tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71894731289557487912023-11-15T22:46:05.836-08:00AIE BlogNews and notes on innovations and education reform in Louisiana.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-73981590421509521042013-02-19T14:21:00.000-08:002013-02-19T14:21:30.597-08:00Upcoming Recruitment Events this Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-IcueTCxZZt1sG2zW-Ld5ytO7iO_u4SN-_vgJfDrkEvW6INzKfEVfPXq9Qzy4rmmE033dqW0KPkYzUPpjmul0gALZAyphjQr_Z27f_g6HHZHj3Z5q3qx3rOQxrWIYH5lZSfPU_CVAzE/s1600/TFA+Happy+Hour+Feb+2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-IcueTCxZZt1sG2zW-Ld5ytO7iO_u4SN-_vgJfDrkEvW6INzKfEVfPXq9Qzy4rmmE033dqW0KPkYzUPpjmul0gALZAyphjQr_Z27f_g6HHZHj3Z5q3qx3rOQxrWIYH5lZSfPU_CVAzE/s320/TFA+Happy+Hour+Feb+2013.png" width="244" /></a></div>
We have two Recruitment Events this week to start building Cohort 5! One is in Avoyelles Parish. It is at the Fresh Catch in Marksville. We are really excited to meet all of the TFA Corps Members out there and hear about their teaching experiences. The event is Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. It should be great fun! <br />
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Our second event this week will be in Vermillion Parish (we are recruiting residents all across Louisiana who will implement educational change). It is at Herod Elementary from 4:45pm to 6:30pm. It should be really great to learn about the amazing teachers there and how they can continue to improve education in Vermillion through RLRP. We are really looking forward to it!<br />
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If you are interested in learning more about RLRP or having AIE give an informational session to your faculty, please contact us via our website www.advanceie.org. We are already excited to start to meet the potential members who will fill the ranks of Cohort 5!<br />
<br />Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-86862489795409922202012-01-03T14:00:00.001-08:002012-01-03T14:14:19.244-08:00"The Answer is in the Room": Utilizing the Resources Around Us<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 15px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>“The Answer is in the Room”:</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>Utilizing the Resources Around Us</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Who can you trust? Do you have a network of colleagues who work toward education reform?</i></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 14.5px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The Harvard Business Review (HBR) recently posted the blog <i><a href="http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/12/five_resolutions_for_aspiring.html?cm_sp=blog_flyout-_-cs-_-five_resolutions_for_aspiring" target="_blank">Five Resolutions for Aspiring Leaders.</a> </i> It reminded me of Alan Blankstein’s book <i><a href="http://www.corwin.com/books/Book236734" target="_blank">The Answer Is in the Room</a> </i>because we are already doing many of the HBR’s resolutions <b><i>with aspiring leaders right here in Louisiana</i>! </b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.advanceie.org/" target="_blank">Louisiana has talent… we identify and put that talent to work!</a></b> Through AIE’s innovative <a href="http://www.advanceie.org/become-a-principal" target="_blank">principal certification program</a>, Redesigning Lessons, Re-envisioning Principals (RLRP), we continuously encourage aspiring leaders to engage in leadership development challenges that can be summed up in ways very similar to the HBR’s resolutions. They are:</span></div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Cambria; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Support for Success </span></b></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"></span></b></div></div></span></li>
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<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Cambria; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Cambria; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Cambria; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Cambria; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Cambria; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Leadership Development Groups </span></b></span></b></span></b></span></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></div><div style="display: inline !important; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Cambria; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div></span></li>
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<li style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Volunteering and Service-Learning</span></b></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Global Awareness</span></b></li>
<li style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Ask More Questions</span></b></li>
</span></ul><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Educators who want to be principals can do so “before they ‘burn out’” by entering RLRP after three successful years in the classroom. Our participants have access to AIE’s national network to support success, but receive help forming those important homegrown leadership development groups as well. These experiences enable participants to begin building their immediate professional network and ultimately avoid “lonely at the top” experiences as new leaders. <a href="http://www.advanceie.org/become-a-principal" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about RLRP or request more information.</a></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">To compete and win in the global economy, Louisiana’s leaders of tomorrow must learn what it means to return our schools as a hub in Louisiana communities. Louisiana needs our talent to be in Louisiana! Of course, you can go to Boston…but there’s no crawfish.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Kristy Hebert, Ph.D.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">CEO</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Advance Innovative Education</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Cambria; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-60016917945627624732011-03-03T12:45:00.000-08:002011-03-03T12:52:34.311-08:00One Size Does Not Fit AllAIE’s Redesigning Lessons, Re-envisioning Principals program is getting a lot of attention. Probably it’s because we have been around for 3 years now, and people are seeing that a single curriculum does not a successful principal make.<br />
