U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's message was clear during his Thursday visit to Sacramento: California can either get on board or be left behind.
Duncan spoke about federal stimulus funds and education reform during stops at the state Capitol, a youth rally in Oak Park and a meeting of school officials and a public town hall meeting at the downtown library as part of the Sacramento Education Summit.
"Popular Comment
Yesterday's article described Hiram Johnson West's success with 100% passing the Cahsee. Part of their success stems from having a more rigorous admission process than other high schools. St. Hope didn't have that type of success even though it also is selective in who it keeps as a student. There is nothing magical about charter schools. Instead we should move to encourage more flexibility into the public school bureaucracy. Student test scores are impacted by too many factors out of the class room teacher's control to be used as an evaluation tool. Evaluate a teacher for things they control, are they prepared and do they establish a learning environment in their classroom, are they an active member of their school community, do they prepare and present good lessons, and opportunities for students to grow. You can't blame the teacher if the kids cut school, joined a gang or chose this year to use drugs. Who will teach inner city middle school if the tests impact salary?
-- JoeBarnett"
Duncan spoke about federal stimulus funds and education reform during stops at the state Capitol, a youth rally in Oak Park and a meeting of school officials and a public town hall meeting at the downtown library as part of the Sacramento Education Summit.
"Popular Comment
Yesterday's article described Hiram Johnson West's success with 100% passing the Cahsee. Part of their success stems from having a more rigorous admission process than other high schools. St. Hope didn't have that type of success even though it also is selective in who it keeps as a student. There is nothing magical about charter schools. Instead we should move to encourage more flexibility into the public school bureaucracy. Student test scores are impacted by too many factors out of the class room teacher's control to be used as an evaluation tool. Evaluate a teacher for things they control, are they prepared and do they establish a learning environment in their classroom, are they an active member of their school community, do they prepare and present good lessons, and opportunities for students to grow. You can't blame the teacher if the kids cut school, joined a gang or chose this year to use drugs. Who will teach inner city middle school if the tests impact salary?
-- JoeBarnett"
