What do you think of Common Core?
I believe these new standards can be good for our students and our profession. They give us the opportunity to lead our profession, but we must continue to be smart and patient as we shape the implementation as well as the development of the right assessments.
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Run? Hide? Fight? Safety strategies for worst-case scenarios
Some educators are learning how to be proactive to increase the odds that students and staff will survive a shooting. They are learning skills they hope they will never have to use, such as building barricades, evacuating students, and even distracting or disarming a shooter as a last resort.
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Adult education at a crossroads
After years of cutbacks, adult education programs may be poised for a comeback — if high schools and community colleges can work together to provide services.
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Peer Court gives students a second chance
At Davidson Middle School in San Rafael, students undergo a trial by their peers as an alternative to suspension and expulsion.
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Black Achievers: Closing gaps, opening doors
Junior Black Achievers Clubs are part of an effort by the Moreno Valley School District to help African American students achieve their potential.
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Common Core needs a course correction
NEA members don’t want to go back to the failed days of No Child Left Behind. Instead, we want states to make a strong course correction in Common Core implementation and move forward.
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Point/Counterpoint: Should schools provide condoms to students?
Should schools provide condoms to students? Some schools are dispensing condoms in Daly City, Santa Rosa, Los Angeles, and other areas around the state to protect students from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
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Making kids with boo-boos feel better is her specialty
Health aide Toni Belknap has been administering first aid — and hugs — to little ones in need at View Elementary School in Hermosa Beach for five years.
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Why I chose National Board Certification
I was drawn to National Board Certification because it is teachers setting the bar high for teachers. It is one of the steps educators are making in the process of taking back our profession from the politicians.
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CalSTRS Unfunded Liability
Despite the shortfall, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System has been and continues to be a sound system. Even now, CalSTRS is 71 percent funded and has sufficient assets and projected contributions to pay benefits until 2043.
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