Northwest Education Back Issues
Current Issue:
A Place at the Table (Spring-Summer 2007)
Informed by three decades of research—and given new urgency by the No Child Left Behind Act—parent and community involvement in schools is undergoing a paradigm shift. A new model of sustained partnerships and shared decision making is finding its way into the daily operation of schools and districts around the country. In this issue of Northwest Education we profile some of the diverse, dynamic partnerships that are creating this change in our region.
Building Strong Districts (Winter 2007)
In the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory’s needs assessment survey—and again in state forums held last summer—district improvement was a hot topic. Four general themes bubbled to the surface: finding time for teacher collaboration in improvement teams; assessing school readiness to engage in improvement activities; ensuring necessary district resources and support for school improvement; and identifying methods for continuing improvement efforts.
Teaming Up with Literacy Coaches (Fall 2006)
In this issue of Northwest Education, we visit some places in our region where literacy coaches clearly are making their mark. At one Oregon high school, a coach inspires teachers to incorporate literacy lessons whether the subject is biology or geometry. In Alaska’s largest district, coaches are helping to boost elementary reading scores. And, in Idaho and Washington, intensive professional development provides robust coaching for coaches.
Whether they’re working in preschools or high schools, we can only urge coaches to get their game on. In the words of Vince Lombardi, “It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenges and does something about it.”
The Changing Face of the Classroom (Spring 2006)
Rather than focus on the contentious issues, this Northwest Education edition looks at how schools and districts are tailoring ELL instruction to match their demographics and their resources; differences among the new state language proficiency assessments; and approaches to key concerns like parental involvement. Also in this issue, we introduce a new section—NWREL News—with information on the Laboratory’s current research, products, and services.
Math + Professional Development = A Winning Equation (Winter 2005)
We look at different forms of mathematics professional development throughout our region. We follow Idaho middle school teachers as they revitalize geometry instruction and see how Oregon teachers are introducing algebra to the youngest students. We discover strategies for teaching mathematics in the ELL classroom. And, we describe an intensive approach to professional development in Montana, where teachers learn content and pedagogy in a year-round program.
Teachers Working Together (Fall 2005)
“The task for schools... is not to simply offer space and opportunity for individual teachers to teach, it is to organize human, technical, and social resources into an effective collective enterprise.”—Fred Newmann and Gary Wehlage, 1997.
In this issue, we see how that collective spirit soars even in the face of today’s Sisyphean educational challenges.
On the Road to Accountability(Summer 2005)
While schools must be accountable to
federal law and to parents, the reverse is also true. Federal
lawmakers—as well as local governments and citizens—have
a responsibility to see that public schools get the resources
they need to meet the worthy objective of the law. For example,
give public school teachers classroom aides
who can help give that personalized attention that kids need
so much to flourish. Accountability in
public education shouldn’t only be about scrutinizing
whether others have done their part, but about stepping up to
share in the responsibility. In this issue of Northwest Education,
there are stories about people who step up and demonstrate
every day that they can be counted on to do their part—and
then some.
Science Under the Microscope (Spring 2005)
Developing scientific literacy is critical today and will become increasingly so. Not only does science personally affect our lives through the physical world, medicine, and technology, but it's also at the heart of some of the thorniest ethical issues we face as a society. From global warming to stem-cell research, nuclear capabilities, and the depletion of fossil fuels, the citizens of the 21st century will be called on to make decisions that require an understanding of the basic laws of the universe and the capacity to weigh evidence-based arguments. In interviews with some of the Northwest's outstanding scientists, we're reminded of the role that teachers play in nurturing groundbreaking biologists, geologists, physicists, and chemists. Someday—with any luck and good teaching—that young child who marvels over the way sand particles filter through a sieve may turn out to be the next Newton, Watson, or Curie.
Online Schools: a New Frontier in Public Education (Winter 2004)
Online education is a sprawling topic. We chose to focus mostly on statewide online programs that are coming from the K-12 public school sphere. We also give special attention to what is taking place at the state level. These are stories that are still in the making. Online learning is a new frontier for K-12 schools, and the risks and benefits can be substantial, but the Northwest has always been rich with enterprising pioneers. With forward-thinking pragmatism, they are making tracks in new territory.
