A Teacher’s Dilemma
This letter from a veteran teacher should be read and discussed in every TFA institute, during the five weeks of training. Corps members should take a pledge never to take a job away from a well-qualified, experienced teacher who was laid off to save money and to hire TFA:
All I ever wanted from teaching was to do good work, excite children and really teach them. And I have done that. Always trying to do it better, always assessing and reworking what I do. I’ve been proud of my contribution to the children in my community, but I realize now that it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter that I work until late every night or that I’ve had a high standard (Common Core is no big stretch for me). Or that I’m passionate
Letters to the Editor about Bruni Article on Parent Trigger and Unions
Teachers speak up to refute claims of reformers.
The reformers assert that unions are the root problem of American education because they protect bad teachers. The answer: Get rid of unions so wise administrators or charter school operators can fire bad teachers. One letter here says it is the job of administrators to deny tenure to bad teachers and to evaluate teachers.
Will Helicopters Improve Student Outcomes?
Bruce Baker offers his comments on the latest study of vouchers.
As usual for him, he raises provocative questions about what the study says and doesn’t explain at all.
Why Charters and Public Schools Are “Apples and Oranges”
The Texas Business and Education Council commissioned a major review of high-performing charter schools by Dr. Ed Fuller.
The question addressed by Fuller is whether the charters are enrolling the same kinds of students who enroll in nearby public schools. The final conclusions included this summary: This study is a preliminary examination of high-profile/high-performing charter management organizations in |
Do Educators Have a Political Party?
Paul Thomas of Furman University says that educators have no political party, because no political party today supports educators.
The Republican party is downright hostile to public education and to teachers.
Romney’s education agenda calls for privatization.
It is the most radical rightwing document of any major political party in my memory (and I have a long memory).
Romney would be a disaster for American public education, for the schools that enroll almost 90% of the
The Power of Involved Parents
The Republican party is downright hostile to public education and to teachers.
Romney’s education agenda calls for privatization.
It is the most radical rightwing document of any major political party in my memory (and I have a long memory).
Romney would be a disaster for American public education, for the schools that enroll almost 90% of the
The Power of Involved Parents
This parent writes about how he and his wife decided to enroll their children in an urban public school and to remain closely involved in their schooling and their lives. As black parents, they knew all the risks, and they decided not to move to the suburbs. As college graduates, they wanted the best for their children, and they made an informed choice.
As it happened, both kids got a good education, both went to top colleges, and both are on their way to good professional careers.
This is a testament to the power of informed parenting.
In the Scholastic-Gates survey of teachers, teachers were asked what they wanted most. The greatest number
As it happened, both kids got a good education, both went to top colleges, and both are on their way to good professional careers.
This is a testament to the power of informed parenting.
In the Scholastic-Gates survey of teachers, teachers were asked what they wanted most. The greatest number