Research Briefs
During the 2013 spring semester, students in Symposium developed research briefs on the following topics:
- The Role of the Local School Board in Improving Student Achievement
- The Effects of the Federal Stimulus Package on K-12 Education
- Measuring Outcomes for Children Birth through Age Five with Disabilities
During the 2012 summer session, students in Symposium developed research briefs on the following topics:
- Expanding Inclusivity in International Baccalaureate Programs
- Perceptions of School Safety
- The Impact of Common Core State Standards
During the 2012 spring semester, students in Symposium developed research briefs on the following topics:
- Culturally Proficient Teachers Influence on Student Achievement
- Current Use and Misuse of Educational Assessments
- Distinguishing Factors of Highly Effective Teachers
- How Teacher Retention Has Been Impacted by Increased Mandates and Demands
- Standards-Based Assessments and Reporting
- The Impact of State Testing on Instructional Practices
During the 2011 summer session, students in Symposium developed research briefs on the following topics:
- Standardized Testing and the Impact on Classroom Instruction
- Single Gender Schools
- High Stakes Testing and Student Achievement
- Student-Teacher Relationships and Student Achievement
During the 2011 spring semester, students in Symposium developed research briefs on the following topics:
- International Comparisons
- Effective Assessment and Reteaching Strategies
- Preventing Fading Academic Standardized Testing and the Impact on Student Achievement
- Growth Models
During the Summer 2010 summer session, students in Symposium developed research briefs on the following topics:
- Linking Student Achievement to Pay for Performance Incentives
- National Standards and Student Achievement
- Race to the Top and Effective Models for School Improvement: Evidence and Alternative Models
- Charter Schools as an Effective Choice for Increasing Student Achievement
- The Impact of State Performance Standards for Principals and Teachers on Teacher Quality
- National Standards and the Implications for Student Achievement
Students in future Symposium on School Leadership classes will further develop these topics and research new topics that continue to be selected by the MOEC superintendents.
Op-Ed Articles
Published op-ed articles relating to MOEC:
- Deterrence Measures Needed for Schools – authored by Stuart Stofferahn a doctoral candidate in the UNO Educational Leadership Department. Since the Sandy Hook tragedy school safety has been a significant topic of discussion in Nebraska and the nation. This Op-Ed article appeared in the Lincoln Star Journal on December 20, 2012.
- Schools Should Collaborate Not Compete – authored by Cindy Copich, graduate assistant and doctoral candidate, UNO Educational Leadership Department. The Nebraska Performance Accountability System (NePAS) ranks Nebraska school districts based on math, science, writing, and reading test results. This Op-Ed article appeared in the Bellevue Leader on Wednesday, November 21, 2012.
- Education Cuts, Reforms May Worsen Schools' Woes – authored by Dr. Richard Christie, MOEC Executive Director and assistant professor in the Educational Leadership Department. This Op-Ed article appeared in the Omaha World-Herald on Saturday, March 7, 2011.
- Master's-level Teachers Merit Respect – authored by Dr. Robert Mortenson, professor emeritus and former associate dean of the College of Education at UNO. This Op-Ed article references CADRE and appeared in the Omaha World-Herald on Wednesday, January 5, 2011
- Charter Schools Are Not Needed – authored by Dr. Richard Christie, MOEC Executive Director and assistant professor in the Educational Leadership Department. This Op-Ed article appeared in the Omaha World-Herald on Saturday, November 20, 2010.
- Student Literacy Gets Major Boost – authored by Dr. Charles Johanningsmeier and Dr. Sarah Edwards. Dr. Johanningsmeier is a professor in the UNO English Department and Dr. Edwards is an assistant professor in the College of Education. Dr. Edwards is a member of the MOEC Curriculum and Instruction Task and worked with that task force to organize METLink. This Op-Ed article appeared in the Omaha World-Herald on Wednesday, November 17, 2010.
Letters to the Editor
Published letters to the Editor relating to MOEC or Symposium on School Leadership:
- Public Schools Good Investment – authored by Cindy Copich, graduate assistant and doctoral candidate, UNO Educational Leadership Department. This letter to the editor appeared in the Omaha World-Herald on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
- Early Childhood Education Pays – authored by Jean Ubbelohde a doctoral candidate in the UNO Educational Leadership Department. The founding of the University of Nebraska Buffett Early Childhood Institute and the selection of Dr. Samuel Meisels the first executive director have generated renewed interest in early childhood education in the Omaha metropolitan area and throughout Nebraska. This letter to the editor appeared in the World-Herald on Sunday, May 5, 2013.
- Be Careful on District Rankings – authored by Dr. Richard Christie, MOEC Executive Director and assistant professor in the Educational Leadership Department. The Nebraska Performance Accountability System (NePAS) ranks Nebraska school districts based on math, science, writing, and reading test results. This letter to the editor appeared in the Omaha World-Herald on Monday, November 19, 2012. The letter posted is the original version submitted to the Omaha World-Herald with edits noted.
- Improve State Writing Test – authored by Krystal Hudecek, La Vista, NE. The state writing assessment has been given to all fourth-, eighth- and 11th-graders in Nebraska for the past 10 years. Teachers train students how to effectively write in a variety of genres and for a variety of audiences by using modeling and practice. This Letter to the Editor appeared in the Omaha World-Herald on Wednesday, March 4, 2011.