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<div>February 19, 2014 - In This Issue:</div>
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<tbody><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK17">A bellwether election year</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK45">Testing pushback</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK44">College-prep revolt</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK43">For dual-enrollment to work</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK42">Districts and colleges: better together</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK53">Student-centered learning for underserved students</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK55">All eyes on North Carolina</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK54">How state teacher policies stack up</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK46">BRIEFLY NOTED CALIFORNIA</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK56">BRIEFLY NOTED</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK19">UPCOMING EVENTS</a></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;border-bottom:2px dotted #8c8d8d;border-color:#8c8d8d;padding:7px 0px 7px 0px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div><a style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;font-size:10pt;" shape="rect" href="http://mail.aol.com/38394-111/cs_com-6/en-us/Lite/MsgRead.aspx?folder=NewMail&uid=27590693&seq=0&searchIn=none&searchQuery=&start=0&sort=received&sortDir=descending#aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK60">GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES</a></div>
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<a name="aolmail_LETTER.BLOCK17"></a><table id="aolmail_content_LETTER.BLOCK17" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="color:#454545;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;padding:8px 25px 9px 25px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div>
<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><span style="color: #f14e23;"><b>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">A bellwether election year</div>
</b></span></div>
<div style="color:#454545;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">State elections
involving three dozen governors and more than 6,000 legislators this
year could have major consequences for education policies, with the
Common Core, school choice, collective bargaining, and early education
likely to get attention, writes Andrew Ujifusa for Education Week. In
some states, 2014 may prove pivotal for controversial education measures
enacted as a result of the 2010 election, when the GOP took control of
12 additional state legislatures and six more governorships. For
example, since 2011, nine states have adopted A-F school accountability
systems. The 2014 elections will also test voter response to, and the
durability of, changes in public-employee collective-bargaining power
that GOP leaders such as Gov. Scott Walker (Wisconsin) and Gov. Rick
Snyder (Michigan) championed. But the chance to push back on those
signature accomplishments, combined with a desire to restore funding and
services, could invigorate races and provide openings for traditional
education leaders. The trickiest education issue for state officials in
2014 could be what to do and say about the Common Core, particularly for
Republicans in tough primary elections. GOP candidates in those races
have little to gain from vigorously defending the standards with voters
in the Republican base who fear that the Common Core amounts to federal
encroachment. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJMg0czWQf7bWG8lvbOSdv4KlcnqD7HcufSKIemrZZmvU7T570wi-H5FmUYk07a0_QSgTXYxeBPNOxtoSMUmQnncZqKcEDger-CXlOE3sD9w6vHEYZ_PpqENBqlpz7wJ5_WByDQ_obIED97Hd_EQDmN-5XVudlQITLeWpHcR4ibV1LDa_k5HKKTD6yZ3QsUDQX8Zizm5cpBEy5R7X43Jh13NK3GGbHLbhAkRBWxPXnQ97vpEy-E76ezh5qs8wGqldOAvNkSA2JTpnF6M47k-qGVo">More</a></div>
</span></div>
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<div>
<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><span style="color: #f14e23;"><b><span>Testing pushback</span> </b></span></div>
<div style="color:#454545;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span>Testing
season begins soon in U.S. public schools, but a pushback is mounting
against federal regulations, writes Lyndsey Layton in The Washington
Post. NCLB stipulates that every state annually test every student in
grades 3 through 8 in math and reading, reporting scores publicly.
Forty-five states and the District of Columbia are teaching math and
reading differently because of the Common Core, but aligned exams won't
be available until next year. Most states will dust off their old tests
and hope for the best. Because tests will be out-of-sync with
instruction, federal officials are permitting suspension of
accountability decisions. In D.C. and 36 states, students will
field-test questions for the new exams, and these students are excused
from older tests. But the Obama administration will not back down from
requiring every state to test every student in certain grades.
