State Senate OKs bill tying teacher evaluations to layoffs

“State Senate OKs bill tying teacher evaluations to layoffs” by Molly Rosbach, The Associated Press The Seattle Times Published 4/12/11 Retrieved 4/16/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2014756842_education13.html Intended Audience: teachers, administrators, lawmakers Summary: The state Senate has given the go-ahead for a bill that proposes to put teachers who score the lowest on their performance evaluations at the front of the line for any impending layoffs. The bill was modified to include school principals in the layoffs as well. Opponents to the bill argue that instead of changing how teachers are laid off, they should be trying to avoid teacher layoffs altogether and focus on managing the teacher’s demands by decreasing class size, increasing planning time, and offering more student support services. Key Point: The Senate has approved a bill to order teacher layoffs by performance instead of seniority. Relevance: This is one of the first big steps in the shift to what will hopefully eventually become performance-based salaries and job security. I thought it extremely interesting that the opponents to this bill were never once reported to argue directly against preference by seniority. The old way of the exclusive, gentlemen’s-club, good-ol’-boys idea of job security is coming to an end.

Don't limit yourself to applying to one school, advisers say

“Don’t limit yourself to applying to only one school, advisers say” The Seattle Times Published 4/2/11 Retrieved 4/16/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014670133_admissionside03m.html Intended Audience: college applicants Summary: The University of Washington is decreasing its admission rates and increasing tuition, especially for in-state residents. College advisers recommend applying to multiple colleges to increase the likelihood of acceptance. If finances are an issue they suggest getting started at local community colleges. If grades are good, interstate exchange programs are a great option for making out-of-state schools affordable. Key Point: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by applying only to one school. Relevance: Good, practical advice for college applicants. It’s easier to apply to a bunch of different schools on the first attempt than it is to re-apply to the same schools a second time.

iPads take place next to crayons in kindergarten

“iPads take a place next to crayons in kindergarten” by Clarke Canfield, Associated Press The Seattle Times Published 4/12/11 Retrieved 4/16/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2014752277_apusipadsabcs.html Intended Audience: taxpayers, teachers, administrators Summary: Elementary schools in Auburn, Maine, will be providing iPads to around 300 kindergarteners. The city plans to spend $200,000 on the iPads which retail for around $500 each. Advocates are enthusiastic about supplying the kids with a new learning tool that is easy to use and can access a multitude of engaging imagery, audio, and other teaching opportunities. Some, however, are hesitant to support the effort, believing the money could be more wisely spent on older students who would better appreciate and utilize the new technology. Key Points: • Kindergarteners are getting iPads. • This effort follows similar technological initiatives in Maine in which 50% of all high school students were eventually supplied with Apple laptops. • Supporters predict a boom in the distribution of iPads and other related technological learning tools in the coming years. Relevance: This is a refreshing step outside of the traditional teaching methods requiring pencil and paper and a great educational opportunity to familiarize young students with new technology. However, teachers and students should keep in mind that increasing technology tends to decrease social interaction and real-life experiences, so there still needs to be a healthy amount of other kinds of activity going on in the classroom.

Colleges that profit, students who don't

“Colleges that profit, students who don’t” by Will Bunch, Philadelphia Daily News The Seattle Times Published 4/9/11 Retrieved 4/16/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014724680_profitcollege10.html Intended Audience: college students, college applicants Summary: Many graduates of for-profit career colleges are unable to find work in their respective career fields and therefore have no means to repay their ever-increasing student debt. The dilemma has caught the attention of the Obama administration which is proposing new regulations that would prevent students from getting federal loans to pay for tuition at colleges who do not enable enough students to find employment after graduation. Representatives of the career colleges maintain that the high percentage of their unemployed postgraduates is due to the colleges’ willingness to take a chance on more students from poorer economic backgrounds. Key Points • For-profit career college enrollment has increased to 11% of higher education. • These colleges are responsible for 48% of all defaults on federal student loans. • The majority of students who enroll in these for-profit career colleges are middle-income. Relevance: This is yet another example of how the rising cost of tuition and the decreasing quality of education are making higher education increasingly less attractive. The trends are the same whether it’s these for-profit career colleges or more traditional state universities, although state universities are facing these problems for slightly different reasons.

