The Comp Book

Reading + Running = Time for Teachers + Parents

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:24:00 +0000

An article in Monday's Skagit Valley Herald focuses on a reading-and-running program at Mary Purcell Elementary (Sedro-Wooley SD), in which students spend the last 15 minutes of the school day either reading a book or running laps outside.

According to the article, "The end-of-day reading and running program is meant to keep the kids occupied as their teachers use the time to contact parents on student progress."

The previous school year, students were sent to art and music classes and occasionally the library while teachers contacted parents. But, because the music teacher, art teacher and librarian positions were cut this year, the school came up with a Plan B: reading and running.

It's an interesting solution to the issue of teacher-parent contact time—time that had almost been cut from teachers' schedules until an 11th-hour agreement in contract negotiations brought it back. But the solution is not without problems. Some parents say the end-of-the-day program amounts to a "complete waste of time," while many teachers are still concerned about the broader issue of losing the specialists in art, music, technology and library.

Are there any other schools out there with a successful reading and running programs? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

See You in Yakima!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:38:00 +0000

It's time! The 2009 AWSP Principals' Conference kicks off tomorrow in Yakima! It's not too late to attend. Simply download the walk-in registration form and bring it to the AWSP registration desk at the Yakima Convention Center. We'll be happy to sign you up for the program, right there on the spot.

And, remember: A one-day registration option is available! Only able to attend the kick-off sessions on Sunday? Want to catch Mike Schmoker's keynote session and the other Monday events? We can make it work! Check out our Sunday-only and Monday-only registration fees.

See you there!

Feeling Squeezed?

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:40:00 +0000

News from "the other" Washington: "Principals are squeezed from both sides."

OK, so this may not be a shocker to you, no matter which Washington you're from. But it's worth a read all the same.

When Washington Post columnist Robert McCartney recently spent time with principals of the year from the D.C. region, he asked them about their work and how it's changed over the years. Their answers, says McCartney, were "disturbing."

Chalk it up to micromanagement, NCLB, tight budgets, low morale, impatient parents, the pitfalls of the Internet and the looming threat of swine flu. Sound familiar?

McCartney marvels at the principals' high level of job satisfaction, despite the many demands they face, and concludes: The rest of us should be grateful that these valuable public servants are happy in their work, considering all the grief we're dumping on them.

An Experience Worth Fighting For

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Here in Olympia, we've been hearing a rallying cry for AWSP's very own Cispus Learning Center.

When parents from Tumwater and Olympia learned their schools' annual student trips to Cispus could be the victim of district budget cuts, they took action. (Check out the "Save Cispus for Thurston County Students" page on Facebook.)

Recently, The Olympian and KIRO-TV ran stories about the parents' efforts to preserve the outdoor education programs. And today, we hear from The Olympian that the "Cispus school trips might survive." Turns out, the parents are making a difference by bringing this issue to the attention of their school boards and communities.

In Tumwater, the board will hear a proposal that the community be allowed to raise the $36,000 needed to continue the sixth-grade Cispus program next spring. In Olympia, parents have received welcome news: The amount they'll need to raise—$49,000—is about $21,000 less than what they originally expected.

According to Tumwater parent Raechel Laneer, the students' experience at Cispus is one that can't be replaced. (We agree.) Richard Louv would be proud.

Fight the swine...online?

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:31:00 +0000

The H1N1 virus is is expected to rear its ugly head again this fall—a prediction that has prompted a wave of outreach efforts to schools, administrators, parents and students. Among those efforts: publications, press releases, press conferences and...a video game?

That's right, if you need practice battling the swine flu virus on a worldwide scale, look no further than The Great Flu, a new online video game recently unveiled by Dutch researchers. Players have the power to stockpile vaccines, set up surveillance systems and (gulp!) shutter schools—all on a limited budget (at least that part is realistic!).

