The problem with Democrats and public school equity
Aug 4, 2011 3 Comments ›› andreameridaWhile Parents Across America is a non-partisan organization that does not advocate for any political party, I wanted to nevertheless offer what the community is saying in Denver about equity in schools. This was originally posted at www.defensedenver.com, a Denver-based organization to push for democratically-run schools and equitable education for all Denver students. by Ed [...]
Continue ReadingRequiem for a Librarian
May 22, 2011 No Comments ›› pagrundyBy Pamela Grundy I have never met anyone who loves books and reading more than Margaret Hollar, our Shamrock media specialist. That love shows in her face whenever she picks a book up from her desk, looks at the cover, then pages intently through, searching for a favorite passage. It fills her voice as she [...]
Continue ReadingA refresher course in how Arne Duncan failed in Chicago
Apr 4, 2011 4 Comments ›› leoniehaimsonby Dora Taylor For Arne Duncan’s record, I would recommend going through Catalyst’s In-Depth report of his Renaissance 2010, the plan that he rolled out as CEO of the Chicago Public School system. He heralded his plan as a success and his appointment to Secretary of Education was based on this so-called “success”. He then [...]
Continue ReadingTest Season
Apr 4, 2011 2 Comments ›› pagrundyPamela Grundy ‘Seen from the ‘Rock (http://seenfromtherock.blogspot.com/) This spring, along with the dogwoods and the pollen, Mecklenburg County has been hit by waves of standardized tests. It’s the season of pay for performance, the latest fad in a long line of efforts to change American education from the top down. State standardized tests already consume [...]
Continue ReadingFact-Challenged Policy
Mar 7, 2011 No Comments ›› pagrundyFrom: National Journal Online By Richard Rothstein Last week, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates published an op-ed in the Washington Post, “How Teacher Development could Revolutionize our Schools,” proposing that American public schools should do a better job of evaluating the effectiveness of teachers, a goal with which none can disagree. But his specific prescriptions, and [...]
Continue ReadingDavid vs. Goliath
Feb 22, 2011 No Comments ›› pagrundyFrom: Huffington Post By Rita Solnet It wasn’t just the type of slingshot or the shape of rock David used when he defeated Goliath. . . .What helps you win when all the power and the money and legislative rule is stacked against you? Read more.
Continue ReadingDear Mr. President
Feb 19, 2011 No Comments ›› pagrundyFrom: Living in Dialogue By Peggy Robertson When I was twelve I read a book that changed my life. Read more.
Continue ReadingShakespeare and Standardized Tests
Feb 19, 2011 No Comments ›› pagrundyFrom: Seen from the ‘Rock By Pamela Grundy “Can you give us a quote from Shakespeare?” the girl asks. Her classmates crowd around, notebooks and pencils in hand, eyes expectant. Read more.
Continue ReadingWhy I Am Not A Defender of the Status Quo in Education
Feb 19, 2011 No Comments ›› pagrundyFrom: Huffington Post By Sue Peters The current crowd of education reformers like to dismiss any of us who disagree with their agenda as “defenders of the status quo.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Read more.
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