primarily on a rigorous curriculum. Student success can’t end with the core subject mastery. The 21st Century themes promote understanding of academic content at much higher levels. Changes in demographics within our schools, the globalization of the competitive work force, and advances in science and technology provide the motivation to provide a framework for 21st Century Learning.

Four speakers highlighted this special session. Authentic learning occurs with intellectually stimulating work for our students as well as teachers. Our goal is a power shift to students being self-directed learners. It takes perseverance and hard work.Jim Brazelljim@ventureramp.com?subject=Emerging Technologies Relation to Educational Policy emphasized that school systems can effectively engage student learning by encouraging what they do best. Schools should marketstudent interest in, social networking and gaming.

Cheryl Lemke,www.metiri.com Metiri Group,defined and illustrated with visual media what real examples of teaching look like when 21st Century skills are embedded system wide in all classrooms. This 21st century learning also requires an innovative support system to help students master the multi-dimensional abilities required to be competitive in a globalized economy, (standards, skills, curriculum and instruction, professional development, and positive learning environments www.21stcenturyskills.org)

David Byer, Apple, suggested that school boards approach social networking with thoughtful policies that maintain public trust. Networking online that students prefer can be a tool for education as long reasonable parameters of use are in place. The digital divide can be closed with Internet access and social networking.

Katherine Clark, kateclark @comcast.net Ocoee Middle School, showed practical ways of successfully using web pages including chat rooms, instant messaging, blogs, wikis and more. Security must always be part of the plan. Facility decisions had to be made to support 21st Century Learning environments.
Boards of Education need to create policies and programs that encourage the integration of core subjects, the arts, and career and technical education in our districts. Discussion should take place concerning needed curricular changes that will prepare our students for relevant entry-level job needs. This takes system-wide support of 21st Century Learning.

Posted by Molly O'Holleran, Blog Team, at 1:58 PM | Special Programs & Events

What's Congress been up to?

That's not an invitation to deliver a punch line, though there are a many that come to mind. But it is your invite to two NSBA Advocacy sessions where you'll receive a briefing on Congressional action on key education issues and ways for you and your school board to become more involved at the federal level.

The details: Join NSBA's Advocacy staff on Saturday from 9 - 10:30 a.m. (that'll leave plenty of time to get a good seat at the opening general session) in the convention center's W103AB for a fast-paced discussion of Congressional activity on NCLB, federal funding, Medicaid reimbursement for districts, early education, private school vouchers, teacher quality and higher education. Plus discover easy-to-use advocacy tools to help stay informed, involved and effective in advocating for your school district all through the year. The "official" session title: National Advocacy Networks Meeting.

Gotta conflict Saturday morning? Then join us Monday from 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the convention center's W307ABC for an encore session; this one's dubbed Legislative Update in your program book. See you there!

Posted by Marc Egan, NSBA Staff, at 12:22 AM | Educational Sessions & Workshops