California plans to give field tests with sample questions from the new
exam, but because a field test does not reliably measure student
achievement, California will not score the tests, and results will not
be publicly reported. The state will use last year's scores for
accountability, essentially maintaining the status quo for this
transition year. The federal government has not resolved the issue with
California.</span> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJN_vivOG9IP4s-6ryG19WNnE5w2jhdjKHpecVNgfMSie5kA37MmIs4ai0GpBNopaGrzGt_5yWPWd0UxFxeVU8fvdLfsKHXbz4NnuPEun_1jVspNZbA1eO4uqu8WiSIJAd4Nbbqd7V-SG5NAzRwJIxEgmuvgQcBrNZBwAHMVsWu_O1gDuh1wDR5mktiU_btOAF2KSC6j70OzRswIiv_nrhLbbIMv5f05Lbv4buZPEv0wOb-1KfMY-yDzzlj5pZRrfkE3qYpUK9MPirBMj18Sgsg3qsDvRLRrIZW6-L8N3Y0engJ90q2AkkbC">More</a></div>
</div>
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<div>
<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><span style="color: #f14e23;"><b>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">College-prep revolt</div>
</b></span></div>
<div style="color:#454545;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">A standards rebellion is
sweeping the country, promoted by Republicans and Democrats alike,
writes Stephanie Simon for Politico.com. The backlash stems in part from
the Common Core, but is also pushback against the idea that all
students must be ready for college, regardless of intentions.
Manufacturing associations, trade groups, and farm lobbies have
bolstered this anger, arguing universal college prep is elitist, demeans
blue-collar workers, and is cutting off a labor pipeline. The
counterargument: blue-collar workers need strong academic skills to turn
entry-level jobs into meaningful careers. In response, the president
and Education Secretary Arne Duncan have lately talked up vocational
education, but have noted, pointedly, that such classes must not
substitute for college preparation. Not every child must get a four-year
degree, they say, but all must have college-level skills to succeed at
their chosen path. The fast-moving economy will otherwise leave them
behind in low-wage, dead-end jobs. The risk is also significant that
low-income and minority students, as well as those with disabilities,
will be disproportionately pushed into vocational tracks, as once was
common. However, the backlash has grown so strong that states are now
revising their rollouts. New York has announced it won't expect students
to meet new college-ready benchmarks until 2022; Louisiana is aiming
for 2025. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJPqeR6wCxUr0t-1Cwbu670x_ocycwof41CvltETLIC_jyBNUaiy4W1ZzRDYXIUM0WaLtDnijf1yYA-DdkSRb3PFFOR1pe7QVU2D89hwmX4cATlBE0hiZ0E_sJPtPLKoEHS_O_bNU7u_5oY68B6CZclI2S52hISNtV9hoobF0EhBuxMj3ygp6PkcvyQLblDgNywVycsW990sslMln9ei3B-slD2oGyPkaZRqaVAlvbnrGA==">More</a></div>
</span></div>
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<div>
<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><b>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">For dual-enrollment to work</div>
</b></div>
<div style="color:#454545;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span>A
new report from the Education Commission of the States offers 13
state-level policy components to increase student participation and
success in dual-enrollment programs, which allow high school students to
take postsecondary courses for college and high school credit
simultaneously, and are currently offered in every state and the
District of Columbia. The report stresses that all eligible students
must be allowed to participate, with laws unequivocal on this point;
eligibility must be based on demonstrated ability, not bureaucratic
procedures or non-cognitive factors; and caps on maximum number of
courses must not be overly restrictive. Students should earn both
secondary and postsecondary credit for successful completion; all
students and parents should be annually offered program information; and
counseling must be available to students and parents before and during
program participation. Responsibility for tuition should not fall to
parents, and districts and postsecondary institutions should be fully
funded or reimbursed for participating students. Courses and instructors
must meet the same level of rigor as those for traditional students at
partner postsecondary institutions; instructors must receive appropriate
support and evaluation; districts and institutions must publicly report
outcomes; and programs should be evaluated based on available data.
Finally, postsecondary institutions must accept dual-enrollment credit
as transfer credit, provided measures of quality are ensured.</span> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJNlrw5LX65K2h3DBtyhJfbku_Tj1Kk6c4ZNnEO3MF6v4ivEd7k7NGxUnY70iJsaxi_cxT0ESy9RuzueTezywT334BLrFnp8ioOqVZIOU-Kf_Jyus61EmWIeXM80kSFjt9DQQeBByrZDSsulR_PAOij6KScWrxp3BZw=" shape="rect">More</a></div>
</div>
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<div>
<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><span style="color: #f14e23;"><b>Districts and colleges: better together</b></span></div>
<div style="color:#454545;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span>In
an effort to shore up perceptions of education as a continuum from
kindergarten through college, a new report from Edbridge, based on a
survey of district superintendents and university and college
chancellors, presidents, and deans, finds that only one in three
district administrators and college leaders say they collaborate
effectively together. This despite the fact that 90 percent of
superintendents and 80 percent of college presidents, chancellors, and
deans agree their collaboration is extremely or very important.