If you're looking for more practical tools for preparing for H1N1, Part Two, try the new communication toolkit from the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services. This toolkit, designed to help school administrators better prepare for and respond to influenza outbreaks during the 2009-10 school year, includes action steps for schools, teachers and parents as well as template letters and a Q+A section.

Good Luck, Chris!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Today we're sending our good luck wishes to Christine Lynch, 2009 Washington State Middle Level Principal of the Year.

Chris is currently in Arlington, Virginia, where she is interviewing for the prestigious MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Award. As a national finalist, she joins two other middle level principals and three high school principals in the interview process. In September, NASSP will annnounce one one middle level and one high school principal as the 2010 National Principals of the Year.

If it seems like Washington principals are on a hot streak lately, you're right! Chris is the fifth Washington state administrator to be a contender for a national principalship award since 2005. Earlier this year, Michael O'Donnell of Cle Elum-Roslyn High, Cle Elum-Roslyn School District, was named one of three finalists for the National Assistant Principal of the Year Award. In 2008, Stacey Locke from Eisenhower High, Yakima School District, was a finalist for the National High School Principal of the Year. In 2006, Springy Yamasaki of Skyridge Middle School, Camas School District, was named National Assistant Principal of the Year, and in 2005, Bellingham High’s Steve Clarke, Bellingham Public Schools, was a finalist for National Principal of the Year.

We couldn't be prouder of Chris and the rest of our AWSP members, who—whether in line for a national award or not—deserve a standing ovation.

Congratulations, Sen. Tom!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:50:00 +0000

Yesterday, AWSP announced that it will be honoring Sen. Rodney Tom with the 2009 Torch of Leadership Award. The award recognizes a state-level public servant who has demonstrated support of principals and the principalship in the education of all students.

Sen. Tom who represents the 48th district, kept education a top priority this legislative session, even when the demands of a downward economy made it difficult to do so.

As a member of the Basic Education Funding Task Force, he helped craft ESHB 2261, which ushers in a new plan for full funding of basic education in Washington state. He also backed bills supporting the state’s principal internship program and the Washington State Leadership Academy.

“Principals will play a vital role as we move forward with education reform within the constraints of stagnant revenues," said Tom, upon learning of the award. "Very few areas in education give us better leverage than making sure every school has a great principal. There is not a great school in Washington state that does not also have a great principal; the two go hand-in-hand."

The senator will be honored with a formal presentation of the award at AWSP’s 2009 Principals’ Conference, Oct. 18–20, in Yakima.

'Younger and Freer'

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:05:00 +0000

"Principals Younger and Freer, but Raise Doubts in the Schools," says the headline of New York Times article published earlier this week. The article focuses on principals under 35 in New York City.

According to the article, 22 percent of the city's principals are under 40, compared with 6 percent in 2002, and about 20 percent have less than five years of teaching experience, double the percentage in 2002.

The NYT makes a few jabs at the New York City Leadership Academy, an intensive training program for aspiring principals. Data from the city's report card system indicates that Academy graduates were less than half as likely to get A’s as other principals. However, those graduates ofter face greater challengers, accepting placement in NYC's lowest achieving schools.

The article's conclusion offers an analysis that, well, isn't exactly breaking news to principals, novice or veteran: "Experience counts."

AWSP on TVW

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:14:00 +0000

Yesterday, Don Rash, AWSP's director of middle level programs, joined TVW's The Impact for a 10-minute discussion about teacher lay-offs in Washington state. Appearing with John Dekker of the Washington Association of School Administrators, Rash spoke with host Jennifer Huntley about the challenges that principals and students face when a school loses its teachers.

Sexting: More than an Awkward Situation

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Sexting. If you're an educator, you've no doubt heard about it. In fact, chances are, you've already dealt with it in some form of the other.

If just hearing the word "sexting" sends shivers down your spine, consider the case of Ting-Yi Oei, assistant principal at Virginia's Freedom High.

