So, voters have decided that the best people to decide whether a charter school should be approved are sitting in nice offices in Atlanta, not at the local Board of Education in the community the charter would ostensibly serve. Great, parents will possibly have more choices available to them. But, what if those new choices are no better than the existing ones? How will anyone know? And, if the AZ example of exempting charters from state accountability requirements is followed, we'll NEVER find out. We've already seen how AZ leads the nation, or at least the southeast, in wrongheaded policy decisions.
http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/11/21/georgia-putting-all-our-eggs-and-hopes-in-charter-school-basket/
By the way, I remember the moral of the fable: Don't put all your eggs in one basket!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
On the way out
I can relate. There are so many 'strikes' I could list: bad policies, incompetent administrators, unprofessional treatment of teachers, poor implementation of IDEA requirements, unrealistic expectations on multiple fronts, don't get me started. The big difference is that I don't even have the pretense of union representation, since this is a "right to work" state. Meaning NO UNIONS, despite what some of the public may choose to believe.
http://kafkateach.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/one-two-three-strikes-im-out/
http://kafkateach.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/one-two-three-strikes-im-out/
Sunday, November 25, 2012
The problem with 'evidence'
Sometimes it isn't what it appears to be. In fact, it OFTEN isn't what it appears to be.
http://shankerblog.org/?p=7203
http://shankerblog.org/?p=7203
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Wow, didn't see this one
Look carefully at the outlet that ran this piece. AlJazeera. Yes, that AlJazeera. But they nailed it on this. Who would have thought that they'd get it while NY and Chicago journalists missed it?
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/09/201291774248929713.html
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/09/201291774248929713.html
Friday, November 23, 2012
things that make you go, hmmm!
Yes, I'm old enough to remember that line.
This one is just like the school boards that run their district into the ground so they can turn it over to for-profit charter outfits: http://www.ajc.com/videos/news/is-hostess-exec-pay-the-problem/vhkNS/
This one is just like the school boards that run their district into the ground so they can turn it over to for-profit charter outfits: http://www.ajc.com/videos/news/is-hostess-exec-pay-the-problem/vhkNS/
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
money talks...
On Sapelo island, the newMcIntosh County tax assessments may force people to give up property their families have held for generations. And if the land is taken for taxes, who do you think will buy it on the courthouse steps? That kind of money brings muscle, which will inevitably and irrevocably change the character of a beuatiful place.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/26/us/on-an-island-in-georgia-geechees-fear-losing-land.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/09/25/us/GEECHEE.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/26/us/on-an-island-in-georgia-geechees-fear-losing-land.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/09/25/us/GEECHEE.html
It's all good
After all, the kids are back in school where they belong. Can't have them missing valuable test-prep time. What does it matter whether they are sleeping without heat or decent meals? Let's demand licensing for vlunteers who want to help out with some food. Maybe it will generate some revenue for the city?
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/hamill-emperor-bloomberg-bureaucracy-mad-article-1.1205428
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/hamill-emperor-bloomberg-bureaucracy-mad-article-1.1205428
a smart choice, for a change
The Portland Public Schools actually saw through the bullshit that is Race to the Top and declined. They are being scolded for turning down 'free money'. Something you can only say if you've not read the requirements of the grant and crunched the numbers to see what it will really bring. This isn't free money, it's extortion. The entire grant, and more, will be spent on compliance and consultants. None will go directly into the classroom, with the exception of badly written, poorly thought-out 'curriculum products' (read: scripts) that will cause more teachers to abandon ship.
http://www.tnr.com/blog/plank/110355/its-easy-fleece-charter-schools#
http://www.tnr.com/blog/plank/110355/its-easy-fleece-charter-schools#
corruption, say it ain't so!
A similar concern was raised recently about an Atlanta charter school. I read this first on Dianne Ravitch, and then read the full article here: http://www.tnr.com/blog/plank/110355/its-easy-fleece-charter-schools#
Bottom line, all bets are off, the sky's the limit if you have a charter.
Bottom line, all bets are off, the sky's the limit if you have a charter.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Schools Matter: The Cucumber Austerity of Teaching: Merit Pay and ...
A cucumber might be an improvement in my present situation...
Schools Matter: The Cucumber Austerity of Teaching: Merit Pay and ...: This isn't dystopian fiction, but it certainly could be. Nancy Flanagan led (by way of Twitter) me and Jersey Jazzman to this wonderful a...