Priorities for collaboration differ, with district leaders seeking
improvements in teacher training, development, and delivery of
curricula, and alignment of curricula between K-12 and colleges. College
leaders value alignment of curricula, but also seek to ease student
transitions and reduce need for remediation. Both groups doubt whether
their counterparts value collaboration. The report recommends
significant shifts in how educators work together as professionals and
who coordinates this work; how institutions define roles and
responsibilities and allocate resources; and how the results of
collective efforts are evaluated. Changes are required in policies and
governance structures that promote a view of students as "mine" or
"yours," distinct in schools or colleges, rather than "ours" in a
comprehensive and newly envisioned educational system.</span> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJO_GZGiiQulymERlW4cz7xAgdAmdem6y_e9Y5koDeJNCVMSN2cnxI-WMDq5wyzjz8ZzpYtsJ6zGfG5yFnqwPcMNBtT3mOdiBAgejonkRNxJHqasIpUByBA8bQSFNLwu7Id1E-Dy6mdR3ulvzoN1BB2ipY8K5BmSDMI-byyNHoKaaw==">More</a></div>
</div>
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<div>
<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><span style="color: #f14e23;"><b>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Student-centered learning for underserved students</div>
</b></span></div>
<div style="color:#454545;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span>A
new set of case studies from the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy
in Education looks at four schools in Northern California in which
traditionally underserved students are achieving above state and
district averages through use of student-centered practices, either the
Linked Learning or Envision Schools model. Linked Learning integrates
rigorous academics with career-based learning and real-world workplace
experiences. Envision Schools is a small charter network that creates
personalized learning environments for students to develop critical
thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. These student-centered
environments emphasize supportive relationships between students and
teachers in academic environments that are challenging, relevant,
collaborative, student-directed, and connected to real-life situations.
Students are assessed on mastery of knowledge and skills and have
multiple opportunities to demonstrate that mastery. Educators are
supported in creating a student-centered learning environment through
opportunities for reflection, collaboration, and leadership.
Student-centered practices are more often found in schools that serve
affluent and middle-class students than those in low-income communities;
student-centered learning environments are one way the country can
effectively address the opportunity gap. The case studies use
quantitative data to track achievement, and extensive observations,
surveys, and interviews to document practices. A cross-case analysis,
policy brief, and practitioner's tool will be published in the spring.</span> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJN_33rC1LQDUbmfMqVJ91dgXIejZ8Ml7mMgDN7zvMYVTIKXLSvi6MT7jrS0-DiEIEeUIxevpRyL4zWKykYvQH7wR-1-dYHen8bX8kaeNOgCnRniebik4sOa0pJB20gK4Jl-NxhavJzREZyDV3BpSch4" shape="rect">More</a></div>
</div>
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<div>
<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><span style="color: #f14e23;"><b>All eyes on North Carolina</b></span></div>
<div style="color:#454545;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Teacher salaries are
losing ground fast in North Carolina, reports Dave DeWitt for NPR. In an
effort to give more control to local districts, the state legislature
passed sweeping changes to public education, many of which affected
teachers directly. No state has seen a more dramatic decrease in
teacher-salary rankings in the past 10 years, and other changes in
public education are unprecedented, making North Carolina closely
watched by education policymakers across the country. The
Republican-controlled General Assembly ended teacher tenure, halted a
salary bump for master's degrees, and eliminated a cap on class size.
Tenure has been replaced by a merit-based system that awards long-term
contracts to the top 25 percent of teachers, and shorter contracts to
everyone else. Because North Carolina is a right-to-work state, teachers
are prohibited from collective bargaining or going on strike. But they
have fought back -- marching on the state capitol and staging a walk-in
before the school day. They have also put pressure on Republican Gov.
