A worrisome rise of the Delta variant in children across the country has raised concerns about mask refusal and school safety. Politicization with contradictions and poor messaging by both political parties creates a dangerous scenario for children. Americans must work together and be realistic about the dangers of this illness to children, not make promises that […]
The Pictures Children Take of Their World
History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children. ~Nelson Mandela What kind of pictures of the world are children taking as they get ready to return to school? We cannot control all the news, but we should be mindful of how children observe us and how we fit […]
Pandemic Learning Loss Reports That Sell Online Programs Are Harmful For Students With Disabilities
Reports telling of pandemic learning loss to sell programs, especially online programs, are harmful to students with disabilities who often had a difficult time being schooled at home with virtual learning. One can only assume that students might be behind. But it’s detrimental, especially for children who often have motivation problems, to repeatedly hear they’ll […]
Vulture Philanthropy After Covid Is About Technology Replacing Public Schools and Teachers
Even though most parents disliked online learning during the pandemic, many groups promote the replacement of teachers and schools with online instruction. There’s vulture philanthropy going on behind the scenes. On the one hand, there’s the condemnation of virtual learning. We’re told it didn’t work during the pandemic when teachers were in charge of it, […]
Public Schools and Mask Wishy-Washiness
The CDC and the federal and state governments have had a huge political disconnect with public schools since the start of the pandemic. States have the authority to make the rules concerning Covid-19, leaving the teaching profession scarred, and Americans are angry with public schools. Masking in schools has always been controversial. Now, as more […]
“Fresh Starts” for Middle School Students: A Kinder, Gentler Grade Level Promotion Policy
By Rick Bobrick Over the past two school years, educators have worked tirelessly to meet the unique challenges presented by the coronavirus emergency. There has been a lot of talk about “re-imagining” our public schools, with few practical specifics being offered. After a major disruption to their normal routines, nothing will be more important than […]
Independence Day and the Loss of America’s Democratic Public Schools
Politicians talk a lot about democracy, especially while referring to threats from other countries. What about the destruction of what should be the most democratic institution in this country—America’s public schools? Many Americans of both parties seem unworried about handing public education over to the wealthy who want to privatize those schools and use them […]
Green Schools: Are they Child and Teacher Friendly and Public?
Environmentally friendly school facilities are critical. Teaching students environmental awareness and how to be good stewards of the earth is imperative. But are new green school buildings encompassing a whole curriculum? Are they practical, focused on the environment and the students, supportive of real teachers, designed to be democratic and public, or are they about […]
Cheers to Dads Who Read to Their Babies and Beyond!
Happy Father’s Day! Here’s wishing all dads have a great day after weathering the pandemic. If you’re a new dad or grandpa (or mom or grandma), getting in the habit of reading and conversing with your child from the start, you are helping them develop critical language skills. Here’s to you! Babies When babies are […]
The Heartbreak Surrounding Student Behavior and Teacher Attrition in America’s Schools
Children with difficulty controlling their behavior and emotions, large classes, unsupportive administrators, outside interference, and overwhelmed teachers who aren’t behavior specialists can be a recipe for disaster for students and a reason why teachers leave. I wrote much of this post in February 2020, before schools closed due to Covid-19. As schools get back to […]