The applicants to our program are looking to be catalysts of change. The partnerships who hire our Residents are looking for leadership that will propel their strategic plans and serve different students in different schools. A prime example of this partnership is Avoyelles Parish Schools. They have multiple choices for their students, and they know that what comes with offering those multiple choices, comes with various types of principals.<br />
Customizing a program that fits the needs of individuals who apply—both in the delivery of curricula and in the financing of the tuition—is what is needed; and this is what RLRP does. The customization doesn’t stop there. Our partners—charter schools, traditional school districts, and independent schools all have different children and need leaders who recognize this.<br />
RLRP does not meet the needs of everyone. There is no master’s degree earned, but what is earned is how to innovate schools and engage community. The program doesn’t stop with the 14-month certification process. It continues with 2-year official support for our Residents and our partners. However, that support continues for as long as we are needed to help the individuals and the partners with whom we collaborate.<br />
This is the recruiting season for us! We’re looking for individuals and schools and school districts that want risk-takers and who aren’t afraid to be bold in making sure the mission of ensuring student achievement reaches fruition.<br />
Any takers? <br />
If interested, visit <a href="http://www.advanceie.org/interestedapplicants.cfm">http://www.advanceie.org/interestedapplicants.cfm</a> and apply by April 1.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-65440591737336655932011-02-17T04:30:00.000-08:002011-02-17T04:30:42.715-08:00“Too much red tape with the ‘Red Tape Reduction Act’?”<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #182695; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">The new state law, Red Tape Reduction Act, signed into law in June, intended to improve student achievement is gaining media headline as a "political stunt.” Governor Jindal and Superintendent Paul Pastorek have disputed this allegation, as the goal is to allow district waivers from restrictions that school districts have often cited as burdensome. The law allows school districts to seek four-year waivers on policies such as classroom size, ”seat time,” and overall school scheduling among others. According to Joyce Haynes, President of the Louisiana Association of Educators, "The governor seems to be building a false argument that Louisiana public school teachers are the reason the political stunt he and Paul Pastorek put together has not been utilized."</span><span style="color: #3e0000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #182695; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Nearly eight months since the Red Tape Act originated, no waivers have been submitted to the Louisiana State Department of Education. As this Act was put into place for teachers’ benefit, a group of superintendents have met with the Department of Education to discuss ways this should be made as easy and as inviting to them as possible and January 1, 2011 was set as a push to solicit waiver requests. Superintendents argue that the districts have opted not to seek relief because the Red Tape Reduction Act causes too much red tape! According to John Sartin, Superintendent of Public Schools in Caldwell Parish says, “This is just not something school districts are interested in.”</span><span style="color: #3e0000; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #182695; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">If the lack of requests is a reflection of the burdensome school laws, then why is it a challenge? Why have no school districts sought relief? Are the teachers getting the information weighing the benefits of the Red Tape Reduction Act and backing from their administrators? If so, where’s the teacher feedback data?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #182695; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">Advance Innovative Education’s mission promotes <b><i>urgent,</i></b> systemic change in education by training leaders to be on the forefront with such timely issues as being a part of making new laws that impact students—not what is convenient for adults. AIE knows the crucial responsibility leaders must undertake in setting the precedent to convey messages with such issues as the Red Tape Reduction Act. AIE’s focus is to recruit “change agents” who possess the courage to change school culture. A half-year after the Red Tape Reduction Law passed, school leaders recently met to discuss teacher support. Ask any teacher about the part of the job that takes them away from giving their all to students and they will reply, “Too much paper work.”<span> </span>So while this is not something just school districts are interested in, teachers are, too!<span> </span>That is if they’ve received the correct information from the unions to which they pay dues.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #182695; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">For more on the Red Tape Reduction Act:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Helvetica; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #182695; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=722584"><span style="color: #182695; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt; text-decoration: none;">http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=722584</span></a><span style="color: #182695; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">.</span></div>Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-32162021956176337922011-01-04T09:48:00.001-08:002011-01-04T09:48:46.744-08:00EBR Capital Dollars Spent Wisely?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 13px;">As many of my readers would be aware, there is a new $5.7M Professional Development Center opening in East Baton Rouge Parish. This begs the question, aren't teachers and principals are supposed to be at school most schools days? If so, then won't the center be empty most school days?<br />
