One of the driving forces behind the advancement of bubble-test tyranny in our school systems today is the concept of data-driven decision-making. Back before we tested every student in every subject on almost every day of the year, cigar-chomping school administrators just pulled decisions out of their backsides and hoped they worked. They threw the […]
How to Fix Education
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, Opinion, Uncategorized
The Bliss of Contextual Ignorance
I heard a famous school reform advocate–the kind of guy who says things like “Last time I checked there are no jobs for people who have a mean macaroni art game,” and “Failed schools must be closed and the children provided with vouchers so they can attend good schools”–tell a crowd once how proud he […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education, Opinion, Uncategorized
Part 2: Are Teachers Caught in the Crosshairs of the War on Women?
By: Eva Carafa In Part 1 of this four part series, we considered whether teaching is a low-status profession, despite the platitudes heard every day about the importance of teachers. In Part 2, we’ll consider whether there is a relationship between the War on Women and the War on Teachers currently being fought in the […]
Posted inOpinion
The "No Excuses" Parent
By writing an article entitled “The Exhaustion of the American Teacher” recently, I unwittingly unleashed a torrent of competing emotions. With 81,000 Facebook “likes” and scores of supportive comments from teachers and their loved ones, the text and tenor of the piece found a receptive audience. At the same time, several of the comments—from both […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education, Opinion, Principals' Corner, Uncategorized
Part 1: Is Teaching a Low-Status Profession?
By: Eva Carafa What does the fight over Creationism, the ongoing skirmishes in Class Warfare, and Rush Limbaugh’s rants against Sandra Fluke and the GOP War on Women have to do with teachers, who find themselves fighting for their professional lives? Over the next few weeks, I’ll take a look at all these societal forces […]
Posted inElementary School, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, Opinion, School Improvement, Uncategorized
Contextual Accountability
Every school is a microcosm of the community it serves—that is, every school that serves any and all students in the neighborhood. Peaceful schools are nestled in peaceful environs. If there are drugs or violence in the streets, educators will contend with drugs and violence working their way into the school like crickets through unseen […]
Posted inHow to Fix Education, Opinion, Parents
Critical Thinking in Kids
For those that may have read my blog, particularly a post on stagnation in our schools, you might gather that I highly support the teaching of critical thinking skills. It came as a shock, though, to find out that at least in Texas, critical thinking is looked down upon. You can actually read their […]
Posted inClassroom Management, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
5 Things Every Teacher Needs to Know About Common Core
Every time teachers are bombarded by a new instruction initiative by our principal, district office or state leaders it’s generally meet with an eye roll, a deep sigh accompanied by us muttering,”I’m already doing this in my classroom.” Then we continue to do what we’ve always done–teach to the standards of our state. Teachers are […]