Let teachers know how much they’re cared for on Valentine’s Day! Their mental health is important during this troubling time, so reach out and say something kind. No matter what anyone thinks about school reopenings it’s important to express love and appreciation for all that teachers do and have done during the pandemic. While Covid-19 […]
$100M For Children “Learning Faster Than Ever Before” In Tennessee?!
Tennessee lawmakers just signed off on a $100 Million program called Reading 360. Sixty million is federal Covid-19 relief money and $40 million federal grant money. What is this? Why Tennessee? Will other states follow? While the media bombards the public with learning loss warnings, this program is about acceleration. Fast-Track Here’s what the brochure […]
The 12 Point Covid-19 DISCONNECT Between Teachers and Those Who Want Schools Open Now!
Pressure is being placed on teachers to return to in-person classes. Here’s why that’s a problem. 1. Precautions The CDC and Dr. Fauci and President Biden want all schools to return to in-person learning with precautions in place. But precautions are exactly what many schools often lack. Teachers know best whether or not precautions are […]
How the Media and School Districts Shame Teachers During Covid-19
Listen to the news one moment, and you’re warned about the new variants of the virus. There’s uncertainty about it and whether it’s more deadly than the current strain. Next, the media gives voice to critics who belittle teachers and their unions for not returning to school or being afraid. There’s a dislike of teachers […]
8 Concerns and What’s Positive About The President’s Plan for Schooling During Covid-19
The Biden-Harris administration faces huge challenges. Addressing school safety during Covid-19 is at the top of their list. This is welcome news. Goals are important for clarity and to give us hope. President Biden wasted no time getting out his National Strategy for the Covid-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. Schools are specifically addressed starting on […]
Endgame! Using Covid-19 to Permanently Transform Schooling!
Funding technology seems unchecked in some places as teachers are driven out of their classrooms due to the virus. The more teachers prematurely retire, the more easily school districts can justify replacing them with technology. Technology is on the road to becoming the endgame for schooling, whether Americans like it or not. There’s no research […]
6 Ways High-Stakes Standardized Testing Destroys Student Voice
The National Council of the Teachers of English is Helping Students Find Their Voices in Challenging Times. This title stood out as well worth exploring, but it’s also a reminder that since public education became focused on high-stakes standardized testing, public schools’ emphasis has been on scores, not students’ voices. Student’s thoughts and ideas should […]
Why Are Schools Opening When Covid-19 is Surging?
It has become a cruel joke. Shut everything down! Stay home! Cancel the holidays! Close everything! But open schools! Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious diseases expert, told Americans to stay home throughout the holiday season, avoid groups, wash hands, wear masks, and stay socially distanced. There’s a horrific death count in case […]
Guarded Hope and 7 Concerns for Public Education this New Year
We have a new President and a new education secretary and hope for the future of public education. Hope doesn’t come easy because schools face what appear to be insurmountable difficulties due to Covid-19. Also, wealthy individuals and groups who want school privatization are established in the system, mostly in dozens of anti-public school nonprofits, […]
Amplify and iReady Claim Kindergarten and First Grade “Reading Loss” to Profit From the Pandemic
Are kindergartners falling behind in reading due to the pandemic? Amplify and iReady want us to think so. But kindergarten teachers should not be forcing children to learn to read during the pandemic. They shouldn’t have been pushing them to read before Covid-19. Nor should kindergartners be forced to read after the coronavirus becomes a […]