An Intelligent Editorial about the Strike
The Los Angeles Times printed a thoughtful editorial about the teachers’ strike and about evaluating teachers by student test scores.
These days it is unusual to find an editorial or opinion column asking whether the tests were designed to measure teacher quality. They were not. Frankly, the test publishers ought to be yelling bloody murder about the inappropriate use of the tests, but they are making so much money that it’s hard to hear their complaints or to
These days it is unusual to find an editorial or opinion column asking whether the tests were designed to measure teacher quality. They were not. Frankly, the test publishers ought to be yelling bloody murder about the inappropriate use of the tests, but they are making so much money that it’s hard to hear their complaints or to
CTU: Wisconsin Teachers Will Be There on Saturday
A comment from a reader:
Stay strong. In Madison we’re organizing a couple busloads to come down Saturday and show our solidarity. You came to us when we needed it most; now it’s our turn to come to you. Stay out there and stay strong.
Stay strong. In Madison we’re organizing a couple busloads to come down Saturday and show our solidarity. You came to us when we needed it most; now it’s our turn to come to you. Stay out there and stay strong.
Why the Teacher Bashing?
This Chicago teacher sees a sinister motive in the avalanche of hostility to teachers. Teachers were always considered admirable even though teaching was not well paid and not very prestigious. But these days, teachers have become “enemies,” who soak up money and do little work, who get “paid for breathing” and “tenure for life.” None of this is true. This teacher sees a dark side:
The teacher bashing was key to changing public perception about teachers because in order to squeeze money
The teacher bashing was key to changing public perception about teachers because in order to squeeze money
Will Ohio Investigate K12 Online For-Profit Charters?
Stephen Dyer raises the question about whether Ohio will follow in Florida’s path and open an investigation of the K12 for-profit school. In Ohio, K12 has classes of 51 students to a single teacher even though it is paid to have a ratio of 20:1.
That is way profitable for K12, though not for the students.
Dyer’s article includes a link to a story about the sharp drop in K12′s stock price that occurred after news of the
That is way profitable for K12, though not for the students.
Dyer’s article includes a link to a story about the sharp drop in K12′s stock price that occurred after news of the
Advice for Chicago: Industrial History Shows Value of Collaboration
Andrea Gabor has a valuable post about industrial history.
The lesson from the past is clear, she says: Everyone benefits when there is trust and collaboration.
Gabor thinks it is necessary to get beyond the punitive tactics of the present–the idea that lots of teachers must be fired–and to identify evaluation models that seek to support the ongoing development of
The lesson from the past is clear, she says: Everyone benefits when there is trust and collaboration.
Gabor thinks it is necessary to get beyond the punitive tactics of the present–the idea that lots of teachers must be fired–and to identify evaluation models that seek to support the ongoing development of
NEPC Review Says Brookings Voucher Study Found No Effects
A careful review of the Brookings study of New York City’s privately-funded voucher program finds that the program had no significant effects.
The authors of the voucher study, Paul Peterson of Harvard and Matthew Chingos of Brookings, wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal claiming that their study proved “the success” of vouchers. The study was widely cited by news media and voucher advocates as “proof” that vouchers improve college-admission rates for minority
The authors of the voucher study, Paul Peterson of Harvard and Matthew Chingos of Brookings, wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal claiming that their study proved “the success” of vouchers. The study was widely cited by news media and voucher advocates as “proof” that vouchers improve college-admission rates for minority
When Reform Killed a Good School
- A reader remembers an important radio program about school reform. Listen up.
The strike in Chicago reminded me of an episode of This American Life from 2004, 10 years after “school reform” began in Chicago. It tells the story of one amazing public school that did a lot with very little. When “reform” began, the school culture deteriorated. This is a very moving account, and worth an hour to listen.I have been writing This American Life to do a follow up to this story, or perhaps a series of episodes on school reform. I encourage the readers to do the same.
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/275/two-steps-back
Virtual School in Tennessee Strikes Out
The Tennessee Virtual Academy is one of those online for-profit charter schools that are supposed to “save” American education. Bad news for its champions: The scores at the school were in the state’s bottom 4 percent.The sponsors say forget the scores and wait until next year. Right.
Jeb Bush promotes virtual schools from one end of the country to the other. His Foundation for Excellence in
Jeb Bush promotes virtual schools from one end of the country to the other. His Foundation for Excellence in
An Art Teacher Explains How to Get Very Rich While Teaching
This is a terrific article, wherein an art teacher explains how it feels to be constantly pilloried while doing your best for children who love you.
The teacher wonders what he/she did to ruin the economy for everyone else while sitting in a little plastic chair with small children.
And much to the amazement and consternation of the critics in the media and on the Internet, this teacher is
The teacher wonders what he/she did to ruin the economy for everyone else while sitting in a little plastic chair with small children.
And much to the amazement and consternation of the critics in the media and on the Internet, this teacher is
Scotland Says NO to GERM
As you may know by now, Pasi Sahlberg of Finland described the Global Educational Reform Movement (GERM) in his book Finnish Lessons. GERM is testing, accountability and choice. It is a nasty virus that destroys creativity. Finland opposes GERM and its schools and students are thriving.
Here is another nation that rejects GERM: Scotland.