<br />
In my opinion, that money would be better utilized renovating the "library" at Banks Elementary and the other north Baton Rouge schools. And what better way to help those schools than by getting more foot traffic in the door? The more entrepreneurial-minded leaders may even consider leasing renovated space to hold professional development, which would bring awareness and resources to these communities. <br />
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This is why we need leadership that is visionary and thinks about children! AIE is focused on developing quality leaders and challenging school leaders to think of creative, entrepreneurial ways to improve their schools, the lives of the children within the schools, and the communities surrounding the schools.</span>Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-27333190579713681142010-08-17T12:30:00.000-07:002010-08-17T15:18:57.772-07:00Baton Rouge Business Leaders Invest in the Future of Our Youth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">AIE would like to officially thank the following Baton Rouge Business Leaders for serving on the Lunch Committee of the 2010 Annual Business & Industry Leaders’ Lunch, presented by the Istrouma Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America on Thursday, August 5, 2010:</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>John Fabre, Committee Chair</b></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Acura Infiniti of Baton Rouge</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Steve Toups</b></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Turner Industries</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Camm Morton</b></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Ashby Hospitality</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Craig Netterville</b></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">IBERIABANK</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Beau Olinde</b></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Olinde’s Furniture & Appliances</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Sanford Roy</b></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Merrill Lynch</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>John Holmes</b></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Holmes Building Materials</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Leonard Sullivan</b></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">We would also like to recognize Governor Bobby Jindal for serving as the keynote speaker of the luncheon. It was very encouraging to see so many business and industry leaders invest in the youth of our children.</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">AIE’s aim is to bridge the educational community and the business community with the LSU College of Business to infuse entrepreneurship in education. We know the entrepreneurs in our community want to provide opportunities for potential leadership for the youth in our community which is in line with our</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">4 tenets of our leadership program:</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1. Autonomy</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">2. Accountability</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">3. Distributed Leadership</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">4. Social Enterprise</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">It is obvious that the leaders of this luncheon embrace innovation in the lives of our youth. Thank you for connecting with our youth and supporting their potential leadership. </div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">This display of support from the business community makes me wonder why educational leaders won’t do the same thing. </div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At this luncheon, where were the leaders in the business of education? </span></b></div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 16.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 19.0px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kristy Hebert, Ph.D.</span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">CEO</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></i></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Advance Innovative Education</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8768 Quarters Lake Road<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Building 11, Suite 5<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Baton Rouge, LA 70809<br />
225.922.9123 (office)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">225.612.6978 (fax)</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://www.advanceie.org/" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">www.advanceie.org</span></span></span></a></div>Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-50470825794147562152010-02-24T09:48:00.000-08:002010-02-24T09:48:27.965-08:00Social Innovators InstituteToday we are competing with 10 other social entrepreneurial enterprises for recognition in a statewide competition focused on promoting innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to some of Louisiana’s greatest challenges including low performing schools, basic health and nutrition, and poverty. This is the culmination of a 6 month program sponsored by Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu and the <a href="http://www.ltgov.la.gov/?tmp=social_entre_innov">Louisiana Office of Social Entrepreneurship</a>.<br />
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The 2010 Social Innovators Institute competition seeks high-performing social entrepreneurial organizations interested in developing their endeavors. In order to assist these social innovators, the office partnered with Community Wealth Ventures and launched the Louisiana Social Innovators Institute.<br />
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This exciting 6-month business planning process is designed to help social innovators grow successful solutions. It comes to a close today with each organization presenting their final business plans. Organizations have already engaged in a rigorous business planning process and gained access to tools, frameworks and business experts to help them launch or expand an innovative social program.<br />
