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  • 3 Strategies for Holistic Cybersecurity

    3 Strategies for Holistic Cybersecurity


    3 Strategies for Holistic Cybersecurity

    Austin Anderson

    By Austin Anderson, a certified network engineer and IT professional, who travels around Wisconsin helping school districts secure and optimize their networks.  

    Schools are prime targets for cybercriminals not because their data is pricelessly valuable, but because criminals know school IT teams are chronically overworked, understaffed, and working within a tight budget.

    While it’s important to invest in purposefully built and trustworthy software solutions, that’s just the beginning. Invest in your school’s cyberculture instead of isolating data security practices to IT teams alone, and soon keeping data safe becomes everyone’s job. A holistic approach to cybersecurity might be one of the strongest school CTOs and their teams can employ.

    What does holistic cybersecurity look like?

    Network security can conjure up images of a firewall that keeps bad guys out and only lets certain things in. It might be antivirus software installed, a network security plan, or some other high-level strategy. All these solutions are crucial, but there’s still more work to be done.

    Just like you or I listen to the expert advice of doctors, we also partake in everyday practices to keep ourselves healthy. It’s the same concept with cybersecurity. A holistic approach invites everyone to learn more to scrutinize their own cyberspace habits. Training programs like KnowBe4 help users shift their mindset from passive trust of software to a proactive use of services including applications, social media, and other systems. The information employees share on personal social media is regularly mined by bad actors to gather intelligence they can use to infiltrate networks. Holistic cybersecurity strategies teach folks how to protect both personal and professional networks. Anyone can learn how to be more mindful in online spaces, and every little bit of practice helps secure district networks.

    Though we tend to imagine computer networks as cloud formations, they also need very practical care. Physical security for data centers, hardware, and network devices all help keep systems out of harm’s way. Ensure doors lock and that data centers aren’t doing double-duty storing liquids or other items that might pose a physical threat.

    Above all, this holistic approach (physical, software, and human firewall working together) is designed to work proactively to protect private data and minimize downtime. There’s no better time to improve than when you’re already feeling confident.

    Get your leaders on board

    Leading by example pays dividends for many reasons. It will help to roll out security changes to administrators, business managers, and leaders first. These folks have the largest share of responsibility in systems, and they’re most likely to be targeted in a phishing or other type of cyberattack. They should be the first people to be secured and the first to understand the stakes—that way, their training can trickle down to their peers, teams, and students. Understanding the “why” behind increased security measures is a worthwhile investment. That way, rather than advocating for IT to “ease up,” leaders can emphasize the importance of constant vigilance, even when users complain about using multi-factor authentication or other extra-secure steps.

    Time spent recovering from an attack takes exponentially longer than strengthening your defense. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office study found that learning time lost post-attack ranged from three days to three weeks (!) while total recovery time took up to nine months.

    Off-campus, cyberattacks shake the strong foundation of trust school leaders work tirelessly to build. It’s not fair to the district leaders, but an even stronger motivator to look at every email, attachment, and link with a critical eye. After all, the cost of proactive security is far less than reactive security.

    Maximize the tools you already have

    Take part in professional development experiences. Your student information system (SIS), enterprise resource planning solution (ERP), and learning management system (LMS) all contain built-in security measures, including task-based permissions, geofencing, and more.

    Now’s the time to maximize your interoperability capabilities and implement single sign on (SSO) solutions. Fewer paths of entry to exploit plus a better UX is a win/win for staff, students, and your IT team.

    Plus, hardware and network partnerships provide much-needed trustworthy support and backup for your in-house technology teams.

    Get your students on board

    Contrary to popular belief, students aren’t really the technology wizards we might imagine them to be. It’s true they’ve been surfing the Web since they could read, but that comfort simply means they don’t know quite how to protect themselves (and their personal data) online.

    Digital citizenship skills are wholly appropriate and crucial at school and outside it. Why not teach great online safety tips to protect students on school devices, since hopefully, those good digital habits will translate to their personal devices? Parents can learn a thing or two as well.

    Finally, students using school credentials on social media led to a new type of cyberattack for Las Vegas schools. Teaching good social media strategies to students can not only protect their own accounts but also your heavily protected edtech.

    School data is worth protecting. Get everyone involved and lean on great technology partners, and your chances of weathering the rough seas of cyberattacks increase.



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  • Scrum A Tested Organization Tool for Project Based Learning

    Scrum A Tested Organization Tool for Project Based Learning


    What is SCRUM?

    Scrum Project Management Image

    Why I Scrum: Using a Project Management Tool for PBL

    SCRUM tools support Scrum ceremonies, including planning sprints, keeping track of daily work, refining backlogs, and using data from the past to keep improving. When people work together on these tasks, Scrum tools help them stay focused by connecting the work to its value.

    If you are a teacher who works on projects with students in PBL, you know that PBL can be messy and hard to track due to the multi-step process. Todd LaVogue, a design thinking teacher at the Conservatory School in North Palm Beach, Florida, knows all too well. LaVogue, author of Why I Scrum: Using a Project Management Tool for PBL article, had difficulty keeping track of every student, every task, and every PBL project management process.