Schools Matter: The Cucumber Austerity of Teaching: Merit Pay and ...: This isn't dystopian fiction, but it certainly could be. Nancy Flanagan led (by way of Twitter) me and Jersey Jazzman to this wonderful a...
It's not just rural schools
this is visible in ALL schools, in ALL communities, in ALL demographics. Those who do not value education transmit that to their children, who in turn pollute the classroom environment for others.
http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/11/19/if-you-want-better-schools-rural-or-otherwise-improve-motivation-and-discipline-of-students/
http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/11/19/if-you-want-better-schools-rural-or-otherwise-improve-motivation-and-discipline-of-students/
This is not just sad
It's ridiculous. A mayor with no experience of education since his own student days, making unilateral decisions with the support of a crew of educrats who themselves have little to no education experience.
Here's what mayoral control of schools has gotten the taxpayers of NYC: of the 154 schools opened under Bloomberg, nearly 60% had passing rates on reading tests that were lower than those at older schools.
In other words, the Mayor's new and improved schools aren't doing better than the schools that were closed to make room for them.
Hey, Mike, how's that data driven decision making working out for you?
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/gonzalez-bloomy-flunking-school-moves-article-1.1202976#ixzz2Cml1IUTQ
Here's what mayoral control of schools has gotten the taxpayers of NYC: of the 154 schools opened under Bloomberg, nearly 60% had passing rates on reading tests that were lower than those at older schools.
In other words, the Mayor's new and improved schools aren't doing better than the schools that were closed to make room for them.
Hey, Mike, how's that data driven decision making working out for you?
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/gonzalez-bloomy-flunking-school-moves-article-1.1202976#ixzz2Cml1IUTQ
DCSS discusses new leader
DCSS discusses new leader - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports
I have friends living and working in the community, and I can only hope that the next super is chosen with more care than the one about to leave. For more on him: he was actually ranked 34 out of 35 applicants, and was one of only two who were interviewed. He had never been certified to teach before taking this job.
I have friends living and working in the community, and I can only hope that the next super is chosen with more care than the one about to leave. For more on him: he was actually ranked 34 out of 35 applicants, and was one of only two who were interviewed. He had never been certified to teach before taking this job.
Public Libraries
I'm sitting in a local library, enjoying their free wifi and the relative peace and quiet to catch up on work and personal business. For the record, most of the area schools are closed this week for Thanksgiving. It's a southern thing, I guess. This branch has a lovely space with comfy chairs in a windowed room. This room is my favorite spot because of the natural light. Facing me is a row of magazine racks. Most issues are nut current. A few of the mag titles have a note posted that says: "Our subscription to this magazine has expired. Due to state budget cuts, we are unable to renew it"
How sad, that the public library can't keep Smithsonian and Scientific American coming due to draconian budget cuts.
How sad, that the public library can't keep Smithsonian and Scientific American coming due to draconian budget cuts.
On the 'Influence' of teacher unions
http://schoolfinance101.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/teachers-unions-scourge-of-the-nation/
On every possible measure of fairness and effectiveness, union states come out better:
school funding adequacy and equitability
teacher salaries
student achievement
achievement 'gap'
I wonder how the comparison would turn out if we also looked at factors such as safety and violence in the schools? I suspect if we looked at sports performance, we might find a positive correlation with 'right-to-work' (nonunion) policies. That's my own take on it, based on personal observations.
On every possible measure of fairness and effectiveness, union states come out better:
school funding adequacy and equitability
teacher salaries
student achievement
achievement 'gap'
I wonder how the comparison would turn out if we also looked at factors such as safety and violence in the schools? I suspect if we looked at sports performance, we might find a positive correlation with 'right-to-work' (nonunion) policies. That's my own take on it, based on personal observations.
