Bits & Pieces - News Briefs - Brief Article

School Administrator, March, 2001

Teacher Salaries

Using teacher salary averages as benchmarks for raising teaching standards might be misleading, a report from the Southern Regional Education Board says.

The report, "Focus on Teacher Salaries: What Teacher Salary Averages Don't Show," says what's not represented in statewide salary averages are the varying costs of living between states and the difference in employee benefits.

Copies are available by calling 404-875-9211, ext. 236.

Student Athletes

AASA is co-sponsoring the 4th annual "Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year" award program, which honors outstanding 12th-grade students.

The awards are based on academic performance (35%), athletic excellence (35%), leadership (15%) and community service (15%).

Administrators and teachers may nominate outstanding student athletes by the March 16 deadline. Complete details are available by calling 800-872-8050.

Standardized Testing

Rethinking Schools, a Milwaukee-based education reform group, recently published a compilation of more than 50 articles by parents, community activists, teachers, students and researchers challenging high-stakes testing.

Though "Failing Our Kids: Why the Testing Craze Won't Fix Our Schools" is largely an indictment of standardized testing, the report details some innovative assessment techniques that have been successful.

The book is available for $8 plus $3.50 shipping and handling by calling 800-669-4192.

Multicultural Awareness

Educational Extension Systems has published several books, such as the "Ethnic Cultures Reference Book" and "Religion and Ethnicity," to help educators become more aware of diversity issues.

To order, call 800-447-8561 or write to Education Extension Systems, P.O. Box 472, Waynesboro, Pa. 17268.

Teacher Survey

Metropolitan Life has released "Survey of the American Teacher 2000," an annual survey of student, teacher, administrator and parent attitudes toward the state of education in public schools.

The report contains a range of perspectives, focusing primarily on secondary schools.

The survey findings are accessible at www.metlife.com.