Head of the Class tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266 2009-11-10T16:48:29Z Grand Rapids Education and Schools News Movable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance Education Week columnist says Obama supports charter schools, teacher performance pay tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3921313 2009-11-10T16:14:25Z 2009-11-10T16:48:29Z Does President Obama prefer charter schools to public schools? Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Does President Obama prefer charter schools to public schools? Are school spending cuts to busing, sports easier to bear if administrative cuts also are made? tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3918925 2009-11-09T21:08:04Z 2009-11-10T12:35:39Z Grand Ledge is reconfiguring its district budget in ways that may soon show up in West Michigan, too. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Grand Ledge is reconfiguring its district budget in ways that may soon show up in West Michigan, too. National report gives Michigan average grades for staffing, school management tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3918096 2009-11-09T16:38:34Z 2009-11-09T18:26:50Z State's grades range from "B" for getting students to college to "D" for data. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html State's grades range from "B" for getting students to college to "D" for data. Aquinas professor to share perspective of East German during fall of Berlin Wall tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3902304 2009-11-07T16:05:19Z 2009-11-07T06:06:40Z She plans to lead a discussion about the 1995 film "Nikolaikirche," which is about events prior to the fall. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html She plans to lead a discussion about the 1995 film "Nikolaikirche," which is about events prior to the fall. Teachers resist limits on using technology to communicate with students tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3878646 2009-11-04T16:31:08Z 2009-11-04T16:45:53Z Recent community college study shows such interaction is widespread -- and even encouraged -- in higher ed. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Recent community college study shows such interaction is widespread -- and even encouraged -- in higher ed. Lawmakers consider limiting student-teacher interaction on cell phones, social networking sites tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3872035 2009-11-03T20:28:57Z 2009-11-04T16:47:09Z Should teachers text students? Or be their friends on Facebook? Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Should teachers text students? Or be their friends on Facebook? GRCC, GVSU students take care of their communities with clothing, food drives tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3865620 2009-11-02T21:21:31Z 2009-11-02T21:34:33Z College students don't always get enough credit for doing nice things for their communities. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html College students don't always get enough credit for doing nice things for their communities. Are No Child Left Behind standards fair? Author says many states are setting bar too low tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3849953 2009-10-30T23:29:59Z 2009-10-31T03:15:34Z Michigan educators were one of the first to set their goals, and have long argued that other states have not set the bar quite as high. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Michigan educators were one of the first to set their goals, and have long argued that other states have not set the bar quite as high. Rockford Superintendent pushes alternative to Speaker Dillon's plan to pool insurance for state employees tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3842356 2009-10-29T22:54:57Z 2009-10-30T07:02:15Z Rockford Superintendent Michael Shibler found himself in the unusual position of speaking on behalf of the Michigan Education Association on Thursday, testifying before a state House of Representatives committee about health insurance. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Rockford Superintendent Michael Shibler found himself in the unusual position of speaking on behalf of the Michigan Education Association on Thursday, testifying before a state House of Representatives committee about health insurance. Would consolidating school districts to save money actually cost us more? tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3834198 2009-10-28T20:01:29Z 2009-10-28T20:03:25Z A look at Maine's debate over consolidating schools. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html A look at Maine's debate over consolidating schools. School districts won't consolidate resources without state pressure tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3828135 2009-10-27T15:36:38Z 2009-10-27T16:56:42Z State asks school districts to "reimagine" educational system -- that's not going to cut it. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html State asks school districts to "reimagine" educational system -- that's not going to cut it. How to fix Michigan's school funding? Former schools superintendent Tom Watkins has a plan tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3811995 2009-10-23T23:55:56Z 2009-10-24T11:36:36Z Official forced out earlier this decade says tax increases aren't the long-term solution. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Official forced out earlier this decade says tax increases aren't the long-term solution. Study: Many teachers disheartened at chances of making a difference tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3803363 2009-10-22T14:59:44Z 2009-10-22T15:35:38Z Discontented teachers cite student behavior, lack of administration support and pay as issues. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Discontented teachers cite student behavior, lack of administration support and pay as issues. Could funding cuts to Michigan's wealthiest school districts force statewide tax increases? tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3798690 2009-10-21T15:56:26Z 2009-10-21T18:47:41Z Rockford Superintendent Michael Shibler wonders whether losing extra funding for so-called "20-J" school districts will push lawmakers to agree to tax increases that could restore money for all schools. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Rockford Superintendent Michael Shibler wonders whether losing extra funding for so-called "20-J" school districts will push lawmakers to agree to tax increases that could restore money for all schools. Researchers suggest merit-based pay for teachers tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3771397 2009-10-15T18:25:04Z 2009-10-15T19:55:24Z Should classroom effectiveness trump tenure? Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Should classroom effectiveness trump tenure? Lawmakers push for school transparency, but would they subject themselves to same scrutiny? tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3762950 2009-10-13T20:55:39Z 2009-10-13T23:44:43Z Should lawmakers be subject to the same rules they impose on educators? Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Should lawmakers be subject to the same rules they impose on educators? Women request quilts for homeless Grand Rapids students tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3738863 2009-10-08T13:30:27Z 2009-10-08T13:40:16Z Carol Peters -- a Grand Rapids woman who helped found the quilt charity Margaret's Hope Chest -- is hoping area quilters will get behind a special effort to produce 400 quilts by Oct. 31 for Grand Rapids Public Schools students who are living in homeless shelters. Kym Reinstadler | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/kreinstadler/index.html Carol Peters -- a Grand Rapids woman who helped found the quilt charity Margaret's Hope Chest -- is hoping area quilters will get behind a special effort to produce 400 quilts by Oct. 31 for Grand Rapids Public Schools students who are living in homeless shelters. Calvin College shifts Homecoming weekend to fall tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3734963 2009-10-07T16:15:08Z 2009-10-07T16:20:04Z For the first time in its history, Calvin College's alumni "welcome home" has been moved to the fall, running this weekend. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html For the first time in its history, Calvin College's alumni "welcome home" has been moved to the fall, running this weekend. Teachers make their case to keep benefits from chopping block tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3730272 2009-10-06T15:29:53Z 2009-10-06T21:10:41Z Two teachers say they earn what they are paid. Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Two teachers say they earn what they are paid. Should Michigan cut teacher benefits to solve budget woes? tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/headoftheclass//2266.3727131 2009-10-05T18:24:18Z 2009-10-05T19:50:00Z Some say the state could save $1.3 billion by reducing benefits. What do you think? Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press http://connect.mlive.com/user/damurray/index.html Some say the state could save $1.3 billion by reducing benefits. What do you think?