If you haven't read this week's Gadfly, you should do so ASAP! Up first, Paul E. Barton, formerly of ETS and author of "'Failing' and 'Successful' Schools: How Can We Tell?" explains the grand illusion that is NCLB. Not only does it create an illusion of "high standards" and "equal treatment" (the subject of two recent Fordham Reports, The Proficiency Illusion and The Accountability Illusion) but it also creates an "identification of effective schools" illusion and a "proscribed remedies will fix education" illusion. Want to know what he means? Read it here. Then Mike investigates how Education Secretary Arne Duncan's background as a big city superintendent seems to be influencing his policy decisions, specifically that he views the local level as the preferred locus of power for education.
Then, find out why the NJ pension system is one big Ponzi scheme, we should give Rhee kudos for her work on a new teacher evaluation system, mayoral control is no panacea, the Boston Teachers Union needs to get a clue, the union at two Catholic schools in Staten Island is in for some rude awakening, and one school in south Florida may have seen the last of exposed under garments. Next, get the real deal on the new IES DC voucher report and the paper that won NCTQ's recent teacher quality conference.
Finally, don't forget a stupendous podcast wherein we learn how Mike got kicked off FOX news by pirates. Yup. (Oh, and Mike and Rick talk about the teacher retirement boom, the Department's unstimulating stimulus guidance, and BTU's rejection of TFA, too.) Hurry to RSVP for our May 5 conference on lessons learned from our international neighbors on national standards. This one's sure to prove super popular, no doubt in part to the fact that Education Secretary Arne Duncan is the keynote speaker. And our next Great Debate is also almost upon us. Topic? How the GOP should regroup on education. Email [email protected] for both.
All this and more, right here.
