Topics of Discussion

September 2011> Curriculum. What are the goals of education today in America? What do we wish to achieve as educators? If curriculum is the road map, what should our children know prior to them graduating? Once goals are set what should the curriculum be? October 2011> Standardized Testing. High stakes testing- is it distorting and undermining the learning process? Teachers and schools professional survival has become so dependent on test scores- is it giving powerful incentive to cut corners? Cities & states are frequently lowering standards to create the appearance of increased success, thoughts and feelings on this? November 2011> Unions & Collective Bargaining. From an educator’s standpoint, what are some of your opinions with the unions and how we can better support them or not? December 2011> Assessment. It’s clear there are many problems with our current assessment for accountability regime. How should we as educators approach the assessment of student learning in our schools? Have our standards been dumbed down? January 2012> Equitable Funding. What do you as educators envision? How do you feel about merit pay schemes? Competitive grants for federal dollars etc? February 2012> Technology. How is virtual schooling affecting education? Where are we going with technology and students? Pro’s & Con’s. March 2012> Teacher Evaluations. The current teacher evaluation systems are being questioned in a number of states. Tenure protections are changing from seniority to performance based, teacher observations may be conducted four times a year and independent observers or a “second opinion” may also be introduced. What are your thoughts on the possible changes to the system? April 2012> Parental Involvement. How important is parental involvement in a student’s education? Can a parent’s over involvement have a negative effect on their child, what are the boundaries? What is your opinion of “parent trigger laws”? May 2012> high school diploma vs. GED. Is the GED still comparable to a high school diploma and is it a valuable asset in this economy and job market? June 2012> What is the future of the teaching profession? With a lack of teaching jobs and a misdistribution of qualified teachers what can we expect for the future? July 2012> Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition. Corresponding with June’s topic ‘what is the future of the teaching profession?’ What do you think is the most effective way to recruit new teachers? How can we ensure that we retain effective teachers throughout our education system and what is the best way to recognize the unbelievable work of our nation’s educators? August 2012> The Decline of Teachers Unions and its Effect on Education. September 2012> The Presidential Election. How might the upcoming election affect our education system in the U.S.? October 2012> Public Charter Schools. Public charter schools have been both criticized and supported since their development 20 years ago. In your opinion, what are the strengths and weaknesses of charter schools? November 2012> Alternative Methods of Teaching. Alternative teaching methods, such as “blended learning” have been introduced in classrooms nationwide. Please share your thoughts on this particular teaching method and discuss other methods that are being used. December 2012> Education Reform. In your opinion, are there specific areas of our current public education system that require reform more than others? If so, describe these areas and potential changes. January 2013> Re-structuring vs. Closing. A considerable amount of school districts have discussed closing schools, with two of the most recent being DC and Philadelphia. Do you feel that schools should be closed or re-structured? In terms of re-structuring, what should be the role of the current principal, teachers, etc? February 2013> A day in the life… Please share your own personal teaching experience and comment on a typical day in the classroom including teaching strategies, lesson plans, goals, etc. March 2013> Common Core State Standards. Please explain your experience with the new CCSS. Has your school district accepted the new standards? If so, has the transition been challenging? Discuss the positive and negatives of the CCSS initiative. April 2013> Cheating. How can cheating be prevented? In your opinion, why do students cheat? Have you noticed an increase in cheating as new technology has been introduced?