tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53806752011-07-28T09:55:09.317-07:00Quasi DictumA place for educational perspectives and opinions.
Legalese: The statments at this site are of the writers only. Quasi Dictum has no control over the information you access via links, does not endorse that information and cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.comBlogger2181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-6098725748188424492010-02-06T17:40:00.000-08:002010-02-06T17:41:11.871-08:00Had an interview. Went well.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-33521120266809622612009-05-03T19:28:00.000-07:002009-05-03T19:34:10.827-07:00The people of this state specifically and of this country in general do not value anything about public education. Our states consitution states that it is the "paramount duty" of the legislature to provide for "basic ed". Well common sense dictates that at least 51% of the budget would go to education. Since 1977 the legislature has been bogged down defining what "paramount" and "basic" is. TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-5911773384955825472008-08-08T15:23:00.000-07:002008-08-08T15:27:39.332-07:00Here is a posting from one of my new (to me anyway) favorite blogs: I write this not as a skeptic of the value of thinking about pedagogy and of improving one’s teaching–but, and level with me, dear readers–isn’t that what we do all of the time, throughout the year, without going to workshops or special “colleges?” Isn’t this what we do, when we assign all or mostly new books to our classes each TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-8691887823641811992008-08-05T19:31:00.000-07:002008-08-05T20:01:57.235-07:00Yes...it's been a while but I'm responding to the nice folks (TW) over at Stories from SchoolHere are the Five Things Policymakers Ought to Know:1 - Building a "community" should involve more than "ice breakers", advisory, and muffins on a Friday. What's wrong with good old-fashioned pep assemblies? Don't moan about lost class "time". If planned well and with more than adequate support from staffTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-89265915322371061922008-05-10T19:14:00.001-07:002008-05-10T19:15:45.533-07:00Decided to start an admin program. I know, moving to the other side was a hard choice. Don't know exactly if it is something I want to do but the program is 16 credits and I need 15 to renew my certificate. More later,TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-4759633018543692192007-09-18T19:59:00.000-07:002007-09-18T20:05:59.951-07:00Have a good friend who is taking the year off teaching. Strange feeling he says, especially when school started. Check him out at: http://vatermelon.blogspot.comTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-7756252462503505172007-06-28T19:38:00.000-07:002007-06-28T19:45:24.786-07:00I wish I had more time to post and since they are few and far between I'm posting an entire article:Concord, N.H. -The state Department of Education has released a document intended to develop "a new high school delivery model," in which learning is tailored around students' interests and teachers mentor instead of instruct."This is the next step in moving forward with school redesign," said TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-45307627770277461232007-05-31T21:48:00.000-07:002007-05-31T21:50:50.670-07:00Finally some common sense - Since the system was installed eight years ago, he says, the statewide writing scores on average have lined up "almost perfectly" with results on both math and reading proficiency tests. "Ours is a bottom-up model," Christensen says. "It begins in the classroom with instruction that's aligned to our standards and extends to assessments developed locally that are tied TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-7399746736626094762007-04-01T11:02:00.000-07:002007-04-01T11:09:37.964-07:00Somewhere John Dewey is smiling: No assignments. No tests. No grades. It's "no problem" for Bothell school.The music room sits empty on a recent gray morning at Clearwater School in Bothell. Four girls play cards in the "play" room nearby, and a half-dozen teenagers hang out in the "quiet" room across the way.The crowd is in the computer room, where 20 students — about a third of this small, TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1171689777311284812007-02-16T21:20:00.000-08:002007-03-18T15:53:11.432-07:00This is the future for classroom funding. Not district or school but classroom funding. How cool.