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# Nancy Bailey's Education Website

Revive, Rally and Recover Public Schools

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://nancyebailey.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://nancyebailey.com/blog-3/)
- [The Many Ways to Set Kindergartners Up to Hate Math!](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/07/11/the-many-ways-to-set-kindergartners-up-to-hate-math/) - Math is a wonderful subject! It opens doors to incredible careers in science and to life's great mysteries. But if it's not approached right, early learners could become frightened of it. I've known students who dread the sound of the word math. Of course, dozens of books offer help to conquer math anxiety. For teachers,
- [Public Schools: Protecting The Great Hope of America](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/07/04/public-schools-protecting-the-great-hope-of-america/) - On July 4th, the 250th anniversary of our nation, our democratic public schools are in trouble. At a time of celebration, educators and families from both parties might be wondering what's happening to their public schools. Here, I explore three serious issues (many others) confronting public education and some of the groups and individuals fighting
- [Project 2025: Ending Public Education for Students with Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/07/07/project-2025-ending-public-education-for-students-with-disabilities/) - The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people and be willing to bear the expense of it. ~John Adams, President and Statesman, 1758 The Fourth of July always makes me think of freedom and free public schools for all America's children, including students with disabilities. The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025
- [How to Get Students to School? Stop Driving them Out!](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/06/22/how-to-get-students-to-school-stop-driving-them-out/) - There's much handwringing about absenteeism, even though many understand that corporate school reformers have always wanted students to leave public schools and mosey over to charters, homeschools, parochial schools, or private schools when they can afford them. Indeed, Steele and Hanover of the World Socialist Website offer one of the most honest explanations as to
- [Reasons Children Have Reading Problems that Corporate Reformers Don't Talk About](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/03/20/reasons-children-have-reading-problems-that-corporate-reformers-dont-talk-about/) - We know of many variables that help children learn to read. But well-designed peer-reviewed research continues to be ignored when it comes to these variables. At the same time, states and school districts continue to promote destructive school policies. We know such policies fail. So, why are they still being used? Here’s why some children
- [What About All Those ONLINE Science of Reading Programs?](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/06/10/what-about-all-those-online-science-of-reading-programs/) - Parents crusade against children being exposed to screens in school, questioning the use of AI and social media. Here's a problem. Many states have mandated the Science of Reading for young children in the name of scientific evidence; they and local school districts have invested millions in programs that often involve heavy screen use. The
- [The New York Times Mistaken Ideas About NCLB!](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/05/27/the-new-york-times-mistaken-ideas-about-nclb/) - Recent reports lamenting poor test scores seem to suggest returning to the good old days of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The New York Times recently led the way, reporting, Why U.S. Test Scores Are in a ‘Generation-Long Decline.’ Bring NCLB back? When did it leave? Isn't it a big part of why public schools
- [Recess: Still Denied!](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/05/14/recess-still-denied/) - I recently had to double-check the report's date. American schools have been quietly killing recess to focus on test scores—and pediatricians are warning it's a mistake, by Laura Ungar, which began in the late 1980s. But there it was, 2026. Children are still not getting the academic breaks they need to be healthy. Weren't the
- [Teachers! Appreciate Them Now. They Soon Could Be Gone!](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/05/05/teachers-appreciate-them-now-they-soon-could-be-gone/) - It's Teacher Appreciation Week! While the treats and accolades teachers get this week are, I'm sure, welcome, public school teachers deserve better. Let's examine what has been done to the teaching profession, roadblocks to great teaching, and how conditions could be improved. Corporate school reform has reshaped Americans' thinking about public school teachers, pushing for
- [America's Students Need Great Public Schools for Science!](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/04/25/americas-students-need-great-public-schools-for-science/) - Do Americans understand that great public schools are necessary for scientific advances? While many worry about serious science issues or marvel at amazing scientific accomplishments, who's looking at the science instruction children receive in school today? Ask students what did you learn about science today? Are they excited? If they don't seem to have an
- [Robert Sweet's Early Influence on The Science of Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/04/08/robert-sweets-early-influence-on-the-science-of-reading/) - Today’s Science of Reading (SOR) was born of a right-wing conservative phonics focus. A Nation at Risk helped advance that messaging, and one of the messengers was Robert Sweet, Jr. As the country mandates the Science of Reading (SOR) and invests heavily in unproven programs, marketing disputes flourish over which best align with so-called evidence.
- [There's No "Science of Reading" Without School Libraries and Librarians, A Predictor of Student Success](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/03/01/theres-no-science-of-reading-without-school-libraries-and-librarians-a-predictor-of-student-success/) - The loss of libraries and qualified librarians in the poorest schools has reached a critical mass. Yet those who promote a Science of Reading (SoR), often supporting online reading programs, never mention the loss of school libraries or qualified librarians. Ignoring the importance of school libraries and certified librarians delegitimizes any SoR. Children need books,
- [Grade Retention: The Debate Had Its Day, Now End It!](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/03/21/grade-retention-the-debate-had-its-day-now-end-it/) - The permanency of retention and the message it sends students may have long-term effects on self-esteem and school attachment that may override even short-term academic benefits (1995). ~Melissa Roderick, the Hermon Dunlap Smith Professor at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, the University of Chicago Sometimes failing at a task or endeavor
- [The Science of POOR Kindergarten Reading Instruction](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/03/11/the-science-of-poor-kindergarten-reading-instruction/) - The push to have kindergarteners read through standardized drilling of sounds is one of the main reasons I distrust the Science of Reading (SoR). It's hard to disregard how children develop, their age, and any disabilities they may have. It seems like poor reading instruction. The74 recently gave a good example, even though they likely
- [About that School Trump Referred to in the State of the Union Address...](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/03/01/about-that-school-trump-referred-to-in-the-state-of-the-union-address/) - Donald Trump never mentioned public schools in his State of the Union Address, though February 23-27 was designated to celebrate them. A good President would have tipped their hat to the 3.8 million teachers who take up the challenge of teaching most of America's students in their public schools. Instead, Trump, who has always appeared
- [A New National Reading Panel? It Depends](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/02/19/a-new-national-reading-panel-it-depends/) - ... I believed that because of its weaknesses, the report was dangerous in its potential for misuse. ~ Joanne Yatvin, from Education Week (2003). Educator, former president of the National Council of Teachers of English, and member of the National Reading Panel (1997-2000). In 2021, I advocated for a New National Reading Panel (NRP). It
- [Will School Choice Destroy Athletics as We Know It?](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/02/08/will-school-choice-destroy-athletics-as-we-know-it/) - Americans love sports, but what happens to athletic programs when democratic public schools close? Privatizing public education, so-called school choice, means drastic changes, as school officials grapple with the effects of school choice legislation. Communities rally behind high school football in the fall, basketball during the winter, and track and field in the spring. Public
- [How to Teach Authentic Christianity in Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/02/04/how-to-teach-authentic-christianity-in-public-schools/) - Love your neighbor as yourself. ~Mark 12: 31, the second greatest commandment. Our strength comes from our own immigrant heritage and our capacity to welcome those from other lands. ~President Ronald Reagan Across the country, emboldened by the Trump administration and groups like the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, attempts to push religion into public
- [Saving Public Schools: 23 Issues (At Least) to Ponder for 2024](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/01/01/saving-public-schools-23-issues-at-least-to-ponder-for-2024/) - Happy New Year! Caring for others shines through during the holidays. So, everyone has had time to think about the importance of public education and how we care about all of America's children. Ten years ago, I wrote a book called Losing America's Schools: The Fight to Reclaim Public Education. So, how's it going? Here are
- [McMahon's Troubling School Patriotism Fails to Address The Needs of Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/01/19/mcmahons-troubling-school-patriotism-fails-to-address-the-needs-of-children/) - I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. ~Martin Luther King Jr. Traveling across the country, Education Secretary Linda McMahon is promoting patriotism and "History Rocks," her religious civics
- [Three Overlooked Reasons Why Children Struggle with Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/01/11/three-overlooked-reasons-why-children-struggle-with-reading/) - Three overlooked reasons for children's struggles to read and low test scores include: Unreasonable Expectations, Disabilities and Inclusion, and Fast-Tracking Teachers. Unreasonable Expectations Kindergarten has changed over the years. Instead of a half day, it's a full day. Pressure to read has increased. Some children might show up reading, but it doesn't mean that all
- [Wanted! Presidents/Leaders Who Protect ALL Children!](https://nancyebailey.com/2026/01/02/wanted-presidents-leaders-who-protect-all-children-2/) - The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality. ~James Baldwin A litmus test for a U.S. President and leadership is caring for America's kids and children worldwide. A deciding question when
- [High Expectations and High Standards: The Chatter is Nothing New!](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/12/07/high-expectations-and-high-standards-the-chatter-is-nothing-new/) - For Americans who care about their public schools and have watched them poked at over the years like an abused dog in a cage, Idrees Kahloon's piece in The Atlantic, "America is Sliding Toward Illiteracy," is one more painful read among many. This chatter is nothing new. It's a worn-out rerun, demeaning to teachers, parents,
- [The Elimination of the Professional Status of America's Helpers!](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/11/26/the-elimination-of-the-professional-status-of-americas-helpers/) - On this Thanksgiving, please remember the professionals who lift us throughout our lives. The helpers in the caring professions, nurses, teachers, counselors, speech-language pathologists, and many others (see below), irreplaceable by AI, find themselves in danger of losing their professional status. Donald Trump talks about bringing in foreign workers, while his administration is slighting those who
- [The So-Called Science of Reading's New Focus on Babies](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/11/07/the-so-called-science-of-readings-new-focus-on-babies/) - At the Thomas B. Fordham Wonk-a-Thon, where they ask what should happen next, Elliot Regenstein, a lawyer, states that The science of reading doesn’t start with kindergarten—it starts at birth. Fordham should look in the rearview mirror at the consequences of forcing young children to read before they're ready, as NCLB and Common Core both
- [Scary Monsters Children Face On Halloween and Beyond, Affecting Their Schooling](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/10/31/14-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.
- [Remembering Why There's a Special Education Law](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/10/19/remembering-why-theres-a-special-education-law/) - Donald Trump is destroying programs that help Democratic and Republican kids, including special education. He seems not to understand why laws exist to protect students. Linda McMahon is eliminating the U.S. ED, without Congressional approval, which oversees critical federal laws for public schools, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She fired the special education
- [Forgotten Mercy: Those Who Want Christianity in Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/10/13/forgotten-mercy-those-who-want-christianity-in-public-schools/) - God is love. ~1 John 4:8. Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me. ~Matthew 25:40 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
- [Breaking Up Public Schools Dangerously Divided the Nation!](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/09/25/breaking-up-public-schools-dangerously-divided-the-nation/) - No one is born hating another person. People have to learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. ~Nelson Mandela Free public schools for America's children should unite us. When children learn to appreciate others who are unlike themselves or worship differently, and form friendships, they develop
- [Linda McMahon's Reckless and Scary Disregard for Special Education History](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/08/30/linda-mcmahons-reckless-and-scary-disregard-for-special-education-history/) - Linda McMahon appears unaware of the past progress made in serving students with disabilities in public schools. Nor does she understand the complexities surrounding student needs and the long-time underfunding of education services, or what improvements would make school better. She's sliding America backwards, with devastating repercussions for children with special needs and all students.
- [Ending High Truancy Rates: How to Get Students to School](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/08/10/ending-high-truancy-rates-how-to-get-students-to-school/) - School starts for students whose families rely on public education, which the Trump administration is trying to end. For years, however, school reforms have made schools less personable; as a result, school attendance has decreased, especially since the pandemic. Why do kids reject school? Bullying, harassment, family problems, parental work schedules, mental health, illnesses, transportation,
- [Teacher Age Discrimination During a So-Called Teacher Shortage](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/08/16/teacher-age-discrimination-during-a-so-called-teacher-shortage/) - While I wrote this post ten years ago, I'm still getting heartbreaking comments and emails from veteran teachers with good records and credentials who cannot find teaching positions, despite claims of a teacher shortage. When I first wrote this post in 2015, Jeb Bush was 62, Hillary Clinton was 67, Donald Trump was 69, and
- [The Manufactured Shortage: Driving Teachers Out of the Classroom](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/24/the-manufactured-shortage-driving-teachers-out-of-the-classroom/) - Those in charge of public schools and politicians are hypocrites when it comes to the rhetoric surrounding a teacher shortage! School districts around the country are describing hundreds of classrooms they can't seem to fill with qualified teachers. This has been a manipulated ploy to get rid of veteran teachers and employ alternative, revolving door,
- [AI Literacy for Preschoolers? The Frightening Redefining of Childhood](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/07/28/ai-literacy-for-preschoolers-the-frightening-redefining-of-childhood/) - President Trump's goal to make artificial intelligence (AI) accessible to students in grades K-12 raises far-reaching concerns. Here, I would like to discuss the potential effects this could have on preschool. The right-wing The74 wants to get children using AI before kindergarten. They reference the link noted in my last post, where Donald Trump grins over
- [The TROUBLING Teacher Union Connection to Open AI, Microsoft, and Anthropic](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/07/15/the-troubling-teacher-union-connection-to-open-ai-microsoft-and-anthropic/) - The AFT and UFT have signed an agreement with Open AI, Microsoft, and Anthropic to fund AI teacher training, stating that this will put teachers in the driving seat. Why worry? Here's a list of concerns. Tech companies have made billions for years from public education, with little accountability, and students have not become better learners.
- [This July 4th: What Children See](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/07/04/this-july-4th-what-children-see/) - ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters you did it to me.’ ~Matthew 25:40 (English Standard Version) If you're a parent or a teacher, you know that students are observant. On this Fourth of July, one must ask how to celebrate independence and the freedom
- [The Trump Administration is Ending Special Education!](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/06/29/the-trump-administration-is-ending-special-education/) - ...[B]efore IDEA, before the Department of Education existed. State and local schools did not educate these kids; they barred them from the classrooms. These kids [with disabilities] were institutionalized and abused. There is a reason that the Department of Education and IDEA exist, and it is because educating kids with disabilities can be really hard.
- [Privatization Parallels for National Parks and Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/06/23/privatization-parallels-for-national-parks-and-public-schools/) - Over the years, with the push for school privatization, Americans have increasingly given up ownership of their public schools. Likewise, we're in jeopardy of losing access to national parks and land that should belong to us. These are two very public establishments for the benefit of Americans, and they have a lot in common. For
- [What a Difference Teachers Could Make With $45 Million!](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/06/13/what-a-difference-teachers-could-make-with-45-million/) - President Donald Trump will hold a military parade on his birthday, costing approximately $45 million, claiming it’s for the 250th birthday of the Army and Flag Day. This money might not seem like much to some, and no offense to the army. But I'm thinking about what teachers, known for scrimping and saving, would do
- [Chall's Missing STAGES OF READING DEVELOPMENT in the Science of Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/06/01/challs-missing-stages-of-reading-development-in-the-science-of-reading/) - In a sense, each teacher adds by putting a brick upon another brick in a child's reading development. And together all build a great structure. ~Jeanne S. Chall, Stages of Reading Development (1983, p. 169) Searching the so-called Science of Reading (SoR) research, one may spot citations from the late Harvard reading Professor Jeanne Chall.
- [High School Career Push: For Whom and For What?](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/05/23/high-school-career-push-for-whom-and-for-what/) - Are public school students pushed into aligning their futures with career and technical education (CTE) instead of college to fit business needs, or college instead of CTE? Career education has been politicized and driven by school privatization for years. It doesn't have to be this way. The CTE versus college debate is unnecessary. Both are
- [Mothers and Children Should Be Welcomed and Protected in America!](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/05/11/mothers-and-children-should-be-welcomed-and-protected-in-america/) - On this Mother's Day, many of us will enjoy cards, flowers, brunches, and children who work overtime to show appreciation. Or maybe your kids are teens and will be less than enthusiastic. It happens, and you will hope that it passes soon. Some will start the day with church attendance to thank God for their
- [Teacher Appreciation: An Oxymoron](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/05/09/teacher-appreciation-an-oxymoron/) - Teacher appreciation among Americans has become an oxymoron, and teachers have known this for years. It's not that teachers don't appreciate luncheons, little trinkets, and notes that say, "We love our teachers," or that they don't pile up those heartfelt gifts (poems, pictures, and letters of appreciation from students and parents) to review forever. The
- [RFK Jr. Eliminates Biden's Progress to Protect Children From Lead Poisoning](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/05/05/rfk-jr-eliminates-bidens-progress-to-protect-children-from-lead-poisoning/) - The Trump administration is “saying let them drink lead.” ~Tom Perkins, The Guardian, February 3, 2025 How much lead will your child drink today? RFK Jr. espouses many backward and harmful conspiracies about children's health. Sadly, one issue he casts aside that hurts kids is the lead pipes distributing drinking water in homes, schools, and other
- [Separation of Church and State: Critical for Public Schools and America!](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/05/01/separation-of-church-and-state-critical-for-public-schools-and-america/) - The Supreme Court may be poised to erode the Separation of Church and State further when it comes to public education, with St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond. This involves Oklahoma's St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School’s attempt to become the nation’s first publicly funded religious virtual charter school. St. Isidore is
- [RFK Jr., Autism, and Education: The Wrong Person for Progress](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/04/25/rfk-jr-autism-and-education-the-wrong-person-for-progress/) - Never underestimate the abilities of those with disabilities. ~Eunice Kennedy Shriver Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent comments about autism, including describing it as a "disease," created an uproar. Kennedy seems to be on a fishing expedition for a cure; one gets the feeling he still wants to blame vaccines, and his stigmatizing comments that autism
- [The Seamy Side of CTE](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/04/15/the-seamy-side-of-cte/) - Vocational education, now called Career Technical Education (CTE), emphasizing STEM, has always been important for students who are not college-bound or want skills outside of traditional coursework. Done well, this preparation can lead to vital, well-paying jobs that young people find exciting. However, for some time, CTE has tracked K-12 students using school data. For years,
- [Dismantling Public Education: No Laughing Matter!](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/03/25/dismantling-public-education-no-laughing-matter/) - Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone... ~Joni Mitchell Many educators and parents found it painful watching Donald Trump sign off on dismantling the US Department of Education (USDOE). For those who taught and continue to teach and parent activists fighting for public education, observing billionaires and state
- [NCLB's Curse: 12 Reasons Reading Scores are STILL Poor](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/03/05/nclbs-curse-12-reasons-reading-scores-are-still-poor/) - Recent NAEP reading scores show students have made negligible improvement in reading. While there could be various reasons for this, it's critical to recognize that the curse of NCLB policies has driven public education for almost 25 years, and changing course and reevaluating what isn't working is essential. NCLB led to Common Core State Standards,
- [We Need Clarity and Consistency From the President When it Comes to Democratic Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/04/30/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
- [What Does the U.S. Department of Education Do? Enforcing Laws to Protect Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/02/12/what-does-the-u-s-department-of-education-do-enforcing-laws-to-protect-students/) - Americans might not understand how the US Department of Education (US DOE) statutes work or their importance. President Trump, former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and many billionaires believe the department should be abolished. However, students rely on the US DOE's federal laws and services. These individuals wish to privatize public schools, ending the US DOE
- [Is This the Final Knockdown of America's Public Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/02/05/is-this-the-final-knockdown-of-americas-public-schools/) - Many well-prepared educators have spent years teaching and leading schools and are well-prepared to improve public education, even making our schools the best in the world! Instead, Trump chose an education secretary, Linda McMahon, who could lead the final knockdown of America's public schools. More about McMahon in a minute. Trump, Musk, and Maga Republicans
- [Sal Khan and AI Reimagined Schools: Questions and Concerns](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/01/27/sal-khan-and-ai-reimagined-schools-questions-and-concerns/) - Recently, 60 Minutes showcased Sal Khan, known for the popular Khan Academy, describing Sal Khan's Khanmigo, a new AI-powered program promising to revolutionize teaching by giving students an online personal tutor. Here's Khan's TED talk, "How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education," Khanmigo's format, feedback, and human-like online conversation and interactions are clever and innovative.
- [Republican Kids in Public Schools Also Lack Mittens](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/01/21/republican-kids-in-public-schools-also-lack-mittens/) - A brother or sister in Christ might need clothes or food. If you say to that person, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you do not give what that person needs, your words are worth nothing. In the same way, faith by itself—that does nothing—is dead.
- [Honor President Carter: Save and Improve the U.S. Department of Education!](https://nancyebailey.com/2025/01/06/honor-president-carter-save-and-improve-the-u-s-department-of-education/) - President Jimmy Carter, a peacemaker and human rights activist, improved public schooling by establishing the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), removing it from its less significant place in Health and Human Services. Carter seemed keen to unite people; a USDOE aligns with that thinking. As the nation mourns and celebrates President Carter, it's ironic that
- [Give the Gift of Removing Reading Pressure on Kindergartners!](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/12/24/give-the-gift-of-removing-reading-pressure-on-kindergartners/) - This holiday season, give children the gift of reading. One of the best ways to do that is to relieve the pressure of insisting they read early. Some children might pick up reading when they're very young, but others will learn a little later, and there's nothing wrong with this. However, children who are made
- [How Assessment and Data are Used to Stigmatize Children as Failing](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/12/07/how-assessment-and-data-are-used-to-stigmatize-children-as-failing/) - School districts continue to purchase high-cost commercialized tests that depersonalize teaching, stigmatize children and schools as failing, and build public distrust. Assessment should inform educators and parents about where children are academically and behaviorally, but it doesn't appear to improve learning. Current tests appear to primarily be used to collect data, invading a child's and
- [Education: The Democratic Party's Working-Class Issue](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/11/26/education-the-democratic-partys-working-class-issue/) - If the Statue of Liberty opened the gateway to this country, public education opened the door to attainment here. Schools like my sister’s Buffalo State Teachers College and CCNY have served as the Harvards and Princetons of the poor. And they served us well. I am, consequently, a champion of public secondary and higher education.
- [Closing the U.S. Department of Education: A LOSS for Children with Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/11/11/closing-the-u-s-department-of-education-a-loss-for-children-with-disabilities/) - Donald Trump just proclaimed the Project 2025 agenda in 10 points about education. As expected, this includes dismantling the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), responsible for many federal laws protecting students. This post will focus on the loss of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. Many believe that states and local school districts
- [Ending School Vouchers: Finding Hope for Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/11/08/ending-school-vouchers-finding-hope-for-public-schools/) - Searching for hope after this election, it seems many people see through the deceptive promise of school choice. There's danger that the new administration may ignore this, but let's hope not. Public schools were hardly discussed this election, and that's a shame, because saving them is essential for our democracy. America needs a strong public
- [Halloween and The Value of Make-Believe to Reading and Emotional Development](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/10/30/halloween-and-the-value-of-make-believe-to-reading-and-emotional-development/) - It is not mere childish escapism. There is a political aspect to it – we won’t try to change this world unless we are able to imagine another reality. One could say all change starts with fantasy. ~Cornelia Funke, German author of children’s fiction. Here comes Halloween! Parents and teachers sometimes dread Halloween, the candy
- [Children and the Presidency: X-Rated or Fine for Prime Time?](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/10/23/children-and-the-presidency-x-rated-or-fine-for-prime-time/) - As the election approaches, the stakes of how and what children learn, what they see and hear from both Presidential candidates, couldn't be more different and critical for the future of America's children. Breaking it down for kids, one candidate is X-rated, and the other is fine for prime time! For years, former President Trump's
- [Questioning the Classroom Impact of Neuroscience and the Science of Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/10/13/questioning-the-classroom-impact-of-neuroscience-and-the-science-of-reading/) - Suppose one tries to debate the Science of Reading (SoR) and what it is precisely. They will likely be met by cognitive psychologists, parents, and educators who are insistent about the importance of neuroscience. Trying to understand how the brain works and why some children have learning disabilities has existed for decades. I'm staring at
- [Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Need Help!](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/09/13/students-with-emotional-and-behavioral-disorders-need-help/) - Public schools stand out for their inclusive approach toward students with disabilities, in stark contrast to many charter, private, and parochial schools. This unwavering commitment ensures that every student, including those with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), receives the necessary support to thrive socially and academically. The CDC reports that 1 in 5 children have
- [The Madness of EdTech: All or Nothing Options](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/09/02/the-madness-of-edtech-all-or-nothing-options/) - By Emily Cherkin, MEd. Recently, my daughter, grade 6, had to turn in an illustrated graph for Science. She was proud of the beautiful colored pencil work she did and I loved the fact that she actually had a paper-based assignment. As is typical of my creatively-brained child, however, she realized the morning it was
- [Breaking Down the Harris/Walz Education Plan](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/08/28/breaking-down-the-harris-walz-education-plan/) - Voting for Trump/Vance and Project 2025 would devastate public education. Most Republican Governors are working hard to end our public schools. For example, Cheryl Binkley describes how Virginia, a state whose public schools have been some of the best in the nation, is being privatized under Rep. Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Similar scenarios are happening in
- [Crystal Ball: A President, VP, and the Future of Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/08/12/crystal-ball-a-president-vp-and-the-future-of-public-schools/) - Clairvoyance is the name of the game when it comes to public schools, the Democratic party, and Presidential elections. In contrast, we know Republicans want to end them. Vice President Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, have yet to devise an education agenda. Walz's past as a teacher, coach, and governor and his
- [How to Find Out if A Teacher is Qualified](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/04/01/how-to-find-out-if-a-teacher-is-qualified/) - School districts used to be vigilant about ensuring teachers had state credentials. That no longer appears to be the case. Many online programs are unaccredited, and fast-track teacher preparation programs put almost anyone in the classroom with little educational background. However, a parent has the right to know who’s teaching their child. If you're a
- [The Comprehension Problem with New Reading Programs: Ignoring the Books Children LIKE to Read!](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/06/24/the-comprehension-problem-with-new-reading-programs-ignoring-the-books-children-like-to-read/) - I'm not a gambler, but if I were, I'd bet that a lot of parents whose elementary school-age children are getting explicit phonics instruction, memorizing rules, and who can define words like diphthong and schwa will be disappointed when their children get to high school and couldn't care less about reading. New reading programs promising
- [Ask When Children Should Begin to Read](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/06/05/ask-when-children-should-begin-to-read/) - In 1936, Mabel Vogel Morphett and Carleton Washburne wrote When Should Children Begin to Read? a research paper published in The Elementary School Journal. This is a critical question because if children are pushed to read before they're ready, they might not get it, then hate it, fail to read later and decide that reading
- [The Science of Reading and The Rejection of Picture Books](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/03/26/the-science-of-reading-and-the-rejection-of-picture-books/) - The Science of Reading rejects the importance of picture books to children learning to read. In 2021, I wrote this, and many parents assumed that schools still use picture books and that children get exposure to them at home. The general idea was that picture books were taken for granted. But while there are quibbles
- [Reports Show How Phonics Crowds Out Quality Reading Like Picture Books](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/05/29/reports-show-how-phonics-crowds-out-quality-reading-like-picture-books/) - In 2023, Science of Reading (SoR) supporters were offended by The Science of Reading and the Rejection of Picture Books. At that time, I included reports and observations showing an overfocus on phonics instead of reading for enjoyment in SoR classrooms. If you're a teacher who combines phonics with reading picture books for enjoyment and
- [Ask Moms How to Reimagine Public Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/05/10/ask-moms-how-to-reimagine-public-schools/) - I want my public schools to help children discover their unique gifts and talents so they may enter the world with confidence and purpose. ~Lyn Franklin Hoyt, Mom and Public School Advocate The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other power brokers, plan to remake public schools. The timing is right to ask the mothers of
- [Serving Moms of Students with Special Needs in Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/10/serving-moms-of-students-with-special-needs-in-public-schools/) - This Mother’s Day I thought I’d direct my attention to moms who have students with special needs, and ask, “How could public schools do a better job of helping them out?” Of course this relates to dads too, but usually moms are more on the front line and it is their day! Education Secretary Arne
- [Stuck on the Merry-Go-Round of Bad Ed. Policy for 40 Years!](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/05/06/stuck-on-the-merry-go-round-of-bad-ed-policy-for-40-years/) - Can you imagine never being able to jump off a Merry Go Round? The fight over education policy is like that. It involves the same worn-out problems that could have been addressed years ago if Americans truly got behind their democratic public schools. The middle class and the poor, Democrats and Republicans, who understand the
- [Lacking Civics Education and School Privatization](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/14/lacking-civics-education-and-school-privatization/) - Many of us are worried about America’s future. It's never too late to ask how civics education is being addressed in our public schools. Public schools don't usually teach civics well. Have you ever wondered why it isn’t a priority? The National Council for the Social Studies claims we have narrowed the curriculum over the
- [There's Too Much Stuff on Classroom Walls!](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/04/24/theres-too-much-stuff-on-classroom-walls/) - Classroom walls for young children learning to read are often covered with words, letters, word sounds, symbols, vocabulary, and even speech therapy pronunciation mouths, which are creepy. For years, Word Walls have ruled. Bare walls are also dull and uninviting, but Word Walls scream emergency. Children must learn fast, real fast, and it's laid out
- [Where's the "Evidence" in State-Mandated Science of Reading Programs?](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/04/17/wheres-the-evidence-in-state-mandated-science-of-reading-programs/) - Last I looked, thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia have signed reading laws (Schwartz 2024). Parents, educators, school administrators, and state and local policymakers hear the Science of Reading is critical for children to read, and "evidence-based" and "research-based" are words tagged to make believers. But finding the evidence takes work. Scholars are raising
- [The Public Ed Threat Behind the Knowledge Building Curriculum](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/03/29/the-public-ed-threat-behind-the-knowledge-building-curriculum/) - Knowledge Building is used to market curriculum programs, many of which are online, but what does it mean? It seems that Knowledge Building highlights technology and moves children to a place where they won't need teachers or public schools, at least not the kind we are familiar with. Knowledge Building makes some sense, making it deceptive.
- [Can Early Academic Pressure Cause Learning Disabilities?](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/03/15/can-early-academic-pressure-cause-learning-disabilities/) - When children face pressure to learn to read early in kindergarten and run into trouble, will they be diagnosed with learning disabilities when they only need more time? Creating one-size-fits-all, high-stakes standardized tests demanding children read by first grade creates pressure on the child, parent, and teacher. Higher-than-usual expectations have existed since 2001, and NCLB
- [How Losing the Arts in Public Schools Hurts Students and Their Future Careers](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/07/how-losing-the-arts-in-public-schools-hurts-students-and-their-future-careers/) - President G.W. Bush loves to paint and has recently gotten recognition for his artwork, but does he know how his administration squelched the arts for millions of public school students, thereby also stifling their chances of a good career in the arts? That's right. There are jobs in the arts! NCLB included the arts. It
- [Public Schools: Free, Open to All Students, Owned by the American People](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/03/02/public-schools-free-open-to-all-students-owned-by-the-american-people/) - We just wrapped up public school week. A week? Shouldn't Americans be grateful for free public schooling and a nation that raises children to understand their world? And do they recognize how they own their schools and how public education has been under attack? Soon, Americans will pay for everything in education. Sadly, some have turned on
- [14 Devious Claims to Destroy Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/04/21/14-devious-claims-to-destroy-special-education/) - Around the country, state education chiefs, local school superintendents, and school boards are eliminating special education services. There's an effort to get rid of special education. Sometimes, this is done through language that sounds appealing. Who doesn’t want a quality education for all children? Why not declassify students? Do schools need part-time resource classes for
- [America’s Need for Immeasurable Outcomes: Valuing the Humanities](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/02/24/americas-need-for-immeasurable-outcomes-valuing-the-humanities/) - In Immeasurable Outcomes: Teaching Shakespeare in the Age of the Algorithm, Gayle Greene, professor emerita at Scripps College, raises serious questions about the loss of the humanities. The problems she tells us begin in K12, with a cold focus on accountability, reducing students to test scores and algorithms with students facing screens instead of teachers.
- [26 Reasons to Love Teachers During the Pandemic](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/02/14/26-reasons-to-love-teachers-during-the-pandemic/) - Let teachers know how much they're cared for on Valentine's Day! Their mental health is important during this troubling time, so reach out and say something kind. No matter what anyone thinks about school reopenings it's important to express love and appreciation for all that teachers do and have done during the pandemic. While Covid-19
- [Student Differentiation v. Alignment: Know the Difference and Set Children Free](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/02/12/student-differentiation-v-alignment-know-the-difference-and-set-children-free/) - In a democracy that stresses freedom and individuality, education reformers remade public schools focusing on aligning children to narrow high-stakes standards, even before Common Core State Standards appeared in 2010. It isn't easy to differentiate when the end goal is the same narrow standard. Standards don't involve differentiating how children learn. Teachers might try individual
- ["Back to Basics" Again! What Does it Mean for Students and Teachers?](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/02/04/back-to-basics-again-what-does-it-mean-for-students-and-teachers/) - Many of our elected officials have virtually handed the keys to our schools over to corporate interests. Presidential commissions on education are commonly chaired by the executives of large companies. ~Alfie Kohn, The Schools Our Children Deserve: Moving Beyond Traditional Classrooms and "Tougher Standards" (p. 15, 1999) Back to Basics is back! Those famous words
- [How PICTURE Books Help TEACH Comprehension and Phonics!](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/09/27/how-picture-books-help-teach-comprehension-and-phonics/) - When he looks at the pictures, he'll get so excited he'll want to draw one of his own. He'll ask for paper and crayons. ~Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond. If You Give A Mouse a Cookie Regarding how teachers teach reading, it's alarming that pictures get a bad rap. One of the best
- [18 Issues for Ed. Secretary Cardona to Better Drive the School Bus](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/01/24/18-issues-for-ed-secretary-cardona-to-better-drive-the-school-bus/) - Education Secretary Cardona focuses on reducing absenteeism, tutoring, and after-school programs. And he refers to raising the bar, which sounds like A Nation at Risk talk. Yet there are so many K12 issues that Cardona and the Biden administration could address, lead, and support the states and local school districts. Here are some educational issues
- [Smaller Class Sizes and REAL Personalized Learning are Needed for Safer Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/05/20/smaller-class-sizes-and-real-personalized-learning-are-needed-for-safer-schools/) - *This post was written in 2018, after the school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas. Ask how large class sizes are today, and what schools are logically doing to improve safety. Once again, families and a community are mourning—this time in Santa Fe, Texas. Policymakers must address gun control, mental health services, and school safety. There’s
- [Science of Reading and EL Education: What is It?](https://nancyebailey.com/2024/01/09/science-of-reading-and-el-education-what-is-it/) - School privatization was born of manufactured crisis, and one of the so-called crises today is reading instruction. Not that reading shouldn't be debated and improved when it's called for, especially for children experiencing learning disabilities. Still, the frenzy surrounding reading in this country has become fever-pitched. It has divided teachers who want to do what's
- [Courses We Once Knew: The Loss of Geography in a Common Core World](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/19/courses-we-once-knew-the-loss-of-geography-in-a-common-core-world/) - How did you learn about your town, state, country, and the world? What did you learn about the cultures of the people living in those places, the physical characteristics of the land, and all the other skills necessary to understand geography? Are today’s students knowledgeable about their world? Specifically, what happened to geography? While the
- [Will The Real Recess Stand Up? It's NOT Playworks, Phys. Ed., Meditating, or Brain Breaks!](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/12/15/will-the-real-recess-stand-up-its-not-playworks-phys-ed-meditating-or-brain-breaks/) - The lack of breaks for children and the misrepresentation of what constitutes recess continues to flourish. School reformers try unsuccessfully to replace recess. But recess is not Playworks, Phys.Ed., meditation, or Brain Breaks controlled by adults who tell children what to do, denying them the ability to learn academic and social skills that recess provides
- [Saving Kindergarten! Real Teachers Write the Kinderchat Guides with Real Solutions!](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/11/29/saving-kindergarten-real-teachers-write-the-kinderchat-guides-with-real-solutions/) - In 2022, co-authors Heidi Echternacht and Amy Murray wrote The Kinderchat Guide to the Classroom. They're the founders of the famous #Kinderchat that started on Twitter years ago. Since NCLB, kindergarten has changed with demands far beyond what used to be considered developmentally appropriate. Many kindergarten teachers will recognize themselves facing a juggling act, satisfying
- [41 Ways a Big Lie Continues to Haunt America's Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/11/20/41-ways-a-big-lie-continues-to-haunt-americas-public-schools/) - Forty years ago, Americans learned of A Nation at Risk, the troubling and mostly bogus report by the Reagan administration claiming public schools and teachers failed to produce students who were capable American workers. Berliner's and Biddle's The Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack on America's Public Schools disproved the report, but it still
- [Grade Retention is Unnecessary!](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/10/31/grade-retention-is-unnecessary/) - Studies have linked dropout rates in Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina to the effects of grade retention, student discouragement, and school exclusion policies stimulated by high-stakes tests. ~Linda Darling-Hammond, the Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Emeritus at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and former President and CEO of the Learning
- [FORCE & FLUNK: Destroying a Child’s Love of Reading—and Their Life](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/10/09/force-flunk-destroying-a-childs-love-of-reading-and-their-life/) - We are now in the dangerous era of FORCE & FLUNK when it comes to children and reading. Here’s how it works. FORCE A frenzy surrounding reading is caused by school reformers and the media, claiming children are not learning to read fast enough. Kindergarten is the new first grade, automatically making preschool the new
- [Where's Evidence from The Reading League's Corporate Sponsors?](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/10/17/wheres-evidence-from-the-reading-leagues-corporate-sponsors/) - The Reading League, which promotes the Science of Reading and evidence-based instruction, recently had a conference sponsored by companies (listed below) selling reading programs and materials, including online instruction. Where's evidence these companies provide authentic research indicating they work? Some states and school districts now mandate the Science of Reading (Schwartz, 2022). They have ruled out
- [Raising the Bar on Kindergartners: A Nation at Risk Lives On](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/09/13/raising-the-bar-on-kindergartners-a-nation-at-risk-lives-on/) - History is not kind to idlers. ~The Reagan administration's A Nation at Risk (1983, p.7) In What Happened to Recess and Why are our Children Struggling in Kindergarten, Susan Ohanian writes about a kindergartner in a New York Times article who tells the reporter they would like to sit on the grass and look for
- [The State of School Recess in America is Still Terrible!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/06/22/the-state-of-school-recess-in-america-is-still-terrible/) - One might assume state policymakers had improved school recess for children, considering their databases, but except for a few places, most school districts still deny children recess. They don't appear to understand that children need and deserve unstructured school breaks several times a day. Unstructured is key. When they discuss recess they usually still mean
- [10 Years Later: The Continuing Intentional Unraveling of America's Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/08/27/10-years-later-the-continuing-intentional-unraveling-of-americas-public-schools/) - School reform continues to privatize and destroy public schools. August marks ten years since I began blogging. Within that time I have written two books and co-authored a third with Diane Ravitch. I'm proud of all this writing but Losing America's Schools: The Fight to Reclaim Public Education is the book title that especially stands
- [When One School District Falls: HISD is a Preview for All Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/08/02/when-one-school-district-falls-hisd-is-a-preview-for-all-schools/) - I think there is a likelihood that we will be seeing more state takeover of districts. ~Kenneth Wong, education policy researcher and former advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, March 28, 2023 Houston faces harsh public school reforms, a sad example of the continuing efforts in America to destroy all public education and
- [Who is Your Child's Teacher?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/13/who-is-your-childs-teacher/) - Who is your child’s teacher? Are they a fully prepared, appropriately credentialed teacher, or a fast-tracker, a person who didn’t learn much about students, who maybe knows a subject, but essentially nothing about how children learn? Public schools should provide every child with a real teacher prepared in the area they're teaching, and they should
- [The Racism Behind Firing Librarians and Closing School Libraries](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/05/26/the-racism-behind-firing-librarians-and-closing-school-libraries/) - Once you learn to read, you will be forever free. ~Frederick Douglass If a school has no school library or a flimsy excuse for a library, students are denied access to books and reading material. They miss opportunities to learn information and become proud of who they are. Look for racism behind the decision. When
- [Little-Discussed Reasons Why Students Might Not Like to Read](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/07/19/little-discussed-reasons-why-students-might-not-like-to-read/) - Students don’t like to read. These rarely discussed reasons may explain why. Kindergarten is no longer a garden. Kindergartners are pressured to read. Before NCLB, over twenty years ago, this was unheard of and still makes no sense. Formal reading instruction once began in first grade. Children in the not-too-distant past were given time to
- [Universal Preschool Cookie-Cutter Pressure: Head Start's Troubling Framework](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/11/13/universal-preschool-cookie-cutter-pressure-head-starts-troubling-framework/) - There is no such thing as a “developmentally appropriate curriculum” for three- and four-year-olds. Common sense should tell us that. ~Dr. Peter Gray, The Case Against Preschool in Psychology Today. Universal preschool might better be called daycare, a program for young children to socialize, have free play, and experience lovely learning-rich experiences before school. It
- [Driving Teachers Out! The Longtime Plan to End A Great Profession](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/12/02/driving-teachers-out-the-longtime-plan-to-end-a-great-profession/) - The pandemic has been rough on teachers, but there has for years been an organized effort to end a professional teaching workforce by politicians and big businesses. In 1992, The Nation’s cover story by Margaret Spillane and Bruce Shapiro described the meeting of President H. W. Bush and a roomful of Fortune 500 CEOs who
- [The Murky World of i-Ready, Grading, and Online Data](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/02/07/the-murky-world-of-i-ready-grading-and-online-data/) - Many school districts use Curriculum Associates i-Ready in their classrooms for reading and math, but there appears to be program murkiness. There’s concern that teachers might rely on iReady data for grading rather than their professional expertise. I-Ready provides teachers with data reports of student results, but teachers never see the child’s online responses. They
- [Does this Summer Reading Program Bypass Librarians, Teachers, and Fun, While Tracking Students?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/07/24/does-this-summer-reading-program-bypass-librarians-teachers-and-fun/) - READS is a summer program for disadvantaged children promoted by the i3 (Investing in Innovation) Fund and The Wallace Foundation. It uses computer algorithms to figure out a student’s interests. Next, it matches them to books. It gives students in kindergarten through fifth grade 10 free books, but there are strings attached. Both the i3
- [Why Some Parents Turn Their Backs on Public Schools, And What Can Be Done About It](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/07/30/why-some-parents-turn-their-backs-on-public-schools-and-what-can-be-done-about-it/) - Why do parents remove their children from public schools? Why do they switch to homeschooling, private, or charter schools? What makes them believe that technology is the answer to their child’s problems? Sometimes, it's simply because they prefer other settings, and they have no complaints about public schooling. But parents who remove their children from
- [3 Ways to Lose Democratic Public Schools: The Crisis on This 4th of July](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/07/04/3-ways-to-lose-democratic-public-schools-the-crisis-on-this-4th-of-july/) - When hanging the flag, please stop and think about public education, freedom, and what schools could be like. So much has been done to privatize schools that they may be a shell of their potential. Corporate reformers have changed how America's students are educated, and politicians from both parties have, for years, evaded, ignored, or facilitated
- [Is Mississippi Shifting to Online Teacher Education with Reading Universe?](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/06/27/is-mississippi-shifting-to-online-teacher-education-with-reading-universe/) - Switching from face-to-face, in-person public education to computer screens is concerning. It's happening in K12 and appears to be driving privatization with teacher education at the university level. The Science of Reading lends itself to this, but there's little proof online instruction makes better students or teachers. So far, research supporting this is hard to
- [88 Reasons Why Children Don’t Read Well, and What to Do About It](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/04/15/76-reasons-and-more-why-children-dont-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
- [The Science of Reading Corporate Connection: Replacing Teachers with Tech](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/05/23/the-science-of-reading-corporate-connection-replacing-teachers-with-tech/) - Many of the same individuals who favor charter schools, private schools, and online instruction, including corporate reformers, use the so-called Science of Reading (SoR) to make public school teachers look like they’ve failed at teaching reading. Politicians and corporations have had a past and current influence on reading instruction to privatize public schools with online
- [Problem-Solving through Play: What Children Miss with Age-Inappropriate Expectations](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/06/11/problem-solving-through-play-what-children-miss-with-age-inappropriate-expectations/) - Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. ~Fred Rogers Lately, when do children get chances to solve problems through unstructured play? How much time do they spend in school thinking, discovering, and figuring things
- [Can a State Reading Program Be a Success if Students are Segregated and Hungry?](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/06/07/can-a-state-reading-program-be-a-success-if-students-are-segregated-and-hungry/) - Nicholas Kristof's recent New York Times opinion piece, Mississippi Is Offering Lessons for America on Education, showcases a troubling disregard for segregated schooling and the poverty in which children find themselves. Mississippi's Segregated Public Schools His article also begs questioning due to its focus on the agenda of ExcelinEd, former governor Jeb Bush's education lobbying group,
- [101 Reasons Why Interactions in Classroom Settings are Better than Teacherless Online Instruction](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/04/19/101-reasons-why-interactions-in-classroom-settings-are-better-than-teacherless-online-instruction/) - Students learn from each other when given opportunities to interact in small classroom settings under the direction of well-informed, qualified teachers. Teacherless online programs where children face screens to work on rote exercises miss valuable keys to learning. Yet students are bombarded with more technology; however, reports indicate how risky too much technology can be!