Pat McCrory. McCrory first defended the budget cuts and changes, but has
since sounded more conciliatory. McCrory and the Republican leadership
in the General Assembly are discussing ways to give teachers a small
raise next year. Some teachers are also suing the state. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJOq98VNKV_VXINHh0t27P0-FUptpq39b4b8PA24OpmJ59vByExLhCFjHWjqQzm2Dwv8OivUP_iIsyOiC65PreyzCmoXgbNyMS8jv0mjPEKA-kZd4M3zOTCx0z3zYHpllKvv653YDI0JZwpfNIbD8FMYdbW-AqcH0p0HUba2-yzcrUEJoDYjWcv3LqTXCSBJneRLPQyjEk-wLkFuj9rHC-uHb0qNwSGxbkmRvIkaBhlX1W1S7BVRo0xM">More</a></div>
</span></div>
</div>
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<div>
<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><span style="color: #f14e23;"><b>How state teacher policies stack up</b></span></div>
<div style="color:#454545;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span>In
the latest State Teacher Policy Yearbook from the National Council on
Teacher Quality, most states received their highest grades to date.
Since 2009, 37 states have improved by at least one full grade level
because of significant reform, particularly in teacher evaluation and
related teacher-effectiveness policies. Florida is at the top with a B+,
up from a B in 2011. Louisiana, Rhode Island, and Tennessee earned Bs,
and 10 other states earned B-. Two states have improved overall grades
by two full levels since 2009: Michigan earned a B- in 2013, up from a
D- in 2009, and Rhode Island improved its overall grade from a D in 2009
to a B in 2013. Since the last Yearbook, New Jersey, Louisiana,
Connecticut, Maine, and Virginia made the most significant grade
increases. At the same time, grades for a few states haven't budged;
these states are increasingly out of step with reform trends across the
nation. Montana has consistently earned an F in the Yearbook. Nebraska,
South Dakota, and Vermont earned a D- in 2013, and Alaska, Iowa, Kansas,
New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming earned Ds. Several
states have remained flat since 2009: Alabama (C-), Alaska (D),
California (D+), Iowa (D), Montana (F), Nebraska (D-), New Mexico (D+),
South Carolina (C-) and Texas (C-).</span> </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJP66p4N_YLxcLcZn5Q_TQk_2AN9Bz2av2zrry06aEA5EAq9JweylSx1KiGCPp3Qj-RuRr9keoh-8qTd2wSi7kxLx7dPveepzRJM0dqF96Y_byILr_X01qQWcdKhU5XfinIpCDpp75vuuR4dsVHuN8OBMxuhYre6vqY=">More</a></div>
</div>
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<div><b>BRIEFLY NOTED CALIFORNIA</b></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>System failure</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Los Angeles school
officials have failed for now in their efforts to fully access a digital
curriculum the school system purchased in June from Pearson for use on
district iPads. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJMdy7dnsQJc7gwW-l7VbZYuVh6IZcTveHFQbu52adQNmGxmBgnYTeOTb5JshkuNWTX6S_PvfDTr3kJhoAHIPDv53xVslj43uQZ12ElFgmwCPpgXWsQXZNZ56PcP8aeRvnXeCyZhC62T6SRSybT6aqvuWOPUY-0hFZjpup2Um3Yw1t7PEtEX0YStmXX2YIW4-SxkJ5LgDRUaV_IoLk-HNUM6V-DA7Nt6CjRMw2qcC0ZXTA==" shape="rect">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Fully enriching</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">An Oakland middle school
has extended its day to 5 p.m. -- a nine-hour day -- allowing all 375
students to take courses in self-confidence, robotics, music, and more. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJPZM8L6bXs0SGwiJnaPMX9IPtJu-ZIB_kB4dHWrigRIuLd1aTySBqJZDLu_sczD4MR8wIO5Z3Fh_AXCMGpgXzAwtXJSJuFkCCn2c8QLP0mx4UKPE6CUwKfbP8pQsqnRuitJ2CRY-wCTons-gvofMHkpmA55vPpXvN7FSPSsQfIeikIfNCeCj3yet9uSsmdWdiaPT7rB3osJgacZZZGLWGR__g0pLx_AFHdLF-JDG2iwbw==" shape="rect">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Arts drain</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">The LAUSD has lost about
