Today Is the Day to Support Public Education
Two weeks ago, in response to many readers who were frustrated by destructive federal policies, this blog launched a Campaign for Our Public Schools. The immediate goal was to stimulate an outpouring of letters and emails to the President to let him know the views of many teachers, parents, students, administrators, and concerned citizens. A hoped-for additional goal is to mobilize a citizens’ group to speak up for our public schools.
The target date for receipt of letters and emails is today, October 17. You can still send your emails to this blog or to anthony_cody@hotmail.com.
All the letters and emails will be collected by Anthony and posted for public review.
Please raise your voice against high-stakes testing and privatization.
Let the President know, let other elected officials know, let the media know how you feel, what you know, what you believe is the right path to improve our schools and the lives of children.
We must raise our voices. We must be heard. This is democracy in action. Join us.
The target date for receipt of letters and emails is today, October 17. You can still send your emails to this blog or to anthony_cody@hotmail.com.
All the letters and emails will be collected by Anthony and posted for public review.
Please raise your voice against high-stakes testing and privatization.
Let the President know, let other elected officials know, let the media know how you feel, what you know, what you believe is the right path to improve our schools and the lives of children.
We must raise our voices. We must be heard. This is democracy in action. Join us.
Jersey Jazzman Writes to the President
Jersey Jazzman is one of my favorite bloggers. He is an educator who consistently writes with precision, accuracy and passion, a great combination.
Here is his letter to President Obama.
Here is his letter to President Obama.
“Won’t Quiet Down”: The Next Big Hollywood Movie
Diana Senechal has written about the latest Hollywood release: “Won’t Quiet Down.”
This is a sequel to “Won’t Back Down.”
It is the next phase of “reform.”
Get ready for the Student Trigger!
Before you write to comment, please be aware that this is satire.
This is a sequel to “Won’t Back Down.”
It is the next phase of “reform.”
Get ready for the Student Trigger!
Before you write to comment, please be aware that this is satire.
James Meredith on Saving Public Education
James Meredith bravely integrated the University of Mississippi fifty years ago. It is hard to imagine now, but at the time it took nerves of steel and a willingness to die. Mississippi was the most racist state in the nation (others were close contenders), and black people put their life at risk by speaking too boldly. Meredith put his life on the line to enroll in the university.
He has published a memoir. I have not read it yet, so I am not reviewing it here. Next time the Wall Street hedge fund managers or Condoleeza Rice or Mitt Romney or Joel Klein say they are leading the “civil rights movement
He has published a memoir. I have not read it yet, so I am not reviewing it here. Next time the Wall Street hedge fund managers or Condoleeza Rice or Mitt Romney or Joel Klein say they are leading the “civil rights movement
How to Spot Propaganda
A reader sent us a useful description of propaganda techniques:
“How to Identify Propaganda Techniques”
(So many parallels to the “reform agenda”.)
1
Look for the use of “glittering” generalities in the form of catchphrases, sweeping and vague statements. Slogans using positive and uplifting concepts such as love, honor, family, peace and freedom are often the tools used by propagandists because they appeal to the masses .
2
Watch for the use of symbols that are attached to authority or things most people respect. The Nazi swastika is an example of a symbol used to elicit an emotional response from the public such as, intimidation or fear. A
“How to Identify Propaganda Techniques”
(So many parallels to the “reform agenda”.)
1
Look for the use of “glittering” generalities in the form of catchphrases, sweeping and vague statements. Slogans using positive and uplifting concepts such as love, honor, family, peace and freedom are often the tools used by propagandists because they appeal to the masses .
2
Watch for the use of symbols that are attached to authority or things most people respect. The Nazi swastika is an example of a symbol used to elicit an emotional response from the public such as, intimidation or fear. A
How the Testing Industry Ate Education
A teacher in Illinois writes:
I gave the first Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT) the first time it was given many years ago. As the reading teacher at my school, I was in charge of overseeing the first iteration of the test. After my colleague and I had administered the test to the students, which by the way was a Herculean task and became more so as more tests were added every year, we went to the administration of our school and suggested all teachers sign a letter of protest about the waste of time and the money needed to give such poor tests when students had no stake. We were told this was the future.
Up to this point, we had given pre-and post- reading tests to freshmen and seniors, respectively. We compared
I gave the first Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT) the first time it was given many years ago. As the reading teacher at my school, I was in charge of overseeing the first iteration of the test. After my colleague and I had administered the test to the students, which by the way was a Herculean task and became more so as more tests were added every year, we went to the administration of our school and suggested all teachers sign a letter of protest about the waste of time and the money needed to give such poor tests when students had no stake. We were told this was the future.
Up to this point, we had given pre-and post- reading tests to freshmen and seniors, respectively. We compared