Lessons from Finland and Wisconsin – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

Lessons from Finland and Wisconsin – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER:

How many times do we have to remind reform apologists like @alexanderrusso?

by Chalk Face, PhD

Alexander Russo
Boot Licker Alert  

According to Mr. Russo, 2013 may be the year of teacher preparation. Too bad it’s half over. To wit:

Since 2009, the California-based NewSchools Venture Fund, with the support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, has been convening Learning to Teach, a 40-member group of teacher prep organizations that includes both ­traditional and alternative providers.

A coalition called the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, which includes 17 universities in three states (Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio), is pushing to make comprehensive changes to traditional programs. The Council of Chief State School Officers is working with 10 states on a similar effort.

And by “pushing,” I hope he means forcing, because that’s what it really means. I 

Lessons from Finland and Wisconsin

by plthomasedd

Many of us who are lifelong educators find clinging to our optimism a difficult challenge.

But two recent pieces may signal hope, a light at the long and dark tunnel of corporate education reform built on false claims and flawed solutions.

While I urge you to read and share widely the two works below, I do so with a caveat: The messages below have been the basis of the arguments voiced by educators for decades—with most of us being marginalized, ignored, or outright attacked.

Nonetheless, please read:

• What if Finland’s great teachers taught in U.S. schools?, Pasi Sahlberg:

In recent years the “no excuses”’ argument has been particularly persistent in the education debate. There are those who argue that poverty is only an excuse not to insist that all schools should reach higher standards. Solution: better teachers. Then there are 

Another view of the “new” CCSS Kindergarten, THX @sarawottawa

by Chalk Face, PhD

Like I said, you’ve been freeloading for far too long five and six year olds! It’s time to start thinking about your careers! I wonder if the educator doling out percentage grades for kids who can’t even count to 90 in most cases questions whether or not this is necessary. Pity. Filed under: CHALK FACE: […]

Interesting story with the new Blue Hat Movement in North Carolina

by Chalk Face, PhD

A father and daughter have an interesting story to tell and provide a great deal of evidence and testimony about their test refusal in North Carolina. You might be wondering the significance of Blue Hats. Me too. Perhaps we’ll get an answer at some point, maybe on At the Chalk Face radio, so keep an […]

Third Graders Being Investigated in New York

by Kris Nielsen

On the heels of the largest test boycott in American history, there comes the other testing phenomenon that has swept the media lately.  When kids exercise their rights as citizens, no one cares.  When there’s even the slightest, itsy-bitsy hint that they might be cheating (even without any real evidence), stop the presses!  Call the