The Promotion of No Child Left Behind

Earlier this month, the United States Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).  
This act of congress was presented to President Obama, who signed it into law.  

This now brings an end to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal legislation, approved by congress and signed into law by President W. Bush which was the standard of education from January 2002 to December 2015.

There are many questions that are worth looking back on with regard to No Child Left Behind.  

Was NCLB a success or a failure? To ask this another way: Does NCLB merit a pass or fail?  Perhaps a letter grade would be more accurate to rate this policy that was in effect for 13 years?  Did NCLB meet its own standard of achievement?  

These make for great educational policy discussion and further analysis.  How did the United States approach education at the turn of the millennium and set its course at the beginning of the 21st century.

No Child Left Behind established an era of education accountability through standards, testing, and by providing the public with information on student and school performance.  

NCLB took effect during difficult times following the September 11 attack.  This caused a significant impact in American life and also in education.  

Further along the time of NCLB, the recession, a near economic collapse, took place, also causing a significant impact in American life and education.  

After guiding U.S. education for over a decade, NCLB had to be changed, needed to be replaced, made a significant impact on American life and education.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

December 2015

We have arrived at the end of 2015.  It is December 2015, and we have reached the end of the year.

This year MRCR Education had the honor of participating in the last San Francisco Bay Area STEAM Education Colloquium and the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Framework Review.

The "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) era came to an end, while the California Assessment of Student Progress and Performance (CAASPP) was implemented.

2015 also brings about the 5 year anniversary of MRCR Education.  An idea that began with the purpose of providing educational services for the public and individual support to students.

Over the last 5 years I have had the pleasure of collaborating with a great group of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community and education leaders.

By making education a priority we are able to provide pathways for future generations to follow and trail-blaze.

Education prepares us for the challenges that we face later in life and go beyond college and career.  The principles of humanity: Family, Society, Leadership.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Falling into Winter

The leaves are falling off the trees and on to the ground.

The foliage takes fire in orange, yellow, and red hues.

There is a crisp cool air going through your hair,

temperature dropping, an iced cold chill.


Winter is approaching with precipitation.

Northern winds, snow, rainfall, and all the other forms of storms.

It is the best time to huddle by the warmth of knowledge.

And know that Spring is only but a season away.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

November 2015

As the month of November begins,
we are given an extra hour.
We are also reminded that the year is culminating.
All that remains is December to go before we begin 2016.

Education will have a series of breaks in the fall and winter, but the learning process of students will continue developing.
Growing as they grow in both skills and knowledge.
As they have grown since the beginning of the school year. 

It begins to get cooler and the nights are a little bit longer.
Its a great time to bundle up and keep warm.
We can envelop ourselves in knowledge and learn, study, and share it.
We are ready to finish this year and continue to become educated.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

HAST Education

HAST Education
(Humanities, Arts, Science, Technology)

It is within our nature to make observations and take annotations in addition to recognizing patterns and identifying problems that may occur.

We also have a tendency, through ingenuity, to come with reasonable solutions that benefit us all as a whole.

HAST Education brings this together.  HAST greatly benefits the student's learning process through the integration of the core subject areas of humanities, arts, science, and technology.

With a HAST approach to education, students become better prepared to identify issues, solve problems, recognize patterns, take notes, and observe their environment.

A student's educational performance should flourish and be deeply rooted in a diverse academic field of knowledge.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

STEAM Education

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics)

STEAM is an approach to education that integrates the core knowledge and skills in the areas of: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics.

The standards in these strands allow a student's learning to grow and develop across all areas so they can solve problems, with creative solutions, in collaboration with classmates, and the guidance of their teachers.

STEAM can be designed to be flexible, creative, innovative, and disciplined through the use of project based & blended learning, or hands-on approach to real-life applications.

For STEAM education to succeed, it should be fully supported by students, parents, educators, and community leaders.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Education Harvest

Harvesting Education

The middle of October is rapidly approaching.
Leaves are falling.
Foliage changes hues from greens, to yellows, to red, as the autumn season takes center stage.
Farms are harvesting their finest crops after working under the summer sun.  The yield of the seed that was planted long ago in the spring.