    LaVogue saw a sitcom about a tech startup in Silicon Valley trying to get their product ready for consumer use, with a deadline approaching. LaVogue saw one frantic scene where the team started grabbing post it notes off a white board, working on the task written on the post it, and moving tasks from left to right through various columns on the white board. LaVogue began researching about this magical board online, and he loved that no scrum board images were the same. He began to change to a scrum board to fit the needs of his students.

    Scrum Board Process in PBL

    LaVogue felt no need to overcomplicate the process since scrum boards are configurable. LaVogue has this iteration with five columns:

             
    Team To Do Doing Peer Review Done
    Heading
             
    Team names or   Deliverable names   Individual tasks on note cards or post it notes Tasks remove from To Do column and return as Doing Members of another team give cool or warm feedback Peer group initial the task card as complete and return to Done column.
    Information
    Scrum Project Management for PBL Image

    Team Column: Only team name or deliverable names are listed.

    Reason: LaVogue had no interest in student progress monitor boards. LaVogue did not want to confuse any classroom guests into thinking that is displayed.

    To Do Column: Teams create individual tasks on notecards (cut in half to conserve board space) or post it notes. All tasks start in “To Do” section. Once removed from the board to work on, that card returns to board in the Doing column.

    LaVogue helped teams to create list of all tasks necessary to complete deliverables.

    Peer Review Column: Before tasks are moved to Done column, members of another team will analyze the work and provide warm and cool feedback.

    Done Column: Once the peer group initials the task card as complete, the card is placed in the Done column.

    LaVogue wanted to keep the scrum board idea fresh for his students, so he had created scrum boards using various materials and designs, while keeping the five columns the same.

    Scrum Board Idea Image

    LaVogue believed on “large scale, multi-step projects, scrum boards are an excellent way to keep students on track.

    LaVogue and his students modeled when you are not currently working on a task, to approach the scrum board and select a task. This is one way to ensure everyone has something to do.

    Real-World Application in PBL

    In LaVogue opinion the use of scrum boards across many companies adds another level of real-world application. LaVogue believed peer review is the most important column on the board for his students. Students looked for feedback to find out what revision is necessary on their task. Students gave feedback work on important thinking and communication skills.

    LaVogue explained that once the task has gone through peer review and revised to the satisfaction of all involved, sign off is completed and moved into the final column. LaVogue noted “The sense of student ownership in creating the tasks, teams and deliverables makes the scrum board the focal point of student-centered learning.”

    Keep Learning

    The Key to Create Authentic Project Empower Student Learning

    Scrum Boards are Good for Teachers

    LaVogue typically works with large group of kids during a PBL cycle. LaVogue believes scrum board helps him to keep track of all the teams. LaVogue looks over the scrum board a few times during classes to identify ways he can help.

    LaVogue gives an example of a task for one team that could be to create a 3D printed project. LaVogue will check to ensure the team has all the tools and/or skills to complete that task.

    On exhibition night, students develop ownership of their learning and ownership of their deliverables. LaVogue need not create some exaggerated reason students are doing what they are doing. The students created task. The students created teams. The students created deliverables.

    LaVogue has become a guide to help kids develop the skills to make it all happen.

    Scrum Board Example

    LaVogue provides one example of what goes on in scrum board for his class. Driving question for a Project:

    It focuses on locally threatened or endangered wildlife. Students want to create video games to educate the public about specific species that interest them.

    Task Examples:

    Students would create tasks and add to the “To Do” column of their scrum board, and they are:

    And more —

    Give Scrum Board a Try

    LaVogue points out scrum board has helped his students stay focused and organized. A scrum board helps them to visualize their plan. It helps them see the big things can be done with a plan and an understanding that it is a multi-step process to reach the finish line.



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  • Seize the opportunity to select more effective math curriculum for California students

    Seize the opportunity to select more effective math curriculum for California students


    Credit: English Learners Success Forum

    I am a daughter of Mexican immigrants, born in the United States. Spanish is my first language. When I entered school, the language barrier was overwhelming. I see my story in the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) numbers. The report unveiled troubling trends in math performance, especially among English learners, underscoring the urgency of addressing this critical area.

    As a young Spanish speaker still learning English, I sat in the back of the classroom, feeling lost while my classmates actively participated. Contrary to what my parents taught my siblings and me, in school our linguistic background was considered a disadvantage, rather than an asset. I was a bright student with a father who was great with numbers without a calculator. Though my parents had only a second-grade education, they ensured my siblings and I could do math well. Yet, at school the perception was that because I didn’t know English, I couldn’t comprehend the content in other subjects either.

    Though my parents encouraged us to embrace learning, education and our cultural roots through our language, I struggled with my identity and found it challenging to express myself in English. The class instruction did not support my need to learn English while also helping me grasp rigorous content.

    As California confronts its educational challenges, a critical concern has emerged: the need for math instruction and a math curriculum that is accessible and meets the needs of all students, especially English learners.

