District Administration - February 2008 - (Page 12)

BRIEFINGS NewsUpdate PISA Math and Science Results “Disappointing” THE RESULTS OF THE 2006 PRO- mation to policymakers to assist them in gramme for International Student Assess- making informed decisions about ways to ment (PISA) were recently released by the improve student achievement. Overall, the survey reOrganisation for Economic vealed considerable interest Co-operation and Develamong students in scientiﬁc opment (OECD), showand environmental issues ing that U.S. 15-year-olds such as forest clearing and ranked 25th in mathematgreenhouse gases. Interestics among OECD memingly, those who performed ber countries and 21st in better in science were more science. The results place pessimistic about the future. American 15-year-olds beSays Secretary of Educalow the member country tion Margaret Spellings on average in both subjects. OECD Secretary-General the results, “While disapPISA is administered tri- Angel Gurría pointing, it speaks to what ennially to 15-year-olds in participating countries and education sys- President Bush has long been advocating tems through OECD, and about 400,000 for: more rigor in our nation’s high schools, students in 57 countries participated in additional resources for advanced courses the 2006 assessment. Many countries to prepare students for college, and stronimplement the test to provide more infor- ger math and science education.” By Zach Miners Special Ed Center Rolling Out NEXT MONTH THE U.S. DEPART ment of Education will announce the names of six states to participate in the development of a new national education center aimed at improving student achievement, particularly for students with disabilities. Through a $1 million multi-year grant to the University of South Florida, the new Center on State Implementation and Scaling-Up of Evidence-Based Practices (SISEP) will work with the states to broaden the use of proven, wellresearched special education strategies. Lessons learned will be disseminated nationwide through a Web site, conferences and publications. L.A. Dropouts Get a Second Chance TWENTYFIVE PERCENT OF L.A. students dropped out in 2006, and now the district is trying to bring them all back. As part of a new campaign targeting both at-risk students and actual dropouts, the Los Angeles Uniﬁed School District Supt. David L. Brewer (right center) sits is drawing on the popularity of Web sites with students at the kick-oﬀ event for a new district drop out prevention campaign. such as YouTube and MySpace to educate students on the lifelong beneﬁts that come with earning a high school diploma and on alternative pathways in the district to obtain it. Using streaming videos, radio spots and informational resources, the site, www .myfuturemydecision.com, features testimonials from former dropouts and highlights the district’s numerous continuation schools and community college programs. Teachers against School Board A PROPOSED ORDER FROM A judge for the Ohio State Employee Relations Board (SERB) states that the Brookﬁeld Board of Education should return lost wages to its teachers union and address a number of other claims the teachers have brought against the school board. “Brookﬁeld has the lowest tax rate of any township in Trumbull county,” says teachers union president Sally Schneider. The board is operating unilaterally based on the community members not wanting any tax raises, she adds. Schneider says the board will appeal the order, and the union will likely ﬁle its own response. The entire SERB will issue a ﬁnal decision in the coming months. District Administration D+ February 2008 12 The score more than half of all states received on last year’s School Foods Report Card. Source: Center for Science in the Public Interest http://www.myfuturemydecision.com http://www.myfuturemydecision.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - February 2008

District Administration - February 2008
Contents
Editor’s Letter
Letters
News Update
Technology Update
Security Update
Virtual Schools Update
Curriculum Update
Inside the Law
District Profile
The “Other” Advanced Program
State of the Superintendency
Landing the Chief
Purchasing Security Products and Services
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
Speaking Out
Professional Opinion
Supervisor’s Opinion
Overheard on the Pulse
New Products
Problem Solution
Computer Literature
Research Corner
Calendar of Events
Products Showcase
Understanding the Times

District Administration - February 2008