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Posts Tagged ‘education’


Friday, July 27th, 2007

Dermatologists and Pathologists Assemble for In-Depth Training on Confocal Diagnostic Imaging Interpretation

ROCHESTER, NY – July 27, 2007 – More than two dozen dermatologists and pathologists assembled in New York City for the first in a series of in-depth courses to train future diagnostic readers on the interpretation of in-vivo confocal images of pigmented lesions.

Led by one of the world’s leading in-vivo confocal imaging medical researchers, Dr. Giovanni Pellacani from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Modena, Italy, the course was hosted by Lucid, Inc. (http://www.lucid-tech.com/), developer of the VivaScope confocal imagers and the VivaNet™ telemedicine information system.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to educate confocal diagnostic readers. This educational process is a critical step if the dermatology community is to adopt in-vivo confocal imaging for widespread use in skin cancer screening,” commented Dr. Pellacani.

“Dr. Pellacani’s course topics ranged from an overview of confocal imaging technology to the technology’s application in the diagnostic imaging of pigmented lesions and melanomas,” said Jay Eastman, Ph.D., chairman and CEO of Lucid, Inc. He continued, “Dr. Pellacani’s course in New York was a day and a half of intensive introduction to diagnostic reading of in-vivo confocal images. Due to the enthusiasm and interest of the participants for further training, we are now working with Dr. Pellacani to formulate an advanced readers course to be held in the fall in Modena, Italy.”

Lucid’s non-invasive VivaScope® confocal microscopes provide cellular resolution images of skin that may be used by a physician to assist in forming a clinical judgment for a variety of skin conditions. Lucid’s VivaNet™ , a HIPAA compliant DICOM-Network, is intended to provide fast, accurate, and secure storage, retrieval and transfer of VivaScope® digital cellular resolution images across the Internet to facilitate professional collaboration and consultation between the attending physician and confocal diagnostic readers.

During a typical VivaScope® imaging session, both dermatoscopic quality, full color macroscopic pictures and microscopic, cellular resolution images of the patient’s skin are imaged. Once all of the images for a single session are completed, the images and patient related data are transferred for storage to the secure VivaNetTM server and are immediately available for retrieval by and transfer to authorized diagnostic readers for their review and collaboration with the attending physician.

For information on Lucid’s continuing series of courses and educational sessions, VivaScope® or VivaNetTM technology, contact Lucid by phone at 585-239-9800, by email at info@lucid-tech.com, or on the web at www.lucid-tech.com.

About Lucid Inc.
Lucid Inc., based in Rochester, New York, USA, is a medical device and information company dedicated to creating innovative cellular imaging technology and using the Internet to securely deliver accurate, real-time VivaScope® cellular resolution images to medical professionals. When coupled with its digital VivaNetTM system, the company’s ability to image in-vivo (living) tissue will aid medical practitioners and pathologists in skin cancer screening with clarity, speed and patient comfort. For more information about Lucid Inc., visit http://www.lucid-tech.com/.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc.

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Thursday, June 21st, 2007

NCTAF Launches Web-Based Calculator to Help Schools Estimate Cost of Replacing Teacher “Drop Outs”

– Available at www.nctaf.org/ttcc –

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 21, 2007 – The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) has launched a new web-based tool, Teacher Turnover Cost Calculator, for educators and others to estimate the costs of recruiting, hiring, processing, and training new teachers to replace those who have “dropped out” of a specific school or school district anywhere in the country.

NCTAF estimates that the national cost of public school teacher turnover could be over $7.3 billion a year, draining resources, diminishing teaching quality, and undermining the nation’s ability to close the student achievement gap. The NCTAF Teacher Turnover Cost Calculator, available at www.nctaf.org/ttcc, utilizes the data collection and analysis protocol from a just-completed pilot study of the issue and which yielded the $7.3 billion estimate.

Using the Calculator, educators and members of the public can estimate the cost of teacher turnover for any school or school district. The calculator contains enough background information on this tool to enable school leaders to design and conduct their own detailed turnover cost analyses. The tool, like the pilot study, recognizes that the cost of turnover varies from district to district and is largely dependant upon the size of the district and the types of induction programs the district implements.

NCTAF is also hosting a Wiki on its website for discussion and comparison of costs that have been calculated by users in communities around the country.

“We want to help school leaders identify the problem, so that they will be in a better position to manage their resources to reduce teacher turnover and improve teaching quality,” said NCTAF president Tom Carroll.

Access the NCTAF Teacher Turnover Cost Calculator at www.nctaf.org/ttcc.