- [Third-Grade Retention: Parents Show Common Ground Fighting It](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/05/28/third-grade-retention-parents-show-common-ground-fighting-it/) - My last post criticized Science of Reading (SoR) advocates for not fighting against third-grade retention or believing it's good remediation for reading problems. Third-grade retention based on a test is a ploy to drive parents to take their children out of public schools. Some parents with children who have dyslexia, who believe in the SoR,
- [Why Do Science of Reading Advocates Accept Unscientific Third-Grade Retention?](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/05/24/why-do-science-of-reading-advocates-accept-unscientific-third-grade-retention/) - How can anyone who claims the Science of Reading is real think it's OK to retain a third-grade child based on one test or for any reason? If ever evidence or science existed involving education, understanding the rottenness of retention would be it. Yet some of the same people who believe using phonics (and more)
- [When the Last Real Teacher Says Goodbye: The Dangerous Myths Driving Their Exit](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/05/13/when-the-last-real-teacher-says-goodbye-the-dangerous-myths-driving-their-exit/) - As this year's Teacher Appreciation Week ends, Americans might want to think about a country without real teachers. In the future, technology may control and monitor children. Their data will continue to be sought after by companies. Teaching will increasingly be about profitmaking, and tutors or fast-track trained Teach for America types will supervise classrooms
- [The Troubling Focus on Testing Rewards, Testing Pep Rallies, and Test Prep Bootcamps](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/05/09/the-troubling-focus-on-testing-rewards-testing-pep-rallies-and-test-prep-bootcamps/) - With spring comes heightened concerns about public school students facing high-stakes standardized tests and the troubling focus on testing rewards, testing pep rallies, and test prep boot camps. It makes schooling and a student's worth all about the test. Testing is a serious business. Test results have been used to rate teacher performance unfairly, and
- [Fighting for a Public School for Students with Autism and Neurodiversity: Choices Parents Want](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/04/26/fighting-for-a-public-school-for-students-with-autism-and-neurodiversity-choices-parents-want/) - For years, parents of children with special needs have demanded classroom inclusion. They want a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in general classes, the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). But in Philadelphia, parents want a public school for students with autism and neurodiversity. They recognize that their students are not getting the resources or teachers they
- [Special Education and School Choice: Not Great Choices, If Any](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/07/24/special-education-and-school-choice-not-great-choices-if-any/) - Years of school reforms have stripped public schools of disability services, creating problems for parents (See Carl Peterson’s recent Exterminating Special Education). Parents may turn to charter, parochial or private schools, online learning, or homeschooling, only to find choices lacking, or the school may not want their child, leaving parents in the lurch. Charter Schools
- [Who's Behind PBS News Hour's Gloomy Reporting About Student Learning?](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/04/16/whos-behind-pbs-news-hours-gloomy-reporting-about-student-learning/) - Arne Duncan (Obama) and Margaret Spellings (G. W. Bush), noneducators and former education secretaries, recently appeared on PBS News Hour, Study shows parents overestimate their student's academic progress to dash any hope parents might have that their children are doing well in school. Who's behind such gloomy reporting? Here's how PBS begins, and here's the survey:
- [What Does ChatGPT Say About The Science of Reading? It May Surprise You](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/03/19/what-does-chatgpt-say-about-the-science-of-reading-it-may-surprise-you/) - ChatGPT is raising concerns about the future of learning and advancing a new way to obtain information. Since many journalists, cognitive psychologists, educators, and parents claim that the Science of Reading (SoR) is the authentic way all children will learn to read, and there's a drive for states to adopt expensive SoR programs, I asked
- [How Stressing Preschoolers and Kindergarteners Could Lead to Mental Health Problems](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/03/13/how-stressing-preschoolers-and-kindergarteners-could-lead-to-mental-health-problems/) - There has been a pushdown of academic expectations for years, and Americans should be asking how much stress this causes all students, especially our youngest learners. If a child struggles in preschool or kindergarten, it might be due to pressure. Why force children to rush through preschool and kindergarten to learn skills that never would
- [Will the Future Include Free Democratic Public Schools and Teachers?](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/02/22/will-the-future-include-free-democratic-public-schools-and-teachers/) - Will today's babies grow up with free democratic public schools, or will they attend schools stratified by wealth, with parents paying most of the cost, schools that allow for few differences, cyber schools without real teachers but online instruction, which collect unlimited data on children used for commercial and career tracking purposes? Will they be
- [Kindergarten Critical Connection: Picture Books Teach Sounds and Generate Interest!](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/02/06/kindergarten-critical-connection-picture-books-teach-sounds-and-generate-interest/) - There is a push for kindergartners to learn to read without focusing on picture books and opportunities to speak and listen naturally, verbalizations critical for this age and development. Instead, vocalizations are now highly scripted with primarily phonics instruction. It's well understood that speaking and listening are critical skills at this period in a child's
- [Reading Disabilities: Focus on Public Schools NOT School Choice!](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/01/29/reading-disabilities-focus-on-public-schools-not-school-choice/) - Parents of children with reading disabilities might be led to believe that school choice for a charter or private school is better than an actual public school. Still, there needs to be proof that those schools are better or that children will get accepted into good schools. Students may lose protection under the Individuals with Disabilities
- [Saving Public Schools for ALL Our Children in the New Year](https://nancyebailey.com/2023/01/01/saving-public-schools-for-all-our-children-in-the-new-year/) - As we approach 2023, let's make this the year to unite for the common good to reestablish and promote public education for all our children. A public school system relies on a country that values education for all its children no matter family religious beliefs, the color of one's skin, gender identity, sexual orientation, or
- [Aligning a Child's Education to Industry: A Long-Time Corporate Goal](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/12/20/aligning-a-childs-education-to-industry-a-long-time-corporate-goal/) - Troubling tweets by Education Secretary Cardona focused on aligning education to industry generated concerned replies, including mine. But few should be surprised. Such comments reflect a decades-long corporate drive to reshape public education. It's the reason for high-stakes standards, test-and-punish schools, data collected on children, and the long-time unproven claim that public education has failed students
- [Teacher Practices and the Value of Heinemann's Teaching Resources](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/12/10/teacher-practices-and-the-value-of-heinemanns-teaching-resources/) - It's often the eclectic activities teachers do, how they determine the best teaching practices for individuals and groups of students, that help students learn. One of the problems with the Science of Reading is that those who support a narrow often biased focus on instruction, may ignore or cast aside meaningful resources that have helped
- [Connecting Big Business with The Science of Reading: Replacing Teachers and Public Schools with Tech](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/11/29/connecting-big-business-with-the-science-of-reading-replacing-teachers-and-public-schools-with-tech/) - A troubling feature of the Science of Reading (SoR) is the connection between those who believe in the power of phonemes (and more) and those who want to privatize public schools. The old NCLB crowd has been rejuvenated and seems onboard with digital instruction replacing public schools and teachers. Understanding this connection is critical for
- [One Educator's Grateful Remembrance: A Teacher](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/11/19/one-educators-grateful-remembrance-a-teacher/) - Most of us remember teachers we liked and those we did not, but sometimes even the teachers who seemed difficult later become the teachers we learned much from. Other times that's not the case and a difficult teacher is remembered negatively. But fortunately, most teachers make democratic public schools work, and many children move on
- [Anxiety and Depression in the Age of the Super Student](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/11/15/anxiety-and-depression-in-the-age-of-the-super-student/) - The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, a group of doctors, recently recommended screening children as young as eight for major depressive disorder (MDD). How do eight-year-olds wind up depressed? Depression they say could show up with functional impairments in school performance. Could it be in part because this is the age of the super student?
- [What I Believe Emily Hanford Misses About Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/11/06/what-i-believe-emily-hanford-misses-about-reading/) - Emily Hanford has brought attention to reading, including several new podcasts, Sold a Story, claiming children have been harmed for years by reading instruction. She singles out programs she says failed. The stories about children are compelling. But she leaves out some history, and I don't think she's ever critical of any of the many
- [The Science of Reading Plot to Replace Reading Teachers with Phonics on a Screen](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/02/05/the-science-of-reading-plot-to-replace-reading-teachers-with-phonics-on-a-screen/) - Not only are school districts spending huge sums on laptops with little research to indicate students learn better on computers, they're also pushing children to face screens to learn the most serious subject, how to read. They're doing this alongside efforts by corporate reformers to kick teachers out of the classroom, and by promoting the idea
- [The Covid-19 "Leave No Crisis Wasted" School Plan that Failed...for Now](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/10/26/the-covid-19-leave-no-crisis-wasted-school-plan-that-failed-for-now/) - Learning loss complaints and teacher blame for school closures could be because the Covid-19 disaster plan to reimagine schools failed. Technology replacing public schools and teachers appeared to be the “leave no crisis wasted” plan, but it backfired. After Hurricane Katrina, the late privatization guru Milton Friedman coordinated replacing public schools in New Orleans with
- [Disaster Capitalism, Online Instruction, and What Covid-19 Is Teaching Us About Public Schools and Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/03/16/disaster-capitalism-online-instruction-and-what-covid-19-is-teaching-us-about-public-schools-and-teachers/) - The last few weeks have been surreal as we learn about the Corona Virus and how to protect ourselves and our neighbors. One of the largest disruptions has been school closings in order to contain the virus. No one knows when schools will reopen. While Covid-19 is of utmost concern, parents and educators, who've worried
- [9 Concerns About the Science of Reading: Why It's Not Settled Science!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/10/16/9-concerns-about-the-science-of-reading-why-its-not-settled-science/) - In public schools, good reading instruction for all children is imperative. Understandably, parents and teachers want to do the right thing to help children excel at reading and learning. On that point, we all agree. States are passing Science of Reading (SoR) legislation claiming it's evidence-based instruction, settled science, to address what appear to be
- [Hurricane Ian: How Are the Children and Public Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/10/11/hurricane-ian-how-are-the-children-and-public-schools/) - Hearts go out to those suffering from Hurricane Ian. It's hard to fathom what Florida residents and those from hurricane-affected areas are experiencing. How are the children? How are they handling the disruption? Will public schools change? As of Tuesday morning, October 4, 2022, according to the Florida Department of Education, the following K-12 school
- [Dear Dr. Cardona: Punitive Student Assessment is Meant to Privatize Public Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/10/01/dear-dr-cardona-punitive-student-assessment-is-meant-to-privatize-public-schools/) - Education Secretary Miguel Cardona recently wrote to tell state education departments not to use test data punitively after the pandemic. He doesn’t seem to understand the history of high-stakes testing and its use to privatize public schools. From Cardona: The purpose of this letter is to remind all who report and interpret student outcomes this
- [The Trouble with Social-Emotional Learning: Why Be Concerned? Here's Why!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/05/02/the-trouble-with-social-emotional-learning-why-be-concerned-heres-why/) - . . . we must hold social media platforms accountable for the national experiment they’re conducting on our children for profit. It's time to strengthen privacy protections, ban targeted advertising to children, and demand tech companies stop collecting personal data on our children. ~President Biden, State of the Union Address, March 1, 2022 Social-emotional learning
- [14 MORE Ways Teachers are Disrespected!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/09/25/14-more-ways-teachers-are-disrespected/) - Add these to the previous list. 1. Data Teachers are tired of relentless data collection and don’t like being conduits for companies to collect and track information on students, families, and themselves. Improving privacy laws for children has been slow going. Here’s a video covering concerns about data collection in schools. Here’s a description of
- [Disrespect: 5 Ways Teachers Are Driven Out!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/09/15/disrespect-5-ways-teachers-are-driven-out/) - R-E-S-P-E-C-TFind out what it means to me ~Aretha Franklin (And Otis Redding) Teachers, we’re told, leave due to disrespect. Let’s break that down. Teachers have been driven out of the classroom due to a 30-year plan by corporate school reformers and politicians to privatize public education. Americans should be worried. Without qualified teachers, students won’t learn what
- [Reading Aloud to Help Children Read Well Their Whole Lives!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/08/17/reading-aloud-to-help-children-read-well-their-whole-lives/) - Every new parent should get a copy of Jim Trelease's The Read-Aloud Handbook. Teachers should have a copy too. In honor of the late Trelease, parent and award-winning artist, writer, and author, it's important to point out that his well-documented research lives on encouraging reading aloud to children, even babies, to foster a lifelong love
- [Green Schools: Are they Child and Teacher Friendly and Public?](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/06/27/green-schools-are-they-child-and-teacher-friendly-and-public/) - Environmentally friendly school facilities are critical. Teaching students environmental awareness and how to be good stewards of the earth is imperative. But are new green school buildings encompassing a whole curriculum? Are they practical, focused on the environment and the students, supportive of real teachers, designed to be democratic and public, or are they about
- [Who's Teaching America's Students?](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/08/07/whos-teaching-americas-students/) - Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth. ~Helen Caldicott, Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear advocate. Students need professional teachers with subject degrees if they're to graduate and gain acceptance to universities or enter the workforce capable of a trade. With
- [Students Need Teachers NOT Tutors! Who's Pushing Tutors and Why?](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/07/13/students-need-teachers-not-tutors-whos-pushing-tutors-and-why/) - Reports of teacher shortages, or call it the Great Teacher Pushout, run rampant in states, a crisis this country has never seen before. But instead of working to improve conditions and lift the teaching profession, many groups are conspiring to replace teachers with tutors! Tutors will complete the longtime goal of ending professional teachers and
- [Religion's Destructive Effect on Public Education this July 4th](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/07/04/religions-destructive-effect-on-public-education-this-july-4th/) - Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must therefore answer a difficult question: why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly? ~Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor On this 4th of July, the country faces divisive problems, including losing
- [Seclusion and Restraint: 16 Ways to Address Acting Out Behavior Without It](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/12/13/seclusion-and-restraint-16-ways-to-address-acting-out-behavior-without-it/) - Restraint or seclusion should not be used as routine school safety measures; that is, they should not be implemented except in situations where a child’s behavior poses imminent danger of serious physical harm to self or others and not as a routine strategy implemented to address instructional problems or inappropriate behavior (e.g., disrespect, noncompliance, insubordination,
- [What's The Teacher's Role, if Any, in Community Schools with Partnerships?](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/06/15/whats-the-teachers-role-if-any-in-community-schools-with-partnerships/) - The teacher's role in community schools with business partnerships seems murky. This raises concerns about a teacher's purpose in those schools. If Americans are going to embrace community schools, teachers must be recognized as professionals in their own right. Community schools rely on business partners, so will teachers be replaced with online (personalized) instruction, the
- [5 Ways to KNOW EVERY STUDENT! The Mental Health and Safety Role of Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/06/09/5-ways-to-know-every-student-the-mental-health-and-safety-role-of-schools/) - Next to the extreme importance of changes in gun regulations, when it comes to mental health and school safety, many critical conditions are thus far overlooked or ignored by policymakers. The first and most important is to know every student at the school. Parents should ask, do they know my child at school? Educators should ask, do
- [On This Memorial Day: Sadness of a Different Sort](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/05/29/on-this-memorial-day-sadness-of-a-different-sort/) - I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with their freedom. ~Bob Dylan On this Memorial Day, is this the country our parents, grandparents, and ancestors fought for, a welcoming home where the youngest, oldest, and poorest among us can thrive? Did they foresee, fight, or die for
- [Is NCLB's Reading First Making a Comeback?](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/08/28/is-nclbs-reading-first-making-a-comeback/) - Reading First was President George W. Bush's signature reading program, the cornerstone of No Child Left Behind. With a $6 billion price tag (a billion per year for six years), it promised "scientific proof" it would have every child reading by third grade. States had to apply for federal grants. Reading First centered around phonics.
- [6 Terms Transforming Public Schools to The All-Tech Endgame](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/05/17/6-terms-transforming-public-schools-to-the-all-tech-endgame/) - Here are tech terms threatening teachers and public schools and how students learn. When these words or phrases appear, it's an indication that school district administrators, school board members, or those at the state or federal education levels are embracing an all-technology system, and teachers will play a secondary role in teaching students. Public schools
- [Lead Poisoning: A Known Learning Loss Threat](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/05/10/lead-poisoning-a-known-learning-loss-threat/) - Many parents are concerned about their child's learning loss due to the pandemic. If children are behind, they can catch up. But there's another culprit that could cause serious difficulties. Lead poisoning poses a threat to children through the water they drink from lead solder/pipes, dust exposure involving old paint in homes, and living near
- [25 Reasons Why You Should Appreciate Public School Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/05/25-reasons-why-you-should-appreciate-public-school-teachers/) - Please feel free to add to this list in the comment section. Teachers in public school teach all children—they reject no one. Teachers choose teaching because of their subject and mostly because they like the students. Teachers don’t pick their careers for the money. Their teaching is free (well except for AP). Many teachers pay-out-of-pocket
- [Human Interaction & Picture Books vs. Waterford Upstart's Preschool Phonics Online Video](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/07/10/human-interaction-picture-books-vs-waterford-upstarts-preschool-phonics-online-video/) - Last Sunday, The New York Times described Waterford’s Upstart online program for preschoolers, describing it as better than nothing, or, as "closing a gap." They described communities that could not (or would not) raise money for preschool, so, online instruction seemed like the default choice. Who's reviewing these programs? Waterford Upstart is flawed. This can
- [The Harm Caused By the Third Grade Reading Ultimatum](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/04/05/the-harm-caused-by-the-third-grade-reading-ultimatum/) - Tremendous pressure is placed on children to learn to read by third grade. They must pass state reading tests created by those expecting them to read at this time. If they don’t do well, they could fail third grade. Yet there's no clear research on the age a child should be able to read. Not
- [The Future of Education? Who Decides How OUR Public Schools Run?](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/03/28/the-future-of-education-who-decides-how-our-public-schools-run/) - Who determines how America’s democratic public schools are run? Is it the Americans, Democrats, and Republicans, who elect a school board to democratically represent their community? Why do nonprofits working with corporations get to decide the future of our public schools? What gives them the right to determine what teachers should teach and how schools
- [12 Reasons Why Digital Personalized Learning is Not Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/10/12-reasons-why-digital-personalized-learning-is-not-special-education/) - A recent article in Business Insider describes how Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg got their idea for digital personalized learning from special education. A light bulb lit, and they realized that students placed according to their academic level online is needed for every child—not just students with disabilities. They liked the way special education teachers
- [The End of Public Schools? 5 Community School Concerns](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/03/21/the-end-of-public-schools-5-community-school-concerns/) - Are community schools privatizing public education from within through partnerships? If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, isn’t it a duck? It’s hard to distinguish the Biden administration’s Full-Service Community Schools and Charter School difference (see below). Americans fail to invest in schools and children have unmet
- [Kindergarten Reading is NOT a Crisis! The Real Reasons Behind These Claims](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/03/13/kindergarten-reading-is-not-a-crisis-the-real-reasons-behind-these-claims/) - Words like alarm, crisis, and loss should never be used to reference kindergarten reading or any learning. What must children think? It destroys the trust parents have in teachers and public schools. This is school privatization on steroids flamed by the pandemic! Dana Goldstein’s recent fear-mongering report by The New York Times: Children Are Severely Behind
- [Ukrainian Schools During War: Gratefulness for America's Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/03/08/ukrainian-schools-during-war-gratefulness-for-americas-public-schools/) - Witnessing the Ukrainian invasion brings feelings of sadness and helplessness. Children have no hope of school, running from danger after losing their homes. We’re reminded of how lucky Americans are to have freedom, not to be facing a war here, and that democratic public schools are open to all children. It shocks the world to
- [Teacher Age Discrimination Still, During A Pandemic Teacher Shortage?](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/02/28/teacher-age-discrimination-still-during-a-pandemic-teacher-shortage/) - Recruiting older teachers should be one solution to address the current teacher shortage crisis. Some states claim to be calling retired teachers back to the classroom to help during the pandemic. Does this include senior teachers? Will they be permanent positions? School districts should be searching for incentives and ways to attract all teachers, including
- [Grow-Your-Own Apprenticeships Don't Raise Pay or Prestige for Professional Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/02/23/grow-your-own-apprenticeships-dont-raise-pay-or-prestige-for-professional-teachers/) - America’s children and teens need well-qualified professional teachers who study and specialize in the best universities, are paid fairly, and treated with respect, not Grow-Your-Own Apprenticeship programs to make fast-track learn-as-you-go classroom monitors. It’s hard to believe parents want apprentices not fully prepared teachers working with their children. Grow-Your-Own Apprenticeship is not just a program
- [The Dangerous End of School Libraries and Public Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/02/18/the-dangerous-end-of-school-libraries-and-public-education/) - School libraries are critical to maintaining great democratic public schools. The loss of school libraries threatens their existence and a student's right to receive information. See the American Library Association and The Universal Right to Free Expression: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. Many public schools no longer have functioning school libraries or qualified
- [New Leaders—The Pretend Principals](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/26/new-leaders-the-pretend-principals/) - Most people know about Teach for America (TFA), but who are New Leaders (NL)? New Leaders is to principals what Teach for America is to teachers. Jonathan (Jon) Schnur is the main creator of NL. Like TFA’s Wendy Kopp, Schnur has no education degree. He never was a teacher or a principal. A 2004 braggadocio
- [Universal Preschool and The Expectation Divide: It's Time to Talk!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/02/13/universal-preschool-and-the-expectation-divide-its-time-to-talk/) - . . .the best way to improve test scores was to do for all children even more of what we already did for wealthy children--and [recognize] that play was the vehicle for strong intellectual development in the young, regardless of class or race. What was good for the rich was best for the poor too--only
- [The Standardized Testing Horror Show is Not Over!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/06/24/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
- [Tutors Replacing Teachers: A Failed Privatization Plot Returns](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/03/07/tutors-replacing-teachers-a-failed-privatization-plot-returns/) - The pandemic showed that for students to get quality instruction, especially poor children of color, America must invest in real teachers, smaller class sizes, and better working conditions, including improved school facilities. So why is the focus on tutors? “Accelerated high-dosage” tutoring. We have been here before. With No Child Left Behind, tutoring didn’t work
- [10 Ways to Help Children ENJOY Reading!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/01/25/10-ways-to-help-children-enjoy-reading/) - The focus for children learning to read, sometimes undervalued by those concerned about phonics, is instilling a joy of reading. The ultimate goal should be that children are able to read and like it. Phonics is important, especially when children have reading disabilities, but it shouldn't stand alone. Science of Reading (SoR) supporters will argue that
- [Kindergarten Online Data? Teacher Observation is Safer and Better!](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/01/18/kindergarten-online-data-teacher-observation-is-safer-and-better/) - Making kindergartners participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a strange idea, and collecting data about kindergartners is worrisome. What's the purpose? President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and Hoover Institute research fellow and public school critic Michael Petrilli believes testing kindergartners online is easier than having them sit still long enough
- [Are Education Secretary Cardona and Betsy Devos Twins?](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/01/12/are-education-secretary-cardona-and-betsy-devos-twins/) - Teachers had hope when President Biden chose Miguel Cardona to be education secretary, an educator, that he’d be different from the billionaire corporate shill, protector from grizzly bears, and school choice proponent Betsy DeVos. There's still hope for that, but there are also reasons to wonder. Cardona’s reactions to the Covid crisis seem eerily like
- [Why is Common Core's Phonics Missing in Reading and Dyslexia Discussions?](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/06/22/why-is-common-cores-phonics-missing-in-reading-and-dyslexia-discussions/) - Those who claim teachers and their education schools have focused on the wrong way to teach reading never mention Common Core State Standards. But, since 2010, Common Core has figured prominently in the reading curriculum teachers have been forced to teach. If students are showing increased reading problems, shouldn't the English Language Arts standards be
- [15 Ways to Help Teachers During Covid, Instead of Turning Them Into Scapegoats and Making Them Quit](https://nancyebailey.com/2022/01/09/15-ways-to-help-teachers-during-covid-instead-of-turning-them-into-scapegoats-and-making-them-quit/) - Teachers are continually being made into scapegoats over a virus not under their control. Here’s a list of classroom problems from the beginning of the pandemic. Here’s a checklist on how to quit scapegoating teachers and help them instead. Suggestions from teachers, parents, and students, especially teachers currently teaching, are welcome. 1. Doctors Since the
- [Fears and Confusion About In-Person School Going Into 2022.](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/12/31/fears-and-confusion-about-in-person-school-going-into-2022/) - It’s impossible to avoid the news involving Covid confusion and fear surrounding schools and safety for children, teachers, and staff entering the New Year. The looming question is whether K-12 in-person schooling is safe. It’s presumptuous to tell teachers not to be afraid. Teachers want to keep their students safe. They don't want to get
- [Charters and Vouchers to Destroy Virginia’s Public Schools Will Involve Questionable Data Collected on Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/12/22/charters-and-vouchers-to-destroy-virginias-public-schools-will-involve-questionable-data-collected-on-children/) - Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin is wasting no time setting the wheels in motion to destroy public education in Virginia, considered the fourth-best public school system in the country. If he manages to do this, it will add to America’s already ominous future of free public schooling, school ownership shifted to big business instead of constituents. Most
- [School Safety Solution: Bring Back Homerooms, Only BETTER, to Know and Support Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/12/10/school-safety-solution-bring-back-homerooms-only-better-to-know-and-support-students/) - School districts might devise solutions to understand students better. Here’s one suggestion. Bring back a more personalized homeroom with smaller student groups (10 to 15 students) along with an adult mentor for at least 20 minutes each day. Students need smaller groups to get to know each other and feel supported to understand there’s no
- [Twenty Ways to Break a Child’s Spirit—The New School Reforms](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/12/twenty-ways-to-break-a-childs-spirit-the-new-school-reforms/) - Part II 11-20 Here are the last of the 20 ways current school reforms could break a child’s spirit. Sadly, you probably will be able to think of others. Share them all with those who think the current reforms are going well. 11. Children are forced to take tests at an early age. http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/kindergarten-tough-multiple-choice-tests-article-1.1481197. 12.
- [A Great Profession: Consider Teachers' Needs](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/11/28/a-great-profession-consider-teachers-needs/) - During this troubling time when we should be helping each other through one of the roughest patches we’ve faced as a nation, teachers have become scapegoats, blamed for everything involving social change and Covid-19. Teachers tried to protect themselves and their families during the pandemic and worried about protecting their students and now they're blamed
- [Parents and Teachers United: A Force for Students, Public Education, and America!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/11/28/parents-and-teachers-united-a-force-for-students-public-education-and-america/) - On this Thanksgiving, I am remembering parents and teachers, Republicans and Democrats, who work together to create public schools that serve all children. This relationship is sacred and critical for children to learn. Without this bond there's little hope for public education and America's future. The corporate reform, dystopian goal is to destroy public education
- [If Thankful for Teachers, Return Trust to Them](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/11/25/if-thankful-for-teachers-return-trust-to-them/) - How much trust do parents place in their child’s teacher? Maybe more than you think. The BATS were celebrating Thanksgiving this week with Thank You tweets about teachers and other school personnel. As a nation, I hope we can return to the time when we trusted teachers to be the good and decent professionals they
- [6 Critical Education Issues To Watch At Thanksgiving](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/11/25/6-critical-education-issues-to-watch-at-thanksgiving/) - This is a tough Thanksgiving, especially for those who are ill or have lost loved ones. I wish for everyone renewed hope and wellness and that you have family and loved ones to stay in touch with and enjoy. That even if you don't, you'll find love and comfort in your lives during these trying
- [Poor Air Quality in Schools: During Covid-19 and Before!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/07/20/poor-air-quality-in-schools-during-covid-19-and-before/) - For years this country has ignored school infrastructure due to attempts to privatize public education. This includes indoor air quality (IAQ). It has been a part of the overall disinvestment in America's public schools. We're told by the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and others, that schools should ensure clean air during Covid-19.
- [Kindergarten Reading Push: Still Problematic During the Pandemic](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/08/03/kindergarten-reading-push-still-problematic-during-the-pandemic/) - Parents and educators, convinced that kindergartners must learn to read, might purchase unproven commercial online reading programs during the pandemic. The best solution for kindergartners currently is for school librarians and teachers to get interesting picture books and reading material into the hands of young children. Standardized testing made pushing children to read in kindergarten
- [Want to Rethink Education? It's Time to Take Back Kindergarten!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/11/18/want-to-rethink-education-its-time-to-take-back-kindergarten/) - Since the pandemic, there's much talk about rethinking education and this includes the early years of schooling. Most parents just want their schools reopened safely and schedules back to normal, but corporate reformers want to see even more changes made to schools than seen with No Child Left Behind (NCLB)! The October edition of KAPPAN,
- [America Cannot Build Back Better and Address Equity If Crumbling, Dangerous School Buildings Are Ignored!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/11/09/america-cannot-build-back-better-and-address-equity-if-crumbling-dangerous-school-buildings-are-ignored/) - 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
- [What Santa Claus and Social-Emotional Learning Have in Common](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/12/20/what-santa-claus-and-social-emotional-learning-have-in-common/) - You better watch out, you better not cry, Better not pout, I'm telling you why Santa Claus (and SEL assessment are) comin' to town. ~Song lyrics to "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" by Songwriters: Haven Gillespie / J. Fred Coots (with alteration). Why is there such an intense push for social-emotional learning (SEL) involving young
- [Covid and the Continuing Loss of Music in Poor Public Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/11/07/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](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/11/03/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
- [In Virginia's and Other Governors' and School Board Races: Choose Public School Supporters!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/10/28/in-virginias-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
- [Why Do So Many Children Have Dyslexia? What is it Exactly?](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/03/29/why-do-so-many-children-have-dyslexia-what-is-it-exactly/) - Many parents and educators raise concerns about dyslexia, and some are pushing for state laws for students with dyslexia in schools. But why do so many children have dyslexia? What is it exactly? What causes it? Prevalence LD Online states that a staggering 5 to 15 percent of Americans—14.5 to 43.5 million children and adults—have
- [Differentiation and Common Core—A Strange Combination for Gifted Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/14/differentiation-and-common-core-a-strange-combination-for-gifted-students/) - In looking at different cities and their plans for gifted students, there is one thing most of them now have in common. They advocate differentiation and Common Core. The real buzz word is differentiation! Differentiation sounds soothing, like it will give every parent what they always dream of, personalized attention for their child. It advertises
- [Shunning Gifted Students in America—Isn’t it Time to Pay Attention?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/02/shunning-gifted-students-in-america-isnt-it-time-to-pay-attention/) - All children are gifted one way or another. But because labels are still used to identify children, when I say gifted you immediately know I am referring to children who have high IQs. They intellectually function ahead of their peers on the bell-shaped curve—sometimes far ahead. They also might have learning disabilities along with being
- [College Advising Corps, or Counselors for America—De-professionalizing a Critically Important Role in Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/01/27/college-advising-corps-or-counselors-for-america-de-professionalizing-a-critically-important-role-in-public-schools/) - If you think the concept behind Teach for America, diluting the profession with bright, happy-go-lucky, non-professional college grads, many of whom can't find jobs in their chosen field, is just for teachers, think again. College Advising Corps could be called Counselors for America. The group might seem different than Teach for America (TFA) because they
- [Investigating the Corporate Fingerprints in the Media Attacks on Teachers and Colleges of Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/06/13/investigating-the-corporate-fingerprints-in-the-media-attacks-on-teachers-and-colleges-of-education/) - A media rollout of criticism towards teachers and their COEs mostly over reading, has fueled debate about what teachers know about teaching. Are these reports what they seem, or is something else going on? None of these commentaries look at the effects of Common Core State Standards. Look closely and one finds corporate school reform fingerprints. If reformers
- [Teacher In-Service: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/07/30/teacher-in-service-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/) - Many teachers are starting back to work already. And along with the new school year comes in-service training. In-service is either good, it is bad, or it is downright ugly. The good in-service is really professional development. School districts should always aim for professional development and not waste teachers' time with anything less important. The
- [CBE Online is Neither Personalized Nor Higher-Order Thinking!](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/23/cbe-online-is-neither-personalized-nor-higher-order-thinking/) - The issue of Competency-Based Education is very much in the news, so I thought I would revive this post. Competency-Based Education (CBE) is being promoted as the way to “personalize” education, but it is a cold impersonal method of teaching on the computer. It fails to teach to the whole child and merely provides fragmented
- [The Dangers of SEL Assessment Data to Students with LD Social Disabilities and Autism](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/10/27/the-dangers-of-sel-assessment-data-to-students-with-ld-social-disabilities-and-autism/) - Today, I would like to bring attention to the dangers of social-emotional learning assessment to a segment of our student population. The focus on behavior is becoming the new purpose of school, and that alone should raise questions. School boards, PTA's, and school organizations should be discussing how these curriculum changes impact what and how
- [Betsy DeVos and the Ghosts of Education Secretaries Past](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/12/24/betsy-devos-and-the-ghosts-of-education-secretaries-past/) - As we approach the end of 2016 and look with hope to 2017, educators and parents are concerned about President-elect Trump’s choice of Betsy DeVos for education secretary. I share those concerns. But it is also important to remember the education secretaries of the past and how they have led us to where we are
- [Corporate School Reform and "Disruption" Also Hurts Children in Suburban Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/01/05/corporate-school-reform-and-disruption-also-hurts-children-in-suburban-schools/) - The following is written by a teacher who asked that I post her essay but remain anonymous. Isn't it sad that we live in a time where teachers feel they will get in trouble if they write about their concerns and question the establishment? Corporate school reform breaks schools apart. While children in urban and
- [Proficiency-Based Learning: Focused on Skills While Missing the Big Picture](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/06/13/proficiency-based-learning-focused-on-skills-while-missing-the-big-picture/) - …tests are now broken down into specific sets of skills so teachers can identify how well students understand each task. When students get less than a proficient score, they must go back and study the skill they missed. They are then given a chance to retake the relevant portions of the test until they earn
- [The LA Times Editorial—A Distraction](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/06/02/the-la-times-editorial-a-distraction/) - There’s so much bad news about public schools. When one article makes you want to pop the cork and dance in the streets, it is easy to get excited. Don’t. The tables haven’t really been turned. The LA Times Editorial criticizes the Gates Foundation for their poor philanthropic use of billions of dollars spent on
- [Cult-Like Social-Emotional Learning? Questioning Valor Charters and Powered by Compass](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/09/25/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 &
- [President Biden's Ideas About Schools and Covid-19 Miss the Mark](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/02/17/president-bidens-ideas-about-schools-and-covid-19-miss-the-mark/) - I watched President Biden’s CNN Townhall. I like President Biden and feel that he is sincere and wants to do a good job. He is well-focused on helping the country move forward. His kindness shines through. But his school plans for Covid-19 are worrisome. As expected, Covid-19 dominated the Townhall conversation. A whole segment could
- [The Sad Impact of Corporate School Reform on Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/01/26/the-sad-impact-of-corporate-school-reform-on-students-with-emotional-behavioral-disabilities/) - We have a lot of troubled kids. As of 2016, approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 (21.4%) experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. For children aged 8–15, the estimate is 13%. HERE. Schools should be on the front line to assist children and adolescents with mental health difficulties. But
- [Laura's Back and She Still Doesn't Like Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/08/04/lauras-back-and-she-still-doesnt-like-common-core/) - Summer is ending, and school is starting in some places. I hope parents and teachers will encourage students to read for fun even though the summer is over. Most who I know will do that. I hope students will not be hampered by being made to time how much they read after school. I hope
- [Good News for Houston’s Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/08/31/good-news-for-houstons-public-schools/) - It has been difficult to watch the struggles facing the people of Texas. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by the flooding. But there have been some positive signs that traditional public schools will start again in Houston. Some of those signs are uplifting and should give everyone hope during this
- [Purging U. S. Education History: Ignoring Past Mistakes and Successes](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/09/24/purging-u-s-education-history-ignoring-past-mistakes-and-successes/) - History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again. Maya Angelou They are doing strange things to Colleges of Education in this country, and one of the weirdest is dropping education history courses from required teacher preparation. According to Education Week there is a decline in
- ["The Truth About Reading" Is Missing Truths and Backstory](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/10/14/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
- [Are Teachers Writing Their Own Epitaph in Favor of Online Instruction?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/08/01/are-teachers-writing-their-own-epitaph-in-favor-of-online-instruction/) - In places like Louisiana, teachers are being enlisted to help write online curriculum. School officials have determined that Common Core hasn’t worked out well. So isn’t it nice that they asked teachers to supplant Common Core by coming up with their own unit ideas? Shouldn’t that make teachers feel good—that finally school officials, and businesses,
- [Play-Based Learning Isn't Free Play and May Be Connected to Online Learning](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/05/20/play-based-learning-isnt-free-play-and-may-be-connected-to-online-learning/) - The term play-based learning is increasingly used to reference play in school, especially during the past year. Sometimes it's called purposeful play. Play-based learning is not the same as free play, even though sometimes it is described as such. It also might be used to transform classroom learning to screens. It's critical to understand the
- ["Dropout Factories": The Disparaging & Hypocritical Reference to America’s Public Schools and Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/04/25/dropout-factories-the-disparaging-hypocritical-reference-to-americas-public-schools-and-teachers/) - How many times do you hear America’s public high schools called “Dropout Factories?” How do those words make you feel? The general public hears these words and unfairly accepts that our public high schools and the teachers working in them are failing. Dropout Factories were highlighted in the awful anti-public school propaganda film Waiting for
- [Recess and Behavior Problems: Foolproof Methods to Help Students Succeed](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/28/recess-and-behavior-problems-foolproof-methods-to-help-students-succeed/) - This will be my last post for those teachers who asked what they could do to deal with a student’s behavior if they didn't use recess as a carrot for behavior. Troubling student behavior in today's overcrowded, diverse classrooms is a huge problem for many teachers. I struggled even with smaller class sizes in special
- [Using Teacher Shortage Talk to Justify Online Instruction](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/25/using-teacher-shortage-talk-to-justify-online-instruction/) - A few weeks ago Nick Morrison wrote an article for Forbes titled “Sleepwalking Our Way into the Teacher-Less Classroom.” He insists that technology, specifically the takeover by online instruction in schools, is not the real danger facing education. Instead, he claims it is a teacher shortage. According to Morrison, teachers leave due to pressure, and
- [Learning Disabilities and Inclusion: Abandoned Commitment](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/12/03/learning-disabilities-and-inclusion-abandoned-commitment/) - Parents around the country are angry, claiming that their children who have learning disabilities, namely dyslexia, are not being served in public schools. The question here is why aren't public schools serving students with learning disabilities? Isn't it the law? Many parents expect inclusion in general education classes, although some argue for vouchers. Vouchers mean
- [How DeVos & Co. Use Special Ed. to Privatize Public Schools and End Student Services](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/02/27/how-devos-co-use-special-ed-to-privatize-public-schools-and-end-student-services/) - Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her corporate friends are about dumping civil rights protections regarding IDEA. Special education has become a means to transform public education into choice and charter schools while ending student services. This is done by defunding special education and convincing parents that services don't matter. Dismantling services in public schools shouldn't be allowed.
- [Betsy DeVos Conquers the World: The Global Education Reform Movement (GERM)](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/06/29/betsy-devos-conquers-the-world-the-global-education-reform-movement-germ/) - Education in almost every country in the world is subject to the grip of education ‘reform’ which is diminishing public schooling, promoting privatisation and destroying teacher professionalism. It aims to produce a narrowly educated workforce, which can read instructions and advertisements but is discouraged from thinking critically about the world. ~UK’s National Education Union Betsy
- [Rating Common Core Math Textbooks—Isn’t THIS a National Curriculum?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/16/rating-common-core-math-textbooks-isnt-this-a-national-curriculum/) - A new report in Education Week discusses a “Consumer Reports-like” nonprofit group that will now evaluate math textbooks from different companies online. If you are teaching math and want to know which books are best—books aligned to the Common Core—you can go to Edreports.org and they will apparently tell you, eventually, which books, or book,
- [The PBS NewsHour/Education Week Report About Dyslexia: Biased & Short on Facts](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/05/14/the-pbs-newshour-education-week-report-about-dyslexia-biased-short-on-facts/) - Schools must provide adequate reading programs and reading remediation for students who need more assistance. But the recent report on dyslexia recommending intensive phonics for all children by the PBS News Hour, through Education Week, is irresponsible, short on facts, and presents biased reporting. Education Week receives grants from philanthropic groups that favor school privatization. Here are
- [Universal Pre-K? Good Idea But Concerns About the Curriculum](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/10/05/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
- [President Biden’s Infrastructure Plan Should Include Teachers! Here's Why](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/04/03/president-bidens-infrastructure-plan-should-include-teachers-heres-why/) - It's good that President Biden is focusing on updating school buildings in his infrastructure plan. But there’s another crisis his administration should address. America needs a national movement to get well-prepared teachers into our public school classrooms. The teaching profession has been in crisis mode for years. Much of this crisis has been generated by
- [Closing University Education Schools: A Bad Omen](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/10/17/closing-university-education-schools-a-bad-omen/) - The University of South Florida (USF) has announced the end of their education school due to a $36.7 million university budget cut. The change will save $6.8 million over two years. They're using the coronavirus as the reason at a time when teachers are struggling to teach students safely. This loss is a bad omen
- [Are Children Getting Real Recess?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/10/04/are-children-getting-real-recess/) - Children have been in school for awhile. How much recess are they getting? Is their school day overly organized? Are they getting pretend recess--physical education, or some canned program from a digital device? How many principals are tricking parents into thinking their children are getting real recess? Even preschool parents need to ask this question.
- [Redefining Reading Achievement Creates Reading Problems in Children!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/02/12/redefining-reading-achievement-creates-reading-problems-in-children/) - A critic who charges that children aren't reading well and teachers need to learn about the Science of Reading, also says children must read sooner than they did in the past. This new ideological construct promotes standards that many children will not be capable of achieving. It also sets children and their teachers up to
- [Mandating Common Sense—21 School Reforms that Need to Go](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/21/mandating-common-sense-21-school-reforms-that-need-to-go/) - Gov. Chris Christie just vetoed a mandate for New Jersey children to get recess. A lot of people--including me--are not happy with this decision. He obviously thinks school boards should determine how much recess students should get, but does he realize the problem with recess? Recess is a heated topic with parents across the country.
- [Common Core, Camouflaged in Testing and Technology](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/01/29/common-core-camouflaged-in-testing-and-technology/) - Common Core State Standards (CCSS) might seem to have diminished, but the standards are still embedded in testing and technology and still hurting students. When the standards were first imposed on students, parents and teachers complained. Sandra Stotsky, now Professor Emeritus, was an outspoken critic of CCSSs. She had previously helped develop the Massachusetts standards,
- [Who Should Be the Next Education Secretary at This Critical Juncture in History?](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/09/08/who-should-be-the-next-education-secretary-at-this-critical-juncture-in-history/) - Bloggers have been speculating about a Biden/Harris education secretary. During this critical time in American history, that individual should be a black or brown woman, who has been a teacher of young children, and who understands child development. She should hold an education degree and have an additional leadership degree and experience that will help
- [Vocabulary Used to Sell Technology to Teachers and Parents](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/12/01/vocabulary-used-to-sell-technology-to-teachers-and-parents/) - It's the use of only technology in education without qualified teachers that is the concern. It's "tech without teachers" and without public school buildings, a sense of community, student socializing, and the misuse of data collected on children that keep parents and teachers up at night! The problem is that there is a concerted effort
- [The Danger of Online (Or Any) Pre-Kindergarten Assessment](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/05/16/the-danger-of-online-or-any-pre-kindergarten-assessment/) - When did we become a nation that harshly judges how young children learn? How does such inappropriate evaluation of children make our country great? The focus should be on the children and their needs. Also, does online preschool assessment violate a young child's right to privacy? I think parents and teachers should be concerned. I
- [Vouchers and the Destruction of America’s Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/24/vouchers-and-the-destruction-of-americas-public-schools/) - It’s hard to believe that vouchers are being promoted across the country and are once again being considered in the State of Tennessee. Voters there have made it known time-and-again that they don’t like vouchers. Here the Tennessee Momma Bears give information to speak out against vouchers. They tell us that $130 million will be
- [Gifted Students are Short-changed with Common Core State Standards](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/07/gifted-students-are-short-changed-with-common-core-state-standards-2/) - Today I am going to write about gifted students and the Common Core State Standards. There is plenty to write about this neglected area of special education without discussing CCSS. The needs of gifted students have never been fully addressed because, in general, people think gifted students learn fast and school will be easy. Parents
- [Social-Emotional Learning: The Dark Side](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/03/19/social-emotional-learning-the-dark-side/) - Why would parents and teachers, tired of high-stakes testing in their public schools, wish to sign onto more assessment that tests, tracks, and profiles their child's behavior online? Good teachers have always built social skills into their classes. Helping children behave and work with each other is second nature to teaching. One can find nice
- [Missing Socialization in Today's Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/28/missing-socialization-in-todays-public-schools/) - How do democratic public schools address the socialization of students? How are children brought together to make a kinder world? Does anyone even ask that question today? This past weekend I read “My Pedagogic Creed” by John Dewey (a little light reading on a Sunday afternoon), and I was struck by how far our public
- [Pinpointing Reading Disabilities to Help Students Succeed](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/10/pinpointing-reading-disabilities-to-help-students-succeed/) - Reading disabilities exist. Research in neuroscience is showing this to be true, and public schools and special education should be on the front lines working to remediate these deficits and helping children to adapt so they can be successful in school. One serious drawback for students with disabilities, in the one-size-fits-all class, is that they
- [What’s WRONG with Florida and its Treatment of Students with Disabilities?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/03/whats-wrong-with-florida-and-its-treatment-of-students-with-disabilities/) - Why are we having this conversation again? Today, I am going to highlight Paula Drew, who, as the mother of a student with profound disabilities, has run up against bullies who want unnecessary, unrealistic Florida testing. Paula has kindly shared her moving speech to the Sarasota County School Board which you can find below. Paula’s
- [Response to Intervention's Role in the Texas Special Education Scandal: What are Other States Doing?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/08/24/response-to-interventions-role-in-the-texas-special-education-scandal-what-are-other-states-doing/) - Whenever we read or hear about special education in public schools, it is important to remember, that since the beginning of Public Law 94-142 (IDEA) in 1975, many policymakers have resisted funding services for students who learn differently. The bill was so unpopular that President Gerald Ford refused to have a Rose Garden signing. Since that
- [What’s Scary to Kids: Having Dyslexia and Being Held Back in Third Grade!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/31/whats-scary-to-kids-having-dyslexia-and-being-held-back-in-third-grade/) - With certain states jumping on the retention bandwagon, even though we know retention doesn’t work, where do students with dyslexia fit? Students with reading difficulties should not have to flunk third grade to get the help they deserve. Many children with reading difficulties, who do not have IEPs, are being held back. In fact, probably
- [Gifted and IDEA: Charter Schools Won't Solve the Gifted Debate](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/09/01/gifted-and-idea-charter-schools-wont-solve-the-gifted-debate/) - Even though gifted is listed as a special education category, Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) never adequately addressed it. Intellectually advanced students are complex, not always easy to understand. They need and deserve school support. Much debate surrounds gifted education. But charter schools will not be a sufficient answer to concerns. Some gifted students are
- [It's Wrong to Force Four and Five Year Olds to Read! Focus on Speaking and Listening Instead!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/12/07/its-wrong-to-force-four-and-five-year-olds-to-read-focus-on-speaking-and-listening-instead/) - With No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and Common Core State Standards, some adults have been led to believe that four- and five-year-old children should read by the end of kindergarten. Preschoolers are pushed to be ready for formal reading instruction by the time they enter kindergarten. This is a dangerous idea rooted
- [The Power of Invented Spelling: Giving Children Control](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/16/the-power-of-invented-spelling-giving-children-control/) - What we've found over the years is there seemed to be something with kids who are doing invented spelling on their own that's really helping them learn how to read. ~ Gene Ouellette, Associate Professor of Psychology at Mount Allison University It looks like it’s best to hand young children paper and pencil instead of
- [Time for a NEW National Reading Panel to Study Reading Instruction](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/02/22/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
- [Arne Duncan Continues to Push Dangerous Corporate School Reform](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/12/26/arne-duncan-continues-to-push-dangerous-corporate-school-reform/) - With Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, it might be tempting to see Arne Duncan as an educational expert, but Duncan has never formally studied education, or been a teacher. Duncan paved the way for DeVos. EdSurge recently brought us Arne Duncan's 6 lessons about education. They are nothing but the same old corporate reforms that have
- [The Heartbreak Surrounding Student Behavior and Teacher Attrition in America's Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/06/16/the-heartbreak-surrounding-student-behavior-and-teacher-attrition-in-americas-schools/) - Children with difficulty controlling their behavior and emotions, large classes, unsupportive administrators, outside interference, and overwhelmed teachers who aren't behavior specialists can be a recipe for disaster for students and a reason why teachers leave. I wrote much of this post in February 2020, before schools closed due to Covid-19. As schools get back to
- [President Trump, Betsy DeVos, and the Elitist Drive to End Public Schooling](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/23/president-trump-betsy-devos-and-the-elitist-drive-to-end-public-schooling/) - Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of social machinery. —Horace Mann President Trump, a billionaire, has demonstrated elitist hatred for our most public democratic institution and its teachers. It is the institution, despite its problems, that has the greatest chance of
- [Isn’t It Time to Pay Attention to Our Gifted Students?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/02/isnt-it-time-to-pay-attention-to-our-gifted-students/) - By Gina Kennedy According to the National Association for Gifted Children, there are three to five million gifted students in our public schools today, however rarely will you find two school districts in the United States that service these students in a similar way. Best practices and strategies to teach the gifted are likely based
- [Democratic Candidates Should Distance Themselves From Teach for America](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/10/22/democratic-candidates-should-distance-themselves-from-teach-for-america/) - Like most who support public education and the teaching profession, I routinely pore over media reports to learn what the Democratic candidates will bring to the table for PreK-12 education, and higher education. Here are the frontrunners’ plans. Yesterday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren released her education plan. A while back Sen. Sanders gave us his Thurgood
- [School Transformation Double Talk Threatens Students and Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/06/12/school-transformation-double-talk-threatens-students-and-teachers/) - It's easy to be confused by what is said about schools today. We are told one thing, when quite the opposite is taking place. We are told that with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), education will involve local decision making. Simultaneously, the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation is giving $44 million to affect state
- [Pushing the Privatized "Maker Movement" Into Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/22/pushing-the-privatized-maker-movement-into-public-schools/) - The 3D printing market is projected to be worth $8 billion by 2020. —Paul Hill, "Ten statistics that reveal the size and scope of the Maker Movement." November 3, 2015 Why be skeptical of the Maker Movement and its effect on public schools? The speed to which the Maker Movement is being pushed into schools
- [Slow Learners in the Age of Hyperlearning](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/03/26/slow-learners-in-the-age-of-hyperlearning/) - Who decides what slow learning is in this country? Every student deserves a free public education with teachers who understand their educational needs. Not only are corporate reformers slamming slow learners, they’re pushing children to grow up faster than is humanely possible. All our children are expected to be hyperlearners! Slooooowly! There is nothing wrong
- [8 Ways to Save Public School Funding During and After Covid-19](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/04/26/8-ways-to-save-public-school-funding-during-and-after-covid-19/) - Everyone's worried about the budgetary fallout that will affect public schools after the corona virus pandemic is over. The situation appears grim. Meanwhile, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her friends are still seeking to privatize public education. The CARES Act has given her free rein. Governor Andrew Cuomo warns that without federal assistance, school funding
- [Outsourcing: Privatizing the Heart of Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/15/outsourcing-privatizing-the-heart-of-special-education/) - It is difficult to find proof that handing over the heart of special education to non-profit and for-profit companies improves services for students with special needs. It's unclear whether it saves money either. But school privatization involving special education appears to be on the rise. First, district administrators complain there is little district funding and
- [Retention’s False Promise: Instead—Better Alternatives](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/02/13/retentions-false-promise-instead-better-alternatives/) - Jeb Bush, in regard to class retention of children in school, one of his signature education reforms, said last week in response to criticism, “God forbid if little Johnny is stressed out. How horrible it is for their self-esteem if they're held back.” Mr. Bush, who is probably running for president, said this at a
- [The High-Stakes Testing/Common Core Connection to New Teacher Ed. Regulations](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/01/29/the-high-stakes-testingcommon-core-connection-to-new-teacher-ed-regulations/) - High-stakes testing, Common Core and teacher education are all interconnected. Controlling for all three is a privatization package deal. For years, there has been a push to deprofessionalize teaching and that includes going to the heart of what makes a good teacher—teacher education. By doing so, the school reformers change the way teachers work. Not
- [Transforming Teacher Preparation—Gates Style](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/11/20/transforming-teacher-preparation-gates-style/) - The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have a quote on their website that says "Nobody knows teaching like teachers." If they believe that, why don’t they let teachers teach the way they know best? Or, why don’t they ask them what they need to teach better? Instead, Mr. and Mrs. Gates are going to now
- [What Arne Duncan Didn’t Do for Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/03/what-arne-duncan-didnt-do-for-special-education/) - So the tree is down and the egg nog is drunk and Arne is leaving. Everyone is sharing their parting thoughts, so I thought I would address Arne’s big moments with special education. Arne’s Letter to Parents Perhaps the place to start is the letter Duncan sent in 2010, making it sound like he understood
- [Black Students in Poor Schools: It's Still NCLB!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/06/10/black-students-in-poor-schools-its-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.
