Public or Private?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090226093423.htm

I don’t know about you but I am tired of the perception that private is always more rigorous or better.  I’ve worked in a parochial school environment before and always accounted the success of the students to the supportive school environment and engaged parents.  The teachers I worked with were dedicated hardworking individuals that were barely getting paid a living wage, but I always felt something was missing.  Perhaps it was professional development?

A recent study from the University of Illinois might have the answer.  Science Daily reports that public schools are beginning to score higher on NAEP testing that private schools.  The authors of the study suggest that private schools have fallen behind in Professional Development and up to date curriculum.  Another interesting read….

Art and Science of Teaching

http://ascd.typepad.com/blog/2009/02/marzano-responds-chapter-one.html

We’ve all read or at least perused Marzano’s Classroom Instruction that Works.  Did you know there is a second book in the series called the Art and Science of Teaching.  The goal of each book is to look at the research and see what classroom practices really can be attributed to increased learning/higher achievement.

ASCD is doing an interesting series right now.  Dina Strasser, a 7^th grade English teacher, is reading and blogging about the book one chapter at a time.  Robert Marzano then reads and responds to her post on what she has written. 

Should prove to be a valuable learning opportunity.  Marzano has already said that teachers need to take into account their own experiences before jumping on any bangwagon.  The teacher has to be the filter.

I look forward to reading the rest of the series.