Deborah Meier writes: "But I'm amazed to read those prescient words of 1983 which were, I argued, that your book was a recipe for the wrong reforms: "more tests, more homework, longer school hours, mandated state requirements, stiffer standards for promotion, stricter discipline codes, merit pay, and sometimes, tuition tax credits." Read Full Post >
Here's pretty scary vision of a school collaborative planning meeting. (I really hope that the transcript is made up and not adapted from an actual meeting. ... ) (HT: The Answer Sheet.) Read Full Post >
A new study documents substantial gaps among states in what they expect students to master. Read Full Post >
The film "Waiting for 'Superman'" offers a one-sided and contemptuous view of public education, Diane Ravitch writes. Read Full Post >
A Pittsburgh high school that is singled out for criticism in the film "Waiting for Superman" is working to salvage its reputation. Read Full Post >
Advertisement/Shameless Plug: These days, for better or for worse, teachers have to start thinking about testing on Day 1. Our colleagues over at Education Week have put together a set of articles on assessment as part of their Spotlight series. The bundle contains four stories and five commentari... Read Full Post >
Wealth brings privileges. To pretend otherwise and insist that the "gaps" between the wealthy and the poor aren't important is not just a benign mistake; it's a dangerous one. When we allow the target to shift to "lazy" teachers and power-hungry unions, we should feel guilty, Mr. Guggenheim. Read Full Post >
The superintendents' manifesto does not come from the powerless. It was written by men and women who are in charge of major school systems and who certainly have far more power than parents, teachers, principals, or ordinary citizens. Read Full Post >
Will Richardson says schools need to put more emphasis on students (and teachers) as learners—as opposed to passive consumers of knowledge: I want so badly for my kids to be learners, not knowers first. Not that there aren't things they need to know, but I would much rather they have a yen ... Read Full Post >
Building communities of mutual respect and trust isn't helped by the forces out there intent on sowing distrust. Read Full Post >
