Now here's a scalable plan for "accountability"

http://dianeravitch.net/2014/02/16/texas-parents-give-grades-to-legislators-its-ugly/

If we continue to perpetuate the myth that "everyone should go to college", then the counselors will keep meeting the kids (and parents) who inspire these unspoken comments:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/02/10/the-greatest-line-i-never-said-by-college-admissions-counselors/
As a public school teacher, I can name a few administrators who fall into the same category...

Some things just get better with time...

so why do we keep chasing after the NEXT great thing? sometimes the one right in front of you is just dandy, thank you very much. Not that I want to give up my computer, but I also think there is too much technology for its own sake, especially in the classroom. (Evaluation checklists aren't helping that, I might add...)
http://dianeravitch.net/2014/02/15/in-praise-of-the-pencil/

If I have to hear the word "DATA" one more time...

I have all the 'data' that I need. It's in the understanding or confusion on the kids' faces when we teach. It's in the work they complete and I check. It's in their quiz grades and test grades. It's in their lab data sheets. In other words, my gradebook. why should all (or any) of that be on the wall? I'm with Carolyn on this.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/02/14/how-data-walls-in-classrooms-can-humiliate-young-kids/ 

World views

On the subject of teaching science, if you want to prove old ideas wrong, you must first know what the heck they are:
http://www.artofteachingscience.org/evolution-might-be-a-law-but-student-ideas-are-important/




On my choice of college major, please stay out of my intellectual endeavors. That's like telling me what books I should spend time reading. I'll choose, thank you. That degree in art history has served me well, for instance in teaching social studies (long story, but there it is) and using political cartoons and ads in lessons. Plus, I love visiting old buildings, and I did a lot more on trips abroad than just go shopping!
http://dianeravitch.net/2014/02/15/alexandra-miletta-what-i-learned-by-studying-art-history/


http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/01/30/president-obama-disses-culture-with-art-history-degree-punch-line/


http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/01/30/but-what-do-the-art-history-majors-think-of-president-obama/