LinkEd Blog
Should it be easier to fire teachers?
Posted by annamarkowitz
May 06, 2009, 2:13 pm
In New York City we spent 75 million dollars to pay teachers who were displaced from closed schools, program cuts and voluntary transfers. These teachers are now substitute teachers and now get paid the same amount as they did when they lead a classroom. The only difference is that now they are "on call" and can be busy teaching one day and can be free the next.
Classroom in the Forest?
Posted by Beardy
May 05, 2009, 5:42 pm
A school in upstate New York is trying something new: the kindergarten class is going to spend their days in the forest of Saratoga Spa State Park.
According to Capital News 9, the school made a deal with the park to hold most of the class outdoors in the park gardening, learning about the woods, and exploring the other wonders of the great outdoors. The children will still be engaged in standard instruction - just in a different setting.
Is the Swine Flu Closing Schools?
Posted by Beardy
April 29, 2009, 4:30 pm
According to the Associated Press, only 100 schools across the nation have closed their doors out of fear of the spreading swine flu. But will that stop the spread? What is your school doing? As a teacher, are you prepared to continue lessons beyond the classroom? Consider preparing for lessons distributed over the internet or involving other forms of media. Check out resources on LinkEducation.org for great programs given across the internet.
Study blames teachers and principals for low performing schools
Posted by annamarkowitz
April 28, 2009, 3:59 pm
Joel Klein and Al Sharpton's EEP (Education Equality Project) came out with a study about why there is an achievement gap between high and low income students, white and ethnic schools, and United States vs. schools around the world. Some people say that it is blaming it on the teachers and principals in the low performing areas. What is your take on this problem? Check out this spicy article from People's Weekly World
Huge Gap in Graduation Rates
Posted by annamarkowitz
April 22, 2009, 12:59 pm
The average graduation rate in a suburb is 71% and in urban settings is 53%. Check out which cities and suburbs have the largest discrepancies in this New York Times article
Mickey Mouse Teaches English to Chinese
Posted by AdminLinkEd
April 21, 2009, 8:43 am
Disney has theme parks, cruises, and now schools? You better believe it. Walt Disney Co. opened a new school in Shanghai, China to teach children English. Sure the Disney brand is greatly benefiting from these courses as Lilo and Stitch, Toy Story, and other Disney films fill the classrooms and learning curricula, but are the children learning English or just the Disney brand?
Education News Roundup
Posted by Rachel
April 20, 2009, 6:45 pm
3,200 More Children Expected to Enroll in Kindergarten After ACS Daycare Cuts (Post)
Gioia Wants to Separate Schools and Fast Food (Times)
Can All Children Learn?
Posted by marybeth@watchmelearn.com
April 17, 2009, 9:05 pm
by MaryBeth Palo, mother of a child with autism and founder of Watch Me Learn
In today’s society, we generally rely on professionals for answers and for guidance on how to teach a child. We receive medical reports, educational assessments and scientific data to answer this question. Then a method of treatment and teaching is formulated.
The problems are:
Meet a Teacher #4: Engagement First
Posted by Rhodie
April 17, 2009, 1:27 am
Meet a NYC Teacher: Kevin Edwards
This article doesn’t begin here. It begins beneath the horizontal line a few paragraphs down. Toward the end of the article, there will be a test. The test will consist of four questions. Your performance on this test will determine whether or not you are allowed to read the next Meet a Teacher entry on LinkEd. Answers for this test will be based on information gleaned from this page, as well as on your personal experiences.
Is the UFT controling the City Council's view on Charter School?
Posted by annamarkowitz
April 15, 2009, 6:59 pm
Check out this article from the New York Observer and decide for yourself whose side you are on. There sure are some strong opinions flying around the education arena right now...
These Children Can Behave
Posted by Beardy
April 08, 2009, 8:31 pm
Behavior problems among young children are a growing issues these days for many reasons and excuses. The possible causes are endless: the pressure to teach math or reading instead of emotional skills; the lack of recess; unstable family lives; increasing emphasis on childcare...and the list goes on. But these causes are by no means an excuse. These children can behave and they can learn - if given appropriate guidance.
Vote for Charter School Business Management
Posted by annamarkowitz
April 07, 2009, 12:59 pm
Charter School Business Management is a finalist for the US Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Award! It is great to see a business that helps Charter Schools in NYC in the running for this prestigious award. We would love to have your help to make sure that Charter School Business Management wins this award. Cast your vote here to make sure they blow away the competition!
Calling All Afterschool Artists
Posted by Beardy
April 07, 2009, 7:24 am
Calling all afterschool artists: the Afterschool Alliance is seeking artwork for their 2009 Lights On Afterschool poster. The winning student image will be printed on 50,000 posters and sent to afterschool programs from coast to coast for their Lights On Afterschool celebrations this October 22, and will be featured all year at
UFT and Parents Win... for now
Posted by annamarkowitz
April 06, 2009, 10:59 pm
The UFT and parents in the Harlem communities that are zoned for P.S. 241 and P.S. 194 were up in arms when they were told - without any consultation of their local Community Education Councils (CEC)- that their schools were going to close next year and be replaced by Charter Schools.
They filed a lawsuit against the DOE and on last Thursday the DOE announced that they would reverse the decision to close the schools. They said that the schools would remain open next year and just would not take in a new class of 6th graders.
Al Sharpton Throws Joel Klien to the Angry Mob
Posted by annamarkowitz
April 03, 2009, 4:59 pm
So today I had the pleasure to attend a panel discussion coordinated by EEP (a non profit co-founded with Al Sharpton and Joel Klein). We all knew it was going to be a feisty showdown, but we didn't know exactly how much so until Al Sharpton himself stood up, and introduced his right hand man to speak about his views on Mayoral control.
Exciting Panel Discussion Re: Mayoral Control on Friday
Posted by Beardy
April 02, 2009, 4:43 pm
Tomorrow Joel Klein, Mayor Bloomberg, and Rev. Al Sharpton will be panelists at the free Education Equality Project's conference. It should be a lively discussion about mayoral control and we encourage you all to take a break from your day to listen, ask questions, and decide what you think should happen.
The event will be at the Sheraton Hotel, 811 7th Ave, West 53rd St. And 7th Ave.
Hope to see you there!
The best way to teach teachers
Posted by annamarkowitz
March 31, 2009, 2:59 pm
It is a now commonly believed that teachers are the main factor in high student achievement, but how do we prepare teachers to be the best they can be? Check out this article about which teacher trainings are doing best.
Teachers, Would You Let All Teachers Teach YOUR Kids?
Posted by Beardy
March 30, 2009, 7:05 am
Check out this great discussion on Eduwonk.com about Obama's online Q & A. The post starts out explaining the question Obama received from a teacher asking for his definition of charter schools and teacher quality, but the discussion revolves mostly around teacher quality and how to measure it efficiently but also accurately.
Teachers, go take a look. What do you think?
Chocolate, Science and Nutrition in the Classroom?
Posted by Beardy
March 27, 2009, 9:40 am
Chocolate, science and nutrition. How can these three topics be compatible in the classroom?
Schools Near Fastfood Chains Have Higher Obesity Rates
Posted by annamarkowitz
March 26, 2009, 5:19 pm
In a recent study by Columbia University and the University of California, they proved causation of obesity by the proximity of fast food restaurants to schools.
There is a 5% increase of obesity in 9th graders that have fast food restaurants within 1/10th of a mile.
It is not exactly clear why there is an increase in obesity in students who are close to fast food chains, but this is a good reason to put zoning regulations that prohibit fast food restaurants near schools.