    The National NAEP data indicates a concerning trend in math scores for both native English speakers and English learners showing a national decline in math scores for 4th and 8th graders, with 40% of 4th graders and only 28% of 8th graders achieving proficiency. Among Grade 8 math scores, English learners in the lowest percentile group experienced a six-point drop, widening the achievement gap with non-English learners, who only decreased by two points. In California, where nearly one out of every five students is learning English as a second language, it’s even more urgent that we address this crisis.

    Teacher voices and research consistently show that effective instructional materials are crucial. The California Math Framework adopted in 2023 specifically underscored that sense-making in mathematics is intricately linked to language development. It is critical for any math curriculum we choose to support all students in developing the skills needed to excel in mathematics.

    This is a critical moment for California as it is currently in the process of adopting math materials for 2026, which could significantly influence students’ achievement for years to come. The curriculum materials needed to change future outcomes are being selected now, and educators can demand high-quality instructional materials that are designed to support the needs of English learners.

    Education leaders play a pivotal role in this adoption process. We must advocate fiercely for the best interests of our students, especially English learners, to ensure they receive the education they deserve. Collaboration with educators, parents, and the community is crucial to ensure that we make informed decisions that cater to the diverse needs of our students.

    As California’s education leaders, we play a pivotal role, and there are specific actions that we can take to drive change.

    • Learn what high-quality materials for English learners look like. It’s vital to recognize what makes instructional materials effective. They should be culturally responsive, linguistically suitable and engaging, helping students access content while promoting language development.
    • Include representation of interest in committees. Ensuring voices are present in decision-making, like curriculum committees, fosters inclusivity. Engaging families and communities provides insights that create a more equitable educational environment.
    • Get involved now in curriculum adoption. Participating in the curriculum selection process enables educators to advocate for materials that support English learners. District leaders, school board members, educators and parents all have a role to play here.
    • Shift mindsets about materials together with professional learning. Changing educator perceptions and recognizing that traditional materials may not meet the diverse needs of English learners encourages innovative teaching strategies.

    If we fail to address the specific needs of the 1.1 million English learners in California’s K-12 schools, we risk perpetuating systemic inequalities, which broadens the achievement gap. The California Math Framework explicitly calls for the integration of language and content. California has an opportunity to make better curriculum choices that benefit all students and significantly improve the educational experience for English learners.

    By implementing these strategies, education leaders can foster change and a sustainable education process for English learners. Our children deserve nothing less.

    •••

    Alma Castro is the president of the Los Angeles County Schools Trustee Association, a member of the Lynwood Unified School Board, and director of California initiatives at the English Learners Success Forum, a collaboration of researchers, teachers, district leaders, and funders working to improve the quality and accessibility of instructional materials for English learners.

    The opinions expressed in this commentary represent those of the author. EdSource welcomes commentaries representing diverse points of view. If you would like to submit a commentary, please review our guidelines and contact us.





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  • Application Window Open for The Teach Like a Champion Fellows–Cohort 4!!

    Application Window Open for The Teach Like a Champion Fellows–Cohort 4!!


     

    Since 2016, one of our most exciting projects here at Team TLAC has been our Teaching Fellowship, which has allowed us to learn from champion teachers and share their expertise through our workshops and materials with schools all over the world. We are excited to announce that we are opening applications for our fourth cohort of TLAC Fellows!  

    The goal of our Fellows program has always been to recognize, support, and develop outstanding classroom teachers. In our initial launch of the program, we described the purpose like this:  

     

    We want to create incentives for great teachers to become even better teachers. That is, we want ways for them to be ambitious and remain in the classroom, to be ambitious about being a classroom teacher, rather than having entering administration be the only way to be ambitious. 

     

    And we want to encourage very, very good teachers to focus on getting even better- to strive to become classroom artisans who love and are fascinated by the mastery of the craft. We want them to love deep study of teaching and importantly, to influence their peers though the excellence of their daily teaching and their passion for the craft- their growth mindset, if you will. We think great schools need people like that. And being who we are of course we also want to learn not just from but with people like that- study them and their work but also study the craft generally alongside them. 

     

    The time is right for a program like this one. Since 2020, teachers have been required to adapt to a constantly changing educational landscape, and students have returned to school with increasingly urgent learning needs. Across the country and around the world, schools are struggling to attract and keep top teachers in classrooms. This is our opportunity to honor the incredibly hard and important work teachers are doing. 

     

    Of course, our team benefits tremendously from the Fellows program. Not only have we been inspired and energized by the work that our Fellows have done in their schools, but we’ve gained invaluable video and reflections about the nuances of various TLAC techniques. Many of our former Fellows are featured in TLAC 3.0, including in our new Keystone videos (extended videos, 10 minutes or so, intended to show a longer arc of a teacher’s lesson where they use multiple techniques in combination). We still have strong relationships with former Fellows who continue to contribute to our team and help us learn. Over the next few months on the blog, we’ll be shining a spotlight on Fellows from our recently concluded third cohort to share some of the work and learning they’ve done during their time in the program (see the end of this blog post for their names and independent study areas). 

     

    If you are a teacher who is looking to be valued and celebrated for your work while being pushed to grow in your own practice to become even better for your students and colleagues, we invite you to apply and learn alongside us!  