About NCTAF
The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. NCTAF is dedicated to providing every child with competent, caring, qualified teaching in schools organized for success. With a network of 25 partner states and links to professional educational organizations across the nation, NCTAF provides leadership on innovation and improvement in teaching and learning in America’s schools. For more information, visit NCTAF’s website: http://www.nctaf.org/.

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Press release public relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre, http://www.tizinc.com/

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Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

NCTAF Policy Brief Says Teacher Dropouts Cost Nation More Than $7 Billion Annually

– High Teacher Turnover Drains School and District Resources –

– Teacher Turnover Cost Calculator Available on NCTAF Website –

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 20, 2007 –The teacher dropout problem is costing the nation billions of dollars, draining resources, diminishing teaching quality, and undermining the nation’s ability to close the student achievement gap, according to a new policy brief released today by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF).

NCTAF estimates that the national cost of public school teacher turnover could be over $7.3 billion a year.

The policy brief is based on an 18-month pilot study NCTAF recently completed on the cost of teacher turnover in five school districts – Chicago; Granville, N.C.; Jemez Valley, N.M.; Milwaukee; and Santa Rosa, N.M. The selected districts varied in size, location, and demographics, enabling NCTAF researchers to explore how these variations affected costs. The research was supported by grants from the Joyce Foundation and the Spencer Foundation.

The pilot study examined the costs of recruiting, hiring, processing, and training teachers at both the school and district levels. The findings indicate that the cost of turnover does vary from district to district, largely dependant upon the size of the district and the types of induction programs the district implements – but in all cases, the cost of teacher turnover is substantial.

“This is a good news/bad news story,” said NCTAF president Tom Carroll. “We want to help school leaders identify the problem, so that they will be in a better position to manage their resources to reduce teacher turnover and improve teaching quality.”

Key Findings
NCTAF’s findings are a clear indication that America’s teacher dropout problem is spiraling out of control. Teacher attrition has grown by 50 percent over the past fifteen years. The national teacher turnover rate has risen to 16.8 percent. In urban schools it is over 20 percent, and, in some schools and districts, the teacher dropout rate is actually higher than the student dropout rate. The pilot study shows:

  • The costs of teacher turnover are substantial.
  • At-risk schools spend scarce dollars on teacher turnover.
  • Teacher turnover undermines at-risk schools.
  • At-risk schools could recoup funds by investing in teacher retention.
  • Turnover costs can be identified, aggregated, and analyzed.
  • District data systems are not designed to control the costs of turnover.

The monetary loss for many schools impacts already stretched budgets and adds to the hiring struggles of school leaders. The problem is most acute in the nation’s high minority, high poverty, and low performing schools. Because 46% of all new teachers in the United States leave the profession within five years, NCTAF says leaders of at-risk schools are in a constant cycle of rebuilding their staff.

Opportunity for Change
Currently, most education leaders do not know the costs of teacher turnover in their schools and districts. To help them stem teacher turnover, NCTAF recommends:

  • Investing in new teacher support and development
    Comprehensive induction programs have been proven to increase teacher retention and improve student achievement. The costs of such programs could be offset by the savings achieved through decreases in the costs of turnover.
  • Targeting comprehensive retention strategies to at-risk schools
    Teachers leave at-risk (low-income, high-minority, low-performing) schools at high rates. Retention initiatives in these schools have the greatest potential for a high return on investment, both in terms of resources and school performance.
  • Tracking teacher turnover and its costs annually
    In order to make sound decisions, school leaders and policymakers need data on teacher turnover and its costs. By tracking teachers and costs year by year, school leaders and policymakers will be able to determine where to invest in teacher retention and the impact of these investments.
  • Amending NCLB to hold school leaders accountable for turnover and its costs
    To ensure that every child has access to a school with a rate of teacher attrition and experience that is comparable to all other schools served by its local education agency, each local and state education agency should be required to publicly report the distribution of qualified teachers, the average years of teaching experience in each school, the annual rate of teacher and principal attrition, and the cost of that attrition for each school it serves.
  • Upgrading district data systems
    Most districts have huge collections of data on the cost elements associated with teacher turnover, but the current data systems stand in the way of accurate and timely analysis. Coherent data systems should be created to house cost data in a way that is easily accessible and analyzable. Teacher turnover data should be added to current systems and should be included in the design of new systems. With easily accessible data, districts could begin to analyze and manage teacher turnover and its costs. Robust data systems that provide sufficient information about teacher effectiveness in specific schools will also enable district human resource departments to be increasingly accountable for the retention of high quality teachers.

