PBS in Houston: Watch the Faces of the Students
A reader from Houston suggests that we watch the PBS documentary on Houston’s Apollo program and watch the faces of the students:
He writes:
To see how many kids react to an overemphasis on testing, watch Dropout Nation. PBS Frontline’s Dropout Nation series featured HISD and its Apollo Program in its September broadcast. While there are some good
He writes:
To see how many kids react to an overemphasis on testing, watch Dropout Nation. PBS Frontline’s Dropout Nation series featured HISD and its Apollo Program in its September broadcast. While there are some good
Rothstein: Advice to Future Teachers
Richard Rothstein recently gave a commencement address to the gruates of the Chicago Loyola School of Education.
What do you say to new teachers, embarking on their careers in these perilous times? What do you say to
What do you say to new teachers, embarking on their careers in these perilous times? What do you say to
John Merrow: Shame on the Washington Post for Refusing to Investigate DC Cheating Scandal
John Merrow has written a blistering critique of the Establishment’s cover-up of the cheating scandal in D.C.
The article he wrote exposing the cover up was rejected by a national magazine, unnamed.
When Merrow directly asked Duncan about the scandal, Duncan bobbed and weaved.
But Merrow reserves his greatest ire for the editorial writers at the Washington Post, who were cheerleaders for
The article he wrote exposing the cover up was rejected by a national magazine, unnamed.
When Merrow directly asked Duncan about the scandal, Duncan bobbed and weaved.
But Merrow reserves his greatest ire for the editorial writers at the Washington Post, who were cheerleaders for
May 17 in Our History: How Soon We Forget
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that segregation of the races in public school was unconstitutional. At the time, segregation was the law in 17 states and many districts.
For years, the states where segregation was outlawed resisted the court decision. Their favorite ploy was school choice. They knew that school choice would preserve racial segregation because whites would choose to stay with whites, and blacks would be fearful of applying to white schools, where they would face a hostile climate, harassment, and even violence.
The Supreme Court and lower federal courts overturned the many strategies enacted to evade the necessity of
For years, the states where segregation was outlawed resisted the court decision. Their favorite ploy was school choice. They knew that school choice would preserve racial segregation because whites would choose to stay with whites, and blacks would be fearful of applying to white schools, where they would face a hostile climate, harassment, and even violence.
The Supreme Court and lower federal courts overturned the many strategies enacted to evade the necessity of
News from the Network for Public Education
Here is the latest newsletter from the Network for Public Education.
Please consider becoming a member and help us as we fight to improve public schools and repel the twin menaces of high-stakes testing and privatization.
If you are a member of a grassroots organization to support your community public schools, please sign on and lend a hand in our shared mission.
Please consider becoming a member and help us as we fight to improve public schools and repel the twin menaces of high-stakes testing and privatization.
If you are a member of a grassroots organization to support your community public schools, please sign on and lend a hand in our shared mission.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel: How to Dodge FOIA Requests
Ben Joravsky is the best journalist covering education in Chicago today.
In this post, titled “Mayor Emanuel’s FOIA Policy: Don’t Ask, Because We Won’t Tell,” Joravsky shows how a public school parent sued to find out basic facts about major decisions. The answer was, no, we can’t tell you
In this post, titled “Mayor Emanuel’s FOIA Policy: Don’t Ask, Because We Won’t Tell,” Joravsky shows how a public school parent sued to find out basic facts about major decisions. The answer was, no, we can’t tell you
The Status Quo Begins to Fall Apart
This article describes what a grass-roots rebellion looks like.
It describes a growing revolt against failed education policies.
It reviews the mounting protests by students, parents, teachers, school boards against
It describes a growing revolt against failed education policies.
It reviews the mounting protests by students, parents, teachers, school boards against
Peter DeWitt: Does Chancellor Tisch Know What Testing Is Doing to Children?
Peter DeWitt, principal of an elementary school in upstate New York, tries here to understand the contradictory messages sent out by Merryl Tisch, chancellor of the NY Board of Regents.
On one hand, she says that teachers should no longer teach to the test, but with the advent of Common Core, there is more testing than ever.
She says that testing is less important than ever as kids sit for hours of it.
The state plans to increase the stakes attached to the testing, but teachers should not teach to the test
On one hand, she says that teachers should no longer teach to the test, but with the advent of Common Core, there is more testing than ever.
She says that testing is less important than ever as kids sit for hours of it.
The state plans to increase the stakes attached to the testing, but teachers should not teach to the test
Concord Rebellion Stirring Over Dismissal of Union Leader
Parents and teachers in Concord, Massachusetts, are outraged over the firing of the teachers’ union leader, an 18-year teacher of third grade, allegedly for in effectiveness.
“The catalyst for the protest was the decision by Thoreau Elementary School Principal Kelly Clough not to renew the contract of veteran third grade teacher and Concord Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy.
“Barbara Lehn has been a teacher with Concord’s school system for 25 years. She said she has known Najimy since she was hired 18 years ago. She said the idea that Najimy could have been found deficient in every single
“The catalyst for the protest was the decision by Thoreau Elementary School Principal Kelly Clough not to renew the contract of veteran third grade teacher and Concord Teachers Association President Merrie Najimy.
“Barbara Lehn has been a teacher with Concord’s school system for 25 years. She said she has known Najimy since she was hired 18 years ago. She said the idea that Najimy could have been found deficient in every single
Is the School of the Future in the Cloud?
Having studied the history of education for some decades,I have a built-in resistance to claims bout the school of the future, particularly when it involves the end of schooling. Over many years, I have seen predictions about that Great Day when all children are self-motivated, all learning comes naturally, and instruction by adults becomes superfluous. The archetype of this idea was A. S. Neill’s “Summerhill,” which was a huge bestseller in the 1960s. But it was preceded by many other visions of schools without books, without tests, without classes, without
Diane in the Evening 5-16-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: *Diane stands on her head for Public Ed* Can Machines Grade Essays? Should They? by dianerav I posted earlier today about a new Xerox machine that is being marketed to “read” and grade student essays. Not to score bubble tests, but to grade essays. Granted, this is not a new idea. There are now different companies selling machines to grade student writing. I have seen demonstrations of this technology, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is not right. Why? I am not opposed to technology. But here is the nub... more »