Los Angeles: Bond Oversight Committee Demands Reappointment of Magruder
The Los Angeles school board failed to reappoint Stuart Magruder, the appointee of the American Institute of Architects, to its 15-member. Bond Oversight Committee. Magruder was an outspoken critic of Superintendent John Deasy’s decision to use funds from a 25-year bond dedicated to construction and repairs to pay for his purchase of iPads for every student and staff member in the district. The fa
Heilig: NCLB Failed, What Next?
Julian Vasquez Helig says NCLB failed.. It’s time for a new paradigm. He calls it “community-based accountability.”
Will Néw Mexico Choose an Educator in the Democratic Primary?
A reader from Néw Mexico describes what is at stake in the Democratic primary for Governor: “Last week teachers in New Mexico were shocked, dismayed, and horrified with their VAM scores from the Pretend Secretary of Education Skandera’s office. She has not been confirmed since she was nominatedf 3 1/2 years ago. “When our Koch-funded, anti-union and anti-public education Governor ran for office sh
NPE Endorses Hendy Newbill for Los Angeles School Board
The Network for Public Education is pleased to endorse Sherlett Hendy Newbill for LAUSD District 1. Sherlett is a teacher, a coach and a parent. She grew up in the district as the daughter of immigrants who struggled to put food on the table. She went to elementary, middle and high school in the district. After graduating from Susan Miller Dorsey High School, she received a scholarship to attend X
The Crucial Race for State Superintendent in California
The race for State Superintendent of Education in California pits veteran educator Tom Torlakson–who has held the job since 2010–against Marshall Tuck, who is closely associated with the privatization movement. A third candidate, Lydia Gutierrez, is notable in the race for her opposition to Common Core. With the unions supporting Torlakson and the business sector behind Tuck, Gutierrez is consider
Bob Shepherd on the Insanity of “Education Reform”
Bob Shepherd writes on the absurd demands now placed on teachers and principals by politicians, who expect to see higher test scores every year. Step back and you realize that the politicians, the policy wonks, the economists, and the ideologues are ruining education, not improving it. They are doing their best to demoralize professional educators. What are they thinking? Are they thinking? Or is
Robert Berkman: Is This the Worst Article Ever Written about Common Core Math?
Robert Berkman, a veteran math teacher, writes a blog called “Better Living Through Mathematics, where he regularly skewers nonsense. In this article, he looks closely at a chart that purportedly demonstrates how pathetic is the performance of U.S. adults, compared to many other nations. Berkman says this may be the “stupidest article about Common Core math program” that he has ever read. To be
Congratulations, Brian Page! This Is What Teachers Do.
After years of endless negative press about teachers, it was refreshing to pick up the New York Times and read a story about Brian Page, who teaches high school students about economics and personal finance. He teaches them through life experience and field trips what economics means in their own lives. Page took his students to a pawn shops where they learned about what it means to borrow, about
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 5-31-14 #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2
Diane Ravitch's blogLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONGDIANE RAVITCH'S BLOGMotoko Rich Shows: Far Right Opposes Common CoreIt is getting to be a dizzying experience to read about the Common Core on the Néw York Times. When Motoko Rich reported from Tennessee, she found an unlikely left-right alliance questioning the standards. A few days later, and the familiar script is back in place: only the
