|
TODAY'S
ISSUE
You can learn a lot
from persistently successful teachers
By
Linda Mitchell
Student Accountability, Assessment and Advisement
Gwinnett County Public Schools
(Editor's note: This column came to us through
the Georgia Public Policy Foundation of Atlanta.---eeb.)
FEB. 22, 2005 -- Who are the teachers in Gwinnett County Public
Schools whose students consistently earned better results on the
county's Gateway Assessments than others in the same school with
the same abilities? That question, posed by Associate Superintendent
Cindy Loe, began a data mining expedition in the state's largest
school system.
Mitchell |
The county's Information Management Division helped developed a
database to sort student results by teacher, student, school and
subgroup identifiers. Names surfaced of teachers whose students
over multiple years consistently performed better on the assessments.
The trend data were verified in the historical reports in the system's
Student Assessment Reporting Tool, StART, and by principals. In
almost every conversation, principals noted a teacher quietly doing
their job and loved by students and parents.
Sixty-five teachers across all grade levels were identified and
invited to a daylong "Persistently Successful Teacher Forum."
Members of the departments of Curriculum and Instruction, Student
Accountability, Assessment and Advisement and School Improvement
facilitated break-out sessions to explore what was unique about
their professional experience.
During the session, Dr. Loe revealed to these educators the process
of their discovery and shared known research about the impact of
teacher quality on learning. Then we let them know we wanted to
"pick their brains."
Their teaching experience was either over 14 years or under seven;
no common teacher training institution could claim a majority of
participants. So, what were the commonalities that led to high academic
achievement in these teachers' classes?
Their written responses revealed that all had high expectations
of their students and a "no excuses" educational climate.
All displayed a sense of humor that endeared them to students.
The participants were separated in the first session by school
level. Discussions evolved around the following questions:
- What are the professional instructional practices of teachers
whose students consistently get good results?
- How do you create a climate that engages the learner?
- What data sources do you use to inform your teaching?
- How do you use data to inform instruction?
- How do you effectively teach a diversity of students in your
class?
- How do you measure success?
- What professional learning opportunities are needed to help
all teachers (especially new ones) be more successful with more
students?
The reports from the session indicated that good teaching was the
same whether the educator taught elementary, middle or high school.
The discussion has been developed into a document, "Summary
of Lessons Learned - Persistently Successful Teachers 2004,"
which will be used to inform staff developers, mentor teachers and
principals to aid new teachers develop successful practices. The
lessons learned are being produced as video segments to demonstrate
the art of teaching for teacher induction or improvement.
The excitement generated in the engaging discussions was pervasive,
making it easy to see what the classrooms might be like; the professional
learning and engagement was unsurpassed by other, routine "teacher
meetings." Later, discussions focused on the content these
educators taught and how a system could better retain quality teachers.
Reflecting on the discussions of the day, both formal and informal,
one concludes that no single factor is responsible for teacher quality.
Persistently Successful Teachers have a blend of motivation, knowledge
and skills that help them do the hard work required, because they
truly believe all children can learn.
These teachers have been asked to share their wisdom in professional
learning experiences with administrators and teachers. Each has
accepted the responsibility of helping students and other teachers
reach their potential.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Writing
272 words can send student to new Lincoln Museum
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
FEB. 22, 2005 -- Parents of students, ask your offsprings this
simple question; "How many words were in Lincoln's Gettysburg
Address?"
Sure, you may remember that the speech was short. But how short?
How about 272 words? But look what can be expressed in so few words!
Well, today we suggest you mention this to your children or students,
and offer them a challenge. It could pay off big.
Just challenge them to write 272 words, that's not much, on the
subject "A New Birth of Freedom." Send it to C-SPAN (you
can do it via email), and from the entrants, 10 students will be
chosen from across the country, winning trips to the new Abraham
Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Ill. this April. And
there's prize money, too!
As a guide, in this publication, our contributions to Today's Issue
and my own thoughts are about 500 words in length. You can say a
lot in a few words, as President Lincoln shows us.
All the details of this writing exercise are on the web. Go to
www.c-span.org/classroom/lincolncontest/
to read about it.
