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 […]
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!
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 […]
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?
Is it possible in this fast-paced world, to see a future with technology and professionally credentialed librarians and teachers working alongside one another? Can we be one big happy family? My last post about the loss of librarians and libraries brought a comment from a Follett representative. Follett is a for-profit company that has been […]
Poverty & Reading: The Sad and Troubling Loss of School Libraries and Real Librarians
My last post listed reasons why many children don’t learn to read. Poverty was behind many of the items. Poor students attend poor schools where they miss out on the arts, a whole curriculum, even qualified, well prepared teachers. Students might end up in “no excuses” charter schools with only digital learning. But, next to […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]