What Early Learning Can Teach K-12 About Reform. And ...

Education reformers trying to improve K-12 systems could learn lessons from early educators.

An interesting new report suggests that early learning could show K-12 how to improve assessments, one of the bigger challenges in reform, in elementary, middle and high schools.

At a time of considerable urgency and demand for improvements in our nation?s schools, particularly when it comes to evaluating the effectiveness of teachers, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Instead of looking to the development and implementation of new educational models and methodologies, K-12 educators would do well to learn from the lessons and experience accrued by their counterparts in the early childhood sector, specifically when it comes to teacher performance evaluation. -- ?Implementing Observation Protocols: Lessons for K-12 Education from the Field of Early Childhood.? Center for American Progress. 5/15/2012.

Despite interest in improving teacher evaluations around the country, ?there are too few models of how to do observation well in the K-12 sector. But there is one sector where we have more than two decades of widespread application of classroom observation from which to draw lessons: early childhood education?? the article adds.

The story is based on a new 37-page report by Robert Pianta, dean of the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia.

What else can K-12 education reformers learn from early learning? Post your thoughts in comments.

Kindergartners Rating Teachers: In a twist on assessments, kindergartners will review teachers in Georgia, The Hechinger Report says.

Under a new pilot program, 5-year-olds will be guided through a survey that includes such statements as ?My teacher knows a lot about what he or she teaches? and ?My teacher gives me help when I need it.? -- ?Student surveys to be used to rate teachers in pilot program ? even in kindergarten classes.? 5/14/12. The Hechinger Report.

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