     

    Cohort 4 Details:  

    • The program will run from January 2026-January 2028, for which Fellows must remain in the classroom. 
    • The first 18 months will involve active programming (bi-monthly remote and some in-person meetings with the team, classroom filming, video analysis, etc.) and the final 6 months will be an independent project. 
    • A $10,000 stipend (paid over the course of two years, provided that Fellows remain in the classroom and complete the independent project) 

     

    For more detailed information and to see the application, visit our Fellows page here: https://teachlikeachampion.org/teach-like-champion-fellows/  

     

    Here’s a list of our most recent cohort of TLAC Fellows, along with their grade band and subject, and their area of study for their independent project.  

     

    • Ben Katcher, HS History, Implementing Knowledge Organizers in the Classroom  
    • Beth Greenwood, MS Science, TLAC Techniques in the UK 
    • Bob Arnold and Rene Claxton, Medical Education, Engaging Academics in the Medical Education Setting 
    • Casey Clementson, MS Orchestra, What to Do Cycle in Middle School Orchestra 
    • Christina Mercado, MS ELA, Habits of Discussion Implementation and Maintenance 
    • Diana Bentley, HS ELA, Cultivating Facilitator Expertise Across the School 
    • Jamarr McCain, MS Math, Adult PD on Knowledge Organizers 
    • Kathleen Lavelle, HS Science, Supporting Students with IEPs in General Practical Science 
    • Rockyatu Otoo, ES SPED, Increasing Belonging and Collaboration with Colleagues through Culturally Responsive Lesson Prep Checklist 
    • Steve Kuninsky, HS Science, FASE Reading and Accountable Independent Reading in Chemistry 



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  • Concern grows as visas are terminated for dozens of international students at California colleges

    Concern grows as visas are terminated for dozens of international students at California colleges


    UCLA campus in Westwood on Nov. 18, 2023.

    Credit: Julie Leopo / EdSource

    This story has been updated with additional information on visa terminations at UC Riverside.

    California campuses are searching for answers after dozens of international students had their visas terminated in recent days, a worrying trend for the state’s public colleges and universities, which enroll tens of thousands of international students and depend on the millions of dollars in tuition revenue they provide.

    Concerns are also growing that the visa actions could result in a sizable number of international students choosing not to attend U.S. colleges in the fall.

    Across the University of California’s 10 campuses, California State University’s 23 campuses and the state’s 116 community colleges, more than 80 current and former students have had their F-1 visas terminated, a number that could grow. In most cases, campus officials said the federal government, under new Trump administration policies, terminated the visas without explanation.

    The cancellations are especially concerning to UC and CSU because the two systems combine to enroll about 50,000 international students, who make up significant enrollments in many graduate programs and pay tuition at much higher rates than California resident students. Including private universities, there are 154,000 international students in California, according to data from the SEVIS Data Mapping Tool, accounting for about 14% of all international college students in the U.S. and the most of any state.

    The timing of the terminations is also concerning: Many prospective international students are currently deciding where they will attend in the fall, said Bernie Burrola, the vice president for international, community and economic engagement at the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU). 

    Burrola added that he’s worried there could be a chilling effect on international student enrollments.

    “Students spend quite a bit of money when they come to university. Do they want to invest that time and money and then get a visa termination? I’m sure that calculus is happening around the world right now, with students weighing their options between a U.S. higher education and that of another country,” he said.

    According to experts monitoring the terminations nationally, it’s possible the students had an infraction with law enforcement, even something as minor as a traffic violation. Nationally, there have also been reports that students are being targeted for involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. 

    The State Department, which handles student visas, did not return a request for comment Monday.

    In recent interviews, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the federal government will not cancel the “overwhelming majority of student visas” but is targeting students it believes “are supportive of movements that run counter to the foreign policy of the United States.” He also acknowledged that the government is also pursuing terminations that “are unrelated to any protests and are just having to do with potential criminal activity.”

    Visas have been terminated for current or former students from at least seven UC and CSU campuses and one community college:

    • Six students and six recent graduates at UCLA
    • Seven students and five recent graduates at UC Davis
    • Five students at UC San Diego
    • Four students and two recent graduates at UC Berkeley
    • Three students at UC Santa Cruz
    • Two students and four recent graduates at UC Riverside
    • One student at San Diego State
    • An undisclosed number of students at San Jose State
    • Six students at Santa Monica College

    In total, a CSU systemwide spokesperson said the visas of 32 students had been revoked as of Monday, but did not disclose which specific campuses were affected.

    Four students and two recent graduates at Stanford University have also had their visas terminated, showing the actions are also occurring at private institutions.

    “We reiterate our strong support for all international students and scholars,” UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive said in a message to her campus. “UC Santa Cruz is enriched by the contributions of our international community members, and we are fortunate to research, teach, and learn with and from such outstanding students and scholars.”

    In fall 2024, the UC system enrolled about 35,000 international students, or about 11.5% of all students. About 20,000 were undergraduates and 15,000 were graduate students. CSU, in fall 2024, enrolled 13,718 international students, or about 3% of that semester’s enrollment. Of those students, 5,765 were graduate students.

    Across California’s 116-campus community college system, 14,533 students had a student visa in fall 2024, or about 1% of the student body. 

