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Michael Bloomberg Compares Teachers’ Union to the N.R.A.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s comparison of the United Federation of Teachers to the National Rifle Association might have further damaged the already tense negotiations on an evaluation system.
Rhee Enters Panic Mode
So Michelle Rhee is scheduled to appear tomorrow on Morning Joe, talking about StudentsFirsts's new "state report card" (wow, what an original idea!). And that's followed by a presser at 11 AM.
Golly, why ever would Michelle Rhee want to draw the press's attention at this very moment?
Reality Rules Vs. Reformy Rules
A few weeks ago, reformy types got all excited when Diane Ravitch mentioned that the heroic teachers at Sandy Hook were part of a union. Some of us thought that was significant, since every day brings us a new story about the perfidy of unionized teachers. But reformy folks went all Amazing Kreskin on Ravitch, saying what she meant was non-unionized teachers are not heroic. Furthermore, she was only advancing her own personal cause, promoting the teacher union. That Ravitch does not belong to a teacher union was neither here nor there.
This caused a lot of discussion on Twitter, on this forum, and elsewhere. Reformy folks prohibit any sort of speech that leads to conclusions they have not already made, and they reserve the right to declare what writers have in mind, even if writer's words bear no actual resemblance to their conclusions. After all, they must know
Ergonomic Chairs vs. Standing Desks: Which Is Better For Students?
Golly, why ever would Michelle Rhee want to draw the press's attention at this very moment?
Student standardized-test scores at an award-winning D.C. school dropped dramatically in 2011 after the principal tightened security out of concern about possible cheating,according to a new “Frontline” television documentary to be broadcast
Reality Rules Vs. Reformy Rules
This caused a lot of discussion on Twitter, on this forum, and elsewhere. Reformy folks prohibit any sort of speech that leads to conclusions they have not already made, and they reserve the right to declare what writers have in mind, even if writer's words bear no actual resemblance to their conclusions. After all, they must know
Ergonomic Chairs vs. Standing Desks: Which Is Better For Students?
New York Times' reporter Al Baker's piece on the evolving design of classroom chairs includes this gem of a quote about the seemingly eternal "super stackers" that are the most common model nationally:
“They don’t die,” said Ali Salehi, the senior vice president for engineering and operations forColumbia Manufacturing, a 135-year-old company in Westfield, Mass., that makes the super stacker. “They just don’t die.”Ergonomics are an increasingly important element of campus climate and the conversations about how to improve the overall learning environment for students. Given the scary studies
The Weekly Update: Charter schools: Public or private? Brian Jones in Portland, teachers rally in Illinois and a petition to Obama: Stop privatizing our schools!
The Weekly Update: For the news and views you might have missed First up, more Facebook pages are popping up on the subject of education: Our Village Our Schools Public Education Crusaders Long Island Chapter Save Our Schools March 350 This one is related to the climate crisis and I post it on this blog because it does affect our children. Next up, a petition to be sent to President Obama. Maybe one of these days he’ll start to listen …
National Louis University Students Use Trip to Mexico For Teaching Preparation
Ten National Louis University undergraduate elementary education students recently traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico to observe teachers, share ideas with their counterparts at two teacher-training universities, and immerse themselves in the country’s culture.The trip was part of the Chicago Teacher Partnership Program (CTPP) grant, which was awarded to a group of select Chicago universities, including National Louis, to prepare teachers in high-need Chicago public elementary schools.
Many students in the high-need Chicago public schools come from Mexico or have parents who immigrated, and
No Progress on Teacher Evaluations as Blame Goes Around
The United Federation of Teachers and New York City have been mired in negotiations regarding a new teacher evaluation system that, if not received by Jan. 17, could jeopardize millions in state aid.
New York City Plans for Possible School Bus Drivers’ Strike
Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott outlined contingency plans as a union leader urged negotiations on job security, the main issue
Virtual U.: Massive Open Online Courses Prove Popular, if Not Lucrative Yet
New companies are partnering with universities to offer online courses, in an effort that could define the future of higher education — if anyone can figure out how to make money.
Talking About Community Schools
It has been far too long since I've posted anything on this blog. I've been working on another blogging project with a colleague who works at the middle school that feeds into my high school. We've called the blog Talking About Tyee.
In our community, there is a lot of disagreement about how our schools should be run, particularly the high school I work at, which, seven years ago, was broken into three small schools.
To kick start the new blog, I thought I'd share one of the first posts here. The format is meant to be a discussion
In our community, there is a lot of disagreement about how our schools should be run, particularly the high school I work at, which, seven years ago, was broken into three small schools.
To kick start the new blog, I thought I'd share one of the first posts here. The format is meant to be a discussion
Vets Face Confusion Using GI Bill at State Schools
RALEIGH N.C. —In choosing to serve her country in uniform, Hayleigh Lynn Perez knowingly accepted a nomadic life. Now the former Army sergeant says she and thousands of other veterans trying to get a higher education are being penalized for that enforced rootlessness.
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the federal government will pick up the full in-state cost for any honorably discharged service member wishing to attend a public college or university. But because the often intricate rules governing
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the federal government will pick up the full in-state cost for any honorably discharged service member wishing to attend a public college or university. But because the often intricate rules governing
Institute for Higher Education Policy Outlines Financial Aid System Reforms
New America Foundation panel highlights student financial aid reform ideas.The Washington-based nonprofit policy research organization, which focuses on “promoting access to and
Champion of Change: Dr. Flavia Peréa explores issues of equity and health disparities
Dr. Flavia Peréa“My work, in general, is applied and community-based, with a particular focus on youth and families,” says Peréa, who joined the Tufts faculty on a non-tenure track in 2010. “I came to my Ph.D. with the idea — it sounds
Sustaining the Future of HBCUs
Dr. Robert Jennings is president of Lincoln University
Almost every institution in America, if not the world, is seeking ways to enhance its stability. Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are paramount among this group.While these institutions only represent 2 percent of all American colleges and universities, they enroll about 12 percent of all Black college students and produce 25 percent of all Black college graduates. Data also shows that HBCUs confer about 41 percent of all degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — disciplines where America is losing its edge the fastest. Additionally, about 38 percent of all Black healthcare professionals are graduates of HBCUs.
Yet, as a group, these institutions have never had the resources that other institutions of a similar size and
Video: “Trombone Silliness”
How would it feel being a trombone? Here’s a lighthearted addition to The Best Sites For Walking In Someone Else’s Shoes:
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