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1170386397336926402007-02-01T19:16:00.000-08:002007-02-01T19:22:00.840-08:00This is what happens in the Northwest when we get a little snow:Snoqualmie Valley School District's School Board voted to reverse its decision to cancel mid-winter break after one-third of the teaching staff reported that they would not be able to show up for work, according to a district news release today.Snoqualmie Valley had eight school days to make up due to weather, and district officials TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1166569604256529812006-12-19T14:59:00.000-08:002006-12-19T15:06:44.273-08:00Science teachers vs Al GoreFrom the L.A. Times - In a Washington Post op-ed piece, she (David) noted that whenever she screened the film, admiring viewers clamored that "every student in every school in the United States needed to see this movie." So how could a teachers' group turn down her generous offer while scooping up millions of dollars of oil company dough — including $6 million from TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1165902465752343852006-12-11T21:32:00.000-08:002006-12-11T21:47:45.770-08:00Ok, Ok, I know posts are way down and loyal (all three of you) readers are complaining. The Seattle Times continues with their Killer, horrible PR for ed stories with todays article on an "alternative" HS in Seattle. Here is the opening:Between schoolwork and raising her daughter, 16-year-old Kathy Graves wrote letters. First to her principal; then to the man in charge of high schools; finally toTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1163126875110023702006-11-09T18:45:00.000-08:002006-11-09T18:47:55.126-08:00An update from the Seattle Times investagative article: Embattled high school principal resigns - Skyline High School Principal Ed Young resigned today, two weeks after a Seattle Times report on previously undisclosed legal documents claiming he failed to respond sufficiently to complaints about a teacher's inappropriate contact with elementary students in the Northshore School District.In a TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1161580778012265042006-10-22T22:11:00.000-07:002006-10-22T22:19:38.033-07:00The Seattle Times, in an ongoing series of investagative articles titled "Your Courts, their secrets", focuses on education today and it is not pretty. School district ignored warnings, then silenced girls fondled by teacherIt's possible the Times' finding are worse than the article's title. Here are some illuminating quotes:A father saw Leede touch his daughter's breast in a school hallway. The TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1161145716809743702006-10-17T21:25:00.000-07:002006-10-17T21:28:36.823-07:00Interesting article at Washington Post.com - I did my masters project on parent/teacher communication and I learned that "by any means neccessary" was the most effective way to communicate.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1158643252782752622006-09-18T22:17:00.000-07:002006-09-18T22:20:52.796-07:00Good article at Slate.com about the myths of homework: "It has been drilled into our collective psyche that rigorous schools assign rigorous homework," Cartland wrote. "I recognize that this is a ridiculous thought process, particularly since your research suggests otherwise, but it's hard to break the thinking on this one. How could we be a high-achieving school and not assign homework?" How TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1157847210200913102006-09-09T17:06:00.000-07:002006-09-09T17:13:30.210-07:00The first post of the school year. And this year, my 10th!?, (where did the time go?) I'm on a 1.2 contract which means no prep period but means $$$ at the end of the month. Anyway these two posts from Malcom Gladwell are great discussion starters for any classroom. Well, at least a Social Studies classroom. The issues cover ethics, sports, sociology, and law. Read Gladwell, then use the Web to TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1150951530661528422006-06-21T21:36:00.000-07:002006-06-21T21:45:30.670-07:00Summer vacation? is here and so are state scores. The Seattle Times has a great article and follow up of the students they tracked. Mixed reaction by the kids, typical among the usual suspects; state and other pro-test - WASL scores are great because of the valiant effort of our educators!! Union -WASL scores are hideous because there is no $$$ to support the valiant efforts of our members!!!CallTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1149461639540738202006-06-04T15:49:00.000-07:002006-06-04T15:53:59.550-07:00Bill Simmons (the Sport's Guy) says "We have hit the comedy ceiling" with this Bill Shatner video. I agree. What were they thinking in the 70's? Are we sure that is just tobacco in Capt. Kirks heater?TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1148362484894808132006-05-22T22:32:00.000-07:002006-05-22T22:34:44.896-07:00I changed my links to include three great author blogs. The trinity of Kohn, Gladwell, and Hitchens. Not always connected to education but always educational.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1146360314145986962006-04-29T18:14:00.000-07:002006-04-29T18:25:14.156-07:00I was poking on Alfie Kohn's website today and found this great article.Why are our schools not places of joy?" This question, posed by John I. Goodlad exactly 20 years ago, was both a summary of his landmark study of American classrooms and a plea for his readers to realize that a place called school didn’t have to be as bleak as it was.Today things are different, of course. Today we rarely evenTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1145943576651651262006-04-24T22:37:00.000-07:002006-04-24T22:45:01.593-07:00Here is a link for pictures that a colleague took at Montpelier:VA PixNot every picture is good but you get the idea. Really an amazing place and I've used some of the wall charts in class already. The house renovation pictures are probably the best. A huge process to "create" 1820 again. The archelogists can even find the correct nail holes in walls that the Madison family used to hang art.