EduTrendsOnline

Sequester Impacts Early Childhood Education

By Conrad Lotze VP & Dean, School of Education at American Public University The U.S. federal budget sequestration began on March 1 as part of the austerity fiscal policy enacted by the 2011 Budget Control Act. The sequester has drastically limited across-the-board government programs throughout the country, including early childhood education. Particularly hard hit is Head Start, the federal program that aids low-income preschool children.

Are Standardized Tests Challenging Academic Rigor?

By Dr. Conrad Lotze VP & Dean, School of Education at American Public University This year, millions of school-aged children will spend multiple hours at school taking standardized tests. Stop and think about that for a minute. Now ask yourself some questions: What are the tests designed to measure? Who decides what content gets tested? How much time do students and their teachers spend specifically preparing for those tests?

Empowering K-12 via County Partnerships

By Dr. Conrad Lotze VP & Dean, School of Education at American Public University American Public University System (APUS) created the Leadership in Learning Partnership (LLP) in partnership with West Virginia schools. Through this partnership, we offer an opportunity for school districts to work with a nationally recognized online university to provide professional development opportunities to their staff members.

What Makes a Good Online Instructor?

By Dr. Conrad Lotze Dean, School of Education, American Public University What  qualifications and characteristics are key to being  a good online instructor? In order to evaluate candidates for online faculty positions, I typically ask myself a series of questions: Do they possess the requisite content knowledge and degree necessary for the position?  Do they have knowledge and experience in pedagogy or andragogy, that is, the science and art of teaching children and adults, respectively?