- [McKinsey & Company Uses Falling Behind Talk to Ramp Up School Toughness](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/12/10/mckinsey-company-uses-falling-behind-talk-to-ramp-up-school-toughness/) - For years McKinsey & Company has had a premier seat at the school reform table for the U.S., England, and worldwide, despite faulty reporting. Because of Covid-19, plans are being put in place to get tougher on students to make up for lost learning time. They use terms like high impact and high dosage tutoring.
- [Recess and Behavior Problems Part I: Attitude Adjustment](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/25/recess-and-behavior-problems-part-i-attitude-adjustment/) - My recent post “If You’re a Teacher Who Denies Recess...” raised some questions about what a teacher could do if they couldn’t use recess as a bargaining chip to get students to complete their work and/or behave. I thought it was important for me to address these problems. My attempt here is to show that
- [President Obama’s Testing Remarks: What about Students with Disabilities?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/26/president-obamas-testing-remarks-what-about-students-with-disabilities/) - The President suddenly cares about children and too much testing. What about all the students with disabilities that have been tested poorly or unnecessarily for years? I shouldn’t say his sudden remarks. As many bloggers pointed out over the weekend, he has a long list of comments against high-stakes tests from the past. His actions
- [“I’m Mad as Hell, and I’m Not Going to Take This Anymore!” The Real Reasons Why Teachers Stay or Quit the Profession](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/07/25/im-mad-as-hell-and-im-not-going-to-take-this-anymore-the-real-reasons-why-teachers-stay-or-quit-the-profession/) - Why do teachers stay teaching? What makes them leave? The Alliance for Excellent Education and the New Teacher Center, heavily backed by corporations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, just came out with a report focusing on teacher preparation and sounding the age-old alarm that new teachers quit within a few years. It is
- [Personalized Learning Is NOT Inclusion!](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/06/24/personalized-learning-is-not-inclusion/) - One is the loneliest number that you will ever do…. ~Three Dog Night Personalized learning must not be mistaken for inclusion. The reality is that it's student isolation! Inclusion is generally defined as the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure. Doing schoolwork on a digital device by
- [Elephant in the Room: It's the Tech Takeover, NOT Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/01/18/elephant-in-the-room-its-the-tech-takeover-not-common-core/) - We are in danger of losing public schools and it's all about "disruption" and technology. The federal government is leading the way. Common Core State Standards were unproven and costly. I hate what Common Core did to children. Common Core and other school problems are still worth discussing. But technology and its overwhelming impact on
- [Weird Education and Common Core Words and Phrases](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/20/weird-words-and-phrases-about-schools-and-common-core/) - It was the great American Writer E.B. White who said Omit needless words. Think about this as you read all the useless jargon now babbled about in reference to school lessons and Common Core State Standards. It is time to revisit my list of weird education terminology. I have added some new words and phrases
- [The Failure of Betsy DeVos and 30 Years of Corporate Influence on Public Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/11/06/the-failure-of-betsy-devos-and-30-years-of-corporate-influence-on-public-schools/) - Frustrated by public schools? Look no further than the corporate education reformers and what they have done to public education. Education Secretary DeVos and her corporate billionaire friends have been chipping away at the fabric of democratic public schools for over thirty years! The problems we see in public schools today are largely a result
- [16 Points about Education I Wish Presidential Candidates would Address Specifically](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/06/05/16-points-about-education-i-wish-presidential-candidates-would-address-specifically/) - Do you listen keenly for what politicians say about education and public schools and wind up being disappointed? There is currently, and has been for the last several elections, an absence of discussion about education. Many candidates speak in generalities. Here are the usual soundbites and what I wish would be said instead. 1. We
- [Kindergarten Learning Loss Message Is HORRIFYING for Children!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/03/19/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,
- [Reading Instruction, The Attack on Teachers, and Two Areas of Concern](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/03/10/reading-instruction-the-attack-on-teachers-and-two-areas-of-concern/) - Almost every day there’s another report attacking teachers for how they teach reading. It divides parents and teachers. It’s also dangerous at a time when there’s a teacher shortage and teachers are banding together to try to save not only their profession, but public education. I don’t like to see my profession criticized so harshly
- [The Privatization of Teaching Teachers How to Teach Reading: Cashing In on Kids!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/02/07/the-privatization-of-teaching-teachers-how-to-teach-reading-cashing-in-on-kids/) - Wondering about all the recent articles claiming teachers don't know how to teach reading, and their education schools are failing them? It appears to be about nonprofits! These groups are competing with universities. They promise to better prepare teachers to teach reading, for a fee, of course! But there's no proof they will do teacher
- [The Lost Joy of of Putting On a Play: What Children Miss in a "No Excuses" World](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/10/27/the-lost-joy-of-of-putting-on-a-play-what-children-miss-in-a-no-excuses-world/) - How many elementary school plays do children get to perform in? Do schools have time for plays anymore? Do children ever get to act out dramatically? Drama can't be tested. So plays might become a burden for teachers forced to worry about school accountability. Since NCLB, and no excuses for poor test scores, became popular,
- [The Every Child Achieves Act of 2015—Concerns](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/08/the-every-child-achieves-act-of-2015-concerns/) - Bloggers are describing their interpretation of The Every Child Achieves Act of 2015. I wanted to add my concerns. Here is the summary of the Act. Here is the long version. First, I am not a fan of what states and even the local school districts have done to public schools. So I don’t get
- [Discipline: Schools MUST Treat ALL Students Fairly](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/04/08/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.
- [School Reformers Who Blame Public Schools for Eliminating Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/12/school-reformers-who-blame-public-schools-for-eliminating-special-education/) - I see Washington Post Columnist Jay Matthews as someone who usually cheerleads for privatization of public schools. I take issue with his Sunday Washington Post article “How can a special education student fail finals yet pass? Sadly, it’s easy.” Oh help! Is this not a case of the right hand not being able to find
- [Brain-Based Learning: Pushing Children to Learn Faster—Why?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/12/12/brain-based-learning-pushing-children-to-learn-faster-why/) - There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child. ~ Erma Bombeck (1927-1996), American author and humorist. Brain-based learning promotes the idea that children learn faster if they are taught differently. But why push children to learn faster than ever before? Why turn children into adults before they
- [The Scientific BS Surrounding Common Core and Teaching Vocabulary](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/21/the-scientific-bs-surrounding-common-core-and-teaching-vocabulary/) - I am going to be a BS detector. The Common Core State Standards are made to appear complicated. Fancy codes and scientific sounding big words are used to wow the public. But if you look at the standards, they’re nothing innovative or new! Take vocabulary. Teachers have been teaching vocabulary since the beginning of time.
- [Could Changing College Admissions Be the End of High-Stakes Testing?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/20/could-changing-college-admissions-be-the-end-of-high-stakes-testing/) - Could it be that once the first domino falls the rest will follow? Leaders at eighty leading colleges and universities, including the Ivy League, are attempting to revise the application process to look at students and their personal interests! They want to focus less on the canned metrics. Are college and university leaders across the
- [In Honor of Teacher Appreciation Week—Who Are They Kidding?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/03/in-honor-of-teacher-appreciation-week-who-are-they-kidding-2/) - Get ready teachers! The country is priming for that once a year period where you are venerated by America for the work that you do—for all the children you just finished testing the heck out of—through little fault of your own. It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Want to see how so-called leaders and the media are
- [Independence Day and the Loss of America's Democratic Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/07/04/independence-day-and-the-loss-of-americas-democratic-public-schools/) - Politicians talk a lot about democracy, especially while referring to threats from other countries. What about the destruction of what should be the most democratic institution in this country—America's public schools? Many Americans of both parties seem unworried about handing public education over to the wealthy who want to privatize those schools and use them
- [Georgia’s Problem with Students with Behavioral Disabilities is Everyone’s Problem](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/08/08/georgias-problem-with-students-with-behavioral-disabilities-is-everyones-problem/) - How does one teach a student who shows up at school angry, defiant and/or sullen and depressed, who might hear voices—who acts so atypical that there is worry they might lash out at other students or hurt themselves? When they throw a chair, strike another child, or teacher, or hit their head repeatedly against the
- [What We're Waiting to Hear: The Education Fight No Candidate Mentions (Thus Far)](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/05/26/what-were-waiting-to-hear-the-education-fight-no-candidate-mentions-thus-far/) - All the democratic presidential candidates have plans how to run the country and positively affect the world. Some have good ideas about how to improve public schools and support teachers. But none has yet to speak about America’s education crisis. Educators and parents who rally around public schools and the teachers who work in them
- [Finland’s School Reforms are Troubling: 4 Reasons Why](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/02/20/finlands-school-reforms-are-troubling-4-reasons-why/) - Finland’s new curriculum means that schoolchildren will no longer need to sit down quietly in classrooms, since they will instead be able to choose where and how they study. In future there will not necessarily be any traditional enclosed classrooms. —“The Truth About Finnish Schools” This is Finland Finland’s schools have been admired for years.
- [Recess Isn’t P.E.: State Legislatures Reframe the Meaning of a Child’s Freedom](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/11/23/recess-isnt-p-e-state-legislatures-reframe-the-meaning-of-a-childs-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
- [New Assessment Aligning Students with Severe Disabilities to Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/04/28/new-assessment-aligning-students-with-severe-disabilities-to-common-core/) - There is new Common Core assessment claiming to be “rigorous” for students with severe cognitive disabilities. Do students with severe disabilities need rigor? The assessment is being likened to a “journey” like a beautiful trip. Or, is it a trip to nowhere? It touts accountability, but I see no safety net for students if they
- [Nineteen For 2019: Choose This, NOT That, to Save Public Education in the New Year!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/12/31/nineteen-for-2019-choose-this-not-that-to-save-public-education-in-the-new-year/) - 1. Kindergarten NOT The New First Grade Kindergartners should be treated like the four and five-year-old students that they are and not pushed to be first graders. The activities and instruction for this age group are well established. Real educators should take charge and ensure that there's much free play and age appropriate activities. 2.
- [Leaving Childhood Out in the Rain!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/01/31/leaving-childhood-out-in-the-rain/) - Why do corporate CEOs, foundations, and policymakers want kindergartners to learn more advanced material at a faster rate? Why is this important to them? If children are made to grow up quickly, what happens to childhood? Why are they against play and art for children in public schools? Why do they push children to read
- [Teachers, Hold On to Your Desks! YOU Make Instruction Work!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/08/17/teachers-hold-on-to-your-desks-you-make-instruction-work/) - Teachers, hold on to your desks! Your classroom footprint matters! It’s always a thrill this time of year to see teachers on social media showing off their classrooms. Not only are teachers proud of their workspace, they understand that the ambience in those rooms is critical to how students feel about learning and school. Teachers often dip
- [The American Teacher vs. Betsy DeVos](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/06/the-american-teacher-vs-betsy-devos/) - They are asking me the question, ‘Is the American Dream dead?’ And the American Dream is in trouble. But we’re going to get it back and do some real jobs. --Donald Trump, Rochester, NH Town Hall, September 17, 2015 The appointment of Betsy DeVos as education secretary will offend every teacher in this country who
- [IEPs for All—Or Something Else?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/09/09/ieps-for-all-or-something-else/) - Some of us imagined a public school system that would drop special education labels and look at all children individually and collectively for their strengths and what they need to learn. We thought of it as Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) for everyone. You will likely hear about “IEPs for All” in the future, if you
- [Arizona Fails its Children!](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/13/arizona-fails-its-children/) - Arizona is holding back 1,400 third graders. I guess they are following Florida's misguided lead. The Arizona Department of Education said the third-graders did not pass the math and English portions of the Arizona’s Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teaching — AzMERIT — test. (KTAR News) Expect More Arizona seems O.K. with the failures. Here
- [Senator Bernie Sanders and K-12 Education: We're Listening!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/06/senator-bernie-sanders-and-k-12-education-were-listening/) - Bernie fever is sweeping the Internet. I like Sen. Sanders. He says a lot of things that make me want to jump up and shout YES! You Go Bernie! But I, like many others, am still listening for the specifics when it comes to education and public schools. On the issue of K-12 education he
- [TeachingWorks (or Doesn’t) at the University of Michigan: The Corporatization of Teacher Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/08/teachingworks-or-doesnt-at-the-university-of-michigan-the-corporatization-of-teacher-education/) - It is with concern that I write about the Gates influence on the University of Michigan’s College of Education and the new program called TeachingWorks. The Gates Foundation is giving $6.8 million to the U of M to influence how they will transform teacher preparation. The Helmsley Charitable Trust Grant also provided $1.1 million. This
- [Peer Tutoring: When is it Student Exploitation?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/07/26/peer-tutoring-when-is-it-student-exploitation/) - How much should children help each other learn? Peer tutoring, or peer-assisted learning, is trendy. Search the literature and it’s all over the place, although much of the research involves peer tutoring in higher education. When does peer tutoring cross the line? How much tutoring should a child do, or get? Is the tutee (child
- [Some Michigan Special Education History: A Lesson for All States](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/01/22/some-michigan-special-education-history-a-lesson-for-all-states/) - By Marcie Lipsitt Michigan once had a proud heritage of believing in the educational rights of our students with disabilities. But what has transpired over the past 39 years is not worthy of our history books or a wondrous fairy tale of children’s dreams come true. For Michigan’s 200,000 students with an Individualized Education Programs
- [The Sneaky Takeover of America’s Teacher Ed. Programs: Today's Target Eastern Michigan University](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/30/the-sneaky-takeover-of-americas-teacher-ed-programs-todays-target-eastern-michigan-university/) - My last post was about the sneaky way the University of Memphis education school was being side-swiped by the Relay Graduate School, a faux education group of pretend-educators who will end professional teacher preparation as we know it. Now, Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has a similar, but slightly different, situation brewing. Moveon.org has a petition
- ["Disruption” Using Technology is Dangerous to Child Development and Public Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/11/13/disruption-using-technology-is-dangerous-to-child-development-and-public-education/) - Public schools continuously change to keep up with progress. Technology has much to offer. But the idea that instruction should be disrupted using technology is putting students and the country at risk. It destroys the public school curriculum that has managed to educate the masses for decades. Disruption is a troubling word when referring to
- [The Dangers of Eliminating Teacher Preparation](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/06/25/the-dangers-of-eliminating-teacher-preparation/) - Wisconsin is thinking about letting anyone teach. No degree will be required to enter the classroom and work with students. Isn't it bizarre to encourage young people to go to college but claim their teachers don't need a college degree? Surely this is quackery. But I thought it would be a good time to do
- [Aristotle in Kindergarten—What Do Children Miss?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/09/13/aristotle-in-kindergarten-what-do-children-miss/) - When I read in The New York Times about Matthew Levey, a Columbia alum and former McKinsey consultant, who is setting up the International Charter School of New York, I was stunned! The school is starting out with 70 kindergartners and first graders and will eventually go up to fifth grade. Mr. Levey starting a
- [How is School Choice “Freedom” When Students Lose School Libraries and Librarians?](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/04/27/how-is-school-choice-freedom-when-students-lose-school-libraries-and-librarians/) - Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open. ~Laura Bush What choice and charter advocates don't advertise is that most charter schools don't invest in school libraries with qualified
- [Organizations with the Audacity to Blame Teachers for Poor NAEP Reading Scores!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/11/13/organizations-with-the-audacity-to-blame-teachers-for-poor-naep-reading-scores/) - The latest “criticize teachers for not teaching the 'science' of reading” can be found in "Schools Should Follow the 'Science of Reading,' say National Education Groups" in the Gates funded Education Week. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funds most of the organizations in this report that criticize public schools and teachers for low NAEP
- [15 Strange and Scary Goings-On Surrounding Covid-19, Schools, and Teaching](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/10/12/15-strange-and-scary-goings-on-surrounding-covid-19-schools-and-teaching/) - How to handle a pandemic is a new territory for school officials and educators. Here are some observations of odd and downright scary practices surrounding the disease and school attendance. Adults online. Students are in-person. School board members meet online to discuss business. They’re worried about catching the virus, but they determine it’s best to
- [Take the CEO and Policymaker Challenge—Teach A Year in a Poor Public School!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/09/21/take-the-ceo-and-policymaker-challenge-teach-a-year-in-a-poor-public-school/) - I would like to challenge CEOs and education policymakers, and anyone else who thinks they know best what teachers should do, even though they have never been in a classroom, except perhaps for a few photo opts, to take the teaching challenge. Spend at least a semester teaching in a poor public school, which now,
- [Defining "Educator" During a Teacher Shortage and the Privatization of Public Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/04/05/defining-educator-during-a-teacher-shortage-and-the-privatization-of-public-education/) - Define educator for America's schools. It’s critical to nail this down during a teacher shortage and when there are attempts to privatize public schools. We don't want people with inappropriate or no credentials teaching America’s children and directing their public schools. Ensuring that teachers and administrators are qualified used to be required. Since NCLB, alternative
- [Superintendents Going For Teacher Gold](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/08/27/superintendents-going-for-teacher-gold/) - The 2016 Summer Olympics may be over, but school superintendents in America are still going for the gold. If you are a creative teacher, you need to be careful and know your ideas will become the property of the school district. And they can make money on them. It is called "intellectual property" or IP
- [Pressuring Parents to Teach Their Kindergartners to Read: The New Norm?](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/01/10/pressuring-parents-to-teach-their-kindergartners-to-read-the-new-norm/) - Ahh. There's no place like home, especially if you're a kindergartner whose been sitting and working all day on phonics worksheets, or seated in front of a screen doing reading exercises. Once you get off that school bus it will be time to finally make a break for it. Play awaits! Looking at those pictures
- [U.S. DOE Continues to Force Test Failure on Children with Special Needs and ELL Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/01/u-s-doe-continues-to-force-test-failure-on-children-with-special-needs-and-ell-students/) - According to information given to me by Deborah Abramson Brooks Wsm, the U.S. Dept. of Education is insisting that the New York Board of Education continue to force all students with disabilities, except for those with the severest disabilities, to take the tests matching their chronological age, not their developmental age, ignoring their cognitive disabilities.
- [The POWER of Picture Books v. High-Stakes Testing & Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/11/16/the-power-of-picture-books-v-high-stakes-testing-common-core/) - In 2010, I read an article in The New York Times that both saddened and infuriated me. In "Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children" by Julie Bosman we learned about a bookstore in Brookline, MA, a beautiful community surrounded by Harvard, MIT, Tufts, etc., where parents were rejecting picture books. They skipped buying
- [The Science of Reading Ignores The Importance of Picture Books to Early Learning](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/06/06/the-science-of-reading-ignores-the-importance-of-picture-books-to-early-learning/) - Increasingly, parents and teachers are embracing the controversial Science of Reading (SoR), pushing for State policies that reinforce more phonics instruction. It's troubling to see they only discuss commercial decoding programs, of which there are many. They rarely mention the importance of picture books and giving children the chance to read freely. Is phonics important?
- [Universal Design for Learning by David H. Rose, Ed.D.](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/12/09/universal-design-for-learning-by-david-h-rose-ed-d/) - Universal Design for Learning (UDL) By David H. Rose, Ed.D. Thank you Nancy for inviting me to put some thoughts about UDL on your blog. I hope I can reduce some of the misconceptions about UDL that appeared here, and then perhaps engage in discussion where I can learn more from you and your readers.
- [The Headband Obsession With Student Concentration](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/01/27/the-headband-obsession-with-student-concentration/) - Headbands created to collect information about student attending behavior are the latest trend. Adults monitor and gather information from students' brains to see if they stay focused on schoolwork. Here's the Vulcan Post that discusses Neeuro, from just one company jumping on the headband bandwagon. This falls into the social-emotional "good behavior" and "self-regulation" learning
- [Maker Movements Should NOT Endanger School Libraries, Librarians, and Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/10/09/maker-movements-should-not-endanger-school-libraries-librarians-and-reading/) - To call yourself a librarian, you need to have that training and to be certified. If you replace a certified librarian with someone who’s just an expert in technology, you’re losing half of the role that school libraries are supposed to be serving. You still need someone who is a champion of reading. ~Leslie Preddy,
- [Who Needs Gifted Education When We've Got Common Core and Rigor?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/02/17/who-needs-gifted-education-when-weve-got-common-core-and-rigor/) - Common Core interjects the idea of rigor into standards for all. So where do gifted students fit in this plan? If every student is meant to accomplish these high standards, are there higher standards for students whose IQ is off the charts, or who have been identified as twice exceptional (students with a disability but
- [Problematic "Scientific Based" Phonics: The Flawed National Reading Panel](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/10/16/problematic-scientific-based-phonics-the-flawed-national-reading-panel/) - It's odd and detrimental that the National Reading Panel is highlighted in reports as science, used to promote phonics and criticize how teachers teach reading. It has become so intense that teachers are being advised to drop certain reading methods to focus solely on "systematic, explicit phonics!" The NRP was discredited long ago. Why it's
- [After the Confession: How Will They Fix the Damage Done to Public Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/06/25/after-the-confession-how-will-they-fix-the-damage-done-to-public-schools/) - Nick Hanauer is described as "founder of the public-policy incubator Civic Ventures." His piece in The Atlantic called "Better Public Schools Won't Fix America," is an admission that the corporate message we’ve heard for years that schools will fix the problems of the economy and society is false. Most of us knew this. Here is
- [More Weird New Words for the School Reform Education Vocabulary List](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/12/more-weird-new-words-for-the-school-reform-education-vocabulary-list/) - Six months ago I started my website/blog and one of my posts included strange education vocabulary. Some of the words used to mean something relevant and different from their meaning today. But most of these words have been used by education reformers to change the nature of public schooling. Many of the words or phrases
- [The Troubling Trend to Collect Behavioral Data on ALL Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/03/the-troubling-trend-to-collect-behavioral-data-on-all-children/) - As school starts, many parents are being bombarded with information about behavioral data collection on their children. A lot of this is tied to the trendy push for social-emotional learning (SEL), and the attempt to connect behavior with a child’s ability to read and do well in school. But it’s troubling to see schools monitoring
- [Betsy DeVos Confirmation Hearing and Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/17/betsy-devos-confirmation-hearing-and-special-education/) - I was asked to write about the Betsy DeVos confirmation hearing and special education. So here is a quick rundown. I was pleasantly surprised at some of the questioning by Democrats. I know education reform is often bi-partisan, but the Dems hit some high notes tonight. I came away with much respect for Sen. Patty
- [21 Concerns about Special Education and Competency-Based Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/29/21-concerns-about-special-education-and-competency-based-education/) - As most know, Competency-Based Education (CBE) is being pushed into schools for all students, including those who have special needs. Before I go on, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development looked at 15-year-olds and their computer use in 31 nations and regions. They found that reading and math scores on the Program for International
- [What's Behind Increased Teaching of Self-Regulation in Children?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/11/whats-behind-increased-teaching-of-self-regulation-in-children/) - It’s normal to expect children to pay attention and learn good behavior. It’s part of growing up. But self-regulatory learning (SRL) forced on children so they will be computer learners is a different story. Why is there such a drive to make children more independent and self-sufficient? How is it justifiable to push students to
- [XQ Super Schools—Business Working to End Public High Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/05/xq-super-schools-business-working-to-end-public-high-schools/) - Laurene Powell Jobs and her XQ school bus are coming to us via television on major networks on September 8th. She wants to remake high schools. Powell Jobs would have you think that high schools haven’t changed for a hundred years. That’s not true. The American high school can certainly always improve, but the institution
- [5 Reasons Why the Teacher Shortage Concern is A Hoax!](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/13/5-reasons-why-the-teacher-shortage-concern-is-a-hoax/) - No doubt, many children aren’t getting the general or special education teachers they deserve, especially in poor schools. There probably is a real teacher shortage. However, school reformers have been squawking about a teacher shortage for years. If policymakers cared, they would have put programs into place to address this shortage. They would have sought
- [Those Who Seek to Privatize Public Schools are Working WITHIN the System!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/09/08/those-who-seek-to-privatize-public-schools-are-working-within-the-system/) - Since the anonymous New York Times Opinon piece claiming there’s a critic in the White House, at least one comedian has referenced the 2006 remake horror movie When a Stranger Calls. The babysitter contacts the police to get threatening phone calls traced. The bad guy turns out to be in the house! On a similar,
- [Commiserating on How Gifted Students are Ignored by Educators, Policymakers and Those Who Should Care](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/12/commiserating-on-how-gifted-students-are-ignored-by-educators-policymakers-and-those-who-should-care/) - A post I did almost a year ago about Common Core and gifted students has been receiving renewed activity lately. HERE. HERE is another. I wondered what was up. Why are gifted parents digging into the archives? I realized school for many has been in session for a while now and for parents, including parents
- [The Common Core “Deep Learning” Message that All Students are Gifted is Wrong](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/18/the-common-core-deep-learning-message-that-all-students-are-gifted-is-wrong/) - …in the ordinary elementary school situation, children of 140 IQ waste half their time. Those of 170 IQ waste practically all their time. — gifted education pioneer Leta Hollingworth, found in Genius Denied, by Jan and Bob Davidson A recent report implied that with the right kind of environment and “deep learning” everyone can be
- [IEPs for All Students? Hold On!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/02/07/ieps-for-all-students-hold-on/) - A discussion about IEPs for all students seems to be trending. In an interview with The Nation during the presidential campaign, Jane Sanders talked about IEPs and public schools. It was likely the most we heard about public education at that time. Here are her words. It’s interesting, because we’ve made progress with IEPs [Individualized
- ["Personalized Learning" is NOT Working for High School Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/29/personalized-learning-is-not-working-for-high-school-students/) - Backed by major philanthropists and investors such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, the ed-tech industry has aggressively pushed the idea of "personalized learning." But on the ground, the concept remains nebulous, and research evidence remains thin. ~Benjamin Herold. Education Week, September 21, 2017 Will students graduate high school with what they need to go
- [Drastic Public School Cuts in Memphis—The New America](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/04/07/drastic-public-school-cuts-in-memphis-the-new-america/) - Shelby County Schools in Memphis are cutting programs like special education and teachers and staff and other important positions and resources that help a good school function. They need to make $50 million or maybe even $86 million in cuts to public schools. The biggest hit to a single department under academics is in special
- [How the Media and School Districts Shame Teachers During Covid-19](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/01/27/how-the-media-and-school-districts-shame-teachers-during-covid-19/) - Listen to the news one moment, and you're warned about the new variants of the virus. There's uncertainty about it and whether it's more deadly than the current strain. Next, the media gives voice to critics who belittle teachers and their unions for not returning to school or being afraid. There's a dislike of teachers
- [Do Americans Hate Teachers, Or are they Duped by Teach for America?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/09/25/do-americans-hate-teachers-or-are-they-duped-by-teach-for-america/) - With more than $75 million coming in from government at last count and another $220 million from the philanthropic community, we should be seeing more evidence of long-term student gains and far more alumni continuing their impassioned work in the classroom. Patricia Schaefer, NPQ, September 11, 2015 Do Americans understand that by contributing to a
- [What’s Behind the Obsession with Kindergarten Readiness?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/08/25/whats-behind-the-obsession-with-kindergarten-readiness/) - When I was in kindergarten, I had one line in a little play. I said, I am Patrick Potato and this is my cousin, Mrs. Tomato, and I heard laughter. I wanted to be an actress from that moment on. ~Doris Roberts, American actress, author and philanthropist. Raymond’s mom on the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond.
- [Privatization and School Buses? Thoughts, Please, Betsy DeVos?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/26/privatization-and-school-buses-thoughts-please-betsy-devos/) - The private company that owned the bus involved in Monday's wreck in Chattanooga that killed five [six] elementary school students has had 142 crashes with injuries and three fatalities in the past 24 months, according to federal records. Here I’m thinking of the pictures this past week of Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos beaming about school choice--vouchers
- [Challenge to the Common Core King and Queen: Get Involved Really!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/08/challenge-to-the-common-core-king-and-queen-get-involved-really/) - Bill and Melinda Gates say “Working on reforming the U.S. education system is the hardest job they’ve ever tackled — even more difficult and complex than trying to find a cure for malaria.” Their hardest job? Are they kidding? Sitting in an ivory palace pulling school reform ideas off the top of your head is
- [What's Behind TIME Magazine's Teacher Hate Turnaround?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/09/27/whats-behind-time-magazines-teacher-hate-turnaround/) - The recent TIME Magazine article about teachers describes beaten-down, courageous individuals, struggling to remain in a profession where they are not honored like they deserve. TIME seems to suddenly love teachers. It had those of us who support public schools and teachers scratching our heads. TIME hasn’t been kind to teachers in the past. Remember
- [The Seriousness of Aligning the SAT to Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/02/26/the-seriousness-of-aligning-the-sat-to-common-core/) - There are two very serious issues surrounding the Common Core and the SAT. The SAT is the test students must conquer to get into many colleges. There is a reason David “nobody gives an expletive what you think or feel” Coleman, a central figure involved in the development of the Common Core, is now President
- [The Dallas Dance Investigation: What's Your School District Up To?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/24/the-dallas-dance-investigation-whats-your-school-district-up-to/) - Dallas Dance is in trouble. But don't forget his agenda. The attempted transformation of a school system to personalized learning is troubling. How many school districts have administrators or school board members pushing personalized learning at all cost? Anyone hearing buzz words and phrases like "no walls and no boundaries?" I have posted before about
- [Professional Teachers—Click, Click! Poof! You’re Gone!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/11/11/professional-teachers-click-click-poof-youre-gone/) - The attack on teacher education is fast and furious. Privatizing America’s public schools means getting rid of career teachers who support instruction geared to a child's needs. A way to purge the country of real teachers is to extinguish their teacher education programs and make teaching look like a regimented practice that any drill sergeant
- [When ADHD Collides With Grit: What to Do?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/06/18/when-adhd-collides-with-grit-what-to-do/) - How does a student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) get grit, when everything about grit is contrary to ADHD? Grit, defined, is perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Grit entails working strenuously toward challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress. The gritty individual approaches achievement as a
- [Liking Those We Don’t Like: The Dissonance Involved with Supporting Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/01/09/liking-those-we-dont-like-the-dissonance-involved-with-supporting-public-schools/) - Most teachers see the good in everyone. They go into teaching because they care about children, and they take what happens in life personally. They are usually defiantly protective of their turf. Many years ago, I started out disliking the late Benjamin O. Canada, who was superintendent of Atlanta and one of the first school leaders
- [The ASVAB: Are You Handing Your Student’s Information Over to the Military With Out Knowing?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/07/16/the-asvab-are-you-handing-your-students-information-over-to-the-military-with-out-knowing/) - The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Career Exploration Program, otherwise known as the ASVAB-CEP, or ASVAB, is an admissions and placement test to determine student career interests, strengths, and qualification for the military. The ASVAB is not new. It has been around since 1968. But there are new privacy concerns about the way the test
- [What Happens to Artists Who Aren’t Good Readers?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/10/what-happens-to-artists-who-arent-good-readers/) - Imagine children in public schools today, who do not read well, but who are undiscovered, gifted artists. They are continually drilled in reading and get few opportunities to express themselves artistically. In some schools, if a student does not test well in reading they do not get to be in the band, or they are
- [Worry in Toys 'R' Us News: Children Prefer Tablets Over Toys](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/20/worry-in-toys-r-us-news-children-prefer-tablets-over-toys/) - They [iPads] have overtaken dolls, action figures, board games and other traditional toys--and experts say their popularity is still rocketing. ~Mark Prigg, "How the iPad Replaced the Toy Chest: Researchers Find Children Play with Touchscreens More than Traditional Toys." Daily Mail. February 21, 2014. With the announcement that Toys ‘R’ Us is filing for bankruptcy,
- [Gates’s Blunders Destroy Teachers and Public Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/07/04/gatess-blunders-destroy-teachers-and-public-schools/) - In a democracy, all powerful institutions that affect our lives need vigilant oversight. ~David Callahan, The Givers: Wealth, Power, and Philanthropy in a New Gilded Age (p. 304) As grills get fired-up for the 4th of July, dark clouds hang over the country. Here's one. We learned through a RAND report, that the Bill &
- [Social-Emotional Learning's Transformation of Schools is Worrisome](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/07/07/social-emotional-learnings-transformation-of-schools-is-worrisome/) - Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is being pushed into public schools. It could mean many things, restorative justice, meditation, anti-bullying programs, and much more. But SEL is not just an add-on program. It's whole-school systematic change from teaching academics to focusing on students and personality formation. Books and online programs galore are being written about SEL and
- [Teacher Concerns about Age Discrimination and the Teacher Shortage](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/08/29/teacher-concerns-about-age-discrimination-and-the-teacher-shortage/) - Many teachers raised concerns about age discrimination relating to the current teacher shortage after a recent post. I gathered what I had learned and I have added additional information. I also provide links at the bottom to other important articles about this topic. It is important to state that older teachers want to encourage young
- [Florida Business Leaders Can’t Enjoy Luncheon Due to Dismal Reading Scores](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/06/28/florida-business-leaders-cant-enjoy-luncheon-due-to-dismal-reading-scores/) - Florida business leaders got together for lunch and the mood was somber. They were sad because children in Manatee and Bradenton are not reading well. And they’re right. In Sarasota, 29 percent of third graders aren’t reading at grade level. In Manatee, it’s 50 percent. Between both counties, 40 percent of third graders are having
- [A Student's Mental Health Could Depend on Putting the Arts Back into the Public School Curriculum](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/09/21/a-students-mental-health-could-depend-on-putting-the-arts-back-into-the-public-school-curriculum/) - Safety commissions, school districts, PTAs, and other groups and individuals have discussed school safety. One smart move would be to ensure that every school has a legitimate arts program including visual arts, music, drama, and dance. Students who struggle with mental health problems might benefit from the arts. Every child should have access. Students should
- [The Black Hole of Gifted Education and the What Ifs We All Live With](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/09/05/the-black-hole-of-gifted-education-and-the-what-ifs-we-all-live-with/) - In 2008, I lost my only brother, six years my junior, to pancreatic cancer. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t remember his warm smile and how he could make me laugh. While out and about, I sometimes spot the back of a head and a body built like his, when he was healthy
- [Denied Special Education Services: Parents Push Back for Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/11/denied-special-education-services-parents-push-back-for-students/) - The outrage concerning diminishing services in special education has recently surfaced in in three different places—Chicago, Fairfield, CT, and the State of Alabama. There are interesting similarities, and these places are certainly not alone when it comes to special education cuts. NOTE: If you would like to share what is happening to special education where
- [The Need for School Psychologists at this Critical Time](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/09/07/the-need-for-school-psychologists-at-this-critical-time/) - Public schools provide support staff that help teachers consider the whole child. This includes the role of the school psychologist. These professionals are the experts that make a school and school system complete. They provide children and teens the mental health support they need. Since the corporate school reform march to privatize public education, those
- [The Upcoming, Troubling, PBS "School of the Future"](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/09/11/the-upcoming-troubling-pbs-school-of-the-future/) - On Wednesday, Sept. 14, 9 pm ET, PBS and NOVA will air a two hour special called "School of the Future." The advertisement tells us much. They are warning that the future for children demands that students need better preparation to succeed due to globalization. What they probably won't tell us is that this future
- [Articles about "Reading Wars" Meant to Divide Teachers and Parents!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/11/04/articles-about-reading-wars-meant-to-divide-teachers-and-parents/) - A wave of recent articles about reading trick parents and educators into thinking teachers are not teaching reading and are not being trained to teach reading correctly. The opinion pieces are written by journalist Emily Hanford. Warning! Corporate reform fingerprints are all over these articles. Could it be about transforming classrooms to technology, where students
- [Destroying Special Education through Common Core Testing and Funding Cuts](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/08/25/destroying-special-education-through-common-core-testing-and-funding-cuts/) - How are things going with these special education cuts after time has gone by? I'm looking at what's happening currently. Let me know of any program cuts in your school district and I will write about them. This was originally posted August 25, 2015. ___________________________________________ Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and
- [35 Ways They Dumb Down America: Still, There's Hope!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/05/03/35-ways-they-dumb-down-america-still-theres-hope/) - They took all the trees And put them in a tree museum And they charged all the people A dollar and a half to see 'em Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got 'Till it's gone They paved paradise And they put up a parking lot ~Joni Mitchell, Big
- [The End of the Road for PUBLIC SCHOOL Teachers? I Don’t Think So!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/28/the-end-of-the-road-for-public-school-teachers-i-dont-think-so/) - Is it the end of the road for public school teachers? It seems like a bad sign when a respected teacher wins an award for teaching, and during a conversation afterwards on CNN, tells young people to go into teaching only if they enter the private sector. Last week Main teacher Nancie Atwell became the
- [Why Do Teachers Stay? What Makes them Leave?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/30/why-do-teachers-stay-what-makes-them-leave/) - What makes a teacher stay teaching when everything goes wrong? What is the breaking point to make them want to quit? Almost every day there is another sad story of a teacher who says good-bye to their students and closes the classroom door for the last time. This is especially a problem when it comes
- [Dyslexia and Teachers in a World with No Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/02/dyslexia-and-teachers-in-a-world-with-no-special-education/) - What happens to students with dyslexia and learning disabilities when there are no more special education services? This from a teacher in Mississippi: I am an Inclusion teacher at my son’s high school. Our special ed department lost a certified position and two paraprofessional positions. Students receive services, but we have cut our presence in
- [The Student Success Act—The End of Public Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/02/25/the-student-success-act-the-end-of-public-schools/) - Last week on FOX News, Host Lisa "Kennedy" Montgomery said, "there really shouldn't be public schools anymore." Before Democrats could shake their heads and say, “Those silly Republicans,” Steve Benen on The Rachel Maddow Show Blog, referencing Lisa's statement, said, "what was once an unheard of idea is slowly becoming a little more common. For
- [What Preschool Isn't: Waterford UPSTART and Any Other Online Program!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/04/16/what-preschool-isnt-waterford-upstart-and-any-other-online-program/) - No one can deny the importance of early learning. We have years of research by developmental psychologists and early childhood education researchers built on findings to help us understand how preschoolers learn. We need to fund adequate preschools so students get a good introduction to the joy of formal learning. Researchers have known for some
- [Studies that Honor Preschool “Rigor” Are NOT to Be Trusted](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/06/02/studies-that-honor-preschool-rigor-are-not-to-be-trusted/) - Prerequisite to Kindergarten: Instead of demanding four-year-olds talk of geometric “attributes,” how about getting them to show up the first day of kindergarten with great big smiles on their faces? The New York Times is praising a new study in a report titled “Free Play or Flashcards? New Study Nods to More Rigorous Preschools.” The
- [Who's Behind America's Superintendents and School Transformation?](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/02/24/whos-behind-americas-superintendents-and-school-transformation/) - The School Superintendents Association (AASA) recently met in San Diego. Superintendents from around the country gathered to discuss what they saw as important to school leadership and public education. The future of education was a prominent theme of the meeting, with the overall focus on one word, transformation. They saluted digital and futuristic learning, reflected
- [California’s Reading Crisis: Why Aren't U.S. Kids Reading Well?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/12/10/californias-reading-crisis-why-arent-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
- [Robots for Students with Autism vs. Real Therapists and Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/12/15/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
- [The 12 Point Covid-19 DISCONNECT Between Teachers and Those Who Want Schools Open Now!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/02/04/the-12-point-covid-19-disconnect-between-teachers-and-those-who-want-schools-open-now/) - Pressure is being placed on teachers to return to in-person classes. Here's why that's a problem. 1. Precautions The CDC and Dr. Fauci and President Biden want all schools to return to in-person learning with precautions in place. But precautions are exactly what many schools often lack. Teachers know best whether or not precautions are
- [What School Safety Reports Ignore: Reducing Class Size](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/08/08/what-school-safety-reports-ignore-reducing-class-size/) - Over the summer we have seen a glut of school safety reports. Local, state, and federal agencies have written possible solutions they think will thwart future school violence. Some suggestions might be well-advised, but others have created concerns about questionable student surveillance. It's difficult to believe any solutions will be successful if no one addresses class
- [Response to Intervention: Derailed!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/11/13/response-to-intervention-derailed/) - Response to Intervention (RtI) is assessment all children get, starting early, in order to determine if they need special assistance to address learning disabilities. It has been plugged as “research” or “scientifically-based” programming to identify problems in young children so they can avoid special education. Those descriptors were often used, sometimes unjustifiably so, with programs
- [Hey Bill & Melinda! Here's What's Hard for ELLs](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/19/hey-bill-melinda-heres-whats-hard-for-ells/) - By Linda Chantal Sullivan As I read Nancy Bailey’s blog post, “Challenge to the Common Core King and Queen: Get Involved Really!,” I found myself vigorously nodding my head in agreement. How ridiculous that Bill and Melinda Gates say reforming our education system is the hardest job they’ve ever tackled. I was thinking, “Yeah, you
- [High School College: High School Hell!](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/11/18/high-school-college-high-school-hell/) - Freshmen are told on one hand not to worry about college, then given an early version of a college entrance exam three weeks into their first year of high school. ~Chicago Tribune Nov.13, 2017 Like kindergartners pushed to be first graders, high school is the new college. Teens are more anxious than ever. Depression and
- [Arrogant Columnists Who Love High-Stakes Tests](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/20/arrogant-columnists-who-love-high-stakes-tests/) - I probably would have ignored a recent smug opinion piece by Beth Kassab in the Orlando Sentinel, who scoffs at parents who choose opting their children out of the tests. But another snotty write-up in a similar vein by Mike Thomas, from Jeb Bush’s Foundation of Excellence, followed quickly on its heels. I’ll start with
- [ESSA and the Dismantling of Programs for Students with Disabilities and/or Gifted Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/04/essa-and-the-dismantling-of-programs-for-students-with-disabilities-andor-gifted-students/) - Sign the petition to stop the reauthorization of ESEA. HERE! __________________________________ What are the problems with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and students with disabilities and/or gifted students? First, A Little History Politicians have never wanted to pay for special education. Everything you see today in the way of policy and rhetoric concerning the
- [Stealing the Joy of Reading—How Common Core Destroys Reading Pleasure](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/06/09/stealing-the-joy-of-reading-how-common-core-destroys-reading-pleasure/) - Who would have believed that it would come to this? Education Week is having a webinar on new approaches to reading aloud in K-2nd grade (New Strategies for Reading Aloud to K-2 Students, Thurs. June 18, 2-3 p.m ET). The underwriting for the webinar is through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and with Common
- [Tricky Business in New York Special Ed. and Maybe Where You Live](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/09/tricky-business-in-new-york-special-ed-and-maybe-where-you-live/) - By Monica Kennedy Kounter I am a parent of a special needs child, a certified lay advocate, and I have a Master’s of Science in Early Childhood Education. I have been fighting Common Core on the behalf of students with disabilities in New York State for a year now. I am a relative newcomer to
- [40 Reasons to Honor Teachers in 2016](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/05/01/40-reasons-to-honor-teachers-in-2016/) - Last year I made this list in honor of all teachers for teacher appreciation week. It is that time of year again! So, I’d like to wish all my teacher friends a wonderful week! I hope you can focus on the great jobs that you do despite any problems that come your way. I added
- [A Pompous, Demoralizing Letter for Teachers, Students, and Parents](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/08/21/a-pompous-demoralizing-letter-for-teachers-students-and-parents/) - One of the old education reformers is Chester E. Finn, Jr. of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. He referred to himself as aging--not me. But he is old, and my point with this is that the push to destroy public schools, as we know them, started a long time ago. Finn just wrote a letter
- [4 Reasons Why Charter Schools Should Not Do Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/06/08/4-reasons-why-charter-schools-should-not-do-special-education/) - A common complaint about charter schools is that they don’t provide special education. This makes charter schools much different from traditional public schools which provide services to all children. Charter schools should not get district special education funding for services they do not provide. But I don't think charter schools should provide special education. Here's
- [Platooning—Another Weird Education Word and Common Core Strategy for Elementary School](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/11/platooning-another-weird-education-word-and-common-core-strategy-for-elementary-school/) - Since I already have a list of weird education words here’s a new one to add. How many of you have heard of “platooning”—which, in reference to education, means moving elementary students, subject-to-subject, teacher-to-teacher, to meet the new Common Core State Standards? Instead, of one primary teacher, students move around—subject to subject. This idea has
- [Common Core Kindergarten Reading—A Disservice to Children!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/08/common-core-kindergarten-reading-a-disservice-to-children/) - An article in U.S. News and World Report written by Robert Pondiscio, a journalist turned fifth grade teacher for a while (how he became a teacher is unclear), is entitled, "No Time to Lose" and "Early Reading Isn't a Threat to Kindergarten, Nor is Common Core." Pondiscio is now a senior advisor to a charter
- [The Toll College and Career Readiness Has Taken on Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/04/10/the-toll-college-and-career-readiness-has-taken-on-students/) - First day of school! Wake up! Come on. First day of school. ~Finding Nemo Children usually start school excitedly. They might even think they're superheroes! But it doesn't take long before their belief in themselves is challenged. Much has been done to public education in the name of college and career readiness. It's difficult to
- [Teacher Age Discrimination Hurts Students!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/03/02/teacher-age-discrimination-hurts-students/) - Rejecting veteran teachers to keep them from moving up the ladder for pay increases means students miss out on getting to know and learn from elderly people. Teach for America is popular because they remain at the bottom rung of the funding ladder and leave after a few years. This creates a revolving door of
- [Seattle’s Demolition of Special Education: Making Way for Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/15/seattles-demolition-of-special-education-making-way-for-common-core/) - The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped. —Hubert H. Humphrey Every student achieving, everyone accountable. —The Seattle
- [The Attack on Dr. Jill Biden is Cloaked Hatred of Teachers and Public Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/12/20/the-attack-on-dr-jill-biden-is-cloaked-hatred-of-teachers-and-public-education/) - Much has been written about the offensiveness of the Wall Street Journal’s Epstein opinion piece on Dr. Jill Biden. It lacks respect for Dr. Biden, a veteran teacher, deeply committed to her profession and community college students, but it's also meant to ridicule teaching and public education. First, it's never wise to criticize intellectual pursuit,
- [Betsy DeVos and The Quest to End Public School Disability Services](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/04/06/betsy-devos-and-the-quest-to-end-public-school-disability-services/) - There will be beautiful tulips next spring in 2021, if we correctly and lovingly plant the bulbs this coming fall. Betsy DeVos During this unprecedented and perilous time, The New York Times reported "DeVos Weighs Waivers for Special Education. Parents Are Worried." The $2 trillion coronavirus law gives the Queen of School Privatization unparalleled power
- [The Ridiculous Ways Adults Ruin Recess](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/07/08/the-ridiculous-ways-adults-ruin-recess/) - Recess for children is such a simple concept that some adults don’t know how to deal with it. Edutopia is talking about a “right way” to do recess in order to “optimize” it. This stems from a report that is supposed to “help” with recess. They want to manipulate how children play and how we
- [Don’t Teachers Know How to Teach Reading?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/12/dont-teachers-know-how-to-teach-reading/) - To hear parents and the media talk, teachers don’t know how to teach reading. In Alabama, Education Week is bragging about a $48 million literacy program. It teaches teachers how to teach reading. Why? I find it a strange phenomenon. Reading instruction and identifying reading problems used to be a large part of learning how
- [Privatizing Recess: Micromanaging Children’s Play for Profit](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/20/privatizing-recess-micromanaging-childrens-play-for-profit/) - You might hear that school recess is returning, but it might not be the recess we have come to know and love, and miss. It is not run by the school, but by a nonprofit called “Playworks: Play and Recess to Support Emotional Learning.” I have written about social and emotional learning before. Many are
- [Blaming Teachers While Students Self-Destruct](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/06/blaming-teachers-while-students-self-destruct/) - Two recent articles, and published comments, unfairly incriminate teachers as those who fail students. One comes from The Independent today, "'Exam Factories' Conditions at School Causing Children to Self-Harm, Says New Research" and is about the serious issue of students there harming themselves due to the high pressure of exams. The other article, from yesterday,
- [Caught in the Middle: Whatever Happened to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act?](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/09/18/caught-in-the-middle-whatever-happened-to-the-individuals-with-disabilities-act/) - By Aaron Wright No child wants to feel like a failure. No educator wants to feel like they have failed a child. Most children in special education are identified as having a specific learning disability or language impairment. Yet nationally only 67% of children with disabilities will graduate from high school and almost one and
- [Common Core’s Next Generation Science Standards! Where’s the Debate?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/28/common-cores-next-generation-science-standards-wheres-the-debate/) - My dear young fellow,' the Old-Green-Grasshopper said gently, 'there are a whole lot of things in this world of ours you haven't started wondering about yet. Roald Dahl, from James and the Giant Peach We have heard little about Next Generation Science Standards which are being pushed into schools across the country, yet NGSS is
- [The Short Rise and Faster Fall of Special Ed. in the State of Michigan](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/07/27/the-short-rise-and-faster-fall-of-special-ed-in-the-state-of-michigan/) - If Michigan eliminated our state-imposed special education rules, other states’ would fall like dominoes. I could not let that happen. Not without waging a war on the MDE [Michigan Department of Education] and anyone working to deny children with disabilities an education, and hope for a future of independence, and access to the American Dream.
