Test-related Stress on the Rise in New York
At hearings about the Common Core in New York, a specialist testified about the sharp increase in test-related stress. The testimony of Danielle Brooks was reported on Susan Ohanian’s blog. Read her full statement. Here is an excerpt: “I am a licensed clinical social worker in New York State and have been providing psychotherapy services since 1995. I work with parents, teachers, and students f
Your Sunday Gift: TIme to Laugh Out Loud
Just watch this. If you have a cat and a dog, you will love this. 41.048278 -72.499601
Update on My Health
Thanks to all who sent expressions of support and concern. I read every one and appreciated them. You gave me the strength to get through the first days, which are the hardest. I even heard from people with whom I have had disagreements. I was humbled by the goodness that people expressed. We–including me–should all work harder to find the good and praise it rather than submit to the fault-finding
North Carolina Scores Tumble with Common Core Tests
As expected, test scores in North Carolina fell dramatically after release of Common Core data for the state. “Only 32 percent of students in grades 3-8 were proficient in reading and mathematics in 2012-13 — that’s almost a 27 percent drop from 2011-12, when 58.9 percent of students were proficient. The overall composite proficiency score for all state tests is 44.7 percent, down from 77.9 perce
More Districts in New York Drop Out of Race to the Top
More than 20 school districts in the Lower Hudson Valley region have announced that they are dropping out of New York state’s Race to the Top, due to concerns about student privacy. “Officials say there is no way to know how the data, which identifies students and includes disciplinary and health records, will be used in the future. They say they are concerned about colleges and employers seeking
A Teacher in New Jersey Reacts to Maya Angelou’s Criticism of Race to Top
This anonymous teacher liked Maya Angelou’s criticism of Race to the Top. She wrote: “She states, “Race To The Top feels to be more like a contest… not what did you learn, but how much can you memorize.” “Writers are really interested in forming young men and women,” she said. “… ‘This is your world.’ ‘ This is your country.’ ‘ This is your time.’ And so I don’t think you can get that by racing to
New Mexico: Where Data Count More Than Children
This is a comment by an educator in New Mexico: My name is Tine Hayes. I have been teaching high school in Gallup NM for 14 years. I am dual certified in Fine Arts and Social Studies, and I am level three and National Board certified. This year more than ever in the past I am disheartened and distressed by the actions of the PED [state education department] and the attitude toward students and t
Sahlberg Explains Why Finnish Schools Succeed
You will enjoy this amazing slide show created by the great Finnish educator Pasi Sahlberg. It explains why Finnish schools succeed: Not because they want to be first in the world, but because they want “a great school for each and every child.” Their goal is equity, not excellence. While striving for equity, excellence is the by-product. His comparison of the stale paradigm of the Global Educati
A call to action for supporters of public education in LA
A coalition of Los Angeles parents, teachers and public school advocates are reaching out to others in LA. They report that; The LAUSD school board will consider a resolution for “Educational Equity and Achievement for all Title I Students” next Tuesday, November 12 at 4pm. This resolution seeks to restore Title I funding to children attending schools at the former 40% poverty threshold. Fully fu
Indiana Researcher on NAEP: Results No Different from Past
While Arne Duncan and ex-Superintendent Tony Bennett were celebrating Indiana’s gains on the 2013 NAEP, researchers at Indiana University said the gains were no different from the state’s performance in past years on NAEP. “Relative to the 1-point gains in mathematics and reading for the nation as a whole, the 5- and 4-point gains for Indiana fourth-graders appear impressive,” said Peter Klooster
Maya Angelou to Obama: Stop the Standardized Testing
Maya Angelou, the Pulitzer-Prize winning author, was one of 120 writers and illustrators who called on President Obama to cut back on the deluge of standardized testing promoted by his administration. The 120 authors and illustrators issued the following statement to the President: We the undersigned children’s book authors and illustrators write to express our concern for our readers, their paren
YESTERDAY
Sirota: Make War on Poverty, Not Teachers
David Sirota points put the facts that most educators acknowledge: poverty is a far more potent threat to academic success than “bad” teachers or unions. The bugaboos of the loon right have become the basis for federal policy, and it is taking its toll on teacher morale.
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