Conferences
I need to schedule a time-sensitive, legally mandated conference for several students. One of the parents could not be reached by phone, so I wrote up the meeting notice and sent it home, hoping for the best. It came back with a request to reschedule. OK, but...
the time she wants is BEFORE our workday begins. In other words, the team is expected to rearrange our lives to be at work earlier than normal in order to accommodate. I know, I know, that's just good 'customer service' and all that jazz. Except...
how many people would have the balls to call the doctor to reschedule an appointment with the expectation that the doc and staff will see you before or after regular office hours?
when you have business at the courthouse, do you ask them to open up early just for you?
do you show up at the grocery store before they open up in the morning and demand that they unlock the doors and fire up the registers so you can do your shopping?
the time she wants is BEFORE our workday begins. In other words, the team is expected to rearrange our lives to be at work earlier than normal in order to accommodate. I know, I know, that's just good 'customer service' and all that jazz. Except...
how many people would have the balls to call the doctor to reschedule an appointment with the expectation that the doc and staff will see you before or after regular office hours?
when you have business at the courthouse, do you ask them to open up early just for you?
do you show up at the grocery store before they open up in the morning and demand that they unlock the doors and fire up the registers so you can do your shopping?
What everyone should know about teaching
I would add to this, but overall it's pretty accurate.
I would add:
1. parents expect to be able to call or email me at all hours and get a response immediately. If something keeps me from responding (like one of those endless series of meetings that take up the planning time I should be able to use to call parents?), the don't hesitate to go over my head and complain. It would never occur to them that there might be a serious issue preventing me from responding, like the night I answered parent emails from the Emergency Room, where the doctor sent me for an immediate scan.
2. I have routinely spent hundreds of dollars per year to purchase not only books and resources for my classroom ( those shelves full of books for your kids to read did not come from the district book fairy; I paid for every single one of them), but also for basic supplies for my students, who can't seem to keep a pencil within arm's reach, but always wear more expensive clothing than mine.
3. If I'm sick, I will generally be at the school anyway, because it's not as simple as just taking a sick day. I am responsivble for preparing 'legitimate' lesson plans (even though the sub, if there is one, may be given carte blanche to toss them out) whenever I am out of the classroom. So, it's usually easier to drag my sick carcass in and supervise quiet (relative term) seatwork than it is to stay home and get better, like the doctor told me to when he saw me after hours.
Need I go on?
http://dianeravitch.net/2012/11/18/teacher-what-the-public-needs-to-know-about-teaching/
I would add:
1. parents expect to be able to call or email me at all hours and get a response immediately. If something keeps me from responding (like one of those endless series of meetings that take up the planning time I should be able to use to call parents?), the don't hesitate to go over my head and complain. It would never occur to them that there might be a serious issue preventing me from responding, like the night I answered parent emails from the Emergency Room, where the doctor sent me for an immediate scan.
2. I have routinely spent hundreds of dollars per year to purchase not only books and resources for my classroom ( those shelves full of books for your kids to read did not come from the district book fairy; I paid for every single one of them), but also for basic supplies for my students, who can't seem to keep a pencil within arm's reach, but always wear more expensive clothing than mine.
3. If I'm sick, I will generally be at the school anyway, because it's not as simple as just taking a sick day. I am responsivble for preparing 'legitimate' lesson plans (even though the sub, if there is one, may be given carte blanche to toss them out) whenever I am out of the classroom. So, it's usually easier to drag my sick carcass in and supervise quiet (relative term) seatwork than it is to stay home and get better, like the doctor told me to when he saw me after hours.
Need I go on?
http://dianeravitch.net/2012/11/18/teacher-what-the-public-needs-to-know-about-teaching/
Friday, November 16, 2012
NYC Public School Parents: What should be done instead of pushing our kids of...
NYC Public School Parents: What should be done instead of pushing our kids of...: Update: Please sign our petition to the President and the Congress NOW! I know; the words “fiscal cliff” probably fills you with the same...
And just imagine what we could do with some of the trillions spent by the DOD...
And just imagine what we could do with some of the trillions spent by the DOD...
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Good morning, Professor Young
So what happens when a college professor takes the time to teach high school math for a year?
Dr. Young's observations are especially interesting since her college does not have a teacher-prep program. she is a straight-up mathemetician.
http://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/math-professor-teaches-high-school-classes-darryl-yong/
Dr. Young's observations are especially interesting since her college does not have a teacher-prep program. she is a straight-up mathemetician.
http://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/math-professor-teaches-high-school-classes-darryl-yong/
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Business as usual!
After a while, you realize this is just how the game is played. Which is why I'm teaching math this year, even though I suck at it, and I told the boss I suck at it.
http://www.npr.org/templates/email/emailAFriend.php?storyId=164793058
http://www.npr.org/templates/email/emailAFriend.php?storyId=164793058
So, what's the solution?