- [Know Your State Astroturf Parent/Education Groups](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/06/01/know-your-state-astroturf-parent-education-groups/) - By Jeanne Melvin When an alleged ‘grassroots, family-led group of ‘ordinary moms’ begins their existence with a budget of more than $1 million, you can be certain there were no bake sales. ~Diane Ravitch comment in Maurice Cunningham: The Rise of an Astroturf Rightwing “Parents” Group. The seeds of change are cultivated from the ground up
- [The Covid-19 Experiment: Facing the Sins of a Nation that Quit Caring About Public Education Long Ago](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/08/10/the-covid-19-experiment-facing-the-sins-of-a-nation-that-quit-caring-about-public-education-long-ago/) - Using the word “experimenting” when it comes to opening schools is not comforting to parents and teachers. For teachers, it’s like rubbing salt in a wound. What this pandemic has brought to light are the past inequities of public education, inequities that have been all about dismantling America’s public schools. It has included the disregard
- [Common Core and Close Reading: Shouldn't College Work Stay in College?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/30/common-core-and-close-reading-shouldnt-college-work-stay-in-college/) - Common Core English Language Arts uses close reading even in the early grades. What some might not realize is close reading comes from college. If you Google "college and close reading," numerous PDF files and websites surface about how to teach college students close reading, and if you Google "kindergarten and close reading" almost an
- [For You Michigan!—You Are WRONG about Retention!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/17/for-you-michigan-you-are-wrong-about-retention/) - There are some issues, like the loss of recess and retention of third graders, that make no sense at all. I can sometimes understand mistakes, attribute them to people being clueless, but when it comes to retention the research is there. Anyone who knows how to read and puts some time into it will learn
- [Fake Play and Its Dangerous Alignment to Standards and Data](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/07/30/fake-play-and-its-dangerous-alignment-to-standards-and-data/) - Where does pretending come in? It relates to what philosophers call "counterfactual" thinking, like Einstein wondering what would happen if a train went at the speed of light. ~Alison Gopnik, "Let the Children Play, It's Good for Them" Smithsonian Magazine. July 2012. There's a troubling phenomenon happening in early childhood education. It involves aligning standards
- [IEPs are a Public School Thing: Let's Not Forget That!](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/06/16/ieps-are-a-public-school-thing-lets-not-forget-that/) - The Governor of Florida and other education reformers seem to have forgotten where Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) started. In this post, I’d like to remind them. The other night I watched the movie Danny Collins. It’s a loosely based true story about a burned out rock star who learns that years earlier he received a
- [Common Core State Standards and Students with Autism—The Shoe Doesn’t Fit](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/23/common-core-state-standards-and-autistic-students-the-shoe-doesnt-fit/) - Let me say up front, that I don’t think Common Core State Standards are shoes that fit any child, but the standards are especially insidious for students with disabilities, who were promised something different with the original Public Law 94-142. Recently I read an article in Teaching Exceptional Children from a year ago. It was entitled, “Meeting
- [Fast ForWord Computer Reading Program is KindaSlow!](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/22/fast-forword-computer-reading-program-is-kindaslow/) - When technology fails, shouldn't there be accountability--like real teachers? In Gainesville, Florida, home of the prestigious University of Florida, the Alachua School District spent $1.19 million on a reading computer program called Fast ForWord. But children who did Fast ForWord did worse than children not participating in the program! Will the company Scientific Learning pay
- [Repercussions of Losing Part-Time Resource Classes for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/01/05/repercussions-of-losing-part-time-resource-classes-for-students-with-mildmoderate-disabilities/) - It is interesting that so many titles and posts I write involving school reform have to do with loss. The resource class for students with learning disabilities and sometimes behavioral problems is one more loss when it comes to students and their public schools. Resource classes were designed to help students in elementary, middle and
- [Universal Design for Learning or Microcosm for Destruction?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/12/03/universal-design-for-learning-or-microcosm-for-destruction/) - Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a part of the new Every Student Succeeds Act. It promotes what is heralded as a new way to reach students with diverse needs. It sounds new agey. But what does this miracle program have that those of us who worked in special education for years don’t? You may,
- [The Best Gift for Children: Saying NO to Summit Online Learning](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/12/22/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
- [How Students Are Hurt By Replacing School Librarians and Libraries with Computers](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/04/08/how-students-are-hurt-by-replacing-school-librarians-and-libraries-with-computers/) - There are many ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all. ~Jacqueline Kennedy Happy School Library Month to school librarians across the country! We have always known librarians and libraries provide vital support to students and teachers in our public schools. But for years school districts have let go
- [Teach Cursive Writing! Why It’s Important for Children Including Those with Dyslexia](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/01/13/teach-cursive-writing-why-its-important-for-children-including-those-with-dyslexia/) - Cursive writing is important for many reasons, and its loss in America’s classrooms should raise concerns. Cursive not only differs from print in the way it looks, it connects letters to words in a meaningful and productive way. It has been shown to assist children with reading difficulties like dyslexia. All students benefit by learning
- [14 Reasons Why It Might STILL Be Dangerous to Open School Buildings](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/08/24/14-reasons-why-it-might-still-be-dangerous-to-open-school-buildings/) - For parents and educators, many concerns still surround the virus and sending children back into school buildings. 1. It Seems Like The Virus Should Be Over—It’s Not! This summer looked like the end of the pandemic was in sight, especially if vaccinated. But now the Delta variant swirls around children, teachers, and staff inside schools.
- [Star-Bellied Sneetches and PARCC Testing](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/02/star-bellied-sneetches-and-parcc-testing/) - When the Star-Belly children went out to play ball, Could a Plain Belly get in the game... ? Not at all. You only could play if your bellies had stars. And the Plain Belly children had none upon thars. Dr. Seuss from The Sneetches How ironic that today, when children should have been celebrating Dr.
- [Learning and Happiness: The Problem with Social-Emotional Learning](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/11/04/learning-and-happiness-the-problem-with-social-emotional-learning/) - Happiness is a real factor when it comes to learning. It's important to a child’s identity formation and how they relate to their environment (see study below). But can you teach happiness? There's a push for social-emotional learning (SEL) which leads some to think that happiness can be taught. But SEL is not what it
- [Teach for America: Their Harmful Effect on Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/01/12/teach-for-america-their-harmful-effect-on-special-education/) - Since 1990, America has put many school children, usually poor, in classrooms with Teach for America Corps Members (CMs) who get five weeks of training. They’ve also placed novices in special education classrooms. Many corporations and individuals donate to this group, undermining professional teachers who commit to teaching as their choice of a career. There's
- [Bill Gates’s Double Standards and High Tech High K-12 Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/01/bill-gatess-double-standards-and-high-tech-high-k-12-schools-2/) - Here is a good example of what I would call double standards relating to traditional public schools and charter schools--more specifically the High Tech High K-12 Schools. High Tech High Charter Schools, computer/project driven schools, dot the landscape in California. They started out as one charter in 2000, run by San Diego business leaders and
- [Special Education: Vouchers and Betsy DeVos](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/28/special-education-vouchers-and-betsy-devos/) - What will future Education Secretary Betsy DeVos do with special education? Most voucher programs currently go to students with disabilities. My guess is that there will be increased support with the new Trump administration and DeVos. The following states have voucher programs for student with disabilities: Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma,
- [10 Serious Issues Facing Public School Students: Where’s Betsy?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/27/10-serious-issues-facing-public-school-students-wheres-betsy/) - Betsy DeVos wastes precious time on her choice initiative, ignoring the most serious problems facing our young people in public schools. At a hearing the other day, she pushed many of these problems onto the states. But I would argue that these difficulties still require thoughtful attention and research from an education secretary who should
- [Should School Leaders have Professional Teaching Experience?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/09/should-school-leaders-have-professional-teaching-experience/) - Leading means inspiring, not commanding. Leading means loving the people you lead so they will give you their hearts as well as their minds. It means communicating a vision of where you can go together and inviting them to join. Major General John Stanford, Superintendent of Seattle Schools, 1995--1998 A school leader who has never
- [24 WRONG Reasons to Reopen Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/07/07/24-wrong-reasons-to-reopen-schools/) - 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
- [The Theft of the Tradition of Music in OUR Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/05/28/the-theft-of-the-tradition-of-music-in-our-public-schools/) - How do politicians eliminate a school orchestra in this country and still sleep at night? How does a community adjust to such a theft when they tried so hard to keep the music playing? The Loss of the Lafayette Elementary School String Orchestra In 2013, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago politicians put an end to
- [Is Betsy DeVos Getting Rid of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/10/is-betsy-devos-getting-rid-of-special-education-and-rehabilitative-services/) - Who will Betsy DeVos choose to run the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)? Anyone? Will she leave the position vacant? Will the U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services be dismantled? Education Week is reporting she hasn’t chosen anyone yet. One would think, since she didn’t understand the meaning of the
- [Will Online Instruction Replace Brick-and-Mortar Schools After the Covid-19 Crisis?](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/03/31/will-online-instruction-replace-brick-and-mortar-schools-after-the-covid-19-crisis/) - While parents shelter-in-place maintaining a sense of normalcy for their children, those critical of public education won't stop criticizing public schools. They believe that technology should replace teachers and brick-and-mortar schools. They imply that after this difficult period ends, we will move from brick-and-mortar schools to online instruction. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos In her recent
- [Teacher Hate](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/24/teacher-hate/) - TIME Magazine is the latest media outlet to vilify teachers. The Nov. 3rd edition conveniently snipes at teacher tenure, while giving corporations the nod. How much money did they get, you have to wonder, to show the gavel hitting the apple? And gavels should be what they fear. A lot of places are starting to
- [Destroying Special Ed: Sliding Backwards in Time](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/10/21/destroying-special-ed-sliding-backwards-in-time/) - Serious changes are occurring when it comes to special education. This post is an attempt to tie recent events together. Under the Trump administration, the Education Department said Friday, it's rescinding 72 guidance documents to "alleviate unnecessary burdens" and get rid of "unnecessary regulation" having to do with special education and rehabilitation. They seem to
- [Like Vultures, They're Still Planning to End Public Schools and a Professional Teaching Workforce!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/04/11/like-vultures-theyre-still-planning-to-end-public-schools-and-a-professional-teaching-workforce/) - There’s a movement underfoot to end the way children learn. Look carefully at who says "we need to reimagine" or "this is the time to reassess" schools. These can be signals from those who've led the charge to dismantle public schools for years. Like vultures, they're scheming how to use this pandemic to put the
- [How NCLB is Still Destroying Reading for Children ](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/02/12/how-nclb-is-still-destroying-reading-for-children-/) - NCLB was a bi-partisan bill signed into law in 2002 during the Bush administration's push for school reform. We now recognize how punitive the bill was, its troubling use of one-size-fits-all standardized testing to demonize and close public schools, the punitive AYP and "highly qualified" teacher credentialing changes, the unrealistic predictions that all children would
- [How States Are Privatizing Public Schools to Tech Companies During the Delta Variant Uptick](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/09/04/how-states-are-privatizing-public-schools-to-tech-companies-during-the-delta-variant-uptick/) - It's unconscionable that states and local school districts across the country have eliminated the remote learning option where children connect with their classroom teachers online. Instead, they're opening virtual schools, outsourcing to for-profit companies, using the pandemic to privatize public schooling. Parents fearful of the Delta variant and in-person schooling, hearing dire warnings about sick
- [Why Teachers Quit and What Administrators Would Do if They Wanted to Keep Them](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/12/why-teachers-quit-and-what-administrators-would-do-if-they-wanted-to-keep-them/) - A parent I know who is a strong crusader for goodness and public schooling told me about a Forbes article, “The Top 8 Reasons Your Best People Are About to Quit – And How You Can Keep Them.” How does this list apply to teachers? How do the negative business reasons described by Forbes affect
- [Stop Covid-19 Career Comparison Guilting! Teachers Aren’t Flight Attendants Or . . .](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/08/12/stop-covid-19-career-comparison-guilting-teachers-arent-flight-attendants-or/) - Every job faces its own Covid-19 difficulties, but there should be no comparison guilting. Every job is different. Teachers face comparison attacks, with no consideration of the uniqueness found in the school environment. Teachers are not taking an extended vacation. They're working around the clock to teach children safely whether in school or remotely. Some
- [Warped Message: Avoid the Classroom](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/04/03/warped-message-avoid-the-classroom/) - US News and World Report just printed an article that will do absolutely nothing to motivate anyone to go into teaching. Why? The title is “Pursue an Education Career but Stay Out of the Classroom.” Listen, US News and World Report: The most important job in schooling is classroom teaching. Everything else is periphery. Ask
- [Why Not Ditch Advanced Placement (AP) Classes?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/05/why-not-ditch-advanced-placement-ap-classes/) - If you have a high school student with college on their mind, chances are you are saving to pay for the myriad of standardized Advanced Placement (AP) tests they will need to take at the end of their classes. Each test, one for each subject, is $93. Students in U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools
- [Class Size and Its Impact on Inclusion](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/03/03/class-size-and-its-impact-on-inclusion/) - Parents want teachers to address their child’s individual needs. Teachers want this too. They want to be able to work with and understand the students they teach. They especially want to help the students in their classes who have exceptional differences. This is difficult to do when class sizes are too large. If elementary teachers
- [Oregon Officials Wonder Why Children Act out: Maybe It’s Because…](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/23/oregon-officials-wonder-why-children-act-out-maybe-its-because/) - They’ve got behavioral problems in Oregon. Kids throwing tantrums, despondence, and there’s plenty of physical aggression to go around. Officials don’t know why. Their data isn't helping much--and they can’t figure it out--exactly. They know many of the children live in poverty. They might be traumatized due to violence in their lives, and this could
- [Private Schools: 3 Reasons Public Schools Are Better!](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/12/31/private-schools-3-reasons-public-schools-are-better/) - 9093rivate schools don’t always want your children, might not want vouchers, and don’t necessarily do better than public schools! There’s some fascinating information flying around about private schools vs. public schools, and I thought I would write about it today since vouchers are likely going to be a big part of 2017. Kellyanne Conway and
- [You Can't Trust Alternative Teaching Programs](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/20/you-cant-trust-alternative-teaching-programs/) - The flim-flam report National Council of Teacher Quality (NCTQ) just reared its ugly head again. Those who follow education news know the report is bogus. Many bloggers have been justly slamming the report. You only need to look at the NCTQ Advisory Board and Board of Directors to understand what they are up to. Most
- [Do Public School Students Need Special Ed. Anymore?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/23/do-public-school-students-need-special-ed-anymore/) - Do we need special education anymore? Some parents might say no—that a regular class with high expectations, possibly some support, is all that is necessary. Arne Duncan has stated that students with disabilities should rise to the same level as other students. He has called for a “major shift” in how special education students are
- [The Loss of Special Education Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/28/the-loss-of-special-education-teachers/) - Where did all the special education teachers go? Special education teachers who study and address the unique differences in students are really a part of the whole learning puzzle—necessary to a student’s future success. But alas, special education teachers are falling by the wayside. Time to update this post. In Washington State they are using
- [The Every Child Achieves Act and the Arts: Fal-De-Ral and Fiddle-Dee-Dee](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/17/the-every-child-achieves-act-and-the-arts-fal-de-ral-and-fiddle-dee-dee/) - Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella songs are flipping through my head as I ponder the re-authorization of NCLB, or the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and more specifically music and the arts. In my own little corner in my own little world I can be whatever I want to be. On the wings of my fancy
- [Courses We Once Knew: Home Economics, Family and Jobs!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/14/courses-we-once-knew-home-economics-family-and-jobs/) - Sometimes, caught up in fighting high-stakes testing and Common Core, we might forget about other insidious ways our public schools have been changed due to harmful standards. We recognize easily the loss of the arts. And serious classes, important to a democracy, like civics, are given short shrift these days. But what about the great
- [Students Can't Hide From Common Core No Matter What School they Attend](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/13/students-cant-hide-from-common-core-no-matter-what-school-they-attend/) - The more I read about Common Core and education reform, the more I am convinced that one of the most important issues is that all students will have to be instructed with these standards if they choose to attend college. A misconception exists about students in private or parochial schools being lucky that they won’t
- [New Social-Emotional Standards to Complement Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/08/06/new-social-emotional-standards-to-complement-common-core/) - If you thought Common Core State Standards were bad, look out! Here come the new social-emotional standards to complement Common Core—because nothing says children have feelings more than benchmarks! Today’s Common Core State Standards are aligned to high-stakes testing that closes schools and pushes good teachers out. Of course, many parents have not been happy
- [With One Reply, Betsy DeVos Told Us Her Real Plan for America's Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/03/30/with-one-reply-betsy-devos-told-us-her-real-plan-for-americas-public-schools/) - In one of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos's most troubling responses of both days of testimony, she responded to an inquiry by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) about this nation's crumbling school infrastructure. It comes about 1:09:45 into the tape (below) from the PBS News Hour. It's important to remember that she has always said that public
- [Problems Surrounding Amplify's Core Knowledge Language Arts to Teach Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/01/24/problems-surrounding-amplifys-core-knowledge-language-arts-to-teach-reading/) - Many teachers and parents raise concerns that instruction is age-inappropriate. Many school districts have signed on to Amplify to teach subjects including language arts and reading. Teachers must teach virtual, scripted, commercial programs. Even if you don't live in Oklahoma, I recommend checking online to read Tulsa Kids. Betty Casey is the editor and her
- [Have Yourself a Common Core Christmas…A Close Reading Parody](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/22/have-yourself-a-common-core-christmasa-close-reading-parody/) - In case you missed it last year... As you snuggle next to a roaring fire and reach for the family’s favorite Christmas poem, don’t forget we live in a Common Core world now where close reading rules even for the youngest among us. Follow the script! And don’t forget you are to read the poem
- [If You're a Teacher Who Denies Recess...](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/17/if-youre-a-teacher-who-denies-recess/) - If you are a teacher in a school where children are lucky enough to get recess, please don't use it as a disciplinary tool. Don't deny students with behavioral issues recess for punishment. If you do, not only will you not be doing right by your students, you will risk looking like you know little
- [Bill & Melinda Gates Don't Discuss Their Takeover of America's Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/03/08/bill-melinda-gates-dont-discuss-their-takeover-of-americas-public-schools/) - Bill and Melinda Gates’s 2019 letter "We Didn't See This Coming," is filled with their concerns and optimism about everything from commodes to climate change. Always eager to discuss their global initiatives to help the poor, and a variety of other endeavors, they say little about the aggressive ways they are remaking public education to their
- [13 Reasons Why Grade Retention is Terrible, and 12 Better Solutions](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/30/13-reasons-why-grade-retention-is-terrible-and-12-better-solutions/) - There are few education issues that anger me more than massive retention of third graders based on one test score! Mississippi recently became the latest state to embrace retention. It's a huge mistake. Adults fail children by not assisting them with their learning problems. Why is massive school retention terrible? A retained student doesn’t learn
- [Why Are Schools Still Using Response to Intervention?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/18/why-are-schools-still-using-response-to-intervention/) - Schools have only been in session for a few weeks. Already parents are troubled by reading problems their children are bringing home from school. It’s painful to hear of an otherwise happy child who succumbs to anxiety and distress over school due to reading. Reading should be a joyful experience. But for many children—reading is
- [Are Today's Children Developmentally Different from Children in the Past?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/01/13/are-todays-children-developmentally-different-from-children-in-the-past/) - Does research show us that young children have evolved to where they can learn faster? Are they smarter than they used to be? No! There is no research to indicate that a child’s brain has evolved over the years to where they need a learning environment that is more difficult from the past. What has
- [Laura Ingalls Wilder Meets Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/02/07/laura-ingalls-wilder-meets-common-core/) - When I was a child, in 3rd grade, I fell in love with Little House in the Big Woods. I distinctly remember locating it in the little classroom library. I am not sure if I read it before or after Caddie Woodlawn, another fine chapter book about strong pioneer girls. There were no benchmarks—I don’t
- [Students with Serious Behavioral Disabilities and Inclusion: Effect on Students WITHOUT Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/11/23/troubled-students-and-inclusion-effect-on-students-without-disabilities/) - Contrary to Arne Duncan, and the latest DOE report claiming IEPs should be written the same for everyone, students with behavioral/emotional disabilities--should have the right to services to address their problems. If their difficulties go unaddressed, left to the general education teacher with a class of 30 students, it could affect not only the student
- [Play v. Reading: How Flawed Thinking About Preschool Has Become Accepted Practice](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/09/12/play-v-reading-how-flawed-thinking-about-preschool-has-become-accepted-practice/) - Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. ~Fred Rogers One education topic that every politician running for office mentions is preschool for all. What do they mean? What do they think preschool should be
- [Poverty & Reading: The Sad and Troubling Loss of School Libraries and Real Librarians](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/04/21/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
- [How School Reform, Including Common Core, Has Devastated Children and Their Joy of Learning to Read](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/01/04/how-school-reform-including-common-core-has-devastated-children-and-their-joy-of-learning-to-read/) - School reform has taken a toll on children starting in kindergarten (even preschool). There’s little doubt that children are being forced to learn to read earlier than ever before. The reading gap likely reflects the developmental differences found in children when they are forced to read too soon. Why are schools doing this? Forcing kindergarteners
- [Student Socialization in Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/09/02/student-socialization-in-public-schools/) - Socialization you could say is how a child interacts with their peers. There are many definitions, but in school, socialization mostly involves how children play and get along with each other. We think of recess when considering socialization. We wonder how much socialization children miss when they don't get recess. Public schools can go a
- [Setting Children Up to Hate Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/02/02/setting-children-up-to-hate-reading/) - Any educator or parent who understands the beauty of reading and the importance of helping a child learn to do it right was appalled to read two recent articles about the subject. Both should make all of us concerned that children are being set up to hate reading. They are being pushed to read earlier
- [Require Ed. Secretary Betsy DeVos to Teach in a Public School](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/12/03/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.
- [The Learning Disability Teaching Credentials that Time Forgot](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/06/04/the-learning-disability-teaching-credentials-that-time-forgot/) - Whether it's dyslexia (a specific learning disability) or writing, attention, organization, or other learning and behavioral difficulties, children who struggle in school need teachers who can help them learn. Sometimes that help can occur in a general class setting. Other times a child might benefit from small group or individualized assistance. That's what special education
- [Demand that Kindergarten Be a Happy Time and Place: A “Garden for Children!”](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/08/26/demand-that-kindergarten-be-a-happy-time-and-place-a-garden-for-children/) - Welcome to kindergarten! This is the year children are introduced to school. It should be a happy time and place so children will move forward enjoying school. A few years back we learned through a University of Virginia study that kindergarten was the new first grade. Five-year-old children face unjustifiable, draconian reforms that push them
- [Bellwether: The Sheep Leading Teachers, Children, and Parents Off the Cliff!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/04/02/bellwether-the-sheep-who-is-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
- [Capstone—Should Middle and High School Students Do a Thesis?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/08/19/capstone-should-middle-and-high-school-students-do-a-thesis/) - A good parent, who cares about her kids and is savvy about what is happening with school reform, asked me if I knew anything about capstone projects. She’s concerned and I don’t blame her. For years, the Great Schools Partnership has been pushing middle and high school students to do a capstone project much like
- [Recess v. Online Social-Emotional Learning](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/13/recess-v-online-social-emotional-learning/) - Education Week is reporting about technology to be used to teach social-emotional skills. It's called Social-Emotional Learning--SEL for short. I find it ironic that at the same time, Florida senators just said no to recess. Are they telling us that computers should be used to teach students how to relate to one another? Is this
- [Florida and Beyond Assessment Snookering: CBE, Common Core, and Embedded Online Testing, No Teacher Required!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/09/16/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
- [32 Reasons Why Schools Should NOT Reopen in the Fall](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/06/28/22-reasons-why-schools-should-not-reopen-in-the-fall/) - Well-meaning parents and school boards 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
- [About School Mitigations . . .](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/09/14/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
- [Adult Organized Recess Isn’t Real Recess! How the Pandemic is Being Used to Privatize P.E. As Recess](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/08/28/adult-organized-recess-isnt-real-recess-how-the-pandemic-is-being-used-to-privatize-p-e-as-recess/) - Children should own recess. Adults own P.E. It should be as easily understood as that. But those who wish to privatize public education are conflating the two. They're using Covid-19, and social-emotional learning, to privatize P.E, calling it recess when it's not. A Brief History of The Loss of Recess In 1998, The New York
- [Has School Ventilation Improved as Schools Open?](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/08/18/has-school-ventilation-improved-as-schools-open/) - As Delta variant cases increase in children, including several deaths, the mask and vaccination debate has been front and center concerning schools. Many do not believe school building openings are safe and that they shouldn't open. If they open, they should be made as safe as possible. Are parents and educators examining how their school
- [How Corporate School Reforms and Ed-Tech Cause Dangerous Distrust about Covid-19](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/08/14/how-corporate-school-reforms-and-ed-tech-cause-dangerous-distrust-about-covid-19/) - 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!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/08/07/theres-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
- [The Pictures Children Take of Their World](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/08/01/the-pictures-children-take-of-their-world/) - History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children. ~Nelson Mandela What kind of pictures of the world are children taking as they get ready to return to school? We cannot control all the news, but we should be mindful of how children observe us and how we fit
- [Pandemic Learning Loss Reports That Sell Online Programs Are Harmful For Students With Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/07/26/pandemic-learning-loss-reports-that-sell-online-programs-are-harmful-for-students-with-disabilities/) - Reports telling of pandemic learning loss to sell programs, especially online programs, are harmful to students with disabilities who often had a difficult time being schooled at home with virtual learning. One can only assume that students might be behind. But it's detrimental, especially for children who often have motivation problems, to repeatedly hear they'll
- [Vulture Philanthropy After Covid Is About Technology Replacing Public Schools and Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/07/21/vulture-philanthropy-after-covid-is-about-technology-replacing-public-schools-and-teachers/) - Even though most parents disliked online learning during the pandemic, many groups promote the replacement of teachers and schools with online instruction. There's vulture philanthropy going on behind the scenes. On the one hand, there's the condemnation of virtual learning. We're told it didn't work during the pandemic when teachers were in charge of it,
- [Public Schools and Mask Wishy-Washiness](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/07/19/public-schools-and-mask-wishy-washiness/) - The CDC and the federal and state governments have had a huge political disconnect with public schools since the start of the pandemic. States have the authority to make the rules concerning Covid-19, leaving the teaching profession scarred, and Americans are angry with public schools. Masking in schools has always been controversial. Now, as more
- [“Fresh Starts” for Middle School Students: A Kinder, Gentler Grade Level Promotion Policy](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/07/11/fresh-starts-for-middle-school-students-a-kinder-gentler-grade-level-promotion-policy/) - By Rick Bobrick Over the past two school years, educators have worked tirelessly to meet the unique challenges presented by the coronavirus emergency. There has been a lot of talk about “re-imagining” our public schools, with few practical specifics being offered. After a major disruption to their normal routines, nothing will be more important than
- [Cheers to Dads Who Read to Their Babies and Beyond!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/06/20/cheers-to-dads-who-read-to-their-babies-and-beyond/) - Happy Father's Day! Here's wishing all dads have a great day after weathering the pandemic. If you're a new dad or grandpa (or mom or grandma), getting in the habit of reading and conversing with your child from the start, you are helping them develop critical language skills. Here's to you! Babies When babies are
- [A Chat About Public Schools with Eli Broad's Ghost](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/06/13/a-chat-about-public-schools-with-eli-broads-ghost/) - When someone gets to the other side, if they look back, do they question how they could have led their life differently, in this case, in particular, the late Eli Broad and his influence on public education? First, it's troubling the United States doesn't tax the wealthy the way they should and that Americans don't
- [Where's the Biden Administration on School Problems Facing Students, Teachers, and Parents?](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/05/16/wheres-the-biden-administration-on-school-problems-facing-students-teachers-and-parents/) - The pandemic showed us that public schools are critical. Understandably, Covid-19 has been front and center. But the Biden administration glosses over or is silent on critical school issues. Sometimes these topics are front and center not in a good way in State legislatures or ignored altogether. Frustrated parents will seek alternatives, and there's a
- [Stealing Vocational Dreams: Pushing Career Education Too Soon](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/05/03/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
- [The Loss That Matters This Mother’s Day](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/05/09/the-loss-that-matters-this-mothers-day/) - The loss important to understand this year, the most critical loss, is not learning loss. It involves the loss many children are facing after losing a mom or dad to Covid-19. Or it could be a grandma or grandpa, a beloved aunt or uncle, or sister or brother, even a friend. On this Mother's Day,
- [The Covid-19 Tech v. Teacher Tug of War and Teacher Appreciation](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/05/04/the-covid-19-tech-v-teacher-tug-of-war-and-teacher-appreciation/) - It's Teacher Appreciation Week, time to thank a teacher before there are no teachers to thank. Not only did teachers have Covid-19 fears to contend with this past year, keeping their students and themselves safe, but they've also gone through a tug of war since the start of the pandemic. A year ago, teachers were
- [Will America Invest in Public School Buildings, Finally?](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/04/22/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
- [Acceleration: The Meaning Behind the Buzzword](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/04/15/acceleration-the-meaning-behind-the-buzzword/) - Acceleration is the new pandemic buzzword brought to you by pro-privatization school reformers. Students may have missed some in-person schooling, even though most learned remotely or in person. Still, the frenzy surrounding learning loss is mounting. The pandemic has given rise to a new way to reframe the old learning gap talk, with new terminology,
- [Covid-19 School Contradictions, Confusion, and Mistrust](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/03/24/covid-19-school-contradictions-confusion-and-mistrust/) - Covid-19 is a strange phenomenon without any proven how-to guides. Recommendations and contradictions surrounding Covid-19 and schools have raised uncertainty. When there's a lack of clarity, people become suspicious of what they're told, and they wonder what and who to believe. Parents and Teachers Can't Agree Many parents believe schools are safe, few children get
- [Questions About The AFT and NEA's "Learning After Covid Vision"](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/03/15/questions-about-the-aft-and-neas-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
- [Education Secretary Cardona, End Third Grade Retention and High-Stakes Standardized Testing!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/03/11/education-secretary-cardona-end-third-grade-retention-and-high-stakes-standardized-testing/) - The Biden administration chose a real educator to be education secretary. Now Dr. Cardona should move to end third-grade retention, a procedure that would be especially cruel administered with this pandemic. Many alternative plans are available to help children do better in school that won't involve the humiliation of retention. Cardona should withhold federal funds
- [Why Teachers Might Still Not Believe It's Safe to Return to In-Person School](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/02/28/why-teachers-might-still-not-believe-its-safe-to-return-to-in-person-school/) - Anger about schools not reopening is directed at teachers and their unions. Sometimes it's made to sound like they're the problem and not Covid-19! Many public schools have opened their buildings, and teachers never quit working during the pandemic. Teachers aren't epidemiologists, they aren't statisticians. They want to rely on information and recommendations concerning Covid-19.
- [Is EdTrust Behind High-Stakes Testing During This Pandemic?](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/02/25/is-edtrust-behind-high-stakes-testing-during-this-pandemic/) - High-stakes standardized testing. Why now? Why again? Why ever? Was The Education Trust (EdTrust) involved in the decision? Who is EdTrust, and why would President Biden listen to them? EdTrust is a pro-school-reform group that carries clout, and they've been vocal about schools reopening during the pandemic. John B. King, Jr., who was education secretary
- [CDC Recommendations Are Clearer, But Teachers Face the Same Problems and New Ones](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/02/16/cdc-recommendations-are-clearer-but-teachers-face-the-same-problems-and-new-ones/) - Just because school opening isn’t causing higher levels of community transmission doesn’t mean that there isn’t individual risk to teachers and staff. If we had wanted schools to safely reopen, we should have worked hard as a society to keep transmission rates down and to invest resources in schools. ~Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician
- [$100M For Children "Learning Faster Than Ever Before" In Tennessee?!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/02/12/100m-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
- [8 Concerns and What's Positive About The President's Plan for Schooling During Covid-19](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/01/24/8-concerns-and-whats-positive-about-the-presidents-plan-for-schooling-during-covid-19/) - The Biden-Harris administration faces huge challenges. Addressing school safety during Covid-19 is at the top of their list. This is welcome news. Goals are important for clarity and to give us hope. President Biden wasted no time getting out his National Strategy for the Covid-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. Schools are specifically addressed starting on
- [Endgame! Using Covid-19 to Permanently Transform Schooling!](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/01/17/endgame-using-covid-19-to-permanently-transform-schooling/) - Funding technology seems unchecked in some places as teachers are driven out of their classrooms due to the virus. The more teachers prematurely retire, the more easily school districts can justify replacing them with technology. Technology is on the road to becoming the endgame for schooling, whether Americans like it or not. There's no research
- [6 Ways High-Stakes Standardized Testing Destroys Student Voice](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/01/14/6-ways-high-stakes-standardized-testing-destroys-student-voice/) - The National Council of the Teachers of English is Helping Students Find Their Voices in Challenging Times. This title stood out as well worth exploring, but it's also a reminder that since public education became focused on high-stakes standardized testing, public schools' emphasis has been on scores, not students' voices. Student's thoughts and ideas should
- [Why Are Schools Opening When Covid-19 is Surging?](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/01/06/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
- [Guarded Hope and 7 Concerns for Public Education this New Year](https://nancyebailey.com/2021/01/04/guarded-hope-and-7-concerns-for-public-education-this-new-year/) - We have a new President and a new education secretary and hope for the future of public education. Hope doesn't come easy because schools face what appear to be insurmountable difficulties due to Covid-19. Also, wealthy individuals and groups who want school privatization are established in the system, mostly in dozens of anti-public school nonprofits,
- [Amplify and iReady Claim Kindergarten and First Grade "Reading Loss" to Profit From the Pandemic](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/12/30/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
- [Education's "Better Angels of Our Nature" During a Pandemic](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/12/24/educations-better-angels-of-our-nature-during-a-pandemic/) - We are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. ~President Abraham Lincoln from his First Inaugural Address in
- [Researching DeVos's $185 Million School Funding Plan During a Pandemic  ](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/12/17/researching-devoss-185-million-school-funding-plan-during-a-pandemic/) - During this pandemic, public school funding is critical. The American public deserves to know as best as possible how their tax dollars are being spent on education and every area for that matter. That's why it's disappointing to review Education Secretary Betsy DeVos's recent spending of $185 million on education innovation and acceleration. Program emphasis
- [How Has School Privatization Contributed to Mental Illness in Students Before and During Covid-19?](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/12/07/how-has-school-privatization-contributed-to-mental-illness-in-students-before-and-during-covid-19/) - Mental illness in children existed before Covid-19. How many students are struggling with it during the pandemic? How did school privatization contribute to this phenomenon? Before Covid-19 A 2018 survey conducted by the National Association of Elementary School Principals noted that their top concern is the rising numbers of students with emotional problems and mental health
- [A Role That Needs More Attention and Support: The Principalship](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/11/22/a-role-that-needs-more-attention-and-support-the-principalship/) - By Paul Bonner Not too long ago, I walked up to a register in a grocery store. The clerk noticed that I had a school district ID and asked, “Are you a teacher?” I replied, “I’m a principal.” She looked at me, smiled, and said sincerely, “I never knew what my principal did.” The school
- [Tim Shriver as Education Secretary? Fighting for School Control](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/11/20/tim-shriver-as-education-secretary-fighting-for-school-control/) - Tim Shriver is supposedly being vetted to be education secretary, a surprise for those waiting to hear of a Jahana, a Julian, a Randi, Lily, or another educator with classroom experience getting the post. There seems to be a fight for school control between the teachers and the school reformers. [Please see below for additional
- [Business Terms Used to Privatize Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/11/15/business-terms-used-to-privatize-public-schools/) - Privatizing public schools involves changing school words to reflect a business-like environment. There's nothing wrong with these words in general, but when applied to schools, they change the nature of schooling and the way we look at teachers and students. Business-like terms used with schools increased during the 1980s and 1990s. They are so frequent
- [Education Unity? Save Democratic Public Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/11/10/education-unity-save-democratic-public-schools/) - Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris! How refreshing to hear a President speak of uniting the country and saving America’s democratic institutions. One of the largest institutions is the public school system, run by local school boards, supported by the states, with oversight and administration by the federal government. President Biden
- [Covid-19 Surges Worldwide While Schools Stay Open](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/11/07/covid-19-surges-worldwide-while-schools-stay-open/) - Coronavirus cases are surging in this country and worldwide, yet in many places, schools remain open. Why? Whether or not to send students to school has been a continuous balancing act. Children miss out if they stay home. Their health, education, and safety could be in jeopardy. But they can also get sick by going
- [PDK Gallup Polls and The Election: The Nation Needs Great Teachers!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/11/02/pdk-gallup-polls-and-the-election-the-nation-needs-great-teachers/) - If V.P. Joe Biden is elected, there will be a chance for public education to survive and teachers to get the support they need to serve America's children. Reelect President Trump, and chances are public schools may end. Teachers who have been prepared to teach may leave the field for good. Gallup Polls show how
- [Alien School Invasion and Reformers With Erased Memories](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/10/31/alien-school-invasion-and-reformers-with-erased-memories/) - They don't recall the alien invasion, or recognize those who had part in it. The school reformers and their friends condemn public schools, mortified by senior NAEP scores (how could those teachers not teach reading?). They've forgotten the rotten changes to remake public schools. Parents once liked their public schools, and few were interested in
- [Kindergarten Pandemic Learning Fears Should Not Be Tied to Screen Time and Rigid Drilling](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/10/28/kindergarten-pandemic-learning-fears-should-not-be-tied-to-screen-time-and-rigid-drilling/) - Kindergartners and their parents and teachers struggle with the pandemic. When the focus is on problems with children learning online, whether a child will succeed, it might help to revisit what’s developmentally appropriate for a kindergartner. Many reports are raising concern about learning loss in kindergarten. "What Kindergarten Struggles Could Mean for a Child’s Later
- [Selling Charter School Class Size as “Innovative Medical Experimentation” During Covid-19](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/10/14/selling-charter-school-class-size-as-innovative-medical-experimentation-during-covid-19/) - Efforts to destroy public schooling in America have not disappeared during the pandemic. While Education Secretary Betsy DeVos displays her hatred for public education, especially with Fairfax County public school teachers, DC Charter Schools are advertising innovations during the pandemic. They're promoting smaller class sizes as innovative medical experimentation. Their innovations, however, are not ingenious.
- [A Reply to an 8th Grader: 11 Reasons Related to Schools Why Citizens Argue](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/10/09/a-reply-to-an-8th-grader-11-reasons-related-to-schools-why-citizens-argue/) - During the Vice Presidential debate, an 8th grader asked why American citizens can't get along. She said all she sees is arguing between Democrats and Republicans, citizens fighting citizens and two candidates trying to tear each other down. She asked if they can't get along, how do we [children] get along? I taught eighth-graders and
- [Public Schools and School Libraries: The "Hub" of Democracy During a Crisis, Is Facing Its Own Crisis](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/10/02/public-schools-and-school-libraries-the-hub-of-democracy-during-a-crisis-is-facing-its-own-crisis/) - A public school is the hub of the American community, and school libraries provide students the knowledge to better understand their world. But public schools and school libraries face a crisis at this time in history, and it's important to question what has happened with CARES Act funding. Americans in crisis recognize that public schools
- [To Watch NBC’s Education Nation or to Not Watch NBC’s Education Nation…That is the Question](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/27/to-watch-nbcs-education-nation-or-to-not-watch-nbcs-education-nationthat-is-the-question/) - It is almost time for…drumroll…NBC’s Education Nation! If you are like me, I like many of the NBC hosts. They are personable. I even think Brian Williams should be a regular on Saturday Night Live. If I have a chance to watch TV in the morning I am torn between the Today Show and Morning
- [Learning Management Software: Necessary Tool, or Wasteful Cash Cow in the Time of Covid-19?](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/09/29/learning-management-software-necessary-tool-or-wasteful-cash-cow-in-the-time-of-covid-19/) - By Darren Victory One thing is clear: Teaching in the age of COVID is no picnic. Teachers, students, and caregivers are struggling to navigate the ongoing crisis in ways that preserve their emotional and physical health. It all feels so chaotic, so disorganized, and at times so… impossible. No wonder wine sales have shot through
- [The Longtime Plan for Screens to Replace Teachers: School Choice the Prenda Way](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/09/26/the-longtime-plan-for-screens-to-replace-teachers-school-choice-the-prenda-way/) - No matter your viewpoint on the coronavirus, for those who care about democratic public schools, our fears merge when it comes to worrying that technology will replace teachers and end those schools. Covid-19 is the perfect storm, and Prenda micro-schools are the prototype. These are schools that focus on commercial tech programs without real teachers.
