From a report on the three keys to high-quality instruction to a name change, industry associations are working to better serve K-12 districts across the country. Here’s the latest news from ACTFL, ILA, NCTM and NSTA.
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has issued a statement on the role of diversity and inclusion in language education, and how educators can ensure that all learners have equal access to world language study. ACTFL’s Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce recommends maintaining connections with language and non-language education stakeholders; creating professional learning opportunities that reflect diverse perspectives; recruiting and retaining a language teacher workforce that aligns with student demographics; and demonstrating diversity through process and practice. .
The International Literacy Association’s (ILA) Principals as Literacy Leaders report presents three keys to high-quality instruction. Educators should provide challenging activities so students feel a sense of accomplishment and are willing to try new things; connect lessons to real world experiences so students can engage meaningfully in class activities and discussions; and offer feedback so students can learn to monitor their own progress and identify gaps between what they currently understand and what needs to be learned next. This framework, coupled with a commitment to collaborative leadership, can help level the playing field for all learners, says ILA..
Read:油K-12 edtech association news roundup
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) praised the U.S. House of Representatives’ last month for its approval of a fiscal year 2020 spending bill that would increase investments in education, including the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Programs of the Higher Education Act as well as Title II-A and Title IV-A of the Every Student Succeeds Act. NCTM President Robert Q. Berry III said in a statement: It is encouraging that House lawmakers recognize the value of allocating resources to our country’s neediest schools, professional development for teachers, teacher preparation, and the many other programs, services and expertise that nurture success for our young people. We hope their colleagues in the Senate follow suit. .油
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is the new name for the National Science Teachers Association. The change, effective late last month, represents a major shift in our vision to better connect with a science teaching community that has grown to include many who do not carry the formal title of science teacher,’ said NSTA President Dennis Schatz in a statement. That community includes museum educators, administrators and curriculum developers. A new logo as well as refocused programswith enhanced content, new digital products and more personalized serviceswill debut later this year. .
