Tough Choices: TFA or Goldman Sachs or McKinsey?
Today the New York Times ran an admiring article about Teach for America.
I almost missed it because it was in the business section.
The young people interviewed intend to move on to six-figure jobs on Wall Street after they put in their two years in the classroom. Some say they are making quite a financial sacrifice by deferring their entry into their “real” career.
The comments are almost as interesting as the article.
I almost missed it because it was in the business section.
The young people interviewed intend to move on to six-figure jobs on Wall Street after they put in their two years in the classroom. Some say they are making quite a financial sacrifice by deferring their entry into their “real” career.
The comments are almost as interesting as the article.
In Search of One Brave Superintendent in Connecticut
Wendy Lecker is a civil rights lawyer who lives in Ciponnecticut. She worked on the lawsuit for more funding for high-needs schools in New York, called the Campaign for Fiscal Equity and has just agreed to become the lawyer for the Campaign.
In this terrific article, she asks whether there is any superintendent in Connecticut brave enough to stand up with such leaders as Joshua Starr of Montgomery County, Maryland, Heath Morrison of Charlotte-Mecklenberg, North Carolia, and John Kuhn of Texas, all of whom have forthrightly criticized the misuse of standardized testing.
Is there one? Two? Please speak up.
In this terrific article, she asks whether there is any superintendent in Connecticut brave enough to stand up with such leaders as Joshua Starr of Montgomery County, Maryland, Heath Morrison of Charlotte-Mecklenberg, North Carolia, and John Kuhn of Texas, all of whom have forthrightly criticized the misuse of standardized testing.
Is there one? Two? Please speak up.
The War on Local School Boards, Bridgeport Edition
Josh Eidelson explains in Salon.com what happened in Bridgeport, Connecticut, when the corporate reformers promoted a referendum to abolish the elected school boards and give the public schools to the mayor. Despite the active support of Michelle Rhee and a heavy infusion of money, the voters of Bridgeport decided they preferred to keep their right to choose those who control their schools.
Gary Rubinstein Talks to the Reform Leaders
Gary Rubinstein was one of the first members of Teach for America. He is now one of the leading critics of TFA and corporate reform.
His blog is consistently thoughtful and informative.
A few months ago, Gary decided to write to the top figures in the corporate reform movement.
His letters and the replies he received make for fascinating reading.
His blog is consistently thoughtful and informative.
A few months ago, Gary decided to write to the top figures in the corporate reform movement.
His letters and the replies he received make for fascinating reading.
When Reading History, Read Great Books
Will Fitzhugh created The Concord Review to publish exemplary historical research by high school students.
He has long waged a struggle to persuade teachers and schools to assign histories by leading scholars, not just cut-and-paste, pedestrian textbooks. Since many state standards emphasize coverage, not depth, this has been a hard sell. Real histories are exciting to read, but they take time. Few teachers, unless they teach advanced students, have the time for 400-page books.
The immediate problem, for both teachers and students, is time but the deeper problem is our vision of teaching
He has long waged a struggle to persuade teachers and schools to assign histories by leading scholars, not just cut-and-paste, pedestrian textbooks. Since many state standards emphasize coverage, not depth, this has been a hard sell. Real histories are exciting to read, but they take time. Few teachers, unless they teach advanced students, have the time for 400-page books.
The immediate problem, for both teachers and students, is time but the deeper problem is our vision of teaching
Noble Charters Make Money on Student Fines
The Noble charter chain in Chicago has picked up millions of dollars from the Chicago public school system for running its dozen charter schools.
Next year it is budgeted to receive $69.9 million.
It is also getting a nice chunk of change
Next year it is budgeted to receive $69.9 million.
It is also getting a nice chunk of change
Heilig: Why Vouchers Don’t Work
Julian Vasquez Heilig of the University of Texas is beginning an investigation of the effectiveness of vouchers.
He writes here about Texas but his conclusions would apply to any other state as well.
He examines whether vouchers are cost-efficient and how they affect the public schools.
Until the past few years, vouchers were a dead issue.
Since the Republican sweep of statehouses in 2010, they are back.
This is well worth reading.
He writes here about Texas but his conclusions would apply to any other state as well.
He examines whether vouchers are cost-efficient and how they affect the public schools.
Until the past few years, vouchers were a dead issue.
Since the Republican sweep of statehouses in 2010, they are back.
This is well worth reading.
Maureen Reedy: Time for Action
Maureen Reedy, veteran Ohio teacher, writes:
Mary, Linda, Lisa, Ann, George, Cheryl, Neil, Marcie, Ron, Robin, Stef, Joe, Ms. Cartwheel Librarian … and other Public Education Patriots,
Great! Great! Great!
I am so inspired by our growing group interest in Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America ~
Together, we are going to figure out a way to pull this off!
I am collecting emails for those interested, please email if you want to be in the loop:
Mary, Linda, Lisa, Ann, George, Cheryl, Neil, Marcie, Ron, Robin, Stef, Joe, Ms. Cartwheel Librarian … and other Public Education Patriots,
Great! Great! Great!
I am so inspired by our growing group interest in Public Schools Across America/Hands Across America ~
Together, we are going to figure out a way to pull this off!
I am collecting emails for those interested, please email if you want to be in the loop:
Is Privatization of Public Schools a Good Idea?
I disagree with this post by a faithful reader. But I think it deserves discussion.
There are many reasons to object to privatization.
One is that there is no evidence that privately managed firms that operate public services provide more efficient or less costly service. Another is that privately managed firms, when operating for profit, extract public dollars for investors that taxpayers intended for children, for educational programs that directly benefit children, for reduced class sizes, —and not to enrich shareholders. Privately managed nonprofits often pay salaries that would be
There are many reasons to object to privatization.
One is that there is no evidence that privately managed firms that operate public services provide more efficient or less costly service. Another is that privately managed firms, when operating for profit, extract public dollars for investors that taxpayers intended for children, for educational programs that directly benefit children, for reduced class sizes, —and not to enrich shareholders. Privately managed nonprofits often pay salaries that would be
Diane in the Evening 1-2-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: Jonathan Pelto Reports: Has CNN Dropped Dr. Steve Perry? by dianerav According to Connecticut blogger Jonathan Pelto, CNN has severed its relationship with Dr. Steve Perry. Dr. Perry became best known for his putdown of teaches and unions, as well as his claims about his own miraculous achievements as director of a magnet school in Hartford. Pelto does a good job deconstructing those claims. Jersey Jazzman deconstructed his claims last year in multiple posts. See here. And here. And here. Could it be that CNN executives read Jersey Jazzman? When Students Lo... more »