What’s the education policy that most damages the teaching profession? Sixty-nine percent of State Teachers of the Year and finalists for State Teacher of the Year say it’s the use of standardized student test scores in teacher evaluations. The survey by the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) also found an overwhelming…
DetailsExplore new and review familiar ways to live responsibly this Earth Day with these lessons, projects, activities, and games compiled by Phil Nast for NEA. Resources for: Grades K-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12
DetailsMembers of the Bloomfield Education Association (BEA) have found a great way to build relationships—within their community and their Association—while also promoting literacy thanks to a great idea by teacher Jennifer Coleman. The second annual BEA Community Book Swap allowed families to come and swap a wide variety of books, from picture books to adult…
DetailsThis spring, check out special highlighted offers from NEA Member Benefits, including deals from 1800Flowers.com, J. Crew Factory, Omaha Steaks, and more. NEA Click & Save “Buy-lights” for April 2016 NEA Click & Save, the online discount buying service for NEA members, highlights select retailers and merchants each month. Check out these featured “Buy-lights” for…
DetailsAlthough much of the media coverage surrounding parents opting their children out of state tests has focused on white, suburban parents, these families are not alone in taking a stand against tests they see as having no value for their children or schools. At a panel discussion last week at Trinity College, Black and Latino…
DetailsIf you haven’t yet felt the need to let your legislators know why SBAC shouldn’t be part of your evaluation, comments today made by state Board of Education members should drive you to action. After an hour of intense discussion and strong reluctance towards delaying the use of SBAC in teacher evaluations for one year,…
Details“It’s important to talk to us and express your views.” That was the message Sen. Paul Formica gave to nearly 100 retired teachers who converged on the State Capitol today for Retired Teachers’ Lobby Day. The event, organized by CEA-Retired, AFT Connecticut, and the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut gave retirees the opportunity to…
DetailsWhat’s more important when it comes to helping students in high-poverty districts succeed—increased funding or better leaders? The Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding (CCJEF) spent the first two months of the landmark education funding trial currently underway in Hartford making the case that public schools need more funding in order to adequately and…
DetailsTeachers are turning up the volume on the problem of unreliable testing that has overtaken Connecticut public school classrooms. “We are airing new TV and digital ads that raise awareness—from parents to policymakers—about the need to reduce testing and test prep and restore more time for learning in our classrooms to help every student achieve,”…
DetailsConnecticut is one of only 14 states still using SBAC. A recent report on state testing by Education Week shows that 61% of public school students live in states that are NOT using the federally funded PARCC or SBAC tests. Six years ago, 45 states had signed onto the federally sponsored tests, but in 2015-16,…
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