September '07 Contents

1 Editor’s Note: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

4 Reflections on Math Reforms in the U.S.
Xiaoxia Newton / Phi Delta Kappan
Understanding how various aspects of mathematics education
work together is necessary if reform efforts are to succeed.

10 What I Learned About Teaching at the Great Wall of China
Gary Squire / Phi Delta Kappan
A veteran teacher reinvents himself and his teaching methods.

15 We Can’t Ignore the Influence of Digital Technologies
Cathy N. Davidson / The Chronicle Review
Rather than ban Wikipedia, why not study what it does and does not do?

19 Bringing Back Dropouts—One at a Time
Lawrence Hardy / School Board News
Advocates do “whatever it takes” to help students graduate.

23 Integrating Technology to Maximize Learning
Eric Jones / Principal Leadership
Strategies to help educators continue learning.

27 Building a Case Against Scripted Reading Programs
Sharon Milosovic
Schools are using scripted curricula to meet NCLB's Reading First
initiative, but does that increase literacy?

31 The Boys (and Girls) of Summer— Does Summer School Really Work?
Bruce Buchanan / American School Board Journal
Rather than offering make-up courses, schools now use summer school to meet academic standards.

36 Realigning the Orbits of Central Office and Schools
Eliot Larson / The School Administrator
A disconnect results in little time being paid to improving teaching and learning.

39 Postsecondary Online Education
William Brown and Philip Corkill / American School Board Journal
Do advanced online courses give educators what they need to succeed?

43 Responding Intelligently to Would-be Censors
David L. Martinson / The Clearing House
Educators need to acquire a genuine understanding of communication theory and law.

51 A Plan to Improve the Quality of Teaching
Ron Haskins and Susanna Loeb / The Future of Children
Five-part plan enables school systems to achieve this goal.

57 Keeping Parents Involved through High School
Steven M. Constantino / Principal Leadership
Steps schools can take to ensure family engagement.

62 Effective Discipline Across Racial Lines
Joshua Frank
Transcend color-blind thinking to effectively discipline students.

65 The Teachers’ Lounge
69 Washington News
73 News in Brief
76 Calendar
77 Resources for Educators