- [3rd Grade Reading Laws Are Harmful](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/09/21/3rd-grade-reading-laws-are-harmful/) - By Stefanie Rysdahl Fuhr Many states insist that students read by third grade. If students have difficulties they might be retained. Students might master reading later. They should not be punished if they aren't reading perfectly in third grade. Last spring I sent this letter to my state legislators. Feel free to use it as
- [Betsy DeVos and the Separation of Church and State During Covid-19](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/09/17/betsy-devos-and-the-separation-of-church-and-state-during-covid-19/) - Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who is supposed to represent public schools, recently visited a Catholic school in Grand Rapids. She used this school to irresponsibly drive home the idea that it's safe to have in-person classes. She said All schools in MI need an in-person option. Sacred Heart shows that it can be done. Then
- [Impact of President Trump's Covid-19 Deception on Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/09/13/impact-of-president-trumps-covid-19-deception-on-public-schools/) - The chief function of a President is to make responsible decisions and to keep Americans safe, especially children and society’s most vulnerable. Bob Woodward, in his new book Rage tells of a president who was publicly playing down the coronavirus threat without acknowledging the severity of the virus, which has now claimed over 190,000 American
- [91 Examples of Americans At Odds About Covid-19 as Students Start School](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/09/06/91-examples-of-americans-at-odds-about-covid-19-as-students-start-school/) - When it comes to Covid-19 and reopening schools, we are a nation divided. Opposing ideas float around on social media. Teachers will ultimately be responsible for the safety and well-being of children, but poor leadership has put them and their jobs in jeopardy. For example, here's what Education Betsy DeVos recently said. The pandemic is
- [De-professionalizing Public Schools During Covid-19: The Problem with Bill Gates's Projects](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/08/30/de-professionalizing-public-schools-during-covid-19-the-problem-with-bill-gatess-projects/) - Many fear that the Gates Foundation is using this pandemic to end public education once and for all. De-professionalizing schools is an excellent way to do it. Covid-19 has made it easier for venture philanthropists to de-professionalize public education. Great public schools require staffing with professionals who attend real universities and study the profession they
- [Biden, Harris, and Dr. Biden Will Send DeVos Yachting!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/08/22/biden-harris-and-dr-biden-will-send-devos-yachting/) - You gotta have a dream, if you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true? ~from the Broadway Play South Pacific If you’re Democrat or Republican, and you care about public education, vote for V.P. Joe Biden to remove Education Secretary Betsy DeVos from the U.S. Department of Education! Four more
- [Is She Focused on Grizzlies Again? DeVos Fails to See the Covid-19 Danger to ALL Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/08/07/is-she-focused-on-grizzlies-again-devos-fails-to-see-the-covid-19-danger-to-all-schools/) - Sidestepping Covid-19 to focus on school choice is like DeVos skipping over gun safety concerns about schools to focus on the threat of grizzly bears. I’m of course referring to comments made during her confirmation hearing. Once again, she fails to focus on the real risk. Covid-19 is not going to discriminate between schools. It
- [The Gamble: Reflections Concerning School Openings During Covid-19](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/07/30/the-gamble-reflections-concerning-school-openings-during-covid-19/) - Covid-19 is a trial when it comes to public schooling. Everyone wants their public schools to open safely, for students to socialize, learn about wonderful subjects, play sports, and work with teachers who care for them. It's been vividly displayed during this pandemic; how much parents rely on public education. Schools are where children are
- [Seeking SOLUTIONS to Help With Schooling During Covid-19: Here's 18!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/07/15/seeking-solutions-to-help-with-schooling-during-covid-19-heres-18/) - How can we help students learn at home during this school crisis? Many parents and teachers are still uncomfortable with plans to reopen schools. Some school districts are postponing school re-openings. Remote learning and Internet connection should be available to all children, but how can we help students learn without relying on screens? Everyone's struggling to find
- [Betsy DeVos’s Education Freedom Plan for Covid-19: My Way or the Highway!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/07/11/betsy-devoss-education-freedom-plan-for-covid-19-my-way-or-the-highway/) - Take the highway! For four years, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has worked to destroy democratic public schools and the teaching profession while touting her Education Freedom plan, vouchers. But Americans should be asking what she really means by educational freedom after this past week. The freedom to determine what safe schooling means in your community
- [Happy 4th! Celebrating America’s Teachers, NOT Chromebooks!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/07/04/happy-4th-celebrating-americas-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
- [Ask Dads How to Reimagine Public Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/06/21/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!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/06/15/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
- [Technology Fails Students. Will It Matter? What's Next? Private, Parochial, Charters, and Online Programs?](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/06/07/technology-fails-students-will-it-matter-whats-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!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/06/01/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!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/05/28/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
- [Hire, Don't Fire, Teachers! They're the Educational Superheroes to Help Students Through this Crisis!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/05/21/hire-dont-fire-teachers-theyre-the-educational-superheroes-to-help-students-through-this-crisis/) - Once upon a time, this country waited for Superman to save its schools. Teachers are today's Superheroes. They face this crisis with strength and determination. The elite can write their blueprints. It's the teachers who get the job done. The country should be hiring, not firing, its teachers. The Learning Policy Institute reports grim statistics about
- [Who Does the Biden/Sanders Education Unity Panel Unite?](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/05/16/who-does-the-biden-sanders-education-unity-panel-unite/) - Many want to say good riddance to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her boss. But educators and parents fighting for public education, and the ninety percent of students who attend public schools, deserve a more inclusive group of people to push back on harmful school reform. The Biden/Sanders Unity Education Task Force leaves much to
- ["Reimagining" Teacher Appreciation in 2020: Pushback on the Takeover of America's Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/05/06/reimagining-teacher-appreciation-in-2020-pushback-on-the-takeover-of-americas-schools/) - Teacher Appreciation has taken on new meaning in 2020. This week is supposed to be a time to celebrate teachers with 20% off coupons, candy bars, notes, and thank you trinkets. A scrawled homemade card, laboriously designed by a student with learning difficulties, these are the keepers that bring teachers joy. There's more gratitude for teachers
- [DeVos and The Privatization Connection to Detroit's "Right to Read" Lawsuit: "Separate and Unequal"](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/05/04/devos-and-the-privatization-connection-to-detroits-right-to-read-lawsuit-separate-and-unequal/) - The Detroit landmark decision that children deserve to learn to read in school is a case that reflects decades of troubled education in Detroit. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and school privatization are not mentioned in this case. But school privatization initiatives have been failing children in the Motor City for years. DeVos is the current
- [Public School "Reimagine" and "Revolution" Hypocrisy: Put Them Out to Pasture!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/04/19/public-school-reimagine-and-revolution-hypocrisy-put-them-out-to-pasture/) - Teachers and parents on the frontlines of this pandemic should be given control of how their schools are reimagined in the future. When this crisis ends, they should be given the voice on how to bring back democratic public schools and make them their own. Any revolution surrounding schools is theirs. Those who foisted unproven and
- [Ideas to Teach Reading and Writing, and Other Stuff, for Students with or without Disabilities: HANDWRITING](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/03/25/ideas-to-teach-reading-and-writing-and-other-stuff-for-students-with-or-without-disabilities/) - It sounds like there's a shortage of ideas to work with students with or without disabilities, especially students who don't work well online, or need a break from it. So, I am starting this page and will add to it, if there's interest, in days to come. I welcome teachers and parents to add whatever
- [Sen. Bernie Sanders or V.P. Joe Biden: Who is the Better Presidential Candidate for Education?](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/03/08/sen-bernie-sanders-or-v-p-joe-biden-who-is-the-better-presidential-candidate-for-education/) - Public schooling is one of the most important issues of our time. Without great public schools, how will America's children grow up to find their strengths, seek the paths that bring them joy, and create a better world for themselves and future generations? Our world faces many problems, and it will take engaged students, who
- [‘Screens in Schools Action Kit’ to Help Parents Push Back Against Edtech Overuse](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/02/21/screens-in-schools-action-kit-to-help-parents-push-back-against-edtech-overuse/) - Parents and educators worry about how much time students spend facing digital devices. Here is a useful resource to help children live lives that aren't dominated by screen use. Contact: Seth Evans, Chair, (seth@commercialfreechildhood.org) Screens in Schools Work Group, Children's Screen Time Action Network Advocates Release ‘Screens in Schools Action Kit’ to Help Parents Push
- [The Unintended Consequences of IDEA](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/02/18/the-unintended-consequences-of-idea/) - By Aaron Wright It is undeniable that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has aided educational access for autistic children. Prior to the first iteration of the law, children with disabilities did not necessarily have the right to a public education. However, an unforeseen side effect of the IDEA’s deficit-oriented focus upon disability has
- [Fake Film History Demeans the Education of Young Women](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/02/09/fake-film-history-demeans-the-education-of-young-women/) - Helping girls grow into strong women must be built on truth, not lies. Tonight, many will watch the Academy Awards. I thought it appropriate to write about the movies and their effect on young women. Public schools should be places that encourage all students to be good at sports, mathematics, engineering, at being the President
- [Invest in Public Schools for ALL Children. Watch Out for Partners or Stakeholders!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/01/21/invest-in-public-schools-for-all-children-watch-out-for-partners-or-stakeholders/) - Public schools should be for all children. The country should get behind and invest in public education and be careful about partners or those that call themselves stakeholders. These are business words that usually mean that public education must rely on outside companies to fund education. This means public schools are no longer under the
- [Truth to Power: Facing the Disruptors with Courage and Resolve](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/01/18/truth-to-power-facing-the-disruptors-with-courage-and-resolve/) - We live in troubling times, reflected in the longtime attacks on one of our most sacred democratic institutions, public schools. But Americans have a fierce fighter for those schools in Diane Ravitch. The historian, in her new book Slaying Goliath, reminds us of the dangers facing schools, but also the hope we have in a
- [Students with Disabilities: Between a Rock and a Hard Place](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/01/07/students-with-disabilities-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place/) - Parents with students who have disabilities are troubled by the problems their children face in public schools. They may turn to charter schools believing they will finally get the services they find lacking in public school. But charter schools are not an acceptable answer in most cases. We've known for years that students with disabilities
- [A Review of Daisy Has Autism: In 2020, a Commitment to Students With Disabilities!](https://nancyebailey.com/2020/01/01/a-review-of-daisy-has-autism-in-2020-a-commitment-to-students-with-disabilities/) - Daisy Has Autism by Aaron J. Wright should be mandatory reading for every school board member, school administrator, and teacher. It's a book that will help parents of children with disabilities know they're not alone. It's an interesting story for anyone. The book details the struggles of Arthur and Annie Russell, whose daughter has autism.
- [Sights and Sounds of the Season and The Importance of the Arts in Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/12/26/sights-and-sounds-of-the-season-and-the-importance-of-the-arts-in-public-schools/) - This is a good time to think about the arts. The visuals and sounds of the holidays, art, music, and drama, surround us. It's a reminder that children need access to learning about the arts in public schools. The arts help children learn in academic areas. They keep children interested in school. The arts alone
- [The Myth that Charter Schools are Innovation Paradigms](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/12/21/the-myth-that-charter-schools-are-innovation-paradigms/) - For years charter school advocates have claimed that charter schools have something new and innovative to share with public schooling. It's a myth. Charter schools bring nothing new to the table. Any innovative charter schools are likely run by real teachers. Jeanne Allen, who founded the Center for Education Reform (CER,) called the nation’s leading
- [7 Concerns About the MSNBC Public Education Forum](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/12/16/7-concerns-about-the-msnbc-public-education-forum/) - It was nice to watch the MSNBC Public School Forum online. Finally, Democratic candidates answered questions about education. But here are seven concerns. Corrections are welcome. Billionaire Takeover Candidates talked about making the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes to help schools, but no one mentioned Bill Gates, the Waltons, Eli Broad, Mark Zuckerberg
- [Common Core State Standards Don't Rhyme With Individual Educational Plans](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/03/common-core-state-standards-does-not-rhyme-with-individual-educational-plan/) - Think about it. Common Core State Standards do not rhyme with Individual Educational Plans. Say it slowly. Listen to the words. They don’t go together. The whole point of CCSS is for everyone to get to the same standard. It is the same goal. You can argue that students with disabilities might get to the
- [The Summit for Corporate Reformers vs. Teachers Who CLIMB Summits](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/11/19/the-summit-for-corporate-reformers-vs-teachers-who-climb-summits/) - A summit is defined as the highest peak of a mountain. It's also a meeting of high-level officials. In education, corporate politicians and reformers promote themselves as child experts. Yet they are far removed from the classrooms where teachers climb mountains every day to help students learn. Chicago teachers recently fought for paraprofessionals to have
- [The Haunted Third Grade Classrooms Children Fear: Enter and... Stay Forever!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/10/29/the-haunted-third-grade-classrooms-children-fear-enter-and-stay-forever/) - Children fear third grade retention. It doesn't motivate them to learn. They don't read earlier because of it. Retention is not effective. It's scary and could haunt a child forever. Third grade retention laws are real for children in nineteen states. NEA Reports noted in 2017 that 16 states and Washington D.C. make it mandatory that
- [Discount Teachers: Students, Teachers, and America Deserve Better!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/10/11/discount-teachers-students-teachers-and-america-deserve-better/) - Like most people, I like a sale, but there are some things that don't pan out at bargain prices, like America's public school teachers. Most teachers are paid by a career ladder. This means they receive a salary step increase with every year of experience. Some don't like this protocol, but it is simple and
- [It's Time to Erase Harmful, Recycled Education Policy!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/10/04/its-time-to-erase-harmful-recycled-education-policy/) - Serious education issues in public schools are recycled because the ulterior motive of some is to end public education. Research is repeatedly ignored. Why are school administrators clueless? How is it that legislators repeatedly recreate policy we know is harmful for students? Each heading contains a link to proof. End Retention. Research is clear that
- [Quit Using "Alignment" Referring to Children and Tests!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/09/30/quit-using-alignment-referring-to-children-and-tests/) - Alignment refers to a car's wheels pointing in the right direction, or an orthodontist correcting a child or adult's dental occlusion. Alignment is rigid. It's right or wrong. Yet alignment has been used for years to describe how students learn in school. Children are not machine parts that need adjustment. What if consideration was given
- [Classroom in a Bathroom? Overcrowded Building Problems Betsy DeVos Doesn't Think About](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/09/26/classroom-in-a-bathroom-overcrowded-building-problems-betsy-devos-doesnt-think-about/) - Please tell Betsy DeVos that when Americans fail to invest in public school buildings, it affects how students learn. Betsy DeVos has never worked in poor building conditions. She doesn’t understand how difficult it is for students and teachers. On September 20, DeVos stated in her Education Freedom speech to a parochial school audience, that
- [Betsy DeVos's Education Freedom: It's Anything But](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/09/15/betsy-devoss-education-freedom-its-anything-but/) - Betsy DeVos rarely makes a statement without referring to her idea of Education Freedom. She is, of course, referring to school vouchers. But as education secretary she has been more about denying students true education freedom. DeVos stands for the opposite of educational freedom! As she travels around the country promoting her agenda, here’s a
- [How Dwindling Human Interaction in Public Schools Hurts Us as a Society](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/08/07/how-dwindling-human-interaction-in-public-schools-hurts-us-as-a-society/) - Look at the picture above. Is the boy going to pick on the girl, or will he invite her to play with the other children? In today's impersonal school climate, how do students learn about those around them? When there's no chance of bringing students together in school, how will children better understand their peers?
- [11 Problems Facing Students as They Return to School](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/08/24/11-problems-facing-students-as-they-return-to-school/) - If you support our students, the next generation, and a democratic public education system that we all own, it’s tough to watch the changes corporate reformers have caused in schools. They’re not the ideas that most parents and teachers support, so we wonder why they're implemented. Most of the problems that exist in public schools
- [The Technology Cheating Problem Is Still a Problem](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/08/22/the-technology-cheating-problem-is-still-a-problem/) - While many were appalled at the celebrity college entrance scandal, there’s another scandal that gets minimal attention. Students cheat with technology! Cheating has always been a problem in school but with technology it runs rampant. In the classroom, teachers curtail cheating by supervising students in person. They learn about students and become familiar with their
- [Helping Students, Including Those with Learning Disabilities, With Self-Expression](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/08/13/helping-students-including-those-with-learning-disabilities-with-self-expression/) - The most important words a student can hear from their teacher or parent are, “I want to hear how you think and feel about this.” Helping students express themselves through writing is critical in every class at every grade level. Self-expression is so important today that I felt compelled to write about one of my
- [NCTQ's "Case Closed" Brain Image Post Plugs Pearson's RICA Reading Te$t for Teachers. Fails the Smell Test!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/08/02/nctqs-case-closed-brain-image-post-plugs-pearsons-rica-reading-tet-for-teachers-fails-the-smell-test/) - Kate Walsh, President of the astroturf National Council of Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a group that pretends it's for teachers and schools when it's really about privatization, recently published an article “Case Closed” implying that teachers are "science deniers" when it comes to teaching reading. But Walsh's brain imaging illustration is taken from a research article
- [Force and Flunk, Tougher Kindergarten Lead to Parental Dissatisfaction with Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/07/21/force-and-flunk-tougher-kindergarten-lead-to-parental-dissatisfaction-with-public-schools/) - When children aren't reading according to the corporate time frame set by Jeb Bush and his ilk (non-educators who want to privatize public education), parents become dissatisfied, even angry with public school officials and teachers when their children fail. The goal of many corporations is to end public education. They want privatization. To do this,
- [The Science and Science Labs that Students Miss at a Time When Science is Critical](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/07/14/the-science-and-science-labs-that-students-miss-at-a-time-when-science-is-critical/) - Why are students being held back from being the best they can be in science? Making scientific advancements through exploration involves good preparation of the ninety percent of students who attend public schools across the country. We need good scientists to fix our problems. Climate change, antibiotics, drinking water, pollution, overpopulation, diseases, microplastics and garbage,
- [The Candidates: How Will They Solve Society's Problems Without Great Public Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/06/30/the-candidates-how-will-they-solve-societys-problems-without-great-public-schools/) - Here we go again. Two nights of Democratic debates and public schools were only mentioned in connection with other issues. The candidates discussed climate change, gun control, health care, foreign policy, free community college, and more. They never tackled the issues surrounding for-profit colleges. There were no questions about the privatization of public education in
- [Dads and Children With Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/06/16/dads-and-children-with-disabilities/) - Happy Father's Day! There’s little research on the role of fathers when it comes to raising children with disabilities. This underrepresentation has meant that most questionnaires about this topic have reflected the mother's point of view. But that's changing. In honor of dads today, I decided to study some of the research that's out there
- [Benton Harbor’s Schools are America’s Schools! Tell Gov. Whitmer, Ed. Sec. Betsy DeVos, and the MEA!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/06/09/benton-harbors-schools-are-americas-schools-tell-gov-whitmer-ed-sec-betsy-devos-and-the-mea/) - Everything in the dark comes to the light. ~Former BHHS student. Across the country, citizens, parents, and educators have watched their public schools close due to underfunding and high-stakes student testing. These schools are predominately black, Hispanic, and poor. Public education with elected school boards are democratic institutions. Closing a school or school district, or
- [End Charter Schools! Consider Creative Ways to Address Schooling](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/05/31/end-charter-schools-consider-creative-ways-to-address-schooling/) - It's time to end the charter school experiment. Put successful charters under the supervision of the nearby school district. Charters not working well should close. No charter school should get tax dollars without oversight. This should be for both for-profit and nonprofit charter schools. Charter School Scandals On twitter, educators and parents can follow the Network
- [Teaching and Learning in the Age of the Technocrats](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/05/20/teaching-and-learning-in-the-age-of-the-technocrats/) - By Sheila Resseger, M.A. I wrote the following words almost exactly four years ago. Since then, many parents did choose to inform themselves, and refused to allow their children to participate in the PARCC/SBAC assessments; the problem with the underlying standards, however, was not addressed. And the situation we have today is even more concerning.
- [Are School Playgrounds Still Empty? Animals Get More Recess!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/05/17/are-school-playgrounds-still-empty-animals-get-more-recess/) - Parents in Florida and Tennessee and many other states have fought for recess. Sometimes children in elementary school get 20-minute breaks once a day if they're lucky. Children should get several recess breaks each day! We should be looking at the benefit of school recess breaks for every grade level. Middle and high school students
- [Mother's Day 2019: Moms Want Their Children To Be Safe at School!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/05/12/mothers-day-2019-moms-want-their-children-to-be-safe-at-school/) - If mothers could have anything they wanted for Mother's Day, they would say I want my child to be safe. I want them to be safe at school! Here's why they worry they aren't. The NRA After Sandy Hook, most of us thought the NRA would scale back its rigid position about gun control, especially
- [America’s Teachers vs. Betsy DeVos and the Top 1% During Teacher Appreciation Week](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/05/08/americas-teachers-vs-betsy-devos-and-the-top-1-during-teacher-appreciation-week/) - During this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week, teachers will undoubtedly cherish notes and gifts from grateful children and parents, but they recognize real teacher appreciation is about more than a week of tributes. They also see through Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the top one percent who want to destroy public education and the teaching profession.
- [Diane Ravitch's Education "Wisdom and Wit" is Critical at this Time](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/05/05/diane-ravitchs-education-wisdom-and-wit-is-critical-at-this-time/) - We will someday view this era as one in which the nation turned its back on its public schools, its children, and its educators. We will wonder why so many journalists and policymakers rejected the nation's obligation to support public education as a social responsibility, and accepted the unrealistic, unsustainable promises of entrepreneurs and billionaires.
- [An ADHD Medical Device Again Raises Questions about Classroom Rigor and the Lack of Recess](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/04/23/an-adhd-medical-device-again-raises-questions-about-classroom-rigor-and-the-lack-of-recess/) - The American Psychiatric Association (APA) says that 5 percent of American children have ADHD. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts the number at more than double the APA's number. The CDC says that 11 percent of American children, ages 4 to 17, have the attention disorder. ~The A.D.D. Resource Center, Oct
- [“Educational Freedom” is False Advertising!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/03/27/educational-freedom-is-false-advertising/) - It sounds so patriotic...Educational Freedom. But public education in traditional public schools is what is truly educational freedom. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and other conservatives like former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and current Tennessee Governor Bill Lee are touting their idea of Educational Freedom and they repeatedly make comments implying that poor children will get
- [Look at Me! The Problem with Quotas, Caps, and Disparaging Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/03/16/look-at-me-the-problem-with-quotas-caps-and-disparaging-special-education/) - Special education, which includes gifted education, is about helping students who learn differently. It’s distressing when a student needs academic support and there is none, or when quotas and caps get in the way of a child's needs. It's also concerning when special education is made to look like a bad placement option. It stigmatizes
- [Online Therapy in Schools? Privacy and Quality Concerns](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/02/20/online-therapy-in-schools-privacy-and-quality-concerns/) - Most of us are concerned when we hear of a credit card data breach in a store or company where we do business. Many parents are also troubled about academic and social-emotional behavioral online assessment data collected about their children in school. But what about your child surrendering their personal and sensitive information in an
- [Love OUR Public Schools: Children & Their Teachers!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/02/14/love-our-public-schools-children-their-teachers/) - On this one-year anniversary of the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, I am remembering the students and their parents and teachers, especially those who lost loved ones. MSD represents a great public school. Beyond the sadness of that day, we saw what a good public school can be. We saw loving, supportive parents.
- [Charter/Community Schools & Partnerships: Privatization Ending Public Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/02/03/charter-community-schools-partnerships-privatization-ending-public-education/) - A charter school can be a community school, and vice versa. ~National Center for Community Schools There's new school management these days that might seem nice, but scratch beneath the service and it is privatization and the theft of America's democratic public schools. There are two points in this blog post. Community schools might be
- [Social-Emotional Learning and Teachers Students Love? Teachers in Los Angeles!](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/01/22/social-emotional-learning-and-teachers-students-love-teachers-in-los-angeles/) - Social-emotional learning (SEL) in schools makes many parents and teachers nervous. We worry there's an ulterior motive to collect behavioral data on how children think and act, and that the ultimate goal is to privatize public schools and track students. Talk about transforming our public schools away from cognitive learning to SEL is everywhere! Those
- [Showcasing Tolerance and Kindness in America's Public School Students Through Their Writings](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/01/20/showcasing-tolerance-and-kindness-in-americas-public-school-students-through-their-writings/) - Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. ~Martin Luther King, Jr. On this Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, I thought it would be nice to promote children and teens around the country who have demonstrated tolerance and kindness through essays. Our public schools and public school teachers nurture that hope. Our children learn from
- [Special Education: How Has Teacher Preparation Changed?](https://nancyebailey.com/2019/01/18/special-education-how-has-teacher-preparation-changed/) - Sometimes parents of students with disabilities will complain that teachers don’t know how to teach special education. This generalization is difficult to pin down. What specifically makes parents believe this? What is it about their student’s teacher that makes them so critical? With more student placement in inclusion classes, it also isn't always clear if
- [Technology or Books? The Right Book for Christmas and the Holidays](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/12/22/technology-or-books-the-right-book-for-christmas-and-the-holidays/) - When I was a child, my aunt and uncle, who lived in Chicago, would always send me a cool present for Christmas. I would eagerly run home from school looking for that package attached to the mailbox. It would be wrapped in brown paper and string. The packaging paper would be removed on Christmas Eve,
- [School Choice Deception: Florida's Plan and Students Who Don’t Measure Up](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/12/16/school-choice-deception-floridas-plan-and-students-who-dont-measure-up/) - Florida is a bellwether state. What happens to schools there will move to other states in one form or another. I would like to share a personal story of how I met school choice as a teacher in Florida and how it helped cement in me the desire to advocate for a public school system
- [How School Reformers Try to Convince Us You Can Fly a Plane Without a Real Pilot](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/12/10/how-school-reformers-try-to-convince-us-you-can-fly-a-plane-without-a-real-pilot/) - Spending time studying how to teach and how children learn has been replaced with fast-track programs that breed future workers. These people know little about children, but they follow the script. They will keep children focused on their computer lessons, and collect data on their progress. It's like getting on a plane and learning the
- [Common Core Creator Slammed Reading Teachers for Having a Research Gap—How Ironic](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/11/29/common-core-creator-slammed-reading-teachers-for-having-a-research-gape-how-ironic/) - Teachers have enough difficulties. Sometimes you find an article so full of hubris and irony it cannot be ignored. Several weeks ago, I criticized a series of reports about reading by journalist Emily Hanford. Hanford claimed teachers didn't understand reading instruction and that their education schools failed to teach them what they should know. I made
- [What's Behind the Chan Zuckerberg (CZI) Push for "Brain Science?"](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/11/27/whats-behind-the-chan-zuckerberg-czi-push-for-brain-science/) - It doesn’t matter how much trouble Mark Zuckerberg might appear to be in with Facebook, he and his wife still find time to mess with education and give elitist advice to teachers. Their latest initiative is to claim teachers need to learn brain science. They're donating $1 million to Neuroteach Global, an online PD platform created
- [Personalized (Online) Learning Fails at Classroom Dynamics and Socialization](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/11/24/personalized-online-learning-fails-at-classroom-dynamics-and-socialization/) - Let's get together, yeah yeah yeah Think of all that we could sha-are Let's get together everyday Every way and everywhere And though we haven't got a lot We could be sharin' all we've got Together ~Haley Mills, From Walt Disney’s The Parent Trap The public school classroom is a sacred community. How students socialize in
- [Thanksgiving: Family, Friends, Teachers, HOPE, and Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/11/22/thanksgiving-family-friends-teachers-hope-and-public-schools/) - Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It involves family and friends and is rather unassuming, tucked between the shenanigans of Halloween and the solemn, yet frenetic, Christmas rush. We especially remember those suffering loss today. The tables that aren't whole due to empty chairs. Loss is a burden on a day to give thanks.
- [How Funding Cuts to Public Schools Hurt Private and Parochial Students with Special Needs](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/11/10/how-funding-cuts-to-public-schools-hurt-private-and-parochial-students-with-special-needs/) - Should public school districts be responsible for special education services of students in private and parochial schools? How do they manage this when they have financial problems serving the students who need special education services in public schools? I am not referring to special education vouchers which some states provide students when the special education
- [Huge Class Sizes and the Increase in Student Mental Health Problems—Connect the Dots!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/23/huge-class-sizes-and-the-increase-in-student-mental-health-problems-connect-the-dots/) - The New York Times has an article having to do with large class sizes. It’s all about the push to put more kids in classrooms and schools with fewer teachers and specialists. This is happening around the country in every school. It is happening without any thought to the recent tragic events in our public
- [Will Teachers Be Accountable to Make "Happy" Students?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/10/23/will-teachers-be-accountable-to-make-happy-students/) - Here comes VAM for social-emotional learning! Controversy erupted years ago over holding teachers accountable for academic test scores. VAM (Value Added Measurement) was supposed to have been put to rest, but it never really left. Move over VAM, now teachers will be responsible for student behavior too! Back in June, Peter Greene, writing for Forbes
- [Failing Public School Infrastructure Makes Way for Microenvironments](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/10/20/failing-public-school-infrastructure-makes-way-for-microenvironments/) - ...the nation continues to underinvest in school facilities, leaving an estimated $38 billion annual gap. ~2017 Infrastructure Report on Schools by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Classrooms or microenvironments? For years, the condition of public school facilities has received D ratings from the American Society of Civil Engineers. They claim the gap in funding
- [Quit Saying Special Ed. Costs Too Much! 8 Cost-Cutting Signs to Watch Out For](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/10/12/quit-saying-special-ed-costs-too-much-8-cost-cutting-signs-to-watch-out-for/) - In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-142. The law guaranteed every child a free appropriate public education. This positively impacted millions of children across the country. The law was later reauthorized and renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Many politicians never wanted to fund special education. From the start, there was no
- [Betsy DeVos's Tour Questions Are About Tech Transformation](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/10/04/betsy-devoss-tour-questions-are-about-tech-transformation/) - Betsy DeVos is gearing up for another tour, this time in the South. Chalkbeat shared the questions she is asking about schools. Here I try to interpret her questions with answers to what she is really getting at. I believe her questions are related to technology and "disruption" in education. The drive is to transform
- [The Reading Wars? Who’s Talking About Reading and Class Size?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/10/02/the-reading-wars-whos-talking-about-reading-and-class-size/) - …extensive research in the reading difficulties of children show that large classes are the basic cause of failure in reading as well as in other subjects. ~Professor Arthur I. Gates, nationally known authority in the field of reading instruction. Elementary School Journal; February 1937. When parents and teachers debate phonics and whole language, they might
- [Addressing Mental Illness in Children During Trying Times](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/08/14/addressing-mental-illness-in-children-during-trying-times/) - As schools open their doors for the 2017-2018 school year, it is a good time to discuss students, schools, and mental health. Recently, we learned that suicides have spiked in middle school. Young people are still bullied, often online. Sadly, national and world events can be far more alarming to children than adults might realize.
- [Despite F Ratings, Dyslexia Charter School Has Gotten Repeated State Approval](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/09/17/despite-f-ratings-dyslexia-charter-school-has-gotten-repeated-state-approval/) - Interest in charter schools for students with disabilities is on the rise. Will such schools destroy the Individuals with Disabilities Act's (IDEA) rights of children? IDEA is the reauthorization of the 1975 Public Law 94-142. While parents might be dissatisfied with dyslexia programming in public schools, how can they be assured charter schools will provide
- [6 Concerns: Are "Community Schools" Paving the Way for School Choice and Digital Instruction?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/02/22/6-concerns-are-community-schools-paving-the-way-for-school-choice-and-digital-instruction/) - Here is how the Coalition of Community Schools defines their concept of community schools. A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger
- [Finland's Sad Embrace of America’s Corporate School Reforms](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/09/12/finlands-sad-embrace-of-americas-corporate-school-reforms/) - For years, Americans have repeated a mantra when discussing public schools, "Look to Finland!" Now, we see the same dangerous reforms happening in Finland's schools that are happening in America's schools! Prominent leaders believe that teaching is still a strong profession in Finland. And certainly using technology can be useful. I guess, like most reforms,
- [What’s Better than Grit? Reading Books and a Good Teacher](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/09/05/whats-better-than-grit-reading-books-and-a-good-teacher/) - Angela Duckworth graces the Costco Connection this month talking about the character grit that she says made her who she is today. She wants America to teach children to have grit too, so they will be successful. She has a Grit Scale. HERE. And she runs a character lab. Her grit goals for children include
- [School Safety: Include Teacher and Student Support!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/09/03/school-safety-include-teacher-and-student-support/) - What’s being done to improve school safety? There's much discussion about school violence and "core values," and dealing with horrific events once they occur. Suggested solutions are often controversial. Reducing class size isn't mentioned. Yet how teachers carry out school safety training would seem to be contingent on manageable class sizes. By supporting teachers as
- [What Have DeVos, Trump, Congress, and the Wealthy Oligarchs Done to Improve School Safety?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/08/31/what-have-devos-trump-congress-and-the-wealthy-oligarchs-done-to-improve-school-safety/) - Children are entrusted to us. Students rely on parents and adults in the community to keep them safe. That's still the case as children grow into teens and beyond. There have been 288 school shootings since 2009. That's 57 times any other industrialized country. Some question how many shootings actually take place as in this recent
- [My Blogging Anniversary: How Has School Reform Changed in Five Years?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/08/21/my-blogging-anniversary-how-has-school-reform-changed-in-five-years/) - I recently passed the five-year anniversary of when I started writing my blog. What has changed? In this post, I analyze some of the issues I’ve written about over the years. Then, I thank you for your support. Change or lack of change in education can seem dark and foreboding, but there's a great deal
- [Who Arne Duncan is Today Speaks To His Past Role as Education Secretary](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/08/12/who-arne-duncan-is-today-speaks-to-his-past-role-as-education-secretary/) - Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan recently stepped away from his ventures to discuss his new book How Schools Work: An Inside Account of Failure and Success from One of the Nation’s Longest Serving Secretaries of Education. Few teachers were impressed with Duncan in this role. He never worked in a school. He'd never been a
- [Toddlers & Preschool Testing? Don't Steal the Joy of Reading!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/08/01/toddlers-preschool-testing-dont-steal-the-joy-of-reading/) - A child three years old is still a toddler. What demands, if any, should be placed on a child this young when it comes to learning to read? Will it harm their chances of enjoying reading in the future? This is what we should ask when it comes to the new PELI testing. The same
- [People Who Don't Pay Attention to Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/07/19/people-who-dont-pay-attention-to-public-schools/) - The other day, I was riding with my husband, who is a pretty good driver. On this day, he maneuvered a busy intersection with his usual aplomb, and out from behind some trees appeared a pedestrian, a young woman, totally self-absorbed, looking down, her ear phones snugly attached. My husband, swerved in the right direction
- [K-12 Mega-Merger: What Strange World Is This? Teachers Want Lowered Class Sizes!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/07/16/k-12-mega-merger-what-strange-world-is-this-teachers-want-lowered-class-sizes/) - Teaching children can be a beautiful thing. But there are so many needs right now due to years of inadequate funding and mismanagement. One solution to many problems is lowering class sizes. But read this article about a K-12 Mega-Merger and it's easy to see that lowering class size is only on the minds of
- [The School Safety Commission's Troubling Ties to the Border Crisis](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/07/14/the-school-safety-commissions-troubling-ties-to-the-border-crisis/) - School safety is simmering in everyone’s minds during summer vacation. But looking at the individuals on the Federal Commission on School Safety should give us pause. How do they view children? There's cognitive dissonance when they say they want safe schools, yet they thought it fine to separate babies and children from their parents in the
- [Without Professional Teachers, Special Education is a Joke!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/07/12/without-professional-teachers-special-education-is-a-joke/) - How do school districts bypass special education services and get away with it? One way, is to make it look like special education services are being restored, but due to a teacher shortage, the district must rely on teachers without classroom experience. Special education, all teaching really, but special education, especially, demands teaching qualifications. To
- [Schools, and a Country's Children: Remembering a Gentler (Not Perfect) Past](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/06/28/schools-and-a-countrys-children-remembering-a-gentler-not-perfect-past/) - This is our land. These are our children. We're all in it together. ~Brochure for the Van Buren Intermediate School District, Project NOMAD (Needs and Objectives for Migrant Advancement and Development), 1972 and 1973. In the early seventies, as a young college student, I became an aide for two summers, in the Michigan Migrant Education
- [Why Merging DOE with DOL is Wrong! Education is for Children, NOT Corporations](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/06/22/why-merging-doe-with-dol-is-wrong-education-is-for-children-not-corporations/) - Moms and Dads, when you looked into your newborn's eyes for the first time, did you think, I wonder what job our government will steer our baby into? A merger of the Department of Education (DOE) with the Department of Labor (DOL) is about just that. Here's a quote from this administration's manual called "Delivering
- [For Dads Who Care and Protect Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/06/17/for-dads-who-care-and-protect-children/) - There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children. ~Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa Fathers who are protectors of children. Today is your day. Today, I am thinking about fathers who help their sons and daughters in school, and fathers who flee a
- [Alternative Routes vs. Growth Mindset: Shouldn’t School Be Like a Map?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/06/09/alternative-routes-vs-growth-mindset-shouldnt-school-be-like-a-map/) - Maybe you are planning a trip over the summer. Are you going to tackle the Grand Canyon? Perhaps you’re going overseas to Italy, or some exotic place that has always been on your bucket list. Maybe you will stay home and enjoy relaxing in the backyard. Why don’t we tell children that school is like
- [All the State Chiefs of Education in a Nutshell](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/06/07/all-the-state-chiefs-of-education-in-a-nutshell/) - I've compiled the list of state school superintendents, commissioners, officers, leaders, CEOs, whatever you want to call them, who are running schools in each state. They're powerful and responsible for initiating school reform. This includes Common Core State Standards, high-stakes testing, teacher evaluations, and the digital transformation of public schools. Currently, they're determining how the
- [22 Education Issues That Make Us Go “Well, Duh!”](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/06/02/22-education-issues-that-make-us-go-well-duh/) - There are certain issues in education that should no longer take a major study or a Ph.D. to understand. And yet some Americans seemed duped into believing there’s need for proof. For example, Chalkbeat just informed us that students who take tests in hot rooms don’t get good test scores. Does this shock anyone? Here’s
- [Preparing Teachers to Teach Reading: What Happened?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/05/31/preparing-teachers-to-teach-reading-what-happened/) - It's easier to be ideological if you don't have children sitting in front of you day after day. When you're trying an approach and it's not working, you have to back up and say, 'I have to try something else.' You can't say [students] don't fit the program. ~Dottie Fowler, a 15-year veteran teacher, 1998
- [On this Memorial Day: Remembering Protectors of Children and Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/05/27/on-this-memorial-day-remembering-protectors-of-children-and-public-schools/) - On this day, Americans rightfully remember those who fought and died for our freedom. Maybe they will have a barbecue. Perhaps they will make use of the sales and go shopping at the mall. But when they hang the flag, they will thank those who made our country safe, so we can say what we
- [Here's to Moms and Teachers: Standing Together for Great Public Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/05/13/heres-to-moms-and-teachers-standing-together-for-great-public-schools/) - Happy Mother’s Day! And Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! It's interesting that these celebrations both happen around the same time. I've written salutes in the past. Here's to moms! Here's to teachers! Moms and teachers work together to provide students the best education. Moms Moms don't just bake cupcakes for bake sales, although if they do
- [How Did We Learn to Read? Is There a Teacher to Thank?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/05/08/how-did-we-learn-to-read-is-there-a-teacher-to-thank/) - 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](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/05/06/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
- [Can Students Have Teachers, Tech, and Librarians Too?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/04/27/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
- [Put Out to Pasture: Past Education Secretaries and Their Anti-Public School Connections Today](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/04/12/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
- ["Duck and Cover Kids," and the Problems with "Teachers Packing"](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/03/29/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
- [“Stop, Thieves!” DeVos & Company Drive Deregulation and the End of Public Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/03/22/stop-thieves-devos-company-drive-deregulation-and-the-end-of-public-education/) - Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, who were good little bunnies, went down the lane to gather blackberries; But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor’s garden, and squeezed under the gate! First he ate some lettuces and some French beans; and then he ate some radishes; And then, feeling rather sick, he
- [In DeVos Interview, Lesley Stahl Went Where Few Journalists Go](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/03/15/in-devos-interview-lesley-stahl-went-where-few-journalists-go/) - It’s been a long time since any journalist has defended public schools with the kind of punch we saw with veteran journalist Lesley Stahl. It was refreshing to say the least. Stahl has a book out about being a grandmother, so maybe she’s got the children of America on her mind more intensely these days.
- [How Do We Stop Bullying? Florida's New Voucher Scam Doesn’t Ask that Question](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/03/12/how-do-we-stop-bullying-floridas-new-voucher-scam-doesnt-ask-that-question/) - Behind bullying behavior we usually find a depressed individual who needs help. We need to understand why a child bullies and get them that help so they will stop bullying. Most people understand how serious the issue of bullying is to children and the country, and how schools should be on the forefront of addressing
- [Worries about Tech and the Chan/Zuckerberg $30 Million Support of “Reach Every Reader”](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/03/08/worries-about-tech-and-the-chan-zuckerberg-30-million-support-of-reach-every-reader/) - Reading is essential for learning, yet students across the U.S. are completing elementary school with inadequate reading abilities. So begins the announcement in The Harvard Gazette telling us about the new $30 million grant Chan/Zuckerberg will hand over to Harvard’s School of Education and MIT’s Integrative Learning Initiative (MITili). Learning to read, all of us
- [Can We Afford to Lay Off Public School Guidance Counselors?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/26/can-we-afford-to-lay-off-public-school-guidance-counselors/) - Is there a movement to lay off guidance counselors, even college and career counselors, in public schools? With the “everyone should attend college” movement, you wouldn’t think so. In fact, the need would seem to be to hire more counselors. Still, there are signs…. See here in Michigan for example. Or here in California. Or
- [America’s Students are Brilliant! The Cynics Can No Longer Claim Otherwise!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/02/25/americas-students-are-brilliant-the-cynics-can-no-longer-claim-otherwise/) - Beyond the sadness over the terrible event at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, still unimaginable, there was something that stood out last week. America’s kids are smart! Really smart! They’re smarter than the school reformers who have said ugly things against them for years! President Trump referred to public schools in his Inaugural Address as an education
- [No Mending of Broken Hearts—End Assault Weapons and Gun Violence NOW!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/02/17/no-mending-of-broken-hearts-end-assault-weapons-and-gun-violence-now/) - Does America love its kids? After Valentine’s Day the answer when it comes to many lawmakers is a definite NO! Even if you don’t live in Parkland, many knew those who did. Maybe you sat on the edge of your seat Wednesday, hoping against all odds that it wasn’t the parent you knew who was
- [Teacherless Koch School Supported by Wichita State University College of Education: Pixie Dust!](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/02/05/teacherless-koch-school-supported-by-wichita-state-university-college-of-education-pixie-dust/) - Here’s the pun of the day…well sort of...and it's mixed with much magical pixie dust. Who does a College of Education, meant to prepare teachers to teach, teach when they partner with a private school that celebrates no teachers? It’s a mystery. These are transformational schools. But transformation doesn't always work. Psst. Pixie dust is,
- [Special Education Mess in Texas: Stonewalling to End Public Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/02/01/special-education-mess-in-texas-stonewalling-to-end-public-schools/) - Texans are still understandably upset about their children losing out on special education services. Texas education officials look like they are stonewalling to keep special education services from students. Here's the most recent information on the Texas special education boondoggle. You have to hit the links to get the real picture, and even then it
- [Missing an S for Science in the STEM Frenzy](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/01/06/missing-an-s-for-science-in-the-stem-frenzy/) - In the midst of the hype about STEM, what happened to science in public schools? Two recent reports in Education Week bemoan the stunning loss of both chemistry and physics in high schools across the country. Three out of five secondary schools don't offer chemistry! When they do, there's disparity. Poor African Americans and Hispanic
- [101 (And MORE) Wishes For Students in 2018—In 5 Words or Less](https://nancyebailey.com/2018/01/01/101-wishes-for-students-in-2018-in-5-words-or-less/) - 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.
- [Investing in Early Childhood Education for Children, Not to Fix the Economy](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/01/02/investing-in-early-childhood-education-for-children-not-to-fix-the-economy/) - Today, it is unusual to hear anything said about early childhood education that doesn’t end with remarks about the good of the nation’s economy. This involves pushing young children to do better in school. I have written about this, in regard to other issues, even most recently in discussing the push to extend the school
- [The "Education Revolution”=Chaos!](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/12/30/the-education-revolutionchaos/) - 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
- [Merry Christmas, Betsy DeVos!](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/12/20/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
- [USDOE Special Ed. Director Nominee's Ties to Common Core and Personalized Learning](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/11/26/usdoe-special-ed-director-nominees-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
- [The New "Collaboration"—Students Teaching Themselves Without Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/11/12/the-new-collaboration-students-teaching-themselves-without-schools/) - While the teacher's role is currently mentioned in corporate reform involving technology, it is diminishing. Teachers are being replaced by outside partnerships who control how and what students learn. Simultaneously, the student-to-student role is increasing. Students are being relied on to instruct each other. This is exemplified in the term "collaboration." What collaboration used to
- [How to Help Children Overcome a Bully President](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/12/01/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
- [Betsy DeVos and Denying Flint's Children Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/08/28/betsy-devos-and-denying-flints-children-special-education/) - How can a state that poisoned its children with leaded water, now put roadblocks in their way to get the special education services they need to improve their lives? Where's Betsy? There can be no denying that what happened in Flint impacts education and public schools there. Families need support. We should be getting ongoing
- [Betsy DeVos Goes Trick or Treating for Dyslexia](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/10/31/betsy-devos-goes-trick-or-treating-for-dyslexia/) - US Senator Bill Cassidy MD (R-LA) and his wife Dr. Laura Cassidy recently met with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and dyslexia and learning disability organizations to discuss serving children with dyslexia. It’s important to remember five things. Public schools used to do more for students with learning disabilities. Resource classes, general education support, and certified
- [Teachers or Technology? 12 Tech Takeover Concerns](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/10/18/teachers-or-technology-12-tech-takeover-concerns/) - Teachers in Boston are all aglow over personalized learning—teaching students how to learn on digital devices. But there’s something strange about learning how to help computers do a teacher's job—like maybe tomorrow teachers will show up for work and their key will no longer open the classroom door. LearnLaunch Institute’s MassNet program is one of
- [How Gates, DeVos, and Local Business Leaders Destroy Democratic Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/10/15/how-gates-devos-and-local-business-leaders-destroy-democratic-public-schools/) - Last month, CREEED held a Choose to Excel summit with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the goal of discussing the state of education in El Paso and to find ways to "move the education needle forward" by, among other things, recruiting charter schools to the area. ~Sara Sanschez, El Paso Times, October 9, 2017. Charter
- [Using the Word “War” in Reference to America’s Teachers and Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/27/using-the-word-war-in-reference-to-americas-teachers-and-public-schools/) - How can it be, in a country such as ours, that teachers are depicted as enemies of children? Teaching is a helping profession--a calling. Yet, the use of the words “war” and “teachers” can be found in numerous books and writings. It has turned into a war on the children themselves! Teacher/Blogger Nancy Flanagan recently
- [Alternative Ed., or Personalized Learning? And Susan Sarandon's Ad](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/10/07/alternative-ed-or-personalized-learning-and-susan-sarandons-ad/) - During this serious time when public schools are under siege and threatened by a tech, anti-teacher, anti-brick-and-mortar schools, and an anything goes takeover, it's important to define public schools. It goes without saying that public schools should be creative places for learning. Some children, especially those who are at-risk, require different learning environments. The alternative
- [When it Comes to Special Education Deregulations, Watch DeVos Like a Hawk!](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/22/when-it-comes-to-special-education-deregulations-watch-devos-like-a-hawk/) - In the beginning, Betsy DeVos didn’t seem to understand IDEA. Now it looks like she is out to get rid of it! Here is her recent statement in response to an Education Week writer's question about reauthorizing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. I think Congress needs to seriously look at the commitment they made
- [Betsy DeVos and the Let Public Schools Die Then Privatize Them Tour](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/15/betsy-devos-and-the-let-public-schools-die-then-privatize-them-tour/) - Here are some observations of Betsy DeVos and her Rethink Schools tour. Autism in Douglas County One of the schools she visited was the Firefly Autism House the private school which received attention in the landmark Supreme Court case Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District. Parents received funding to place their child at Firefly
- [Teacher Appreciation As School Starts](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/09/07/teacher-appreciation-as-school-starts/) - Teachers are starting the 2017-18 school year. While the focus appears to be on transforming teaching into digital competency-based instruction, or personalized learning, real human teachers are what make learning for every child personalized. That title was stolen from them. Teachers work to bring students together. They let them know that every child, no matter
- [What’s Behind the Teacher Shortage/Crisis? Or is there One?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/12/15/whats-behind-the-teacher-shortagecrisis-or-is-there-one/) - There has been much talk about a critical teacher shortage, that many say nothing will solve unless drastic measures are taken. But serious teacher shortage talk was emphasized in 1990. Voila! We got Teach for America (TFA). Before that, there were attempts to address teacher shortages in the emergency areas--special ed., science and math et
- [Public Schools and Texas Priorities](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/08/22/public-schools-and-texas-priorities/) - Texas has their share of students in poverty, so why did the Katy Independent School District spend $72.1 million on a new football stadium? Remember a few months ago when we learned how the state had shut students with special needs out of services due to an unlawful cap? State officials did not seem to
- [What’s Scary to Kids: Having Dyslexia and Being Held Back in Third Grade!](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/31/whats-scary-to-kids-having-dyslexia-and-being-held-back-in-third-grade-2/) - You thought I forgot Halloween because I posted earlier today? No. Here is an old post that is unfortunately still relevant today. There is no point in rewriting what is already said. Happy Halloween! Have fun and stay safe out there! ___________________________________________________________________ With certain states jumping on the retention bandwagon, even though we know retention
- [Code of Conduct Books and Pasco County’s Kindergarten "Anarchy"](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/08/18/code-of-conduct-books-and-pasco-countys-kindergarten-anarchy/) - It’s important to pay attention to how discipline will be used in a child’s school. On the first day, a parent might be shocked upon entering their child’s kindergarten classroom to be handed a student conduct code or rule book by a smiling teacher. This book will have all the dos and don’ts involving behavior.
