Progressive Education: What it isn't
This was written by Alfie Kohn who writes and speaks about parenting and education. His website is here and he tweets here. This is an excerpt from a larger article found here.by Alfie KohnMisconceptions about progressive education generally take two forms. Either it is defined too narrowly so that the significance of the change it represents is understated, or else an exaggerated, caricatured ver
YESTERDAY
My second day at Network for Public Education Conference
The morning's first session included a panel on the Common Core:Randi Weingarten:The push back from teachers on Corporate School Reform is not being ignored. It's noticed by those who are in power and it frustrates them.During this period of privatization and de-professionalizing of teachers, the idea of public education as a public good is under assault.National standards might be a good thing to
MAR 01
First Network for Public Education Conference
I will add to this post as I experience more of this historic conference.I had the pleasure of attending the first Network for Public Education Conference in Austin, Texas. I see this as a historic event because it is the official organizing of the grass roots movement by people who see public education not as a private interest but as a public good.I see this conference first and foremost about r
FEB 27
Here is what Education Hell looks like
Chicago is getting ready for a standardized test called the ISAT. Here's a 1 minute video of an Inservice session to help teachers prep for "The Vocabulary Matrix".I have four quick points:1. Roller coaster of emotions. I experienced a roller coaster of emotions as I watched this apocalyptic video. First, I was in shock. I couldn't believe this was happening. Second, I was angry. I could
Unlike the Humanities, Math just doesn't have one right answer
This was written by Jeffrey Benson who is an education consultant and school coach. He is the author of the forthcoming ASCD book Hanging In: Working with Challenging Students (January 2014). He wrote the article "100 Repetitions" in the October 2012 issue of Educational Leadership magazine. This post was originally found here.by Jeffrey BensonAll too often, math teachers sit in silent c
FEB 26
What can we learn from Malawi's teachers and schools?
Esnart is a teacher from MalawaiHere is my first contribution to UNESCO's #TeacherTuesday. You can find all of my posts for #Teacher Tuesday here.Esnart is a teacher in Malawai, Africa. She has taught for 21 years. As I read Esnart's story, I was struck by a couple of key points:Class sizes in Malawai are enormous. Some classrooms have more than 200 students and only 1 teacher. Esnart has taught a
I taught them but they didn't learn
This is from David Wees. The original pic can be found here.This post appeared at www.joebower.org
FEB 25
#TeacherTuesday: 10 teachers. 10 countries.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is hosting a project called #TeacherTuesday where over the next 10 Tuesdays (starting today), UNESCO will feature 10 teachers from 10 different countries who will share their stories, motivations and challenges in their schools. The picture below shows the 10 teachers who will be featured.Each week I will briefly reflect
Regifted Reading
This was written by Stephen Krashen who is professor emeritus at the University of Southern California. This article first appeared here. Stephen Krashen's website is here, he blogs here and he tweets here.by Stephen Krashenhere is overwhelming evidence that those who live in poverty have little access to books at home, in schools, and in public and school libraries, and that the lack of access to
FEB 24
One of the best videos on education reform
Take less than 15 minutes and watch this video on education reform and the landscape of assessment in schools.It's that good.This post appeared at www.joebower.org