Is This Ironic?
A reader comments on the fact that StudentsFirst–the Michelle Rhee organization that is raising $1 billion to attack teachers and public schools– is promoting the parent trigger film:
Talk about Double Standards!
When any educator dares to challenge the conventional wisdom and say that our schools are not failing, they can expect to be excoriated by reformers. A reformer these days is someone who believes that the “system” is obsolete and broken and must be handed over to private corporations.
Reformers dismiss NAEP scores because they show that test scores of all groups–blacks, whites, Hispanics, and Asians–are at an historic high. Reformers love the international scores, because they show that the US
Reformers dismiss NAEP scores because they show that test scores of all groups–blacks, whites, Hispanics, and Asians–are at an historic high. Reformers love the international scores, because they show that the US
What the Maine Press Said
Yesterday I posted a letter that Superintendent Paul Perzanoski wrote to his staff in Brunswick, Maine. He defended educators against the bullying of the governor and–since the governor had such disdain for the state’s students, teachers and public schools– suggested that the governor should take a standardized test and publish his scores. Since I have often made the same suggestion, I admired him for saying so. Here’s the local press reaction.
A First-Person Account of Chinese Schools
A First-Person Account of Chinese Schools
This is a phenomenal article that explains why the writer decided to leave China, which he loved.
This was one important reason:
Apart from what I hope is a justifiable human desire to be part of a community and no longer be treated as an outsider, to run my own business in a regulated environment and not live in fear of it being taken away from me, and not to concern myself unduly that the air my family breathes and the food we eat is doing us physical harm, there is one overriding reason I must leave China. I want to give my children a decent education.
This was one important reason:
Apart from what I hope is a justifiable human desire to be part of a community and no longer be treated as an outsider, to run my own business in a regulated environment and not live in fear of it being taken away from me, and not to concern myself unduly that the air my family breathes and the food we eat is doing us physical harm, there is one overriding reason I must leave China. I want to give my children a decent education.
Why Did You Become a Teacher?
This reader explains why she became a teacher. She didn’t do it because she loves the children but because she loves to teach. What do you think?
Jersey Jazzman Reviews Joel Klein
Jersey Jazzman parses the latest article by Joel Klein, who frankly admits that the real goal of reform is to open up the education system to entrepreneurs and investors. As more start-ups produce new products and innovations, schools are sure to benefit, he predicts.
Klein also thinks that the R&D cycle for schools is much too slow. Randomized trials in education take years, but Apps for cellphones can be improved in a matter of months without all that slow processing of information.
Klein also thinks that the R&D cycle for schools is much too slow. Randomized trials in education take years, but Apps for cellphones can be improved in a matter of months without all that slow processing of information.
Does New York State Welcome Performance Assessments?
Jennifer Borgioli, whom I met via Twitter and know as DataDiva, has sent me a post about performance assessments in New York. She is responding to an earlier post about the New York Performance Standards Consortium, which has thus far not gotten permission form the state to add 19 schools to its group. The Consortium many years ago won an exemption from all state standardized testing (except for the Regents ELA
A Teacher Reviews Frank Bruni’s Article about the Parent Trigger
A Teacher Reviews Frank Bruni’s Article about the Parent Trigger
This retired teacher hasn’t seen the controversial movie about the parent trigger.
But he read Frank Bruni’s article and found it insulting to teachers.
He criticizes Bruni for accepting the “reformers” claims that unions and tenures are the bane of U.S. education.
And he points out that students in affluent suburbs get high test scores and have high graduation rates even
But he read Frank Bruni’s article and found it insulting to teachers.
He criticizes Bruni for accepting the “reformers” claims that unions and tenures are the bane of U.S. education.
And he points out that students in affluent suburbs get high test scores and have high graduation rates even
Look at This Great Poster
This morning I posted about Neil Armstrong and the letter he wrote to one of his teachers when she retired, thanking her for what she had done for him. She was his math teacher in elementary school.
A reader asked if she could turn what I had written into a poster, and I said “of course.”
Hours later, I received this link. Look at it: It is beautiful!
I am touched and grateful.
A reader asked if she could turn what I had written into a poster, and I said “of course.”
Hours later, I received this link. Look at it: It is beautiful!
I am touched and grateful.
An Angry Teacher in Louisiana Replies
A reader said he was shocked, shocked by a post that linked to an article that spoke disparagingly of Governor Bobby Jindal and State Commissioner of Education John White. He thought it was “uncivil” to refer to them in disrespectful language.
This teacher from Louisiana disagrees. Since there aren’t many places in Louisiana where his or her views may be expressed in print, I am happy to print them here.
But they are thieves, vandals, liars and profiteers here in Louisiana!
This teacher from Louisiana disagrees. Since there aren’t many places in Louisiana where his or her views may be expressed in print, I am happy to print them here.
But they are thieves, vandals, liars and profiteers here in Louisiana!