200 full-time arts-teacher positions since 2010-2011, according to the
most recent data available from the California Department of Education. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJPAYfg-uDayNqekJe4e_TmHKtz4i0VkXphuVxx-BCumkWrj-YTDgt7DOePxVS18Dl06xxV3aVJqpF5o4_0XM9DfuqQnFURKsege2jgKTY4sl17zQs0dk2FoYdDGA-XU3HCU_NGuI-e1xQW_5tC9Fyneef5Q3vVnRaP2T8aHtDcVGwJTjcoB3A5wzDbEtf-xKDDUyy21El80kBp-tREGuoWyb2GXq09gjAT3ECDGafKS4Q==" shape="rect">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Charter-friendly</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">California led the
country in opening new charter schools this fiscal year, adding 104
campuses and 48,000 students, according to a new report. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJOwMbVPMYBzm30o9nwIh0O-RlrJy_kMQ8nK0QgH2mdkWzn1b2jTnsCJfwBbfqVR87BooRz5eOQ8nmWsjYp2JmQXDC3Bf-ddTyIccv74iHgfrfcYNjyBUx9IFduGIxELjWS2Y9k642R5cMYfVZQFDLRCRyHKj4VZugksVkRvb6W1lS3XFvlR4tRj2TiFifnMelmyRKYTeIXvJVERWyKxLb1hV4yCTdVI1SY=" shape="rect">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Easier being green</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Armed with the
guidelines for a new energy-efficiency program, districts across
California are beginning to access millions of dollars that will allow
them to retrofit or build facilities that not only save money in the
long run, but also create higher-quality learning environments for
students. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJNaeHj9Ue84sXhRyByEEIZcEBbjO8rM-WAHYfcQTH7Fb4pZzZUA_1wDUow9JzxBlzA0Oqb74k8NA0d4dgpys-GflcQsogTWmlwCJtM-yZK5ODmRTOy0DftNdt9qg6HmseDRK1-0fxDsBUrpGlPwXZ_9y5qh_ujE3lI__cJz_diAbjQ8O4qGZqza_HlX-yg0-XvrmPvMevWsdA==" shape="rect">More</a></div>
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<div><b>BRIEFLY NOTED </b></div>
</td></tr><tr><td style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;padding:8px 25px 18px 25px;" rowspan="1" colspan="1" align="left" valign="top">
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Continued growth spurt</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">According to estimates
from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, about 600 new
charter schools opened in 2013-14, serving an additional 288,000
students, bringing the total number of charters in the country to about
6,400 serving 2.5 million students. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJPLWmDQdaXNxq7IuXqHJMvEoih32AZUv3VVCfl0RMoQP8KIGW7wYJ6PM7RS5W684o0B21mdpr-9ZJKp1eD1e9kg3M2ai3M4xpCD0ZSYoCUSRxO1TxsE8LwaezIubYkzPdclSPosq2RG_ex0d_Z0elzENUtKBER8Uocrop05ObjwSDpiC2SS1aAw03tymOPzIkA2tikGFDTMNrhncks-cESbzn0Ajq6OSHDmfgdx7kPlmA==">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Hold your horses</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Under pressure from
unions, parents, and state lawmakers, New York's Board of Regents has
agreed to slow down implementation of the Common Core. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJNqqx1lJ_SRFPBwXq_zEeB8eoC-JgoLF5YB65HZQkXYcNeKnf8kC8IqniSvd2Ewk6tmDFOsWNFc41yZ9CuR_c3xvjndGwd0Zo3dQOqafLIBgLCRxS2QeJ3ThrpzJzHCgWL3HpeSYbqnEAcoLpfcQUm3aON-sed03fIaQVw3tjwu7PMpR44EFATdQB5Dix5TLbM=">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Soup to nuts</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's
plan for education targets the start and the finish of a child's path
through school, including a pledge to eventually provide access to
preschool for every child in Connecticut, and a $134 million investment
