Should We Be Concerned About the Use of Social Media In Our Schools?

The North Carolina State Board Policy outlining employee use of social media was updated in December.  The language in the policy is quite strong and effective in discouraging the use of social media sites even for educational purposes.  The policy states that school personnel may use only school controlled technology resources and social media tools to communicate directly with students or comment on student matters through use of the Internet.  It further states that any employee seeking to establish a social networking website for related purposes must have prior written approval from the superintendent or designee and the principal...and meet all the requirements of the other policies.

I understand and agree with the premis of the state policy, but should this mean that no collabortive websites can be used in education (i.e. Wiki, Edublog, Edmodo, Google Docs)?  I hope and truely do not believe this was the intent of the board's policy, but it does force teachers and school leader leaders to pause to examine which and how 21st Century instructional learning tools and strategies can be used with our students.  I hope that the State Board will offer some clarification for the social networking policy. 

What about vouchers and schools of choice?

I recently read several publications by John Chubb.  He is in favor of schools of choice and school vouchers.  I understand the basic rational, but could not see where the cost of the programs have been sufficiently weighed.  Funding is typically allocated to school districts per ADM.  With Charter Schools, and voucher programs, all of the ADM funding per child is allocated to the school in which the child attends.  This seems fair, right?  What if the school district would not have allocated the same amount per child to a particular grade-level.  Does it cost the same amount to educate children at each grade-level?  If not, where is the equity in the allocation of funds between schools?  It just seemed like an interesting way to consider schools of choice. 

Are We Keeping Rural Communities Up Speed the Technology

Rural students tend to have less access to in-house advanced course offerings than do students living in more urban areas. At face value, this means that rural students have fewer opportunities to take advanced courses than do other students. Teachers in many cases require professional development and mentoring to help their students succeed.

 Online teacher professional development options are available to provide a cost effective and flexible solution, on example is (PD360). Students should also be provided access to online course offering through other schools. The school that I currently serve is also rural. We are in a position of having to evaluate new options for reaching our students such as hybrid course offerings, virtual labs and field trips...

It's not the access to technology that is the problem. Our schools are not placing enough importance on using technology effectively. This also applies to showing our parents how technology can positively impact their child's education, and why it is important for them to have access to these same tools at home.

Will courts deliniate what is and is not appropriate for children?

Judge Blocks Ban Of Cancer Bracelet

I read an article this week and about a recent case where a federal judge blocked a Pennsylvania school district from enforcing its ban on breast cancer-awareness bracelets that read "I (heart) Boobies," saying the ban is likely unconstitutional under U.S. Supreme Court precedents on student speech.

The Easton Area School District banned them, arguing that the phrase was vulgar and inappropriate for middle school students.  Keeping in mind that this is a middle school, is placing limits on children and banning vulgar atire appropriate or should it all be protected and free speach? What do you think?

Education Week; 4/20/2011, Vol. 30 Issue 28, p4-7, 1/7p

Appropriations Act (Basis for Big Change)

(S.L. 2011-145; H.B. 200: Appropriations Act)

• By May 1, 2012, a comprehensive review of public employees compensation plans must be submitted to the General Assembly.  The study shall include at a minimum the following with regards to public schools:
• Analysis of the performance-based compensation system proposed by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
• Evaluation as to whether longevity pay should be continued for new hires.
• Evaluation of current laws and policies related to tenure for public school teachers including an evaluation of the relationship between tenure and student performance.
• Evaluation of salary supplements paid on account of master's degrees, other advanced degrees, and national board certification, including the relationship to student performance if any.
• Analysis of effect of the in-State regional variables on employee comprehension.

Is the General Assembly looking for any way not to remunerate educators in a manner commensurate with their education and duties?  This piece of legislation has be potential to be very impactive for the education field.  Are there better ways to balance the budget and motivate teachers to perform at their highest level as well?