The same holds true for education.
Educators should know by now what their students accomplished over the summer (Summer School, Summer Camp, Summer Activities, etc.) and where they were last spring (CAASPP) to have an understanding of what needs to be done now to help each student achieve success.
Educators should be using tools (Formative Assessment) and support resources (CA Teachers Summit) in addition to daily collaboration with other educators, parents, and students.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

The Next Great Discovery

How will the next great discovery be driven?

"It begins when a question is inquired that requires for an answer to be searched.  Through this searching, and researching, for an answer to a question, therefore leads to a thorough investigation, and further exploration that inspires future generations to innovate new solutions.  Discovery is never-ending, ever-changing, and the end result of our persistence at work. (A Discovery Methodology)."

This is what came to mind after reading the text by Kylie Gordon "The #NextGreatDiscovery" on Stanford News.  http://news.stanford.edu/features/2015/nextgreatdiscovery/ In it, 7 characteristics of discovery are illustrated, Inquire, Research, Investigate, Explore, Inspire, Innovate, Persist.  

We are also reminded of the aims of basic science, and that is to advance knowledge.  We have no way of knowing that which is taking place in labs and simulators will come to become a part of and/or impact our environment and daily lives.  

How will the next great discovery be driven? it is difficult to say for certain, but certainly it is easy to say that even the most basic of sciences should be supported.  They are the building blocks which are connected, and taken apart, and reconnected in new arrangements. It is of great importance to fund and invest scientific work, to then be able to continue the next great discovery.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

October 2015

"WE ARE OFF!"

The 2015-16 school year is well on its way.

It is now the month of October and for many students, parents, educators, and administrators it is a good place in time to asses how the school year is going.

One way to do an assessment is by asking a question to request an answer.

The following samples should help provide a base to begin a self assessment as to how this school year is going, and what can be done to make adjustments if needed.

Students should ask and answer:
-Am I learning what is being taught?
-Do I need additional help and where can I get assistance if needed?
-Have I made the effort to learn and study what should be learned?

Parents should ask and answer:
-How is my child doing so far in school?
-What have they mentioned about their school, classroom, teacher, classmates, projects, field-trips, etc?
-Do I have any concerns about my child that should be addressed with the school?

Educators should ask and answer:
-Are the lessons we planned and the curriculum we designed working with the students in the classroom?
-Is there a need to make changes to lessons or curriculum that would benefit of students in the classroom?
-Do we have the support needed to succeed throughout this school year?

Administrators should ask and answer:
-Is the school year progressing as it was envisioned?
-Are we prepared for any challenges that may come up ahead?
-Have we provided the adequate support to achieve success this school year?


This post is dedicated to the students, faculty, and community of Umpqua Community College in Oregon.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

2015 CAASPP Overview for English Learners

It takes time to develop skills such as speaking, reading, and writing in any language.  It follows that it would take additional time to develop and improve such skills in an additional language.  Such is the main challenge that English Learners face as they enroll in schools throughout California.  Without these, and many other skills, it can become difficult to continue the learning process, be sociable with one's piers, or even be prepared for higher education or the professional world.

Data from the 2015 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) clearly demonstrates this challenge among English Learners (EL).  As a group, it is expected that their scores on English Language Arts (ELA) be below that of students whose home language is English.  This is why English Language Development (ELD) programs are carefully constructed to help EL's develop and improve language skills as they undergo this transition process.

English Learners are one of the groups with a large potential for growth in CAASPP scores as they gain the English language skills that will allow them to fully express their knowledge and ideas.  They must continue to receive such ELD services as they may require in order to succeed.  California educators should make helping EL's a priority as they will, in time, become fluent mainstream students.

Overview of 2015 CAASPP for EL's

Mathematics

• 11% of EL students in CA meet or exceed standards
• 24% of EL students in CA are near standards
• 65% of EL students in CA did NOT meet standards

English Language Arts

• 11% of EL students in CA meet or exceed standards
• 24% of EL students in CA are near standards
• 65% of EL students in CA did NOT meet standards

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

2015 CAASPP Overview for California

On Wednesday, September 9th, 2015, the California Department of Education released the results of a new assessment, CAASPP.  

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is the new metric for student assessment and it measures a student's preparedness for college and careers.  

CAASPP is an assessment that students take online in the spring and is reflective of the Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, College and Career Readiness, and many other areas that students should meet or exceed.  

This is the first measurement of the CAASPP.  It is the first step into the future of student assessment in California.  As California steps forward into the 21st century it should keep focus on growth, development, and closing the achievement gaps across all student groups.  

