Texas has had its share of headaches when it comes to testing.  Does anyone else remember the TECAT?  That was a test that every Texas teacher had to take to keep on trucking.  It was an absurd, expensive ordeal where teachers were treated like cattle because lawmakers weren't sure that they were educated enough ...

A video on the growing dilemma of how to successfully educate middle schoolers discusses doing away with middle schools altogether.  One possibility is to keep students in elementary school through the 8th grade.  Another choice is to house 6th through 12th graders ...

In an effort to help teachers facing problems with low performing students, the state of Rhode Island has placed step by step lesson plans on a Web site available to teachers and everyone else.   The article on boston.com also explains that using the plans is voluntary. The materials include more than 70 lesson plans, ...

There are so many teachable moments for preschoolers that Teach For America is launching an early childhood pilot program.  Founded in 1990 by then-college student Wendy Kopp, the New York City-based TFA has prepared 17,000 teachers through a program that includes an intensive summer training course and four weeks of student ...

My mother always used to say, ''Open the jar, and the worms will come out.''  This seemed to apply to almost any controversial situation.  Bloggers are having a field day with a ''jar opening'' decision about school vouchers. On cnn.com we learn that Utah lawmakers have okayed vouchers for all students currently ...

See the video posted on dallasnews.com showing a group headed to Austin to participate in a rally for vouchers. Several private school parents said they need public funding so they don't have to skimp on other things to cover education costs. Public school parents at the rally said vouchers could help their children bail ...

The U.S. Department of Education threatened yesterday to take ''enforcement action''  against Virginia if any school districts defy a federal mandate to give reading tests to thousands of immigrant students.  An update to this story on washingtonpost.com shows that some districts aren't backing down regardless of possible ...

The superintendent for Anne Arundel is making an entire staff of a high school reapply for their jobs.  This includes teachers, administrators, custodians, and secretaries.  Get out the broom, and get ready for a clean sweep.  Annapolis High School has failed to meet No Child Left Behind guidelines for four ...

Everyone wants to blame teachers for low test scores.  After all, teachers are the easiest targets.  I have to wonder how much money is being spent on all of the research studies about improving teacher quality.  What about the time and effort spent on discussions about the No Child Left Behind Law?  Are ...

I did not realize that scores of studies are being conducted to determine the effectiveness of a master's degree in education for classroom teachers.  I do remember the long hours I spent studying in order to receive my master's degree.  Most of my study hours were at night after my three children were in ...