Walt Gardner's Reality Check
Walt Gardner taught for 28 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District and was a lecturer in the UCLA Graduate School of Education. This blog is no longer being updated.
Education
Opinion
Colorado School Board Makes the Right Decision
School board members swear to uphold their state constitutions even when their personal beliefs are at odds.
Education
Opinion
Choose College Carefully for Return on Investment
With the cost of a bachelor's degree skyrocketing, parents and students are entitled to know what their investment is likely to return in earnings.
Education
Opinion
Timing of Vocational Education Matters
Vocational education courses for juniors and seniors in high school have their greatest impact.
Education
Opinion
The Hard Truth About the Achievement Gap
Inculcating the importance of education begins with love and discipline in the home.
Education
Opinion
PISA Collaboration Results Are Debatable
Even the best standardized test is no substitute for unobtrusive observations in measuring social skills.
Education
Opinion
Why Some Failing Schools Can't Improve
It will take the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders to turn around persistently failing schools.
Education
Opinion
Limits of High Expectations for Students
High teachers expectations have modest effects on student performance.
Education
Opinion
Religious Schools Must Follow the Law
If yeshivas are not following state education law, parents are shortchanging their own children.
Education
Opinion
Listen to Teachers to Improve Schools
It's time to listen to teachers about what they need to effectively do their job.
Education
Opinion
Melting Pot and Inter-Group Understanding
Diversity by itself is no guarantee of improving inter-group understanding.
Education
Opinion
Shortchanging Special Education Students
The federal government is responsible for adequately funding mandated special education services.
Education
Opinion
Diversity Data Are Misleading
The truth about diversity data is more nuanced than what taxpayers have been led to believe.
Education
Opinion
Eliminating Bullying Is a Daunting Task
If students persist in bullying after attempts to intervene have failed, they should be expelled.