Via commenter Susan, who sent this along with the comment “faculty need to be accountable, but not computers. . ,” In Classroom of Future, Stagnant Scores: The class, and the Kyrene School Districtas a whole, offer what some see as a utopian vision of education’s future. Classrooms are decked out with laptops, big interactive screens … Continue reading The War on Teachers: technology and accountability
As we suspected, the Thomas Gradgrinds of the world are busy proliferating in school administrations across the nation because of school “Rhee-form” measures that push teachers to focus on facts only, and only those facts immediately relevant to the subject matter they’re teaching. A friend of a friend who teaches High School American and World … Continue reading The War on Teachers: Mr. Gradgrind's Rhee-education for teachers
Yes, it’s that time of the season, friends: the first day of winter, and the day my grades are due! I’m feeling particularly pleased and generous today, in spite of this ridiculous story that holds up one abusive cokehead teacher as emblematic of all public school teachers in New Jersey (h/t RealClearPolitics yesterday.) You think I’m … Continue reading Fight against America's War on Teachers: it's Thank a Non-Cokehead, Non-Abusive Teacher Day!
How to cash in on her educrat celebrity! From a lengthy, self-serving analysis of her time as Washington, D.C. school chancellor: There are enough people out there who understand and believe that kids deserve better, but until now, there has been no organization for them. We’ll ask people across the country to join StudentsFirst—we’re hoping … Continue reading The War on Teachers: What has Michelle Rhee learned about education politics?
Yesterday, the Denver Post ran a story that dared to suggest that someone other than teachers are responsible for students’ educations. Apparently, one Denver high school is doing the obvious–engaging parents in their childrens’ educations. (Good for them!) But how did this Thought Crime get into a major media outlet, especially one that has so … Continue reading What does the War on Teachers have in common with the Iraq War?
Diane Ravitch tells it like it is about current “educational reform” ideas. She nails the key issue I have with all of the educrats who are waging war on America’s teachers, this time around with the fetish of the standardized test: Tests that assess what students have learned are not intended to be, nor are they, measures of … Continue reading America's war on teachers
Today’s post is a roundup of sorts–be sure to click to read a follow-up question from yesterday’s War on Teachers post, and also to see more linky goodness below. But, to the matter at hand: I just couldn’t resist this. According to the Boston Globe’s Joan Venocchi, organized labor’s big problem is that they desperately need … Continue reading Is there a Whole Foods in Lowell yet? Plus advice & links on job searches
Associate Professor Angela writes: Do you ever wake up in the morning 100% ready to quit your job? Not to look for another job, but just to walk the hell away? That was me, at 7 a.m. today. Do you have any advice on navigating mid-career? If you post this on your blog, I’m quite sure … Continue reading Alienation and anomie about a job
Historiann 