Look at it This Way

What's so important about public education? Well, plenty!! Many of us know what the strengths are concerning a strong public high school in our nation's various communities.

Let's look at it in a different light. What would our country be like without public schools?

For one, I think you would find that education in America might well devolve into competing institutions. Perhaps some would largely focus on Math and Athletics. Still others might emphasize the Humanities. Still others might concentrate on the Sciences. No doubt, each of these are critical. But each would miss out on 'educating the whole child.'

Already, there are plenty of specialty schools that really don't take all comers. Some aren't taking all students for a variety of reasons. So, without public schools, a good portion of the children in this country might well be totally ignored.

Without strong public the very foundation of our nation, in my view, would be in peril.

Just sayin...
Dick

Sit and Stare

You know something is drastically wrong with the preparation and administration of the PARCC test when those students who opt out have nothing else to do, while the exam is given, than to merely sit and stare. But, lo and behold, that is pretty much what is happening.

What, you can't read or write or doing something else that is constructive? That appears to be the case. Right now, Illinois has no laws or rules on how to deal with students who won't take the multi-day exams. Districts are struggling with how to handle the opt outs.

Some districts have the students in the PARCC test environment while some keep them out of the exam room. At any rate, getting PARCC off the ground has not been smooth. Let me finish with this notion. There was no real buy-in from the get go. Unless you get people 'on board,' then you are going to have these sorts of issues, sitting and starring but one of many.

Thanks,
Dick

Are You Serious!!

I thought I had seen it all with regard to the craze for all stakes standardized testing. The latest in the circus of education simply becoming a testing ground has reached a new low. The state of North Carolina is instituting a standardized test in 2015-16 for Kindergarten students!!!

Yes, they may not know their ABC's or be able to tie their shoes but we will have a standardized ready to go. Really, friends, a standardized test for your Kindergarten son and/or daughter.

This is out of control. By the way, who the hell really cares about how you stack up compared to someone else. Aside from a waste of real learning time, standardized tests do not positively impact learning and personal growth. I thought that what we do is for the students. This is a joke and a sad one at that. Why on earth are we being co-opted by this endless barrage of tests? For one, no one is willing to say hell no!

The social/emotional growth being assisted by a standardized test? NOT A CHANCE!! Real learning taking place by giving the standardized exam? NO WAY!!

Get rid of this now!
Dick

Calling All Musicians

This past year our charity established a band at John Hay Elementary School in the Austin neighborhood. As Ms. Chicoine has said, "the kids love every minute of band class."

We are now in the process of starting a band in the Harvey Elementary School District. Schools Count, along with Amicus, will help the schools get their very own band program. If your son or daughter no longer plays that trumpet or saxophone or they have outgrown their trumpet playing days, please consider donating the instrument to the cause.

I'd be glad to pick up the instrument, tune it up if necessary and will write you a tax deduction receipt for the market value of the instrument. As you can see, this is a win-win for everyone!!! You get to help someone, a child gets to make some music and you can lower your taxes!!

To donate your instrument, kindly email me at rich219@comcast.net

Many thanks,
Dick

PARCC Follow Up

As the Spring testing frenzy continues on it is my hope that when the PARCC exam period ends the 'powers that be' will seek input from the various schools seeking their feedback. As with any test, classroom or not, the test is reviewed with the participants.

Specifically, I would hope the state would see how many children couldn't/wouldn't take the test and find out the reasons why. Did the school not have enough computers? Were there hardware/software issues? Since this is the first time through for PARCC did the test fulfill all of the credibility/reliability concerns?

There are many other questions to be answered but if this PARCC test is to survive then some serious follow up needs to take place at the grassroots level.

Dick

Great News

It is with a great deal of excitement and pleasure that I can announce that the annual Hinsdale Central High School Jazz Ensemble will be performing at the Hinsdale Community House on Madison Street on Monday, April 27 at 7:00 pm. This is a wonderful group of musicians and they will be doing their part to help start up another band in Chicago.

All of the proceeds of the evening will go towards the purchase of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, drums, clarinets and flutes to the Harvey Elementary School District. Harvey School District Supt. Dr. Adams is "thrilled to bring music to the children and hallways of the elementary school system."

I will provide more details on cost and the lineup as they become available. At any rate, you won't want to miss this great evening of jazz performed by some of the most talented high school students in the area.

Thank you,
Dick

She's that and More

Part of the rhetoric of the 'reformers' is that teachers have summers off, are somehow corrupted by unions and are overpaid. Well, that's just some of the ill-advised and poorly expressed sentiments of some. These arguments are not only misleading, they don't come close to telling the truth.

My girlfriend is a FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences) teacher and she cares about her students and her subject matter. The ideas expressed in the first paragraph don't represent the person I know and see each day when it comes to teaching. Let me give you but one of many illustrations of her devotion and love of what she does each day she heads to school to work with the students.

Yesterday she spent 8 hours, on top of 5-6 more on Saturday, typing up and testing recipes for her classes. The countertop was littered with all sorts of ingredients, recipes and sponge cakes. As I observed her I thought of the joy brought to her as she was baking.

This past weekend was but one of many spent in the kitchen doing what she does best. I can't begin to tell you the many ways that she serves students but I do know that her impact on the lives of those she comes in contact with are all the better because of her.

She, and many like her, offer so much more to children than we can ever imagine. What a person, what a teacher!

Dick