in the regional university and community college system. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJMSXLEHb2g_L1B9_2ZPb0arhX3l9T0gL4E3AsdHmjJ0CihHK-TjxyaWyrcbixD0at-wpVWGGQipKRUMyxFTS1kx1TQcdg9CUl_crkfQeMAs9q3JokrWOp9oAo1wROfrjJa-28-g6VKR5VbI4bwhd2juxXoi0GKJ092SagBX5ZVyWfhOWbxFrY5D9JQvZr79kW4zhP1E28RaQVfKEdqJAfa7">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Broken promises</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">An education advocacy
group is suing the state of New York for more than $1 billion in
promised school funding, saying the state had failed to live up to its
responsibility to offer students a "sound basic education" due to budget
cuts. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJN8_6hTektzRzlQ9zQNXPqJuSddHwgxSNgCgF7zRDQjkQ2jWvv5IHxZ5ca86-nSlROXpSZ-eJD1H5f_DrAVbY7HYRX-CgZnCM9Eml-0QUo4X0qXD-rUJ55svmKWREzzgQLkDdENgmPnQQphxH9LNyBUY-Ekt0juZpWQ5Q0wMIWb-ZNA01IDGamvKInpW8_kbAUbtpe1AcQJfw==">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>A lot to ask</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Some districts in Kentucky report "unfunded mandates" from the state have put them under financial strain. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJPW-wZcsei4SeJiMbc6y3EBAEY_1Zy-W55BsksJHUh9-38Sey7E1-0-i06z8gvDXqIwbuJhgimczBpZ5l5DpZTFIeXlOJ7IGdzEJ5GoI6-bejHKu-hoG9yidBufXu033U-V65BoZNbKs5rfZruDPnPgrNbFblbirDXOKtl6Jc1HU0J2vrqwqRW6WviK0_M_1pgAtWTi4glb5yBUo-buRH_PEiNtuo37OMwOpKPFVMHc2V9Ls31ULCgCdnnChYVbiWBqK7TjK_WiLOzRGmuXy_hN">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Cramming</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Students at some Nevada
public schools will be forced into year-round schedules starting this
fall as a result of crowding at those campuses. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJOY-fJTBZvydViSBpw3nHQtrGgDkOPHbwvPnjO8XcWDyAMfUZiPrdxH7FT0qpOvdWLsTqBA2_9t61MetR0L05RwqoQmDYULz7aV-RDxutGsB_gv90XPMzdmlIFj84WCknxug8cGAwS4Yz4mz3_H9w5T1s4JSKm4TvIgwLA5ZmAUiwOLNi5GuSez4M46xcfdZrgxlx6f66m55Q==">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>He gave them a Head Start</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Dr. Robert E. Cooke, a
pediatrician who helped Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson
create major initiatives to benefit children, including Head Start,
died on Feb. 2 at his home on Martha's Vineyard at 93. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJMMj8mPZ_lvCSrC2thA2OuqHPFToL9BTw-Nmnlbr5lJh-vft7vbIhYpAQsj3KkjBVkZBGsNGvHt9dj0ftIvwJb4A5dBexb_M1yIYBgJFgYQmsMfwH6yzKGBhNYrBzS8WXWO2gKghebSb9qcgTDnE3TfgccO-SWPBON1yb93F4eyblv18F5Xx7GCMGtuhWzj4TAuHRc-p7iNk9i1FBnk4zKGqW3P-tiXN6UCC9z-1bL61gMyXwYK5tdRhXXwKhbh1GQ=">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>No, really?</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Large numbers of
low-income children who begin formal schooling with many disadvantages
-- poor medical care, homelessness, an uneducated mother, for example --
not only struggle with schoolwork but hurt the achievement of other
children in their classrooms, according to a new study. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJPImLdui1LShCCktPJS5dPt9qSdIUTs02Xh3rD2oXCREBIhk39KM46TEz00otE-zjzf27FmPRBlglso_zfT6UjzG3l9oDlaalFBvneelXhH0SbdRs-8ECOMMU2UYniy1lLy5R3DGRaA9LTDQ1qPamJVtxbUatIaLWFMlkcsxjixka-wGPeC5l8isdisGtuC-kyiDkPtRErDtmyvecLvp8osMX-yO4UmPRfZsrdI51msMfxIQloWfCt6O0Z4jHaOqxbHijr7mAPqPvgDsdvXjCsPcdeQjffP1mITNgK834h0UkB8amUQsl3fN882PviOQt--rOyjO7WsNwYdh2hSSIugmA9Re0UxIzo=">More</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong>Passing the torch</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Geoffrey Canada will step down as chief executive of the Harlem Children's Zone. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJN5DtiI3pFa8uOfvFVXdIz6oEgI6VhmJoBfuMv86SB6Px_9z0v2oIxZlaN87A0GGHLD6HjQtlfFwlIA90pZzdioRNk7Gv_Ix-pKfh_GSbzobXwLX9nUFdRIFyD4P3RclNlbvbySO8VwWbA8hUzy5HIoZ0Il2DDSCZNpuL5EsTxkFtLYRlXMjOS1HIQLuNSxSTXxB526WWr92X6UX2vM8Lfl4ODrymi4gJ4qwZktl8N5uhwoiWZHlHgXwNhOqT9PE1A=">More</a></div>
