Study: Teachers morale is low
A recent study claims teachers are being left behind by federal education law.
In a recent series of studies entitled "Strong States, Weak Schools: The Dilemmas of Centralized Accountability," University of California Berkeley scholars report that teachers are losing steam and morale, at the same time increasing efforts to meet state and federal standards of achievement.
Large majorities of teachers, the studies found, became demoralized when accountability programs forced them to ignore ideas and topics not covered on centrally set standardized tests, like the Prairie State Achievement Exam or Illinois Standards Achievement Test.
Berkeley researchers Melissa Henne and Heeju Jang tracked local educators in 245 California elementary schools serving both Latino and white students in 2004, discovering that achievement gaps narrowed when principals focused on achievement and supported pedagogical innovations by their teachers.
"When district leaders emphasized that boosting learning is the paramount priority, and principals motivated their teachers, we found smaller achievement gaps between ethnic groups," Henne said in an Aug. 20 news release.
Because five of the Elgin Area School District U-46's high schools have failed to meet state standards for the past five years, the schools were required to submit restructuring plans to the state this year. One major component of those restructuring plans was implementing common assessments in various subjects in high schools across the district.
It's not always thrilling to be asked to think inside the box. But this report suggests a dangerous combination. With mounting expectations, and dipping morale, do test scores ever have a chance of improving?
Read more at www.berkeley.edu.
One more mobile: The Elgin Area School District U-46 board voted Monday to add a two-classroom mobile unit to Hillcrest Elementary School in Elgin. That brings the mobile count up to two for the west-side school, and 62 units in 23 of U-46's 53 schools this academic year.
Got a gifted student? Parents of third- and sixth- graders who live in U-46 boundaries and have not enrolled their kids in public school can have their budding geniuses screened for gifted education anytime from now through Oct. 24. Parents must provide achievement test scores and proof of residency within the school district.
Students accepted into the program would begin in the district's gifted program next school year when they enter either fourth or seventh grade.
Questions? The gifted office's number is (847) 888-5000, ext. 5308.