We visited the Gettysburg Battlefield recenty. What we remember
from history is that prior to President Abraham Lincoln giving this
talk, the previous orator, Edward Everett, spoke for two hours,
you might say wearing out the crowd. It is said that asking the
president to speak was really an afterthought, no doubt invited
to say "a few appropriate remarks" purely because he was
there for the cemetery dedication, and was the president. Even Lincoln
thought the speech fizzled, in contrast to the two hour oration
heard before.
One web site says this of the speech:
"Upon returning to his seat Lincoln remarked to a friend:
'That speech won't scour. It is a flat failure.' To the contrary,
the Gettysburg Address has become known as one of the supreme masterpieces
of eloquence in the English language. On November 20, Everett wrote
Lincoln 'I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came
as near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you
did in two minutes."
So, parents and students, sharpen your pencils (er., that is, switch
on your computer) and think about "A new birth of freedom."
It could propel you to Springfield, Ill. this spring.
* * * * *
New Subject: The Norton Agency out of Gainesville mentioned
recently in its report on the housing market about the value of
a house, at least if you were in California. It showed that it would
be better to own a house than have a job, in one way of thinking.
In other words, don't work, but earn your living by merely owning
a home. Here's why:
The median price of an existing home in California in November
increased 23.1 percent over a year ago.
The Norton web mail says: "That means the average homeowner
in California earned more from their home price appreciation than
they did from their after taxable income. Moreover, Californians
this year collectively realized $500 billion in equity gains from
the price appreciation. WOW!"
We know the prices in Georgia are rising on most homes, but never
realized that any home could appreciate more than actually working.
* * * * *
On school principals: In 1999-2000, 34 percent of the nation's
principals had been coaches or athletic directors before becoming
principals, the organization Education Next says.
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. The public spiritedness of our sponsors
allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers.
Among our sponsors is Jim Cowart Co., which has been developing
outstanding neighborhoods throughout Atlanta for over 45 years.
Today, Jim Cowart Residential communities continue to stand
for the very best in the metro Atlanta area. Home buyers can expect
to find new, award-winning, custom and spec homes located within
carefully controlled architectural and landscaped communities, featuring
superb amenities. Many homes are available for immediate occupancy.
Most of the Jim Cowart Residential communities offer prestigious
locations, near excellent shopping, fun community recreation and
entertainment and great schools. For more information, go to www.jimcowart.com.
For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm.
FEEDBACK
2/22: Tires of Republican
spin, saying president has a mandate
Editor, the Forum:
I wanted to write as a loyal reader to let you know how I feel
about Republican attempts to characterize George Bush's election
victory as a "mandate." The truth of the matter is that
the election illustrated exactly the opposite--that the nation is
bitterly divided and that no mandate exists for an extreme conservative
agenda.
When Richard Nixon won reelection over George McGovern in 1972,
he carried 61 percent of the popular vote and captured the Electoral
College 520-17. In 1984, when the incumbent Ronald Reagan defeated
Walter Mondale, he took 59 percent of the popular vote and carried
the Electoral College 525-13.
Those elections, it is fair to say, produced mandates for Republican
presidents, as well as political capital to be spent during their
second terms.
But with 51 percent of the popular vote and a 286-252 win in the
Electoral College--in which President Bush won the decisive state,
Ohio, so narrowly that the result was not yet clear on election
night--the Republicans are claiming an obviously non-existent mandate.
This is, of course, a political ploy intended to exaggerate the
nation's level of support for the President's policies and proposals.
But I think as a news organization, you have a responsibility to
differentiate between the actual vote tally and the rhetoric of
the Republican spin machine.
-- Shirley Mathis, Ellenwood
Would have kept fired
coach because of his outlook
Editor, the Forum:
Poor Savannah State men's basketball team just finished and 0-28
season, losing number 28 by five points on Valentine's Day, its
closest game of the season. Coming close did not impress the team
nor coach.
"That's like almost eating when you're starving to death"
says Coach Edward Daniels, who was fired just after the season ended.
With quotes like that, I'd have kept him. Wouldn't it be horrible
to go through a season like that ?
-- Marshall Miller, Lilburn
(Editor's Note: Dear Marshall: Well, yes it would
be horrible to have such a streak. But look at what Pat Conroy
did in his book, My Losing Season, detailing what a bad
year it was at The Citadel. Some liked this book more than his
others. As usual, in the long run, it's what you make of being
dealt a can of worms. -eeb)
CALENDAR
Congressman Scott plans
town hall meeting in Lilburn Feb. 26
Congressman David Scott (D-Ga.) will convene a Town Hall Meeting
in Lilburn on Saturday, February 26, 2005 to hear directly from
constituents of the 13th District. Residents from throughout the
district are invited to attend the meeting, especially constituents
from Gwinnett County.