There is much work that needs to be done.  

Let's get to it! 


Overview of 2015 CAASPP

Mathematics

• 33% of CA students meet or exceed standards
• 29% of CA students near standards.
• 38% of CA students did NOT meet standards.

English Language Arts

• 44% of CA students meet or exceed standards.
• 25% of CA students are near standards.
• 31% of CA students did NOT meet standards.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

September 11

A Day of Remembrance

September 11th, 2001.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

September 2015

Welcome back to the 2015-16 school year.  The new school year is now underway, and as we return from the Labor Day holiday, it is time to implement all measures that have been formulated to guide students in their learning process.

There are many summer events that had an impact in each of our lives and will make us better at performing our assigned role in education be it: Student, Parent, Teacher, Administrator, Community Leader, etc.

In California we await the results from the assessment of the state adopted Common Core State Standards.  There is much to learn from these results, but it is important to always keep in mind that these results are one of many metrics used in education.


It is a great honor to be able to continue my commitment to education once again and through this blog, Twitter feed, and many other ways of communication, share information on education for the betterment of all stakeholders in it.

Sincerely,


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Happy New School Year!

To all Parents, Administrators, Students, Teachers, and Educators:

A very Happy New School Year!!!

MRCR Educations wishes all a wonderful 2015-16 school year, and we hope that it is filled with educational growth and development.


"Back to School"

We are going back to school.
Soon, in the next few weeks, and days ahead,
Educators, Teachers, Students, Administrators, and Parents,
in addition to all personnel who has a task, responsibility, and commitment to education, prepares to go back to school.

To Educators:
As Educators we are leaders to those who want to learn.
We welcome and share with them:
The knowledge we've gained.
The skills we've developed.
We assess their learning to ensure it has value.

To Teachers:
The true titans of education are teachers.  There's that memorable one whose door was always open.  In whose classroom there is unexpressed respect, and discipline is unnecessary.  Those who challenged, pushed, moved, and motivated even the most impossible ones.  They help us practice skills.  They help us learn knowledge.

To Students:
Yes.  Students must wake up and get ready to demonstrate what they've been taught.  Must study what students have learned until it has been mastered.  Be responsible and take ownership of their own education.  Become leaders in the areas they study.  Create and develop new fields to study in.

To Parents:
Help prepare students by providing support, guidance, and encouragement.  Provide a safe and secure space in which a strong foundation forms such that a lifetime of education can take place.  Become an example by learning, studying, and teaching the importance of education.  Impart a fair assessment on the student's education.

To Administrators:
It is a great honor to serve and administer people's needs in education.  Parent's concerns. Student's struggles, Teacher's training, Educator's understanding.  These are among the many concerns of education's administrators.  They have the responsibility to ensure everyone is educated.  They have the responsibility to ensure education is fair.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Preparing to go #BacktoSchool

How to  Prepare to go Back to School:

What is needed to Prepare to go Back to School?  As I reflect on what I would need to go back to school, there are four things that come to mind: A map, supplies, transportation, and motivation.  Having access to these four elements would prepare me to go back to school, and they could be helpful to others who are also preparing to go back to school.

1) Map

Where is my classroom located? How about the gym? the cafeteria? Without a map it could be challenging to find the location of areas of importance in school.  Even if we are familiar with the school grounds, there may be a place that is new or unknown to us.  As we take the time to get to know the school grounds, and ask for directions when we don't know where we are going, we will feel more familiar with, and more comfortable in, our schools.

2) Supplies

Every journey requires the necessary supplies to successfully complete the trip, in education there are necessary supplies that are needed.  From the most basic of needs (paper and pencil) to the latest and greatest (Tablet, Phone) supplies for school play an important role in achieving success.  Gathering the necessary supplies helps prepare to go back to school.


3) Transportation

How does one get to school, and once there, how does one get some place else?  Some can walk to school by themselves or with a buddy, others need to arrange complex weekly carpools.  You may have a ride to your after school activities, but eventually have to make your way back home.  With careful planning, some patience, and sense of security, it is possible to arrange adequate transportation to go back to school.

