Here’s another installment from the Wisconsin DEN Blog feature – Things I Think You Should Read.

• When comparing the success of students from the United States to those of other countries, don’t you think we should compare apples to apples?  When we do that, we’re not as bad as many think.  Here is a some great information about the 2009 PISA (Program for International Students) results.
• Larry Ferlazzo thinks this is one of the best articles about Blueprint for Reform. “Holding on to Parent Voices is the headline of an article in the new issue of District Administration. It provides an in-depth analysis of how parent involvement issues are affected by the Obama Administration’s “Blueprint for Reform,” which lays out general principles for reauthorizing No Child Left Behind. These issues include the proposed elimination of guaranteed funding for 62 Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs).”  Note: I never heard about this piece of NCLB, but learned quite a bit from this article.
• Why Teachers Should Be “Persons of the Year” – from the Huffington Post.
• I’m guessing a few new iPads showed up under Christmas trees this year.  Whether you’re a new to the world of iPads or someone who has had one for a while, this Complete Lists of iPad Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials might be for you.
• Are you up for a Fitness Challenge?  I’m in.
• Yes, we need to use A Little Common Sense when it comes to students and teachers interacting.