Evolution of a Test Item

This is a very interesting piece for those who write test questions. It talks about the evolution of a test item from first written by the item writer to field test.

http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/hsa/government/evolution.html

Business Cards

Under the advisement of several job seeking sites for freelance education writers, I decided to print up a stack of business cards from Staples. To avoid conflicts of interest, I do not give them out in school - ever. In order to make these cards work for me though, I include them in the resumes I send out as well as during workshops and conferences - almost anyone relevant outside of school. Aside from sending resumes frequently, I find giving out business cards to be useful in "getting your name out there."

What do you think?

Test Writing

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The Long Island town that's often called America's first suburb is blasting New York state over a social studies test that includes Levittown in the same category as shantytowns.
The question, on the state's eighth-grade social studies test, shows a photo of shacks labeled "A Shantytown during the Depression." Students were asked whether such areas were known as tenements, ghettos, Levittowns or Hoovervilles. (The correct answer is Hoovervilles.) In a letter to the state, the Levittown schools superintendent calls the reference "derogatory, totally unnecessary and inaccurate."
A state education spokesman says the department regrets any misunderstanding. Says Tom Dunn: "We meant no disrespect for Levittown or those who live there."
The test was administered two weeks ago to 200,000 students statewide.

Education Writers Resource

This is a great resource for all education writers.
http://educationwriting.blogspot.com/

Waiting

It's been a couple of months since I have gotten an official offer. I started getting a little frustrated about the wait. I understand freelancing assignments come and go, but perhaps my expectations are a bit too high - especially for someone who has just started writing.

Everyday is the same - going through job sites, replying to leads I like and sometimes dislike, and waiting for their responses. I have been told that I checked my phone for incoming emails more often as of late. There have been replies - sometimes a few a day - but the wait is getting a bit too much.

What are your thoughts about waiting in between jobs?

Another Try

Inspiring by HSJ Christian Writer's comeback, I've decided to give blogging another try. Since my last entry, I have published a book and made some progress in my freelancing career. Of course, my love is still teaching. Check out my new book: Regents Global History and Geography.

My First Piece of Writing

I found my first job early this year. I worked for a non-profit organization who needed a teacher to come up with a youth service curriculum. Unlike other curriculum development opportunities, I am the sole author for this project and this involved a comparatively significant amount of money. I must have logged 40 to 50 hours for a 20-page curriculum. But it was all worth it. After all, it was my first.

What about you? What did you write about for your first freelancing assignment?