RTTT: More Lipstick on a Pig?
Larry Ferlazzo notes that the latest requirements for Race to the Top is just more lipstick on a pig.
By which, he means that when RTTT refers to “personalized learning,” what it really means is using online learning for adaptive testing.
That’s pretty much what the hawkers of technology mean too.
But teachers had something else in mind, something that would encourage students to explore and think and make their own decisions, not just answer test questions.
By which, he means that when RTTT refers to “personalized learning,” what it really means is using online learning for adaptive testing.
That’s pretty much what the hawkers of technology mean too.
But teachers had something else in mind, something that would encourage students to explore and think and make their own decisions, not just answer test questions.
Is This a Failing School with Great Graduates?
According to the state of Pennsylvania, the Hazleton Area High School is a low performing school.
One day its staff may be fired and the school may be closed and replaced by privately managed charter schools, or who knows, its students may be sent to register for online homeschooling.
But a Pennsylvania reader says that a member of the Mars rover team is a graduate of this high school. What gives?
One day its staff may be fired and the school may be closed and replaced by privately managed charter schools, or who knows, its students may be sent to register for online homeschooling.
But a Pennsylvania reader says that a member of the Mars rover team is a graduate of this high school. What gives?
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Change.org Did Not Drop StudentsFirst
A reader writes that Change.org continues to offer deceptive petitions to recruit members for StudentsFirst (petitions like “do you support great teachers?” “are you against bullying?”). Frankly, I don’t think any of the organization’s membership claims are meaningful because no one pays dues, and no one knows how many names were added by deceptive petitions on websites like Change.org. I am still a member of StudentsFirst, even though I never knowingly joined. How many hundreds of thousands of others are there listed as members who are in the same boat? I was a “member” for over a year and never knew it. I was informed by a spokesman for Change. org when I complained about the same deception described here:
| Diane, you’ve written a lot about how Michelle Rhee’s group StudentsFirst recruits most of their members from |
Amazing News from Georgia
In Georgia, the Republican party has lined up to support a constitutional amendment this fall that would give the governor power to override the decisions of local school boards and open charters whether the local boards like it or not.
Obviously, such a law would eviscerate local control and also raid the local school budget to fund the charters.
Where did this idea come from? Not surprisingly, from the rightwing organization called ALEC, which values
Obviously, such a law would eviscerate local control and also raid the local school budget to fund the charters.
Where did this idea come from? Not surprisingly, from the rightwing organization called ALEC, which values
Arizona, the Wild West of Charter Schools
The Arizona Daily Star reviewed the charter sector and came up with some amazing and disturbing findings.
The state has 500 plus charter schools, and provides next to no oversight.
A new charter may get a visit in the first year or two, but seldom after that.
They are on their own.
There are only 7 people in the state department of education to oversee the charters, but five of the positions are
The state has 500 plus charter schools, and provides next to no oversight.
A new charter may get a visit in the first year or two, but seldom after that.
They are on their own.
There are only 7 people in the state department of education to oversee the charters, but five of the positions are
An Apology to Offended Parents
This teacher wrote a dissent to the letter that caused a ruckus. She wrote it immediately. I posted her dissent. Now she writes again. Will any of the angry homeschooling parents read what she writes? Obviously, they did not read her previous comment defending parents.
The lesson. Be informed. Don’t rush to judgment. Stop, look, and listen.
The letter you posted actually offended me, too. I didn’t think it was respectful to the disabled
The lesson. Be informed. Don’t rush to judgment. Stop, look, and listen.
The letter you posted actually offended me, too. I didn’t think it was respectful to the disabled
Facts About the “Parent Trigger”
The new film “Won’t Back Down” apparently celebrates the “parent trigger.” Since this film is fictional, it is likely to provide misinformation about this concept.
Parents Across America invited member Caroline Grannan, who lives in California and often writes about education, to prepare a fact sheet about the real “parent trigger,” which was passed as a law in that state in early 2010.
Here is her summary.
In Praise of Valerie Strauss
She has provided a regular outlet for teachers, researchers, and everyone else who has important things to say about high-stakes testing, privatization, the war on teachers, the politics of education, No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and almost everything else that is on the minds of education-minded people these days.
When my last book was published, I was very fortunate to be interviewed by Valerie on C-SPAN. I had never met her. The hour passed very quickly, as we enjoyed the conversation. Over the past two years, many of my articles have appeared on her blog. She helped me find my audience, as she helps educators everywhere know that they are not alone.
Thank you, Valerie, for all you do to encourage the people who dedicate their lives every day to educating the nation’s children. Thank you for your support for teachers, principals, and administrators. Thank you for understanding parents and children. Thank you for your wisdom, your courage, and your steadfastness.
Parents Across America invited member Caroline Grannan, who lives in California and often writes about education, to prepare a fact sheet about the real “parent trigger,” which was passed as a law in that state in early 2010.
Here is her summary.
In Praise of Valerie Strauss
All of us who are frustrated and occasionally outraged by current federal and state education policy owe a debt of thanks to Valerie Strauss of the Washington Post.
Her daily blog “The Answer Sheet” is a source of sustenance, information, and wisdom.She has provided a regular outlet for teachers, researchers, and everyone else who has important things to say about high-stakes testing, privatization, the war on teachers, the politics of education, No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and almost everything else that is on the minds of education-minded people these days.
When my last book was published, I was very fortunate to be interviewed by Valerie on C-SPAN. I had never met her. The hour passed very quickly, as we enjoyed the conversation. Over the past two years, many of my articles have appeared on her blog. She helped me find my audience, as she helps educators everywhere know that they are not alone.
Thank you, Valerie, for all you do to encourage the people who dedicate their lives every day to educating the nation’s children. Thank you for your support for teachers, principals, and administrators. Thank you for understanding parents and children. Thank you for your wisdom, your courage, and your steadfastness.