Melissa Benn, a prominent supporter of the public sector in Britain., praises Scotland for its wise policies.
Here is another nation that rejects GERM: Scotland.
Melissa Benn, a prominent supporter of the public sector in Britain., praises Scotland for its wise policies.
Where to Contribute to CTU Solidarity Fund
There IS a Solidarity Fund to which you can contribute at:
Chicago Teachers Union Solidarity Fund
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60654
And, yes–you can get more info. from the CTU website (Googling
Chicago Teachers Union will lead you to it).
Chicago Teachers Union Solidarity Fund
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60654
And, yes–you can get more info. from the CTU website (Googling
Chicago Teachers Union will lead you to it).
Charter Application Rejected for 4th Time in Nashville
The Metro Nashville school board rejected the Great Hearts Charter School application for the fourth time. And this time, the charter said it was calling it quits. For now.
One of those times when one must admit, “Four strikes and you’re out.”
One of those times when one must admit, “Four strikes and you’re out.”
More Advice from Margaret Haley, Chicago Union Leader
Margaret Haley: 1921, Freeing the Teacher [Freeing the child] can only be secured by the freeing of the teacher. … To the teacher it means freedom from care and worry for the material needs of the present and the future ‑‑ in other words, adequate salary and old age pensions, freedom to teach the child as an individual. … Last but not least, the teacher must have recognition in the educational system as an educator. The tendency is to relegate her to the position of a factory hand, or a taker of orders from above.
‑Battleground: The Autobiography of Margaret A. Haley, Robert L. Reid, ed., (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982)
‑Battleground: The Autobiography of Margaret A. Haley, Robert L. Reid, ed., (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982)
A Message of Solidarity with CTU
From a small union local:
We are a small local of about 300 members and have become fascinated with what you are doing not just for yourselves, but for ALL of us. A million thank you’s are not enough for what you are doing for every teacher in America…. the informed, the uninformed, the unionized, the non-unionized. You are fighting to restore a sense of dignity to our profession. You are telling the word that we are tired of being kicked around and you are making
We are a small local of about 300 members and have become fascinated with what you are doing not just for yourselves, but for ALL of us. A million thank you’s are not enough for what you are doing for every teacher in America…. the informed, the uninformed, the unionized, the non-unionized. You are fighting to restore a sense of dignity to our profession. You are telling the word that we are tired of being kicked around and you are making
Advice from Margaret Haley, Leader of Teacher Unionism
Margaret Haley was the driving force in the early years of the Chicago Teachers Federation. She began her teaching career in a country school at the age of 16. At 21, she moved to Cook County where she taught for many years until going to work for the union in 1900. In 1901, she was the first woman ever to speak at a national convention of the National Education Association, which was then an organization of superintendents, college presidents, and other exalted educational leaders.
At the NEA convention in 1901, she gave a speech called “Why Teachers Should Organize.”
At the NEA convention in 1901, she gave a speech called “Why Teachers Should Organize.”
Dana Goldstein on the First Teachers’ Union
Dana Goldstein has written an interesting commentary on the history of teacher unionism.
Chicago was the home of the very first teachers’ union, and it was founded by a tough female teacher named Margaret Haley.
Haley hated the factory-style schools of the day, objected to rigid standardization, and wanted dignity for the
Chicago was the home of the very first teachers’ union, and it was founded by a tough female teacher named Margaret Haley.
Haley hated the factory-style schools of the day, objected to rigid standardization, and wanted dignity for the
To Chicago Teachers: Millions Say Thank You
A reader writes to his colleagues in Chicago:
Stay strong, and trust your colleagues. I remember being on strike in Seattle. It was my first year with the big school district – 29 years ago. I remember the ambivalent feelings like they were yesterday. I barely understood it all. I was so grateful for having a job – and there I was, marching shoulder to shoulder with veterans who were willing to lose their jobs for the cause.
I remember being told that others in outlying districts were watching, rooting us on. Looking back, that was nothing.
The entire country is watching you, Chicago Teachers. I wish there were a way for you to feel that support, the way I felt it walking the picket lines as a newbie teacher next to the veterans.
There are thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions of teachers watching – cheering for you, walking side by side with you in spirit.
Your cause is the just cause of teachers everywhere. Sure it’s a lot of pressure when it’s put that way, and I’m sorry, but it’s true.
Hang in there. Big Group Hug! – Mark
Did I say thank you?!!!
Stay strong, and trust your colleagues. I remember being on strike in Seattle. It was my first year with the big school district – 29 years ago. I remember the ambivalent feelings like they were yesterday. I barely understood it all. I was so grateful for having a job – and there I was, marching shoulder to shoulder with veterans who were willing to lose their jobs for the cause.
I remember being told that others in outlying districts were watching, rooting us on. Looking back, that was nothing.
The entire country is watching you, Chicago Teachers. I wish there were a way for you to feel that support, the way I felt it walking the picket lines as a newbie teacher next to the veterans.
There are thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions of teachers watching – cheering for you, walking side by side with you in spirit.
Your cause is the just cause of teachers everywhere. Sure it’s a lot of pressure when it’s put that way, and I’m sorry, but it’s true.
Hang in there. Big Group Hug! – Mark
Did I say thank you?!!!