New report: Tennessee can save $121.7 million over the next 10 years with alternate certification
A new analysis commissioned by ECF shows that dramatic cost savings are possible through expanded implementation of Tennessee’s Transitional Teacher Licensure Policy.
Recent studies confirm that teachers who have been trained by programs such as Teach for America, the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, and similar organizations are as effective in the classroom as graduates of traditional teacher education programs. By expanding implementation of its recently enacted policy, Tennessee can save $2.3 million in the first year and $121.7 million over the next decade.
To download the complete report, click here (note: 6MB file). An executive summary is available here.
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ECF highlights changes in TCAP and TVAAS reporting in 2009
In 2009, Tennessee recalibrated the grading scales used to report performance on the state's TCAP and TVAAS assessments. To see the magnitude of these reporting changes, the Education Consumers Foundation has charted the letter grade distributions of the following:
- TVAAS reading: 2008 vs. 2009
- TVAAS math: 2008 vs. 2009
- TCAP reading: 2008 vs. 2009
- TCAP math: 2008 vs. 2009
Click here to access these charts (PDF file).
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Value-Added Achievement Award winner recognized by Nashville Council
In a resolution sponsored by Council Member Frank Harrison and signed by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Ruth Murray, Principal of McCann Alternative Learning Center, was recognized and congratulated for earning one of ECF's Value-Added Achievement Awards. Pictured above: Ms. Murray with Dr. Tim Webb, Commissioner of Education, and Dr. J.E. Stone, President of the Education Consumers Foundation.
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Tennessee SCORE releases interim report on K-12 education
The Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), a statewide reform initiative led by Senator Bill Frist, has published an interim report on the state of education in Tennessee. Go here to download the executive summary and complete report; see comments on the report from Dr. J.E. Stone, president of ECF, here.
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Pacific Research Institute releases "Not as Good as You Think"
Not as Good as You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School is a documentary that shatters the myth that “good” schools located in “nice” neighborhoods are shielded from the education crisis that pervades schools in poor, urban areas. ECF president Dr. John Stone is featured in the film, which is currently available on DVD.
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Winners of the 2009 Value-Added Achievement Awards announced
In a May 4 ceremony held at the Tennessee state capitol, the Education Consumers Foundation recognized principals of 18 of the most effective elementary and middle schools in the state. Click here to see the list of winners and learn about their successful approaches to education; read the press release here; or see a collection of press clippings here.
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ECF launches new website focused on effective schooling
As part of its August 2008 outreach campaign in Nashville TN, the Education Consumers Foundation launched a new standalone website providing information on effective schooling. The site offers detailed information for those living in Tennessee, and information that can be applied to schools outside the state. Visit the website to learn more.
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ECF Recommends: Annual Growth, Catch-Up Growth
This book, referenced by Dr. Stone at the Value-Added Achievement Awards ceremony, details easy to replicate and proven methods used by one school district to assure student achievement in reading and math. Go here to learn more and to order this book, or here to review the 93 maxims identified through their work.
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ECF points to effectiveness of Direct Instruction in new document
The Education Consumers Foundation highlights the results of Project Follow Through, the largest federal education research program in history, in this chart. Direct Instruction was proven to be most effective in all three areas studied - academics, problem-solving, and self esteem - yet has still not been incorporated into the mainstream.
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Movie Trailer: Two Million Minutes
Regardless of nationality, as soon as a student completes the 8th grade, the
clock starts ticking. From that very moment the child has approximately two million minutes until high school graduation. How do they spend their time in the US, as compared with India and China? Click here to see a trailer for this new movie.
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Education Consumers Foundation releases new report: Effective Schools, Common Practices
The ECF sent a researcher to interview principals of six of the most effective schools in Tennessee; read the Foundation's new report to learn about the 12 practices that all of these six schools have in common.
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ECF produces online video explaining TVAAS and School Performance Charts
The ECF has created a 10-minute video to help consumers interested in school effectiveness understand Tennessee's TVAAS value-added system and the Foundation's own School Performance Charts. Click here to go view the video.
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