Why straight A's may not get you into UW this year

“Why straight A’s may not get you into UW this year” by Katherine Long The Seattle Times Published 4/2/11 Retrieved 4/16/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014670294_admissions03m.html Intended Audience: college applicants, parents Summary: The University of Washington has reduced the number of in-state college applicants that will be accepted into their undergraduate program while increasing the number of out-of-state applicants. Washington high school seniors with high test scores and straight-A’s were denied admission while non-residents with lower grades were accepted. With a $5 billion state budget deficit, it was decided that accepting more non-residents who pay almost triple the tuition would be more economical, even if it meant turning away in-state valedictorians. Key Points • Out-of-state residents will now make up 30% of the entering freshman class, up from 27% last year. State schools in Oregon and Colorado have followed similar trends with non-residents comprising over 40% of the entering class. • In-state tuition is set at $8,701 per year while out-of-state tuition is $25,329 per year. • In-state applicants are not allowed to pay out-of-state tuition in hopes for a better chance of acceptance. Relevance: For some students – in-state applicants in this case – getting straight-A’s in all four years of high school, as difficult as that is, is simply not enough to get accepted into their school of choice if it happens to be in the same state in which they grew up. While additional activities such as community service and taking IB classes may guarantee them a place at other, even more prestigious colleges, it may still not be enough for the University of Washington. It’s a pretty sad compromise to trade top-notch students for lower-achieving non-residents just because they can bring the state more money – and temporarily at that. Many out-of-state students go back home and stimulate their own economies after graduation, leaving no long-term benefit for Washington’s economy.

Law students to reduce stress with loaner dog

“Law students to reduce stress with loaner dog” by Timothy Williams, New York Times The Seattle Times Published 3/26/11 Retrieved 3/30/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2014600955_studentsdogs26.html Intended Audience: stressed out students, teachers looking for new ideas to reduce stress Summary: Yale Law School has created an interactive, therapeutic library book, in the form of a real dog. Therapy dogs have been shown to increase happiness, calmness, and general emotional health. The dog will remain in the library and may be “checked out” for half-hour sessions. Key Point: Yale law students may now check out a dog from the library to help reduce their anxiety Relevance: A creative approach to managing anxiety of students in a school well known for its rigorous, intensive program. We should be encouraged to continue to search outside the traditional paper-and-pencil box for effective teaching methods. In addition, we might also be encouraged to look into the emotional well-being of our students in an attempt to help them along in their education.

Kentlake High School teacher charged with having sex with student

“Kentlake High School teacher charged with having sex with student” by Jennifer Sullivan The Seattle Times Published 3/22/11 Retrieved 3/30/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014571754_teacher23m.html Intended Audience: general public, parents, teachers Summary: A high school teacher has been arrested for having sex with one of her students. The sophomore, a transfer student, had been undergoing personal problems and sought council with the teacher. They then exchanged phone numbers to continue their conversation and in less than a month had exchanged over 800 text messages. The two met up one night and performed sex acts in the student’s car. The scandal was uncovered when the student revealed their actions to his uncle. Key Points: • A high school teacher had sex with one of her students • The teacher is married and has two children • It is illegal for a minor to have sex with someone who is a position of power over them • The teacher faces up to one year in prison if convicted Relevance: This is a good reminder to not only refrain from the obvious, but to pay close attention to student-teacher relationships in all modes of social communication, including extracurricular conversations, texting, and social media.

Bill would partner state with online university

“Bill would partner state with online university” by Katherine Long The Seattle Times Published 3/19/11 Retrieved 3/29/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014547061_wgu20m.html Intended Audience: general public, college students, those looking to return to school Summary: A new bill in the Washington legislature proposes to create a partnership with Western Governors University (WGU), a college institution that functions completely online. Supporters of the bill, such as those with full-time jobs and little money to enroll in a traditional four-year program, say the opportunity to earn a degree online, with its increased flexibility, will allow them to return to school and advance or expand their career options. Those who are against the bill do not believe an online institution provides the classroom interaction necessary to pull a more meaningful experience from the courses taken. Key Points: • Support: flexible schedule, lower tuition than a traditional four-year program, mobile • Resistance: no classroom interaction, WGU faculty does not teach, programs do not encourage development of higher thinking skills, less exposure to the arts and sciences Relevance: It’s the wave of the future. As long as the institutions are accredited, online universities are an attractive alternative for those looking to return to school. As the classroom becomes increasingly more technologically dependent, the need for physical classrooms decreases significantly, especially for college and graduate-level courses.