Teachers who complain about discipline issues are admonished by the administration as weak in classroom management skills and thus bombarded with never ending "professional development" sessions that tout group work and new "strategies." In reality no one really knows what to do with the staggering amount of children whose sole purpose seems to be to derail the entire educational process.
After spending an hour today trying to show kids how to solve equations while simultaneously ignoring the rude child laughing like a loon and crawling on the floor at the back of the room, I can really appreciate this piece. By the way, I chose to ignore as much as possible rather than listen to more crap from the parent, who has expressed the opinion that her child's foolish behavior is triggerd by my unrealistic expectation that he should sit his behind down and close his mouth long enough to notice that s/he isn't the only one in the room... For shame!
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/11/the_real_crisis_in_the_clevela.html#incart_river_default
By the way, I've been through Assertive Discipline, Active Discipline, Tough Kids, Love and Logic, Classroom Management that Works, Harry Wong, Fred Jones, etc. None of them ever met my kids. Trust me on that.
After spending an hour today trying to show kids how to solve equations while simultaneously ignoring the rude child laughing like a loon and crawling on the floor at the back of the room, I can really appreciate this piece. By the way, I chose to ignore as much as possible rather than listen to more crap from the parent, who has expressed the opinion that her child's foolish behavior is triggerd by my unrealistic expectation that he should sit his behind down and close his mouth long enough to notice that s/he isn't the only one in the room... For shame!
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/11/the_real_crisis_in_the_clevela.html#incart_river_default
By the way, I've been through Assertive Discipline, Active Discipline, Tough Kids, Love and Logic, Classroom Management that Works, Harry Wong, Fred Jones, etc. None of them ever met my kids. Trust me on that.
chapter titles for the book
Some ideas:
Parent conferences, or the blame game
Friday Night Lights are brighter than the hopes of a family without priorities
Who's your teacher again?
We don't need no stinking pencils!
I could go on...
Supplies, anyone?
One day, I'd like to know how someone can send their child to school without pencil or paper. I've gone through a gross of pencils already. actually, ran out about a month ago. Yet the same students continue to ask me for pencils, daily, as if there must be a pencil tree out back. I've finally sent a note home to alert parent. Hopefully, someone will remember on Black Friday and pick up some pencils for their kid...
Yay, Carol burris!
I have not yet read the Kappan editorial she references, but Carol Burris knows what she's talking about. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2012/11/13/the-newest-rhetoric-on-teacher-evaluation-and-why-it-is-nonsense/
ExasperatedEducator: Is it worse to be called a "bitch" or to be treate...
ExasperatedEducator: Is it worse to be called a "bitch" or to be treate...: How often are you called a "bitch" at your job?
What other job do you know of where the employees have to purchase basic supplies and are NOT reimbursed for them? Does a fireman buy his own hose?
What other job do you know of where the employees have to purchase basic supplies and are NOT reimbursed for them? Does a fireman buy his own hose?
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Wow
Bill Ayers' thoughts for the President. http://www.good.is/posts/an-open-letter-to-president-obama-from-bill-ayers
Here's my favorite part: The landscape of “educational reform” is currently littered with rubble and ruin and wreckage on all sides. Sadly, your administration has contributed significantly to the mounting catastrophe.
Here's my favorite part: The landscape of “educational reform” is currently littered with rubble and ruin and wreckage on all sides. Sadly, your administration has contributed significantly to the mounting catastrophe.
Priceless
I don't know whose idea this was but it's a lovely piece of satire. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be suprised if some idiot around here thought it sounded grand!
http://dianasenechal.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/to-save-kids-district-adopts-no-sitdown-policy/
http://dianasenechal.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/to-save-kids-district-adopts-no-sitdown-policy/
On charters and funding...
OMG, you mean they're in it for the money?!? Who would ?! (sarcasm intended)
http://cloakinginequity.com/2012/10/23/why-do-hedge-funds-adore-charters/
http://cloakinginequity.com/2012/10/23/why-do-hedge-funds-adore-charters/
Typical of state level bureaucrats
If I behaved this way at work, I'd be put on a plan of improvement under threat of termination. These clowns have no such concern. http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201211060115/OPINION03/211060323&nclick_check=1
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