In an effort to boost achievement and better prepare students for the workforce, President Obama is spearheading a program that will bring high-speed Internet access to 99 percent of America's K-12 schools.
Dubbed ConnectED, the program aims to accomplish its goal in the next five years. In addition to bringing Internet speeds of at least 100 Mbps and as high as 1Gbps, the program will provide comprehensive training to teachers so that they are up-to-speed on best practices for using the Web in class.
A particular focus of ConnectED will be rural schools that have difficulty accessing the Internet. In a statement, Obama was clear that getting students connected and teachers trained is a priority. "We are living in a digital age, and to help our students get ahead, we must make sure they have access to cutting-edge technology," he said. "So today, I'm issuing a new challenge for America -- one that families, businesses, school districts and the federal government can rally around together -- to connect virtually every student in America's classrooms to high-speed broadband Internet within five years, and equip them with the tools to make the most of it."
Since their inception, schools have continually sought to improve in response to demands from teachers, administrators, parents, policymakers and legislators. When we look at the research into improving schools and examine the keys to school improvement, it invariably boils down to the ability of the people within the school to function as a professional learning community. A professional learning community (PLC) shares a vision. A vision is generally created by the principal to move the...
Some excerpts were used from "Enhancing A High-Performing School Culture and Climate." Bulach, Lunenburg and Potter
The type of principal needed in a high-performing school calls for a new approach to directing K-12 schools. The principal, faculty, staff, school board, parents and the community work together to create a shared vision of how to help all students achieve their highest potential. Each school is considered a professional learning community (PLC). This is a term that has...
Once you are offered the position, there are several next steps.
You should have provided vital information to the human resources department at the school district: such as a social security card, drivers license, passport, etc. You will probably be drug tested and fingerprint. HR will ask for your work experience (usually 5-10 years), all college transcripts, professional certificates, etc.
Most school districts will have orientation opportunities so you may be better...
I hope you find these hiring tips helpful. Remember first impressions count!
In today's world, interviewing can be on-line or in person. Many of these tips can be used in either case.
Do you remember what you were doing on December 14, 2012? I do. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was working in my office at a university when I suddenly began receiving messages about a school shooting in Connecticut. I kept reading and reading, and then I would cry because I could empathize with those teachers as I had been in a classroom not too long ago. It is a day I will never forget -- the day the...
I have spent over 50 years working in education from K-university. I have seen my fair share of educational politics on all levels. As school administrators you need to be aware of this in order to stay out of the political battles that you might arise. I have been a K-12 educator in 9 school districts in 5 states. I have also been a school board member and a university professor that worked with educational leaders. I have seen excellent school boards and superintendents and not so good...