Our public schools should be safe, welcoming places, that support the work of teachers, cherish students, and provide a climate and atmosphere conducive for learning. Our public schools should be the pride of our nation! We are all to blame for not caring enough to demand great public schools for all of our children, a […]
Covid and the Continuing Loss of Music in Poor Public Schools!
Music is a tool that brings people together. ~Jon Batiste For years school districts have cut music and the arts. With Covid, one would think there would be a renewed effort to bolster school music programs to lift the spirits of children and families. Music would help to achieve diversity and equity in public education. […]
Democrats the Education Party? Stop Promoting that Message
I’m sorry Democrats didn’t do better last night because they might be somewhat better for public education. Maybe they will regroup and come back stronger for real public education and teacher support. Last night during the election results, the media portrayed Democrats as the education party, but for years Democratic policymakers have turned on teachers […]
Scary Monsters Children Face On Halloween and Beyond, Affecting Their Schooling
Teachers and public schools might be blamed when children struggle to learn. Many variables affect how children do in school, and most are out of a teacher’s control. Support public education and teachers to help families and children make schooling a worthwhile experience. Schools should be an anchor in the community for children and families. […]
In Virginia’s and Other Governors’ and School Board Races: Choose Public School Supporters!
Virginia’s governor’s race with Terry McAuliffe (D) and Glenn Youngkin (R) is close. So get out and vote on November 2, 2021. If Americans are going to save public schools, it will be more likely to happen by voting for the Democratic gubernatorial candidates and school board members. It isn’t always easy to be on board with […]
“The Truth About Reading” Is Missing Truths and Backstory
Americans are getting primed with a trailer for a new documentary called The Truth About Reading. It’s said there needs to be a grassroots movement of parents and educators who are angry and say enough is enough. Wouldn’t it be better if teachers and parents met and shared their concerns about reading at their schools? Schools […]
Universal Pre-K? Good Idea But Concerns About the Curriculum
Most politicians, including presidential candidates, highlight Universal Pre-K (UPK). President Biden is no different. It’s good that the President is concerned about this issue, but the plan deserves scrutiny. Supporting families who need childcare assistance, no matter the child’s age, is critical. Offering UPK for children starting from age three may bring children together, and […]
Cult-Like Social-Emotional Learning? Questioning Valor Charters and Powered by Compass
How many hours during the school day should students reflect upon how they think and act? Valor Collegiate Charter Schools focus heavily on social-emotional learning (SEL). They aggressively market their program Powered by Compass to schools. Students gather in circles to contemplate their lives and analyze their behavior. Valor’s philanthropic partners include the Bill & […]
Florida and Beyond Assessment Snookering: CBE, Common Core, and Embedded Online Testing, No Teacher Required!
Florida’s Governor DeSantis just announced the end of the Florida State Assessment (FSA), and many Floridians are thrilled, just thrilled, thinking this will be the end of the horrible testing cloud that has hovered over children since NCLB. And they’re being led to believe that Common Core is done, but they’re still using iReady and […]
About School Mitigations . . .
When medical experts and leaders discuss Covid-19 and the Delta variant and school safety, they refer to mitigation strategies for keeping students and staff safe. They sound confident that schools will employ layers of organized, controlled, and routine preventative steps. They still don’t seem to understand the problems schools face with mitigations. Or they say […]