January 06, 2012 @ 08:30 PM

The Associated Press (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/x1384915826/Gov-releases-sweeping-review-of-education-system)

CHARLESTON — A sweeping review of West Virginia’s public schools released Friday offers scores of recommendations that its authors say can improve lagging student performance and save about $70 million a year statewide.

From a voluntary merit pay system for teachers and reduced workloads for new educators, to seizing on distance-learning technology and penalizing counties that fail to provide at least 180 days of instruction annually, the audit scrutinizes the state’s education system from practically every angle.

“The main thrust of this review is to make the West Virginia educational system more efficient, from top to bottom, so that tax dollars can be better spent educating our children,” the report from the consulting firms Public Works LLC and MGT said.

Hired by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s administration, the firms concluded that West Virginia has perhaps the most regulated education system in the country. State laws control many details of school operations, the review found. The state Department of Education, while led by a board whose members are appointed by the governor, is independent of both the executive and legislative branches under the West Virginia Constitution.

“We have encountered no other state that insulates its education system so much from gubernatorial – or voter – control; restricts local initiative so much on the part of districts, building principals, and teachers; and vests so much authority for education at the state level,” Friday’s report said.

While that may be the choice of the state’s citizens, the report continues, “it runs counter to most of the concern and thinking in educational reform today that individual initiative and accountability should be encouraged, while responsibility for education must ultimately come to a single point at the top of the pyramid.”

The audit also ranked West Virginia second for the number of state-level staff when compared to student populations. Even when narrowing the focus to states with similar student populations or rural terrain, the state had among the lowest ratios of bureaucrats to students.

“In recent years, (the Department of Education) in fact has demonstrated an ability modestly to reduce overall departmental staffing levels through attrition,” the report said. “At the very same time, however, it has increased its number of high-level positions.”

Around 60 of the review’s recommendations would trim and reorganize that bureaucracy. While calling for fewer department employees, it also recommends hiring architects and engineers to replace contractors. The department should absorb the training-oriented Center for Professional Development, which is now independent, but shed the Cedar Lakes Conference Center, the report said.

Another 73 recommendations focus on teachers, principals and school coursework. These include requiring a reduced workload for new teachers, and low-cost loans for those who agree to live and work in the more rural communities for five years. They also propose special pay to retain teachers or keep them in high-need schools and subject areas. The state should also offer higher salaries to teachers who agree to merit-based pay, the report said.

Such proposals have proved thorny, as has enforcing a 180-day school calendar. While West Virginia sets that as the goal, it does not mandate that minimum. But 29 states do, and 11 states require more than 180 days, the report said. Japan, meanwhile, sets a 240-day school year and the calendars in Europe call for between 190 and 210 days, the report said.

No West Virginia school offered 180 days of instruction during the 2009-2010 year, the review found. Of the 55 counties, 27 reached only 169 days or less. One unnamed county had its schools open for just 160 days.

The review said the state should abolish the calendar’s 43-week limit, reduce the number of staff support days and “provide consequences to districts for not meeting the 180-day minimum.”
But the report also noted that “time in school alone, however, will not improve student outcomes. What matters most is quality, instructional time.”

West Virginia spent $3.5 billion on primary and secondary education during the 2010 budget year, the report said. By some measures, it ranks in the Top 10 among states for per-pupil spending, the report said. But it also notes that when pension-related spending isn’t counted, it ranks 32nd. The state has one of the worst-funded teacher pension programs in the country, and dedicates part of its annual budget toward gradually erasing that unfunded liability.

The review focused on various state-level departments as well as one of the state’s eight Regional Education Service Agency and Harrison, Taylor and Wyoming county school systems. MGT handled the RESA and county reviews, and all sought to survey all 55 districts. While 47 took part, eight did not: Clay, Doddridge, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Monroe, Ritchie and Roane counties.

Of those eight, one declined and two did not respond. The others responded too late, did not send needed information or took part only in the survey’s online forum component.

(Here is a link to a PDF file of the report issued: http://www.governor.wv.gov/initiatives/satf/Documents/WVDE%20Report%20Final.pdf)

August 5, 2011

By Carol Brown

At its start, Facebook was once exclusively for college students. But as it has grown in popularity and become adopted by everyone from grad students to grandmas, its usefulness has grown, too. Educators are beginning to realize the powerful potential that Facebook has in the classroom, not as a distraction, but as a collaborative learning tool. While some schools and instructors may be wary of inviting such a temptingly fun procrastination platform into their classrooms, others have seen great benefits in using social media. In fact, teacher Elizabeth Delmatoff in Portland saw a 50% increase in grades after implementing a social media program in her classroom. How can Facebook benefit your class? Online College enumerates 50 ways.