4) Motivation

"I don't wanna go to school..." "I don't want to go to that class."  We hear it.  We think it.  We say it.  We feel it.  Yet we gain the needed motivation to go back to school.  After all, we already have the transportation to get there, the necessary supplies to succeed, and a map to guide us through our educational journey.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

August 2015

We are going to go back to school.
Soon, in the next few weeks and days ahead,
educators, teachers, students, parents, administrators,
and all personnel who has a task,
a responsibility,
a commitment to education,
prepares to go back to school.

As educators we are leaders to those who want to learn.
We welcome and share with them
the knowledge we've gained,
the skills we've developed,
and we assess their learning
to ensure its value.

Teachers plan ahead the lessons for the year.
Units are broken down and spread across the months.
Old assignments are renovated,
and new ideas are in the process of being developed.
Classrooms will soon be decorated
and supplies will be restocked.

Students and their parents make preparations at home.
Backpacks, notebooks, pens and pencils,
are on many shopping lists,
and the latest ed-tech gadgets as well.
a special section is reserved for school work,
and to study, to read, to write.

Administrators visualize the school year as a whole
and fill the weeks with training, seminars, 
professional development, and the like.
New implementations are carefully reviewed.
Roadmaps are established, redesigned, or upgraded.

It is time to go back to school,
and begin the 2015-16 school year.



Manuel R. CortezRodas-Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Back to School

Yup, it is once again time to get ready for back to school.  As the last days of July come to a close, and August begins, students and teachers, learners and educators, parents and administrators, all stakeholders in education must get ready to go back to school and welcome the 2015-16 school year.

MRCR Education has been getting ready to welcome the new school year, continue our commitment to education, and fulfill our mission of sharing our vision of providing professional educational services in the areas of ELD, STEAM, and HAST.

On Friday, July 31st. our Chief Educator will be attending and live tweeting from "Better Together: California Teachers Summit" http://www.cateacherssummit.com/ at the CSU East Bay campus as we join teachers and education leaders as we share thoughts and ideas on how to serve our students best, while helping them achieve California Education Standards.

Here's to the new school year.  That it may begin and stay positive while providing a safe and secure learning environment in which growth and development can blossom.  Here's to the 2015-16 School Year


Manuel R, CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Evaluating Teachers on Student's Grades

As a student my responsibilities were to: 1) go to class, 2) pay attention, and 3) get good grades.  The first of these responsibilities was quite easy to master and achieve.  The second and third responsibilities not so much.

As a student, teacher evaluations were not of concern.  Among classmates, unofficial teacher evaluations ranged from nice to mean, from easy to hard.  These teacher evaluations did not follow a specified metric for performance.  There was no 10 point scale, or letter grade, or rubric.  It was just what was determined among classmates.

Now I must state, looking back at my years in K-12 education, that I have never had a bad teacher.  There were those who were mean, and those who were nice.  There were those who kicked me out of class, and those who let me hang around.  Those who were good, and those who were great.  Those who over time became forgotten faded memories, and those who will always be remembered.

Each one of the teachers from Kindergarten to 12th grade did their best at teaching me what was expected to study and learn at each grade level.  I, as a student, did not always do my best, and this was reflected in my grades.

The idea of teacher evaluations has become a point of debate and disagreement among  educators, parents, administrators, and teachers.  To be more specific, the idea of teacher evaluations based on student grades has become an argumentative point in education assessment.

This image represents a fairly accurate reflection of my overall grade history from K to 12.  It is not in any way a fair representation of the professional performance each teacher gave at each grade level.   To base a professional academic evaluation on just one metric would be unprofessional.

Evaluating teachers on student's grades is an important argument to be made as part of academic assessment.  Teachers should be evaluated and must be evaluated for the benefit of their profession and their career growth.  Schools and Districts should carefully consider how to evaluate teachers for the benefit of the students as they learn and grow into future career professionals.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

2014-15 Year in Education

2014-15 Year in Education

A selection of education quotes from MRCR Education posts.

Independent Education

"...be independent seekers of education."  "To take charge of our own education.  ...pursuit further knowledge for the betterment of ourselves and the benefit of others."


Back to School

"By the Labor Day holiday, education is back in session, and a new school year has begun.  Our focus continues to be on the betterment of education for all."


Harvesting Education

"Education is the fruit that we harvest at the end of a long season of learning."  " Learning is a long and arduous journey whose season is just beginning."


Education Implementation

"How to define Education Implementation...education covers a diverse range of skills and knowledge...Education Implementation is best defined with a specific set of parameters..."


