After a call from Rikers, a principal wonders how to stay in touch
Evangelista
Harlem Link Charter School principal Steven Evangelista saw this reality up close recently when he heard from a student he had tried, and failed, to locate since 2001. The student, Tom, was calling from Rikers Island.
In the community section, Evangelista argues that making it easier for teachers to stay in touch with students like Tom could change the students’ lives. He writes:
Each year, through various public and private agencies, our educational and correctional systems have spent tens of thousands of public dollars on Tom’s education and rehabilitation. Talking with him on that phone call from jail, I learned that the pattern I first observed with him in 2001 — when well-meaning social workers, psychologists and teachers based both at his school and the Administration for Children’s Services disappeared from his life with the stroke of a pen and a
Remainders: Bill Gates heaps praise on charter school leaders
- Here’s a round-up of education advocates’ response to Paterson’s budget veto. (Gotham Gazette)
- One teacher says her “last goodbyes” to this year’s crop of students. (Miss Brave Teaches NYC)
- While the teacher who goes by “Mildly Melancholy” is leaving the classroom forever. (Mildly Melancholy)
- The rubber rooms: just like “The Breakfast Club” but with teachers and less group bonding? (Daily Intel)
- A “charter-curious” district school teacher offers her take on “The Lottery.” (Charter Curious)
- Listen to Bill Gates’ full, unedited speech at a national charter schools conference. (WBEZ)
- Gates told charter leaders he thinks they are starting a “revolution.” (Seattle P-I)
- Gates also wishes “the world had one [education] agenda…embraced by teachers.” (District Dossier)
- If desirable school districts outside of D.C. test more, then maybe the city should too. (Class Struggle)
A musical experiment’s Regents results show promise
Last week, I wrote about a test prep program at New Design High School that aimed to boost Regents exam scores through original hip-hop songs.So did it work? According to the school’s unofficial results on the three exams the program prepared students to