Transforming High School (Fall 2004)
“Over the last two decades ... high school reform is still largely uncharted territory.” In this issue, we explore some of the ways that our region is changing that territory: radically re-engineering large comprehensive high schools into smaller, more personalized academies and learning communities; encouraging all students—not just an elite few—to take Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses; tying curriculum to the world outside the classroom; using data to drive decisionmaking. It’s not an easy journey. We hear the frustrations of administrators and the complaints of students. But, we also sense the exhilaration of being on the cutting edge of a movement seeking to change a model that’s more than 100 years old.
The Science of Quality: Education Research in School Reform (Summer 2004)
The articles and essays offer sometimes disparate but important viewpoints from practitioners and researchers who are doing and using research for the advancement of education. Together they are bringing pearls of evidence to the important task of teaching young minds based on sound science.
Native Students: Balancing Two Worlds (Spring 2004)
The legacy of Native education in America is tinged with suffering, bitterness, and trauma. In an attempt to counter the effects of discontinuities, Native tribal communities and educators have long advocated programs steeped in Native culture and language.
Compound Interest: Business and Philanthropy in Education Reform (Winter 2003)
Schools are looking to their partners in business, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector to help put in place proven measures to improve schooling for every child. This issue portrays partnerships that are elevating teaching and learning for all.
Nexus of Knowledge: The School Library in the 21st Century (Fall 2003)
The title of this issue suggests the literal links that 21st century libraries have with every center of learning across the earth. But it refers more precisely to the women and men who commit themselves to connecting kids to the vast planetary network--and, at least as important, guiding them toward a lifetime love of reading.
Discoveries in Learning: Lessons From Lewis and Clark (Summer 2003)
The stories of Lewis and Clark's journey draw us in, and provide many opportunities for learning. History can be alive with meaning when kids study history like historians do. Teachers and students are using current technologies to explore their communities' past and present -- discovering the changes that have taken place in the last 200 years. Some classrooms are crossing great distances of time and place, while others are learning about native plants by studying Lewis's journal and tending their own garden.
The Hidden Disability : When Bright Children Struggle to Learn (Spring 2003)
Focus on Writing (Winter 2002)
with a special 6+1 Traits™ Assessment supplement
Closing the Gap: How Northwest Schools Are Raising Minority Achievement (Fall 2002)
Beyond the Bell: Extending Opportunities for Learning (Summer 2002)
Living Lessons: How Projects Engage Kids and Deepen Understanding (Spring 2002)
New Teachers: From Surviving to Thriving (Winter 2001)
High Standards for All: Confronting the New Paradigm (Fall 2001)
Designs for Learning: School Architecture (Summer 2001)
The Wild Blue Yonder: Charter Schools Fly Into the Unknown (Spring 2001)
Think Small: Making Education More Personal (Winter 2000)
New Moves: PE Reinvents Itself (Fall 2000)
Growing Great Teachers: Professional Development That Works (Summer 2000)
The New Principal (Spring 2000)
City Kids: What Helps Them Thrive (Winter 1999)
Sea Change: Meeting the Challenge of Schoolwide Reform (Fall 1999)
Arts Education: Basic to Learning (Summer 1999)
Learning in Peace: Schools Look Toward a Safer Future (Spring 1999)
Community Building: Imagining New Models (Winter 1998)
Succeeding in Reading: Literacy in the Early Years (Fall 1998)
Alternative Schools: Caring for Kids on the Edge (Summer 1998)
Taking Off: A Teacher's Guide to Technology (Spring 1998)
Advocating for Children (Winter 1997)
Growing Up Gifted (Fall 1997)
Teaching in the 21st century (Summer 1997)
Charter Schools: Educational Leaders Voice Their Views (Spring 1997)
Are charter schools the key to innovation and choice within the public school system?
The Early Years: Making Learning Fun (Winter 1996)
Assessment in Action (Fall 1996)
Schools are questioning the workhorse of U.S. educational assessment, the standardized test, as they search for more authentic ways to gauge student performance.
Mid Kids: Learning in the Middle Years (Spring 1996)
The Hispanic Child (Winter 1995)
In the midst of the national debate on immigration, bilingual education, and "official" English, schools look for effective ways to teach Hispanic students.