A Thank You to Education

"Education is good."  "We should be thankful for education, and give thanks to all who have help guide us through our path."


Education in Winter

"This is when education begins that climb up the steep incline of the middle of the school year."  "...students should have developed a solid foundation of what is being studied... Teachers should have developed an understanding for the class..."

Welcome Back

"There are 6 months left until the end of the year, and there will be plenty of events and activities..."  "Are there any students who may be at risk ... if no support is made available to them?"

STEAM Education

"It has become (quite) clear that STEAM Education in the Bay Area has ... taken root throughout the education community ... sprouted the interest of local businesses, community leaders, and elected officials."

Spring on Ahead

"...educators ... prepare today's learners and students so they may become seekers of higher education and developers of professional careers."  "STEAM Education has (become) an important part of education throughout the Bay Area and beyond."

Spring

"... continue presenting and sharing information that can be of assistance to educators."  "Spring brings the signs of rebirth."

Education Assessment

"The time we have left in our classrooms, now begins to be measured in weeks and final days."  "... invite students, teachers, educators, and parents, to take some time to reflect and self-assess."

Closing the School Year

"The class of 2015 is now on their way to the next stage in their educational path."  "... take this moment to say 'Thank You' to all students, parents, and educators for all the hard work and effort."

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Enjoy the festivities.

Be safe.  Have fun.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

2014-2015 Education Year Review (Part II)

It is time to take a look back at this past 2014-15 education year.

During this year, MRCR Education continued to grow and develop, much was learned and experienced in education through the studying, learning, teaching, and assessing of different areas.

Here is a look back, at quotes, from posts published during the second half of the year:

January 2015

Welcome Back

"There are 6 months left until the end of the year, and there will be plenty of events and activities..."  "Are there any students who may be at risk ... if no support is made available to them?"

February 2015

STEAM Education

"It has become (quite) clear that STEAM Education in the Bay Area has ... taken root throughout the education community ... sprouted the interest of local businesses, community leaders, and elected officials."

March 2015

Spring On Ahead

"...educators ... prepare today's learners and students so they may become seekers of higher education and developers of professional careers."  "STEAM Education has (become) an important part of education throughout the Bay Area and beyond."

April 2015

Spring

"... continue presenting and sharing information that can be of assistance to educators."  "Spring brings the signs of rebirth."

May 2015

Education Assessment

"The time we have left in our classrooms, now begins to be measured in weeks and final days."  "... invite students, teachers, educators, and parents, to take some time to reflect and self-assess."

June 2015

Closing the School Year

"The class of 2015 is now on their way to the next stage in their educational path."  "... take this moment to say 'Thank You' to all students, parents, and educators for all the hard work and effort."

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

July 2015

It is July.
School is in summer session.
Education is in summer season.
Learning continues.
Studying is taking place.
The teaching of knowledge and skills goes on.

This is when educators can take time to review the lessons learned from this past academic year of 2014-15.  Educators should take the time to review this lessons and study them with care.  Reviewing prior lessons and studying them makes educators better at teaching, as it is part of the formative assessment educators must do themselves to grow professionally.

As we celebrate Independence Day this 4th of July, let us take time to reflect back on what has been achieved this past year, and look forward to the year ahead.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

2014-2015 Education Year Review (Part I)

It is time to take a look back at this past 2014-15 education year.
A year in which we continued to grow and develop as an educational institution.

Here's a look at quotes from posts during the first half of the year:

July 2014:

Independent Education

"...be independent seekers of education."  "To take charge of our own education.  ...pursuit further knowledge for the betterment of ourselves and the benefit of others."


August 2014:

Back To School

"By the Labor Day holiday, education is back in session, and a new school year has begun.  Our focus continues to be on the betterment of education for all."


September 2014:

Harvesting Education

"Education is the fruit that we harvest at the end of a long season of learning."  " Learning is a long and arduous journey whose season is just beginning."


October 2014:

Education Implementation

"How to define Education Implementation...education covers a diverse range of skills and knowledge...Education Implementation is best defined with a specific set of parameters..."


November 2014:

A Thank You to Education

"Education is good."  "We should be thankful for education, and give thanks to all who have help guide us through our path."


December 2014:

Education in Winter

"This is when education begins that climb up the steep incline of the middle of the school year."  "...students should have developed a solid foundation of what is being studied... Teachers should have developed an understanding for the class..."




Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.