    UC and CSU receive significant tuition revenue from international students, who are charged a nonresident supplemental tuition fee on top of the base tuition that is also charged to in-state students. During the 2022-23 academic year, UC received $1.1 billion in revenue from nonresident supplemental tuition charged to nonresidents, which includes both out-of-state and international students. CSU likely receives tens of millions of dollars annually in tuition from out-of-state students.

    Concerns about that tuition revenue come as the universities also worry about federal threats to withhold funds for research and other purposes and a possible reduction in state dollars for UC and CSU because of budget constraints. 

    Higher education experts emphasized, though, that universities stand to lose more than just tuition revenue if international students choose not to attend. Burrola, the APLU vice president, noted that many graduate programs are “heavily dependent on international students” and that certain departments would be in jeopardy without those students, who often add value by working as teaching assistants leading discussion sections and being deeply involved in research.

    Ted Mitchell, the president of the American Council on Education, an important lobby group for higher education, said it is “important for a host of reasons” that the United States remain a top destination for international students, “from the positive impact they make on our economy and cultural vibrancy to the way so many become ambassadors for the value of a U.S. education and our way of life.” 

    “It is important for international students to be treated fairly and afforded due process. It would be detrimental to the United States, both from an economic and academic standpoint, to chill the willingness of prospective international students to come here,” he said.

    In most cases, students at UC and CSU who had their visas terminated were not given explanations. Officials at UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, and CSU officials at San Diego State said the federal government didn’t explain the rationale behind the terminations. UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk offered some clarity, saying the termination notices at that campus “indicate that all terminations were due to violations of the terms of the individuals’ visa programs.”

    The Associated Press reported that some students across the country have been targeted over pro-Palestinian activism, criminal infractions or even things as minor as a traffic violation.

    Burrola said an emerging theme nationally is that students who received terminations might have “some kind of infraction” with law enforcement, sometimes minor ones. He added, though, that his understanding is based only on anecdotal reports and that APLU is seeking further clarification from the federal government. He said the group sent a letter to Secretary of State Rubio asking for a meeting “to better understand why this is happening.”

    Mitchell of the American Council on Education penned a similar letter to Rubio and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, requesting a briefing on the terminations.

    “Recent actions have contributed to uncertainty and impedes the ability of our institutions to best advise international students and scholars,” Mitchell wrote. “It is important institutions are in a position to reassure international students so they can continue to make exceptional contributions to their campuses, communities, and the nation.”





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  • As University of California searches for new president, Trump’s policies make the position more difficult

    As University of California searches for new president, Trump’s policies make the position more difficult


    University of California presidents since 2008.

    The presidency of the University of California has long been considered one of the more challenging positions in American higher education. It requires overseeing nearly 300,000 students, 10 campuses, $8 billion a year of premier research, six medical centers and three federally funded national energy laboratories.

    Now, UC’s board of regents is looking for the next person to fill the role and replace President Michael V. Drake, who plans to step down at the end of the academic year. But in the months since the search began, the job has only grown more complicated and pressured as a result of Donald Trump’s election and his policies affecting funding, racial diversity, student protests and many other aspects of higher education.

    “I think the university is dealing with more significant challenges all at the same time than they probably have in the last 50 years, 60 years,” said John Pérez, the former state Assembly speaker who served on the university’s board of regents for a decade, including a stint as chair, before stepping down last year. “My friends on the regents have a difficult task to find the person to lead through this moment.”

    The U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating, among other things, allegations of discriminatory admissions practices and complaints of antisemitism at several UC campuses.

    The federal threats are on top of issues that existed even before Trump took office, such as the likelihood of a nearly $400 million cut or 8% to UC’s state funding this year. Even with that probable budget reduction, the next president will be expected to increase graduation rates — especially among Black and Latino students — and to keep enrolling more California residents.

    And there are the perennial questions of how to deal with the many and sometimes conflicting constituencies within the state and university, including the state’s governor and legislators, faculty, alumni, student leaders, labor unions, political activists and parents.

    “We need a UC president that can be ready to advocate and fight back on any reduction of potential federal funds, and then also be ready to figure out what to do in case we do incur those losses,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong, D-Alhambra, who is chair of the Assembly’s Higher Education Committee. He said some legislators have floated the idea of another tuition hike for out-of-state students.

    University presidential searches often raise the questions of whether to get someone from inside the university or someone with fresh, outside experience, and whether to hire someone with experience in academia or from another background, such as in business, government or philanthropy. UC has tried different routes in its most recent presidential hirings. 

    It’s unlikely that the next president will have every desirable skill and experience, said Hironao Okahana, a vice president at the American Council on Education, a national organization that lobbies on behalf of universities. 

    What’s most important, he said, is that the president be prepared for a constantly evolving job. He noted that in the past five years, college leaders have had to navigate a pandemic, a racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd and now the many federal threats. “Higher education leadership is never static, especially for a place like the University of California,” he said.

    The search for the next president was launched last summer after Drake announced he would step down. Drake, who earns a base salary of $1.3 million after getting a raise last year, entered the job in 2020 and had to deal with many of the issues arising from the pandemic, including a temporary switch to online classes.