- [Robin Williams and Lessons to Be Learned About Kids with Mental Illness in Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/12/robin-williams-and-lessons-to-be-learned-about-kids-with-mental-illness-in-public-schools/) - I have been reminded that Robin Williams died of a particularly severe neurological disease called Lewy Body Dementia. This is not a psychiatric disorder, so it is incorrect to associate Williams to mental illness. Unfortunately, this is an older post and the title is stuck. Still, the information about schools and mental illness I hope
- [Ignoring Common Core Infomercials: 15 Better Ways to Teach Writing and Self-Expression](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/08/13/ignoring-common-core-infomercials-15-better-ways-to-teach-writing-and-self-expression/) - New York Times journalist Dana Goldstein, who isn't a teacher but likes to write about them, recently wrote "Why Kids Can't Write," an infomercial for Common Core. A takeaway from the article is that Common Core may not be working to teach writing, but it's the teacher's fault. The real danger here, however, is the
- [Real Teaching? Looking Beyond the GAP and Booking.com Ads](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/08/03/real-teaching-looking-beyond-the-gap-and-booking-com-ads/) - Two ads on television need to be discussed because they each send problematic messages to the general public about teaching. GAP Back to School Ad The most recent is a back to school ad by GAP. This ad might seem upbeat, but these actions demonstrate student compliance. If you disagree, ask yourself, how many prestigious
- ["Imploding" Healthcare and Destroying Public Schools and Picnics](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/07/31/imploding-healthcare-and-destroying-public-schools-and-picnics/) - That's the standard technique of privatization: defund, make sure things don't work, people get angry, you hand it over to private capital. ~Noam Chomsky "Imploding" the Healthcare System is Frightening and Unnecessary When it comes to healthcare, many breathed a sigh of relief. Because of Democrats and three courageous Republicans, it looks like there will
- [Teaching and Purpose: A Response to Bill Gates and his Purpose Problem](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/07/21/teaching-and-purpose-a-response-to-bill-gates-and-his-purpose-problem/) - I recently ran across Bill Gates’s blog. He was reviewing Yuval Noah Harari’s book Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. The title of his post was, “The Purpose Problem: What if People Run Out of Things to Do?” Gates ironically reflects on what it means to have purpose in one’s life. I say ironically,
- [Betsy DeVos Speaks About Special Education!](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/07/18/betsy-devos-speaks-about-special-education/) - While parents wonder what will happen to their children with disabilities and their schooling due to the possibility of cuts to Medicaid, we’ve wondered, where’s Betsy? As families try to make sense of the information provided online by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, it would be nice to see DeVos speak out in support
- [Will Medicaid Cuts Mean the Death of Special Education?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/07/13/will-medicaid-cuts-mean-the-death-of-special-education/) - The new American Health Care Act (AHCA) will be a disaster for children with special needs. The GOP still doesn’t discuss what those cuts will mean to children with disabilities, even though they appear to be praying awfully hard. Back in May, in a PBS report with Judy Woodruff, correspondent William Brangham told us that
- [Why Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Graduation Plan Is “Cruel”](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/07/11/why-chicago-mayor-rahm-emanuels-graduation-plan-is-cruel/) - Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt By now most have heard about Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Graduation Plan to make students describe what they will do after school in order to get
- [Dallas Dance: Dancing Into School Districts with Digital Devices](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/07/08/dallas-dance-dancing-into-school-districts-with-digital-devices/) - Resigned BCPS Superintendent Dallas Dance Takes Consulting Jobs By Joanne C. Simpson Dallas Dance could be coming to a school district near you. For a visit anyway. Dance’s new role after leaving his $287,000 annual superintendent job at Baltimore County Public Schools after June 30–at least two national consulting gigs. Both companies, MGT Consulting Group
- [Public Schools and Freedom: A New Threat as We Celebrate This 4th of July](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/07/04/public-schools-and-freedom-a-new-threat-as-we-celebrate-this-4th-of-july/) - I wish to dedicate this post to the woman I'm calling America’s librarian, Joan Kramer, who lost her battle with cancer last week. Joan fought for children, their libraries, and their schools, bolstering us with her strong but kind ways. I felt it was important to acknowledge her this 4th of July. A hero and
- [How School Data Fails to Tell Us What’s Important](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/06/21/how-school-data-fails-to-tell-us-whats-important/) - Teachers look for solutions. That’s what we do. But data collection often fails when it comes to solutions. You can collect all the information in the world, but if you don’t know how to use it, or it can’t be translated into something meaningful, the information is worthless. That’s how I feel about yesterday’s article
- [Calling Nurturing Men to the Teaching Profession](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/06/18/calling-nurturing-men-to-the-teaching-profession/) - Happy Father’s Day! I am proud to know many nurturing fathers who are also teachers and who fight for public education. I have also known men who are not fathers, but who are marvelous teachers, who view their students like their own children. Men are needed to teach in this country. There's supposedly a teacher
- [Preschool Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Discipline in Disguise?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/06/10/preschool-social-emotional-learning-sel-discipline-in-disguise/) - Social Emotional Learning is popular! But why do school reformers discuss SEL like it has been hiding under a rock someone just kicked over? Haven't preschool teachers always worked with children on how to get along? While reading and thinking about preschool, I thought it would be interesting to explore SEL as it relates to
- [Happy Graduation! Cheers to Those Who Win Awards and Those Who Don’t](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/24/happy-graduation-cheers-to-those-who-win-awards-and-those-who-dont/) - Graduation! It’s that bittersweet time when our children transition closer to adulthood. As students walk across the stage at the end of high school, college, and middle school it’s time to sum up awards. Who won them? Who didn’t? Awards talk has been running rampant on social media this year. Since school reformers have pushed
- [Why Unionizing Charter School Teachers is STILL a Bad Idea](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/31/why-unionizing-charter-school-teachers-is-still-a-bad-idea/) - I wrote this blog post in 2016. But this issue continues to be relevant to privatizing public schools. Thank you for taking the time to read it. I can understand the union's desire to add members and support teachers in charter schools. But most charter schools have not evolved into that old concept of teacher-run
- [Trip Down Memory Lane with Florida's McKay Vouchers](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/21/trip-down-memory-lane-with-floridas-mckay-vouchers/) - One more awful bill in Florida is being used to push public schools towards privatization and poor schooling for students. Said to be 55 bills in one, HB 7069 use words like “starvation” to reference funding for public schools. Charters are called “Schools of Hope” even though Florida’s charter school record is dismal. Many Floridians
- [Dedicated to Moms Who Complain](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/14/dedicated-to-moms-who-complain/) - Happy Mother’s Day! Sometimes moms who make complaints are looked down upon—given the eye roll by certain school officials. But with today’s school reforms, complaints can change a child’s schooling and even provide needed support for teachers and schools. Today, I pay tribute to a mom, Yadira Calderon, who recognized that, in her child’s case,
- [Betsy DeVos Should Resign!](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/11/betsy-devos-should-resign/) - Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery. ~Horace Mann It’s Teacher Appreciation Week and a woman who never taught a day in her life was just booed during commencement at a well-known, highly regarded historically black university. She
- [Teacher Appreciation: It's More than a Free Burrito](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/07/teacher-appreciation-its-more-than-a-free-burrito/) - The official Teacher Appreciation Week starts tomorrow. If you celebrated it last week—celebrate again. In fact, celebrate every day! Teacher appreciation can’t be captured in one week. Here is my 2015 list and my 2016 list of why we should appreciate teachers. If you think of something I left out let me know. Chipotle gave
- [XQ Super Schools vs. Teachers and Great Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/04/xq-super-schools-vs-teachers-and-great-schools/) - Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Many teachers are being bombarded by gifts and thank you notes as they are appreciated for what they do. In Grand Rapids, the YMCA, the science museum, universities, and the local school district, with millions of dollars of funding by “XQ: The Super School,” are conspiring to replace teachers and their
- [Unwrapping Charter School Titles: Where's the Innovation?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/05/01/unwrapping-charter-school-titles-wheres-the-innovation/) - Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others, while itself is insensible of the music. ~Diogenes Where's the innovation with choice and charters? Betsy DeVos has said, it’s how you go from a closed system to an open system
- [Piecemeal Privatization of Arts and Music in Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/04/16/piecemeal-privatization-of-arts-and-music-in-public-schools/) - So you think you saw the Easter Bunny this morning? But you’re not sure. The current status of the arts and music are like that in our public schools. One might think these subjects are returning, they’re back…or, not really. Just like the hippity-hoppity bunny that moves in lightning speed, privatization of public schools is sneaky
- [Tennessee Legislators Cry, "Thank God for Memphis!"](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/04/05/tennessee-legislators-cry-thank-god-for-memphis/) - Many voucher plans are popping up in state legislatures across the country. Here's what's happening in Tennessee. By Jim Gifford No matter what, many Tennessee legislators know a good deal when they see it. If a proposed new bill or untested program concerning public education is considered too risky or is unpopular with the constituents
- [Learning & Brain Conference Alert! Making Kids "Happy" in "No-Excuses" Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/04/03/learning-brain-conference-alert-making-kids-happy-in-no-excuses-schools/) - Teaching children to be happy and resilient, to have grit, in a “changing and chaotic world,” and telling parents their children will now need skills “well beyond good test scores,” raises serious questions when you consider the no-excuses schools so many students now attend. I am referring to the upcoming Learning & the Brain conference
- [Patty Duke and Helen Keller: Similarities of Greatness](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/31/patty-duke-and-helen-keller-similarities-of-greatness/) - The most important day I remember in all my life is the one on which my teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, came to me. I am filled with wonder when I consider the immeasurable contrast between the two lives which it connects. - Helen Keller I thought I would revisit a past post remembering Patty Duke
- [Endrew F., Special Education, and Charter Schools: What’s the Connection?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/26/endrew-f-and-charter-schools-whats-the-connection/) - It requires an educational program reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child’s circumstances. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. In light of the current administration's push for school choice in the form of vouchers and charter schools, and the selection of Betsy DeVos to be education secretary,
- [The Stealth Campaign Against Public Schools and the Public Space](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/25/the-stealth-campaign-against-public-schools-and-the-public-space-2/) - Sheila posted this exactly two years ago and her words are still stunning. The post has been recirculating and I wanted to highlight it. Many thanks to Sheila Resseger for her passionate and pointed writing. By Sheila Resseger, M.A. Instead of seeing these children for the blessings that they are, we are measuring them only
- [Trump’s Budget Cuts: Make America Hungry Again](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/17/trumps-budget-cuts-make-america-hungry-again/) - If you have ever spoken to a relative or friend who lived through the Great Depression, you will learn how the little things in life, that most of us take for granted, meant so much during that time. If we are lucky, we will never know the want those who lived through that period experienced.
- [Digitally Damning a Student's Future with Old Data](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/15/digitally-damning-a-students-future-with-old-data/) - You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space. —Johnny Cash Some colleges and universities
- [The Embedding of AP in American High Schools: The Debate](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/08/the-embedding-of-ap-in-american-high-schools-the-debate/) - Questions about whether America’s high schools should drop Advanced Placement (AP) classes, created a debate on social media. The fact that AP is driven by an outside money-making nonprofit, sometimes bothered parents and teachers, but not enough to end AP. Or, it did not seem to matter to some. The overriding question could be why
- [DeVos and False Claims of Failed Schools: How School Reform Hurts Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/03/01/devos-and-false-claims-of-failed-schools-how-school-reform-hurts-children/) - The conviction that the best way to prepare children for a harsh, rapidly changing world is to introduce formal instruction at an early age is wrong. There is simply no evidence to support it, and considerable evidence against it. Starting children early academically has not worked in the past and is not working now. —David
- [Where Are the Celebrities Supporting Democratic Public Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/02/27/where-are-the-celebrities-supporting-democratic-public-schools/) - The Oscars are over and I wonder where the celebrities are when it comes to supporting public schools. Especially when so many dislike President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, you would think at least one movie star would champion democratic public schools. Hello out there! Hey Hollywood and beyond! All of you who love
- [A For-Profit Charter ALTERNATIVE  School?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/02/23/a-for-profit-charter-alternative-school/) - A confusing article was just published by USA Today using the term “for-profit charter alternative school.” I’ve never seen a charter school described this way before. Charter schools and alternative schools are two different schools. And since Betsy DeVos is crookedly selling school choice to America, it is important to understand the difference. So I
- [How to Protest Against Betsy DeVos](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/02/17/how-to-protest-against-betsy-devos/) - Our schools are being starved into failure in order to justify mass privatization. —Timothy Meegan, Chicago Sun Times A while back, I attended a meeting at the University of Memphis where many of us were against the Relay Graduate School of Education—a reform group that recruits students out of their chosen careers and supplies unqualified
- [Educating Betsy DeVos](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/02/15/educating-betsy-devos/) - Betsy DeVos does not understand what it is like to teach in any school let alone poor public schools. She does not understand what the lives of real teachers and students are like. She does not understand the problems facing many of America's children. These problems won't be solved with a voucher. They also won't
- [Dyslexia, The DeVos Vote, and a Senator's Lost Credibility](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/02/10/dyslexia-the-devos-vote-and-a-senators-lost-credibility/) - There were several senators who I expected would change their vote on Betsy DeVos. In the end none of them did, and I think they need to called-out. Their votes for DeVos were especially unethical due to their past positions, or where they are from. I will write today about one, William Cassidy, M.D., who
- [Betsy DeVos, Democrats, and Good Theater](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/02/07/betsy-devos-democrats-and-good-theater/) - You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. —Maya Angelou Betsy DeVos I think one thing Betsy DeVos has done is wake
- [When P.E. and 12 Other Activities Masquerade as Recess](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/02/04/when-p-e-and-12-other-activities-masquerade-as-recess/) - As state legislatures make mandates claiming to secure recess in schools, it is important to nail down what they mean when they define recess. There are a lot of canned activities and commercialized gimmicks parading as recess. It is important not to be duped into thinking your child is getting recess when they aren't. Look
- [DeVos and the Domino Effect on State Legislatures](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/31/devos-and-the-domino-effect-on-state-legislatures/) - So Betsy is in, or maybe she isn't. DeVos stands as an example of both the corruption and stupidity of corporate America with its involvement attempting to educate America’s children. Republicans are spineless to confirm her, and Democrats, while united today, have also been complicit in permitting the dismantling of America's public schools. If you
- [Priorities In a School System Where Nearly Half of Students Live in Poverty](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/28/priorities-in-a-school-system-where-nearly-half-of-students-live-in-poverty/) - By Laurie Taylor-Mitchell The annual costs for new computers and technology (STAT*) is now $57 million, and over $250 million overall is expected to be spent by 2018. Administrative salaries and costs are also increasing within the school system: the salary budget for the Chief Academic Officer and two other positions is nearly $500,000. In
- [Is the Digital Conversion of Baltimore County's Schools a Worry for All Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/25/is-the-digital-conversion-of-baltimores-schools-a-worry-for-all-schools/) - This op-ed first appeared in STAT-us-BCPS A grassroots education coalition working to slow down the high-tech takeover of Baltimore County Public Schools. Check it out and give them your support! What’s the Status of STAT Costs? In a Dozen Years, that Could Be a Billion Dollar Question A year ago, the public first glimpsed the
- [Destroying Special Ed. For Free Market Reform? Question About Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/19/destroying-special-ed-for-free-market-reform-question-about-endrew-f-v-douglas-county-school-district/) - Was the defunding of special education used to pave the way for school reforms that would eventually take place in the Douglas County, Colorado school district? Was special education sacrificed to make 21st Century Schools? There’s lots to talk about with this case, but I want to discuss the school district and what was happening
- [President Obama’s “Bubble” and Our Fear of Losing America’s Democratic Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/16/president-obamas-bubble-and-our-fear-of-losing-americas-democratic-public-schools/) - In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King, Jr. We become so secure in our bubbles, that we start only accepting information, whether it's true or not, that fits our opinions. President Obama’s Farewell Address, January 10, 2017 On Martin Luther King,
- [Rotting School Buildings and Magical Digital Learning Transformation](https://nancyebailey.com/2017/01/03/rotting-school-buildings-and-magical-digital-learning-transformation/) - The key issue to watch in 2017 is the spiraling drive to privatize public schools through digital learning. One way this is done is through charter schools. Another strategy could be by not funding the upkeep of public school facilities then recreating them as blended learning schools. Allowing schools to crumble in order to justify
- [Hemingway for 5 Year Olds? Do These 22 Things To Teach Reading Instead!](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/12/29/hemingway-for-5-year-olds-do-these-22-things-to-teach-reading-instead/) - In “Forget Pat the Bunny: My Kid’s Reading Hemingway,” The New York Times hypes KinderGuides where children read the simplified versions of adult novels converted to picture books--without the X-rated parts. The whole purpose of this is to get 5-12 year old children ready for adult books. I am not one to hold children back
- [Behind the Smiles: How Teachers "Personalize" Education During the Holidays](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/12/21/behind-the-smiles-how-teachers-personalize-education-during-the-holidays/) - This is dedicated to all those caring teachers who worked so hard over the last few weeks despite being tired or having their own problems to make the holidays special for their students. As a teacher, I don’t have to tell other teachers how important it is to look behind student smiles during the holidays—and
- [Will Texas Parents Save Special Education?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/12/18/will-texas-parents-save-special-education/) - In order for the nation to get back their public schools they have to realize what they’re losing. This is especially true for special education. For years, across the nation we have seen an eroding of services for students with disabilities. In Texas, denying children their right to special education, since 2004, came in the
- [I'm Thankful for Real Public Schools!](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/24/im-thankful-for-real-public-schools/) - With the DeVos selection, I thought I'd tweak and rerun an old Thanksgiving post. Here are a few of the things we should focus on instead of breaking up public schools. Have a beautiful Thanksgiving! Enjoy your kids. ____________________ Thanksgiving can be a lonely time. It can be a time where problems appear worse, when
- [Moskowitz and Rhee: A Teacher's Viewpoint](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/20/moskowitz-and-rhee-a-teachers-viewpoint/) - Many educators and parents have expressed concerns about Eva Moskowitz or Michelle Rhee becoming Secretary of Education. Moskowitz has declined the post, but Ivanka Trump visited her charter school, and some fear she is still being courted. They seem to value her input. From a teacher’s viewpoint, I wanted to document why so many resent
- [Recent Research Shows Vouchers Fail Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/16/recent-research-shows-vouchers-fail-children/) - The Trump presidency seems to want to base its education program on school choice. But vouchers have a history of failure. The two most recent studies indicate that students do worse with vouchers. The Louisiana Scholarship Program provided tuition to poor students in low-performing public schools. An MIT paper by Atila Abdulkadiroglu of Duke University,
- [President Donald Trump: What NOW for Public Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/11/president-donald-trump-what-now-for-public-schools/) - President Trump certainly won’t be remembered as someone who “Made America Great Again” by churning the past failed public school policies of both parties. What can we expect from President Donald Trump when it comes to our public schools? Is it all doom and gloom? Can we find any silver lining? Is there a smidgeon
- [Nebraska: The Online Worm in the Apple](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/06/nebraska-the-online-worm-in-the-apple/) - Nebraska's Great Public Schools When you get to feeling bad about awful school reform, it’s nice to reflect on Nebraska. It has been a shiny, organic apple. But now it has a worm in it when it comes to online instruction. The state has been mostly immune to draconian reform. Probably this is largely due
- [The Loss of Special Education Services: An Update](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/11/03/the-loss-of-special-education-services-an-update/) - Every day I check the education news and am appalled to see more stories about children being denied special education services. Where is the federal government? Where’s the state? And how does the local school district get away with this without being sued? It is as if students with differences of any kind are being
- [Luck vs. Grit: Lessons from a Cubs Fan](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/31/luck-vs-grit-lessons-from-a-cubs-fan/) - As Luck Would Have it. William Shakespeare No one understands luck like a Cubs fan. And there is a lesson there for students in this era of grit. Grit involves the thinking that through perseverance and resilience you can reach your goals. To some extent the ability to overcome difficulties and hang in there when
- [Parents Working With School Districts To Make Public Schools Work](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/16/parents-working-with-school-districts-to-make-public-schools-work/) - For our team and the members of our group, gifted education is not about speeding through school or having Ivy League kids. It is about our children receiving an education that causes them to work hard, overcome obstacles, and fail and recover. It is about finding friends who understand them and are OK with their
- [Killing Teacher Prep During a Teacher Shortage: A Mystery? (Maybe Not)](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/14/killing-teacher-prep-during-a-teacher-shortage-a-mystery-maybe-not/) - Are you in the mood for a mystery? Education Secretary John King recently came out with the intent to kill university teacher prep programs. His predecessor Arne Duncan, who never taught a day in his life, cheered him on. They will do this by denying future teachers TEACH grants to go into teacher preparation programs.
- [Michigan to Retain Children with Lead Poisoning](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/07/michigan-to-retain-children-with-lead-poisoning/) - Michigan has a lead problem with its children in Flint, and a governor who failed badly his own accountability test. Many wonder why he is still governor. Some wonder why he isn’t in jail. But yesterday he signed off on a bill to fail third graders. How many children in Flint will wind up failing
- [Glamorous Superintendents Who Stand On School Wreckage](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/05/glamorous-superintendents-who-stand-on-school-wreckage/) - The school superintendent, called CEO after the school/business takeover, is considered the superman or woman of the school district. Sometimes they are elected, but more often they are appointed by school boards. There are still some great school superintendents. But there are many others who seem to be less a public servant (superintendent) and more
- [Jeb Bush, Retention, and the Failed Ferris Wheel of School Reform](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/10/01/jeb-bush-retention-and-the-failed-ferris-wheel-of-school-reform/) - Jeb Bush continues to ride the failed Ferris wheel of school reform. He is most likely emboldened by state politicians and business leaders, like in Michigan, subscribing to harmful 3rd grade retention policies. Also, with a fancy university invitation for him to lecture about schools and stuff. Michigan is following Florida's lead, and that of
- [Digital Vocabulary Hijacked from Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/09/28/digital-vocabulary-hijacked-from-special-education/) - Isn't it interesting how those who idolize digital instruction have hijacked vocabulary from special education? Unfortunately, self-directed learning is significant to them because the more you can get students working on their own the less they will need real teachers. Individualized learning doesn't mean getting more attention. It really means working alone. Morna McDermott recently
- [Special Ed. Irony: CT Gov. Malloy and Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/09/20/special-ed-irony-ct-gov-malloy-and-judge-thomas-g-moukawsher/) - In every state we see an erasing of services for students with disabilities. Consider how Texas managed to omit an appropriate education for students with special needs. My guess is that in whatever state you live, special education is in trouble. How many children will not get the schooling they need to realize their dreams?
- [The Privatized Beaded Necklace “School of the Future”](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/09/17/the-privatized-beaded-necklace-school-of-the-future/) - The PBS NOVA “School of the Future” was interesting in that many corporate messages were strung together like an expensive necklace made of plastic beads. Grit, mindset, brain studies, social-emotional learning…you name it…it was there. Showcased individuals gave shout-outs to others in the program. Sal Kahn yelling out to students that they all have a
- [The Devil is in the Details, Utah](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/09/09/the-devil-is-in-the-details-utah/) - Some Utah parents are worried about afterschool Satan Clubs. I don't blame them. However, and I'm no religious expert by any means, if there is a devil, I think it is always sneaking into town when and where you least expect. Utah, in my opinion, has some devil-like programs designed to eliminate public-schools. First, there's
- [Prepping for Prepping--Prepping for Kindergarten](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/09/04/prepping-for-prepping-prepping-for-kindergarten/) - For $1,000, Santa Monica is prepping its children for kindergarten, because some of the parents there think that nothing says prepared better than preparing for the class that is supposed to prepare you for school. Unfortunately, for children of wealthy families, parents think they have to prep their kids to get into the $25,000 prep
- [Where Art Thou Recess? CASEL's Social-Emotional Omission](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/08/31/where-art-thou-recess-casels-social-emotional-omission/) - The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is creating behavioral standards for preschool through high school across the country. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is both trendy, and controversial, and is being reported a lot in education news. As I have written before, I am suspect of behavioral standards for children, but some
- [More Social-Emotional Learning Hype](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/08/15/more-social-emotional-learning-hype/) - Helping children with their emotions is something teachers have done for years. Certainly, assisting children and teens with appropriate, caring behavior is an important task. And, yes, there are ways to help children feel good about who they are and what they can contribute to the world. Of course educators should address a child’s feelings
- [Who’s Teaching Your Student? Questions to Help You Find Out](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/26/whos-teaching-your-student-questions-to-help-you-find-out/) - It’s hard to believe that it’s time for school to start again. As parents and children visit schools with anticipation, parents might want to ask their student’s teachers about their instructional backgrounds. School districts used to be fairly vigilant about ensuring teachers had the right state credentials. That may no longer be the case. But
- [Donald Trump's Love of School Choice](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/22/donald-trumps-love-of-school-choice/) - It is no secret that when it comes to public schools and other facets of American life, many Republicans do not like the federal government. Donald Trump used to speak of local control of schools. This is very much the old Republican Party talking. But last night, Donald Trump cheered school choice. He no longer
- [Hillary Clinton and Charter School Myths](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/19/hillary-clinton-and-charter-school-myths/) - Last night the report from the AFT convention was that Hillary Clinton once again spoke about how charter schools provided traditional public schools with innovation. This is a recurring theme with her—one that has already drawn boos from teachers in the NEA. As one teacher put it last night, is she tone deaf? Charter schools
- [Ferris Buellar's Days Off of Online Home Charter Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/17/ferris-buellars-days-off-of-online-home-charter-schools/) - Attendance in traditional public schools is important. If a school age student does not attend school, there is an investigation into why. Children who have chronic absenteeism often drop out of school. For many corporate bigwigs, the ultimate goal in schooling is to make money by getting students online at home for all their schooling.
- [Are We Being Duped? Why Not End Tax-Supported Charter Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/11/are-we-being-duped-why-not-end-tax-supported-charter-schools/) - I just returned from Washington DC where I marched for Save Our Schools (SOS), and where I was honored to speak on a panel with two individuals whom I respect as experts about special education needs. I mingled with many great educators and parent activists who I consider friends. We stood side-by-side to support great
- [What's Individualized about the IEP and ESSA?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/05/whats-individualized-about-the-iep-and-essa/) - I am reviving an old post that raises questions about the relevancy of the Individualized Educational Plan when it is written according to the general grade level content standards. If everyone is expected to be alike, how important is the IEP? Under the Every Student Succeeds Act almost all students with disabilities must follow the
- [It's Like Invisible Drones Following Students in School](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/07/01/its-like-invisible-drones-following-students-in-school/) - Trustworthy Computing is the highest priority for all the work we are doing. We must lead the industry to a whole new level of Trustworthiness in computing. Bill Gates in an email sent to his employees, discussed in Wired January 17, 2002 __________ Happy 4th of July! This is a good time to think about
- [What Digital Games Miss—Socialization](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/06/21/what-digital-games-miss-socialization/) - Today, I approach the closet I have been dreading, for there, perched on the shelves are the games my family has played for years. These aren’t digital games, though we have not been opposed to some of those when alone. But these are games I can actually touch and hold in my arms. I can
- [The Summer Reading Rigor Rebellion](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/06/11/the-summer-reading-rigor-rebellion/) - If middle school students require summer reading assignments to coax them to read, shouldn’t we be looking at what went wrong with reading instruction in elementary school? By the time a student reaches middle school, shouldn't they like to read? Yesterday I noticed some of these summer reading assignments posted online. Reading rigor is found
- [Charter Schools 25 Years Later—and What to Expect in the Future](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/06/05/charter-schools-25-years-later-and-what-to-expect-in-the-future/) - The charter movement has since expanded to include 43 states plus the District of Columbia, and over 2.5 million students—or about 5 percent of the total K-12 public student population. Arianna Prothers, Education Week June 4, 2016 Charter schools are 25 years old. My, how time flies. Yesterday, Education Week printed an interview with Ember
- [Today’s School Reforms and the Destruction of Invention](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/05/23/todays-school-reforms-and-the-destruction-of-invention/) - Currently, school reformers impact schools in such a way that little is done to assist students to be inventors. To teach young people to invent means looking at them as individuals with interests and uniqueness—hopes and dreams. It means providing experiences that foster those interests--introducing them to new ideas. Schools need to encourage and trust
- [Public Schools With a President Bernie Sanders](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/05/19/public-schools-with-a-president-bernie-sanders/) - What would education be like with a President Bernie Sanders? Would he stand by public schools and public school career teachers? I think between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders would be better to fight against the troubling school reforms that have plagued public schools for years. Most of what can be gathered about
- [Donald Trump’s Education Mirage](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/05/14/donald-trumps-education-mirage/) - Donald Trump’s education agenda is puzzling. Where does he stand and what does he know about public schools, teachers and students? Pam Vogel for Media Matters in America, Eric Robelen in The Atlantic, and Valerie Strauss from the Washington Post questioned Trump’s education agenda. And charter school and No Child Left Behind promoter Nina Rees
- [Education Mirages and Presidential Politics—Hillary Clinton](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/05/12/education-mirages-and-presidential-politics-hillary-clinton/) - Presidential politics and education—it’s like crawling through the desert. You see the same old landscape, and then, out in the distance you see real teacher support and quality schooling! And you hear “I will make public schools great again!" We are bombarded with statements that sound supportive of public schools and teachers, parents, and students,
- [The Mom Factor vs. Helicoptering](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/05/07/the-mom-factor-vs-helicoptering/) - Happy Mother’s Day! I hope all moms and families have a beautiful Sunday. Isn’t it interesting that Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Week are close together? Perhaps it is because teaching and nurturing children (no matter how old a child is) are similar. When mothers (and dads) unite with teachers, there is no end to
- [Free Public College Tuition—We Had it, Lost It, and Can Have it Again](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/04/24/free-public-college-tuition-we-had-it-lost-it-and-can-have-it-again/) - Some Americans scoff at the idea of free public college tuition. Or they peg Sen. Bernie Sanders as some kind of a new age dreamer. Why? America once had free public college in California. For awhile, the students in that state paid only a nominal fee for public higher education. From 2012 Dissent: The high-water
- [Public Schools Belong to the People—Not Just Mayors, CEOs, or the President](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/04/22/public-schools-belong-to-the-people-not-just-mayors-ceos-or-the-president/) - In Chicago, Troy LaRaviere has been fired from his principal position at Blaine Elementary School, partly because he sided with parents against high-stakes testing. Those who fondly regarded the outspoken administrator were stunned to learn of his ousting by mail. LaRaviere has been critical of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and others in the school system. I’d
- [Special Education and Vendors--Quality Concerns](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/04/20/special-education-and-vendors-quality-concerns/) - Why must school districts rely on outside companies to hire school workers in special education? Isn’t there more room for error when they hire through unregulated companies? This is a practice that appears to have started with No Child Left Behind and should fall by the wayside now that NCLB is defunct--since the Every Student
- [Hillary Clinton, Zip Codes, and School Equality](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/04/17/hillary-clinton-zip-codes-and-school-equality/) - The point often made during debates by Sec. Hillary Clinton is that children should not get a poor education based on their zip code. Most of us would agree about poverty and its harmful effects on children in school. But the zip code message was co-opted a long time ago by those who want to
- [More on Memphis School Cuts and the Broad and Gates Foundations](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/04/14/more-on-memphis-school-cuts-and-the-broad-and-gates-foundations/) - The Blues City is earning its name when it comes to public schools. Both the Broad and Gates Foundations have seen to it. The other day I posted about cuts to Memphis (Shelby County Schools). I was quickly reminded, rightly so, that these were proposed cuts—like maybe there would be some kind of rollback in
- [Patty Duke, Helen Keller and Similarities of Greatness](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/31/patty-duke-helen-keller-and-similarities-of-greatness/) - As a young girl glued to the TV, like many, the movie The Miracle Worker had a profound effect on me. I wanted nothing more afterwards than to be a teacher just like Anne Sullivan. I lived in Michigan, and the Michigan School for the Blind, which closed in 1995, was where I wanted to
- [Every Student Succeeds Act in the Future](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/23/every-student-succeeds-act-in-the-future/) - I started thinking about the future in regard to the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Where will we be with this Act five years from now? The NEA sent out information about the ESSA yesterday. They seem giddy, and I fear they are out-of-touch. I see no such hope for ESSA. Of course, I
- [The Lopsided Curriculum: Where are Science, Social Studies and the Arts?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/19/the-lopsided-curriculum-where-are-science-social-studies-and-the-arts/) - Little children are like sponges, soaking up knowledge of the world around them every minute. So when they start formal education, how much science, social studies and the arts do students in elementary school get? Teaching these subjects used to be important. Learning in these areas sent some of us into our future professions. We
- [Should We Ban “Special Education”?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/17/should-we-ban-special-education/) - What’s in a student’s name? What about the name special education? NPR has an article today about how special education language has evolved. So why not drop the term special ed? I think a lot of parents and teachers would rejoice at that. The trouble with getting rid of words or changing them to be
- [Public v. Private Charter Schools and Bernie Sanders](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/14/public-v-private-charter-schools-and-bernie-sanders/) - Sen. Bernie Sanders is praising public education and teachers. Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), a neoliberal group that supports the privatization of public schools, is unfairly making Sanders out to be a flip-flopper on charter schools. When asked about whether he supports charter schools, Sanders says he “supports public charter schools.” He says the same
- [Real Teachers to the Rescue](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/10/real-teachers-to-the-rescue/) - For years America’s public school system has had to endure individuals in educational leadership positions that have no real education degrees or background involving how children and adolescents learn—and who have scant experience in the classroom. Think about state superintendents. There's John White in Louisiana, or Kevin Huffman who once ruled in Tennessee. Of course,
- [Discounting Learning Disabilities in B.C., AU, U.S., and England--and Finding HOPE](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/03/08/discounting-learning-disabilities-in-b-c-au-u-s-and-england-and-finding-hope/) - Are they ending special education programs where you live? It turns out this is happening around the world. Parents with students who have learning disabilities can’t find assistance, or, like in England, they are mistreated in institutions. But don't give up. There is hope, as I explain at the end of this post. Parents in
- [H.S. Future Teachers Being Prepped for Common Core and Competency-Based Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/22/h-s-future-teachers-being-prepped-for-common-core-and-competency-based-education/) - We hear we have a serious problem finding teachers for America’s classrooms. One solution is to encourage students in high school to become career teachers. Young people are full of vibrant ideas and high school should be considered a valuable place for teacher recruitment. I am not saying we should push students to be teachers,
- [Does the Every Student Succeeds Act MASK No Child Left Behind?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/18/does-the-every-student-succeeds-act-mask-no-child-left-behind/) - The ESSA has been difficult for most of us to interpret—although it is clear the U.S. Department of Education will now back out of a lot of school business. Still, in reading how the states will now be almost completely in charge, one wonders how NCLB will change. How many of us have states that
- [The President's Turnaround ARTS Program Is Unfair!](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/16/the-presidents-turnaround-arts-program-is-unfair/) - Every child in every public school in America deserves access to the arts, and legitimate art classes, which include real credentialed art teachers! In 2012, President Obama announced an Arts Education Plan called Turnaround ARTS. The program, which was to cost $14.7 million over three years, was to establish an intense art program for children
- [Excellence not Success](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/15/excellence-not-success/) - By Sarah Davies Waiting in the doctor’s office today, my oldest asked what I was reading. When I told her it was Guy Claxton’s What’s the Point of School?, she looked confused. “Mommy, I know what the point of school is. Why do you need to read a book on it? It’s to learn and
- [Political Pawns—The Real Equality Problem Girls Face](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/12/political-pawns-the-real-equality-problem-girls-face/) - A gender-equal society would be one where the word 'gender' does not exist: where everyone can be themselves. Gloria Steinem To be a girl today is still paved with obstacles due to gender differences. Girls are not always valued for their thoughts and ideas. While in politics we mostly hear about job and wage inequality,
- [The Disregard of K-12 Education in Presidential Debates](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/04/the-disregard-of-k-12-education-in-presidential-debates/) - If you are a parent or an educator and expect to hear something about K-12 education out of any of the Presidential candidates in their debates or fireside chats you will be sorely disappointed. How we school our children is one of the most important issues of our day, and yet when do we hear
- [“Cross Pollinating” Special and General Education Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/03/cross-pollinating-special-and-general-education-teachers/) - Can one teacher effectively teach students with a variety of disability and/or language needs? Or do we need special education teachers? Perhaps a better question is, can computers do the job of both regular and special education teachers? Here is an example of what I am talking about. This ad appeared for a webinar through
- [Four Billion More for Computers While School Buildings Rot](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/02/02/four-billion-more-for-computers-while-school-buildings-rot/) - Important Note About This Post! I must acknowledge that I made a mistake with this post. I misinterpreted it to mean more funding of computers and it is instead about funding computer science. This changes the nature of the post dramatically. I think most of us recognize the value of computer science for students in
- [Hey CEOs! Get the Lead Out (of Flint)!](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/31/hey-ceos-get-the-lead-out-of-flint/) - What will the business philanthropists concerned about the education progress of our young people do about Flint? For over 30 years, politicians and big business decided public schools were failing and nothing would do other than CEOs of huge corporations and the states take over. They told us they wanted to close the achievement gap
- [Gambling on Fast-Track Teachers in Nevada and Beyond and Personalized Learning](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/27/gambling-on-fast-track-teachers-in-nevada-and-beyond-and-personalized-learning/) - Nevada school officials claim they can’t find 1,000 teachers to fill their classrooms. Education Week is claiming this isn’t much different than what’s found in the rest of the country. In the middle of it all you will think about Personalized Learning. Education Week won't let you forget it. If you don’t have a need
- [Why Sen. Bernie Sanders Wins as the Education Candidate](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/18/why-sen-bernie-sanders-wins-as-the-education-candidate/) - Last night during the democratic debate, like always, there was no mention of K-12 education, so why did Sen. Bernie Sanders win the debate as the education candidate? It’s simple. Sen. Sanders’ argument against the power and influence of big corporations has huge implications in regard to public schools. It would be nice if he
- [Further Apart in Public Schools than Ever Before](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/17/further-apart-in-public-schools-than-ever-before/) - In honor of Martin Luther King, I would like to revisit a post I did about public schools and race relations after I first started blogging. A democratic public school system has great potential to bring children of all colors and from every background together. This would ultimately create a better world. But in order
- [What If the Wealthy Donated to Fixing Public School Buildings?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/14/what-if-the-wealthy-donated-to-fixing-public-school-buildings/) - According to a 2014 PBS report, more than half of the nation’s public school buildings are in bad shape, and it will take $197 billion to fix or rebuild them. Where will all the money come from to do this? I checked, and most of the Presidential candidates on both sides have said that they
- [Joyful or Punishing Teachers: Which is it American Media?](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/12/joyful-or-punishing-teachers-which-is-it-american-media/) - What do Americans want their teachers to be like? What do they really want out of their schools? Within a space of a week I saw the media send out very mixed messages. We know Americans are meant to see these reports as examples of what teachers should be like. But which is it—A or
- [Lead Poisoning and "No Excuses"](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/10/lead-poisoning-and-no-excuses/) - It is appalling to hear about the situation in Flint, Michigan where lead has been pouring into the drinking cups of children for months. Lead is known to cause serious health problems, including cognitive disorders and learning disabilities. The effects can last, and most exposed children will need special education. And, if the trend in
- [Storm Clouds Over Hillary Clinton’s Education Agenda](https://nancyebailey.com/2016/01/07/storm-clouds-over-hillary-clintons-education-agenda/) - Hillary Clinton gets positive points for speaking out about autism and mental health. She mentions student transition from high school to young adulthood where there exists a worrisome gap. There is more she proposes here. Mrs. Clinton also brought up the sensitive topic of seclusion and restraints involving students with serious disabilities. We need that
- [Some Good Education News from 2015](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/31/some-good-education-news-from-2015/) - Writing about education is interesting, but it can also be depressing. Sometimes it feels like being a hamster on one of those wheels. So as we close out 2015, here is a list of some good news that happened in 2015. If you have something to add, let me know! Happy New Year! These are
- [New Website Entries](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/18/new-website-entries/) - Back in August I passed the two year mark since I started this blog! Today I would like to draw your attention to many wonderful blogs, websites and books about education which I have been collecting like rare coins for the last year. I already listed many others when I first started this crusade. Check
- [Highlighting Websites, Blogs and Books!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/09/26/highlighting-websites-blogs-and-books/) - Back in August I passed the two year mark since I started this blog! Today I would like to draw your attention to many wonderful blogs, websites and books about education which I have been collecting like rare coins for the last year. I already listed many others when I first started this crusade. Check
- [Preschool Common Core Dialogic Reading: Can’t Mother Goose Fly Alone?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/28/preschool-common-core-dialogic-reading-cant-mother-goose-fly-alone/) - Yes. Mother Goose can fly alone! She doesn’t need any help from dialogic reading, which is like close reading for preschool. This formulaic reading exercise was created by Grover J. "Russ" Whitehurst an experimental psychologist who is director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution. Here is more about Dr. Whitehurst.
- [Elves, Marshmallow Farms, and the K-12 Education Political Disconnect](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/24/elves-marshmallow-farms-and-the-k-12-education-political-disconnect/) - Merry Christmas! Today I am writing about illusion and how K-12 education, despite some cursory remarks, is still ignored by Presidential candidates. If you haven’t already noticed, while there are many topics discussed at Presidential debates, there is never, and I mean NEVER, any mention of the vast concerns about the privatization of America’s public
- [Who's Accountable for Students with Disabilities When Things Go Wrong?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/15/whos-accountable-for-students-with-disabilities-when-things-go-wrong/) - Now that the Every Student Succeeds Act has passed, and the power to run public schools has shifted to the local school districts and the state, will that mean more accountability on their part when things go wrong in the classroom? Consider the Peck Community School in Holyoke, Massachusetts, a public school for students with
- [Do Students Have to Do Common Core Now to Get into Heaven?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/17/do-students-have-to-do-common-core-now-to-get-into-heaven/) - It should be important to everyone, that the other day College Board president and the Common Core creator, David Coleman, met with Catholics—The Cardinal Newman Society which promotes and defends the faith—to allay their worries about Common Core. One Newman member snapped at Coleman and said: We don’t open Catholic schools to get kids into
- [Hoverboards and the Every Student Succeeds Act](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/10/hoverboards-and-the-every-student-succeeds-act/) - Last night on NBC News, I waited to hear about the Senate’s overwhelming passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Perhaps I missed it, or they are waiting to say something about it now that President Obama has signed the bill into law. Instead, one of the news items Lester Holt told us about involved
- [Concerns about the New ESEA Reauthorization](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/11/28/concerns-about-the-new-esea-reauthorization/) - Arne Duncan and others are bragging that both political parties get along when it comes to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization. It is one big happy family when it comes to education. There was bipartisan agreement over No Child Left Behind too, and look what a colossal disaster that was. Now, with
- [Where’s Recess in the ESEA Reauthorization?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/12/01/wheres-recess-in-the-esea-reauthorization/) - We are losing a lot in terms of kids' innovativeness and creativity. Frankly, I am worried about the next generation. Olga Jarrett, professor and recess advocate, Georgia State University While there has been some good news on the recess front, every single public school needs to offer several recess breaks each day to children. How
- [What’s Innovative about Charter Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/11/09/whats-innovative-about-charter-schools/) - What is innovative about charter schools? What do they do that is so unique it has provided traditional public schools with new methods of working with students? I often hear politicians and charter advocates praising charter schools for what they can give public schools in the way of new ideas. I am wondering what innovations
- ["High Expectations" and the Criminalization of America’s Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/28/high-expectations-and-the-criminalization-of-americas-students/) - By now most of us have seen the video of the resource officer using brute force to yank a female student out of her desk. Appalling, most agree. But this country has been criminalizing students, if not violently, inhumanely and subtly, in their schools for a long time. Why do Americans put up with it?
