We all know that the chief arguments for the Common Core revolve around making our workforce “more competitive,” by “raising the bar” to “global standards.” A few weeks ago, Diane Ravitch posed this very important question. “What happens to kids who don’t …
This weekend we have heard some controversy over corporations forcing low-wage employees to work on holidays such as Thanksgiving. Many of us are disturbed by this encroachment on time traditionally allowed for family. It feels as if every aspect of life is being bent towards maximum extraction of profits for the …
A recent book described the “Reign of Errors” we have lived through in the name of education reform. I am afraid that the Common Core continues many of these errors, and makes some new ones as well. The Business Roundtable announced last month that its #1 priority is the full adoption and …
Guest post by Paul Horton. Dear Mr. President, Like thousands of experienced classroom teachers throughout our great country, I am very concerned about how you decided to go the way that you did with your Education policies. I was recently told by a close friend of the yours that “Arne’s Team looked …
I attended the Occupy Department of Education 2.0 protest in Washington, DC, in 2013, and had a chance to spend some time with Chicago elementary teacher Michelle Gunderson. Michelle has become concerned about the myriad ways in which student data is now being used, and she shared with me this Personal Pledge for …
Two weeks ago we learned about some questionable practices in the state of New Mexico. These things were revealed by investigator Michael Corwin, as part of the confirmation process for would-be Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera. One part of his testimony that was of special interest was his discussion of the …
Two weeks ago I posted an entry that pointed to the “investment” wealthy reformers were making in the Los Angeles school board race, and suggested this was evidence that there was, indeed, a “billionaire boys club” funding the advance of market-driven education reform. One commenter took me …
University of Oregon professor Yong Zhao’s 2009 book Catching Up or Leading the Way sent a jolt through our educational system. He questioned the use of tests and “accountability” from the unique perspective of someone educated in China, now living – and raising children – in the USA. …
Research consistently shows that teacher effectiveness and satisfaction with our work increases when we are able to engage in deep and meaningful collaboration. Earlier this month I wrote about one model for this sort of work, Teacher Action Research. Today I am sharing an interview focused on another model, …
A New York Times article published on Saturday has uncovered some of the strategies billionaire Bill Gates is using to influence the future of education in America. Reporter Sam Dillon has dug beneath groups that appear to represent ordinary teachers or parents, and found that often, these groups are funded by the …