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Advance Innovative Education is the only education-related organization selected, and we are looking forward to presenting our business plan for expansion to a panel of judges at the final competition in New Orleans this afternoon.<br />
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AIE will be live Tweeting from the competition so be sure and follow us on Wednesday, February 24th at:<br />
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http://twitter.com/advanceeduAdvance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-89482026939209984332010-01-19T18:45:00.000-08:002010-01-19T18:45:23.833-08:00We salute a leaderWe're big fans of Congressman Bill Cassidy who just completed his first year in Washington, DC. Congressman Cassidy is a supporter of education reform, and has taken a strong interest in helping Louisiana to lead the nation in reform. The <a href="http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/81898752.html">Advocate recently interviewed him</a> about his first year in office.<br />
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Congressman Cassidy understands the link between innovation and high performance, and is not afraid to look for new ways to fix our public school system that is under-performing. His support for AIE and its new school designs program -- including the two innovative schools that AIE designed -- is one example of his leadership. We can accomplish great things collectively, if we try. Trying to rethink how a school should function and foster learning requires teamwork. <br />
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We are glad that Congressman Casssidy is on our team, and we salute him on his first year in office.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-47186989372468783862010-01-14T09:20:00.000-08:002010-01-14T09:20:45.700-08:00Triggering ReformThe <a href="http://education.nationaljournal.com/2010/01/should-parents-dictate-school.php">National Journal Education Experts blog</a> took up an interesting topic for discussion -- parental involvement. This is not your typical parental involvement -- this is the most innovative form of parental engagement we can imagine. <br />
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Here's the question, the National Journal posed?<br />
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<i>Should Parents Dictate School Reforms?<br />
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California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed education reform legislation on Jan. 7 that will give unprecedented power to parents whose children attend the worst-performing public schools. Under a provision known as the "parent trigger," if 50 percent of parents at a given school sign a petition, the school board must choose among several options, including closing the campus, converting to a charter, or replacing the principal and other administrators. Advocates of the controversial measure hope that it will make the state more competitive for Race to the Top money, in addition to improving education; opponents, such as the California Teachers Association, are concerned that the approach is too punitive.<br />
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Is the parent trigger a good idea?</i><br />
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Check out some of <a href="http://education.nationaljournal.com/2010/01/should-parents-dictate-school.php">the responses</a>. You might be surprised to find out how little respect parents actually get.<br />
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As for us, we think the parent trigger is a great idea that would do quite well here in Louisiana.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-48872336438145067532010-01-11T00:10:00.000-08:002010-01-11T00:10:28.329-08:00Leadership is EssentialEdWeek's District Dossier blog noted that a new bill making it s way through Congress would put more emphasis on leadership training for principal. We applaud this idea. Here is some of what <a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/District_Dossier/">EdWeek's Dakarai Aarons reported</a>:<br />
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Aspiring principals would participate in a residency program before taking over low performing schools, and would continue to benefit from professional development. The current and aspiring principals would be required to spend four years at a school.<br />
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High need schools are defined as those with at least 40 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals and/or a graduation rate of 65 percent or less. In the case of the middle schools, they must feed into a high school with a graduation rate that meets that threshold.<br />
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Those clamoring for more methods of evaluating school performance besides Adequate Yearly Progress will be pleased that the legislation directs the Department of Education to use "multiple measures" in evaluating the improvement of schools led by grantee principals for three or more years. </i>Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-34232087292407029342010-01-04T14:59:00.000-08:002010-01-04T14:59:40.866-08:00Standing shoulder to shoulder for ReformIn case you missed it, Louisiana is preparing to submit its Race to the Top application for a shot at some of the $4 billion that the Department of Education will award to states. <a href="http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20100102/NEWS01/301020029">Superintendent Pastorek and 59 of the state's school districts</a> are working together to win this award for Louisiana's school children. <br />
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But the Louisiana School Boards Association opposes Louisiana participation in Race to the Top, and the Louisiana Association of Educators hasn’t committed either.<br />
