The problem with schools these days… The problem is that everyone is trying to tell his own version of the problem, and depending on who you listen to, the story differs. The problem is poverty, or the problem is inequitable … Continue reading
So I had the best possible plans for my official Tuesday writing evening. (I wrote last week about how I wanted to block out one evening a week where I would write.) And my plan for this evening was to … Continue reading
It’s the first day of school tomorrow. I have crossed off everything on the to-do list I brought home with me this evening. Yet still I’m having a hard time leaving my computer and going to bed. Surely there must … Continue reading
This quick post by Diane Ravitch passed my way (thanks to Liz Homan). Celebrity Policymaking « Diane Ravitchs blog. Sad, but quite in keeping with American culture. We claim we want performance, but we continually substitute short term gratification for … Continue reading
We are all a little bogged down with the end of the year here. But just because we aren’t always writing doesn’t mean we aren’t reading. Here’s Joe Bower, on how we treat our new teachers so poorly. He’s right … Continue reading
I had the lucky opportunity to attend the Colorado Day of Writing this past weekend. And what a gift. I haven’t had a whole day to talk and think about writing for a very long time. I didn’t get much … Continue reading
We came across this today–TFA’s responses to some pointed questions followed by experts and others showing a different take on how TFA answered the questions. There are facts in dispute–and this piece teases those out: Deepening the Debate over Teach … Continue reading
The educational bureaucracy wants simple, easy-to-read data, but students are human beings with complex intellectual and emotional needs. Can I serve both the system and my students? Try cramming a square peg into a round hole. Now imagine that the … Continue reading
The piece I wrote on TFA last week has been picked up by Alternet.org. What Wendy Kopp Got Wrong With Teach For America | Education | AlterNet. While enjoying my 15 minutes of fame, I can’t help but … Continue reading
Yesterday the Huffington Post ran an op/ed piece by Wendy Kopp, the founder of TFA. The title was In Defense of Optimism. I read it, tweeted it, and moved on, but it has been rattling in my head for 24 … Continue reading
