HOW TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
As a result of many comments on this blog, and in response to a great yearning to raise our voices, many teachers, parents, students, administrators and concerned citizens plan to join together in a mass letter-writing campaign to the President.
We want all letters submitted here to this blog or to Anthony Cody no later than October 17.
You may write to the White House directly, and the mail address is in the instructions link. But if you do, you will be required to disclose your identity in full. Knowing that many educators are fearful these days, you may send Anthony and me your letter without disclosing your name.
Please add as much detail as possible about your concerns. Be clear. Be specific.
We want all letters submitted here to this blog or to Anthony Cody no later than October 17.
You may write to the White House directly, and the mail address is in the instructions link. But if you do, you will be required to disclose your identity in full. Knowing that many educators are fearful these days, you may send Anthony and me your letter without disclosing your name.
Please add as much detail as possible about your concerns. Be clear. Be specific.
“We Don’t Have Time”
How many times have you heard a leader of the reform privatization movement say,
“We don’t have time.”
“The kids can’t wait.”
This reader from Montgomery County, Maryland, which has the nation’s best teacher evaluation system (it does not rely on test scores but on professional judgment) writes:
Why the Free Market Cannot Reform Public Schools
We previously read an article claiming that for-profit entrepreneurs are necessary to reform American schools. The article began, in its original version, with a vulgar and gratuitous insult directed at Anthony Cody.
Here are two great responses. The first is by Anthony Cody.
The other is by Audrey Watters.
Here are two great responses. The first is by Anthony Cody.
The other is by Audrey Watters.
Which Schools Ignore the Tests?
I asked earlier if there were districts that still manage to offer a full curriculum despite the federal mandates. Where are the good things happening. There were many good responses. These are some of the most provocative:
Response #1:
In California, there are over 1,000 separate school districts. Each reflects a different community. Districts that have access to wealthy constituents have been successful at raising new money to hire staff and maintain
Response #1:
In California, there are over 1,000 separate school districts. Each reflects a different community. Districts that have access to wealthy constituents have been successful at raising new money to hire staff and maintain
Ms. Katie Writes President Obama
Katie Osgood, who teaches children in a psychiatric hospital in Illinois, has some good suggestions for President Obama.
You should read her letter to President Obama.
You should read her letter to President Obama.
Reform=Disrespect? Reform=Privatization?
Jersey Jazzman has developed an equation: reform=disrespect.
Another way to put it: these so-called revormers don’t like democracy.
He detects a growing opposition to the top-down methods of the privatizers.
Something is happening in Jersey, and the rest of the country: slowly, a groundswell of opposition is building against the corporate reform agenda. People are starting to resent the idea that a California billionaire like Eli
Another way to put it: these so-called revormers don’t like democracy.
He detects a growing opposition to the top-down methods of the privatizers.
Something is happening in Jersey, and the rest of the country: slowly, a groundswell of opposition is building against the corporate reform agenda. People are starting to resent the idea that a California billionaire like Eli
Join the Campaign for Our Public Schools
Please write a letter or email to President Obama and share your concerns about the future of our schools. be sure to send it to Anthony Cody or me so we can add your voice to the whole.
The instructions on where to send your letter or email are here. Be sure oe of us gets a copy.
The instructions on where to send your letter or email are here. Be sure oe of us gets a copy.
How to Become a Successful Charter
Here is an interesting and curious coincidence.
Edushyster reported the list of schools in Massachusetts with the highest suspension rate.
Most of them were charter schools.
The school with the highest suspension rate in the state of Massachusetts is Roxbury Prep. This charter school
Edushyster reported the list of schools in Massachusetts with the highest suspension rate.
Most of them were charter schools.
The school with the highest suspension rate in the state of Massachusetts is Roxbury Prep. This charter school
Joel Klein’s False History, by Richard Rothstein
In a stunning article, Richard Rothstein has dissected Joel Klein’s claim to have grown up in poverty, living in a public housing project, saved by a “great” teacher.
This story is used cynically by Klein and other advocates of privatization to attack public education, teachers and unions. (Wasn’t that great teacher a member of the union in NYC?).
Rothstein says that Klein was not poor, that he actually lived in a public housing project built for white middle-
This story is used cynically by Klein and other advocates of privatization to attack public education, teachers and unions. (Wasn’t that great teacher a member of the union in NYC?).
Rothstein says that Klein was not poor, that he actually lived in a public housing project built for white middle-
I Will Be in Chicago on Monday
I speak at City Club breakfast on Monday at 7:30 at Maggiano’s.
At 11:30 at Create assessment and accountability conference at University of Illinois at 11:30 am. Will post location.
At 4, speaking to CTU teachers at 4 pm at Lane Technical High School.
At 11:30 at Create assessment and accountability conference at University of Illinois at 11:30 am. Will post location.
At 4, speaking to CTU teachers at 4 pm at Lane Technical High School.
BREAKING NEWS: J.C. Brizard Is Out in Chicago
Just reported.
Chicago schools chief J.C. Brizard resigns.
He will be replaced by deputy Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who previously served as superintendent in Cleveland and as deputy to Robert Bobb in Detroit.
Chicago schools chief J.C. Brizard resigns.
He will be replaced by deputy Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who previously served as superintendent in Cleveland and as deputy to Robert Bobb in Detroit.
Come to Chicago City Club Monday at 7:30 AM
I’ll be speaking at the Chicago City Club this Monday at 7:30 am.
I hope you can be there.
Comment Tickets are available here https://www.cityclub-chicago.org/events/event_registration/event_info.asp?event_id=805
I hope you can be there.
Comment Tickets are available here https://www.cityclub-chicago.org/events/event_registration/event_info.asp?event_id=805
Teacher: Am I Playing in the Band on the Titanic?
This teacher wrote a great letter to President Obama. I hope you will write one also, and send it to my colleague anthony_cody@hotmail.com
October 6, 2012
Dear President Obama: I Feel As Though I’m Playing In The Band On The Titanic
My part in the presidential letter writing campaign this October.
The Titanic was a behemoth that was too large for its time. It could not change course to avoid obstacles due to its massive size, yet this juggernaut was capable of 24 knots (about 28 mph to us land-bound souls). Despite
October 6, 2012
Dear President Obama: I Feel As Though I’m Playing In The Band On The Titanic
My part in the presidential letter writing campaign this October.
The Titanic was a behemoth that was too large for its time. It could not change course to avoid obstacles due to its massive size, yet this juggernaut was capable of 24 knots (about 28 mph to us land-bound souls). Despite
