Measuring success?

This was my intro paragraph for a paper I wrote last year... recent events have me thinking about this topic again. What does success look like for today's students? How do we measure this success?

"Teaching and learning for the 21st century represents a significant shift in the paradigms associated with what constitutes success in the educational system. Often, it is those individuals who were successful within the system that go on to work and lead within the system. This creates a massive inertial presence that maintains status quo, even amidst powerful forces driving for change. Any visionary who strives to move the mountains of accumulated organizational press will need to fundamentally alter the tools used in measuring success in our school systems. Changes to curriculum or instruction to prepare students for 21st century success will fail to sustain themselves if measured by the assessment tools of a previous century that valued information above wisdom. Further more, there are unique challenges to the assessment of 21st century skills (DiMartino & Castaneda, 2007; Sternberg, 2008). It is then paramount to any other initiative that teachers, administrators, and the community expose the limitations of the current assessment system, build capacity to begin improvement, use evidence as a foundation for all assessment decisions, and continually support quality assessment through professional development and policy."

Gender Bias Found In Student Ratings Of High School Science Teachers

http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3OjNNPQzeoA/090202174953.htm

Perhaps science has an image problem. I know the opposite bias has been investigates for years... That science teachers treat male students differently. But this is the first time I've seen research on this aspect.

But then, all physics teachers are a little odd to begin with :)

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Assessment to a Seven Year Old: Cole Camplese: Learning and Innovation

Assessment to a Seven Year Old... Cole Camplese: Learning and Innovation

Most students and my peers know that I have a passion for assessment. I'm constantly questioning the traditions that seem to hamper effective assessment and, in turn, limit learning. We all know the dangers of assumption - but so much of assessment practice in education is conceived based on assumption rather than research.

Cole Camplese from Penn State University recently posted to his blog a brief write up about assessment - but the main point is to listen to his daughter, in 1st grade, discuss the assessment and grading practices she's come to "learn" under. Take a moment to listen to the podcast.

Book Review - 'Darwin’s Sacred Cause' and 'Angels and Ages' - Review - NYTimes.com

Book Review - 'Darwin’s Sacred Cause' and 'Angels and Ages' - Review - NYTimes.com

Although science does not teach values, those who value science can influence the world for the better.

Essay: Elevating Science, Elevating Democracy

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/science/27essa.html

Essay: Elevating Science, Elevating Democracy

Science is not a monument of received Truth but something that people do to look for truth.



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Making lectures personal

http://education.zdnet.com/?p=2079

Making lectures personal

The article referenced in this zdnet post showcases how higher ed is struggling with some of the same issues as secondary education. A school like MIT has both the intellect and the finances to tackle the problem head on. In public education, we ebb and flow with trends in available resources and fickle policies created in state capitols. 

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TEDTalks - Inventing the next amazing thing - Woody Norris (2004)

Check out this episode of TEDTalks at Inventing the next amazing thing
- Woody Norris (2004) - http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TEDTalks_video/~3/523463990/442

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Is Michelle Rhee the new face of education reform? | csmonitor.com

Is Michelle Rhee the new face of education reform? | csmonitor.com

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There are two competing ways of looking at education that need to be reconciled. On one side you have the NCLB/PLC/LFS push for data, measurement, and accountability. On the other side there is Whole Child/Progressive/21stCentury demand for rethinking what really matters in education. Bottom line, we need to better define what success looks like in this massive educational endeavor that supports not only the individual but also democracy.

The key is to utilize teachers as professionals, to treat teachers as professionals, and to inspire great students to become teachers.

Report: States must do more to prepare students for college, work
While states have made progress in beefing up high school requirements, most states are still falling short in preparing graduates for the skills valued by colleges and employers, according to a joint report by national associations of governors, legislatures, state schools chiefs and state education boards. Improving teacher and principal quality is central to building more effective high schools, the report found, and requires more state attention. [from ASCD SmartBrief]

5th Anniversary Ed of Wicked

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