No Guns in Schools!
The National Rifle Association wants an armed guard at every one of the nation’s 100,000 schools. Some legislators want teachers and principals to carry weapons.
Why should policy be reactive? Better to limit all weaponry to officers of the law, except for single-shot rifles for hunters.
Guns should be available only to those authorized to use lethal force.
In this link, with tweets on the subject, someone points out that Columbine High School had armed security at
Why should policy be reactive? Better to limit all weaponry to officers of the law, except for single-shot rifles for hunters.
Guns should be available only to those authorized to use lethal force.
In this link, with tweets on the subject, someone points out that Columbine High School had armed security at
Privatization or Public Education?
Helen Ladd and her husband Edward Fiske are distinguished observers of American Education. Ladd is a Professor of Economics at Duke University. Fiske was education editor of the anew York Times.
Together they describe a fork in the road for our nation’s public school system.
Will we continue towards free-market privatization or will we revitalize public education?
This is what they see ahead as the risks in the privatization agenda:
“First, it severs the connection between public schools and the civic purposes for which they were established and that justify the use of taxpayer dollars to fund them. Implicit in this vision is the notion that the benefits of
Together they describe a fork in the road for our nation’s public school system.
Will we continue towards free-market privatization or will we revitalize public education?
This is what they see ahead as the risks in the privatization agenda:
“First, it severs the connection between public schools and the civic purposes for which they were established and that justify the use of taxpayer dollars to fund them. Implicit in this vision is the notion that the benefits of
What the Media Didn’t Tell You About Latest International Tests
Bob Somerby, taught for many years in the Baltimore public schools. His blog The Daily Howler offers a fearless critique of media coverage of critical events.
His post on the latest international assessments (TIMSS) and the media’s decision tiresome putdown of American students is a classic.
He points out that on the math portions of the TIMSS tests, US students performed about the same as their
His post on the latest international assessments (TIMSS) and the media’s decision tiresome putdown of American students is a classic.
He points out that on the math portions of the TIMSS tests, US students performed about the same as their
School Closings Planned in Philadelphia
Privatization is in high gear in many cities–Chicago, DC, Memphis, Detroit, and elsewhere.
The corporate reformers say they want to save money but the closings don’t save money.
They say they want to improve education, but that hasn’t happened either.
Here is Helen Gym’s account of the Philadelphia story.
The corporate reformers say they want to save money but the closings don’t save money.
They say they want to improve education, but that hasn’t happened either.
Here is Helen Gym’s account of the Philadelphia story.
A Terrific New Teacher Blogger
Here is someone you should follow.
In a recent post, this teacher writes:
In order to forestall state-takeover, our district is scrambling to find ways to make “substantial improvement.” By improvement, of course we mean in our MCAS scores. One way we are responding is to get a private company called “Achievement Net” or “A-Net” to help us administer standardized tests throughout the year, which are “tailored” for our curriculum. We put an entire grade into lockdown mode, administer the test, and send the bubble sheets off to be corrected. They come back with lots of statistics and forms to fill out. Every student will
In a recent post, this teacher writes:
In order to forestall state-takeover, our district is scrambling to find ways to make “substantial improvement.” By improvement, of course we mean in our MCAS scores. One way we are responding is to get a private company called “Achievement Net” or “A-Net” to help us administer standardized tests throughout the year, which are “tailored” for our curriculum. We put an entire grade into lockdown mode, administer the test, and send the bubble sheets off to be corrected. They come back with lots of statistics and forms to fill out. Every student will
Secret Document Leaked: Chicago Plans to Close Nearly 100 Schools
The Chicago Tribune obtained a copy of a secret document describing the plan of Chicago Public Schools to close 95 schools, mostly in minority neighborhoods. The plan was dated September 10.
This represents a dramatic elimination of public schools in Chicago.
The city says it will slow down charter growth, at least this year, but there can be little doubt that the school closings will create a growing pool of displaced students for Chicago’s growing charter sector.
This represents a dramatic elimination of public schools in Chicago.
The city says it will slow down charter growth, at least this year, but there can be little doubt that the school closings will create a growing pool of displaced students for Chicago’s growing charter sector.
Diane in the Evening 12-21-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: The Baltimore Sun Joins the Honor Roll by dianerav So many news media have thoughtlessly or knowingly jumped on the bandwagon of corporate reform that it comes as a shock to encounter one saying simple truths. Te *Baltimore Sun* wrote, in response to the massacre of innocent children and educators in Newtown, that it’s time to stop the vilification of our nation’s teachers and principals. Today the *Sun* joins our honor roll of Merican education for writing in support of our nation’s educators in this time of sadness. They wrote (read the link for the ful... more »