Attention ASCD Members
ASCD's 2014 General Membership election is open April 1–May 15, 2014. Go to www.ascd.org/vote, log on with your username and password, and cast your ballot for two new members of the Board of Directors. If you have any questions, please contact Governance Manager Becky DeRigge.
Savvy—and Scholarly
In its Association Social Media Report 2013, Association Trends named ASCD the No. 1 social media–savvy association in education. In the Association TRENDS 2013 All-Media Contest, Educational Leadership's May 2013 issue on "Faces of Poverty" was honored with a silver award in the category "Scholarly Journal."
New Speaking and Listening Resource
With the Common Core State Standards emphasizing listening and speaking across the curriculum, these long-neglected language arts are regaining a place in schools. Try this new offering from ASCD:
- Teaching the Core Skills of Listening and Speaking (2014). By Erik Palmer. Stock No. 114012. Price: $19.95 (member); $26.95 (nonmember).
The Summer Edition of EL: A Good Dose of Inspiration
To see the many ways that educators inspire positive change, watch for the summer 2014 digital issue of EL on "Making a Difference." You'll read about how educators have built meaningful relationships or designed programs that helped students overcome challenges, raised academic achievement, supported students' health and safety, built partnerships with parents, advocated for education reform, and empowered their students to make a difference. This digital-only issue will be open to members and nonmembers alike.
ASCD's 2014 Legislative Agenda
ASCD recently released its 2014 Legislative Agenda. Developed by the association's Legislative Committee, the agenda outlines the association's federal policy priorities for the year.
The key priority for ASCD and its members in 2014 is to promote multimetric accountability so that standardized test scores are not the sole measure of student achievement, educator effectiveness, or school quality. To focus improvement efforts on the needs of students, the association is also recommending a well-rounded approach to education that supports the whole child, safe and effective conditions for learning, and ongoing professional development to support educator effectiveness.
Some additional items of importance this year are
- The availability of advanced placement, International Baccalaureate, and college dual-enrollment courses for all students.
- In-school social and emotional learning, mental health services, and counseling to increase students' capacity to achieve.
- Necessary investments in time and money to support educators along the entire career continuum.
The complete 2014 ASCD Legislative Agenda is available.
