McRel Rural E-News, February 2008

1. The Evolution of Play National Public Radio (NPR)
Over the past few decades, the way children play has changed dramatically. Throughout most of history, play helped children develop their "executive functions" to help them learn and grow. Now, however, play focuses on activities that don't stimulate this mental development. McREL Principal Researcher Elena Bodrova points out that today's children have much more difficulty with self-regulation (one of many executive functions) than children did 60 years ago.

2. Just why do students drop out? The Arizona Republic
A group of Rodel Community Scholars from Arizona State University have recently completed a study titled, The Differential Developmental Trajectories of High School Dropouts and Graduates. The study tracked students from kindergarten through high school and examined some common characteristics found in students who drop out of school. The study found that students who drop out of school do not do so impulsively, and the thought process leading to dropping out can begin as early as kindergarten.

3. Reading and math curtailing other topics, study finds The Washington Post
The Center on Education Policy surveyed more than 300 school systems and found that pressures from NCLB to improve students' reading and mathematics scores have prompted many schools to spend less time on other academic subjects. The survey found that 62 percent of school systems have added time for reading and mathematics at the expense of other subjects, such as social studies, science, and art.

4. Study finds tutor plan lacking Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A new study on supplemental education studies by the University of Wisconsin-Madison finds that there is no strong relationship between the number of tutoring hours students receive and their achievement levels. In addition, only one in six eligible students in Milwaukee actually registered for and attended the sessions.

5. Dropout rate targeted Baltimore Sun
A recent study recommended raising the public school compulsory attendance age from 16 to 18 for Maryland students. The study also reports that this move could cost the state $200 million per year and exacerbate the existing shortages of classroom space, resources, and even teachers.

6. Study finds merit in teacher performance pay The Washington Times
A recent study from the University of Arkansas examined the Achievement Challenge Pilot Project merit pay program in Little Rock, Ark., which allows teachers to earn bonuses up to $11,000 based on student test score improvement. The study found that students in schools participating in the program outperformed their peers in non-participating schools.

7. Designing Effective Science Lessons: Pruning the Overgrown Curriculum
NSTA National Conference, Boston, MA
March 27, 2008
Trying to cover too much science content is the largest barrier to developing students' conceptual understanding. Find out how to make decisions about what to prune and why it will pay off in student achievement gains. Participants will practice pruning curriculum during the session.

8. Using the NCES International Databases for Research and Policy Discussion
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
NCES is sponsoring a free 2�-day seminar on the use of their international databases (PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS). The seminar will be held in Washington, D.C., from May 21-23. NCES will provide training materials and pay for transportation, accomodations, and a per diem for other expenses to qualified applicants. Applications must be received by NCES no later than April 4, 2008.

9. 2008 PEAK Afterschool Workshop Series
May 1�2, 2008 (Math & Science)
McREL and the National Partnership for Quality Afterschool Learning are sponsoring the 4th annual PEAK (Practices that Engage and Attract Kids) Afterschool Event in Denver, Colo.

10. Workshops and training at McREL
McREL is pleased to offer a robust series of workshops and training opportunities at our office in Denver, Colo.

11. McREL services for use with School Improvement Funds
Looking to make the most of your School Improvement Fund dollars? McREL offers a variety of customized, research-based technical assistance and professional development programs designed to build the capacity of district and school staff to improve student achievement.

McREL IN THE NEWS

12. Case methodology helps principals become more effective leaders, reports McREL
February 28, 2008
McREL
The latest issue of McREL Insights, From Knowledge to Wisdom: Using Case Methodology to Develop Effective Leaders, examines the importance and impact of using case methodology to develop effective school leaders.

13. Cyber learning
02/19/2008
The Augusta Chronicle
The Georgia Virtual Academy is an online, self-paced school for more than 2,500 Georgia students in grades K�8. McREL president and CEO, Dr. Tim Waters, comments that this type of model may become more prevalent in schools of the future.

14. USD 501 board sees Singer as long-term hire
02/13/2008
The Topeka Capital-Journal
As the school board for Topeka's Unified School District 501 finalizes contract negotiations with their next superintendent, they are looking for a long-term commitment. The school board is hoping Kevin Singer will remain in the district for a long time, citing McREL's research linking superintendent tenure to improved student achievement.

REPORT ROUNDUP

15. The Leadership Limbo Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
This new report from the Thomas B. Forham Foundation uses 26 indicators from the National Council on Teacher Quality�s collective bargaining database to analyze how much labor agreements restrict leadership roles. The report found that labor agreements in the 50 largest districts were particularly restrictive, making it difficult for leaders to run effective schools.

16. Landmark Audit Shows Link Between Teacher Professional Development and Student Achievement Community Training and Assistance Center
The Community Training and Assistance Center examined the impact of literacy professional development on student achievement for the Duvall County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Fla. The study found a positive relationship between the number of hours a teacher spent on professional development in literacy courses and student reading scores. These findings held true for teachers at all levels of experience.

17. New Study of Texas�s 50 Largest School Districts Finds Significant Teacher Quality Gaps Throughout The State The Education Trust
A new report from The Education Trust finds that low-income, Hispanic, and African-American students in the largest school districts in Texas have less-qualified teachers than their affluent or white peers.

18. Kids learn more when mom listens Vanderbilt University
A new report from Vanderbilt University, soon to be published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, finds that children learn better when they have to explain what they've learned. By explaining what they have learned to their mothers, the children were better able to apply their knowledge to similar problems in the future.

NEW FROM McREL

19. Think Systemically, Act Systematically
AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice (Winter, 2008)
In the latest edition of the AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice, McREL Senior Director Danette Parsley co-authors an article titled, Think Systematically, Act Systematically. The article explains McREL's "fractal improvement experience." This system of school reform avoids the pitfalls commonly associated with trying to make sweeping changes too quickly, or being over-cautious and unable to sustain school improvement efforts.