July_TQB_card_AK.png

With teacher evals, is consistency key?

A new study calls attention to consistency problems—even in an evaluation system that appears to align with best practices—concerning enough...

Readingbrainscard.png

Case closed

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm thinking that these two images should have long ago put an...

A_sizable_opportunity_card_.png

A sizable opportunity: thinking strategically about class size

Class size is one tough issue. On the one hand, reducing class size is a perennial favorite among teachers and...

First_do_no_harm_card.png

First, do no harm

"First, do no harm" is a good dictum for doctors, and may be one for policymakers as well. Even the...

Teacher_Pay_When_baby_steps_arent_enough_card.png

Teacher Pay: When baby steps just aren’t enough

If we want to increase the number of teachers who believe that the teaching profession is valued by society from...

The_Ins_and_Outs_of_Teacher_Salaries_card.png

The ins and outs of teacher salaries

This month, the District Trendline takes the teacher salary conversation back to the basics. We take a look at how...

Whac_a_mole_contract_negotiations_card.png

Whac-a-mole contract negotiations

As district leaders and union representatives sit down to negotiate teacher contracts, an invisible hand has already decided many of...

The_best_laid_plans_oft_go_awry_card.png

The best-laid plans oft go awry

"This should work!" Reading between the lines of a new study looking at how to make the most of effective...

Inequities_in_the_classroom_When_the_only_thing_missing_is_the_will_to_act_card.png

Inequities in the classroom: When the only thing missing is the will to act

In spite of a federal law requiring states to take action to ameliorate the inequitable distribution of teacher talent, many...

How_are_school_districts_dealing_with_rising_health_insurance_costs_card.png

How are school districts dealing with rising health insurance costs?

The rising costs of health insurance have played a big role behind the scenes of teacher protests over the past...

The_high_price_of_putting_our_heads_in_the_sand_card.png

The high price of putting our heads in the sand

I know teacher evaluation is now considered toxic, but I've never been one to shy away from tilting at windmills.

when_the_economy_is_down_card.png

When the economy’s down, stock up

It's safe to say that recessions are bad – people lose jobs, investments lose value, politicians lose elections. However, it...

lose_lose_card.png

Lose-lose: New teacher assignments

We all know that new teachers are more apt to get handed the toughest classrooms, a double whammy on student...

Drinking_deep_of_the_data_in_Tennessee_card.png

Drinking deep of the data in Tennessee

Tennessee is at it again! The Volunteer State, known for its strong policies around teacher prep and teacher evaluation, is...

Collective_bargaining_and_teacher_strikes_card.png

Collective bargaining and teacher strikes

This month, the District Trendline highlights the role of collective bargaining in teacher strikes, takes a look at what teachers...