    The university’s website for the search says the regents are seeking “an individual who is an outstanding leader and a respected scholar who has successfully demonstrated these abilities in a major complex organization.”

    At the most recent regents meeting last month, board chair Janet Reilly said the special regents committee in charge of finding the next president “has been working diligently” but did not say when the search would finish. The committee’s work is being tightly held: It has met only in closed session and has not released the names of any potential finalists. 

    UC also hosted three town hall meetings in January to gather public feedback. Assisting with the process is SP&A Executive Search, a national search firm specializing in higher education and nonprofit sectors.

    Drake’s final months on the job have been marked by policies and actions responding to the Trump administration, a reality with no end in sight.

    Last month, his office announced UC would no longer require faculty job applicants to submit statements about how they would promote diversity. That move came after the Trump administration threatened to withhold funding from universities with programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Earlier that same day, Drake announced a systemwide hiring freeze in anticipation of those potential funding cuts. 

    In February, UC also filed a declaration of support when California and 21 other states sued the Trump administration over billions in proposed National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding cuts. The judge in the case has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from making those reductions. 

    UC gets about $6 billion annually in federal funds for research and other program supports, with NIH being the top source. Cuts to that funding would be felt across the immense system, which comprises nine undergraduate campuses and one graduate-only campus, UC San Francisco. All 10 campuses have R1 status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the highest tier for research universities.

    Also potentially at risk if the White House and Congress decide to pursue deeper, broader cuts is the $8 billion in Medicare and Medicaid that UC receives for patient care at the medical centers at its Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego and San Francisco campuses. So far, Trump says he will not reduce those.

    UC’s next president could be squeezed from two sides: trying to preserve federal funds while also facing pressure from students and faculty not to succumb to any potential demands from Trump. Last month, Columbia University agreed to change its protest policies, security practices and Middle Eastern studies department to keep $400 million that the Trump administration threatened to cut.

    Students are “extremely concerned” that a similar scenario could play out at UC, said Aditi Hariharan, a fourth-year student at UC Davis and president of the systemwide UC Student Association. The U.S. Department of Education is investigating UC’s Berkeley, Davis, San Diego and Santa Barbara campuses for possible Title VI violations “relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination.” Separately, the Department of Justice is investigating Berkeley, UCLA and UC Irvine for potentially considering race in admissions, which UC has denied doing. 

    Hariharan said she was disappointed to see UC stop requiring diversity statements, which she viewed as a concession to Trump. 

    “I’m hoping to see the next UC president push back stronger,” she said. 

    To navigate the many federal complications, UC might consider hiring someone with government experience this time, said Adrianna Kezar, director of the University of Southern California’s Pullias Center of Higher Education. 

    She pointed to Janet Napolitano, who was UC’s president from 2013 to 2020 and took the job after stints as the U.S. secretary of homeland security and governor of Arizona.

    “Someone like that will understand how to navigate all the executive orders, how to navigate shifts in the agencies,” Kezar said. “Over the next four years, this is going to be a landscape where, if you lack that kind of experience, I think it’s going to be really challenging.”

    It would also help if the next president has philanthropic acumen, Kezar added. If UC loses significant federal dollars, the university will need to look for new funding sources, she said. 

    Napolitano was succeeded by Drake, who had a much more traditional academic background. He served as president of Ohio State University and, before that, was UC’s vice president for health affairs and later chancellor of UC Irvine. Napolitano’s predecessor, Mark Yudof, also had an academic background. Before serving as UC’s president from 2008 to 2013, he was the dean of the University of Texas at Austin’s law school, president of the University of Minnesota and chancellor of the University of Texas system. 

    Pérez, the former regent who chaired the board when Drake was hired, said he’d prefer UC to hire another president who has headed a large public research university, especially if they have experience overseeing academic medical centers. 

    Despite the many threats and challenges UC faces, Pérez added that he’s confident “in the strength of the institution to weather these storms.”

    “But having the right leader means that we will weather the storms more easily and that folks will have confidence that we won’t lose sight of all that’s essential in the university,” he said.





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  • Master Student Self-Assessment: Strategies for Success

    Master Student Self-Assessment: Strategies for Success


    Student Self Assessment Image

    Introduction

    Creating a place where all students feel included and can take part in their learning is important for their growth in school. When teachers use self-assessment, they help students take charge of their own learning. This builds a sense of responsibility and helps them learn to guide themselves. This guide will look at helpful ways to use self-assessment in your classroom.

    Key Highlights

    • Empower students to take ownership of their learning by implementing self-assessment techniques.
    • Discover the benefits of self-assessment, such as increased student motivation, engagement, and metacognitive skills.
    • Explore practical examples of self-assessment tools, including learning logs, rubric self-assessments, and exit tickets.
    • Learn how to effectively introduce self-assessment to students and provide ongoing support throughout the process.
    • Encourage a growth mindset, where students view challenges as valuable learning experiences.

