Provide children plenty of recess. Pay attention to child development. Cherish play for children. Encourage teens to socialize. Lower class sizes. Bring back the arts. Provide all students art instruction. Give students credentialed art teachers. Let children dance. Sing-along with students. Teach students to play instruments. Display student art in schools. Bring back school plays. […]
The “Education Revolution”=Chaos!
The Education Revolution—we hear these words a lot lately referring to public schools. Public schools have always incorporated changes to the curriculum. Some have worked and some have not. But the overhaul to make technology-driven charter schools is unproven and drastic. Here’s a list of Silicon Schools. They are charter schools. Groups like the Relay […]
The Best Gift for Children: Saying NO to Summit Online Learning
During this holiday and Christmas season, salute the fine parents of Cheshire, Connecticut who said NO to Summit online learning! Theresa Commune said her 11-year-old son just wanted more attention from teachers than he was getting. “They need teachers to get them to love learning at this stage,” she said. Especially great is that parent […]
Merry Christmas, Betsy DeVos!
Betsy DeVos seems to believe she is doing God’s work when it comes to education in America. So, I thought this Christmas I would gather some of my favorite Bible verses for her to mull over. He is the reason for the season after all. Merry Christmas, Betsy DeVos! The New Republican Tax Bill and […]
Robots for Students with Autism vs. Real Therapists and Teachers
Helping a child on the autistic spectrum with communication is important. A new trend appears to be the use of robots for social instruction. But what are the ethical concerns when it comes to using robots with our most vulnerable students? Will robots take the place of teachers and therapists? It is important to note […]
California’s Reading Crisis: Why Aren’t U.S. Kids Reading Well?
Children in California are not reading well. The New York Times reports that lawyers are suing the state on behalf of three schools, one a charter, for not following state literacy experts who are concerned about students learning English, those with disabilities, and African American and Hispanic students. Here are some thoughts when it comes […]
Require Ed. Secretary Betsy DeVos to Teach in a Public School
Betsy DeVos and any corporate reformer who impacts school policy should be required to spend at least a month each year teaching in a public school classroom. DeVos just attended Gov. Jeb Bush’s ExcelinEd meeting in Nashville. Let Jeb Bush and his corporate friends and politicians who drive corporate reform also teach for a month. […]
How to Help Children Overcome a Bully President
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was asked about President Trump’s ugly “Pocahontas” comment. She said, “I think the president continues to lead in an important direction in our country, and I think that we can all do well to reflect on the things we say before we say them.” But if you are a parent or […]
USDOE Special Ed. Director Nominee’s Ties to Common Core and Personalized Learning
President Trump recently nominated Johnny Collett from Kentucky to be the assistant secretary of education for special education and rehabilitation services for the U.S. Department of Education. Collett once taught high school as a special education teacher, though it is unclear if his college major is special education. But, unlike Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, he […]
Recess Isn’t P.E.: State Legislatures Reframe the Meaning of a Child’s Freedom
”I’d like to sit on the grass,” she confided in a whisper of angelic conspiracy, ” and look for ladybugs.” But there is no time for such lollygagging. The Atlanta public schools, like many districts across the country, have eliminated recess in elementary schools as a waste of time that would be better spent on […]