EduShyster to TFA: Enough Is Enough
EduShyster writes a personal letter to Teach for America.
Please, she says, we know you are excellent.
We know you are beyond excellent.
We know that there is no one more excellent than you. Please, we get it. Enough.
But consider what all this self-praise does:
“Every time you toot the horn of triumph, alerting us to the good news that your new teachers are better than our new teachers, even though the evidence is indisputable that all new teachers struggle, or that your handful of
Please, she says, we know you are excellent.
We know you are beyond excellent.
We know that there is no one more excellent than you. Please, we get it. Enough.
But consider what all this self-praise does:
“Every time you toot the horn of triumph, alerting us to the good news that your new teachers are better than our new teachers, even though the evidence is indisputable that all new teachers struggle, or that your handful of
Problems with Common Core Tests
Technical issues plague the tests.
Not ready for prime time.
Not ready for prime time.
An 8th Grader Writes a Test Question: Hilarious!
An 8th grade student in New York State wrote a brilliant parody of the state ELA exam.
Please read it.
It is very funny.
It does leave you wondering why students are so much wiser than state education officials.
Please read it.
It is very funny.
It does leave you wondering why students are so much wiser than state education officials.
How to Prepare Children for Common Core Failure
This is a parody but it is uncomfortably close to reality.
The humorist known as Students Last has compiled a reading list to prepare children for failure on the tests.
Just listen to all the bigwigs warning about high failure rates, ripping off the Band-aid and sink-or-swim in the deep end of the pool. That’s enough to create a sense of dread and high anxiety.
The only thing missing from the reading list is a manual for nervous parents and an advice book on how to
The humorist known as Students Last has compiled a reading list to prepare children for failure on the tests.
Just listen to all the bigwigs warning about high failure rates, ripping off the Band-aid and sink-or-swim in the deep end of the pool. That’s enough to create a sense of dread and high anxiety.
The only thing missing from the reading list is a manual for nervous parents and an advice book on how to
Puzzle: Hall Faces Jail Time, Rhee Does Not
This article asks the obvious question:
Why does Atlanta’s disgraced superintendent Beverly Hall face serious jail time for the cheating that happened on her watch–which she ignored or encouraged by demanding higher test scores–while Michelle Rhee continues to fly from state to state, urging legislatures to follow the DC model?
The article says that Rhee emerged–so far–unscathed because she has friends in high places.
As for the DC model, let us not forget that John Merrow documented that the DC schools are in worse shape
Why does Atlanta’s disgraced superintendent Beverly Hall face serious jail time for the cheating that happened on her watch–which she ignored or encouraged by demanding higher test scores–while Michelle Rhee continues to fly from state to state, urging legislatures to follow the DC model?
The article says that Rhee emerged–so far–unscathed because she has friends in high places.
As for the DC model, let us not forget that John Merrow documented that the DC schools are in worse shape
Pallas: What the Power Quartet of New York Left Out
Aaron Pallas, a sociologist at Teachers College, is a sharp observer of educational issues.
In this article, he comments on a joint statement by the leaders of education in New York City and State, hailing the Common Core and the new Common Core tests. Their article appeared in the New York Daily News, where they proclaimed the advent of the new standards and the joy they are bringing back to learning. And now the new Common a core tests will let everyone know whether our none-year-olds are college-and-career-ready.
For most parents of young children, this is doubtless a burning issue, especially since no one can be sure what careers will exist 10 years from now.
What did they forget to say: the introduction of new tests means there is no trend line, no way of basing teacher
In this article, he comments on a joint statement by the leaders of education in New York City and State, hailing the Common Core and the new Common Core tests. Their article appeared in the New York Daily News, where they proclaimed the advent of the new standards and the joy they are bringing back to learning. And now the new Common a core tests will let everyone know whether our none-year-olds are college-and-career-ready.
For most parents of young children, this is doubtless a burning issue, especially since no one can be sure what careers will exist 10 years from now.
What did they forget to say: the introduction of new tests means there is no trend line, no way of basing teacher
Be Inspired: Watch 3 Minute Video of Newark Students
EduShyster first skewers the new Chief Operating Officer of the Néw York City Department of Education, a young man of 27. After the Cathie Black debacle, nothing from this zany department surprises anymore.
Then treat yourself by watching the video created by the neglected, discounted,derided students of Newark, NJ., which is embedded in the post.
Then treat yourself by watching the video created by the neglected, discounted,derided students of Newark, NJ., which is embedded in the post.
Washington Post: Anti-Testing Movement Grows
From the local school boards in Texas to the teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle to the Providence Student Union, the movement against high-stakes testing is growing everyday.
The Washington Post reports here that the public is rising up against the Bush-Obama education agenda.
Across the nation, students, parents, and teachers have had it.
Officials keep pouring millions into testing while cutting the budget for everything else.
The Washington Post reports here that the public is rising up against the Bush-Obama education agenda.
Across the nation, students, parents, and teachers have had it.
Officials keep pouring millions into testing while cutting the budget for everything else.
Diane in the Evening 4-15-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: A Teacher’s Pledge for the Ethical Use of Test Data by dianerav Anthony Cody met teacher Michelle Gunderson at Occupy the DOE. When he heard her ideas about testing, he invited her to write a guest blog. Gunderson explained that she has seen test used to sort children, to punopish children, and now–to privatize schools. She has developed her own credo for the ethical use of tests. Please read it. The essence of the pledge is that a student’s test scores should be Terrible News: Terrorist Attack on Boston Marathon... more »