    Understanding the Basics of Self-Assessment

    Self-assessment is a helpful way for students to think about their own work. They look at what they have done and see how good it is. They also find ways to improve. This isn’t just about giving their own grades. Instead, students compare their work to set rules, check how they did, and plan how to get better with their understanding and skills.

    When students take part in self-assessment, they build important skills that help them think about their learning. They become more aware of how they learn, what they are good at, and what they need to work on. This understanding helps them take control of their learning journey. They can then make smart choices about how they move forward in school.

    Defining Self-Assessment in Educational Contexts

    According to Benefits and Examples of Student Self-Assessments article self-assessment in education means that students look at their own work or performance. They do this by using specific rules or standards to help them. This practice encourages students to be more involved in their own learning. They reflect on what they understand and see where they can improve. Self-assessment isn’t just about grading. It includes different methods, like writing journal entries, using self-evaluation charts, and getting feedback from peers.

    Doing self-assessment helps students learn more deeply and understand better. When they think about their own work, they learn the subject and the assessment criteria more clearly. As a result, their performance may get better, and they feel a greater sense of achievement.

    Using self-assessment in higher education can be very helpful. It allows students to take more control of their learning. This also prepares them for independent study and future work in their careers.

    The Significance of Self-Assessment for Learners

    Benefits and Examples of Student Self-Assessments article suggests self-assessment helps learners take charge of their education. It gives them a clear way to think about how they are doing. When students look at their own work, they better understand what they do well and what they can work on. This helps them set realistic goals and see their progress.

    Also, self-assessment builds a growth mindset. It shifts the focus from grades to the learning process itself. Students who use self-assessment see challenges as chances to grow. They are more likely to keep trying even when things get tough. They know that learning is a journey and that setbacks are just a part of it.

    Using self-assessment in the classroom can help students feel more independent and responsible. This can lead to more motivation, better engagement, and a deeper understanding of what they are studying.

    Preparing for Self-Assessment: What You Need to Get Started

    Before you start self-assessment with your students, you need to make a safe space that supports reflection and growth. First, clearly explain why self-assessment is important and the good things that come from it. Stress that it is meant for learning, not for judging anyone.

    Also, give students clear and specific assessment criteria. You can work together to create rubrics or checklists. This will help students know what good work looks like and let them use these tools to fairly assess their own performance.

    Identifying Goals and Objectives

    Clearly defining learning goals and success criteria is very important before starting self-assessment. First, set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) learning goals for the lesson or unit. This helps students know what they are working towards and creates a guide for their self-evaluation.

    Next, introduce success criteria. Break the learning goal into smaller and manageable steps. Success criteria show the specific qualities or elements needed to show that a student has reached the learning goal. Involve students in defining success criteria. This helps them feel responsible and understand the expectations better.

    By setting clear learning goals and success criteria, you give students the right tools. These tools help them with their learning process and allow them to do useful self-assessments.

    Gathering Necessary Tools and Resources

    To help students assess themselves, give them useful tools and resources. Having many options allows students to choose what fits their way of learning best. This means every student can get the support they need to do well.

    Think about adding:

    • Checklists: These simple lists help students clearly track their progress and check off all important parts of their assignment or task.
    • Rubrics: Rubrics show various levels of skill, helping students judge their work fairly and find areas they can improve.
    • Learning Logs: Learning logs let students think about their learning experiences, write down their progress, and set personal goals.

    Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Self-Assessment

    According to Peer and self-assessment article for students Implementing self-assessment in the classroom can be easy. You can start with a clear plan. Slowly add these practices to your teaching. This will help students feel relaxed about checking their own work.

    Begin by explaining self-assessment and showing how to do it. Then, give students more responsibility. Make sure to provide clear rules and helpful tools, like checklists or rubrics. These will help them reflect on their work.

    Step 1: Introducing Self-Assessment to Learners

    When you talk about self-assessment, it’s important to explain why it’s useful and what it can do. Remind everyone that self-assessment is not about giving themselves a grade. It is a helpful way to think about a piece of work and find out how to make it better.

    In primary school, start with easy self-assessment activities. For instance, after finishing a writing task, students can read their work again. They can use a checklist to make sure they have used capital letters, punctuation marks, and spaces between words. This will help them get into the habit of looking over their own work to see what can be improved.

    As students learn more about self-assessment, you can slowly add more detailed tools and methods. Encourage them to think critically about their learning. Show them examples of how self-assessment can help them be more independent and achieve better results.

    Step 2: Creating Effective Self-Assessment Tools

    Creating good self-assessment tools is important. They help students evaluate their own work. You should start by involving students in making these tools, if you can. This will give them ownership and help them understand the assessment criteria better.

    For younger students, simple checklists work well. Use clear and short phrases that focus on one or two main points. For example, in a writing assignment checklist, you could use items like “I used capital letters at the beginning of each sentence” or “I checked my work for spelling errors.”

    Rubrics are another option. They offer a detailed way to evaluate work. Rubrics give specific criteria for different levels of achievement. This helps students look at their own work more fairly. When making rubrics, ask students to help find the key criteria. Make sure the language is clear and easy to grasp.

