So, how do you make schools "better"?

Apparently, not by setting arbitrary targets and using a system of carrots and sticks to reach them.
Incentives and Test-Based Accountability in Education
Valerie Strauss discussed it back in May. The report is downloadable from the NAP site. Two sentences from the summary:

Test-based incentive programs, as designed and

implemented in the programs that have been carefully studied,

have not increased student achievement enough to bring the

United States close to the levels of the highest achieving countries.

When evaluated using relevant low-stakes tests, which

are less likely to be inflated by the incentives themselves, the

overall effects on achievement tend to be small and are effectively

zero for a number of programs.

Wonder if any of our brave leaders will take note of this report from the National Research Council? Or, will the beatings will continue till morale improves!

Where does someone like this come from?

Vermont fraternity surveys members. Among the questions: who would you like to rape?

Umm, REALLY? Is this the best thing you could think of when you had too much time on your hands? What, TP'ing somebody's yard too much effort for you? Someone suggested bringing back the paddle. It's too late for this group of idiots. http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2011/12/15/a-frat-asks-its-members-who-would-you-like-to-rape-now-its-suspended/

"Evidence" of TFA effectiveness

Check Valerie Strauss's column: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/teach-for-america-research-questioned/2011/12/12/gIQANb40rO_blog.html#pagebreak

It's quite an eye-opener. These folks who live and die by the 'data' who can't offer up any useful data to justify their program.

Somehow, this isn't surprising...

Ed Sec Duncan has heard about a new report indicating that about half of schools will not make AYP this year. Wow, what a shocker. Not.
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/report-half-of-schools-1260580.html

Almost Christmas

And not a minute too soon. I'm so pooped I may fall on my face.The kids are so wired we could light up the entire east coast.

NCLB's other meaning

I whole-heartedly agree. My district has retained the services of a 'guru' whose specialty seems to be repackaging Marzano's research. So far as I can find, he has published nothing of his own, and we don't even know how long he's been out of the classroom. He surely never taught anyone like my kids. Can you guess where our stimulus $$$ went?

http://trib.com/opinion/letters/no-consultants-left-behind/article_e69a950c-f5de-500f-a669-abbea7cec0cf.html 

Nation's race to the bottom

Here's some interesting political/economic analysis: share

Here's one for all the 'experts' out there

Here's a rap on Accountable Talk that just might begin to offer a view into the world of a teacher: http://www.accountabletalk.com/2011/11/im-public-school-teacher.html

Those who can't imagine all of this, or wouldn't want to experience it, should get the hell out of the way and let the rest of us do our jobs. Quit interfering.