Paul Thomas: When Innovation Looks Like the Status Quo
Paul Thomas analyzes the latest plan to save the D.C. Public schools, this one prepared by a law firm on behalf of City Councilmember David Catania. Thomas finds that it is just as innovative, perhaps even more innovative, than past innovations. On the other hand, it might be somewhat less innovative than past innovations. But what is clear is that it uses all the same tools, the same carrots and sticks, as past innovations. At least, the Councilman says, he is trying. That’s innovative too. Or is it?
Seattle Teachers: What Our Victory Over MAP Testing Means
Seattle teachers Jesse Hagopian and Liza Campbell explain here what happened when the teachers at Garfield High School decided to boycott MAP testing. Their courageous action inspired teachers and parents across the nation. The MAP tests were suspended for the high schools but not for K-8.
But the teachers were not acting simply in opposition to this particular test or to all testing. They want something better that will help them help students.
And that is why they are working together to find later natives to the status quo:
“…..it’s not enough to be against the abuses of standardized testing. Parents, students and teachers who want the school system our students deserve must advance a vision of assessment that would actually improve
But the teachers were not acting simply in opposition to this particular test or to all testing. They want something better that will help them help students.
And that is why they are working together to find later natives to the status quo:
“…..it’s not enough to be against the abuses of standardized testing. Parents, students and teachers who want the school system our students deserve must advance a vision of assessment that would actually improve
PARCC Common Core Tests Will Take Ten Hours: New Link
I posted this story last night but for some reason, I didn’t get the link right.
I think I have it now. Here it is.
The ten hours is the time projected for the Common Core tests developed by PARCC, one of the two testing consortia funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
It does not include time spent on interim assessments or test prep.
I think I have it now. Here it is.
The ten hours is the time projected for the Common Core tests developed by PARCC, one of the two testing consortia funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
It does not include time spent on interim assessments or test prep.
Obama: Every Classroom Should Be Digitized
President Obama will unveil his technology plan for American education today in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Joy Resmovits reports on Huffington Post:
“President Barack Obama imagines a country where teachers know what’s happening in their students’ brains.
“He wants “teachers to have an ability to assess learning hour by hour and day by day,” a senior White House official said Wednesday. “That vision … is really not possible with the connectivity we have today.”
Joy Resmovits reports on Huffington Post:
“President Barack Obama imagines a country where teachers know what’s happening in their students’ brains.
“He wants “teachers to have an ability to assess learning hour by hour and day by day,” a senior White House official said Wednesday. “That vision … is really not possible with the connectivity we have today.”
Why NJ School Reports Are Misleading and Useless
New Jersey has followed the trail blazed by Jeb Bush when he was governor of Florida: competition, data, accountability, choice. It is the classic formula for those who believe that competition and data are the best “drivers” of education.
Thus, New Jersey has created its own report cards to drive competition. Predictably the report cards are heavily weighted by test scores. As we have seen again and again, the pressure to raise scores creates negative consequences, such as teaching to the test, narrowing the curriculum, gaming the system, and cheating.
Here Julia Sass Rubin explains that the state’s report cards are confusing, inaccurate, and flawed in many ways.
Thus, New Jersey has created its own report cards to drive competition. Predictably the report cards are heavily weighted by test scores. As we have seen again and again, the pressure to raise scores creates negative consequences, such as teaching to the test, narrowing the curriculum, gaming the system, and cheating.
Here Julia Sass Rubin explains that the state’s report cards are confusing, inaccurate, and flawed in many ways.
A Response to Rahm’s Unprecedented School Closures
Here the Reverend John Thomas eloquently refutes the Chicago Tribune’s editorial support for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s heartless decision to close dozens of neighborhood schools.
The Tribune on one hand praises the teachers who saved the lives of their students. But then condemns the teachers of Chicago for refusing to accept the closure of their schools and just leave quietly.
Here is an excerpt:
“Unlike the teachers in Moore, Chicago teachers’ schools are not gone because of some capricious act of
The Tribune on one hand praises the teachers who saved the lives of their students. But then condemns the teachers of Chicago for refusing to accept the closure of their schools and just leave quietly.