1. Facebook is fun: Almost every student is familiar with Facebook, and most are excited to be able to use the site for collaborative learning.
2. It’s free: Schools pay thousands of dollars for collaboration, digital storage, and communication systems, but Facebook does all of these things — for free.
3. Students are simply more connected: Many teachers are familiar with Blackboard and other classroom community systems, but students typically only check in when necessary, while students are often checking Facebook multiple times per day.
4. Calendars and events are easy to share: Remind students of important dates and events right where they hang out — on Facebook.
5. Students will learn 21st century skills: A study from the University of Minnesota discovered that social networking sites like Facebook help students practice the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century.
6. Students want to share beyond the classroom: Facebook and other social media tools open up the possibility for students to share what they’ve learned not just with their fellow students, but with the world.
7. Online resources are even more convenient: Posting links on your classroom wall makes it easy for students to read them, and share interesting finds as well.
8. Students can use Facebook productively: Most students use Facebook to procrastinate or catch up with friends, but using it in the classroom will help them see the tool in a different light.
9. Absent students stay in the loop: Students who can’t make it to class can stay updated using the classroom Facebook group.
10. Campus clubs have a simple forum: Students in extracurricular activities can use Facebook to stay in touch and keep everyone updated.
11. You can schedule daily learning activities: Sign up your classroom Facebook group for a word of the day, or history lesson of the day to utilize a learning point that can be enjoyed together and referenced later.
12. Facebook encourages collaboration rather than cliques: Everyone can speak up and work together on Facebook, where students may be held back socially in the classroom.
13. There’s an opportunity to discuss appropriate use: Set students up for success in social media by discussing appropriate ways to use it.
14. Facebook creates a social bond: Teachers and students can benefit from the social bond created by interaction on Facebook.
15. Students can get access to extra assignments: Instructors can post extra credit assignments-or just fun activities students can pick up.
16. Review material is easily organized: By tagging important items, you can easily collect links, photos, notes, and other resources that are essential for pre-exam review, which is useful for instructors as well as students.
17. It’s great for professional development: Students aren’t the only ones who can benefit from using Facebook. Teachers can use it for professional development, too.
18. Students can listen more actively: Students may passively listen to lectures, but interactively using Facebook will result in active learning.
19. Parents can be more involved: Share lunch menus, important reminders, activities, events, closings, and special notes via a Facebook Page for your classroom.
20. Class resources are available anywhere: Students can read notes and assignments anywhere they can find the Internet when they’re posted on Facebook.
21. You can reach students on to go: Want to remind your chronically late students to get to class on time today? Students can receive Facebook updates by text, allowing you to get in contact before they’re late for your lecture.
22. Students can learn about social media in a safe environment: By using Facebook in the classroom, you can teach students about the safe use of social media.
23. You’ll save paper: Permission slips and flyers that used to be sent home on paper and eaten by the dog can bow be uploaded in Facebook groups for parents to use instead.
24. Students can conduct research: Whether it’s for asking a far-flung family member about genealogy or taking an informal poll, students can use their Facebook friends to gather information.
25. Facebook is great for reminders: Even if you’re mentioning important dates and assignments elsewhere, students can be helped with reminders that pop up right in their Facebook feed.
26. Students can share at-home progress: Want to know how student science projects are coming along? Ask for photos of their works in progress, posted on your classroom Facebook wall.
27. Social media becomes less of a distraction: Some teachers have found that using Facebook and other social media sites for education means that students are less tempted to use them inappropriately during class time.
28. Shy students can shine: Students who might otherwise not speak up can contribute on Facebook where they may be more comfortable.
29. You can share resources with colleagues: Your school teaching group or a collection of 4th grade teachers in your district can get together can share resources for teaching, saving time and enriching the classroom experience for students.
30. Kids and parents can talk about activities: When parents are following along with class postings, they’ll never have to wonder what happened at school-and they can build upon what was discussed.
31. Media can be disseminated with ease: Teachers, students, and parents can post pictures, video, and questions, sharing a dialog and resources on Facebook.
32. Group projects can be executed on Facebook: Students can form groups for class projects, sharing assignments, information, and bringing it all together with trackable involvement.
33. Show and tell: Students may not be able to bring their zoo-worthy python into the classroom, but photos and videos can be shared on Facebook.
34. Debates can be taken online: Extend classroom discussions onto Facebook, where students can spend more time in active learning and debate.
35. Students are more likely to interact with faculty: Facebook breaks down barriers, making instructors more socially available to students-and making it easier to talk to them.
36. Outsiders can offer their input: Teachers can easily ask experts to chime in on Facebook pages, sparking a new level of discussion and involvement.
37. Students can learn the importance of creating content: Instead of simply consuming content, students can create, posting discussions, resources, and more.
38. Faculty can learn names and faces: With constant updates and interaction, faculty can use Facebook to better associate names and faces in the classroom.
39. Students can interact with others around the world: Many classrooms use Facebook for foreign language learning, partnering up with students who speak different languages.
40. Facebook can help new students settle in: Whether it’s grade school or college, Facebook is a great tool for helping students get integrated into the social and academic life of a new school.
41. You can poll students on Facebook: Ask questions of your class on Facebook and get easy answers using polling tools on the site.
42. You can get instant feedback: Find out quickly and easily what students think of an assignment or activity idea.
43. Students can stay connected anywhere: Even if they can’t make it to class or check Facebook on their home computer, students can use Facebook on their mobile devices to stay updated at all times.
44. Instructors can better understand the interests of students: When students make their profile details available, instructors can learn more about a student’s major, interests, and background, allowing them to suggest information and topics they’d be interested in.
45. Facebook is full of learning apps: You can find tons of apps for classroom learning, including mathematical formulas, slideshow applications, class notes, and more.
46. Relationships can continue after the course: Students can ask for recommendation letters, advice for other classes, and more because of Facebook’s informal communication.
47. Students can become established on Facebook: Using Facebook in the classroom will allow students to start seeing it as a professional tool, and allow them to build a presence on the site.
48. Facebook provides an opportunity for collaborative learning: Bringing the social element of Facebook into collaborative learning helps to encourage the practice and improve student engagement.
49. Students can learn about academic and professional networking opportunities: By using Facebook, students will be able to discover the opportunities for career focused networking that are available.
50. Faster feedback: Facebook allows instructors to host extended virtual office hours, with postings and responses available around the clock.

