The Detroit Story: Everyone Pretended to Care
The Detroit News reported the latest plans for the beleaguered Detroit Public School district. Under state control for three years, Detroit is now run by an emergency financial manager with dictatorial powers.
First the good news: ”Detroit Public Schools’ proposed 2012-13 school year budget supports a system of schools focused on innovation and robust school choices, data-driven programs to enhance teaching and learning, including new Individual Learning Maps for every child, and highly qualified teachers selected after new teacher evaluation and interviewing processes,” Emergency Manager Roy S. Roberts said. Roberts is a former auto industry executive.
Now the bad news: “For the second year in a row, DPS is cutting its budget by nearly a quarter, from $1.03 billion last year to $784 million for the new fiscal year. It cut $231 million from its budget for the 2011-12 year a
First the good news: ”Detroit Public Schools’ proposed 2012-13 school year budget supports a system of schools focused on innovation and robust school choices, data-driven programs to enhance teaching and learning, including new Individual Learning Maps for every child, and highly qualified teachers selected after new teacher evaluation and interviewing processes,” Emergency Manager Roy S. Roberts said. Roberts is a former auto industry executive.
Now the bad news: “For the second year in a row, DPS is cutting its budget by nearly a quarter, from $1.03 billion last year to $784 million for the new fiscal year. It cut $231 million from its budget for the 2011-12 year a
When Students Awaken
The federal government’s heavy-handed, top-down policy of closing schools as a “turnaround” strategy fragments communities, particularly communities of color. Corporate reformers like Arne Duncan and Joel Klein count it as a badge of honor never to listen to the cries of parents and teachers and community leaders when they close schools and replace them with charter schools where students must apply for admission.
Something new has been added: student voice. Students from Chicago and Philadelphia joined to oppose the
Something new has been added: student voice. Students from Chicago and Philadelphia joined to oppose the
A Brilliant Idea: A Must-Watch
When I joined a webinar for #soschat recently on Twitter, the main topic of discussion was “what can we do?” How do we resist a well-funded campaign that makes parents, teachers and students feel powerless and helpless? What tools do we have? What is our counter-narrative?
I have thought about that a lot because the same questions arise wherever I go.
One response is that we should not allow anyone
I have thought about that a lot because the same questions arise wherever I go.
One response is that we should not allow anyone
Massachusetts Story: How Stand for ? Sold Out
Every once in a while, I read an article that is so packed with insight and new information that I want to share it. In the past, I would use Twitter to send it out. Now that I have this blog, I can not only share it but tell you why I think it is important.
The article tells the story of how Stand for Children came into Massachusetts, did some constructive work in a few communities, then launched its now-typical campaign to reduce teachers’ rights and status. It brought the Massachusetts Teachers Association to its knees by threatening to put a heavily-funded initiative on the ballot that would be far worse than a negotiated agreement. In the present anti-teacher climate, MTA capitulated to
The article tells the story of how Stand for Children came into Massachusetts, did some constructive work in a few communities, then launched its now-typical campaign to reduce teachers’ rights and status. It brought the Massachusetts Teachers Association to its knees by threatening to put a heavily-funded initiative on the ballot that would be far worse than a negotiated agreement. In the present anti-teacher climate, MTA capitulated to
Governor Kasich Appoints Sports Figure to Ohio Board of Education
In a demonstration of the importance that he attaches to the weighty work of the Ohio State Board of Education,Governor John Kasich appointed a former quarterback at Ohio State University to a seat on the state board. His choice, Stanley Jackson,plans to open a charter school for African American males. He played for Ohio State in 1996 and 1997. It is said that he shares the governor’s vision for education in Ohio.
In another recent development in Ohio, the state education department was shocked, shocked to discover that a
In another recent development in Ohio, the state education department was shocked, shocked to discover that a
Louisiana Breaks New Ground
With all the education reforms taking place in Louisiana, it’s clear that Govvernor Bobby Jindal wants to be a national leader in what is now called the “education reform” movement. Louisiana is leading the nation in the race to the bottom, having adopted every bad idea in ALEC’s catalogue of ways to tear up your public school system.
The Louisiana law was saluted by Indiana’s state superintendent Tony Bennett, head of a group of ultra-conservative state superintendents called Chiefs for Change, who share Jindal’s desire to get rid of public education if at all possible. Bennett said, “These student-centered reforms will completely transform Louisiana
The Louisiana law was saluted by Indiana’s state superintendent Tony Bennett, head of a group of ultra-conservative state superintendents called Chiefs for Change, who share Jindal’s desire to get rid of public education if at all possible. Bennett said, “These student-centered reforms will completely transform Louisiana