That famous piece of bureaucracy encased in the report, "A Nation at Risk" certainly caused a stir in 1983 and it still, in my view, sadly remains a landmark that continues to bash public education as it set off the cry for accountability, national standards, testing and so very much more. As these particular features of American education still persist to this day it is worth noting that this report was driven during the Presidency of Ronald Reagan along with his Education Secretary William Bennett.
The report essentially said that many of America's teachers were not up to par. Of course, lots of blame was laid at the doorsteps of teacher associations...unions to many.
Though the movement spawned by this report was big on closing the gap between test scores of whites, blacks and others of color, it is worth noting that the report explicitly rejected many of the other civil rights oriented goals of the previous two decades. It's as if the report, and subsequent actions, were blind to many of the realities back then and even today. Yes, scores must improve but by not addressing those still harmed by the lack of civil and economic rights those actions were doomed to fail.
Perhaps the actions which followed in the aftermath of "A Nation at Risk," today's charters, mandated testing and the like did more to jeopardize or harm the nation than they solved. I believe it is worth thinking about!
Dick
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
True Reform
School reform, in my mind, is a misguided and poor term to use in discussing the state of public education. I believe what we all ought to be discussing or focused on education going forward. To say that we need to reform education smacks of 'something is terribly wrong.' It's not a matter that something is wrong; rather, that we need to make adjustments and modifications in or to move the enterprise forward.
The history of public education is laced with as many ups and downs as any institution has endured. That being said, the history of American education is one of proven success. It is critical to examine long term/larger picture in order to see that the American public education system has served this country well.
True 'reform' (if that term must be used) is one that has always been at the forefront of the discussion. This is nothing new. Nearly everyone has gone to school and/or college and that means people have a basis of knowledge because of that fact. It is understandable that everyone is going to weigh in on the state of education.
I believe that moving forward we would all be best served, not by shutting anyone out of the conversation, but by making sure that the over 3,000,000 teachers in this country are the ones who need to lead the dialogue. When we look to our teachers, professors and other professionals in the classrooms of America I believe we will find the ideas and solutions that will continue to serve the citizens of this country in the manner they deserve.
Dick
The history of public education is laced with as many ups and downs as any institution has endured. That being said, the history of American education is one of proven success. It is critical to examine long term/larger picture in order to see that the American public education system has served this country well.
True 'reform' (if that term must be used) is one that has always been at the forefront of the discussion. This is nothing new. Nearly everyone has gone to school and/or college and that means people have a basis of knowledge because of that fact. It is understandable that everyone is going to weigh in on the state of education.
I believe that moving forward we would all be best served, not by shutting anyone out of the conversation, but by making sure that the over 3,000,000 teachers in this country are the ones who need to lead the dialogue. When we look to our teachers, professors and other professionals in the classrooms of America I believe we will find the ideas and solutions that will continue to serve the citizens of this country in the manner they deserve.
Dick
Monday, October 6, 2014
Another Myth Buster
One of the major complaints of the reformers is that too many bad teachers are protected by tenure and unions (actually most schools are part of associations not unions). Well, hold on friends, I have some news for you!! In a thoughtful and provocative recent release Dana Goldstein in "The Teacher Wars" debunks this harmful and misguided myth.
As Goldstein notes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that companies with over "1,000 employees lost only about 2% of their workforce from firings, resignations, and layoffs combined." By the way, this is recent research from 2012. Goldstein goes on to say that "In 2007, the last year for which national data is available, 2.1% of school teachers were fired for cause, a figure that includes tenured teachers.
The fact of the matter is this...teachers are more, not less, likely than many other workers to get fired.
Maybe some out there want more teachers to be fired but that is a different proposition than saying that teachers aren't let go because of poor performance. It would serve everyone well to get their facts straight.
Just another one of those myths circulating as truth but, in fact, it is just that...a myth and not truth!
Dick
As Goldstein notes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that companies with over "1,000 employees lost only about 2% of their workforce from firings, resignations, and layoffs combined." By the way, this is recent research from 2012. Goldstein goes on to say that "In 2007, the last year for which national data is available, 2.1% of school teachers were fired for cause, a figure that includes tenured teachers.
The fact of the matter is this...teachers are more, not less, likely than many other workers to get fired.
Maybe some out there want more teachers to be fired but that is a different proposition than saying that teachers aren't let go because of poor performance. It would serve everyone well to get their facts straight.