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<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><b>UPCOMING EVENTS</b></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">The
2014 Community Schools Forum will have a theme of "Community Schools:
Engines of Opportunity" and will take place in Cincinnati from April
9-11, 2014. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(238, 86, 36); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJMxknmsOvrIXFrp0H_zX_GhV8cMjPKKiqzihBncKHZy540853J9PAM-HceesOHwQ8oiIkvs6ABJ8nl86Yak0v2PtoHCH0_RALZqyPxljuiNbynUik93OsOmVYFkEigDyQ3ngYM3JP4-7gHfjxdtZwIx_zBlIIIiU7oUyWzQQ9mNKLWrjcOEU2Yg-S94Otw6wzLENgyb3MJNuJpPB786wt_cuzY5mm7ut1bCkoh7aQIZjhwNmWpUjk_8xV-7LJpHLxo=">More</a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The California School Health Centers Association invites you to join hundreds of school officials, <br>
educators,
community school partners, and children's health stakeholders in
downtown Oakland March 6-7 for Advancing School Health in a Time of
Reform. <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(241, 78, 35); text-decoration: none;" shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJPbeo48u5dpe5CXDdJ41F1OYLrmkkukK0kFK5g2FN7S38Ri79pI9re6ORaChVVRdif2ZYK5fDC2Mys3SucAc4ZDE2NiwqYWZRwvljqCeeHsp4XJR9k9usEBv2Xp-8sWmdgVJTRtjsjduGgE5dMJa-Hd_GtlxL1Z-hXaQnRHVkZZ6S4K-acrzY0EE6eDyzhkWnY=">Learn more</a>!</span></div>
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<div style="color:#ee5624;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;"><b>GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES</b></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><strong><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(241, 78, 35); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJN-k-Vi5u_L1cCLCLYJBXKAlDNe_CskaGLkqMX3XUANhv9xYyGocxPjKPHoqF1bXlV9lnag-k69M077MbR4-D22N3C2iGbRdrMPg1Tsyh8T7T8vWQUfwtczNoWfy7wVU5eHY0owbetxuw==" shape="rect">Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams</a></strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">The
Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams program is dedicated to supporting and
encouraging invention, and seeks to inspire students and rising
inventors. InvenTeams are teams of high school students, teachers, and
mentors that receive grants to invent technological solutions to
real-world problems. Each InvenTeam chooses its own problem to solve.
Maximum award: $10,000. Eligibility: high school science, mathematics,
and technology teachers at public, private, and vocational schools and
their students. Deadline: February 28, 2014.</div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(241, 78, 35); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJN3bq6ZAdWJeSWHU9Jy05PGJW86ohySMA_rYaPffbmgB0bxOn8Tl_Cd9gWfcCDtprx5igi8JS-E1S9oVVohEISJam1o8WV7w3g7TqDeXPwebXSydioLMguhhNUa-p08v7RMHfJBSrhihxSm07-ijnq7WIYhgRlm6CrlY_1y-OrJXg==" shape="rect">NEH: Summer Seminars and Institutes</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">National
Endowment of the Humanities Summer Seminars and Institutes support
faculty-development programs in the humanities for school teachers and
for college and university teachers, and may be as short as two weeks or
as long as five weeks. The Seminars and Institutes extend and deepen
knowledge and understanding of the humanities by focusing on significant
topics and texts; contribute to the intellectual vitality and
professional development of participants; build communities of inquiry
and provide models of civility and excellent scholarship and teaching;
and link teaching and research in the humanities. Maximum award:
$150,000 for seminars; $200,000 for institutes. Eligibility: U.S.