The meeting will be at the Lilburn City Hall, 76 Main Street, from
10-12 noon.
During the Town Hall Meeting, Congressman Scott will discuss with
residents such issues as protecting Social Security, the economy,
national security, health care, transportation, prescription drugs
and making sure our children get the best education. Congressman
Scott will also share how he has been working in Congress to make
progress on these and other important issues.
Rainbow Village launches
"Adopt a Family" program
Rainbow Village will launch the "Adopt a Family" program
in 2005 to encourage community groups to become actively involved
in family support for Gwinnett's homeless families. Rainbow Village
is seeking volunteers, sponsors, and financial support to help kick-off
this new initiative. Rainbow Village is a 501c(3) non profit organization
that offers transitional housing and supportive services for homeless
families in Norcross, Duluth and Snellville.
Rainbow Village allows an opportunity for families with children
that were once homeless to break the cycle and return to the mainstream
as outstanding members of our communities. Gwinnett's homeless population
is estimated at 20,000. Community group, churches, and other organizations
assist Rainbow Village in providing life skills training, children's
evening programs and a vibrant after school program. The Duluth
Merchants Association has selected Rainbow Village to be the headliner
for their annual spring benefit dinner and auction to be held March
5. Check www.duluthmerchants.com
for details.
For more information about Rainbow Village, please contact Nancy
Yancey, executive director, Rainbow Village, at 770 446-3800.
Art by Russ Carnes
featured at historic courthouse soon
Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation and the Pinckneyville Community
Center are hosting a new art exhibit featuring the works of Russ
Carnes at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in historic downtown
Lawrenceville. Mr. Carnes art depicts figurative images in both
paint and charcoal. A opening reception featuring light refreshments
will be held at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse on Thursday, March
3, from 7-9 p.m. with an opportunity to meet the artist. The exhibit
will be on display at from March 4 through May 25.
The Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, located at 185 Crogan Street
in Lawrenceville, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.
For more information call (770) 822-5450.
The mission of Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation is to provide
quality parks and leisure activities to the citizens of Gwinnett
County.
RECOMMENDED
READ
From David
Earl Tyre, Jesup
"I have just finished Cumberland Island, Strong Women,
Wild Horses, by Charles Seabrook and I strongly recommend it.
I found that there were many owners of the island before the Carnegies
lived there. Having been reared in south Georgia , not to far from
Cumberland Island, I have always wondered about its history. Visited
it only once, years ago."
- An invitation: What Web sites or books have you enjoyed?
Send us your best recent read along with a short paragraph as
to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb
ENCYCLOPEDIA
TIDBIT
2/22: James Dickey
is among nation's top poets
 James
Dickey (1923-1997) ranks, along with Conrad Aiken , as one of the
two most important Georgia poets in the 20th century. His strongly
visceral, sensory-laden descriptions and a poetic style that deviated
from the intellectualism of such high modernist poets as T.S. Eliot,
Ezra Pound, and Gertrude Stein made him a distinctive figure in
contemporary American writing.
He began to reach artistic maturity in the 1950s, and his work
is typically considered alongside that of a number of other well
known mid-century poets, including Allen Ginsberg, Robert Lowell,
and John Berryman. His poetry is intensely confessional, largely
apolitical, and directly focused on the interactions of the individual
with the natural as well as the technologically transformed modern
world.
Dickey's most important work was as a poet, but he wrote criticism,
screenplays, essays, and three novels, one of which, Deliverance,
was a best seller and the basis of a widely praised film. As an
artist, critic, and public celebrator of poetry, Dickey was a highly
visible literary figure during the last half of the century. His
misbehavior at public events, his disorderly personal life, and
his self-destructive alcoholism only enhanced his public image as
a masculine, burly poet and man of American letters.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
In effect, you don't
want some people promoting matters
" I've done as much for golf as Truman Capote has done for
sumo wrestling."
-- Bob Hope, via Marshall Miller, Lilburn.
SEND
YOUR FEEDBACK
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
===========================================
MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com
© 2005, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum
is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett
County, Ga. USA.
|