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We hope they will come on board soon.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-79861259265918193142009-12-13T22:16:00.000-08:002009-12-14T07:52:19.706-08:00A model for the nation<i>Schools in Louisiana are using test scores to evaluate teachers and institutions. The initiative, supported by President Obama, was launched in stages since 2003, has drawn support from three governors, including Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal.</i><br />
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That's the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/12/AR2009121202631.html?wprss=rss_nation">Washington Post</a> story that you should be reading today. Written by Nick Anderson, the piece gets right to heart of the accountability issue. Louisiana ties student test scores to a chain of evaluations that reach all the way to colleges of education where many teachers get credentials.<br />
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Other states are following the model Louisiana has created. Leading the nation in one aspect of education innovation is terrific, but we can do more.<br />
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Lifting the charter cap was a real accomplishment. Approving the two innovative charter schools designed by AIE was also a great step forward. But the hesitation that persists among many in the state's education community when it comes to virtual schools and online learning is troublesome. That has to change.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-2382171741261304922009-12-07T07:41:00.000-08:002009-12-07T07:41:55.709-08:00The early birdIt takes innovative thinking to make a real difference in education today. And on Thursday, December 3rd in Baton Rouge, that's exactly what happened when the East Baton Rouge School Board unanimously voted to accept the two applications from the Helix Network charter schools.<br />
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Starting next year, Baton Rouge area students will have the opportunity to attend a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) high school that is proposed to be located in the Shaw Center. Not coincidentally, at the end of November, President Obama praised the efforts of leaders across America who have been promoting STEM schools, and called for more in <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/educate-innovate">his "Educate to Innovate" address</a>. The President called for a STEM campaign that will include efforts not only from the Federal Government but also from leading companies, foundations, non-profits, and science and engineering societies to work with young people across America to excel in science and math. As part of the campaign, President Obama hopes to do a series of events, announcements and other activities that build upon the STEM “call to action.”<br />
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Several days after the President spoke, the EBR unanimous vote in favor of the STEM high school made clear that Baton Rouge would take the President up on this challenge. In truth however, the Baton Rouge area has already been hard at work promoting exactly the kind of partnerships that the President envisions. BP America, a leading employer in our region invested early in the creation and development of the STEM concept school, and helped to fund the design work that AIE undertook to make this school a masterpiece of innovation. We applaud the visionary efforts of BP America in focusing on the need for all children.<br />
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This is exactly the kind of leadership that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/05/opinion/05herbert.html">New York Times columnist Bob Herbert</a> spoke about (serendipitously) in a column on December 4th. Herbert wrote:<br />
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"... the Harvard Graduate School of Education is creating a new doctoral degree to be focused on leadership in education. It’s the first new degree offered by the school in 74 years. The three-year course will be tuition-free and conducted in collaboration with faculty members from the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. The idea is to develop dynamic new leaders who will offer the creativity, intellectual rigor and professionalism that is needed to help transform public education in the U.S."</i><br />
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Without a doubt, Louisiana is at the head of the class when it comes to innovative solutions to real education reform.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-43372024509241865722009-11-30T13:31:00.000-08:002009-11-30T13:31:34.996-08:00Education Equality in LouisianaI recently became a signatory to the Education Equality Project, EEP, because I believe that every student in America deserves a great teacher and every family deserves a great school. In Louisiana, we are making tremendous progress toward equality in education, but have a long road ahead of us. AIE is committed to working alongside organizations like EEP whose signatories include Dr. Michael Lomax of UNCF, Chancellor Joel Klein of the NYC Public Schools, and a host of education and political leaders across the nation. In Louisiana, EEP's signatories include Paul Pastorek, Superintendent of the Louisiana State Department of Education and Paul Vallas, Superintendent of the New Orleans Recovery School District.<br />
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Take a moment to learn about the Education Equality Project and reflect on what you can do to help. Start by reading this from their website, <a href="http://edequality.org">www.edequality.org</a>: <br />
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<i>The Education Equality Project is leading a civil rights movement to eliminate the racial and ethnic achievement gap in public education by working to create an effective school for every child.<br />
What are our goals?<br />
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* Ensure an effective teacher in every classroom, and an effective principal in every school, by paying educators as the professionals they are, by giving them the tools and training they need to succeed, and by making tough decisions about those who do not;<br />
* Empower parents by giving them a meaningful voice in where their children are educated including public charter schools; <br />
