BLOG

We’ve been reading both of these education gurus for years, now, and they come from two very different perspectives. So, when they come together and agree on a few basic points, I think we all should take notice. Here is an excerpt of their article on “How to Rescue Education Reform,” and I think it raises some ideas for how we can join hands and work together to improve education in America: “We agree, though, on what the federal government can do well. It should not micromanage schools, but should focus on the four functions it alone can perform. 1. First is encouraging transparency for school performance and spending. For all its flaws, No Child Left Behind’s main contribution is that it pushed states to measure and report achievement for all students annually. Without transparency, it’s tough for parents, voters and taxpayers to hold schools and public officia

The three programs listed are: Teachers of Critical Languages Program (www.tclprogram.org) – To start or expand Arabic and Mandarin programs by placing exchange teachers at U.S. schools for a full year Educational Seminars (www.americancouncils.org/es) – To promote professional development for administrators and teachers through short-term exchanges around the world Intensive Summer Language Institutes (www.americancouncils.org/isli) – To strengthen language skills for teachers of Arabic and Mandrin through intensive summer study programs in Egypt and China Details are available below. Deadlines are approaching soon! HOST A GUEST TEACHER The Teachers of Critical Languages Program (TCLP) places EFL teachers from China and Egypt in U.S. K-12 host schools for an academic year where they teach Mandarin or Arabic language and culture. TCLP provides teachers’ salaries, health

And here is another one that I’ve been pondering for a while… it’s become vogue to highlight college acceptance rates and charter schools often market themselves as college prep programs, but does everyone need college? Or, can we make HS more rigorous and informed, so that it adds more value to a student’s life/work choices…Education aimed at specific skills begins a comeback in California Also, Iowa (one of our key election states) rallies parents to consider ed reform. Iowa joins the education reform dialogue. It’s hard to believe that folks don’t know about the status and crisis of our educational situation, but I recently had to explain this to a friend, so it seems the word is still spreading. Condoleezza Rice just made a statement; and here are some recent introductions to the cause: Rice makes plea for education in America S.D. must inves

And here is another one that I’ve been pondering for a while… it’s become vogue to highlight college acceptance rates and charter schools often market themselves as college prep programs, but does everyone need college? Or, can we make HS more rigorous and informed, so that it adds more value to a student’s life/work choices…Education aimed at specific skills begins a comeback in California Also, Iowa (one of our key election states) rallies parents to consider ed reform.Iowa joins the education reform dialogue. It’s hard to believe that folks don’t know about the status and crisis of our educational situation, but I recently had to explain this to a friend, so it seems the word is still spreading. Condoleezza Rice just made a statement; and here are some recent introductions to the cause: Rice makes plea for education in America S.D. must invest

Although I wouldn’t discourage faraway teachers from working in a certain community, I personally preferred the community-based approach. I wanted to connect. So, when my charter school was catering to the Shaw neighborhood, I lived walking distance. Later on, I moved to NE (Hechinger Mall area—before H Street was cool) and used to ride the X8 and X2 bus with my students. The early birds were always surprised and a little respectful when they would see me on the bus. And when their peers slid into class late with excuses about the busses being delayed, they were quick to back me up when I said, “No, no – I know that bus; it was running without a problem!” Riding that crazy, smelly bump-mobile brought me a wee bit of street creds and helped them overcome my distinct Harvard accent.And over time, I started to know that R— was R—‘s little sister, and their mom was crazy, but wou