Educators work to identify ways to improve teaching

“Educators work to identify ways to improve teaching” by The Associated Press The Seattle Times Published 3/16/11 Retrieved 3/29/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014516721_usteachers17.html Intended Audience: general public, teachers Summary: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan met with leaders of major teacher unions and officials from countries with high-performing education systems to discuss strategies for improving the States’ own education practices. Key Point: Improving education in the U.S. revolves around raising the status of the teaching profession • Increase teacher salaries • Allow teachers to devise their own teaching strategies and lesson plans • Continue to educate teachers after they have become professionals • Hold teachers at least partially accountable for student performance • Provide outlets for research Key Point: Reasons the US is not performing well in education • Low and varying standards of teacher certification and licensure • Nonspecific education training Relevance: If he didn’t know before, The Secretary of Education now for sure understands what works and what needs to be done to make improvements in education, starting with showing teachers proper respect for the huge responsibility of educating our youth.

U.S. education secretary backs Gregoire's single-agency plan

“U.S. education secretary backs Gregoire’s single-agency plan” by The Associated Press The Seattle Times Published 3/14/11 Retrieved 3/29/11 Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2014497552_education15.html Intended Audience: general public, education administrators Summary: Washington’s governor received support from the U.S. Secretary of Education on a plan to merge eight education agencies into a single new Department of Education. The Secretary emphasized the need for a sense of urgency in education reform. Key Points: Streamlining education agencies is expected to • Bring about education reform more quickly • Promote better communication between agencies • Save the state some money Relevance: Big changes are being implemented to change the structure of education administration, way at the top, and this may have a trickle-down effect that initiates reform in other areas of education as well. The Secretary of Education’s attention may also help get things moving more quickly.

Getting out of college classrooms and helping people

“Getting out of college classrooms and helping people” by Jerry Large
The Seattle Times
Published 2/20/11
Retrieved 3/6/11
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/jerrylarge/2014288362_jdl21.html
Intended Audience: general public, educators, college students

Summary: Seattle University is expanding its community service programs. Their goal is to increase students’ exposure and awareness of the community’s needs while taking an active role in addressing them. There are currently around 900 students participating at least one of the numerous programs created by the university. In addition, the school is teaming up with many nonprofits to allocate their services more meaningfully.

Key Point: Seattle University has expanded its community service program despite a poor economy.

Relevance: In the midst of economic hardship, education-targeted budget cuts, and local public school scandals, Seattle University has gone against the flow in a massive river of self-preserving introspection and actually expanded their community service programs, yet still for the sake of enhancing the educational experience for their students. Talk about being proactive. Serve their community, show them the problem first-hand, and encourage them to ask how they can change it, all in one bound. Granted, it’s a little easier to do things like this at a private institution, but it is still a step in the right direction that hopefully other schools can follow.

State university presidents paint grim picture on budget cuts

“State university presidents paint grim picture on budget cuts” by Katherine Long
The Seattle Times
Published 2/24/11
Retrieved 2/27/11
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014325571_higheredcuts25m.html
Intended Audience: higher-education students and teachers

Summary: The presidents of Washington’s three largest state universities were asked to predict specific outcomes of the governor’s proposed worst-case-scenario budget cuts on each of their schools. The presidents’ responses were equally and universally bleak with their firm beliefs that nothing good would come of them as they would ultimately undermine the state’s economy by reducing the opportunity for – and the quality of – higher education.

Key Points: Maximal budget cuts could result in the following:
• Significantly reduced admission of in-state residents. Out-of-state tuition is approximately three times higher than in-state.
• Increased faculty layoffs, including those jobs responsible for the schools’ maintenance and renovation.
• Dissolution of smaller degree programs, as well as reduced enrollment in larger programs.
• A typical four-year degree would be extended to at least five years. Less classes offered per semester would prevent students from taking on a larger credit load.
• Negative impact on the state’s economy. Decreased enrollment in higher education results in fewer higher-paying jobs to inject money back into the economy.

Relevance: Increased enrollment competition and higher tuition rates, as well as a potential decrease in the quality of education, may be enough reason to deter many in-state college hopefuls to look elsewhere to fulfill their career goals. I found some of the comments posted in regard to this article to be especially intriguing:
• “I have a budget cut for them … Stop paying university executives and coaches million dollar annual salaries!”
• “They could save a lot of money if they required tenured and highly paid professors to teach more than one or two classes a week.”
• “Basically just another kick in the gut for the middle class. A first class education is to be a privilege of the wealthy.”