* Create accountability for educational success at every level—at the system and school level, for teachers and principals, and for central office administrators;<br />
* Commit to making every decision about whom we employ, how money is spent, and where resources are deployed with a single-minded focus: what will best serve our students, regardless of how it affects other interests;<br />
* Call on parents and students to demand more from their schools, but also to demand more from themselves;<br />
* Have the strength in our convictions to stand up to those political forces and interests who seek to preserve a failed system.</i><br />
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This post was contributed by Dr. Kristy Hebert, CEO of Advance Innovative Education.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-31359545896818276852009-11-18T15:12:00.000-08:002009-11-18T15:12:47.725-08:00Incentivizing investment in education reformWith billions of dollars going to fund R&D in clean technology -- and hundreds of millions of dollars coming from the US Department of Energy, why can't the US Department of Education follow their lead?<br />
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Innovation often comes from the private sector IN PARTNERSHIP with the public sector. One example that comes to mind is the Internet -- a publicly incubated idea that was transformed for social good, commerce, entertainment, etc. thanks to entrepreneurial investments.<br />
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Unfortunately, the education sector including many well-intentioned education reformers overlook the value of private capital in the education space. Just check out the <a href="http://education.nationaljournal.com/2009/11/whats-needed-to-make-sure-inno.php">National Journal's expert blog question</a> this week. The responses are a sure sign that many in education (and education reform) are missing the point -- innovation flows from incentivized investments by private, public and philanthropic sources.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-73019346003261589542009-11-15T21:54:00.000-08:002009-11-16T07:45:49.271-08:00Social entrepreneursThe New York Times had an interesting piece on Sunday about<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/education/15plans.html?scp=1&sq=teachers%20lesson%20plans&st=cse"> teachers selling their lesson</a> plans online and how some have made upwards of $30,000 or more doing it. That is one example of how innovation is going to transform public schools IN SPITE OF resistance from the establishment. In this case, public school teachers are turning to the Internet to find and purchase supplemental or even substitute lesson plans. <br />
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Think about it -- good teachers are trying to become great teachers and so they are looking online for innovative ways to become the teachers they aspire to be. And great teachers with entrepreneurial aptitude are building a thriving marketplace for lesson-based IP. That helps kids learn -- no doubt about it.<br />
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AIE is part of the new culture of entreprenurial innovation that is taking place in education. At RLRP, Redesigning Lessons, Re-Envisioning Principals, we have partnered with LSU's College of Business as well as nationally known experts on social entrepreneurship to teach entrepreneurial leadership to principals who are heading up our state's schools. Entrepreneurial thinking is critical to leveraging the best ideas so that others educators can benefit and student performance can too. Our mission at RLRP is to inspire principals to become social entrepreneurs and operate schools as successful organizations while always focusing on student achievement. We are now accepting <a href="http://www.advanceie.org/application22.cfm">application packets for the Class of 2011</a>. The application deadline is March 19, 2010.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-67737855475637005692009-11-11T14:20:00.001-08:002009-11-12T03:42:03.603-08:00Louisiana gets serious about innovationReading more deeply into the <a href="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/11/leaders_laggards/">Leaders and Laggards report</a> issued by the US Chamber of Commerce, the Center for American Progress and Frederick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute, we found that Louisiana is singled out for its commitment to innovation. The study reports that in Louisiana 22% of teachers enter the profession through an alternative certification program, compared with the national average of 13%. Louisiana also received a gold star from the Leaders and Laggards report for participating in national programs authorized to certify nontraditional administrators. <br />
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Louisiana has <a href="http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2009/10/us_secretary_of_education_prai.html">already received high praise</a> for its efforts at innovation from President Obama and his Education Secretary Arne Duncan. That's great news for Louisiana's students, and a clear recognition that our state and its leaders are committed to innovation.<br />
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Creating alternate paths to teaching like AIE's <a href="http://www.advanceie.org/betterteachers.cfm">Transition to Teaching</a> means that passionate teachers from diverse experiences and professional backgrounds are making their way into classrooms across the state. AIE's <a href="http://www.advanceie.org/strongerprincipals.cfm">Redesigning Lessons, Re-Envisioning Principals</a> program is also providing innovative entrepreneurial leadership training for our state's principals. These innovations are part of the state's larger effort to address old problems with new solutions. That's what innovation is all about in education, and Louisiana's efforts are getting noticed at the national level.<br />
