After the teaching staff in her school were once again “warned” that each child must make a year’s growth (for reading) based upon new “MAP” scores which seem to be unreliable, this Pennsylvania teacher couldn’t remain silent. The staff at her school is incredibly hard working and extremely exhausted. So she wrote a letter to […]
Uncategorized
Posted inElementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, Opinion, Uncategorized
Another Testing Season Arrives: Is this Really What Education is About?
[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”] Last week, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan co-authored an article in Huffington Post touting what they call this administration’s “comprehensive plan to […]
Posted inCommon Core, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Uncategorized
On This State Standardized Test, the Story Is Not Literature
March in Connecticut brings two unpleasant realities: high winds and the state standardized tests. Specifically, the Connecticut Academic Performance Tests (CAPT) given to Grade 10th are in the subjects of math, social studies, sciences and English. There are two tests in the English section of the CAPT to demonstrate student proficiency in reading. In one, students are given […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Uncategorized
ESL Students and State Testing
This is the time of year when school really begins to get stressful if you teach a testing grade. Walk into an upper elementary classroom between now and April and you can feel the pressure in the air. As an English as a second language teacher in New York City this is also the time […]
Posted inCommon Core, Opinion, Principals' Corner, Uncategorized
In Texas, Progress; But the Fight Continues
This is a cross-post from EdGator.com. [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 got involved in the scrap over education two years ago when I wrote an epistle known as “The Alamo Letter” to my state legislators. […]
Posted inUncategorized
I Don’t Teach for Summer Vacation
I have encountered many a person who believes that all teachers teach for summer vacation. Or fall break. Or spring break. Or Christmas break. Or snow days. Sadly, it is true that some choose to teach for that two-month hiatus, usually because they mistakenly think teaching is easy and summers are completely free. They soon […]
Posted inBook Review, Featured, Opinion, Uncategorized
Do your 'Assignments Matter'? A Book Review
Eleanor Dougherty’s Assignments Matter is a great book. Assignments make up a bulk of what teachers do, and probably take for granted. We give assignments because that’s what teachers do. Dougherty shows that just giving assignments is not enough. She encourages teachers to analyze the process so they are choosing assignments that provide an authentic […]
Posted inCommon Core, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, Opinion, Uncategorized
Common Core Should Share Common Language
[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”] A visitor walking into a school encounters the school’s mission statement on a banner or etched on a plaque, or painted on to the wall. The mission statement defines the school’s […]