- [My Dream About EDUCATION and the Democratic (or Republican) Debate](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/14/my-dream-about-education-and-the-democratic-or-republican-debate/) - I fell asleep last night during the democratic debate and I dreamt this is how it all unfolded. The scary part was there were no answers to the questions about education when I woke up. In my dream Anderson Cooper said: America’s democratic public schools, how we treat and instruct the next generation, our children,
- [Using Student Journal Writing to Fight Bad School Reform](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/10/using-student-journal-writing-to-fight-bad-school-reform/) - Every student should have a journal including most students with disabilities and ELL students. Journal writing is one of the best teaching techniques to show students that their voice matters and that their schools are about who they are and what they do. It also teaches students many writing skills. It is a 180 degree
- [Learning Matters: The Truth about Our Schools—In England and the U.S.](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/06/learning-matters-the-truth-about-our-schools-in-england-and-the-u-s/) - School privatization is happening around the world. It should come as no surprise that many countries have the same draconian reforms foisted on their public schools like the U.S. I find it interesting to learn how other countries run their schools and the similarities and differences between their systems and ours. Learning Matters: The Truth
- [The Duncan/King Robots and the Revolving Door](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/04/the-duncanking-robots-and-the-revolving-door/) - Much rejoicing took place Friday when it was first announced that Arne Duncan was leaving the Obama administration early. Social media was a-buzz poking fun at the Secretary of Education who will now ride into the sunset to make money likely in the private sector, probably with something having to do with children. When you
- [The Trouble with “Disruption” and its Effect on Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/10/02/the-trouble-with-disruption-and-its-effect-on-children/) - Disruption has become a popular buzzword in regard to schooling. Education reformers like to say disruption is a good thing—like shaking up a kaleidoscope to get a pretty picture. Never mind that those beautiful little pebbles in the kaleidoscope are real children. Nor is it with certainty that once you shake things up the picture
- [Why Do Catholics Care About Common Core?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/04/why-do-catholics-care-about-common-core/) - And every student deserves to be prepared for a life of the imagination, of the spirit, and of a deep appreciation for beauty, goodness, truth, and faith. Gerard Bradley and Catholic Scholars October 16, 2013 Valerie Strauss’s post about Catholic scholars rejecting the Common Core is an important read http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/11/02/catholic-scholars-blast-common-core-in-letter-to-u-s-bishops/. That so many Catholics find it necessary
- [The Republican Debate: Did YOU Hear Education Mentioned?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/09/17/the-republican-debate-did-you-hear-education-mentioned/) - I did not remain glued to the screen when the debate was on last night, so when I stepped away, maybe it was then that they mentioned education and public schools. I must have missed it. Yes. I’m sure that was it. My guess is that they thoroughly discussed, at some point, the backbone of
- [Nine Reasons to Look Down on Think it Up](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/09/15/nine-reasons-to-look-down-on-think-it-up/) - I missed the Think it Up glitz the other night. But I have seen some of the video. So what’s wrong with the wealthy wanting to crowdsource Americans to donate to student/teacher projects that will change the world? Anthony Cody writes a piece about Think it Up on his blog “Living in Dialogue,” and I
- [School Choice v. Local Control—Oil and Water!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/08/22/school-choice-v-local-control-oil-and-water/) - Republican Presidential candidates claim to be for choice, including vouchers, charters and opportunity scholarships, and they also claim to be for local control of schools. But school choice and local control are like oil and water. You must choose one or the other. For example, Brandon Wright, in “Donald Trump Quotes about Education” from The
- [Got Art? How Much Art Do Students Get in School?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/08/13/got-art-how-much-art-do-students-get-in-school/) - I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for. Georgia O'Keeffe The new school year is starting and I’d like to hear how much art students get? Do children in preschool do art? Kindergartners—how much art will they find between
- [Facing Chris Christie Clones Who Bully Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/08/06/facing-chris-christie-clones-who-bully-teachers/) - It would be one thing if Gov. Chris Christie’s latest statement that the teachers’ union "deserved a punch in the face," was some lone comment by one irate individual. But the sad fact is there are more Christies out there! The friction between Christie and the teachers’ union runs deep, but don’t forget the other
- [Mindfulness Training—Help or Cover-up in Education-Reform Affected Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/28/mindfulness-training-help-or-cover-up-in-education-reform-affected-schools/) - There’s mindfulness for teachers and mindfulness for students. There’s mindfulness in the UK and mindfulness in the USA. You can find groups that will train teachers and students about mindfulness around the world. But is mindfulness being used to push students and teachers to be robotic? Is it meant to cover up the problems in
- [There are Many Roads and Destinations for Children with Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/25/there-are-many-roads-and-destinations-for-children-with-disabilities/) - Every child doesn’t have to arrive at the same destination. There are many endpoints and lots of highways. So why are parents and students directed to one score and one test to say who will be successful? The Atlantic is asking whether No Child Left Behind (NCLB) should be considered an achievement when it comes
- [Community Schools or a Bunch of Bologna?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/21/community-schools-or-a-bunch-of-bologna/) - With the re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or No Child Left Behind into the Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA), there is a lot of talk about community schools. For many, the term “community schools” conjures up the idea of schools as the hub of the town, with experienced principals and credentialed career
- [How REAL Community Schools Differ from Charters Who Adopt that Label](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/22/how-real-community-schools-differ-from-charters-who-adopt-that-label/) - By Mark Naison Community Schools are public schools with wrap around services that become places where all residents of low income communities can find spaces where they can learn, organize and find a voice. The concept was once at the forefront of social justice organizing in the 1980's and 1990's, but was pushed aside for
- [Two Sides of Hillary Clinton: The American Federation of Teachers’ Big Blunder](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/07/13/two-sides-of-hillary-clinton-the-american-federation-of-teachers-big-blunder/) - Where was the debate? Did we miss it? Why was the AFT rapid endorsement of Hillary Clinton such a rash mistake? Hillary Clinton has two sides when it comes to education, and the AFT should have taken more time to haggle with her—nudge her into showing her good side. But they didn’t do due diligence
- [States Lacking Mental Health Services for Kids--And Some Glimmers of Hope](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/06/29/states-lacking-mental-health-services-for-kids-and-some-glimmers-of-hope/) - Marcie Lipsitt is a special education activist for children in Michigan, and she sent out a report about the serious loss of services there for children with mental health problems. It’s entitled, “In crisis, mentally ill children forced to wait days or weeks for hospital beds,” and includes the plight of a parent who has
- [Using African Americans to Condemn Special Education: The Mixed-Up Message](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/06/26/using-african-americans-to-condemn-special-education-the-mixed-up-message/) - For a long time special educators and the general public have heard that special education is racist. The story from the school reformers goes something like this: African American students are thrown into segregated special education classes because teachers don't know how to teach, or they don't have "high expectations." If teachers request a special
- [Summertime and the Living is Easy—But Not for Many Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/06/24/summertime-and-the-living-is-easy-but-not-for-many-children/) - Waiting in line at the grocery store, I notice magazine covers. The summer issues use lovely summery words. Simply Living has “The Most Relaxing Summer.” Southern Living—“The Soul of Summer” and “The Perfect Lazy Lunch.” Ah but the joy of kicking back in the good old summertime! But thus far, most of what I have
- [Summer Learning Camps That Aren’t—Six Ways to Keep From Getting Scammed!](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/06/23/summer-learning-camps-that-arent-six-ways-to-keep-from-getting-scammed/) - It’s summertime and the living unfortunately isn't always easy. Parents looking to add fun and educational excitement to their child’s summer experience, or if they need a place to leave their children because they work 8-5, beware! There is a Better Business (BBB) alert for Be Inspired Cultural Camps which used to be Inspirational Keys
- [Students and Bears, Oh My! How Common Core Discards the Importance of Reasoning and Intuition](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/06/20/students-and-bears-oh-my-how-common-core-discards-the-importance-of-reasoning-and-intuition/) - This post is about reasoning and intuition with students and bears, and what we have lost by focusing on Common Core State Standards and not the students themselves. There are interesting similarities. Let me start with bears. I just returned from visiting Glacier National Park. Glacier is full of bears—both grizzlies and black bears. So,
- [The Charter School Miracle that Isn’t—Special Education in NOLA](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/27/the-charter-school-miracle-that-isnt-special-education-in-nola/) - It's segregating kids with disabilities, and letting the charter schools off the hook. —Parent advocate Karran Harper Royal The changes happening to schools in New Orleans—the conversion from public to private—has sadly become a prototype for schools across the country. All parents, teachers and taxpayers should be concerned. While charter advocates see charters as miracles,
- [Memorial Day Tribute to Staff Sgt. Morgan Deshawn Kennon (1980-2003)](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/24/memorial-day-tribute-to-staff-sgt-morgan-deshawn-kennon-1980-2003/) - Like many, I hate war. I don’t understand why we haven’t evolved to a better civilization after all this time. As an educator, I am saddened especially by all the young lives that have been lost throughout the years. Whether you agree with the circumstances surrounding a war, or not, the sacrifices soldiers make should
- [The WAR REPORT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/05/15/the-war-report-on-public-education/) - I am honored to be invited to talk with Dr. James Avington Miller Jr. on his popular radio program. Call in and chat with us. This Sunday, May 17 at 2:00pm PST / 4:00pm Central/ 5:00pm Eastern on 'THE WAR REPORT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION' on BBS Radio – ‘A Conversation with Nancy E. Bailey’ an
- [The Library Stayed Open in Baltimore...](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/29/the-library-stayed-open-in-baltimore/) - Last night, a former librarian whom I've gotten to know through FB, posted an article about how the library did not close in Baltimore during the height of the unrest. I found this almost spiritual in its significance. Libraries to me are filled with hope and meaning. The library also stayed open in Ferguson during
- [Recess and Behavior Problems Part II: How to Use Behavior Modification Caringly](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/27/recess-and-behavior-problems-part-ii-how-to-use-behavior-modification-caringly/) - So what do you do with the tough kid who drives the class crazy with their behavior when you can’t use recess as a carrot? When I say “behavior modification” a lot of people will run out of the room. There is something unsavory about the idea of controlling behavior. Most of us, for example,
- [Dueling Disabilities and the Hijacking of Special Education Services](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/23/dueling-disabilities-and-the-hijacking-of-special-education-services/) - Senate education committee members recently argued about an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, put forward by Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. The amendment was to provide teachers with training to work with students with dyslexia. It turned into a dispute between parent groups and policymakers. No one seemed to realize that special education
- [The Day I Met Jeb Bush, and Why He Earns an F in Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/20/the-day-i-met-jeb-bush-and-why-he-earns-an-f-in-education/) - Years ago I met Jeb Bush under rather unusual circumstances. It was before he was governor and during the time his father was running for President. When I met him I liked him. He struck me as a genuine person. Unfortunately, today, like he grades public schools, I’d give him an F in education. There
- [Real Problems in Education and Teachers Who Cheat](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/15/real-problems-in-education-and-teachers-who-cheat/) - In Memphis, a man who was helping an elderly woman into her car was attacked by a group of young people at a gas station across the street from a school. In another part of town a mom worries about gang retaliation at her child’s high school. Memphis is not alone. No matter what city
- [How to Grow Good Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/04/04/how-to-grow-good-teachers/) - Here is how those who have power could help teachers in public schools if they really wanted to. They are in no special order. I included these in the post about Nancie Atwell the other day, but I think they are worthy of standing alone. I didn't want them overshadowed by the Nancie Atwell discussion.
- [The Stealth Campaign Against Public Schools and the Public Space](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/25/the-stealth-campaign-against-public-schools-and-the-public-space/) - By Sheila Resseger, M.A. Instead of seeing these children for the blessings that they are, we are measuring them only by the standard of whether they will be future deficits or assets for our nation's competitive needs. Jonathan Kozol Our children, our families, our neighborhoods, our public schools, and our democracy itself have become pawns
- ["Peeping Pearson" and Depersonalizing A Student's Understanding of Right from Wrong](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/18/peeping-pearson-and-depersonalizing-a-students-understanding-of-right-from-wrong/) - The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell. ― Confucius Hidden within this past weekend’s Peeping Pearson spying incident is a problem that is pervasive and increasing across the country—student cheating. Bob Braun, former education reporter and news editor for The Star-Ledger, blogged about a student being monitored on
- [Making Schools the “Best in the World”](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/15/making-schools-the-best-in-the-world/) - Words of wisdom from across the pond. By Leah K. Stewart You know those fist-pumping speeches that invariably include the line, “make this nation'’s schooling the best in the world!” Almost without exception we hear this wherever national schooling exists: US, UK, Canada, Australia... Am I the only one who shudders at this wholly accepted
- [Special Education Vouchers Likened to “Puppy Mills”](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/13/special-education-vouchers-likened-to-puppy-mills/) - Mississippi Rep. Cecil Brown (D-Jackson) said, in reference to vouchers for students with disabilities, “You are getting ready to open the equivalent of puppy mills for children.” Brown expressed concern that parents would be scammed and would lose out on services for their children. Mississippi politicians are trying to pass a voucher bill for students
- [Tennessee is Dating School Vouchers but Will They Get Hitched?](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/12/tennessee-is-dating-school-vouchers-but-will-they-get-hitched/) - In Tennessee, like a lot of other states in the country, K-12 vouchers are back on the table. Vouchers are the one area in education where Republicans and Democrats differ. Although there are some Dems out there who probably embrace vouchers too. They certainly never see a charter school they don’t like. Click HERE to
- [Labels in Special Education and The Futures of Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/03/05/labels-in-special-education-and-the-futures-of-children/) - To the children of our nation whose hope lies in our caring and whose futures are our trust. -- Nicholas Hobbs. Labels in special education have always been controversial. No one likes to pin a label on a child. But in order for children to get necessary services, an IEP, or a 504 plan, parents
- [Corporatizing a Child's Basic Needs: Another Worry](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/02/22/corporatizing-a-childs-basic-needs-another-worry/) - I have been reading about the "Pay to Potty" plans in two schools where children had accidents and parents rightly got mad. You would think such a thing couldn't have happened, and I know that in both situations the schools backed off. But I wouldn't be surprised if the plan resurfaced again later. While these
- [Susan Ohanian Champion of Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/02/10/susan-ohanian-champion-of-children/) - One of the nice things about having a blog is you can write about people who you respect and admire. I have not written for a while about anyone, because there are so many people who grab my attention every day for all the positive things they do for children. And also because there are
- [Parents of Students with Disabilities Who Love High-Stakes Testing: How to Convince Them Otherwise](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/02/04/parents-of-students-with-disabilities-who-love-high-stakes-testing-how-to-convince-them-otherwise/) - Adversaries to ending high-stakes testing are not always misguided education reformers who worship big data, but other parents. Some of the loudest crusaders in favor of high-stakes testing are parents with students who have disabilities. As Congress plans to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), some parents are speaking up against changes that
- [How “Yeee Haw” Howard Dean is Way off Base Concerning Teach for America](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/02/02/how-yeee-haw-howard-dean-is-way-off-base-concerning-teach-for-america/) - How many times were we subjected to Howard Dean’s Yee Haw speech on the news? And how much will the media debate Dean’s words about Teach for America (TFA)? I am guessing, probably not at all, but his words are out there now, with his Salon interview, and he is mistaken when it comes to
- [Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Education President—Lyndon B. Johnson](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/01/19/martin-luther-king-jr-and-the-education-president-lyndon-b-johnson/) - Today is Martin Luther King Day to honor the man who did so much to bring people together. We have also been through several weeks of media presentations with Arne Duncan discussing the renewal of Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). And, the movie Selma debuted in theaters across the country. What do
- [Pushing Common Core State Standards: Educational Professional Associations We Once Loved](https://nancyebailey.com/2015/01/09/pushing-common-core-state-standards-educational-professional-associations-we-once-loved/) - It is sad, for many, to watch professional associations, long trusted to care for and support students, parents and teachers, sign on to propagandizing Common Core as great for schools and children. Many parents and educators see through this. In addition, and this is most important, why do those selling Common Core continue claiming it
- [Corporations to Steal Family Time with Your Children—Happy New Year!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/12/31/corporations-to-steal-family-time-with-your-children-happy-new-year/) - There is insufficient evidence to suggest that increased learning time is an effective approach for promoting the academic outcomes of all students in all settings. IES, National Center for Educational Evaluation and Regional Assistance—U.S. Department of Education. More Time IN School = Less Time to BE a Family. Remember the above sentence, because corporations are
- [The Kennedy Center Honorees’ School Backgrounds](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/12/29/the-kennedy-center-honorees-school-backgrounds/) - On Tuesday, December 30th, the Kennedy Center Honors will be televised. We know the names of the Honorees. I thought it would be interesting to find whether these individuals were influenced to become the artists they are today by their schooling. I also looked at the 2013 Honorees. While information about schools is a bit
- [Art Charters v. Traditional No Art Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/12/22/art-charters-v-traditional-no-art-schools/) - Why are the arts removed from traditional public schools while at the same time charter schools are given carte blanche to create art schools? The New York Times has an article about Voice Charter School where students sing and “outperform” their peers…. Academically, students at Voice did significantly better than the city average on New
- [How to Size-Up an Ed. Reformer in Five Minutes--TN Example](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/12/19/how-to-size-up-an-ed-reformer-in-five-minutes-tn-example/) - Due to troubling school reforms like Common Core, it is important to study those who are running schools very carefully. Whenever anyone new is placed in a position of power, we must figure out what they will do to improve public schools and be good stewards of children. This isn't always easy, because the language
- [The Damn, Destroy then Privatize Special Ed. Plan](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/12/09/the-damn-destroy-then-privatize-special-ed-plan/) - Watching the demise of our public schools, and the dissolution of special education services, we see a common ploy that takes place within local school districts. Naomi Klein in The Shock Doctrine wrote about how, after Katrina, elderly and ailing--free market Guru--Milton Friedman, with help from the Bush administration, used the NOLA devastation to shutter
- [How Common Core Disparages Teachers and Drives Critical Moral Thinking out of the Adolescent English/Language Arts Classroom](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/12/05/how-common-core-disparages-teachers-and-drives-critical-moral-thinking-out-of-the-adolescent-englishlanguage-arts-classroom/) - Why are schools and teachers permitting Common Core to take over what they have always done well, teaching middle and high school English/Language Arts (ELA) classes? And how destructive is it to students who don’t learn to foster ideas about what they think about a novel, instead, merely picking out technical points of the text?
- [Happy Thanksgiving: The Role of Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/27/happy-thanksgiving-the-role-of-public-schools/) - Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It doesn't have the hyperactivity of other holidays. And it isn't dominated by one religion or another, although it certainly, for many, is religious. While there are certainly attempts to drag commercialism into the day, people, in general, seem to recognize it is a quiet time--simply to enjoy
- [Teacher Preparation: Which Way is the Best?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/22/teacher-preparation-which-way-is-the-best/) - Here are some questions I would like to explore today with the help of teachers and parents and anyone with a vested interest in public education. Should teachers be prepared professionally in accredited colleges and universities? Or, does a fast-track training program that places graduate students and career changers, from various majors and possibly for-profit
- [University Teacher Education Takeover in Memphis](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/25/university-teacher-education-takeover-in-memphis/) - What Relay is doing largely breaks the mold. Its students are full-time elementary and middle-school teachers, almost all of them fresh out of college, almost none of them with a traditional teaching degree. June Kronholz, Education Next At the University of Memphis there are professors disturbed about a rather secret plan, one that college officials
- [Language that Frightens Parents and Teachers of Students with Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/18/language-that-frightens-parents-and-teachers-of-students-with-disabilities/) - The recent report about special education from Washington State is not alone in its use of frightening language about what is happening to programs for students with disabilities. Many states are using the get tough talk, following Arne Duncan’s lead. And there are many parents who no longer accept the idea of special education. They
- [Courses We Once Knew: Civics Digitized, What’s Lost and the Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/11/04/courses-we-once-knew-civics-digitized-whats-lost-and-the-common-core/) - You are not just training our nation’s future workers. You are bringing up the future citizens of the United States of America. Your students will, someday soon, collectively decide the fate of this great nation of ours. Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor (Supreme Civics, 2011) I thought today would be a good day to
- [Data Frenzy!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/29/data-frenzy/) - A parent was bemoaning the fact that her young student is made to carry his notebook with his standardized test scores around the school in the chance an administrator, or test Nazi, might need to take a look at the scores. Are test scores this important that administrators must have access to them every minute
- [A Little School Privatization History About Memphis ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/30/a-little-school-privatization-history-about-memphis/) - If you think it is just the poor schools that will be turned to charters, think again. Sooner or later they will want to turn your middle class school into one, and my guess is you will pay for it, and you will have no say into how it is run. In the fall of
- [How Corporations Try To Steal the Definition of Personalized Learning](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/22/how-corporations-try-to-steal-the-definition-of-personalized-learning/) - There is confusion, we are told, by the corporations and politicians, as to how to define personalized learning. From Ed. Week…A number of education and technology organizations are seeking to forge a clearer understanding of what this concept really means. They just don’t seem to be able to pull it all together. Perhaps someone should
- [Using Students with Special Needs to Privatize Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/19/using-students-with-special-needs-to-privatize-public-schools/) - Education Week came out with an article pondering a serious question. How can you have special education charter schools and still call it inclusion? HERE. I wondered, were the school reformers going to do the following: Return or ramp-up the old model of resource and self-contained classes within the traditional public school system? Pull together
- [When All You’ve Got is Idealism: Teach for America v. Real Teachers](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/16/when-all-youve-got-is-idealism-teach-for-america-v-real-teachers/) - Once a teacher, suffering from battle fatigue, reaches the tipping point on the depression scale, and there are few if any administrators able, or willing, to provide them with support, it is especially discouraging to hear about the new crop of Teach for America recruits who are arriving in droves with idealism! To hear the
- [Avoid, Conquer or Adapt to Learning Disabilities in Public Schools and Beyond ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/11/avoid-conquer-or-adapt-to-learning-disabilities-in-public-schools-and-beyond/) - When I was in high school I played flute in the band. I did pretty well except when I took the occasional written test. I could play notes but I could not name them. It was a mystery of sorts. But it didn’t keep me from making music and the band director didn’t care. So
- [New Kindergarten Testing: Sorry, It’s Not Really Play](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/09/new-kindergarten-testing-sorry-its-not-really-play/) - Early childhood officials at the U.S. Department of Education, some who should know better, have apparently concluded (as described in this Ed Week article), that they were making little kids do things too over-the-top to be early childhood ready—like giving four-year-olds basic sight word spelling tests and getting them to count to 20 in their
- [Important Education Research Repeatedly Ignored](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/05/excellent-education-research-repeatedly-ignored-2/) - Have you noticed we are bombarded by articles and reports about what is right and wrong in education by think tanks and non-educators? In fact, I have heard a variety of education reformers claiming there is little education research. They are wrong. There are many serious studies that these same people continue to ignore. Not
- [Teens, Violent Flash Mobs and the Role of Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/10/03/teens-violent-flash-mobs-and-the-role-of-public-schools/) - Near where I live, you have to be careful where you go at night. A lot of people think it is best to stay away from shopping centers and gas stations. The Mayor is considering whether they should end nighttime high school football games. The problem? You might get caught up in a violent flash
- [Bill Gates’s and the Ed. Reformers' China/Special Education Disconnect](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/30/bill-gatess-and-the-ed-reformers-chinaspecial-education-disconnect/) - Bill Gates and other ed. reformers praise China, Singapore and Korea as having the highest test scores in the world, of course, better than the United States they will tell you. What they fail to say is that in America, public schools teach everyone—students with disabilities too. Students who come to school with learning disabilities
- [Computer Essay Grading v. Student Journals](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/29/computer-essay-grading-v-student-journals/) - The beauty of being an English or language arts teacher is helping students develop the skill of writing. Next to learning how to read, learning how to express your ideas through writing is a valuable form of communication. And in today’s world, being able to communicate and relate to others is more critical than ever.
- [Misusing Data in Regard to Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/26/misusing-data-in-regard-to-public-schools/) - Data collection could be used positively and privately to lift students and teachers and create great public schools. But the fear is that data is currently misused in many ways. Data has also been used to misrepresent America's schools. Parents have often been deceived, or data collection has been a waste of time because the
- [If Public Schools Fail, Why Do Prestigious Universities Admit Their Students?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/23/if-public-schools-fail-why-do-prestigious-universities-admit-their-students/) - Whenever you hear about public schools today people use the word failure, others go so far as to call them dropout factories. So if they are so bad, if we really have such a crisis, why are some of our most prestigious universities still admitting the majority of their students from public schools? Corporate reform
- [Common Core Marketing Mistakes Will Lead to Its Demise ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/21/common-core-marketing-mistakes-will-lead-to-its-demise/) - Marketing is everything. A wise English professor once told me, you might write the worst book in the world, but if you have a good marketer, connections, not to mention financial backing, it will be published and it will probably sell. Common Core has been sold to the American people, backed by a lot of
- [The Role of Public Schools in the NFL Scandal](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/18/the-role-of-public-schools-in-the-nfl-scandal/) - The NFL is in a tight spot right now. They don’t want to lose their talent and the dollars that might come with a championship. But they are in danger of losing their image. Domestic and child abuse are ugly topics, when they surface. They provoke intense emotions. It’s been difficult to watch the different
- [Charter v. Private School “Prepsters”: Manufacturing College-Ready Kindergartners](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/16/charter-v-private-school-prepsters-manufacturing-college-ready-kindergartners/) - “College Prep Begins in Kindergarten” is the motto for Cornerstone Preparatory School (a charter) in Memphis. HERE. A lot of charter schools advertise themselves as college preparatory schools, and they begin marketing college at the earliest of all levels—kindergarten. How does this compare to honest-to-goodness private schools? Secretary Arne Duncan visited Cornerstone the other day.
- [Does Bill Gates Think Teachers are All Miss Trunchbulls? ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/09/does-bill-gates-think-teachers-are-all-miss-trunchbulls/) - At school there’s Miss Trunchbull, two hundred menacing pounds of kid-hating headmistress. Get rid of the Trunchbull and Matilda would be a hero. But that would take a superhuman genius, wouldn’t it? From Matilda by Roald Dahl Does Bill Gates hold a vendetta towards teachers? Does he see them as Trunchbulls and is he planning
- [Lessons From M. Mouse: Or, How I *BELIEVED* Disney Could Help Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/07/lessons-from-m-mouse-or-how-i-believed-disney-could-help-public-schools/) - A forest of thorns shall be his tomb! Borne through the skies on a fog of doom! Now go with the curse, and serve me well! 'Round Stefan's Castle, CAST MY SPELL! ―Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent casting her spell to stop Prince Phillip In 1991, I obtained credit for renewing my teaching certificate by attending an
- [Why Unionizing Teachers In Charter Schools is a Bad Idea](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/05/why-unionizing-teachers-in-charter-schools-is-a-bad-idea/) - In California, the new NEA leader Lily Eskelsen García is working to gather charter school teachers to unionize. HERE. She appears savvy and smart and gave an uplifting, firery introductory speech to teachers upon her election. As a retired member of the NEA, I wish her well. But she has thus far claimed, like AFT’s
- [It Isn't Over in Lee County or Elsewhere! And About Common Core...](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/09/03/it-isnt-over-in-lee-county-or-elsewhere-and-about-common-core/) - The Lee County School Board has backed out and students will get tests and tests and more tests. But I know parents will not give up. I'm hoping they will hold their Superintendent accountable for stating that she wanted to devise a plan. This plan should include parents. Perhaps there are some parent lawyers who
- [Striving Towards Local Control of Public Schools—A Proposal for Lee County and Beyond!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/31/striving-towards-local-control-of-public-schools-a-possible-solution-for-lee-county-and-beyond/) - I would like to put forth a proposal. What could the Lee County School Board do to make everyone happy or at least happier? I have an idea. Patricia Levesque, CEO of Tallahassee-based Foundation for Excellence in Education, Jeb Bush’s group, put out a long statement expressing “deep disappointment” in “abandoning” the tests. She mentioned
- [Pediatricians, Common Core and the Meaning of "Pushing" Early Childhood Literacy ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/30/pediatricians-common-core-and-the-meaning-of-pushing-early-childhood-literacy/) - Be careful using the word “push” when it comes to reading. There is always the fear that Common Core State Standards are behind it. A recent Memphis Commercial Appeal had an Op Ed entitled “Pediatricians Push Early Childhood Literacy.” They were referring to the American Association of Pediatricians (AAP) recommendation that pediatricians should remind parents
- [Who Owns Your Schools? In Lee County, Florida They Belong to Parents and Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/28/who-owns-your-schools-in-lee-county-florida-they-belong-to-parents-and-children/) - For years now, I’ve wondered who owns school boards. Venture philanthropists come into cash-strapped districts and suddenly parents and citizens find their voices no longer matter. Anyone with the right amount of money, well-meaning or not, can take over how schools in that district will be run and what students will learn. Is that about
- [Testing Kindergartners and a Rise in Disabilities: Is There A Connection?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/19/testing-kindergarteners-and-a-rise-in-childhood-disabilities-is-there-a-connection/) - Why are children, no matter rich or poor, showing up with more disabilities—especially ADHD? Here is USA Today telling about the report in Pediatrics. Could it be because they are being pushed harder than ever before, with less, if any, recess or breaks? Perhaps they're tired of school, or all that Common Core stuff is
- [What Should Parents Do For Students with Autism in Public Schools?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/27/what-should-parents-do-for-autistic-students/) - The January 3rd post about autism hit a nerve and I have a little more venting to do on this subject before moving on…. These suggestions can apply to all students and parents who want something more than Common Core State Standards and high-stakes testing in their public schools. It is easy to tell parents
- [It’s What President Obama Didn’t Say about Education in the State of the Union Address….](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/29/its-what-president-obama-didnt-say-about-education-in-the-state-of-the-union-address/) - The president, of course, could not speak about all the following disputes in one State of the Union Address. But the problem is he rarely speaks about these issues with the American people. There is little, if any, discussion or debate. The president might be surprised to find not everyone approves of his education policies.
- [Do Americans Love Their Children?—Yes! Many of them DO!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/02/14/do-americans-love-their-children-yes-many-of-them-do/) - “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (New International Version) A while back I was talking with a friend about school problems, and she surprised me by saying “America doesn’t love its children!” I was taken aback. I’d never
- [Every Child, Every Day, College Bound AND Common Core?—Changing the Tune on What Constitutes College Preparation](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/02/16/every-child-every-day-college-bound-and-common-core-changing-the-tune-on-what-constitutes-college-preparation/) - For years the mantra has been every child must go to college. Of course, that’s why Americans were given the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). And that’s why students are being pushed with “rigor” to master skills at earlier levels than ever before. It is also why K-12 students are being pressured to fit into
- [The NEA’s Band-Aids for Common Core are Not Good Enough!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/02/23/the-neas-band-aids-for-common-core-are-not-good-enough/) - It’s not looking good for Common Core State Standards—one would think. The recent flurry of activity could trick educators and parents into thinking something is going to happen to rid schools of the standards. Even the NEA’s Dennis Van Roekel, spoke out. But if you read closely enough, the standards are not considered to be
- [Could it End High-Stakes Testing?—The Bizarre Practice of Irrelevant Testing of Students with Severe Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/04/could-it-end-high-stakes-testing-the-bizarre-practice-of-irrelevant-testing-of-students-with-severe-disabilities/) - Could the odd practice of using high-stakes testing to test students with severe disabilities put an end to America’s obsession with high-stakes testing overall? There is nothing that speaks to individual differences more than students like Ethan Rediske. America may have lost Ethan, but his mom, Andrea Rediske, and Orange County Public School board member
- [SAT Scores Damned Public Schools and Teachers for Years—Why a Facelift NOW?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/07/sat-scores-damned-public-schools-and-teachers-for-years-why-a-facelift-now/) - We’re told the SAT needs a facelift to level the playing field and make the test more relevant for disadvantaged students. Whoa! Let’s rewind that tape a bit shall we? The SAT has been used for years to damn public schools and teachers who were unjustly accused for not preparing all students well enough for
- [Common Core State Standards Don't Rhyme With Individual Educational Plans](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/25/common-core-state-standards-dont-rhyme-with-individual-educational-plans/) - Originally Posted on October 3, 2013 by Nancy Bailey Think about it. Common Core State Standards do not rhyme with Individual Educational Plans. Say it slowly. Listen to the words. They don’t go together. The whole point of CCSS is for everyone to get to the same standard. It is the same goal. You can
- [High-Stakes Testing, Common Core and Students with Disabilities—What Now?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/27/high-stakes-testing-common-core-and-students-with-disabilities-what-now/) - Originally Posted on October 28, 2013 by Nancy Bailey I changed the title of this old post to include high-stakes testing because it reminded me of the word “appropriate” and the situation in Florida surrounding The Ethan Rediske Act. I think it is important to revisit some of these court cases. What meaning do they
- [Arne Duncan—This is What’s “Pretty Scary” to Parents, Teachers and Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/02/arne-duncan-this-is-whats-pretty-scary-to-parents-teachers-and-students/) - Posted on November 18, 2013 and updated for April 2, 2014 by Nancy Bailey Last November I wrote about why parents worried about Arne Duncan, who stands in support of Common Core State Standards. It was after he said, in reference to the standards, “It’s fascinating to me that some of the pushback is coming
- [Vergara Wasn't About Tenure! It was About Making Fast Food Workers and Common Core Cheeseburgers ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/13/vergara-wasnt-about-tenure-it-was-about-making-fast-food-workers-and-common-core-cheeseburgers/) - Vergara Wasn’t About Tenure! Among all the hoopla surrounding Vergara v. California and the loss of so-called teacher tenure, I noticed some strong voices yesterday that rose above the fray. They argued, essentially, that Vergara wasn't about tenure. California teachers never had tenure to begin with. It was only about due process. This claim is
- [The Choices Parents Really Want for Their Students with Special Needs](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/07/19/the-choices-parents-really-want-for-their-students-with-special-needs/) - Today I want to talk about the choices, I believe, parents want for their students with exceptionalities or students in general. “Choice,” today, in the eyes of the ed. reformers means having a lot of charter schools, and I am particularly speaking about those designed to make a profit. The owners want to stand on
- [The Real Meaning Behind the Duncan/Huffman Tough Special Ed. Compliance Talk ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/26/the-real-meaning-behind-the-duncanhuffman-tough-special-ed-compliance-talk/) - What are they really doing? Everyone who cares about students with disabilities is troubled by Arne Duncan’s latest NPR blathering over the Obama administration’s plans to get even tougher on special ed. and to test these students more and include their scores in the National Assessment for Education Progress known as the Nation's Report Card.
- [The Doctor/Music Connection and The Terrible Disregard for Music in Public Schools   ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/14/the-doctormusic-connection-and-the-terrible-disregard-for-music-in-public-schools/) - How does music help prepare students for life? Ask all the prestigious doctors in Boston! The Boston Globe has a fascinating piece by Christoph Westphal about the importance of music to becoming and being a doctor. Westphal, himself an amateur cellist and physician/scientist, recently went to hear the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) welcoming its new
- [Teaching With Common Core Aligned Books and Ignoring the Questions of Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/11/teaching-with-common-core-aligned-books-and-ignoring-the-questions-of-children/) - Common Core aligned books and the drill to teach reading to young children, appears to ignore the real questions children might have about the stories they read. This could be serious, especially if the book is beyond a child's development. If the teacher is forced to address things like syntax, story order, and facts surrounding
- [Prestigious Dyslexic Lawyer David Boies Now Supports Campbell Brown’s Attacks on Teacher Tenure](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/04/prestigious-dyslexic-lawyer-david-boies-now-supports-campbell-browns-attacks-on-teacher-tenure/) - Campbell Brown was just on Morning Joe again with David Boies as her new Chairman of the Partnership for Education Justice to fight teacher tenure. Remember David Boies, the respected, folksy, tennis shoed, liberal lawyer of Gore v. Bush fame? He has had many other high-profile cases too. I’ve always seen him as a good
- [The Destruction of Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/15/the-destruction-of-special-education/) - The firing of a special education supervisor and the subsequent elimination of the position, in Wilson County, Tennessee prompted me to address concerns about a concerted effort underway to dismantle special education. There are signs all over. Most likely you have noticed them too. In the case of Wilson County, Director of Schools Tim Setterlund
- [How Backward Reforms Waste Time and Hurt Students with Special Needs ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/08/01/how-backward-reforms-waste-time-and-hurt-students-with-special-needs/) - We should be beyond this in America. Every school district should be providing parents public access to top notch regulated education services, including utilizing cutting-edge research for all students, and especially for students with disabilities and/or our gifted and talented young people. Right now many teachers and parents are fighting to get decent services from
- [Why We MUST Support Teachers Running For Elected Office: By Opt Out Orlando](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/07/06/why-we-must-support-teachers-running-for-elected-office-by-opt-out-orlando/) - Today my post comes from the hard-working, good folks at Opt Out Orlando who did a wonderful job researching candidates from across the country who are teachers running for elected offices. It was suggested to me that this post related well to my previous rally for school boards. I agree. Click on the candidate's name
- [We Must Agree That We Need SPED Services—Even For High Functioning Students!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/07/22/we-must-agree-that-we-need-sped-services-even-for-high-functioning-students/) - This past week has seen a flurry of special education talk surrounding the new goals of the Obama administration's quest to toughen standards and make students—and they don’t specify which students, so we can assume they mean all students, even those with the severest of disabilities—score high on the regular tests. I’m pretty sure, behind
- [Quality Teachers for Poor Students: Another Missed Opportunity to Address Real Change](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/07/11/quality-teachers-for-poor-students-another-missed-opportunity-to-address-real-change/) - This past week President Obama sat down to a lovely salmon dinner with a few teachers with inspirational stories, to discuss his new program to get excellent teachers for children in poor school districts. The problem of poor children in school is critical. Educational Week reported last fall that almost half the students in America
- [Michelle Obama's Fight Against Childhood Obesity: Where’s The Recess—Etc.?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/07/09/michelle-obamas-fight-against-childhood-obesity-wheres-the-recess-etc/) - I'm going to fight until the bitter end to make sure that every kid in this country continues to have the best nutrition that they can have in our schools. First Lady, Michelle Obama We have a childhood obesity problem in America. Obesity can lead to diabetes, heart problems and sometimes even cancer. It can
- [Freedom and America's Public Schools and School Boards: They Belong to All of Us](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/07/03/freedom-and-americas-public-schools-and-school-boards-they-belong-to-all-of-us/) - It is difficult to find a more patriotic day than the 4th of July. While many problems face the country, and there are plenty of differences, most of us look forward to celebrating the birth of our nation. While we are free to hold different beliefs, Americans enjoy waving their flags and they love their
- [President Obama Does Not Stand with Teachers: What He Didn't Do and What He Could Have Done](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/30/president-obama-does-not-stand-with-teachers-what-he-didnt-do-and-what-he-could-have-done/) - I believe in collective bargaining, and I believe that at any time you’re talking about wages workers have to be at the table. President Obama July 2007 Campaigning for President Perhaps the first problem with that statement is that collective bargaining is not only about wages. If you are still deceiving yourself about the Democratic
- [Should We Love Our Principals Like CEOs?  Heavens No!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/25/should-we-love-our-principals-like-ceos-heavens-no/) - The Atlantic has an interesting article entitled "Should Principals Be Treated Like CEOs?" I think a more appropriate title for the article would have been, "Should Principals Be CEOs?" To me that is what they are really getting at in their report. Since this "school-to-business" ideology was foisted on public schools years ago, we have
- [STEM Preschool and Common Core—Too Much Too Soon and the Wrong Message](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/22/stem-preschool-and-common-core-too-much-too-soon-and-the-wrong-message/) - A friend of mine told me about STEM preschools the other day. At first I thought she was kidding. But I didn't have to look hard. They're everywhere! It seems that if parents are intent about making sure their children understand Science, Technology, Engineering and Math all they have to do is sign up for
- [Advocacy Groups for Parents of Children with Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/30/advocacy-groups/) - On Monday I wrote about two significant class action suits that steered the course for students with disabilities to receive a more “appropriate” education in their public schools. Today I am providing lists of some advocacy groups for parents to contact if they are dissatisfied with the Common Core and/or other issues negatively affecting their
- [Why the Education Reformers Worry about Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/30/why-the-education-reformers-worry-about-special-education/) - Posted on November 12, 2013 with updated changes by Nancy Bailey I heard someone, a parent or teacher, blurt out at an informal education meeting that education reformers are afraid of special education. I think that person is right. Many of those currently in charge of condemning public schools don't understand anything about students with
- [Higher Ed for Higher Standards and Common Core Yakety Yak ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/17/higher-ed-for-higher-standards-and-common-core-yakety-yak/) - Higher Ed for Higher Standards is a relatively new group funded in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (of course) to advertise the importance of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). They have another similar group, Complete College America, where they also point to poor student performance of beginning college students. Bill Gates
- [Happy Father’s Day to Dads Who Speak Out: Keep Up the Great Work! ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/15/happy-fathers-day-to-dads-who-speak-out-keep-up-the-great-work/) - As a teacher, I once arrived at my classroom early in the morning to find a father of one of my students quite upset. I shakily ushered him into the classroom where he proceeded to lecture me about what his son had missed out on in school, up to that point, and what he believed
- [Can You Hate Tenure and Love Your Teachers?   ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/11/can-you-hate-tenure-and-love-your-teachers/) - The Los Angeles Superior Court has struck down teacher tenure and protections in Vergara v. California. This, by the looks of venomous comments in newspapers, seems to delight some people. Arne Duncan, who represents the Obama administration's viewpoint, apparently loves it too. See here. Great isn't it? That the President of the U.S. thinks so
- [The Educator Called Maya Angelou ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/08/the-educator-called-maya-angelou/) - Maya Angelou, the educator's voice rang out loud and it rang out clear. Though not a credentialed teacher, she educated all of us about life's challenges and the ability to overcome life's difficulties. She was an inspiration to all of us. She left us with so much that can be used to teach young people
- [Common Core Camps of Confusion and Strife—What’s For Dinner?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/03/common-core-camps-of-confusion-and-strife-whats-for-dinner/) - There has been a lot of confusion and controversy over different camps and what they think about Common Core State Standards (CCSS). While everyone is posturing and arguing who is right and which political group is shaking hands with which other group, or who we shouldn’t shake hands with, students continue to be tested to
- [Butterfly in the Sky? Educational Programs for Children ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/06/01/butterfly-in-the-sky-educational-programs-for-children/) - There has been a lot of buzz over Levar Burton's Kickstarter campaign, here, to bring Reading Rainbow back as an app. Sorry for you folks who don't have access to Netflix Streaming, iPad, iPhones, Xbox, or computer internet TV. There will be no butterfly in the sky returning to PBS. If you are lucky, and
- [Au Revoir NOLA Public Schools ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/30/au-revoir-nola-public-schools/) - They can call charter schools public schools all they want. They will never be public until they accept ALL children and hire credentialed teachers, led by actual school administrators who understand children and how they learn. How sad for New Orleans. How sad for a country that was conned into thinking charters were going to
- [So Now You Can Read the PARCC and Smarter Balanced Tests to Students with Disabilities? ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/28/so-now-you-can-read-the-parcc-and-smarter-balanced-tests-to-students-with-disabilities/) - Ed. Week is having a live chat this Thursday afternoon, 3 to 4 ET, to discuss PARCC and Smarter Balanced accommodations for students with disabilities. They say this assessment will “offer the promise of more inclusion and self-sufficiency for students with special needs and English-language learners.” How any assessment is going to do all that
- [Always Give Students a Chance](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/23/always-give-students-a-chance/) - In my freshman year in college I signed up for Art 101. The class was merry and a nice respite from all the reading and testing involved with hard core basic subjects freshmen take. Make no mistake I was no future Rembrandt. But I enjoyed the class so much that I boldly signed up for
- [The Continuing Bizarre Message That We MUST Test Students with Severe Disabilities—Say NO!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/20/the-continuing-bizarre-message-that-we-must-test-students-with-severe-disabilities-say-no/) - I wish I were a judge and had some of these ed. reformers who believe tests are more important than children come before me. Honestly. I’d send them to jail. Mandates written to play Gottcha with children’s services, intentionally designed to get rid of services and teachers, are wrong. America shouldn’t be the place to
- [Brown v. Board of Education—Still Further Apart than Ever Before On Its Anniversary](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/18/brown-v-board-of-education-still-further-apart-than-ever-before-on-its-anniversary/) - On the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education I don't believe we are working on the issue of school integration in the least when it comes to public schools. Here are the two biggest examples: 1. In 2010, the UCLA Civil Rights Project determined that charter schools "isolate students by race and class" yet charter
- [The Little Engine That Derailed—How Aligning Books to Skills Kills the Joy of Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/16/the-little-engine-that-derailed-how-aligning-books-to-skills-kills-the-joy-of-reading/) - It is one thing for a child to read The Little Engine That Could for the pleasure of the story and quite another for her to comprehend the inner workings of a locomotive. ~Joanne Yatvin, former public school educator, a past president of the National Council of Teachers of English, and a former member of
- [Ode to Moms I Admire Who Fight Draconian Ed. Reform](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/11/ode-to-moms-i-admire-who-fight-draconian-ed-reform/) - I am not a poet and I know it, but here I go ith. Here’s to the Moms who fight Common Core. They want it thrown out the classroom doors…. It’s a bore! And we don’t adore. Here’s to the Moms who support all the children, even those not their own. Treat yourself to tea
- [Louis C.K.’s Comments—Good For Public Schools—or Not?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/05/05/louis-c-k-s-comments-good-for-public-schools-or-not/) - There seems to be two camps in education. One is happy that Louis C.K. spoke out about Common Core and testing. They have posted and re-posted on Facebook his stint on David Letterman. The other side is not happy about the attention celebrities get if the topic is education. They believe the celebs only distract
- [Girl Scout Badges Made Just for Teachers! ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/30/girl-scout-badges-made-just-for-teachers/) - A new corporate idea being revved up for public schools involves teachers earning badges...because there is nothing that says Free Market more than teachers competing with Girl Scouts. Here are some badges you can earn, teachers: Money Counts. Teachers, earn this badge when you spend 50% of your paycheck on materials that the school cannot
- [Schools and Tornadoes](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/29/schools-and-tornadoes/) - So here they come again. If you live in the heartland you know what I’m talking about. I am still not used to spring in the Mid-south, and I thought this was going to be a good year. I guess not. Once again we sadly watch as people describe what it was like to live
- [Better Prepared Teachers? Coffee Chat with Arne and Andrea](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/27/better-prepared-teachers-coffee-chat-with-arne-and-andrea/) - The other day I watched Andrea Mitchell interview Arne Duncan. It’s always difficult for me to listen to authorities on teaching who have never been teachers, or who have never even studied what it takes to be a teacher. When they bloviate what the government needs to do to make good teachers, I want to
- [Refusing to Kiss the Chimp—Professionals, Crazy Stunts, and High-Stakes Testing ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/25/refusing-to-kiss-the-chimp-professionals-crazy-stunts-and-high-stakes-testing/) - Years ago, back before test motivation had anything to do with calculated stunts, a friend of mine, who did some nice things for our school, brought in an adorable chimpanzee. It was a real hit with the students. At one point I was put on the spot to kiss it. Despite student begging—they drastically wanted
- [What President Obama Got Right—Warning—It’s Wild and There Was No Drill!   ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/22/what-president-obama-got-right-warning-its-wild-and-there-was-no-drill/) - OK. You don’t like Race to the Top or the corporate education agenda that all presidents subscribe to. Me neither. Maybe you don’t like a lot of President Obama’s policies and can’t wait for a new guy…or gal! I get it. But how can you not appreciate the way President Obama has been practicing his
- [Special Ed. Labels—Why We Still Need Them in the Era of Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/22/special-ed-labels-why-we-still-need-them-in-the-era-of-common-core/) - Work hard at living the idea that differentness is just fine—not bad. Your child will learn most from your example. Help him to think of problems as things that can be solved if people work at them together. ~Nicholas Hobbs from The Futures of Children (p.288) Years ago a poster circulated that said “Labels are
- [The New Teacher Project's Speedy Miracle Immersions! Who's Your Child's Teacher?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/17/the-new-teacher-projects-speedy-miracle-immersions-whos-your-childs-teacher/) - My husband is an accounting professor. Two weeks ago he received a perky email from Anh-Thi Mouradav out of Nashville’s The New Teacher Project (TNTP) Teaching Fellows looking for him to forward her email request to accounting students who would make, in her words, “highly-effective math teachers.” He was quick to reply telling her that
- [How Children Learn—Listening, Jeb Bush Et Al?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/15/how-children-learn-listening-jeb-bush-et-al/) - How do children learn? Why do they even bother with it? The best way to answer this question is to think back to how you learned when you were young. As a child what inspired you? When you were in school, what subjects did you like? Dislike? To borrow a term from the cooking diva
- [Announcing My New Website Format and Blog!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/04/14/announcing-my-new-website-format-and-blog/) - My new website covers Activism and School Curriculum and I still have the Blog. It is more manageable now. Point and clink on the title and the link should appear. The Activism site focuses on groups , organizations and people who are currently working to oppose the harmful reform taking place in our public schools.
