The reasons for returning to school might sound good, but those reasons always bump up against the enemy, the coronavirus. Here are concerns that deserve attention, but they are the wrong reasons for schools to reopen. 1. President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos say SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL! Neither the President or […]
Happy 4th! Celebrating America’s Teachers, NOT Chromebooks!
Americans miss their public schools, their universities, and their teachers. On this 4th of July we owe much to the frontline hospital healthcare workers who save lives. Also give thanks for America’s teachers. They stand by their students and are trying to navigate uncertainty concerning Covid-19. Back in March, many believed the virus would be a […]
22 Reasons Why Schools Should NOT Reopen in the Fall
Well-meaning parents and schoolboards have been working remotely to determine how to safely reopen schools, but these plans are filled with uncertainty. Many of the changes make schools unrecognizable. The Coronavirus has involved conflicting information. Now we’re seeing an uptick in cases. It’s not what anyone wants, but fall doesn’t seem like a good time […]
The Standardized Testing Horror Show is Not Over!
Several well-received reports and blog posts provide hope that high-stakes standardized testing is reaching the end of its days. Good riddance! But before parents, educators, and students relax, it’s important to realize this horror show is not over. Think of the movie Carrie. The audience shivers through the scary scenes. It wraps up. Then, Stephen […]
Ask Dads How to Reimagine Public Schools!
I would like much better feedback to parents of what their kids need to work on. ~Stuart Jenner, Parent Advocate Dads can be powerful workers at saving public education. Many dads are teachers and parents and they go to bat for their children more than on the baseball field. They recognize that education is important […]
Art at Home, Then Put it Back In Public Schools!
Teachers teach remotely, and parents are helping students at home. Hopefully, children and teens are doing art. Self-expression is important, and art calms and leads to self-discovery. When public schools reopen, when it’s safe to do so, parents and teachers must demand a return of art education with qualified art teachers! Music and drama are […]
Black Students in Poor Schools: It’s Still NCLB!
In The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America, Jonathan Kozol refers to a comment by President George W. Bush about Bush’s goals for education. President Bush said, I went to Washington to challenge the soft bigotry of low expectations. Later, in 2004, he said, It’s working. It’s making a difference. […]
Technology Fails Students. Will It Matter? What’s Next? Private, Parochial, Charters, and Online Programs?
How are schools going to look in the fall? Local school district educators and parents are meeting to draft plans. Weighing heavily on the minds of many is this question, will public schools survive? Will teachers still have a role to play in the education of students? First comes safety. Schools might require a longer period […]
Reimagine Schools after Covid-19? Bring Children Together!
In my mind, I see a line. And over that line, I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me over that line, but I can’t seem to get there no-how. I can’t seem to get over that line. ~ Harriet Tubman Public schools can bring […]
Beware of Education Frenemies!
Frenemies are everywhere when it comes to public education, while many of us fear disaster capitalism as the future of public schools. Dictionary.com defines frenemy as a person or group that is friendly toward another because the relationship brings benefits, but harbors feelings of resentment or rivalry. What makes an education frenemy and not an […]