In a letter to all superintendents, Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist has told districts to end all teacher assignments that are based solely on seniority, and the Department of Education issued a press release announcing the end of seniority-based teacher assignment in Rhode Island. Gist told all superintendents “to ensure that nothing in any […]
Archive for the 'Teacher Effectiveness' Category
Commissioner Gist Ends Seniority-Based Teacher Assignment
Published by October 23rd, 2009 in Great Leadership, RIDE, Race to the Top, Teacher Effectiveness and Teacher Quality. 0 CommentsSecretary Duncan Challenges Teacher Union to “Think Differently”
Published by July 2nd, 2009 in Federal Government, Great Leadership, Merit Pay, NCLB, NEARI, Obama, Race to the Top, Teacher Effectiveness and Teacher Quality. 2 CommentsIn a speech today to the NEA, the nation’s largest teacher’s union, Secretary Duncan challenged teacher unions to “think differently.” A full transcript of Secretary Duncan’s prepared remarks to the NEA is available, and a video will be posted here when it becomes available. Some choice excerpts leave little question that this is […]
Summary of House Finance Committee Cuts to Education Reform
Published by June 22nd, 2009 in Charter Schools, Early Childhood, Federal Government, Funding, Legislature, Mayoral Academies, Mayors, Merit Pay, Obama and Teacher Effectiveness. 1 CommentHere is a summary of the differences between the Governor’s proposed budget, and the version of the budget passed by the House Finance Committee. The changes impacting cuts to education appear on page 19-22.
Among other things, cuts include eliminating a proposed $0.7 million in funding for a pre-school / early childhood pilot program; […]
Rahm Emmanuel on the “Quiet Revolution” in Education Reform
Published by June 22nd, 2009 in Charter Schools, Early Childhood, Federal Government, Legislature, Mayoral Academies, Mayors, Merit Pay, Obama and Teacher Effectiveness. 1 CommentIt doesn’t get any more clear-cut than this speech to the DLC from White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel last Wendesday where he talks in depth about what he calls a “quiet revolution” in education reform being led by President Obama’s Administration under Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. He makes it clear that […]
Blackstone Valley Families Say “Yes” to Democracy Prep
Published by April 16th, 2009 in Central Falls, Charter Schools, Great Leadership, KIPP, Mayoral Academies, No Excuses, Pawtucket, School Day, Teacher Effectiveness and Urban Schools. 0 CommentsMonday was another great day in a very good year for Rhode Island education reform. The Rhode Island Department of Education held a public hearing on the charter school application submitted by Rhode Island Mayoral Academies in partnership with Seth Andrew, the founder and operator of Democracy Prep public charter school in Harlem. Community members […]
The New Teacher Project Comes to RI
Published by January 21st, 2009 in Alternative Certification, Great Leadership, Teacher Effectiveness, Teacher Quality and Urban Schools. 2 CommentsIt is rare in the education reform world that things move quickly from idea to action, but that’s exactly what’s happening today with the announcement from the RI Dept. of Education and The New Teacher Project about the launch of the Rhode Island Teaching Fellows program.
Less than a year ago, we wrote about […]
Duncan Pick Signals New Direction for Democrats
Published by December 18th, 2008 in Alternative Certification, Charter Schools, Federal Government, Great Leadership, Mayoral Academies, Mayors, NCLB, Obama, Teacher Effectiveness and Urban Schools. 0 CommentsWhen President-Elect Obama named Arne Duncan his pick for US Secretary of Education this week, it signaled a new direction for Democrats on education reform, and that Obama is serious about challenging the status quo. During his time in Chicago’s public school system, Duncan has been a strong advocate for meaningful reform.
Duncan is midway […]

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