non-profit organizations with IRS tax-exempt status, state and local
governmental agencies, and federally recognized Indian tribal
governments. Deadline: March 4, 2014.</div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(241, 78, 35); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJNv9xxKVUgH-3aXS4QvjUpGaod7HIuDtSn3Rdo2OSJsrVgo6IRKTzzBAfTspsvNlp1xzE65XYsa5-GvVhY6mkpeH8aMdtFzSVWZSmYkKtKmzMYlp9wmU3GbaCaS1TR_RtL2VAeu-oBW9g==" shape="rect">Google: Doodle4Google</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">One
talented young artist will see his or her artwork on the Google
homepage and receive a college scholarship and a Google for Education
technology grant for his or her school. Students should create their
doodles based on the theme "If I Could Invent One Thing to Make the
World a Better Place..." Maximum award: $30,000 college scholarship;
$50,000 Google for Education technology grant for his or her school.
Eligibility: students grades K-12. Deadline: March 20, 2014.</div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(241, 78, 35); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJPYEOo4bhQUVtx9rQJJnHgHseKlgDk6s3a6PowzYnU6H5P0vcS0nqnkMAMeeNDXjhwusTtsOV_glhdKEDsqNqYSDavB85zUIMrZiM1Zkn8GtVa4_4m3Renc53ic5sjlL72mGNYLFpt5HSAtxifnjZYSYoqSDuqeJ1i0Qo8KArEzQw==" shape="rect">Writers in the Schools: Sarah Mook Memorial Poetry Contes</a>t</div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">The
Sarah Mook Memorial Poetry Contest acknowledges, encourages, and
rewards the efforts of student poets. Maximum award: $100. Eligibility:
students K-12. Deadline: March 31, 2014.</div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(241, 78, 35); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJP8dBrCHXvegBDszsTMhs2d18H66YO7IuMgwvrf1KvkXuI9o_FvUknv5E3XLZO3G1SQdO8m2idoyW3wgCBEz1vBlg71HBCwBTPSBDkWa3xbeHGBAK7jJCZw9dTqrUEO0duBO59yYyUHoM9TYl1l9HheKFO9rCVrwDw=" shape="rect">Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching</a></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">The
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science
Teaching are among the nation's highest honors for teachers of
mathematics and science and recognize highly qualified teachers for
their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. Maximum
award: $10,000; a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C. to attend a
series of recognition events and professional development opportunities;
a citation signed by the President of the United States. Eligibility:
U.S. citizens teaching grades K-6 in a public or private school with 5
years experience teaching math or science. Nomination deadline: April 1,
2014.</div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #f14e23;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>QUOTE OF THE WEEK:</strong></span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">"By
making children less disruptive, ADHD medication could decrease the
attention that they receive in the average classroom and reduce the
probability that the child receives other needed services." -- a <span style="font-weight: bold; color: #f14e23 !important; text-decoration: none !important;" color="#f14e23"><b><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(241, 78, 35); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJOJIj2A1DeJnmTzcCy_gCDoPh-zKGIr7kFgUYBawjAYuycAYUew8J5RtGGczaXwq06AwbtfMLLpU4JmxpsJHaQCd5B_ozVOfb0-QANhvjfOQEH2XOOdLi_0tLT6pamS-gGF1_4wvhryrOhkBfwExQhfIZNYLPvJ2SwrXPkdUd-vbRq-guwgRDt-hHsVaZJJP7wG2PWYO2wGz7cmjIj3MKzIGdSrX_S9jP-5a1nLWOsaKgA8gYNs-n4U" shape="rect">new review</a> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">o</span><a style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001UYyBl5h0eJOJIj2A1DeJnmTzcCy_gCDoPh-zKGIr7kFgUYBawjAYuycAYUew8J5RtGGczaXwq06AwbtfMLLpU4JmxpsJHaQCd5B_ozVOfb0-QANhvjfOQEH2XOOdLi_0tLT6pamS-gGF1_4wvhryrOhkBfwExQhfIZNYLPvJ2SwrXPkdUd-vbRq-guwgRDt-hHsVaZJJP7wG2PWYO2wGz7cmjIj3MKzIGdSrX_S9jP-5a1nLWOsaKgA8gYNs-n4U" shape="rect">f existing research on Adderall and student outcomes</a><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #454545;">.</span></div>
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