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 […]
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. […]
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, […]
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 […]
Missing Socialization in Today’s 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]