"My Students. My Cellphone. My Ordeal," which recently appeared in The Washington Post, offers a first-hand account of the devastating spiral effect of one sexting incident. Oei responded to a reported case of sexting, and ended up on the wrong end of a criminal investigation into child abuse and child pornography. (To hear the defense attorney speak about Oei's case, click here.)

The lack of clarity around sexting is posing some real challenges to building administrators. Recent sexting incidents, including Oei's, illustrate just how easily schools, communities and personal lives can be thrown into upheaval. While procedures and policies are being hashed out, principals and assistant principals are in a precarious position, having to navigate their way through uncharted waters.

For helpful resources, including tips for parents and teens, visit the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s Sex and Tech Web page.

A Quick Update on H1N1

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:53:00 +0000

If you have access to a television, radio, newspaper, Internet connection or, well, any conscious human being, you probably know that swine flu has (probably) hit Washington state.

The Department of Health has identified six suspected swine flu (H1N1) cases in our state. One of those cases involves a student at Madrona K-8 in Seattle. The child's mother chose to keep him home from school when he became ill (good job, mom!). As a precaution, however, Seattle Public Schools and Seattle/King County Public Health decided to close the school through Wednesday, May 6.

"While this is a time to prepare, it’s not time to panic," warned Supt. Randy Dorn in a statement released this afternoon. We couldn't agree more. Most likely, principals and assistant principals are responding to a high degree of anxiety (and maybe a bit of panic) in their school communities.

Need some level-headed conversation about swine flu? Education Week will be hosting a live chat tomorrow, 12-1 p.m. PST (3-4 p.m. EST), on "Helping Schools Plan and Respond." The chat will feature Massie Ritsch, deputy assistant secretary for external affairs and outreach, U.S. Department of Education, and Jeanne McCann, managing editor at edweek.org. If you are interested in participating in this chat, click here.

In the meantime, if you have sample letters or advice you are willing to share with fellow principals, please send them to jennifer@awsp.org ... or just post a comment here!

Preparedness for Swine Flu

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:41:00 +0000

Lots of headlines about swine flu lately...giving us all pause to consider, Are we prepared for a pandemic?

According to the Washington State Department of Health, there are no known cases of swine flu in Washington. However, as a precautionary measure, the state will be receiving antiviral medication for about 230,000 people from the federal Strategic National Stockpile.

For helpful resources, check out these links:

Preparing Schools for Swine Flu (OSPI)
Swine Flu Information and Resources (WSSDA)
Swine Flu Information for Washington State (Washington State Department of Health)
Swine Flu Guidance for Schools (U.S. Department of Education)
Swine Influenza (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Celebrating Our Principals of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:01:00 +0000

“None of us is as smart as all of us.”

Those words of wisdom come from Kennewick's Bruce Cannard, who was recently named the state’s top elementary school principal of the year.

Bruce was selected as the 2009 Washington State Distinguished Principal by AWSP and its elementary component board, the Elementary School Principals Association of Washington.

For Bruce, it's all about the power of collaboration. Since stepping into the principalship at Edison Elementary—a school with a large number of English language learners and a high level of poverty—he has built relationships among colleagues, students and parents. Known for his strong rapport with Edison students, Bruce is often spotted joining students for a chat over a brown-bag lunch, or practicing his Spanish skills to make a new student feel welcome, or getting a laugh out of the students as his alter ego, Bernard. Congratulations, Bruce!

Congratulations also to the Association's other Administrators of 2009, who were named earlier this year:

High School Principal of the Year: Aaron Leavell, Bremerton High, Bremerton SD
Every decision he makes, says Aaron, “has students at the center of it.” Leavell’s dedication to student achievement touches young people who otherwise may have given up on their education. He has established several programs to provide individualized learning, including a full-time online academy for students struggling with credit recovery, a center for students who have children or hold jobs during the school day, and a program for students with severe behavioral problems.

