The folly of our test fixation is plain to all. Except ministers
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Let’s give the government some credit. Faced with almost united criticism over the way its testing regime has placed pressure on children and distorted learning in schools, it decided to try a different approach. Last December more than 400 primary schools took part in a pilot scheme for new, shorter Sats tests. The key idea [...]
A is for Apprenticeships but are they the right ones
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While respecting the old adage of never judging a book by its cover, titles can be very illuminating. Last week saw the publication of the government’s Strategy for the Future of Apprenticeships in England.Two aspects stand out. First, central government is setting out the ways in which apprenticeship has become yet another vehicle for achieving [...]
Funding sought to preserve native languages
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Teaching American Indian languages in schools is a tool that educators say has been tested as a way of raising the achievement bar.
To that end, the State Board of Education is seeking $275,000 to preserve and revitalize Utah’s indigenous languages to help narrow achievement gaps.
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Checks on its way to mailbox #151; guv OKs teacher pay raises
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Teachers: Your money is here at last.
Educators in at least 23 school districts finally will get their full $2,500 raise the Legislature attempted to give them last session, when calculation errors essentially shortchanged them. The rest of those $1,000 bonuses is on its way, too.
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Former teachers could get streamlined license renewal
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Utah may have a shortage of teachers in the classroom, but thousands of former teachers who have left public education and let their licenses expire are still out there. And one lawmaker aims to get some of them back.
Friday morning the Senate Education Committee passed [...]
Senators OK 3 bills boosting education
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Lawmakers gave the nod to a number of bills aimed at boosting pay for some educators, lowering class sizes, netting quality teachers for Utah’s classrooms and extending the school year.
The Senate passed three bills Wednesday that would address some of the major woes of Utah’s [...]
Bonus bill doesnt shock districts
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PROVO Budget gurus in Utah County’s three school districts were thrilled but not overly surprised to hear that Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. on Wednesday signed HB1.
The bill makes sure teachers will receive a full $2,500 salary increase and $1,000 bonus as was allocated last year.
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Exlegislator to fill education post
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Christmas is coming in February for Joanne Milner.
The former Salt Lake City councilwoman and state legislator was announced Wednesday as Mayor Ralph Becker’s choice to fill the new position of education partnership coordinator in the mayor’s office.
Milner, who has spent the past [...]
Target yearround school programs advance in committee
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Two bills that would serve as incentives for school districts to offer extended school year options for specific educator groups received nods from the House Education Committee Friday.
HB270 would establish an optional grant program to provide an extended year for math and science teachers through [...]
Eagle Mtn. principal is announced
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VINEYARD Experience in opening a new school, along with years of successful administration, helped principal Tom Tillman be selected to lead Alpine School District’s new elementary school in Eagle Mountain.
Tillman, 37, of Saratoga Springs, has served as principal of Vineyard Elementary School for seven years. [...]