Older teachers would get help to retire early under Senate measure

“Older teachers would get help to retire early under Senate measure” by Andrew Garber
The Seattle Times, Olympia Bureau
Published 2/22/11
Retrieved 2/27/11
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014303070_teachers23m.html
Intended Audience: teachers

Summary: A new bill proposes to give financial incentive to help older teachers more easily transition into retirement at an earlier age (approximately 3 years earlier). The bill would provide a $250 monthly stipend to help cover medical expenses before they become eligible for Medicare. Supporters of the bill predict these expenses will be offset by replacing newer, lower-paid teachers with the more experienced, higher-paid teachers who retire early. The salary difference between new teachers and veterans is reported to be around $23,000.

Key Point: Older, higher-paid teachers will receive financial support to retire early.

Relevance: Allowing – or encouraging – older teachers to retire early creates more room in the job market for new teachers. Not sure how else to say it, relevance is pretty self-explanatory in this case.

WWU suspends drama prof on new accusations

“WWU suspends drama prof on new accusations” by Janet I. Tu
The Seattle Times
Published 2/16/11
Retrieved 2/27/11
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014248425_professor17m.html
Intended Audience: teachers, education administrators

Summary: A WWU drama professor has been suspended after new accusations of making inappropriate comments to students. Examples include addressing an overweight student as a “400-pound canary,” a female student as a “bimbo” and “slut,” and a student he thought was gay as “precious.” The professor denies all accusations, claiming they are a conspiratorial attempt by the university to substantiate grounds for his termination. The professor has reportedly received warnings about his behavior from university officials since 1998.

Key Points
• A professor has been repeatedly accused of making inappropriate and demeaning comments to students.
• This behavior began 13 years ago.

Relevance: Judging by his age (69) and the duration of his alleged offenses, it is likely this professor has tenure at the university, which implies a higher degree of job security. A new bill has been introduced to Washington legislation that may directly affect the survival of tenured status. See the article “Teachers’ seniority targeted in house bill” (URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014236213_teachers16m.html) for more details.

Teachers' seniority targeted in house bill

“Teachers’ seniority targeted in house bill” by Queenie Wong
The Seattle Times Olympia Bureau
Published 2/15/2011
Retrieved 2/24/2011
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014236213_teachers16m.html
Intended Audience: teachers and principals

Summary
Economic downtime has motivated education-conscious lawmakers to begin looking for new ways to cut down. A new bill proposes to base layoffs on teacher evaluation, rather than seniority. Supporters of the bill claim that students will ultimately benefit when the best teachers keep their jobs. Opponents believe this change in policy will put too much power in the hands of school principals. Timing may be a significant factor in the bill’s consideration, as some fear immediate legislation will disrupt the transition to a new teacher evaluation system currently underway.

Key Point: Teacher layoffs will be prioritized by performance instead of seniority.
• Support: positive step in school reform – the best teachers stay
• Opposition: job security dependent on principal’s evaluation

Relevance: This progressive stance may impact tenure in the school system. Teachers entering the workforce may have more job opportunities, whereas some veterans may be looking for an early career change. Performance-based job security will likely affect intra-school relationships among teachers and between teachers and principals. Whether students will benefit from this change remains to be seen.

UW program expanded for Kent high-school students

“UW program expanded for Kent high-school students” by Olivia Bobrowsky
The Seattle Times
Published 2/11/2011
Retrieved 2/13/2011
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014201274_uwpartnership12m.html
Intended Audience: educators, parents, and the general public

Summary: Beginning with the Kent school district for now, the University of Washington has expanded its AP program to the potential for an entire year’s worth of college credit. Students enrolled in the program receive intensive instruction in the high school setting that will prepare them for the higher demands of college. While enrolled, students pay approximately 20% of standard tuition for up to 45 credits. In addition, this will allow students to obtain a college degree in three years, instead of the standard four.

Key Points: It’s a win-win situation:
• Up to 1 year of college credit
• Completion of degree in 3 years after high school
• 20% tuition rate
• Easier transition into more rigorous academic demands

Relevance: All the points are great, but the preparation is key. The first year of college is a culture-shocking transitional experience in many ways: higher academic demands, greater financial responsibilities, new people, and a new-found freedom. Minimizing even one of these transitional factors will be overwhelmingly positive in the student’s academic, emotional, and social success. This program is especially important for those lower-income, first-generation college goers who will only get one shot.

