Teachers abuzz about Kozol’s speech
Jonathan Kozol’s speech this morning at the CEA Summer Leadership Conference hit a nerve with teachers when he said, “Using test scores to judge teachers is an absolute atrocity, even…
Raising creative thinkers, not test-takers
Two recent stories, including Gina Barreca’s column, “We’re Teaching to the Test—Not Students’ Futures,” in The Hartford Courant and Philip Kovacs blog post, “An Open Letter to My Son’s Kindergarten…
What would you tell the president about education in America?
What if you got a chance to sit down with President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan over lunch. What would you tell them about what’s happening…
Oligarch Revealed: Web of Gates Influence Examined by NYT
When I read Sam Dillon’s article in the Sunday Times, I felt affirmed. (Behind Grass-Roots Advocacy, Bill Gates by Sam Dillon May 21, NYT.) For two years I have been…
National Day of Blogging for Real Education Reform
Today is the The National Day of Blogging for Real Education Reform, an opportunity for educators to blog about positive reform, using your expertise to talk about how education should be transformed for all…
And Rhee Makes Three
Michelle Rhee, controversial superintendent in Washington, DC, announced her resignation Wednesday. Just a few days ago Arne Duncan’s successor in Chicago, Ron Huberman, announced that he will leave as well…
State Leaders Sign On to Guiding Principles for Education
At today’s meeting of Connecticut’s P-20 Council forty state and congressional leaders gathered to sign on to a set of guiding principles, known as a Declaration of Cooperation. The…
Crossing the Rubicon: Central Falls High School
We were all shocked by the decision made in Central Falls, RI last week to fire the entire staff of its high school. For many of us who are “long…
Sanctions v. Incentives: False Choice for Teachers?
It is great that CEA has asked teachers why they chose to teach. It is an important question to ask, particularly given the shroud of cynicism surrounding the profession going…
Let the Race Begin
On November 18th the Final guidelines and invitation for applications to the so-called Race to the Top competition were published in the Federal Register. The 102 page application for Phase…