How can it be determined that a teacher is ineffective? Debate at nytimescom:
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Zero vacancy rate for office space in Oakland
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10056/1038419-28.stm
The article quotes a real estate professional as saying that "in 20 years of doing commercial real estate, I don't think I've seen a zero vacancy rate in a significant market comparable to Oakland"
and notes that "factors filling Oakland nearly to the brim include the ever-growing demand for space by universities and medical institutions and the scarcity of private land available for new office development."
The article quotes a real estate professional as saying that "in 20 years of doing commercial real estate, I don't think I've seen a zero vacancy rate in a significant market comparable to Oakland"
and notes that "factors filling Oakland nearly to the brim include the ever-growing demand for space by universities and medical institutions and the scarcity of private land available for new office development."
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Parent survey
On the February "Start a new post," Anonymous wrote:
The survey that is sent to parents of PPS students each year appears to be even more leading than usual. Questions are still worded to get a certain response not to really find out anything. There is no space for any other comments this year. The money spent on paper, postage and creation of the survey may be better spent on the students. Seems to be another example of pretending to give the parents a voice.
The survey that is sent to parents of PPS students each year appears to be even more leading than usual. Questions are still worded to get a certain response not to really find out anything. There is no space for any other comments this year. The money spent on paper, postage and creation of the survey may be better spent on the students. Seems to be another example of pretending to give the parents a voice.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Start a new post/ search Pure Reform's blog
To start a new post, reply to this post with your question, comment or suggestion for a new topic. The adminstrator will then start a new post with your topic as a title.You can post anonymously if you prefer. Click on "post a comment". Type in the word you see for word verification. Choose how you would like to be identified in the post click "publish your comment".
To search PURE Reform's blog, use the "search function on the upper left of the blog.
To search PURE Reform's blog, use the "search function on the upper left of the blog.
Basketball championship location
On another post Anonymous wrote,
"Off topic question - The boys' and girls' basketball city championships were supposed to be held March 4th at Duquesne University. It was just announced that they will be held March 6th in one of our own gyms. Why?? That takes making the championship game "special" out of the honor of playing the game."
"Off topic question - The boys' and girls' basketball city championships were supposed to be held March 4th at Duquesne University. It was just announced that they will be held March 6th in one of our own gyms. Why?? That takes making the championship game "special" out of the honor of playing the game."
Saturday, February 13, 2010
NYC's "data driven" experience
Discussion about the reliability of various statistics in NYC"
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/nyregion/09mayor.html?scp=1&sq=bloomberg+crime+data&st=nyt
“The mayor should get credit for trying to put those systems in place,” said Doug Turetsky, a spokesman for the city’s nonpartisan Independent Budget Office. “But this is an important reminder that while statistics offer a vital window into how well services are being performed, whether we’re talking about crime rates in precincts, or successes in schools, or cleanliness of the streets, they’re not necessarily a perfect measure. They’re subject to all sorts of potential biases and pressures.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/nyregion/09mayor.html?scp=1&sq=bloomberg+crime+data&st=nyt
“The mayor should get credit for trying to put those systems in place,” said Doug Turetsky, a spokesman for the city’s nonpartisan Independent Budget Office. “But this is an important reminder that while statistics offer a vital window into how well services are being performed, whether we’re talking about crime rates in precincts, or successes in schools, or cleanliness of the streets, they’re not necessarily a perfect measure. They’re subject to all sorts of potential biases and pressures.”
Friday, February 12, 2010
"Regardless of their test scores"
From an article about snow days in the PG:
"Christy Llera, a University of Illinois professor, has done studies showing that students who get along well with others in school and participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities are more likely to finish high school, graduate from college and get higher earnings afterward, regardless of their achievement test scores."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10043/1035339-53.stm#ixzz0fK0fLPyV
- It seems like the old time high schools understood this better than many of today's testing-centered high schools.
"Christy Llera, a University of Illinois professor, has done studies showing that students who get along well with others in school and participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities are more likely to finish high school, graduate from college and get higher earnings afterward, regardless of their achievement test scores."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10043/1035339-53.stm#ixzz0fK0fLPyV
- It seems like the old time high schools understood this better than many of today's testing-centered high schools.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Some area districts discuss whether school board members must submit RTKL requests for info
From today's PG:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10042/1034984-55.stm
PPS's policy of board members submitting a memo requesting information is mentioned.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10042/1034984-55.stm
PPS's policy of board members submitting a memo requesting information is mentioned.
Some area districts discuss anti-nepotism policies
From today's PG:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10042/1034867-298.stm
Nothing about PPS.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10042/1034867-298.stm
Nothing about PPS.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Weather issues
On the February "Start a new post" Anonymous wrote:
Happy February 10th, 2010. It looks like we will have more spare time on our hands to do some deep thinking. Many neighborhoods see little improvement despite efforts to clear streets. At this point it is hard to motivate the kids away from video games and texting to more productive educational activities. To be fair, many kids have worked hard helping dig out cars and driveways and at being good neighbors and they are whipped too. There will be games and events to reschedule once this is over. But, how do teachers make up for so much lost time when pacing rules the classroom and PSSA tests are coming soon?
Happy February 10th, 2010. It looks like we will have more spare time on our hands to do some deep thinking. Many neighborhoods see little improvement despite efforts to clear streets. At this point it is hard to motivate the kids away from video games and texting to more productive educational activities. To be fair, many kids have worked hard helping dig out cars and driveways and at being good neighbors and they are whipped too. There will be games and events to reschedule once this is over. But, how do teachers make up for so much lost time when pacing rules the classroom and PSSA tests are coming soon?
Monday, February 1, 2010
New course featuring black literature
From the PG:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10032/1032518-298.stm
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10032/1032518-298.stm
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