In addition, NCTAF has developed the Teacher Turnover Cost Calculator, which uses the data collection and analysis protocol from the pilot study. Using the NCTAF Teacher Turnover Cost Calculator, educators and members of the public can estimate the dollars spent on teacher turnover for a specific school or school district anywhere in the country. The calculator contains enough background information on this tool to enable school leaders to design and conduct their own detailed turnover cost analyses. NCTAF’s Teacher Turnover Cost Calculator can be found at http://www.nctaf.org.

At the site, NCTAF will also host a Wiki for discussion and comparison of costs that have been calculated by users in communities around the country.

About NCTAF
The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. NCTAF is dedicated to providing every child with competent, caring, qualified teaching in schools organized for success. With a network of 25 partner states and links to professional educational organizations across the nation, NCTAF provides leadership on innovation and improvement in teaching and learning in America’s schools. For more information, visit NCTAF’s website: http://www.nctaf.org.

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Press release public relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre, http://www.tizinc.com

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Friday, June 15th, 2007

NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY: Press Conference to Announce Teacher Dropouts Cost U.S. More Than $7 Billion Annually

WASHINGTON, DC., June 15, 2007 — NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY: Press Conference to Announce Teacher Dropouts Cost U.S. More Than $7 Billion Annually

WHO:
National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF)

WHAT:
Press conference to announce teacher dropouts cost U.S. more than $7 billion annually

WHEN:
Two (2) Press Conference Calls, Wednesday, June 20, 2007

  • 10:00 a.m. EDT
  • 1:00 p.m. EDT

WHERE:
Two (2) telephone press conference calls. RSVP required. RSVP with Karen Abercrombie at 202-429-2570 or email: kabercrombie@nctaf.org.

MORE ABOUT:
The teacher dropout problem costs the U.S. billions of dollars, draining resources, diminishing teaching quality, and undermining the nation’s ability to close the student achievement gap, states a new policy brief to be released June 20th by NCTAF.

NCTAF estimates that the national cost of public school teacher turnover could exceed $7.3 billion annually.

The brief is based on an 18-month pilot study NCTAF completed on the cost of teacher turnover in five school districts – Chicago; Granville, N.C.; Jemez Valley, N.M.; Milwaukee; and Santa Rosa, N.M. The districts varied in size, location, and demographics. NCTAF researchers explored how these variations affected costs. The research was supported by grants from the Joyce Foundation and the Spencer Foundation.

The pilot study examined the costs of recruiting, hiring, processing, and training teachers at both the school and district levels. The study shows that the cost of turnover varies from district to district, largely dependant upon the size of the district and the types of induction programs the district implements – but in all cases, the cost of teacher turnover is substantial.

The findings indicate that America’s teacher dropout problem is spiraling out of control. Teacher attrition has grown by 50% over the past fifteen years. The national teacher turnover rate has risen to 16.8%. In urban schools, it’s over 20%, and, in some schools and districts, the teacher dropout rate is actually higher than the student dropout rate.

The monetary loss for many schools impacts already stretched budgets and adds to the hiring struggles of school leaders. The problem is most acute in the nation’s high minority, high poverty, and low performing schools. Because 46% of all new teachers in the U.S. leave within five years, NCTAF says schools are in a constant cycle of rebuilding their staff.

NCTAF (http://www.nctaf.org/) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization based in Washington, DC, providing leadership on innovation and improvement in teaching and learning in America’s schools.

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Press release public relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre, http://www.tizinc.com/

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Monday, June 4th, 2007

Media Advisory: “Making Schools Work” Educators’ Forum to be held in Albuquerque, NM, June 8, 2007

WHAT: Educators’ Forum: “Making Schools Work”

WHEN: Friday, June 8, 2007, 9:30 – 11:30a.m.

WHERE: KNME, 1130 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

DESCRIPTION: This discussion will focus on the important role of teachers in making schools work in a P-20 system in New Mexico. The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) will convene a cross-section of education stakeholders in a forum at KNME to participate in a discussion on what needs to be done to ensure that every child has access to competent, caring, qualified teachers in schools organized for success. There will be a short video on the Hobbs School District to demonstrate how one New Mexico district has made changes to help all students achieve. The video will illustrate how teachers can work collaboratively with their colleagues to meet the needs of 21st-century students. The discussion will be moderated by New Mexico’s Secretary of Education, Dr. Veronica Garcia.

