Think about it. Common Core State Standards do not rhyme with Individual Educational Plans. Say it slowly. Listen to the words. They don’t go together. The whole point of CCSS is for everyone to get to the same standard. It is the same goal. You can argue that students with disabilities might get to the […]
Mr. Duncan—A Few Reasons Why I Question Your September 30th Speech, “Beyond the Beltway Bubble.”
Arne Duncan takes a lot of criticism from educators. They have never seen him as one of their own. For me personally, I wanted Linda Darling-Hammond to get the job. I don’t always agree with Darling-Hammond, but I do respect her as an educator and a researcher. When Mr. Duncan was hired I and a […]
Data Frenzy!
A parent was bemoaning the fact that her young student is made to carry his notebook with his standardized test scores around the school in the chance an administrator, or test Nazi, might need to take a look at the scores. Are test scores this important that administrators must have access to them every minute […]
How About a Broader, BOLDER Approach to Education?
I am adding a national campaign to the Early Childhood section of the website although it could be applied to Adolescence and Educators as well. It is associated with the Economic Policy Institute and is called the Broader, BOLDER Approach to Education (BBA). The BBA is described as “a national campaign that acknowledges the impact […]
Should Teach for America Have Recruiting Happy Hours?
So what’s wrong with Teach for America advertising their get-together—uh—recruiting Happy Hour party? Why did parent, Jennifer Proseus, PTA mom extraordinaire, even bother calling it into question on Facebook? I like to socialize and as a teacher I found it helpful to meet after school to talk about issues or just kick back. Almost always, […]
To Watch NBC’s Education Nation or to Not Watch NBC’s Education Nation…That is the Question
It is almost time for…drumroll…NBC’s Education Nation! If you are like me, I like many of the NBC hosts. They are personable. I even think Brian Williams should be a regular on Saturday Night Live. If I have a chance to watch TV in the morning I am torn between the Today Show and Morning […]
Check Out the Philadelphia Declaration of Play and Cheer!
Here is a breath of fresh air for Philadelphia which has seen its share of public school closures. The following is from the Philadelphia Declaration of Play which I am adding to my website under early childhood. Check them out and cheer! The Philadelphia Declaration of Play is an ongoing collaborative project created by local […]
Revisiting “A Strange Ignorance…” LEAD Poisoning and Student Achievement
Today I add a new link to what I believe is an important organization for early childhood education. CLEAR Corps: Protecting the Potential of Children (CC) addresses the serious issue, which I write about in Misguided Education Reform: Debating the Impact on Students, addressing the harmful effects of high blood levels of lead in children […]
More Reform Words Added to The Strange New Education Vocabulary List
I have added more reform words to The Strange New Education Vocabulary List posted August 28. These words create strange emotions in me. First I snicker, then I am sad. Application Coherence Deep understanding Dual intensity Enterprise Fluency Focus Memory Memorization Repetition
Nashville Showdown on the Common Core State Standards
Today senators in Tennessee are meeting to determine the fate of the Common Core State Standards. Some are calling it the Nashville Showdown. Seven speakers on each side of the debate get to speak. Five of the fourteen are from the conservative group the Tennessee Eagle Forum. Here is a list of the speakers and […]