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Recently, a group of nationally recognized experts in education innovation gathered in Baton Rouge with the goal of creating two unique and visionary public charter schools. AIE led the design team of educators, architects, technologists and education reformers. These innovators designed a STEM school and a Digital Media Arts school both of which will be housed in the acclaimed <a href="http://www.shawcenter.org/">Shaw Center for the Arts</a>. Downtown Baton Rouge is excited about welcoming these innovative high schools to the community, and religious and community leaders have mobilized to support these dynamic schools too. <br />
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The two schools' applications are currently sitting before the East Baton Rouge School Board. <a href="http://www.2theadvocate.com/opinion/69623012.html">Superintendent Dilworth has publicly praised</a> the community organizing and leadership of Pastor Raymond Jetson in bringing these schools to the attention of eager Baton Rouge area students and their parents. We urge the EBR Board to approve the applications and continue to advance the state's commitment to innovation that our nation's leaders are applauding.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-54840668117152231662009-11-09T11:28:00.000-08:002009-11-09T11:30:35.511-08:00Race to the Top and the Capacity to InnovateLouisiana is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the Department of Education's Race to the Top (RttT) fund which will provide billions of dollars in funding to states that have shown the capacity to innovate and the commitment to transform failing schools. However, it is a competitive process and every state can apply.<br />
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The states are jumping into the competition with both feet as waves of reform take shape. Last week, the <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/69324602.html">Wisconsin legislature</a> removed a prohibition against using student test data to evaluate teachers. This barrier would have made Wisconsin ineligible for RttT funding. They voted for a requirement to create a system to track students from pre-school through post-secondary education.<br />
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Our State Superintendent Paul Pastorek is a leader in the national education reform movement and we are fortunate to have his guidance in our state. Working with the legislature, Louisiana removed the caps on the number of charters our state may have. Pastorek's efforts rely on INNOVATION and are helping to turn around student achievement. Thanks to his leadership, our state will undoubtedly submit one of the strongest RttT applications. <br />
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Local superintendents are now <a href="http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11446870">lining up to find schools</a> that can receive the RttT funding and begin to mae the sweeping changes needed. Another opportunity for local sup's is to approve innovative charter school applications that are on their desks right now. <br />
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Don't think that DC grant readers will overlook it if innovative charters are shelved by the same superintendents who want RttT grant funding.Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-91741035175078325962009-10-27T12:16:00.000-07:002009-11-08T19:41:17.375-08:00<div>The state of Florida leads the nation in online learning. Under former Governor Jeb Bush, the state encouraged virtual education to flourish at <a href="http://www.flvs.net/Pages/default.aspx">Florida Virtual Schools</a>. The courses are free to all K-12 Florida students and available worldwide to non-Florida students on a tuition basis. This innovative school model is breaking down barriers to knowledge since it was founded in 1997.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here in Louisiana, the road is not as smooth for online learning – but it should be. <a href="http://www.louisianavirtualschool.net/"> Louisiana Virtual School </a>is only a high school focused curriculum. And it is a supplement to traditional schooling for Louisiana students only.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The outlook for virtual charter schools is even worse. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will be considering several charter applications for virtual schools in the coming months. The attacks and legal wrangling over the proposed schools is holding back our state. Baton Rouge's <a href="http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/65960542.html">The Advocate reports</a>:</div><div><br />
</div><div style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">A change in Louisiana law last year is forcing local school systems to pay for many new charter schools whether they like them or not.<br />
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</div><div style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">School superintendents are starting to fight back. Last month, superintendents flooded the state with letters of complaint directed at three proposals to create strictly online charter schools that in two cases would draw students from all over Louisiana.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Louisiana is the focus of national attention in education innovation – but this is surely not showing our best side.</div>Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189473128955748791.post-91012055003335905432009-10-27T12:11:00.000-07:002009-10-29T09:12:43.772-07:00Education reform in Louisiana<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">Welcome to the AIE blog. Here, we will bring you the newest and best info on education reform in Louisiana as well as our thoughts on items that catch our attention during the course of the week. We have no schedule of postings and certainly no ground for commenting.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">You probably have more than enough reading to do already, so we won’t tax your time (too much) with unnecessary stories you can find elsewhere. What we will bring to the dialogue is a fresh perspective on education reform news and the people who are making it. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">The AIE team hopes you enjoy the posts, and we look forward to hearing your feedback.</p><p></p>Advance Innovative Educationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134056046852128693noreply@blogger.com0