What do I give to my child’s teacher? As people from all walks of life traipse the store aisles this December looking for the perfect holiday gift, the teachers who give so much to your children occasionally enter your mind. Should you feel obligated to give a gift? By no means, no. Be a subscriber, […]
Opinion
Posted inCommon Core, How to Fix Education, Opinion, School Improvement, Uncategorized
Common Standards, Disparate Lives
I get the push for common standards, I really do. Poor students shouldn’t be doomed to lesser expectations. As much as I dislike George Bush’s No Child Left Behind and all the unintended(?) negative consequences it has had on public education, I must admit that the “soft bigotry of low expectations” was and is a […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Your Decisions Matter – Thoughts for the Holidays
Every day in life you make decisions. Some of them are made in haste, quickly, in a split second. Some decisions are thought out and planned and discussed. Sometimes we eventually see results or the effects of decisions. Many times, however, we never know what effect a decision has had on anyone. We decide, react, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Opinion, School Improvement
Despite What You Have Heard: American Students are Not 'Falling Behind'
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] This week saw the publication of the PISA scores – the Programme for International Student Assessment, conducted every three years by the OECD (the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development) – which […]
Posted inCommon Core, Current Events in Education, Featured, Opinion
The Common Core – Finding a New, Common Path
Embattled Secretary of State Arne Duncan recently dealt with renewed policy blowback after he made a backhand comment about parents who were opposed to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). He told a gathering of state superintendents that white suburban mothers are complaining suddenly because “their child isn’t as brilliant as they thought they were, […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion, Uncategorized
Testing Pressure Should Not Define Young Lives
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Consider this test question given to children in September of their Second Grade year in Chicago Public Schools two years ago: A boy has to read a book that is 162 […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
For You I Am Grateful
When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others. Dalai Lama [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] I have been through 17 years of education as a student, 14 years of education as a […]
Posted inBook Review, Featured, Opinion
"Reign of Error" – A Book Review
I’ve been hearing teachers rave about Diane Ravitch for a couple years now. As usual, I was a little late getting on the bus. Then I heard an interview with her about the Chicago Teachers Union’s strike last year and I was intrigued. I picked up her new book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of […]