by Nicholas Provenzano

7/21/11

I am a Social Studies and English teacher by trade. I have a fondness for American Literature and History because they are woven together very closely. Indeed, they are two facets of the same innovative and collaborative process: Determining how our newly formed nation would function. When it comes to important American documents, I find myself teaching them in a government class and a literature class.

The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are great guides for setting up classroom rules. By using them as a template, your students can also have a hand in creating the classroom environment.

In all of my classes, I have a basic set of rules regarding language, materials, homework, tests, etc. I place all of these in a syllabus and give a copy to each student. Within the first few weeks of school, we cover The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. We dive into the complaints the colonists had with the crown and discuss which side had the right to be angry.

After that discussion, I let the students create a Student Declaration of Independence using the US version as a guide. The students are allowed to take issue with any or all of my class rules and the rules of the school as a whole. It is always interesting to see what students take issue with over the years. After this project, we cover the US Constitution.

After reading the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, I issue a challenge to the students. I tell them to come up with their own set of laws (rules) to govern their class period. The laws need to be reasonable and as President, I have the right to veto any law that is against school/district policy. They are only allowed to present five laws, so they need to be careful what they choose to present.

Students then break into groups and come up with different laws they want to present. Some focus on later work or extra credit. Others are about being late to class or class parties. Since students have the code of conduct in a planner they were all issued at the start of the year, they can check to see if their proposed laws break school or district policy. The class is active for a few days as kids work together to negotiate which laws they want to present and how they intend to argue for their laws. It is an exciting atmosphere.

Once all of the laws are presented, I take a day to review them and create a poster board, for each class, listing my laws and their new laws. These poster boards hang on the walls for the entire year for all to see.

It is always fun to see other classes kick themselves for not thinking of a specific law that another class presented.

It is important to let students be part of the process when creating classroom rules. When students can take ownership of something, they take it more seriously. Over the years, my kids have had a good time, and never disputed any of the rules for the year. There was a mutual respect when it came to discipline because they had a hand in creating the rules.

How do you get students to participate in creating a positive classroom atmosphere?