The Reason for Public Education
A reader explains why we maintain public schools. It is not about being college and career ready; it is not about global competition. It is this:
The reason for universal, free, and compulsory education is is simply this: the job requirements of a citizen in a democratic society are far and away more demanding than the job qualifications of a serf in a feudal society.
The age of emancipation from compulsory education may vary with circumstances, but the reason for establishing a norm of education in a democratic society remains the same. It is one of those measures that democratic societies enact in the effort to maintain themselves as democratic societies. Failing that, a government of, by, and for the people is far more likely to perish from the earth.
And nobody wants that, now do they?
The reason for universal, free, and compulsory education is is simply this: the job requirements of a citizen in a democratic society are far and away more demanding than the job qualifications of a serf in a feudal society.
The age of emancipation from compulsory education may vary with circumstances, but the reason for establishing a norm of education in a democratic society remains the same. It is one of those measures that democratic societies enact in the effort to maintain themselves as democratic societies. Failing that, a government of, by, and for the people is far more likely to perish from the earth.
And nobody wants that, now do they?
Is Poverty Destiny? Paul Thomas Asks.
Paul Thomas reflects on his father’s life and his own, as he thinks about a commenter who accused him of “hostile” rhetoric.
He quotes a billionaire in Australia who suggests that anyone could be a millionaire if they tried hard enough.
Does he try hard enough? Did his father? Do teachers?
Paul has written in a less than respectful way about reformers who say “poverty is not destiny” as they create “no-excuses” schools to show that they can remold these children and raise them out of poverty.
Paul answers the question: Poverty IS destiny unless we change the facts of poverty.
He quotes a billionaire in Australia who suggests that anyone could be a millionaire if they tried hard enough.
Does he try hard enough? Did his father? Do teachers?
Paul has written in a less than respectful way about reformers who say “poverty is not destiny” as they create “no-excuses” schools to show that they can remold these children and raise them out of poverty.
Paul answers the question: Poverty IS destiny unless we change the facts of poverty.
Florida Gets Tough on 5-Year-Olds
In Florida, as we learn from the comment below, it is never too soon to get tough. It’s never too soon to give tests and hand out grades. Even five-year-olds need to know that someone (the State Education Department? the Legislature? Jeb Bush? ) has high expectations for them! It’s never too soon for them to learn the Great Lesson: Perform on our tests or you are marked a failure. The treadmill starts here.
Must be part of that big Pearson contract with the state.
Must be part of that big Pearson contract with the state.
A Principal Supports Due Process
In a response appropriate for Labor Day weekend, a principal comments on a post about “the biggest lie about unions“:
As a principal who has removed several poor performing teachers in the past few years, I agree with this statement. I also agree that behind every poor teacher is a poor administrator.
I support due process, believing that it is not only a right for employees, but that it also provides me with a
As a principal who has removed several poor performing teachers in the past few years, I agree with this statement. I also agree that behind every poor teacher is a poor administrator.
I support due process, believing that it is not only a right for employees, but that it also provides me with a
Wisconsin Districts Drop For-Profit eVendors
This is good news.
Some of the school districts in Wisconsin are canceling their contracts with for-profit vendors of online schooling.
Last year, four out of the state’s five biggest online schools were run by for-profit corporations.
This year, the number is down to two, because school officials concluded the vendors had a conflict of interest:
Some of the school districts in Wisconsin are canceling their contracts with for-profit vendors of online schooling.
Last year, four out of the state’s five biggest online schools were run by for-profit corporations.
This year, the number is down to two, because school officials concluded the vendors had a conflict of interest:
A Superintendent in Pennsylvania Joins the Honor Roll
To the honor roll of superintendents who stand up for public education and their students and communities, I add the name of Joe Bruni, superintendent of the William Penn School District in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.
He was nominated by Charlotte Hummel, who was president of the local school board.
I know Charlotte from our email contacts. She wrote a terrific piece for Valerie Strauss’s Answer Sheet about her
He was nominated by Charlotte Hummel, who was president of the local school board.
I know Charlotte from our email contacts. She wrote a terrific piece for Valerie Strauss’s Answer Sheet about her
Another Brave Louisiana State School Board Member
After I wrote a post praising Lotte Beebe, an elected member of the state school board, I received an email from an experienced educator in Louisiana. She nominated another state school board member who has stood up to the Jindal bulldozer: Carolyn Hill. Please take the time to encourage these two fearless women with your thanks.
Lottie Beebe has been a Godsend to those of us fighting for the survival of public education in
Wisconsin Parent Needs Your Help
A parent in Wisconsin wrote to say that the new “reform” law in his state requires that kindergarten children be assessed 2-3 times a year. He wants to opt out his child. He contacted the Wisconsin Reading Coalition to ask for their advice, and this was the response he received. He wants to know what others, perhaps some who are experts in early childhood education, think about this issue:
Wisconsin Reading Coalition
Wisconsin Reading Coalition
The kindergarten screening is like a well-baby check: looking for pre-reading predictors of eventual reading
Philadelphia’s Astonishing Decision
According to this article, Philadelphia will spend an additional $7,000 per student to open many new charter schools. It will cost the district $139 million over the next five years.
24% of the district’s students are currently in charters. The School Reform Commission, acting on the advice of the Boston Consulting Group, wants to increase that proportion to 40%.
What is the record of charter schools in Philadelphia to date?
Does the business community and civic leadership remember what happened the last time that Philadelphia
24% of the district’s students are currently in charters. The School Reform Commission, acting on the advice of the Boston Consulting Group, wants to increase that proportion to 40%.
What is the record of charter schools in Philadelphia to date?
Does the business community and civic leadership remember what happened the last time that Philadelphia
More about Milk and Choice
A teacher in New York City wrote to tell me that he worked in the dairy industry for many years before becoming a teacher.
When he read about Jeb Bush touting the virtues of choosing schools the way we choose milk, he laughed.
Did you know, he wrote, that a small number of big corporations control the dairy industry. No matter what label
When he read about Jeb Bush touting the virtues of choosing schools the way we choose milk, he laughed.
Did you know, he wrote, that a small number of big corporations control the dairy industry. No matter what label