WHO: The forum is sponsored by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future and MetLife Foundation. Panelists include: Sen. Cynthia Nava, State of New Mexico; Mr. Larry Langley, NM Business Roundtable; Dr. William Flores, NM Higher Education Dept.; Dr. Peter Winograd, NM Dept. of Finance & Admin. There will also be a second panel of educators from around the state to discuss what they are doing to make schools work in their respective districts or schools.

About NCTAF: The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. NCTAF is dedicated to providing every child with competent, caring, qualified teaching in schools organized for success. With a network of 23 partner states and links to professional educational organizations across the nation, NCTAF provides leadership on innovation and improvement in teaching and learning in America’s schools. For more information, visit NCTAF’s website: www.nctaf.org.

About MetLife Foundation: MetLife Foundation supports programs that increase opportunities for young people to succeed, give students and teachers a voice in improving education, create connections between schools and communities and develop leadership. The Foundation works with national nonprofit organizations to develop a variety of programs, many of which address issues raised each year in The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher. For more information about MetLife Foundation, please visit www.metlife.org.

Contact: Karen Abercrombie, Dir. of Communications & Public Policy Outreach, (202) 464-1945, http://www.nctaf.org

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Posted by Tiziani Whitmyre, www.tizinc.com

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Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

Media Advisory – Indiana – Educators’ Forum Scheduled: “Creating a Culture of Success Through Teamwork in Indiana Schools”

– May 22 at WTIU Studio 6, Bloomington, IN –

Bloomington, IN – What does it take to develop a school culture where great teaching and learning can thrive?

The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) will convene educators, administrators and policymakers in a forum at WTIU’s Studio 6 to participate in a discussion on how to create supportive learning environments that improves teaching quality and student achievement.

There will be a short video on Columbus East High School to demonstrate how one school in Indiana is making it happen. The video will illustrate how teachers can work collaboratively with their colleagues to meet the needs of 21st-century students.

The forum will be held Tuesday, May 22, 2007, from 9:00 to 11a.m. at WTIU, Studio 6, 1229 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405.

The discussion will be moderated by Ann Shea, the co-host of WTIU’s show The Weekly Special. Panelists include: Daniel Baron, Senior Fellow, National School Reform Faculty; Dr. Gerardo González, University Dean, School of Education, Indiana University; Ty Mungle, Principal, Binford Elementary School; Dr. Suellen Reed, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Autumne Streeval, Teacher Leader, Columbus East High School.

The forum is sponsored by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future and MetLife Foundation.

About NCTAF
The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. NCTAF is dedicated to providing every child with competent, caring, qualified teaching in schools organized for success. With a network of 23 partner states and links to professional educational organizations across the nation, NCTAF provides leadership on innovation and improvement in teaching and learning in America’s schools. For more information, visit NCTAF’s website: www.nctaf.org.

About MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation supports programs that increase opportunities for young people to succeed, give students and teachers a voice in improving education, create connections between schools and communities and develop leadership. The Foundation works with national nonprofit organizations to develop a variety of programs, many of which address issues raised each year in The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher. For more information about MetLife Foundation, please visit www.metlife.org.

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Press contact: Karen Abercrombie, Dir. of Communications & Public Policy Outreach, at NCTAF, www.nctaf.org.

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Posted by Tiziani Whitmyre, www.tizinc.com

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Thursday, May 3rd, 2007

Nashville Educators’ Forum: “Improving Student Outcomes through Effective Partnerships”

– May 9th Panel, 8:30 – 11a.m, Nashville Public Television (NPT) —

NASHVILLE, TN — What does it take to develop a school where great teaching and learning can thrive?

The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future will convene educators, administrators and policymakers in a forum at Nashville Public Television (NPT)’s Studio A to address topics such as state and local partnerships that support teachers, successful school cultures and ongoing professional development to improve teaching quality and student learning.

Urban Education Specialist, Gwendolyn Watson, will moderate the panel discussion. Nashville’s Stratford High School will be highlighted in a video presentation that spotlights the school’s promising practices in collaborative teamwork.

The forum is sponsored by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future and MetLife Foundation.

The forum will be held at Nashville Public Television (NPT), Studio A, 161 Rains Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203.

Gwendolyn Watson, Urban Education Specialist, Tennessee Department of Education, will moderate the discussion. Panelists include:

  • Brenda Elliott-Johnson, Executive Principal, Stratford High School;
  • Starr Herrman, Director of Small Learning Communities, Metro Nashville Public Schools;
  • Steven Moats, Senior Research & Development Specialist, Edvantia;
  • Vivian Morris, Assistant Dean for Faculty Development, University of Memphis;
  • Connie Smith, Executive Director of Accountability, Tennessee Department of Education; and
  • Janet Wallace, Small Learning Communities (SLC) Coach, Stratford High School.