Here is an excerpt:
“Unlike the teachers in Moore, Chicago teachers’ schools are not gone because of some capricious act of
The Only Effective Way to Help Schools
Here is a radical idea. Edward Berger in Arizona proposes that “reformers” should pursue the same education for “other people’s children” that they want for their own children. Imagine that!
Is Your Child As Smart as a Two-Year-Old?
I try to give voice to people of differing views. In this case, an educator left a comment and takes issue with those who think the Common Core is too demanding. What do you think?
As a parent, educator and scholar of educational policies and theories, I alarm at many of the comments that suggest CCSS are detrimental to our children. Those who are skeptical I invite you to study the worlds top performing educational systems. I also invite you to keep in mind that our children do not know what they can’t do until we (adults) tell them.
As a school administrator I have heard many say what is developmentally to “difficult” for children. As a rebuttal, I
As a parent, educator and scholar of educational policies and theories, I alarm at many of the comments that suggest CCSS are detrimental to our children. Those who are skeptical I invite you to study the worlds top performing educational systems. I also invite you to keep in mind that our children do not know what they can’t do until we (adults) tell them.
As a school administrator I have heard many say what is developmentally to “difficult” for children. As a rebuttal, I
New Yorkers Oppose Pearson Field Tests, Plus DeWitt Joins the Honor Roll
As thousands of activists plan to rally in Albany against the stat’s heavy reliance on standardized testing on June 8, many parents and educators are speaking out against Pearson’s field tests. The testing corporation is trying out questions in the state’s classrooms that might be used on future tests, but opponents say “enough is enough.” The students recently completed two weeks of grueling state tests.
One reward of opening the link is that you get to see a picture of Peter DeWitt, one of the state’s best principals
One reward of opening the link is that you get to see a picture of Peter DeWitt, one of the state’s best principals
Will Deborah Gist Be Reappointed?
The Rhode Island state board of education will vote today on whether to renew Deborah Gist’s contract as State Commissioner of Education.
It seems likely she will be reappointed since Governor Lincoln Chafee favors her, as does the new chair of the state board.
Rhode Island teachers don’t like her.
In a poll, 85% said they opposed her reappointment.
Rhode Island students have opposed Gist’s insistence on high-stakes testing, especially her use of a
It seems likely she will be reappointed since Governor Lincoln Chafee favors her, as does the new chair of the state board.
Rhode Island teachers don’t like her.
In a poll, 85% said they opposed her reappointment.
Rhode Island students have opposed Gist’s insistence on high-stakes testing, especially her use of a
Warning: ALEC Wants to Eliminate School Boards
Julie Underwood, dean of the school of education at the University of Wisconsin, has been watching ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and warns that their agenda includes the elimination of local school boards.
School boards are a basic democratic institution. Some 95% are elected. They hire and fire superintendents and set each district’s policy goals. Most people would see them as an expression of local control, a place where
School boards are a basic democratic institution. Some 95% are elected. They hire and fire superintendents and set each district’s policy goals. Most people would see them as an expression of local control, a place where
How to Demotivate Teachers and Other Staff
Here is an article written for business people.
It is called “8 Surefire Ways to Demotivate Your Employees.”
It appears on the website of the National Federation of Independent Business.
Read it and think how these principles apply to the
It is called “8 Surefire Ways to Demotivate Your Employees.”
It appears on the website of the National Federation of Independent Business.
Read it and think how these principles apply to the
Diane in the Evening 6-5-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Teacher to Iowa Media: Stop Bashing Teachers and Schools by dianerav Amy Prime teaches second grade in Iowa. She writes strong opinion pieces and in this one, she lambastes the Des Moines Register (which publishes her articles) for its most recent editorial blasting the schools. In this case,the newspaper complained that Iowa schools did not have test scores as high as Maryland. Have Iowa’s test scores “stagnated”? Whence came the belief that they must go up every year, like stock prices? She writes: “Even if ... more »