Middle Level Principal of the Year: Christine Lynch, Shaw Middle, Spokane PS
Christine is known throughout the school for bringing passion and purpose to her job as principal, which, she says, is “the best job in the world.” She has rallied the Shaw community to take collective responsibility for its students’ success. Supported by this sense of partnership, she is committed to making her motto—powerful instruction for all students—a reality. Says Christine, “I could never do this work alone."

Assistant Principal of the Year: Mike O'Donnell, Cle Elum-Roslyn High (Cle Elum-Roslyn SD)
Mike has fostered a culture in which students are empowered—and expected—to perform to their potential. His development of a student achievement database has allowed staff to gather, organize and share assessment data. With the database in place, the school has seen increased dialogue between students, advisers, teachers and parents. He also implemented a new program that links the earning of academic credit to attendance, yielding a 62 percent decrease in tardies and absences in just one year. Mike was a one of three national finalists
for the 2009 NASSP/Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year Award!

Relationship-Based or Technology-Based: Is It One or the Other?

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:18:00 +0000

Having just recently returned from the 2009 NAESP Annual Convention in New Orleans, my mind is racing. And it's not from too many beignets!

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend a pre-conference workshop on "Relationship-Centered Leadership." The presenter, Tom Wojick of The Renewal Group, explored the power of strong relationships with students, staff and faculty. His discussion of emotional and social intelligence clearly resonated with workshop attendees, who were eager to apply his insights to their work in schools.

The following morning, keynote speaker Ian Jukes officially kicked off the convention, delivering a rapid-fire presentation on the exponential growth of technology. His phrase, "Info-Whelming," certainly hit the nail on the head. As attendees left the presentation, I overheard many describing the information as "scary," "daunting" and even "painful."

On Saturday, former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.) knocked our socks off with a presentation that brought attendees to their feet. In his address, Gen. Powell called for young children to get "more lap-top time"—not more time on their computers, but more time "on the laps" of families members who care for them. At the core of his remarks was a focus on relationships between children and parents, family members, principals, teachers and mentors.

And, finally, on Sunday, I attended a breakout session by Matthew Hayden, elementary/technology teacher, Bristol Township SD (Levittown, PA). Hayden did a nice job of answering the question, "OK, I realize technology is changing the classroom—but how is that relevant to me and what can I do about it?"

With each day of the conference, it became more apparent that we all are trying to reconcile the implications of technology with human relationships. Can an education leader value technology and relationships equally? Or does technology result in a "disembodied" education for a children?

In a breakout session, Jukes offered this thought: "If you are an educator who can be replaced by a computer, then you deserve to be replaced by a computer." In other words, technology is a great tool—but it is not a substitute for human-based teaching and learning.

Happy Square Root Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:52:00 +0000

Today, 3/3/09, is rare holiday: It's Square Root Day, a celebration that happens only nine times every century. Ron Gordon, a Redwood City (California) teacher, describes the holiday as a "calendar comet."

"You wait and wait and wait for them, then they brighten up your day—and poof—they're gone," Gordon told the Associated Press.

Mathlete or not, better enjoy Square Root day while it lasts. The next observance is not until 4/4/16.

Here at the AWSP office, we're gearing up for Pi Day, 3/14...

Inauguration Day 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:07:00 +0000

Whether or not you voted for Barack Obama, you can't deny the historic magnitude of this day. That's how educators across the country see it, anyway.

The New York Times recently reported on how the "Inauguration Is Inspiring Classrooms Nationwide," describing ways that teachers and administrators planned to incorporate this morning's ceremony into their classroom instruction. The article quotes Linda Lane, deputy superintendent of instruction in Pittsburgh: “We are totally committed to reading, writing, science and history. But we also know that some history doesn’t come out of a book. Some history you get to be part of.”

Schools have snapped up this opportunity to engage kids. And why not? Each generation lays claim to a "history-in-the-making" moment in the classroom—a moment when students are permitted to put away their books and focus their attention on news as it unfolds. For many of us, "our" moment was one of great tragedy and sadness (think Kennedy's assassination, the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger or September 11, 2001). Whether it's about diversity, democracy or the peaceful transfer of power in the United States, this morning's chapter in history had a decidedly positive undercurrent for kids who remember it as "their moment."