About NCTAF
The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. NCTAF is dedicated to providing every child with competent, caring, qualified teaching in schools organized for success. With a network of 23 partner states and links to professional educational organizations across the nation, NCTAF provides leadership on innovation and improvement in teaching and learning in America’s schools. For more information, visit NCTAF’s website: http://www.nctaf.org/.

About MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation supports programs that increase opportunities for young people to succeed, give students and teachers a voice in improving education, create connections between schools and communities and develop leadership. The Foundation works with national nonprofit organizations to develop a variety of programs, many of which address issues raised each year in The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher. For more information about MetLife Foundation, please visit http://www.metlife.org/.

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Posted by Tiziani Whitmyre, www.tizinc.com

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Friday, March 16th, 2007

NCTAF, MetLife Foundation, and WGBH Host Town Hall Meeting on Educator Empowerment for Improved Teaching and Learning

– March 22nd Panel to Discuss Strategies to Support Student Achievement –

BOSTON – Teaching in the 21st century should look different than it did in the 1950s.

On March 22, 2007, the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF), MetLife Foundation, and WGBH will host a town hall meeting to discuss strategies to transform schools into places where great teaching and learning can thrive.

According to NCTAF, teachers leave the profession in droves because schools are stuck in an old factory-era model that fails to support a collaborative, supportive work environment. Almost half of new teachers leave the profession in five years. The problem is particularly acute in low-income communities, where one in five teachers leave each year. Principal turnover is just as alarming, with four years or less as the typical stint for many.

“Teacher and principal churn in schools undermines the ability to develop successful learning cultures because there is a constant rebuilding of staff,” said NCTAF’s President Tom Carroll. “It’s time to focus on strategies that work, especially if we are serious about retaining our best educators and improving student learning.”

The town hall meeting will also feature a WGBH-produced video that showcases Boston’s Richard J. Murphy School, followed by an opportunity to discuss this school’s efforts to improve teaching quality and student achievement.

The town hall meeting will be held Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. at WGBH, located at 125 Western Avenue, Studio A, Boston, MA. Continental breakfast will be available at 8:30 a.m.

Panelists include:

  • Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria (moderator), Special Advisor for Education to Governor Deval Patrick (D-MA) ;
  • Dr. Karen Mapp, Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education;
    Lynn Stuart, Leadership Coach, Atlas Learning Communities & Center for Collaborative Education;
  • Mary Russo, Principal, Richard J. Murphy School; and
  • Harry Gilliam, Jr., Teacher, Richard J. Murphy School

For more information, contact: Karen Abercrombie, Dir. of Communications & Public Policy Outreach, NCTAF, 202-429-2570, kabercrombie@nctaf.org.

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Posted by: Tiziani Whitmyre, Inc., www.tizinc.com

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Monday, March 12th, 2007

Steve Richter, Founder & CEO of Microtest, is Appointed to Robert H Goddard Council

AGAWAM, MASS., — March 12, 2007 — Dr. Steven Richter, founder, president & CEO of Microtest Inc. of Agawam, Mass., was recently appointed to serve on the Robert H. Goddard Council on STEM Education, a 27-member council which will advise the state’s Board of Higher Education on STEM Pipeline Fund workforce development programs.

The Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Pipeline Fund is a workforce development initiative designed to increase student interest and teacher preparation in STEM subjects. Originally created in 2003, the Fund was recapitalized in 2006 with an additional $4 million.

The Robert H. Goddard Council includes representatives from the state’s education and business communities, the legislature, and workforce development and labor organizations, and is co-chaired by Mass. State Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos and Representative Daniel E. Bosley.

“I am honored by my appointment and am looking forward, and seriously, to my role on the Robert H. Goddard Council,” Richter said.

“The growth and success of my own company is directly rooted in the highly skilled and innovative employees, world class educational institutions, and strong state and community support of Western Massachusetts.”

“Let’s take the lessons of that success – and redouble our efforts,” he said. “Strong and ongoing state support of science and technology is a critical investment in our residents and communities, and in our state and future.”

Microtest, Inc., which currently employs more than 100, recently completed a $7.5 million expansion of the firm’s pharmaceutical and virology testing laboratories and fill/finish contract manufacturing facilities in Agawam. The company is a leader in testing services and contract manufacturing for the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology industries.

For more information about Microtest, Inc., visit www.microtestlabs.com or call 1-413-786-1680 or toll-free 1-800-631-1680.

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Press release contact: Tiziani Whitmyre, www.tizinc.com

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