I've been monumentally disappointed with the complete lack of nuance and in the education reform community's debate about the Obey amendment to HR 4899, aka Edujobs.
It seems the days when school children presented their teachers with apples are changing now that Steve Jobs is involved ?
?The debate unfolding on Capitol Hill isn't about facts.? It's about politics and the stranglehold the teachers unions have on the Democratic Party.? ?The Washington Post Editorial Board
After many rounds of election-time Kumbaya, both of the nation’s big teacher unions seem to have had it with Change We Can Believe In. Nobody from the Obama administration will speak at either the American Federation of Teachers or National Education Association conventions this summer.
It used to be that a bully would punch Johnny in the nose and steal his lunch money. Now, he or she’s more likely to write a nasty note on Johnny’s Facebook wall and send a withering rebuke to his cell phone via text message. And he or she is more likely to do it outside of school time. So what’s a school to do?
Is Savannah’s Alfred Ely Beach High a “failing school”? After hiring a new principal in 2005, its graduation rate rose from 49 to 66 percent. Most students now meet state standards. Its school choir was even invited to sing at President Obama’s inauguration. But after seven years on the state’s academic watch list, it’s now primed for state takeover.
How much does a track record matter? Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says a lot. That’s why he’s encouraging the LA Unified School District to hand over more schools to charter operators in this year’s round of school takeover bids.
Philip Gleason, Melissa Clark, Christina Clark Tuttle, and Emily DwoyerInstitute for Education SciencesJune 2010
Robin Lake, Brianna Dusseault, Melissa Brown, Allison Demeritt, and Paul HillCenter on Reinventing Public Education, University of Washington and Mathematica Policy ResearchJune 2010
Arne Duncan is losing favor quickly with the NEA, but this teacher likes a lot of what he has to say.
Yesterday Netherlands knocked out Uruguay and became the first team to advance to the World Cup 2010 finals, making a lot of fans happy.
?We passed [national standards] as what was best for Wyoming. It was not attached to any kind of federal reason at all.? ?Sandra Barton, Chair of the Wyoming State Board of Education
It was the 4th of July this weekend, and a blistering heat wave swept the east coast, but Congressman Obey's welcome might be cold enough for Arne Duncan.
?In a lot of places we've had almost no incentives and a lot of disincentives to figure out who are the hardest working teachers and principals and how ?we systemically get them to the children ? inner city, suburban, rural ? who need the most help.? ?Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education
Hope everyone out there is preparing for a great Independence Day weekend, but if you have some time it might not hurt to watch a SEED grow on Sixty Minutes.?
In response to Stafford's previous post on edujobs and our discussion, I've got a couple questions for Stafford ? and also Mike, Rick, and Andy, and our audience ? when you all get a chance:
The same week that Washington, DC's city council approved that district's landmark teachers union contract, an arbiter in Ohio has issued a ruling that may kill Cleveland's aca
This morning Netherlands ousted Brazil to secure a spot in the World Cup final four. Ohio Gadfly wrongly?predicted Brazil's win, even though we know the Netherlands? is a tough contender in both futbol and in education.
Don't let the title of this blog post confuse you: I still think the Obey amendment is an abomination. But Mickey just came in my office (on a tear!) to find out, having read my post from this morning, whether or not I think ?RTT is the most effective federal education program ever.? So let me clarify.
Last night, the House passed that war bill with the $10 billion in teacher job bailout (H.R.
?At the end of the day, we must always act?truly act?in the best interest of our students. That is why I am an educator, and that is what education must be about.? -Deborah A. Gist, Rhode Island Commissioner of Education
For those of us who are still utterly disappointed that Italy didn't even make it to the round of 16, or that the US couldn't pull off an equally stunning last-minute win against Ghana, there are still some great matches headed our way as World Cup 2010 heads into the final eight.?
We've been following the Detroit Public Schools' (nay, the entire city of Detroit's) makeover attempts for going on a
?It's no good to have great standards and horrible assessments. We have seen what poor assessments can do.? ?Terry Stoops, Director of Education Studies, John Locke Foundation 68
Will for profit colleges survive?these Wall Streeters don't think so. Looking for potential National Standards pitfalls? New Zealand has some important lessons to teach us.
Teachers at the Chicago Math and Science Academy notified school leaders last week that they are joining the AFT-affiliate Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff.?? Curbing teacher turnover was touted as the primary driver for unionizing.
I'd be hard pressed to top Mike Antonucci's beautifully apt blog post title ?Cannibals,? but mine is a little more explanatory.
?The education system in Nevada does not measure up and is not providing all our children with the world-class education they deserve.? -Brian Sandoval, Nevada Gubernatorial Candidate