Farewell to a Leader

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:09:00 +0000

A tip of the hat and a round of applause for Dr. Terry Bergeson, Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction for the past 12 years. Today is Dr. Bergeson's last day in office. Throughout her career, she has been tireless in her dedication to students, relentless in her advocacy for K-12 education. For that, we say Thank you!

We wish Dr. Bergeson and her departing staff at OSPI the best of luck as they head off into very bright futures.

Hold on Tight

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:06:00 +0000

It is official: The 2009 Legislature is now in session.

So, Happy First Day of Session! Well, it may not be so "happy," given the state's current $5.7 billion deficit. The budget crisis promises a 105-day roller coaster ride for lawmakers, with plenty of twists, turns, drops and bumps.

Educators will need to hold on tight, too. You may not be able to avoid the twists and turns that affect K-12 education, but you can help your legislators navigate the course. Contact your elected lawmakers and let them know what matters to you.

Click here to look up contact information for your legislators. For practical tips on communicating with elected officials, log on to www.awsp.org and click on "Contact Your Lawmaker" under the "Legislation" tab.

Tune In: Principals on the Tube

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:44:00 +0000

Set your DVR! The new season of TruTV’s The Principal's Office kicks off this Thursday. Included in the reality show’s cast of characters: Kalama High School principal Mike Hamilton and vice principal Nate Salisbury.

In October of last year, Mike and Nate allowed a TruTV film crew to follow them on the job for a period of two weeks. The daily challenges of life in the principal's office were "caught on tape" — and soon will be revealed to curious viewers across the country. Your first chance to watch the Kalama administrators in action comes Thursday with the episode, "Dirty Dancing," which features Nate attempting to thwart potential outbreaks of freak-dancing.

Will we see more of Mike and Nate through the season? Watch and find out! “The Principal’s Office” airs Thursdays at 10 p.m.

Oh, and if Kalama High School looks familiar, don't be surprised. Twilighters will recognize it as Edward and Bella's school building in the film "Twilight." Alas, to see the real high school featured in Stephenie Meyer's novel, you'll have to make the trip to Forks.

Happy 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:55:00 +0000

Happy New Year! After a bit of a hiatus, The Comp Book is back in action for 2009! Thanks for your patience.

We’re starting off the new year with one of our favorite topics: technology in education.

In today’s Washington Post, education columnist Jay Mathews discusses "this year's educational buzz phrase": 21st-Century Skills.

When President-elect Barack Obama introduced Arne Duncan as his nominee for secretary of education, he said, "We need a new vision for the 21st century education system, one where we aren't just supporting existing schools but spurring innovation." If we are to believe Obama's campaign promises, new technology will be an important part of work in the classroom—and in the White House. Word is, sometime this week (tomorrow, according to the BBC) Obama will name his Chief Technology Officer, a new cabinet-level position.

So, what is "a 21st-century education system"? Is it characterized solely by the technical demands and capabilities of our schools today, or is it more pedagogical than that? Mathews prompts his readers to ask if the 21st-century education is really a new concept or just another name for effective teaching.

A 21st-century education purportedly prepares students for a new and changing world, the world they'll encounter when they enter the workforce. But is that any different from what educators have always aimed to do in the classroom, i.e., prepare their students to succeed after graduation?

Is technology the only thing that defines a 21st-century education, or is there more to it than that? What are your thoughts?

Principals' Conference Begins!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Greetings from the 2008 Principals' Conference! It's a beautiful Sunday morning in Spokane, where principals and assistant principals from across the state are gathering for three days of outstanding breakout sessions and keynote speakers.

Pre-conference begins today with three sessions:
- Creating a Strong RTI System for Reading and Math
- Diversity Is Here to Stay: How to Understand, Accept and Unite Cultures in Your Schools
- New Mathematics Standards and Changes to Assessments

This afternoon I'll be speaking to a fun group of elementary principals about using technology. Looking forward to their enthusiasm!

