The debate surrounding how to teach children to read is ongoing. What we tend to forget and ignore is how we learned to read ourselves. I think it’s important to address what helped make us the readers we are today, or what problems we encountered. Perhaps we can recall what worked, and what didn’t, by […]
Beware of Tech Titans Bearing Gifts
Chicago is getting $14 million through the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) that will be used for personalized learning, placing children online for their schooling. They are advertising their gift as “Supporting Chicago’s Teachers in Personalized Learning.” The Chan-Zuckerberg website motto is “We believe in a future for everyone.” Here’s my question. Do they believe in a […]
Stealing Vocational Dreams: Pushing Career Education Too Soon
If you have a middle school student, chances are the school they’re attending is already discussing career options. While there’s always been a place at this age for discussing a child’s hopes and dreams for the future, the push to make career-ready children is creating a lot of anxiety among parents. Much of this involves […]
Can Students Have Teachers, Tech, and Librarians Too?
Is it possible in this fast-paced world, to see a future with technology and professionally credentialed librarians and teachers working alongside one another? Can we be one big happy family? My last post about the loss of librarians and libraries brought a comment from a Follett representative. Follett is a for-profit company that has been […]
Poverty & Reading: The Sad and Troubling Loss of School Libraries and Real Librarians
My last post listed reasons why many children don’t learn to read. Poverty was behind many of the items. Poor students attend poor schools where they miss out on the arts, a whole curriculum, even qualified, well prepared teachers. Students might end up in “no excuses” charter schools with only digital learning. But, next to […]
88 Reasons Why Children Don’t Read Well, and What to Do About It
The NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) repeatedly shows that reading scores are flat, and everyone wonders why. Why aren’t America’s students reading better? What can schools and parents do about it? Brainstorm when it comes to teaching reading. Here are some ideas. If you have thoughts to share, please do. Everyone has good suggestions […]
Put Out to Pasture: Past Education Secretaries and Their Anti-Public School Connections Today
It’s interesting how previous education secretaries go on to jobs that are anti-public schooling, mostly promoting digital learning. Arne Duncan, who was President Obama’s education secretary, just resurfaced to write an Op Ed in the Chicago Tribune. He argues that education reform after his oversight is doing well. Of course many disagree. We know that […]
Discipline: Schools MUST Treat ALL Students Fairly
School discipline is one of the most difficult problems facing public schools. Many private, parochial, and charter schools control enrollment, and choose not to work with students exhibiting disciplinary problems. Public schools should be given credit for working with all students. However, public schools have not always done what’s right when it comes to discipline. […]
Bellwether: The Sheep Leading Teachers, Children, and Parents Off the Cliff!
Long ago, it was common practice for shepherds to hang a bell around the neck of one sheep in their flock, thereby designating it the lead sheep. This animal was called the bellwether. ~Mirriam Webster Dictionary Bellwether Education Partners is one of several nonprofits working with school districts around the country to determine how to […]
“Duck and Cover Kids,” and the Problems with “Teachers Packing”
By Jim Gifford I recall from my youth the cliché “Duck and Cover”. This was the catch-phrase created for our nuclear war drills which were designed to prepare all children at school to hide or “duck” under their own desks in order to survive a hydrogen bomb. Yes, survive a nuclear holocaust. No bombs were […]