Should Duncan Apologize?
Secretary Arne Duncan has been on the road selling his idea of “RESPECT” for teachers, but teachers don’t feel any respect from the U.S. Department of Education. Teacher John Thompson has called on Secretary Duncan to apologize for the ways he has encouraged and promoted the currently hostile environment surrounding teachers.
The Metlife Survey of the American Teacher reported a dramatic decline in teacher morale from 2009 to 2011. What happened in 2009 that changed the climate? Could it have been the launch of Race to the Top? Could it have been the endless rhetoric blaming teachers for low scores? Could it have been the idea–launched by Arne Duncan–that teacher evaluation should be tied to the test scores of their students?
Things have gone downhill since then. In 2010 came the teacher-bashing “documentary” called “Waiting for ‘Superman’” which was repeatedly praised by Duncan and President Obama. President Obama even invited the children in the film to the White House. And then of course there were cover stories and Oprah appearances, and anyone who trashed public schools was considered a hero for trying to liberate children from the basic
The Metlife Survey of the American Teacher reported a dramatic decline in teacher morale from 2009 to 2011. What happened in 2009 that changed the climate? Could it have been the launch of Race to the Top? Could it have been the endless rhetoric blaming teachers for low scores? Could it have been the idea–launched by Arne Duncan–that teacher evaluation should be tied to the test scores of their students?
Things have gone downhill since then. In 2010 came the teacher-bashing “documentary” called “Waiting for ‘Superman’” which was repeatedly praised by Duncan and President Obama. President Obama even invited the children in the film to the White House. And then of course there were cover stories and Oprah appearances, and anyone who trashed public schools was considered a hero for trying to liberate children from the basic
Is Blended Learning a Silver Bullet?
I just read that Indianapolis has okayed the opening of 19 new charter schools based on the concept of “blended learning.” The schools will lean heavily on technology to reduce the teaching staff and save money while promising higher test scores.
Embedded in this approach is the belief that computers do a better job of teaching basic skills than live teachers. Or that vast sums of money can be saved by dividing instruction between computers and teachers.
The article includes claims about test score gains that resulted from blended learning. Was there more or better test prep? Do the students have the knowledge and skills to think critically, to read thoughtfully, or just to pick
Embedded in this approach is the belief that computers do a better job of teaching basic skills than live teachers. Or that vast sums of money can be saved by dividing instruction between computers and teachers.
The article includes claims about test score gains that resulted from blended learning. Was there more or better test prep? Do the students have the knowledge and skills to think critically, to read thoughtfully, or just to pick
Don’t Trust the Lists of “Best” Anything
I enjoy reading Michael Winerip in the New York Times every Monday. He always finds a way of writing about education issues that avoids jargon and goes to the heart of the matter. He demonstrates every week that a probing intellect is of greater value than any sort of metrics one can devise when judging education initiatives.
This past Monday, Winerip looked at the practice of creating lists of “the bests.” He closely analyzed theNewsweek list of “the nation’s best high schools.” He pointed out that 37 of the top 50 high schools on its list of 1,000 high schools had selective admissions.
As he puts it: “Best in, best out, best school.”
Winerip shows that many of the “best” schools have small numbers of students who are Hispanic, black, or low-income. Some of the “best” schools are located in affluent communities. Says Winerip: “Clearly, best schools
This past Monday, Winerip looked at the practice of creating lists of “the bests.” He closely analyzed theNewsweek list of “the nation’s best high schools.” He pointed out that 37 of the top 50 high schools on its list of 1,000 high schools had selective admissions.
As he puts it: “Best in, best out, best school.”
Winerip shows that many of the “best” schools have small numbers of students who are Hispanic, black, or low-income. Some of the “best” schools are located in affluent communities. Says Winerip: “Clearly, best schools
A Tireless Advocate for Public Education and Equity
One of the wonderful rewards of my travels is that I have met people in every community who are staunch defenders of public education. Most want to help but they don’t know how. In part, this is because there is no national organization leading the charge to stop privatization. But nonetheless, there are many people who soldier on, writing, speaking out, rallying their forces, and undaunted by the size of the challenge.
One of those people, whom I am privileged to call a friend, is Jan Resseger. Jan is a (lay) Minister for Public Education and Witness for the United Church of Christ. She is a fearless and tireless advocate for public education and for equity. She has a passion for justice and a deep and loving concern for people. She understands in a visceral sense that a decent society must sustain vibrant public institutions. She has posted her commentaries on education here. One that is especially powerful is here.
I don’t recall exactly when I met Jan, though I know it was by email. We exchanged many emails before I met
One of those people, whom I am privileged to call a friend, is Jan Resseger. Jan is a (lay) Minister for Public Education and Witness for the United Church of Christ. She is a fearless and tireless advocate for public education and for equity. She has a passion for justice and a deep and loving concern for people. She understands in a visceral sense that a decent society must sustain vibrant public institutions. She has posted her commentaries on education here. One that is especially powerful is here.
I don’t recall exactly when I met Jan, though I know it was by email. We exchanged many emails before I met
On May 17, the Learning First Alliance (LFA) honored Jack Jennings, who founded (and recently retired from) the 