Rising tuition a threat to GET program

“Rising tuition a threat to GET program” by Katherine Long
The Seattle Times
Published 2/1/2011
Retrieved 2/13/2011
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014102603_get02m.html
Intended Audience: educators, parents, and the general public

Summary: One of the State’s reliable methods of increasing revenue is to increase tuition at their universities and colleges. Washington’s governor proposes to do just that in 2011 and 2012, raising the cost of tuition by 11% for each year. This poses a threat to the continuation of the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program, which was set up to handle only a 7% annual tuition increase. At this rate, the program has only enough funds to pay each enrollee 86% of their tuition.

Key Points: 3 directions for the GET program:
1. Cut off new enrollment, which will prevent further financial loss from the program, but guarantee the need for the State to bail out the program in order to fully fund tuition for those already enrolled.
2. Guarantee payment of the State’s average tuition instead of its highest tuition. Full funding will depend on which school is attended.
3. Wait it out. Continue to attract investors to the GET program and hope the improving economy will stabilize the tuition rate.

Relevance: The reliable GET program may not be around for much longer, and if it is, enrollment may be much more expensive in order to prevent the whole program from going under. This issue is one illustration of the problem of steadily rising college tuition fees and the low-paying, entry-level jobs at which they can get your career jumpstarted.

Bill: different tuition rates for each program

“Bill: different tuition for each program” by Katherine Long
The Seattle Times
Published 2/1/2011
Retrieved 2/13/2011
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014102433_higheredbill02m.html
Intended Audience: educators, college prospects, and the general public

Summary: A new bill proposes that different academic programs require different costs of tuition at all the State’s universities and colleges. These changes will likely set a new – and higher – base tuition. Increased revenue will be directed toward increasing financial aid for lower- and middle-income students.

Key Point: Each academic program may have a different tuition rate.

Relevance: Depending on how large these proposed differences in tuition are, some areas of study may become a lot more attractive. And since many of the technological and science-related fields (including the health sciences) will likely be the more expensive endeavors due to the higher demand for expensive equipment and facilities, we may see a further decline in these already-less popular fields.

Panel hears bill to take state schools chief off ballot

“Panel hears bill to take state schools chief off ballot” by Donna Gordon Blankinship
The Seattle Times
Published 2/2/2011
Retrieved 2/13/2011
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014107319_education03.html
Intended Audience: educators, lawmakers, and the general public

Summary: Washington’s governor has proposed to create a new framework within the state’s department of education in an attempt to improve coordination between departments. In an offshoot of this proposal, lawmakers are considering the notion to turn the position of superintendent of public instruction from an elected position to that of one appointed by the governor.

Key Points: Elected vs. appointed position:
• Elected: preserves the ability of the people to elect their leaders in education; prevents any direct political influence from the governor
• Appointed: improved continuity with the lower turnover; candidates will ideally be chosen on the basis of professional ability instead of political prowess.

Relevance: Not much now, but the decision to appoint or elect the superintendent of public instruction will determine the public’s ability to vote for who they want in this position. They must decide how broken the system is, how bad it needs changing, and how much they’re willing to put this position in the governor’s hands.

Lawmakers contemplate changes in statewide testing

“Lawmakers contemplate changes in statewide testing” by Donna Gordon Blankinship
The Seattle Times
Published 2/4/2011
Retrieved 2/13/2011
Complete URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2014135283_schooltesting05.html
Intended Audience: educators, lawmakers, and the general public

Summary: Washington lawmakers anticipate difficulty in making the transition from general math and science exams to more in-depth, end-of-course exams as prerequisite to high school graduation. It is likely that some students may be required to complete end-of-course exams for courses they took in previous years of high school. Lawmakers are concerned about preserving fairness for those caught in this transitional period

Key Points: 3 current options (in the form of bills):
1. Reduce the amount of exam requirements needed to graduate for those students in transition.
2. Make the transition more gradual by delaying some subjects and continuing with others.
3. Do away with statewide testing as a graduation requirement altogether.

Relevance: The issue here is one of fairness for those students who, say, took Calculus in their freshman year of high school and may now be required to take an end-of-course exam up to three years later – on a subject that may require a few months of extracurricular studying to return to a level of proficiency in that field. Granted, this article focuses specifically on a transitional period which does not affect many students, but once the new policies are established, these end-of-course exams may have a big effect on the rigors of graduation requirements.