Just another one of those myths circulating as truth but, in fact, it is just that...a myth and not truth!
Dick
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Another One Bites the Dust
The Spring of 2013 saw the closure of 50 neighborhood CPS schools. Word now comes that Hancock High, a neighborhood high school, will now become a selective enrollment school. As the Sun Times reported on Oct. 2nd, that means "the school will no longer guarantee any of its seats to neighborhood children."
Hancock will become the 11th selective enrollment high school in the city. One of the key things to understand, among many regarding the choice of Hancock, is the fact that students get into selective schools via a test. So when you get right down to it, this will not be a neighborhood school in any way, shape or form.
By the way, no public hearings were held prior to this announcement. How is that for engaging the public on such a plan? A community hearing will be held to gauge reaction to the proposal to make Hancock a selective school but you can be pretty darn sure nothing will change.
Just curious...has the current Hancock done something wrong? Can the current school's administration add the programs destined for Hancock as a selective school without gutting the current school's programs? I wonder if that was looked at...not likely!
Dick
Hancock will become the 11th selective enrollment high school in the city. One of the key things to understand, among many regarding the choice of Hancock, is the fact that students get into selective schools via a test. So when you get right down to it, this will not be a neighborhood school in any way, shape or form.
By the way, no public hearings were held prior to this announcement. How is that for engaging the public on such a plan? A community hearing will be held to gauge reaction to the proposal to make Hancock a selective school but you can be pretty darn sure nothing will change.
Just curious...has the current Hancock done something wrong? Can the current school's administration add the programs destined for Hancock as a selective school without gutting the current school's programs? I wonder if that was looked at...not likely!
Dick
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
No Cuts!!
Well, a bit of good news out of CPS late last week with regard to funding. The 10th day of school is always an important benchmark in terms of attendance as it relates to either an increase in funding or a decrease to the individual schools. Traditionally, if a school, on the 10th day of classes has fewer students than what was projected, that usually results in funding cuts to schools which have lower actual enrollment figures.
The CPS brass made a decision not to take back any of its money from schools that did come up short on enrollment. This is good news for the often cash strapped CPS-run schools. Sadly, many of these schools did see a reduction in student enrollment after 10 days of classes.
Thank goodness CPS didn't penalize the schools who suffered a shortfall of students. Any more cuts to these schools, some which face an array of problems, would further cripple learning and further inflame other issues and concerns within the various communities.
Dick
The CPS brass made a decision not to take back any of its money from schools that did come up short on enrollment. This is good news for the often cash strapped CPS-run schools. Sadly, many of these schools did see a reduction in student enrollment after 10 days of classes.
Thank goodness CPS didn't penalize the schools who suffered a shortfall of students. Any more cuts to these schools, some which face an array of problems, would further cripple learning and further inflame other issues and concerns within the various communities.
Dick
Monday, September 29, 2014
Amazing Work
Well done!!
Coach Flesher
Friday, September 26, 2014
Another Myth
Among the many myths perpetuated by the so called 'education reformers' is the notion that a Degree in Education 'isn't worth the paper it's written on.' That couldn't be further from the truth and it does a disservice to the students, teachers and the entire field of education.
A Degree in Education has much to do with studying how to 'reach' students, the means to motivate them and simply studying what makes them tick. Without an understanding of the psychology of young people and developing an awareness to various cues as to behavioral concerns/issues, a teacher is in deep trouble. Developing a keen appreciation and understanding of the social and academic needs of young people is best fostered by a strong background in education.
Beyond the above, an Education Degree is fundamental to good lesson preparation, understanding how schools/staff/departments function, developing a sound approach to conducting ones class, and properly assessing what has been taught.
The truth be known, there isn't enough room in today's blog to assert all of the merits of a Degree in Education.
A Degree in Education is worth much more than the paper it's written on!!
Dick
A Degree in Education has much to do with studying how to 'reach' students, the means to motivate them and simply studying what makes them tick. Without an understanding of the psychology of young people and developing an awareness to various cues as to behavioral concerns/issues, a teacher is in deep trouble. Developing a keen appreciation and understanding of the social and academic needs of young people is best fostered by a strong background in education.
Beyond the above, an Education Degree is fundamental to good lesson preparation, understanding how schools/staff/departments function, developing a sound approach to conducting ones class, and properly assessing what has been taught.
The truth be known, there isn't enough room in today's blog to assert all of the merits of a Degree in Education.
A Degree in Education is worth much more than the paper it's written on!!
Dick
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