- [How to Teach Good Students to Be Criminals](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/01/how-to-teach-good-students-to-be-criminals/) - Seventeen year old Chaz Seale could have been any of us. In a hurry to get out the door he accidentally grabbed a beer instead of a can of soda out of the fridge and put it in his lunchbox. Upon arriving at school, he realized his mistake and told his teacher what happened. Now
- [Mayors Go Looking for Bill Gates’ Education Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/17/mayors-go-looking-for-bill-gates-education-pot-of-gold-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow/) - US mayors went to Washington DC the other day to talk about education issues with Bill Gates—the richest man in the world. Struggling to fiscally keep their cities alive, mayors will do anything to draw in the Gates’ dollars. And you wonder why he is in charge of education in America. It’s like Leprechauns finding
- [The Lawsuits Students Really Deserve in New York City and the Rest of the Country!](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/15/the-lawsuits-students-really-deserve-in-new-york-city-and-the-rest-of-the-country/) - Aren’t there some fine lawyers who would, preferably with pro-bono work, support families who have children with disabilities, all kinds of disabilities, or children who have second language hurdles, or the really really poor children, to sue the charter operators and their rich donors for denying these students a slot in their elite charter schools?
- [Growing a New Website and Book this Spring! ](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/20/growing-a-new-website-and-book-this-spring/) - I am going to stop posting new posts for a while on my blog (probably for some of you sighs of relief!), while I work to improve my website. I am adding links to activism sites—including more material. And I am including some new features which I hope will be more interactive. In the meantime,
- [Revisiting “A Strange Ignorance…” LEAD Poisoning and Student Achievement](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/03/23/1632/) - Originally Posted on September 22, 2013 by Nancy Bailey. This was posted last September and I have included some changes and updates. Talking about children and lead poisoning can quickly make you look like a harbinger of bad news--a real Debbie Downer. Lead poisoning is probably not a problem for most children, but it is
- [Remembering Dr. Bracey in All the Public School Turmoil](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/08/09/470/) - I was thinking the other day about Gerald Bracey. Dr. Bracey is always an inspiration and a researcher who knew how to help the rest of us make sense of information, often in upbeat, even humorous ways. I own almost all of his books. The ones about research were and still are very informative. And
- [Flipping](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/08/11/flipping/) - On a Southwest flight the other day, I noticed the feature article in their magazine was about flipping the classroom. I wonder how many teachers are doing this and what they think about it--really. I am rather cynical about new reforms (as is evident by my book title), especially when they have catchy names. But
- [Olga Jarrett and the Importance of Play](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/08/15/olga-jarrett/) - Today I thought I'd mention Dr. Olga Jarrett and how she has contributed so much to the child's world of play. She has done serious research about child development and she especially recognizes the importance of socialization. I find socialization to be a serious casualty of the current reform movement in our public schools. Dr.
- [Schools to Shelter Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/08/17/schools-to-shelter-children/) - I said I would write about games for children. But I am going to hold off with that because too much is in the way. Today I am driven to writing about the poor children living in Moore, Oklahoma. They headed back to school today. Or what’s left of their schools. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/15/moore-tornado-plaza-towers-elementary-school-students/2660593/ Parents there are
- [Educational Fun With GAMES—It’s What Motivates Students!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/08/19/educational-fun-with-games-its-what-motivates-students/) - I know that many teachers might feel like they have no time for games and fun educational activities in their classrooms. I find that very sad. Games and free time in class can be a valuable way to bring students together and teach at the same time. And games can provide wholesome family fun. So
- [Head Start and the Hunger Games](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/08/21/head-start-and-the-hunger-games/) - CNN Money reported that 57,000 children will lose out on Head Start due to the Sequester and $85 billion in federal budget cuts. Head Start staffers, some who are parents of the children, will see pay cuts or be fired. http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/19/news/economy/headstart-funding-cuts/ One would think preschool for the poor would be improving. But maybe when
- [The Public School System and Mental Health Services](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/08/22/the-public-school-system-and-mental-health/) - Two days ago we had another grim reminder that schools, like communities, are vulnerable to troubled individuals, often young people, possessing weapons. These events strike fear in the hearts and minds of parents and add fuel to the fire when it comes to the gun debate. While the gun debate goes on…. Most people
- [Special Olympics—Endangered?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/08/26/special-olympics-endangered/) - Recently, Special Olympics celebrated the anniversary of their 1976 event. This is a picture of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and a young competitor and winner from back then posted on the Special Olympics site on August 22. As a young college student, almost ready to graduate with a degree in special education, I volunteered in the
- [The Strange New Education Vocabulary List](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/08/28/the-new-education-vocabulary-list/) - This week I heard several educators and parents mention the strange vocabulary being used in public schools these days. So I got out the vocabulary list I’ve been collecting for several years called The Strange New Education Vocabulary List. Many of these words come from business or the military and seem strangely cold in reference
- [The Public School System—Happy Labor Day!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/01/the-public-school-system-happy-labor-day/) - This Labor Day, I pay tribute to everyone who works in the Public School System. A lot of critical jobs are lost when public schools close and changes are made to a school district. I am thinking Philadelphia here, although there are many other school districts which have changed drastically. A lot of these positions
- [Narrative Writing—Why We Should Give a [Expletive]](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/04/narrative-writing-why-we-should-give-a-expletive/) - It’s been a year since David Coleman, president of the College Board and architect of the Common Core State Standard initiative, gave a speech to a New York audience, shocking many when he, while discussing narrative writing, said “as you grow up in this world you realize people really don’t give a [expletive] about what
- [What I Wish Corporate Money Would Pay For When it Comes to Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/06/what-i-wish-corporate-money-would-pay-for/) - Do you ever think about what the so-called philanthropists could fund instead of all the privatizy, reformy, ideas that are damaging and pricey? Instead of CCSS/PARCC, DIBELS, teacher meddling, TNTP, TFA, NLNS,NCLB, and RTTT etc. etc. What ideas do you have for Mr. and Mrs. Corporation to really help America fund a great public school
- [“Never Trust Tests!”—Yesterday, Today and Forever! ](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/08/never-trust-tests-yesterday-today-and-forever/) - I was cleaning out a filing cabinet the other day and ran across some old reports I did for a class I took in college. The course taught us how to administer various tests to students with learning disabilities. We also learned how to interpret test results presented to us by the school psychologist. Teachers
- [We All Know What Real Recess Looks Like](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/10/we-all-know-what-real-recess-looks-like/) - Lately there is a lot of talk about students getting fit after two decades or more of eliminating recess. With obesity, diabetes and ADHD on the rise, adults thought, hmm, maybe there could be a connection with inactivity. The conundrum is how to squeeze physical fitness in because no one wants to let go of
- [Sucking the Joy Out of Reading—Fluency/Timed Reading for Homework](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/10/sucking-the-joy-out-of-reading-fluencytimed-reading-for-homework/) - A parent I recently met, who is positively involved in her child’s education, noted her distain of having to document the amount of time her child and the family spend reading. There is nothing that sucks the joy out of reading more than the homework assignment of timing how many minutes a child and the
- [More About Fluency/Timed Reading Homework](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/12/more-about-fluencytimed-reading-homework/) - A teacher on Facebook commented on yesterday’s blog about the Fluency/Timed reading homework. She felt it necessary to insist students complete a timed reading homework assignment of 20 minutes or her students would never read. This particular teacher also recognized the argument against homework in general. But I don’t want to get into that right
- [Sixty-Three Superintendents Who’ve Had Enough](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/13/sixty-three-superintendents-whove-had-enough/) - I guess it’s a good thing 63 Tennessee superintendents are “pulling the reins in” on Tennessee education commissioner Kevin Huffman. I’m not exactly sure what that will mean in the end, or what direction they’re going to steer Huffman once they obtain those reins. They will have to giddy yap past Tennessee’s Gov. Haslam, who
- [We Are NOT a Common Core Country](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/15/we-are-not-a-common-core-country/) - I have never liked just the mere title Common Core. We aren’t a nation that values common. We like differences, uniqueness, individuality, independence, eccentricity, distinctiveness, and originality. Since when do we enforce conformity? Pro common forces, including Stand for Children, are out in full armor, with pretty YouTube commercials, attempting to impress us as to
- [Students Miss Out On Today With Common Core Standards and PARCC](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/17/students-miss-out-on-today-with-common-core-standards-and-parcc/) - Last May a book came out called Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending. The authors discuss how people work hard so they will be happy later in life. Some put themselves through great drudgery in jobs they can't stand, commuting and working long hours. They also stay in awful jobs much longer than they
- [Common Core is NOT Designed for Students with Disabilities or Gifted Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/18/common-core-is-not-designed-for-students-with-disabilities/) - I have reviewed the Common Core Standards for students with disabilities and I am flummoxed. All teachers have to do is provide multiple ways of learning and special accommodations. Students will master the online tests and go on to college and live happily ever after. First, certainly there are students with disabilities who, with the
- [Nashville Showdown on the Common Core State Standards](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/19/nashville-showdown/) - Today senators in Tennessee are meeting to determine the fate of the Common Core State Standards. Some are calling it the Nashville Showdown. Seven speakers on each side of the debate get to speak. Five of the fourteen are from the conservative group the Tennessee Eagle Forum. Here is a list of the speakers and
- [More Reform Words Added to The Strange New Education Vocabulary List](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/20/more-reform-words-added-to-the-strange-new-education-vocabulary-list/) - I have added more reform words to The Strange New Education Vocabulary List posted August 28. These words create strange emotions in me. First I snicker, then I am sad. Application Coherence Deep understanding Dual intensity Enterprise Fluency Focus Memory Memorization Repetition
- [Revisiting “A Strange Ignorance…” LEAD Poisoning and Student Achievement   ](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/22/revisiting-a-strange-ignorance-lead-poisoning-and-student-achievement/) - Today I add a new link to what I believe is an important organization for early childhood education. CLEAR Corps: Protecting the Potential of Children (CC) addresses the serious issue, which I write about in Misguided Education Reform: Debating the Impact on Students, addressing the harmful effects of high blood levels of lead in children
- [Check Out the Philadelphia Declaration of Play and Cheer!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/26/check-out-the-philadelphia-declaration-of-play-and-cheer/) - Here is a breath of fresh air for Philadelphia which has seen its share of public school closures. The following is from the Philadelphia Declaration of Play which I am adding to my website under early childhood. Check them out and cheer! The Philadelphia Declaration of Play is an ongoing collaborative project created by local
- [Should Teach for America Have Recruiting Happy Hours?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/28/should-teach-for-america-have-recruiting-happy-hours/) - So what’s wrong with Teach for America advertising their get-together—uh—recruiting Happy Hour party? Why did parent, Jennifer Proseus, PTA mom extraordinaire, even bother calling it into question on Facebook? I like to socialize and as a teacher I found it helpful to meet after school to talk about issues or just kick back. Almost always,
- [How About a Broader, BOLDER Approach to Education?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/09/28/how-about-a-broader-bolder-approach-to-education/) - I am adding a national campaign to the Early Childhood section of the website although it could be applied to Adolescence and Educators as well. It is associated with the Economic Policy Institute and is called the Broader, BOLDER Approach to Education (BBA). The BBA is described as “a national campaign that acknowledges the impact
- [Mr. Duncan—A Few Reasons Why I Question Your September 30th Speech, “Beyond the Beltway Bubble.”](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/02/mr-duncan-a-few-reasons-why-i-question-your-september-30th-speech-beyond-the-beltway-bubble/) - Arne Duncan takes a lot of criticism from educators. They have never seen him as one of their own. For me personally, I wanted Linda Darling-Hammond to get the job. I don’t always agree with Darling-Hammond, but I do respect her as an educator and a researcher. When Mr. Duncan was hired I and a
- [A Big Thank You to the Shelby County PTA](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/04/a-big-thank-you-to-the-shelby-county-pta/) - I enjoyed speaking to the Shelby County PTA and Administrators last Wednesday at their luncheon about my book. I would like to thank Terri Harris, Shelby County PTA president, for the invitation. I am impressed by how savvy parents are about the harmful reforms that are taking place. Parents are the real drivers of school
- [Isn’t It Time for Some Class Action Suits Against Common Core--For Students with Special Needs and Young Children?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/07/isnt-it-time-for-some-class-action-suits-against-common-core-for-students-with-special-needs-and-young-children/) - This past weekend’s post about Common Core not rhyming with Individual Educational Plans brought over 1,000 Facebook likes. For a relatively new Blogger this jumped out at me as a sure sign that people, especially parents with students who have special needs and their teachers, are fed up with Common Core State Standards which have
- [Don’t Sit Alone and Cry in Your Soup! Let's All Advocate for Students!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/09/dont-sit-alone-and-cry-in-your-soup-be-an-advocate-for-students/) - One of the pleasures of starting a blog is to hear from parents and teachers. Some post. Some don’t want to put information online, but they want to be heard. Others comment on Facebook. The stories are often heart wrenching. Teachers recognize they can’t teach the way they know they should because they are pushed
- [Breaking a Child’s Spirit—Twenty Harshly Negative Effects of Today’s School Reforms](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/11/breaking-a-childs-spirit-twenty-possible-effects-of-todays-school-reforms/) - Part I 1-10 These are not easy to read. But I’m sure you will find that many, if not all, have been used to negatively change public elementary schools in recent years. And you will recognize why they break a child’s spirit. Here are the first ten. I will post the others later. 1. Children
- [Are they “Special Interests” or Voices of a Democracy?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/14/are-they-special-interests-or-voices-of-a-democracy/) - The blogger buzz this past weekend concerned an angry audience voicing concerns about Common Core Standards (CCS). It took place at a Poughkeepsie, New York town hall meeting with the state’s Ed. Commissioner Dr. John King. Indignant parents and teachers listened to King for 1 hour and 40 minutes then, with their meager left-over 23
- [Oregon’s Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Rob Saxton Calls Himself an SOB: I Concur](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/15/oregons-deputy-superintendent-of-public-instruction-rob-saxton-calls-himself-an-sob-i-concur/) - While many of us focused on New York’s Ed. Commissioner John King this past weekend, I also watched two YouTube videos that were deeply disturbing from the other side of the country. They both involve Oregon’s Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Rob Saxton. Saxton’s background consists of being a teacher (I can’t find what he
- [Common Core State Standards--Private School and Homeschool--Here, There and EVERYWHERE](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/17/commocore-state-standards-private-school-and-home-schooling-here-there-everywhere/) - Many parents think if they put their children in private school or homeschool they will all be able to hide from the Common Core State Standards. Sorry folks. David Coleman, who said no cares about your student's narrative writing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu6lin88YXU, wasn't only the architect of the standards, he moved over to become president of the
- [Common Core State Standards—Ignoring Strengths and Differences in America’s Students with Disabilities and All Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/19/common-core-state-standards-ignoring-strengths-and-differences-in-americas-students-with-disabilities-and-all-students/) - In America, one way of helping students with disabilities blend in with their non-disabled peers is to consider differences in ALL students. Every child has strengths and weaknesses. Even students who are multi-talented have areas they lean more towards than others. Lifting students up from their weaknesses is important, of course, but I would argue
- [How Much Art Does Your Student Get in School? Ask Art Teacher Angie Villa](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/21/how-much-art-does-your-student-get-in-school-ask-art-teacher-angie-villa/) - The arts are critical for children and how they learn. Doing art, learning about great artists, and exploring different kinds of art medium is what all children should experience in their public schools. It makes a child's learning complete. Most students love the arts. It motivates them to enjoy school. It also often helps them
- [Less High-Stakes Testing—More Focus on Mental Health and Personalized Schooling](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/24/less-high-stakes-testing-more-focus-on-mental-health-and-personalized-schooling/) - This past week saw yet again two horrible instances of violence—once again at schools. Two popular teachers are gone, along with a troubled student. Another student will possibly be tried as an adult and prosecuted. Again we wonder whether public schools do much to help disturbed students. In both these situations, unless something new pops
- [Who’s “Dreaming Big”—Students or IBM?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/26/whos-dreaming-big-students-or-ibm/) - Here’s the question.Is it helping disadvantaged teens to plug them into corporately-designed programs, starting when they are in ninth grade, steering them through six years of training where they will wind up with an Associate’s Degree related to a corporation? Should this be the purpose of all schooling in America? Is it right for teenagers?
- [Common Core and Students with Disabilities—What Now?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/28/common-core-and-students-with-disabilities-not-appropriate-so-what-now/) - Not long ago children with disabilities were denied a free public education. Some were even institutionalized. Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC), in 1972, and the case that followed on its heels, Mills v. Board of Education (MILLS), helped open the door for exceptional learners to attend public school and receive an "appropriate" education. Here
- [Real Student Zombies by Next Halloween?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/10/31/real-student-zombies-by-next-halloween/) - According to Wikipedia, the term “Zombie” figuratively applied describes “a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli.” Are students being turned into zombies in our schools? Think about this. The reformers want "rigor"—short for rigor mortis. Children are being over-tested.They’ve lost their recess. Children, who may
- [Good-bye NICHCY! But Why?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/01/good-bye-nichcy/) - For decades the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) has been a go-to website for families and educators seeking information about how to find support for young students and children and youth with disabilities. My website is a work in progress and when I went to add NICHCY to the section on Special Education,
- [Another Teach For America Ra Ra Study to Slam Real Teacher Ed. Programs](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/03/another-tfa-ra-ra-study-to-slam-real-teacher-ed-programs/) - Tennessee is all abuzz with another study to go after real degreed and credentialed teachers. I say “real” because the powerhouses have even tampered with certification. In many places a certified teacher doesn’t mean what it used to mean. Teach for America and other alternative training programs rule in this state. They are running away
- [Common Core and Early Childhood—Got Music?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/10/common-core-and-early-childhood-got-music/) - The implication of all this for early education is clear. Although a teaspoon of Mozart may not make a child a better mathematician, there is little doubt that regular exposure to music, an especially active participation in music, may stimulate development of many different areas of the brain—areas which have to work together to listen
- [Why Education Reformers Worry about Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/12/why-education-reformers-worry-about-special-education/) - I heard someone, a parent or teacher, blurt out at an informal education meeting, that education reformers are afraid of special education. I think that person is right. I don’t think many of those currently in charge of redoing public schools understand anything about special ed. students and how they learn. I think they must
- [Why Did Parents Ever Allow the Loss of Recess?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/14/why-did-parents-ever-allow-the-loss-of-recess/) - The Alliance for Childhood just printed Olga Jarrett’s research showing the importance of research http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/sites/allianceforchildhood.org/files/file/Recess_online.pdf. I admire the good work of Olga Jarrett. I even posted a tribute to her awhile back. There is a lot of other great research out there to show the importance of recess, along with books on the subject. There’s
- [Examining Common Core’s Answer for Student Differences--UDL](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/16/examining-common-cores-answer-for-student-differences-udl/) - All this said, here is the link to UDL so you can follow. If it makes better sense to you, by all means let me know http://www.udlcenter.org/. One issue, I would question, is found on the first link that students will “Know how to set challenging learning goals for themselves.” Do students really set learning
- [What Really Scares Parents IS Arne Duncan!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/18/what-really-scares-parents-is-arne-duncan/) - Yesterday we learned what Arne Duncan said—in support of Common Core State Standards. At first I didn’t think I could write about it because it made me sick. But then I decided I had to write about it. From The Washington Post: Duncan said, “It’s fascinating to me that some of the pushback is coming
- ["Coaching" Applied to Teaching--Why I Don't Like It](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/21/why-i-dont-like-the-term-coaching-applied-to-teaching/) - "Teaching Coaches" have become commonplace as public school curriculum is converted to Common Core. The plan is to enlist teachers, lots of them, to coach other teachers how to instruct using Common Core. In most places these teaching coaches get a stipend of $5-6,000 to help transform a school district into a Common Core wonderland.
- [Are You a Coach or a Teacher?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/23/are-you-a-coach-or-a-teacher/) - The “coaching” post generated criticism. Several individuals argued that coaching can include good attributes and there is nothing wrong with the term. Some teachers, who have been or are currently called coaches, took offense. I am not criticizing teachers/coaches personally. I never said that if you have the title coach, you are not a good
- [The Hurtful Reality of High Stakes Testing—Let Them Eat Cake!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/24/the-hurtful-reality-of-high-stakes-testing-let-them-eat-cake-2/) - Last Thursday night I had the honor to sit on a panel of distinguished educators, parents, a school board member, and two students, in Jackson, TN. The event covered standardized testing and was sponsored by the Tennessee Education Association (TEA). While this meeting was held in Tennessee, my guess is meetings like this can be
- [What Part of Individual Educational Plan Don’t They Understand?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/27/what-part-of-individual-educational-plan-dont-they-understand/) - A recent Ed. Week article, “Common Core’s Promise Collides with IEP Realities,” claims, “Special Education teachers struggle to make sure individual education programs align with standards.” Wow! You could have fooled me! I thought IEPs were tailored to student needs, not to the Common Core State Standards. But really, aligning IEPs to the standards—has been
- [Does the Tea Party Love Teach for America?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/11/29/does-the-tea-party-love-teach-for-america/) - I read an interesting blog post by Plunderbund all about Teach for America in Ohio. Cleveland pays $9,000 (for two years) in addition to regular salaries and benefits to hire TFA. In other places, like Memphis and Pittsburg, Bill Gates foots the initial bill to TFA, usually about $5,000 per teacher, and then the school
- [Homemade Activities to Target Disabilities (and/or Just for Fun)--Puzzles!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/01/homemade-activities-to-target-disabilities-andor-just-for-fun-puzzles/) - Just in time for the holidays! I have blogged about not letting the current issues in public schools steal the today that you have enjoying your children and helping them to learn. I know that is easier said than done. But the teacher and mom in me wants to step away from criticism against Common
- [Great Public Schools Focus on Student Interests](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/03/great-public-schools-focus-on-student-interests/) - I wonder how many parents out there remember when anyone at their child’s school asked these questions: What are your child’s interests? Does your student have any hobbies? How do they like to spend their free time? I am reading an interesting book called Tough Liberal: Albert Shanker and the Battles Over Schools, Unions,
- [Hey! Who’s that With the Baby Grand on their Back?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/05/hey-whos-that-with-a-baby-grand-on-their-back/) - Memphis and the surrounding suburbs have been through quite a lot of “churning” with the school merger of the city schools with the county schools. Most everyone spots the corporate fingerprints. They’re all over the place. Chain charters, Teach for America, The New Teacher Project, Common Core, etc. are, with the help of Stand for
- [To the Pretenders Atop the Ed. Ladder--This is How You Spell D-I-S-C-O-N-N-E-C-T](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/06/to-the-pretenders-atop-the-ed-ladder-this-is-how-you-spell-d-i-s-c-o-n-n-e-c-t/) - One wonders what sort of alternative universe the so-called education leaders live in these days—most whom only taught a year—if they taught at all, and who most likely never bothered to lower themselves to take one of those silly courses about child and adolescent development. Across the country parents and teachers are rallying in their
- [Drat Common Core and Potty iPads! Use This Instead to Teach a Child to Read](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/08/drat-common-core-and-potty-ipads-what-items-to-buy-instead-to-teach-a-child-to-read/) - Don’t bank on narrow Common Core English language arts skills to teach your child to read. From what I see and hear, over and over, CC increases stress and reduces a lot of students to tears. It pushes very young children to read more difficult material before they are developmentally ready, and it focuses too
- [Students with Disabilities and/or Gifted Students—Is Private School Better?](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/08/students-with-disabilities-andor-gifted-students-is-private-school-better/) - If you have a child with disabilities and/or a gifted and talented student, where should you send them to school? Should you homeschool? This is the dilemma facing many families. Parents wonder, is it worth it to pay to send my child to a private school? Would it really be better for them there? With
- [Suggestions for Parents Concerned About their Student’s Reading Difficulties](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/10/suggestions-for-parents-concerned-about-their-students-reading-problems/) - My post about reading picture books generated some comments on Facebook about difficulties students have tracking and mixing-up words. Having a child who struggles with reading is never easy. Sometimes you feel like they are on the verge of making a breakthrough—then they get a bad grade or test score and you are right back
- [KIPP and the Padded Room](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/12/kipp-and-the-padded-room/) - Why does KIPP do padded rooms for kindergarteners and regular ed. students who have run-of-the-mill behavior problems? Calming rooms, in unique and very structured situations, might be justifiable for special education, but not regular ed. The justification for a padded room is that the student needs to be protected from self-injurious behavior or hurting others.
- [It’s Not A Wonderful Life for Millions of School Children](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/18/its-not-a-wonderful-life-for-millions-of-school-children/) - “…I know right now, and the answer’s no. No Doggone it! You sit around here and you spin your little webs and you think the whole world revolves around you and your money! Well, it doesn’t, Mr. Potter! In the, in the whole vast configuration of things, I’d say you were nothing but a scurvy
- [If You Feel Like Grandma Who Got Run Over By a Reindeer—Don’t Despair!](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/21/if-you-feel-like-grandma-who-got-run-over-by-a-reindeer-dont-despair/) - If your child is doing well and you are happy about public school you probably don’t need to read any further. If your house is decorated well enough to win a Martha Stewart contest, and your Christmas dinner was cooked and frozen in neat Zip Lock bags and Rubbermaid containers weeks ago, then you can
- [Before Common Core—IDEA and Aligning IEPs to Regular Standards](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/26/before-common-core-idea-and-aligning-ieps-to-regular-standards/) - While Common Core’s focus on math and English language arts does nothing to address the needs of students with disabilities, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) re-authorizations weren’t great either. Much of IDEA (the changing of PL-94-142) was to make students with disabilities over into normalized regular ed. students. Individual Educational Plans were to
- [Bill Gates and Kindy Coding](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/29/bill-gates-and-kindy-coding/) - The Memphis Commercial Appeal recently had an article about a private school incorporating iPad computing coding for kindergarteners. At first I was appalled. Kindergarteners? Coding? Why, they should be learning to tie their shoes! Then, after sputtering a few cuss words (nothing too bad) to myself, especially when I saw Bill Gates name and the
- [Reading Instruction—Same Old Ugly Story](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/30/reading-instruction-same-old-ugly-story/) - A conversation on Facebook about reading became touchy yesterday, reminding me that you only need to scratch the surface to find serious differences when it comes to education and public policy. While many come together against Common Core State Standards, yesterday’s arguing resulted from the same old differences about how to approach reading…phonics or whole
- [Misguided Education Reform](https://nancyebailey.com/2013/12/31/misguided-education-reform/) - A nice thing that happened to me this past year was the publishing, back in July, of my book, Misguided Education Reform: Debating the Impact on Students, by R & L Books (Rowman & Littlefield). It covers many of the same topics you will find on my blog. I discuss special education which might be
- [Common Core and Ability Grouping—Ignoring Critical Questions](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/05/common-core-and-ability-grouping-ignoring-critical-questions/) - Common Core does not honestly tackle a problem that should be front and center in our public schools. How do we address ability grouping? Should students with learning disabilities be educated separately or in the regular class? Do autistic children learn faster mainstreamed or with specialized help in a self-contained classroom or separate school? Are
- [The Vanderbilt Study about Gifted Students](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/07/the-vanderbilt-study-about-gifted-students/) - My post, Shunning gifted Students in America—Isn’t it Time to Pay Attention? generated a lot of conversation. Many are worried about how to serve these students in public school. So when I ran across this research today out of Vanderbilt University, I jumped for joy! Dr. David Lubinski and his co-authors, Harrison J. Kell and
- [STEM and Common Core—How Much SCIENCE are Elementary Students Really Getting?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/09/stem-and-common-core-how-much-science-are-elementary-students-really-getting/) - Even though students today, in reality, sound capable to tackle STEM jobs, what about the students of tomorrow? With the heavy push for high-stakes testing, the questionable negative rhetoric by the Obama Administration and others about STEM, and the dramatic changes to the curriculum with Common Core State Standards, is this country going to wake
- [Larger Classes Help Students with Disabilities? Who Does the Illinois Bd. of Ed. Think It’s Fooling?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/14/larger-classes-help-students-with-disabilities-who-does-the-illinois-bd-of-ed-think-its-fooling/) - The Illinois Board of Education believes larger general education classes will help children with disabilities http://action.aft.org/c/468/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7727. Restricting the size or providing self-contained classes would do them a disservice. Really? Shame on them! Who do they think they are fooling? Consider this profound statement: “The elimination of state requirements specific to class size will best ensure
- [So Long Zero Tolerance—Now is the Time to HELP Troubled Kids—Modern Family Thinks So](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/16/so-long-zero-tolerance-now-is-the-time-to-help-troubled-kids-modern-family-thinks-so/) - With all the bad news in education, it is good to see the Obama administration taking steps to address zero tolerance http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/school-discipline/index.html. They are finally attempting to put to rest the outrageous arrests and suspensions involving innocent or misguided children—looking at all of them as criminals. This will help improve public schools. This should stop
- [Goodbye to More Real Public Schools in Memphis—Will Yours be Next?](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/17/goodbye-to-more-real-public-schools-in-memphis-will-yours-be-next/) - There are few things sadder to me than to see small children standing in front of a microphone begging to keep their schools open. But that’s Memphis. It’s also Chicago, Philadelphia and New York and on and on. If you don’t yet have charter schools taking over your public schools don’t blink. They’re coming. They
- [New Jersey, the Principalship and New Leaders for New Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/19/new-jersey-the-principalship-and-new-leaders-for-new-schools/) - Who are New Leaders for New Schools? Education bloggers wrote fervently this weekend about the suspension of four principals in Newark, New Jersey who spoke out against the “One Newark” plan to reform schools http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/13/12/18/one-newark-reform-plan-proves-divisive-even-before-official-release/. The plan is similar to what is happening in cities across the country other than the fact that they have
- [How to Be a Nice Teacher When You’re Mad and Treated Badly](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/20/how-to-be-a-nice-teacher-when-youre-mad-and-treated-badly/) - I wanted to write something that had to do with teachers in relationship to Martin Luther King Day and this is what I came up with. Teachers are genuinely nice people. If you work with children you teach them to be nice and respectful to others. Most people go into teaching because they are happy
- [Pete Seeger…if you sing for children, you can't really say there's no hope.](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/01/28/pete-seegerif-you-sing-for-children-you-cant-really-say-theres-no-hope/) - Yesterday we lost Pete Seeger, one of the all-time great folk singers and activists. The LA Times calls Seeger “the conscience of America.” A larger than life figure, there is no way one can write enough about Seeger. He dedicated himself to peace, civil rights, labor, and the environment. He sang folk music and songs
- [The Soulless Practice of Using Students with Disabilities to Fire Teachers—Remembering a Better World](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/02/08/the-soulless-practice-of-using-students-with-disabilities-to-fire-teachers-remembering-a-better-world/) - How’s this for compassion in the new public school accountability world? By now most people have read about the Ethan Rediske situation in Orlando. The 11 year old, blind, with brain damage and cerebral palsy, as he lay dying in a Hospice, was required to take an alternative version of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
- [Bright But Not Good Enough—A Mother’s Story](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/02/13/bright-but-not-good-enough-a-mothers-story/) - I received heartfelt comments on my post “Setting Children Up to Hate Reading.” Many parents are concerned and troubled about what is happening to their children at this level of development. Quite a few preschool and kindergarten teachers are caught in a serious struggle. How do they stay in their jobs when they are told
- [Why I Don’t Like Teach for America--#ResistTFA](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/02/19/why-i-dont-like-teach-for-america-resisttfa/) - I have never liked Teach for America. I remember when I first heard about it. I thought to myself that is the dumbest program ever. Maybe I was biased. I had just spent seven years of my life teaching full-time while earning a PhD in education—not to mention the many years before that, teaching and
- [Florida Teachers Get VAMED Only a Week After the Death of Ethan Rediske](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/02/25/florida-teachers-get-vamed-only-a-week-after-the-death-of-ethan-rediske/) - Floridians get to look up their teachers’ test scores now, courtesy of The Florida Times Union (they actually went to court for this), even though it is just a week after the death of Ethan Rediske. Tell me, Times Union Editor Frank Denton, how did his teacher do? If you aren’t one of the many
- [Do You Want a Small Class Size For Your Child OR a Good Teacher? The Bogus Dilemma](https://nancyebailey.com/2014/02/27/do-you-want-a-small-class-size-for-your-child-or-a-good-teacher-the-bogus-dilemma/) - It is well established that lowering class size, especially for K-3, can have a positive effect on students. The argument being made around the country, and illustrated well last night on Nashville’s Fox 17 news, is, do you want a small class size, or do you want a quality teacher? In How to Win Every Argument:

## Pages

- [Home](https://nancyebailey.com/) - Welcome. This website provides a blog about education reform issues. It also suggests resources for teachers, parents, students and communities showing how we can revive, rally and recover democratic public schools to best serve the needs of America's students. It will, hopefully, always be a work in progress. I am adding more each day. I
- [Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/reading-2/) - African Folktales from the Anike Foundation, this site includes stories and myths handed down Folk tales and myths handed down from generation to generation. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), under the umbrella of the American Library Association, develops leaders in the school library field. AASL works to ensure that all members of the school
- [Anti-Corporatization of Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/corporatization/) - Badass Teachers Association (BATs) is an outlet for teachers and parents to voice concerns and an activist group to fight for public education. BAT groups are found in every state. BATs impact and have the backing of high-profile educators and policymakers from around the country. Big Education Ape is a blog filled with up-to-date and also
- [Parents](https://nancyebailey.com/parents/) - Advanced Psychology: Child Psychology and Parenting Blog website about children and adolescents run by clinical psychologists from Canada. Information is provided for contact. The Crucial Voice of the People by Victoria M. Young DVM. She has authored several books about education and many blog posts about public schools from a parent's perspective. Vicki helped start the
- [About](https://nancyebailey.com/about/) - Welcome to my blog and website! My opinions are my own. My webpage is self-supported and written on behalf of public schools. I accept no advertising. My blog focuses on a variety of topics in support of public schools. Public schools can bring children together for their academic and social needs. Good public
- [School Buildings](https://nancyebailey.com/the-arts-2/) - The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) provides EPA’s Tools for Schools Kit at no charge. They work with public schools and school districts throughout the nation, to improve school environments by educating students and staff. AASA provides presentations, outreach, technical assistance, training, exhibitions, webcasts, and resources. They direct special attention to schools serving disadvantaged
- [State Action Groups](https://nancyebailey.com/state-blogs-and-support-groups/) - Alabama Alaska Arizona Save Our Schools Arizona is a website describing the policies affecting Arizona's public schools. Their Facebook page is current https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSchoolsArizona/ Arkansas Save Our Schools Arkansas has a Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/littlerockschools/ California Delaware The Exceptional Delaware website and blog are especially pertinent if you live in Delaware and have a child with special
- [Anti-High-Stakes Testing](https://nancyebailey.com/reading/) - Children are More than Test Scores is a blog run by teacher Jesse Turner, called the “Walking Man” due to his passionate trekking for children from Connecticut to Washington, DC in 2011, and for a myriad of other activist activities fighting for public schools. He is for those who are against No Child Left Behind
- [Common Core](https://nancyebailey.com/common-core/) - Many of these sites are no longer active but represent the push-back across the country over Common Core State Standards still found in classrooms today. Common Core: Education Without Representation started when three moms met in Utah to speak against Common Core. The website includes many writings about Common Core but is no longer active.
- [Anti-Charter Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/charter-schools/) - Charter School Scandals describes problems found with charter schools. Sharon Higgins also blogs on The Broad Report and The Perimeter Primate—archived Information. Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit civil rights organization with a long history dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry. It seeks justice for society's most vulnerable members. The center represented students with disabilities in
- [Learning Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/special-education/learning-disabilities/) - American Printing House for the Blind resources and information for those with visual impairments. Some of their materials may be helpful for students with reading disabilities or dyslexia. Decoding Dyslexia is a network of parent-led grassroots movements across the country concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within public schools. They aim
- [The Arts](https://nancyebailey.com/testing/) - Art Websites and Art Activities The following page provides information about the arts and art activities for children or adults. What is your school district doing to make the arts better for students? How much exposure to the arts do students in your public schools get daily, weekly, ever? Arts education includes drawing, painting, material
- [Science](https://nancyebailey.com/science/) - Here's a list of science resources that might be of interest to students, parents, and teachers. If you have a favorite you'd like to add let me know. Access Excellence Resource Center includes videos and resources about careers in science, being a scientist, and interviews with Nobel Prize winners. This site includes discussions about Issues and
- [Middle School](https://nancyebailey.com/middle-school/) - The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) information for educators teaching students ages 10-15, who are dealing with rapid development and academic and social change. Provides interchange of information with other educators teaching this age group. Middle Web: All About the Middle Grades a blog about middle school and links and ideas to resources and
- [Virtual Education](https://nancyebailey.com/virtual-education/) - Blogging for Arizona While the issues focus on Arizona, this blog discusses many issues surrounding public schools. There are many extensive blogs about virtual schooling, specifically the case of K12 Inc. Website: blogforarizona.com/blog/. eSchool News eSchool News is a website presenting publications and features—“Technology News for Today’s K-20 Educator.” It seems biased in favor of
- [Technology](https://nancyebailey.com/technology/) - *Starred titles are groups with troubling or uncertain goals surrounding technology and schools. ACLU Works to expand digital privacy and a person's right to control their personal information. They seek to ensure that civil liberties are enhanced and not compromised by technology and innovation. Here's one report STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (STUDENT DATA PRIVACY) MODEL LEGISLATION.
- [Developmental Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/special-education/severe-disabilities/) - The Arc supports families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have been instrumental in passing state and federal legislation regarding individuals with disabilities. Their broad network includes state and local chapters. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides some information. Easter Seals helps with early intervention, inclusive childcare, medical rehabilitation and autism services
- [Autism](https://nancyebailey.com/special-education/autism/) - Some of the sites suggest interventions. Please make sure to talk with your child's pediatrician before trying something new. Also, don't forget to click the category Special Education for more information. Academic Autism Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE) conduct studies involving outcomes, employment, healthcare, and autistic burnout. Older studies examine violence and wellbeing.
- [Special Education](https://nancyebailey.com/special-education/) - The Advocacy Institute describes information about funding and how the ESSA affects students with disabilities. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all. They provide a variety a wealthy of information, including videos in an interesting and understandable format. Assistive Technology Industry Association information on products, equipment, systems that
- [Diversity](https://nancyebailey.com/diversity/) - Advancement Project: Education Justice working to address the problem of underfunded public schools and their corporate takeover. They seek public education that is accountable and which will provide quality education. Their Quality Education for All campaign works with partners, allies, and policymakers to secure equitable, high-quality public schools for all children. Anti-Defamation League (ADL) resources
- [High School](https://nancyebailey.com/high-school/) - National Dropout Prevention Center/Network information on improving academic, social, work, and healthy life skill activities to help students stay in school and lead productive lives. State and local agencies and additional resources are noted. Links are provided for professionals and parents. The Student Voice Forum provides a blogging place for high school and college students
- [Other Countries](https://nancyebailey.com/other-countries/)
- [Behavior](https://nancyebailey.com/behavior/) - Advancement Project: School to Prison Pipeline: work to address the out-of-school suspensions and to end the criminalization of students. They address the racial justice crisis found in schools, and work with the community and students to produce significant change while developing student leaders. American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors and their efforts to
- [England](https://nancyebailey.com/england/) - Children's Commissioner is based in England and led by The Children’s Commissioner for England Anne Longfield OBE. It describes much about how student information is collected and used, and how to decrease a child's digital footprint. Comprehensive Future campaigns for fair school admission policies in England. The campaign is non party political and open to all. It
- [Social Studies](https://nancyebailey.com/social-studies/) - General EDSITEment from The National Endowment for the Humanities, shares lessons, teacher's guides, and student activities about a variety of issues history, geography, civics, and more. Geography Discovery known for its programs, they give links for science kits you may or may not wish to purchase, but they provide facts and videos covering science topics.
- [Student Careers](https://nancyebailey.com/student-careers/) - Careers listing of job openings for a variety of areas. Careers and Career Information answers a variety of questions about jobs, careers, and occupations and more, and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Careers in Oceanography, Marine Science & Marine Biology provide links that breakdown and describe the many careers related to this
- [Early Childhood](https://nancyebailey.com/discipline-2/) - The following page is meant to provide educators and families information and resources to navigate the exciting world of young children. If you find a website, book, journal article, or video that is useful for this age group, please let me know. I will add it to this page. Websites A Day in the Life
- [Gifted and Talented](https://nancyebailey.com/gifted-and-talented/) - All Things Gifted and Talented articles for gifted and talented students and their parents. There is much tech talk too. The Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development with an emphasis on academic acceleration, they showcase programs and services, including professional development courses and workshops. They have special programs throughout the year for
- [Australia](https://nancyebailey.com/australia/) - Foundation for Learning and Literacy commentary, resources and research for educators and parents from educational experts from Australia, the U.K. and America, including Dr Brian Cambourne AM. Success stories included. The Great Raven Sue Bursztynski blogs about book reviews including science fiction. I like that she is from Australia. She is a frequent commenter on
- [Writing](https://nancyebailey.com/writing/) - Grammaropolis covers the parts of speech "Graves on the Craft of Writing" presented by Works and Days by Mary Kalantzis and Bill Cope who have a website with online material. They provide information about Donald Graves and links how to how to use his material and ideas. Graves was revolutionary with his work on how
- [General Education](https://nancyebailey.com/general-education/) - American Educational Research Association (AERA), scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation, disseminating research results and their practical application. Members include educators; administrators; directors of research; persons working with testing or evaluation in federal, state and local agencies; counselors; evaluators; graduate students; and behavioral scientists. Bridging Differences from Education Week showcases educator Deborah Meier who
- [Elementary School](https://nancyebailey.com/elementary-school/) - ipl2 has a section dedicated to possible science projects. In additon there are various ideas under each of the following categories: Reference Health & Nutrition Art & Music Our World Reading Zone Sports & Recreation Compuers & internet Math & Science Fun Stuff Animal Planet's Endangered Species what you can fall back on if you
- [New Zealand](https://nancyebailey.com/new-zealand/) - Education in New Zealand describes early education, primary and secondary education, further education, the national curriculum, home and distance learning, technical and vocation education, and wānanga, the state-owned Māori teaching and research institutions. New Zealand Immigration tells how the school system works in New Zealand, including enrollment, discipline, state schools, cost, integrated schools, private schools
- [Canada](https://nancyebailey.com/canada/) - Child Psychology and Parenting Blog is a website with articles on a variety of interesting topics dealing with children and adolescents. The site is run by clinical psychologists out of Canada. Teen Mental Health a Canadian site with resources that might assist families, teens, and educators. They consider serious topics surrounding teen behavior: the teen
- [Finland](https://nancyebailey.com/finland/) - Pasi Sahlberg Blog We have known for years that Finland’s education has lessons for those who want to do education right. Pasi Sahlberg Finnish educator, author, and scholar helps us to understand the Finnish educational system and education in general in his blog. Report LynNell Hancock, Why Are Finland’s Schools Successful? Smithsonian Magazine, September, 2011.
- [Math](https://nancyebailey.com/math/) - AplusMath has interactive worksheets, games and flashcards in every math subject from addition to algebra. This is a simple no frills site but with good practice worksheets. Biographies of Women Mathematicians Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, Georgia, illustrates the achievements of women in the field of mathematics. Cool Math pre-algebra, algebra, pre-calculus, tools, practice and
- [Educators](https://nancyebailey.com/educators/) - Blogs and Websites The Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) teachers, retirees, Paraprofessional School Related Personnel (PSRPs), parents, community members and other champions of public education fighting for equitable public education and to improve the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU). Deborah Meier on Education public education teacher, principal, writer, advocate since the early 1960s, and
- [Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities](https://nancyebailey.com/special-education/emotional-and-behavioral-disabilities/) - Behavioral Disorders: Focus on Change an article from Hoagie's Gifted Education Page. Many children who are intellectually gifted experience emotional and behavioral disabilities in school. Center for Parent and Informational Services provides information and research materials on helping students succeed in school and the community. I found it difficult to navigate but there are brochures
- [English Language Learners](https://nancyebailey.com/english-language-learners/) - Association of RAZA Educators fight against harmful school legislation in California and the rest of the country, and to draw positive attention to students in the Hispanic community. They address student tracking, tolerance policies, and other harmful processes. Illinois Resource Center website dedicated to bringing a sense of community to public schools in Illinois. A unique
- [Other](https://nancyebailey.com/special-education/other/) - American Sign Language Dictionary search word, reverse dictionary, phrases, and kid's book. Learn how to sign here. Conductive Education addresses neurological, mobility, and unique associative conditions affecting children with cerebral palsy. Deaf-Info is a bit dated but still has a wealth of information about deafness that could be useful today. It is worth exploring the
- [](https://nancyebailey.com/political-candidates/)
- [Designing Great Public Schools](https://nancyebailey.com/designing-great-public-schools/) - Critics like to say that public schools failed. I argue that they didn’t fail. But they needed improvement—especially poorer schools in disadvantaged parts of the nation. This section of my website is meant to brainstorm how to make great public schools. We must have hope! As educators and parents we need to step away from
- [Gifted](https://nancyebailey.com/special-education/gifted/) - Coming Soon
- [Discipline](https://nancyebailey.com/discipline-3/) - RESOURCES Advancement Project A team of veteran civil rights lawyers founded the Advancement Project, a multi-racial civil rights organization, in 1999. Here are two goals: · Locally, we provide direct, hands-on support for organized communities in their struggles for racial and social justice, providing legal and communications resources for on-the-ground efforts, while assisting in building
- [Reading](https://nancyebailey.com/the-arts/) - RESOURCES American Association of School Librarians (AASL) The American Association of School Librarians is under the umbrella of the American Library Association and advocates excellence, facilitates change, and develops leaders in the school library field. “AASL works to ensure that all members of the school library field collaborate to: provide leadership in the total education
- [Adolescence](https://nancyebailey.com/adolescence/) - RESOURCES Focus Adolescent Services Many teenagers struggle with learning problems and low self-esteem due to retention and a variety of reasons. The Focus Adolescent Services website addresses problems facing families with troubled, at-risk teens. It is an internet clearinghouse providing information and resources on a variety of teen and family issues. The Focus Adolescent Services
- [Sample Page](https://nancyebailey.com/sample-page/) - This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I'm a bike messenger
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- [Student Careers](https://nancyebailey.com/careers/) - RESOURCES Economic Policy Institute (EPI) The Economic Policy Institute, created in 1986 is a nonprofit Washington D.C. think tank designed to research economic policy including problems facing low- and middle-income workers. They write heavily about public school policy. It is easy to read and informative and ties issues pertaining to the economy to public schools.
- [Educators](https://nancyebailey.com/teachers/) - Resources Badass Teachers Association (BAT) BAT (short name) provides an outlet for teachers to voice concerns and many posts are written well and generate thoughtful discussion. The site helps teachers know they are not alone. Mark Niason-professor at Fordham and co-founder parent advocate Priscilla Sanstead bring many together to fight the good fight. Many state

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