Last year, when Covid-19 drove teachers to switch to remote learning, the antennae of those following corporate school reforms over the years shot up. Many had worried about the push for ed-tech to replace teachers and school buildings. Suddenly a strange disease accelerated that agenda. For some, this has led to a dangerous distrust about […]
There’s One Choice Concerning the Delta Variant: Protect Students!
A worrisome rise of the Delta variant in children across the country has raised concerns about mask refusal and school safety. Politicization with contradictions and poor messaging by both political parties creates a dangerous scenario for children. Americans must work together and be realistic about the dangers of this illness to children, not make promises that […]
We Need Clarity and Consistency From the President When it Comes to Democratic Public Schools
President Biden has accomplished much in his first 100 days. He’s a caring President when this is especially needed. There’s much to like about the President’s ideas and, here, for education, but his speech did not highlight some major concerns. He talked strongly about democracy, but he missed the chance to make important points about […]
Will America Invest in Public School Buildings, Finally?
How will the Biden administration manage a public school facelift? Is $100 billion enough? Will communities see a windfall of funding dedicated to this purpose? Will corporate partnerships help? Will Americans see it as an equity issue? Covid-19 showed Americans the importance of public schools, but they still might not understand the crumbling conditions found […]
Kindergarten Learning Loss Message Is HORRIFYING for Children!
No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, high-stakes testing, Common Core, and other bad school reform measures are coming together with Covid-19 to destroy the futures of America’s youngest learners! They include the same equity and disparity talk used to ramp up the above harmful policies. Those changes to schools, all that rigor talk, […]
Questions About The AFT and NEA’s “Learning After Covid Vision”
Teachers are the most important individuals in a child’s schooling, and during the pandemic, they have gone above and beyond to reach out to students. AFT President Randi Weingarten and NEA’s Becky Pringle are to be commended for speaking out about Covid-19 in support of student and teacher safety. The teachers’ unions have been criticized […]
Time for a NEW National Reading Panel to Study Reading Instruction
Reading. It’s one of the most important and controversial topics in education. Reading is the foundational skill required of children to learn. With a new President and educators Dr. Miguel Cardona and Cindy Marten, the time is right to convene a new, inclusive National Reading Panel (NRP). Here’s why this is important, along with some […]
$100M For Children “Learning Faster Than Ever Before” In Tennessee?!
Tennessee lawmakers just signed off on a $100 Million program called Reading 360. Sixty million is federal Covid-19 relief money and $40 million federal grant money. What is this? Why Tennessee? Will other states follow? While the media bombards the public with learning loss warnings, this program is about acceleration. Fast-Track Here’s what the brochure […]
Why Are Schools Opening When Covid-19 is Surging?
It has become a cruel joke. Shut everything down! Stay home! Cancel the holidays! Close everything! But open schools! Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious diseases expert, told Americans to stay home throughout the holiday season, avoid groups, wash hands, wear masks, and stay socially distanced. There’s a horrific death count in case […]
Amplify and iReady Claim Kindergarten and First Grade “Reading Loss” to Profit From the Pandemic
Are kindergartners falling behind in reading due to the pandemic? Amplify and iReady want us to think so. But kindergarten teachers should not be forcing children to learn to read during the pandemic. They shouldn’t have been pushing them to read before Covid-19. Nor should kindergartners be forced to read after the coronavirus becomes a […]