Analyzing Teachers Colleges

Analyzing Teachers Colleges Teachers are feeling the heat and the blame of the lagging American education system, and now they are under further scrutiny, scrutiny by journalists. The U.S. News World Report is planning on giving grades (A through F) to over 1,000 teachers colleges, trying to pinpoint the effective and ineffective programs, according to the an article in the New York Times. This program was announced in January and teachers colleges are by no means welcoming this action, claiming it to be an unfair representation and scrutiny of their practices. The U.S. News and World Report partnered with the National Council on Teacher Quality, an advocacy group, to create this grading system. The groups first threatened schools that if they refused to submit data, the groups would seek it under open-record laws. They then went further, threatening that if they could not locate the proper data for a school, they would automatically give that school an F. This sparked outrage among many teachers colleges most notably Columbia, Harvard, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, etc as they claimed that this was a form of implied coercion, according to the New York Times. Brian Kelly, editor of the U.S. News and World Report, said this was evidence of an industry that doesnt want to be examined. These teacher-education programs are hugely important and not very well scrutinized, Kelly said. This is coming at a time when you have this tremendous national push for improvements in teacher quality: Whos teaching the teachers? But, Kelly said he would drop the plan to automatically flunk colleges that data could not be found from. We regret that languageIts really not the way we want to be doing business. Teachers colleges have received a lot of criticism over the years for overemphasizing teaching theory and not focusing enough on in-the-classroom experiences and hands-on practices. Arne Duncan, the federal education secretary, even criticized teachers colleges in a November speech, claiming that many are mediocre at best. He called to start holding teachers colleges more accountable for their effects on education. Critics of this program are questioning the research methods, saying that they are not an accurate way of measuring teachers colleges. Critics say that The U.S. News World Report is focusing on superficial inputs rather than outcomes. It is simply requesting detailed data about courses, textbooks and admissions selectivity. One critic compared this system to grading a restaurant by simply requesting and reading its menu. The groups ran a preliminary test in Texas and Illinois, and its results were highly criticized even by the schools who received good grades.

Find Out the Secrets of the Top Music Bloggers

Find Out the Secrets of the Top Music Bloggers Suzy S. Do you have a music blog, or aspire to start one? Whether youre hoping to get into music journalism or if you simply want to publish concert album reviews for your friends, blogging is a great way to sound off on all things music. But if you want to become the next hot music blogger, youll need to get ahead of the pack.   Just being a music fan isnt enough these days, so check out these industry secrets (courtesy of Mashable.com) to get you on your way 1. Hot For Teacher Yes, it seems like a rather obvious tip, but to write about music, you need to know about music â€"- and not just the vinyl in your own record collection. Andrew Phillips, former editor in chief of MOG, advises: “Listen to an inconceivable amount of music, especially if you don’t like it. There’s a huge difference between being a music fan and a music advocate…. The most effective bloggers (and writers) are the ones drawing from a genuinely deep well of knowledge.” And don’t limit the fact-finding mission to sitting in your room like a tragically hip, headphoned Boo Radley â€"- go to shows. Go to “good” shows, bad shows, basement shows, loft shows, shows where the only people in the audience are you and the bartender. You never know who’s going to be the next big thing; as Nicole Wasilewicz, senior music editor of FREEwilliamsburg.com, says, “As knowledgeable as you may feel about music, there’s always someone out there that’s smarter than you and has more time on their hands. It’s a constant game of catch-up. Also, pay special attention to opening bands.” 2. Cant Buy Me Love So you’re all studied up and ready to write. The only question is: To what illustrious publication should you lend your vast and impressive skills? Well, if you’re skint on experience, chances are that unless you’re that kid from Almost Famous, it’s going to be a while before pubs are going to be beating down your door. And with that, we bring you perhaps the most disdainful piece of advice out there: Write for free.   You can’t get ahead without clips, and sometimes the payment you receive for said clips is experience and a foothold in the industry.   Jason Diamond, editor in chief of Jewcy.com and founding editor of Vol. 1 Brooklyn, says: “If you’re offered to write a low or non-paying piece by a website that is influential, has a lot of traffic, or you just totally respect, take it.” Now, that’s not to say you should keep writing, sans cash, indefinitely. But doing some writing for a website you really dig can get you exposure and, subsequently, the momentum you need to launch yourself toward a legit gig. 3. Here I Go Again (On My Own) Still, if you don’t want to submit to the wily ways of “the man” (i.e. someone else’s blog), might we suggest you start your own? Really, there’s no excuse in this day and age for an aspiring blogger to not be in possession of his or her very own URL. Furthermore, once you have your own blog in place, you can either try to leverage it into its own, money-making entity by selling ads, etc., or you use it as a kind of portfolio. You can also form link exchanges with other blogs â€"- just shoot the editor an e-mail â€"- which will help you build connections in the space, or join a blog aggregator, like MOG.   However you use it, it’s as essential for any up-and-coming music blogger to have a domain as it is for him or her to have ears. Whatever your goals may be with your music blog, make sure to have fun with it!   Write about what you love and let your personality shine.   Whats your favorite music blog to read?   Do any of you own there have your own blog?   Leave a comment below! Like these posts?   Sign up to receive daily updates right to your inbox!   Click here to subscribe. You might also like How to Break Into the Music Biz Without Even Playing   a Note 5 Music Industry Leaders You Should Know