Is There a Corporate School Reform Movement?
As readers of this blog know, there is a healthy discussion about what to call those who now claim to be “reformers.”
In this post, Leo Casey of the Shanker Institute discusses whether there is any such thing as “corporate reform.” Larry Cuban says there is not.
Let’s review what I often refer to as “corporate reform.”
I call it “corporate reform” because the reformers want to use crude metrics to judge teachers and schools. They think that data are better measures of quality than professional judgment. On the basis of standardized test scores, they are happy to label schools as “failing” if their scores are low and happier still to close them for the
In this post, Leo Casey of the Shanker Institute discusses whether there is any such thing as “corporate reform.” Larry Cuban says there is not.
Let’s review what I often refer to as “corporate reform.”
I call it “corporate reform” because the reformers want to use crude metrics to judge teachers and schools. They think that data are better measures of quality than professional judgment. On the basis of standardized test scores, they are happy to label schools as “failing” if their scores are low and happier still to close them for the
An Experienced Principal Answers Jay Mathews
Jay Mathews wrote that he no longer believes that teachers should be evaluated by test scores.
However, he went on to say that teachers should be judged by their principal, and that principal should have the absolute power to hire, pay, judge, and fire teachers at will. If we don’t like the principals, we should fire them and get others.
Here is the answer to Jay by Carol Burris, who was just named principal of the year by her colleagues in New
However, he went on to say that teachers should be judged by their principal, and that principal should have the absolute power to hire, pay, judge, and fire teachers at will. If we don’t like the principals, we should fire them and get others.
Here is the answer to Jay by Carol Burris, who was just named principal of the year by her colleagues in New
Where the Wolf Voucher Study Went Wrong
Mercedes Schneider, who holds a Ph.D. In statistics, analyzes Patrick Wolf’s evaluation of the voucher program in Milwaukee. Wolf acknowledges that the voucher program may not have raised student achievement but claims that it increased graduation rates. This “success” was qualified by a high attrition rate. In the initial study, he said that the attrition rate was 75%, but subsequently revised it to 56%.
Dr. Schneider took a closer look at the study. In this post, she demystifies the technical jargon for non-specialists and clearly explains why the methods employed by Wolf and his associates do not offer much reassurance about the value of vouchers.
Dr. Schneider took a closer look at the study. In this post, she demystifies the technical jargon for non-specialists and clearly explains why the methods employed by Wolf and his associates do not offer much reassurance about the value of vouchers.
Florida Parents Unite to Fight “Parent Trigger”
Florida parents are united in opposition to a “parent trigger” bill that would advance the interests of charter corporations. Florida already has hundreds of charter schools, many of them run by for-profit corporations. Thus far, the Florida legislature has heard testimony from the California organization Parent Revolution (heavily funded by the pro-privatization Walton Family Foundation), but not a single Florida parent organization supports the “parent trigger.” It would be fair to call the bill the “Corporate Charter Enrichment Law,” because it will create more economic growth for charter corporations.
Florida parents are wise to what the game is.
Florida parents are wise to what the game is.
| Para Espanol, oprima el “click”The Parent Trigger controversy continues. This Thursday, SB 862 Parent Empowerment/Parent Trigger by Sen. Kelli Stargel is on the agenda in the Senate Ed |
Connecticut: Why Not Hold “Reformers” Accountable!
Sarah Darer Littman wonders why some officials are not held accountable.
She points to the example of State Commissioner Stefan Pryor and Bridgeport Superintendent Paul Vallas, both of whom used ingenious ploys to avoid competitive bidding on contracts.
Shouldn’t accountability be applied uniformly for all public officials?
She points to the example of State Commissioner Stefan Pryor and Bridgeport Superintendent Paul Vallas, both of whom used ingenious ploys to avoid competitive bidding on contracts.
Shouldn’t accountability be applied uniformly for all public officials?
Petrilli on Testing and Accountability: Mend It, Don’t End It
Most of the readers of this blog are educators. Most don’t like high-stakes testing and the idea of punishments and rewards based on test scores. Many are ready to throw them both out as an assault on teacher professionalism. Many admire Finland, for example, where standardized testing is a non-issue and American-style accountability is unknown.
I thought it was important for everyone to read what Mike Petrilli has to say about Atlanta and what the cheating scandal means for the future of testing and accountability. Mike is a strong advocate of both. He is the #2 at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, which advocates for testing, accountability, charters, and vouchers. I was on the
I thought it was important for everyone to read what Mike Petrilli has to say about Atlanta and what the cheating scandal means for the future of testing and accountability. Mike is a strong advocate of both. He is the #2 at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, which advocates for testing, accountability, charters, and vouchers. I was on the
Wendy Lecker: Why Do State Officials Ignore the Laws?
Civil rights lawyer can’t understand why state leaders in Connecticut get to choose which laws to follow.
They seem to follow the advice of NYC former chancellor Joel Klein, who responded to complaints by saying, “Sue me.”
Why the disdain for the law?
They seem to follow the advice of NYC former chancellor Joel Klein, who responded to complaints by saying, “Sue me.”
Why the disdain for the law?
Why Test Security Won’t Solve the Problems Created by Bad Policies
This article by Daniel Denvir is the best article I have read to date on the Atlanta cheating scandal.
The “no excuses” mantra is at the root of policies that incentivized cheating. Atlanta is only the tip of the iceberg. There will be more, and most will go undetected.
What distinguished Atlanta was the thoroughness of the investigation.
Of course, adults should not cheat, and those who cheat should be punished.
But it is important to change the context that demands impossible results
The “no excuses” mantra is at the root of policies that incentivized cheating. Atlanta is only the tip of the iceberg. There will be more, and most will go undetected.
What distinguished Atlanta was the thoroughness of the investigation.
Of course, adults should not cheat, and those who cheat should be punished.
But it is important to change the context that demands impossible results
MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-9-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Bobby Jindal Admits a Mistake by dianerav Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal backed off his big Thatcherite idea of reforming the tax code. He wanted to eliminate income taxes and corporate taxes and raise sales taxes. That way, the poor would subsidize the rich. But his poll numbers plummeted, and legislators told him that his plan would be defeated, even by his faithful followers, who want to be re-elected by the voters in their districts. So he backed off his reg... more »