    Step 3: Facilitating the Self-Assessment Process

    Effectively facilitating the self-assessment process involves providing clear guidelines, offering constructive feedback, and creating a supportive environment that encourages reflection and growth. Encourage students to view self-assessment as an integral part of their learning process, rather than just another task to complete.

    To guide students, provide prompts and questions that encourage thoughtful reflection. For example, ask them to identify the most successful aspect of their work, areas where they faced challenges, or steps they would take to improve their performance. Model the process of providing constructive feedback, focusing on specific examples and suggestions for improvement.

    Consider using a table like this to structure self-assessment feedback:

    Strength Area for Improvement Actionable Step
    I organized my ideas logically. I need to work on my sentence fluency. I will practice writing different types of sentences.
    I used vivid language in my writing. I need to cite my sources correctly. I will review

    Step 4: Analyzing Self-Assessment Results

    To analyze self-assessment results, change how you look at the data. Instead of just gathering it, use it to improve student learning. Tell your students to see the results as helpful advice for bettering themselves, not as a score of their hard work.

    Start by looking at the data. Find common strengths and areas where students can grow, whether in the whole class or for individual students. This review can help shape your future lessons. For instance, if many students struggle with certain assessment criteria, you can create lessons focused on those challenges.

    Also, urge students to use their results to set personal learning goals. By thinking about their strengths and weaknesses, they can choose specific areas to work on and come up with ways to make progress.

    Step 5: Providing Feedback and Support

    While students look at their own work, it is very important to guide and support them during this time. Use strategies like peer assessment. This means students give helpful feedback about the work of their peers. It helps create a teamwork environment for learning.

    Encourage students to share their thoughts on specific parts of their peers’ work. They should offer tips for improvement instead of just making general comments. Show them how to give constructive feedback. Remind them to use kind words and to provide clear examples and steps for making things better.

    By giving regular feedback and building a helpful learning space, you help students see self-assessment as a good tool for their growth. This boosts their confidence and helps them take charge of their studies.

    Conclusion

    Implementing self-assessment can greatly improve the learning process. It allows students to take control of their own progress. By setting clear goals, giving good tools, and sharing constructive feedback, teachers can create a culture of self-awareness and improvement. Encouraging students to think about their strengths and areas to grow helps them improve their academic performance and develop important life skills. Use self-assessment as a helpful educational tool and see its positive effects on long-term learning outcomes. Remember, helping students with self-assessment is important to make them self-directed learners who succeed in school and in life.



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  • LAUSD denies entry to federal officials, affirms support for immigrants 

    LAUSD denies entry to federal officials, affirms support for immigrants 


    LAUSD Superintendent Albert Carvalho during a school board meeting on August 30, 2022.

    Credit: Julie Leopo/EdSource

    Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto Carvalho confirmed Thursday morning that the district denied campus entry earlier this week to Department of Homeland Security officials seeking information about five students in first through sixth grades. 

    On Monday morning, federal officials arrived at two district elementary schools, Lillian Street Elementary and Russell Elementary in South Los Angeles, Carvalho said, adding that Monday’s interactions marked the first effort by federal authorities to enter Los Angeles public schools since the Trump administration announced efforts to boost immigration enforcement and speed up deportations.

    At a news conference Thursday morning, he said that the visit by the federal officials was “a sad day across Los Angeles — not just for our school system, but for our entire community.”

    “As a school system, we have a professional responsibility to protect, to educate, to inspire young people,” Carvalho added. “I also have, beyond my professional responsibility, a moral responsibility to protect these students.”

    The authorities were dressed casually and only presented identification when asked by the principals of the schools, Carvalho told reporters. He also claimed the officials quickly hid their credentials when the principals attempted to write down their information. 

    According to Carvalho, the agents said they wanted access “to the students to determine their well-being” because they had come to the United States as unaccompanied minors. 

    The agents said they were authorized by the students’ caretakers to go to the campuses, but the district has since confirmed the assertion to be false by speaking with the caretakers, Carvalho said.

    “Across the country, different agencies have been deputized and deployed to collaborate with ICE,” Carvalho said Thursday, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “So, if a federal agent presents themselves to our schools, regardless of agency, asking for direct access to our students, that is suspect behavior that we’re not going to tolerate.” 

    He also praised the schools’ administrators and staff for their response, saying they are trained to handle these situations, including demanding officials’ credentials and examining any warrants or subpoenas. 

    If proper documentation isn’t presented, Carvalho said the officials will be asked to leave, and LAUSD’s operations department, legal department and school board police department are notified. 

    “We will protect our kids. We will educate our kids. We will inspire our kids. We will not allow abuse, intimidation of our children or our workforce,” he said. “Schools are places for learning. Schools are places for understanding. Schools are places for instruction. Schools are not places of fear.” 

    LAUSD’s actions, Carvalho maintained, are in keeping with the law. And in November, Los Angeles Unified affirmed its commitment to being a sanctuary district. 

    Carvalho, a native of Portugal, said he arrived in the U.S. as a youth without authorization. “If I am to represent who I am and what I became in this country, I have to do it in a way that honors the humanity and dignity of those who are currently in the same exact condition decades after I was in that predicament,” Carvalho said. “So, I would put my job on the line in the protection of our students and our workforce.”





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