District Administration - May 2007 - (Page 11)

Letters Burned Out on Homework “The Homework Myth,” December 2006 I just read the article “The Homework Myth” written by Alfie Kohn. First, I am a mother of three daughters, ages 10, 15, 17. They are all so burned out on homework from having been assigned worksheet after worksheet. I can’t get any of them to pick up a book to read for pleasure because books are considered more work. If a teacher “assigns” reading as homework, it would benefit the child so much more if work were not attached to it. Reading for life skills and pleasure should be emphasized, not reading for work. Penny Crawford RN, PHN Atascadero, California me with a grocery list of things we will change. However, your observation that there was nothing on the site devoted to student achievement was inaccurate. It was probably easy to miss, but the Annual Report section is updated annually with standardized test data, NCLB compliance data, and a brief but comprehensive financial report. Thanks so much for showcasing our district. Gary Olsen, Webmaster, Dubuque Community Schools, Dubuque, Iowa opposition to the domain of zealots does us all great disservice. Mark T. Hupp, Director of Technology, Northbrook Glenview School District #30, Northbrook, Ill. No Fractional Support “Research Corner: K8 Math Strategies” March 2007 I was disappointed for several reasons that this article wholeheartedly approved the NCTM proposal to improve K8 mathematics programs. In particular, I find unacceptable NCTM’s insistence that children by grade 4 must know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions. There is no empirical evidence that this is a reasonable objective, and there is overwhelming evidence that the subject is too difficult for a high percentage of these youngsters to master. Patrick Groff, Professor of Education Emeritus San Diego State University, San Diego, Calif. Support from Newsweek “Curriculum Hotspots” February 2007 I was delighted to pick up the latest issue of District Administration and see that you’d chosen to list the Newsweek Education Program among the “curriculum hotspots” highlighted. We recognize the growing importance and usefulness of the Internet in the classroom, and are committed to making our site richer and more robust each year. Failing to Address Accessibility “Creating an Effective Virtual School Program” March 2007 Nice article on virtual schools. There’s one issue that’s missing, though, and it’s probably worth a separate article. A number of program developers fail Maureen Costello, Director, Newsweek Education to think about how to provide access Program, New York, N.Y. to online education opportunities for special needs students and students with Beyond Zealots and Kooks disabilities. Access is a legal issue that “The Parental Veto of Curriculum” school administrators need to consider March 2007 when they create virtual education Gary Stager’s column suggests that only programs. Please, don’t ignore this zealots and religious kooks question Al important issue. Gore. This is far from the truth. In fact, Raymond M. Rose, Education Consultant I have spoken to three Chicago-area Cedar Park, Texas meteorologists who ALL tell me that they view the warming of the planet Helpful Site Review to be related to solar activity – not “Do These Web Sites Work?” CO2. One admitted that it is very March 2007 unpopular to question “Man-Made Thanks for the review of our Web Global Warming Theory” and that she site (Dubuque Community Schools, has learned to keep her mouth shut on www.dubuque.k12.ia.us). It was very the topic. helpful. Your comments were insightful One of the casualties of Mr. Gore’s and much appreciated. I agree with documentary is good science. To ascribe everything you said, and you provided Editor’s comment: This issue includes a special report, “Focal Points for PreK8 Math,” with diff ering viewpoints on how and when the new NCTM standards may be implemented. The Real Thing March 2006 Issue When reading District Administration I tear out articles for copying or forwarding to district leaders or the board of education. “Hunting for Talent” went to each building principal and the district human resource coordinator, “Finding Funds for Student Laptops” went to the district technology coordinator and the director of assessment and learning, and the “Principal Opinion” column will be shared with every administrator and teacher leader in Greendale. District Administration is the real thing when it comes to school improvement and boosting student achievement. William H. Hughes, Ph.D., Superintendent, Greendale School District, Greendale, Wis. Letters to the Editor may be sent to jhartnett@edmediagroup.com, or mailed to Judy F. Hartnett, District Administration, 488 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851. Selections that are published may be edited for length and clarity, and become the property of District Administration. www.DistrictAdministration.com May 2007 11 http://www.dubuque.k12.ia.us http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - May 2007

Contents
Editor’s Letter
Letters
News Update
Inside the Law
Curriculum Update
Administrator Profile
District Profi le
Focal Points for Pre-K8 Math
Games Students Play
Healthy Choices
Tragic Lessons
Learning with Personal Media Players
New Products
Computer Literature
Problem Solution
Professional Opinion
Speaking Out
Online Edge
Calendar of Events
Research Corner

District Administration - May 2007

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