Silver Lining to a Very Grey Cloud

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:43:00 +0000

Could there be a silver lining to the bailout plan?

Hard to imagine when, just last week, Edward R. Kealy, executive director of the Committee for Education Funding, soberly told Education Week, "This bailout is basically going to suck the air out of education funding for years to come" (unless, that is, the next president is committed to boosting education spending).

But for some schools in Washington state, the plan brought good news: The revised bailout bill, which was approved by Congress on Friday, included a timber provision, extending the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act for four years and $3.3 billion. The money will go to 700 counties in 39 states—states that once depended on federal timber sales to pay for schools, libraries and other services.

The federal program, which legislators had been trying to renew for years, had been set to expire last week with the end of the fiscal year. As it turns out, Wall Street wasn't the only place to experience a wave of relief last Friday.

With the program back in place, Washington state will receive $43 million.

Now, what to do about having the air sucked out of education for years to come...

E-quipping Our Students

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:55:00 +0000

By the end of this month, middle and high school students in Kennewick will have their own district-based e-mail addresses, according to an article in yesterday's Tri-Cities Herald. Students will use the e-mail to submit and receive assignments and communicate with their teachers. (Sorry, kids, dogs don't eat e-homework!)

Meanwhile, neighboring Pasco School District is using Moodle, an online course management system that provides exciting opportunities for collaboration between staff and students.

Kudos to the Kennewick and Pasco School Districts! Changes like this—as basic as they may seem—show a true commitment to meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

How is your school or district using technology to strengthen its learning community?

Itz a gr8 dy 2B an editr

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:58:00 +0000

Before SMS (a.k.a. "text talk") became a language, the statement above would have read: "It's a great day to be an editor." Oh, the language woes that have befallen us since the dawn of text-messaging.

While spelling may be the primary victim of the SMS Age, punctuation has had its share of hard knocks, too.

Editors, language arts teachers, grammarians and generally fastidious writers—take heart. This is your day to shine! Today is National Punctuation Day, an opportunity to boldly and shamelessly embrace the correct usage of commas, colons, semicolons, apostrophes, brackets and quotation marks.

Go ahead, tell your students or colleagues the difference between an em dash, an en dash and a hyphen. Show 'em how to insert an ellipses. Justify the use of the serial comma. And strike the ampersand from that sentence. All in the name of good punctuation!

Get Your Head in the Clouds

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Fellinger) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:09:00 +0000

Did you find yourself wondering, as you watched the Democratic and Republican conventions, just how often the topic of education found its way to the podium? If so, here's a tool to help clear things up (or cloud things up, as the case may be): word clouds.

"Word clouds" — yet another child of Web 2.0 — illustrate the frequency at which words occur within a certain text, such as a speech. The more often a word occurs, the bigger it appears in the cloud.

These word clouds, recently created by Wired.com, provide a quick snapshot of how many times the national convention speakers used certain words and phrases. Look for "education," "schools" and "students" in these clouds — it's more challenging than you might expect. The New York Times also developed word clouds for the convention speeches, but their clouds don't even include education-related verbiage. Check out what words were deemed cloud-worthy by the NYT here.

Speaking of the national conventions... Do you think the candidates failed to adequately address education at their party conventions? The (Vancouver) Columbian agrees.

Over the next few months, The Comp Book will be watching McCain-Palin and Obama-Biden for their responses to tough education questions. For a brief overview of each candidate's position on NCLB, the achievement gap, merit pay and more, go to Edutopia 's recent Guide to the 2008 Presidential Candidates' Education Agenda.

FYI: You can create your own word cloud for any text using wordle.net. Just plug in the text and, voilà, out comes your word cloud. Great potential as a fun classroom tool!

This is a word cloud for today's blog entry.
http://wordle.net/.