6-1-09 Current Conditions for June, 2009 (PDF 5.5MB)
Time for Reflection
One of the greatest challenges in schools today is finding time to reflect. We spend most of the school year hopping from one prep to another, one class to another, one student to another. No wonder so many of us play possum when summer arrives! June can be as busy a time as any when cleaning and closing classrooms compounds end of term grading and reporting. Yet giving reflection a fair go is a critical moment in the learning process...
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5-3-09 Current Conditions for May, 2009 (PDF 312KB)
ASPIRATIONS
Many of us can get caught up in the day-to-day details of school life. At its worst, our efforts decay into drudgery. Even at its best, such an approach can lead to the drama of putting out one fire after another with one new program after another. This month, step back and look at the big picture. What are you trying to accomplish for your students? What is the main goal?
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3-31-09 Current Conditions for April, 2009 (PDF 1.5GB)
Condition of the month:
CONFIDENCE TO TAKE ACTION
The recipe for confidence can be tricky. Too much self-assurance and it overcooks into a dense arrogance. Too little and it never sets up into the firm belief that anything can be accomplished if one is willing to put in the effort. As educators, we have a responsibility to infuse in our students the confidence to take action in support of their dreams.
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3-2-09 Current Conditions for March, 2009 (PDF 1.2GB)
Condition of the month:
LEADERSHIP & RESPONSIBILITY
In schools that provide little opportunity for students to have a say, students are reduced to whispering their concerns around cafeteria tables. In schools that intentionally invite students to sit down at the table where meaningful decisions are made, students have a say in choices that affect learning, policies, and school procedures. Schools that encourage this level of student voice cite two positive outcomes: the students learn how to be responsible leaders, and the schools develop more effective learning, policies, and procedures. Where are students sitting in your school?
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2-17-09 New Hampshire Qualitative Summary (PDF 121KB)
This qualitative study examines the impact of the My Voice^TM survey on staff and students in the state of New Hampshire. The My Voice survey assesses students´ perceptions of their school experiences. The survey data informs schools about student aspirations, which are a key factor related to academic success. Students who have high aspirations push themselves to do better academically in order to achieve their dreams. Data was collected through narrative responses and interviews with principals, teachers, and the Deputy Commissioner of Education of New Hampshire.
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2-1-09 Current Conditions for February, 2009 (PDF 251KB)
Condition of the month: SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
Last month we witnessed the 44^th peaceful transition of power in our government. This particular historic inauguration is the legacy of men and women who, with hope and virtue, took risks to improve their present and their futures. Our forebearers, of long and recent memory, overcame fear, failure, and difficulty to further a common good. Our students are heirs of this willingness to move beyond comfort, to be tested by challenges, and to create their futures.
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12-31-08 Current Conditions for January, 2009 (PDF 1.5MB)
Condition of the month: CURIOSITY & CREATIVITY
What are your highest expectations for your students? Our hopes for those we teach may range from parrot to Pachelbel. Some days we need students to listen and learn facts, and when assessed, to echo what they have heard. Yet if assessment of achievement in schools stops there, we are nurturing only the skills that make for successful imitation and not those that nourish originality. Being original is not a talent. Originality is a habit of mind that can be developed and deepened. How do we assess in order to value each student´s recollection and imagination, memory and creativity, correct answers and relevant questions?
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12-4-08 Current Conditions for December (PDF 362KB)
Condition of the month: Fun & Excitement
Fun & Excitement is often the most challenging Condition for teachers to warm-up to. Yet when teachers are asked about what brought them into teaching or what keeps them teaching for decades, we frequently hear: Passion. Passion for students. Passion for science or history or literature. Passion for learning. Fun & Excitement is about making your passion, whatever its form, shimmer for your students.
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11-3-08 Current Conditions for November (PDF 1.8MB)
Condition of the month: Sense of Accomplishment
With November´s historical election, the attention of our country has been focused on the duty of all citizens to be informed about the issues. Citizens have a responsibility to vote for the people and ballot initiatives that best represent their point of view. As important as these yearly political duties are, practicing citizenship in schools should be a daily exercise. Schools that foster Sense of Accomplishment recognize and promote the contribution of students and staff in every facet of school life - from picking up paper to picking principals, from classroom to board room.
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10-2-08 Current Conditions for October (PDF 194KB)
Condition of the month: Heroes
As we approach the November elections, we are asked to consider the experience and character of the men and women who seek to serve our country as leaders. No matter where we stand politically, these people exhibit care for our country´s citizens and the laws that govern them. At this important time in our country´s history, we can focus on the positive traits of the candidates and the heroism of public service.
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9-8-08 Current Conditions for September (PDF 197KB)
Condition of the month: Belonging
If you watched the Olympics last month, you may have seen world-class athletes close in age to students you work with everyday. This summer we were also treated to a 41 year-old swimmer and athletes who came back from seemingly career ending defeats or injuries. Night after night we cheered people achieving their dreams. Yet the brilliance of their accomplishments in Beijing, may blind us to the day-to-day inspiration necessary to train, sacrifice, and persevere. QISA defines Aspirations as the ability to dream about the future while being inspired in the present to reach those dreams.
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9-8-08 (updated 4-22-09) My Voice^© Student National Report (PDF 291KB)
Between fall 2006 and spring 2008, 414,243 students in grades 6-12 completed the My Voice^© survey. 569 schools from 32 states representing various sizes and socioeconomic backgrounds were included. In this new report, the results of those schools are reported in percentages based on the combined number of students who responded "Strongly Agree" or "Agree" to each statement. The results are then discussed in relation to key aspects of the condition. Separate sections are dedicated to gender differences and changes between middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12).
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9-8-08 My Voice^© Staff Report (PDF 292KB)
A total of 20,913 staff members completed the My Voice^© Staff Aspirations Survey. 63% were classroom teachers; 20% were certified support staff and 17% were support staff. 24% were male and 76% were female. The My Voice^© Staff Aspirations Report is organized around the 8 Conditions. In each section, the condition is defined and data on the survey statements about that condition are described. The data are reported in percentages based on the combined number of staff who responded "strongly agree" or "agree" to each statement. The results are then discussed in relation to key aspects of the condition. A section on Administration and Communication is included, as are comparisons between staff and student responses to similar questions. There is also a section about respect in schools. A brief conclusion and discussion of key areas in need of attention are included at the end of the report.
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