Conservative Pundits Pummel Chicago Students
Jersey Jazzman calls out the conservative pundits who, in an effort to embarrass Chicago teachers,try to show how awful student perormance is in that district and paint it in the worst possible light.
If they are casting stones, you kinda wonder why they don’t throw them at Arne Duncan and Mayor Daley, whose policies determined what happened in the schools.
What they do is akin to blaming the war in Iraq on the soldiers, not the policymakers.
If they are casting stones, you kinda wonder why they don’t throw them at Arne Duncan and Mayor Daley, whose policies determined what happened in the schools.
What they do is akin to blaming the war in Iraq on the soldiers, not the policymakers.
The National Context of Chicago Strike
The New York Times has a good debate about the Chicago strike.
Eva Moskowitz and Michael Petrilli take the anti-union view.
Brian Jones, Carol Burris, and Pauline Lipman explain why the teachers’ strike is important in the fight against bad education policies that hurt children and teachers and ruin education.
Eva Moskowitz and Michael Petrilli take the anti-union view.
Brian Jones, Carol Burris, and Pauline Lipman explain why the teachers’ strike is important in the fight against bad education policies that hurt children and teachers and ruin education.
How We Got in This Dilemma
David Lentini in Maine shares his insights about the current situation:
Raymond Callahan’s analysis of the dynamics that forced a business-industrial model on American schools in the early part of the 20th century seems very relevant here.
The 1% pick on the teachers, because they bet the unions or the Democrats would not stand
Raymond Callahan’s analysis of the dynamics that forced a business-industrial model on American schools in the early part of the 20th century seems very relevant here.
The 1% pick on the teachers, because they bet the unions or the Democrats would not stand
A Chicago Teacher: Why I Am Striking
Just received this:
Kevin Lee commented onSend a Message of Support to Chicago Teachers
I am one of the teachers in Chicago who is on strike. Education is one of those topics on which very few people actually have knowledge, and those who are least knowledgable seem to have the most say (or yell). The number of people with first-hand knowledge who are engaged in the public discourse is depressingly low.
Teaching in an urban school district is not like what most people think. (It certainly is not like the movies —
Kevin Lee commented onSend a Message of Support to Chicago Teachers
I am one of the teachers in Chicago who is on strike. Education is one of those topics on which very few people actually have knowledge, and those who are least knowledgable seem to have the most say (or yell). The number of people with first-hand knowledge who are engaged in the public discourse is depressingly low.
Teaching in an urban school district is not like what most people think. (It certainly is not like the movies —
Deborah Meier on the Strike
I may no longer be blogging with Deborah Meier at Bridging Differences, but we continue to share and exchange ideas. Deborah comments here about the role of unions.
…Unions are not primarily formed to influence reform–but, there are good reasons why the two go together. (In short, self-interest is not always a bad thing–as our opponents note in defense of their corporate sponsors.) The most horrifying aspect of current reform is actually not what it is doing to teachers–but what it is and will do our students and the future of America. Not one of the reforms proposed by the Rahms/Kleins et al of the world has any connection to helping kids grow up to be well-educated. The evidence is clear. I’m proud of the CTU for making that clear and taking an enormous risk to do so.
…Unions are not primarily formed to influence reform–but, there are good reasons why the two go together. (In short, self-interest is not always a bad thing–as our opponents note in defense of their corporate sponsors.) The most horrifying aspect of current reform is actually not what it is doing to teachers–but what it is and will do our students and the future of America. Not one of the reforms proposed by the Rahms/Kleins et al of the world has any connection to helping kids grow up to be well-educated. The evidence is clear. I’m proud of the CTU for making that clear and taking an enormous risk to do so.
Let Mayor Emanuel Know What You Think
Do you have advice for Mayor Rahm Emanuel?
How can he end the impasse and do what is right for Chicago’s children?
Let him know.
http://www.facebook.com/ChicagoMayorsOffice
How can he end the impasse and do what is right for Chicago’s children?
Let him know.
http://www.facebook.com/ChicagoMayorsOffice
One Blog Adventure Ends, This One Continues
Dear Readers,
Today I ended my five-year association with Bridging Differences, the blog I shared with Deborah Meier. This is my farewell letter on that blog.
I did so because I am devoting all my blogging time to this space.
In less than four months, the blog has had nearly 1 million page views.
I am having way too much fun, and I love the community that we are building together of people who care passionately about the future of education.
I hope you will take the time to read my farewell to Bridging Differences.
Now let’s get on with our work.
Diane
Today I ended my five-year association with Bridging Differences, the blog I shared with Deborah Meier. This is my farewell letter on that blog.
I did so because I am devoting all my blogging time to this space.
In less than four months, the blog has had nearly 1 million page views.
I am having way too much fun, and I love the community that we are building together of people who care passionately about the future of education.
I hope you will take the time to read my farewell to Bridging Differences.
Now let’s get on with our work.
Diane