District Administration - August 2007 - (Page 20)

BRIEFINGS CurriculumUpdate GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER HOPES THE NEW ENCORPS Teachers Program will help ﬁll 33,000 math, science and career tech teacher vacancies in California schools by recruiting retired professionals from the private sector. The program will create a path for retirees from hi-tech, biotech, ﬁnance and other industries to become teachers through an ongoing internship program that will allow them to gain teaching credentials. These professionals, who have degrees in math and science, will bring their experience and knowledge to the classroom. EnCorps has been funded federally with $12 million and is backed by corporations such as IBM, Chevron, City National Bank, East West Bank, Ares Management, Edison and QUALCOMM. Each corporation has committed to donate up to $15,000 per company retiree wishing to pursue a teaching degree and a new career. According to Schwarzenegger, “People want to serve their community and gov.ca.gov are ready for another challenge besides the golf course.” By Ken Royal Governor Schwarzenegger: The Rejuvenator Arnold Schwarzenegger’s EnCorps Teachers Program recruits teachers from among private sector retirees. Grants Improve History Teaching ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL Progress NAEP, less than one quarter of America’s fourth-, eighth-, and 12th-graders are proﬁcient in American history. In June, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced 122 American history grants for 2007, totaling $116 million. “These grants will provide teachers with a better understanding of our nation’s history and the principles of democracy,” said Spellings. The Teaching American History Grants have been awarded yearly to support three-year projects, which include intensive and ongoing teacher professional development. Grantees partner with libraries, museums, nonproﬁt history or humanities organizations, and universities. A list of state recipients and district awards can be viewed at the Department of Education Web site. The next round of grants opens in January 2008. www.ed.gov www.ed.gov/programs/teachinghistory/index.html Classroom Safe Space DISTRICTS LOOKING FOR WAYS to take advantage of new literacies, which include how to read and decipher information on the Internet, and at the same time provide safe environments for students using them, may want to check out imbee.com, a free social network, collaboration and publishing space for teachers and students. It’s a place to build, create and share student writing, and publishing skills in a secure and fun way. The site enables teachers and parents to work together closely to guide childrens’ forays into social networking while bolstering classroom learning. When students are connected as a class, they can blog, use instant messaging and share photos with their classmates. Teachers can direct individual and small group student activities. www.imbee.com/teacher 20 August 2007 Parental Stereotyping RESEARCH BY PAMELA DAVISKEAN, UNIVERSITY of Michigan psychologist, and her colleagues has found that the reason females are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math—even though they test as well as their male counterparts in grades 1-6 in math ability—may stem from stereotyping by their parents. The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research study concluded that more supportive home environments, including the purchase of more math and science toys, were provided to sons than daughters. Girls’ interest in math decreased as their fathers’ gender stereotyping increased, while boys’ interests in math increased. Fathers and sons seemed to spend more time on math and science. www.engin.umich.edu/students/support/wie District Administration http://gov.ca.gov http://www.ed.gov http://www.ed.gov/programs/teachinghistory/index.html http://www.imbee.com/teacher http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/support/wie

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

Contents
Editor’s Letter
Letters
News Update
Technology Update
Curriculum Update
Inside the Law
Research Corner
Computer Literature
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Bus Money
DIBELS Draws Doers & Doubters
Report from EduComm 2007
Ins and Outs of Outsourcing
Curriculum Clearance
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
New Products
Problem Solution
Online Edge
Speaking Out
Professional Opinion
Calendar of Events
Understanding the Times

District Administration - August 2007