Louisiana Breaks New Ground
With all the education reforms taking place in Louisiana, it’s clear that Governor Bobby Jindal wants to be a national leader in what is now called the “education reform” movement. Louisiana is leading the nation in the race to the bottom, having adopted every bad idea in ALEC’s catalogue of ways to tear up your public school system. The Louisiana law was saluted by Indiana’s state superintendent
In Defense of Paul Vallas
Many who post and comment on this blog have been critical of Paul Vallas. All have their own reasons, but much criticism has focused on the tales of “saving” Chicago, Philadelphia, and Néw Orleans. The latter two turned privatization into a “reform” strategy. But there is another side to Vallas, which came as a comment by a reader: As we know, nothing in life is black or white which is how I view
Teacher: Charter School Bans African-American Hair
A reader describes a problem at a Gulen-related charter school: Diane check out this letter a friend wrote to her school admin, Horizons Science Academy. Expressing concern over their new discriminatory hair policy in the student handbook that prohibits natural African-American hair textures in students. I guess we don’t deserve an education at their school unless our hair is “fried, dyed, and lai
Paul Thomas Invites You to Help Compile Arne Duncan’s Reading List
Paul Thomas has invited his fellow educators to help compile The Arne Duncan Reader. This would be a reading list for Secretary Duncan of books, even articles and essays, that he could read during his summer vacation. Given his devotion to testing, data, choice, competition, and charters, what should he read to broaden his understanding of children and education? What would you add to Secretary
It Is Here: Reformy-to-English Dictionary
A reader shares the great new dictionaries of Reformy rhetoric, where language is turned inside out to disguise reality. Volumes 1, 2 and 3 are out! http://karenfraid.tumblr.com/post/52189780597/reformy-to-english-dictionary-volume-one http://karenfraid.tumblr.com/post/52356987097/reformy-to-english-dictionary-volume-two http://karenfraid.tumblr.com/post/53900029533/reformy-to-english-volume-three
Teacher: NCTQ Is Wrong About My University
Rob Powers is a high school teacher of social studies in Massachusetts. He read the report of the National Council on Teacher Quality and saw that it gave a low rating to his alma mater, Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, and he was shocked. PSU, he wrote, “has been preparing teachers since 1871, a tradition that few schools can match. The institution is fully accredited by the National C
Robert Shepherd: Common Core Requires Teaching Abstract Skills, Not Content
Robert Shepherd, experienced writer, textbook developer, curriculum designer, and loyal reader posted some interesting critiques of the way a Common Core will affect teaching and teaching materials: He writes: The fact that the “standards” are entirely highly abstract descriptions of skills to be demonstrated, that they are content free, will be ENORMOUSLY distorting in their effects on curriculum
An English Teacher Responds to Common Core
A comment from a reader: I have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in English Lit, and I find the Common Core to be only tangentially related to the teaching and learning of literature, culture, history, etc. If one knows literature or history or whatever the subject, there is a richness in the material that cannot be turned into formulaic lessons and checklists. Furthermore, it is turning
Indiana Governor Picks Charter Leader as His Advisor
Newly elected Indiana State Superintendent Glenda Ritz won a smashing victory last fall, collecting even more votes than Governor Mike Pence. Since taking office, she has been an effective leader. However, those hoping for a slowdown of the attacks on public education in Indiana were disappointed to learn that Givernor Pence had selected the executive director of the state charter school board as
Diane in the Evening 7-4-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Jersey Jazzman on the National AnthemJersey Jazzman reviews the many songs that have been contenders for our national anthem. God Bless America? This Land Is Your Land? America the Beautiful? My Country ‘Tis of Thee? And more. Seems we will stick with The Star Spangled Banner, even though many can’t remember the lyrics or hit the n