Professional Development

Carroll County school officials are proposing changes that would provide more time for parent-teacher conferences as well as increase graduation requirements starting with the 2005-2006 school year. At last night's school board meeting, Superintendent Charles I. Ecker recommended eliminating one professional development day for teachers to add a parent conference day in the spring. The school calendar provides a conference day only in the fall. "It's important to have this extra day for parents to meet with teachers" before the end of the school year, Ecker said.

As one who has labored for many years among Baltimore's educational systems, I was pleased to read Kalman Hettleman's article in this morning's Sun ("Alonso's focus on principals carries benefits and risks," Dec. 23). I concur with his opinion of Baltimore schools CEO Andres Alonso's efforts and, particularly, with his comment about the necessity for worthwhile professional development efforts. For many years, and in schools both public and private, I have witnessed the groans on the part of faculty when professional development days or sessions are scheduled.

Misconceptions abound when it comes to Maryland's policies and plans for teacher certification ( "Masters degrees don't produce better teachers," Dec. 19). Far from shying away from Education Secretary Arne Duncan's concerns regarding the efficacy of a master's degree in teaching, the Maryland State Board of Education has conducted an extensive review of the current teacher certification structure and is making changes. The impact of a master's degree on teacher effectiveness was discussed months ago during three state board meetings.

The county school board approved yesterday a 1998-1999 calendar that will have students returning to class Aug. 24 and ending the school year June 4.The calendar reflects the concerns of parents who had complained about a school calendar proposed in December that would have required students to attend school through June 17.Board member Ann Ballard said she thought parents would be happier with the revised calendar."

As it slowly defines its mission, a special committee reviewing staff, curriculum and character at the U.S. Naval Academy is dabbling with private-sector techniques to evaluate a military institution.The board, comprising mostly active or retired military officers, has heard from a Manhattan management consultant who conducted a midshipman morale survey last fall. Members have quizzed midshipmen in focus groups on academy life. And the 20-member panel has divided into four departments, each with a different assignment.

About a week after most area schools closed, teachers and administrators were back in the classroom, taking part in a summer course that will prepare educators for implementing new standards across the state for the 2013-2014 school year. The state's Educator Effectiveness Academies began this week as part of what school officials say is a continuation of the largest professional development program in state history. More than 6,000 educators are scheduled to take part in several regional academies, including the first academy at Marriotts Ridge High School in Marriottsville, which more than 1,000 from Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery, Frederick and Anne Arundel counties attended.

To glimpse what many see as the future of teacher education in America, don't visit your local college campus.Rather, drive out Reisterstown Road to Owings Mills Elementary, site of one of several "professional development schools" in the metropolitan area. There you'll see 14 Towson State University juniors in what would be a residency - were they studying to be physicians.Five Towson State education professors come down from the ivory tower to teach the would-be teachers at the Owings Mills school.

RECENTLY, readers of The Sun found a bold front-page headline proclaiming: "Baltimore fires 278 teachers." The city's chief academic officer was quoted as saying, "We are not fooling around here. We really expect the best." Problem solved? Not likely. This dramatic action exposes a problem, but it doesn't solve it.A teacher mentoring program and an adequate professional development program are necessary to ensure the success of our teachers.A year ago, Baltimore schools hired more than 1,000 new teachers, most of whom lacked proper teaching credentials.

Baltimore school officials announced yesterday that students will be required to stay in school for a full day on three days that were previously scheduled as half-days. Students were scheduled to go home early Feb. 17, April 28 and May 26 while their teachers stayed at school for professional development. However, on the other half-days this school year, student attendance has been extremely low, system officials said. The state requires schools to have an attendance rate of 94 percent.

South River High School teacher Rob Rice could have taught his aeronautics class without ever leaving the ground. Instead, he's bolstering his teaching skills by soaring over the Bay Bridge in a two-seat propeller plane, learning to become a pilot. Taking off and landing can be harrowing at times, but Rice says the experience he's bringing to the classroom is worth it, making his students eager to take flight themselves. "Hopefully they can get as excited as I am about it," said Rice, "and maybe a little bit jealous, because they're doing all the bookwork and I'm doing all the flying.