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1144195978627040152006-04-04T16:55:00.000-07:002006-04-04T17:12:58.636-07:00I spent the weekend at James Madison's Montpelier with 24 other teachers engaged in a seminar and some sight seeing.I would recommend this trip for any educator (especially American history teachers). What a wonderful experience to study and discuss the Constitution. The staff was great and very accommodating. I can't wait to go back. More later. I'll post some pictures.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1142204801633543892006-03-12T15:02:00.000-08:002006-03-13T19:43:49.046-08:00WASL testing tomorrow and the Seattle Times has the rundown:Exit exam changing state's classroomsWASL's priority rises and falls in three sophomores' livesI'm protctoring a small group of frosh who've elected to take the test this year. Our schedule is 7:30-9:30, Monday-Thursday.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1141797305703585712006-03-07T21:51:00.000-08:002006-03-07T21:55:05.713-08:00As a teacher new to IB this year and who'll go through training in about three weeks this was an interesting article:International curriculum in Pa. spotlightI've heard some of the criticisms but our program, the only one in a fast growing county, is as popular as ever.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1139689102928770632006-02-11T12:16:00.000-08:002006-02-11T12:18:22.940-08:00I'll believe it when I see it - House, Senate OK WASL options"It's just the beginning, really," said House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam. "We're floundering around probably just as much as the kids are."TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1138580943679898482006-01-29T16:20:00.000-08:002006-01-29T16:31:53.636-08:00This is the first year that sophomores have to pass the WASL to graduate. The state ed dept. and districts have implemented incentives, for example .25 credit for each section passed, hoping that by June 1st 50% of 10th graders haven't dropped out of school (will there be an initial spike?)Anyway the Seattle Times has a nice article today about the buildup and pressure of the test on many fronts:TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1137630243737861432006-01-18T16:20:00.000-08:002006-01-18T16:24:03.750-08:00A good friends father at the center of the creationist vs evolution debate in Cali.El Tejon school Supt. John W. Wight said in a written statement Tuesday that it had been "very difficult" for the school board to make its decision to halt the class. Neither the school board nor its employees "have promoted any religious belief in any academic setting," Wight said. "The idea was to have an open TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1137209274188938542006-01-13T19:20:00.000-08:002006-01-13T19:27:54.206-08:00Is this really a good idea: High school seniors who fear they won't pass Utah's new accountability tests in time for graduation this spring can breathe a little easier -but only a little. The Utah Board of Education on Thursday decided students who fail the tests can receive real high school diplomas, not just certificates of completion. But students still have reason to stress over what TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1132724637834367312005-11-22T21:39:00.000-08:002005-11-22T21:43:57.843-08:00(non) Strike Update: The Executive Board passed a motion tonight to recommend the bargaining package as presented by the bargaining team.New contract language will be presented at the Rep Council meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2005. Copies of the wording will be available online and in hard copy in your buildings.All the drama for that??? "Nuts and bolts, nuts and bolts, we got screwed".Other TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1130479625588675692005-10-27T22:56:00.000-07:002005-10-27T23:07:05.600-07:00Road to a strike? - Take TwoStill no contract. Some members are calling for a new bargaining team. Here are some comments - What will it take for the average teacher in this district to appreciate the fact that the district does not respect our time and talent? I believe that the district administrators have absolutely NO CLUE as to how much time and energy their edicts demand of us, usually at TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1128487880697630972005-10-04T21:30:00.000-07:002005-10-04T21:51:20.703-07:00A strange but fascinating event took place in my district (22k students) within the last week. Here is the short version; teachers started to talk to each other (ok e-mail) about what is important for our profession and the direction our local needs to take. I'm posting (no names) some of the interesting comments from people. Most I have never heard of. What started this reaction was a district/TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1126843003521078822005-09-15T20:50:00.000-07:002005-10-04T21:54:05.486-07:00Ok so its been a month. A quick update, Eric is now in Montana as a principal/teacher in a small district. Ben is still in Lesotho now writing curriculum(great e-mail) Dan, Travis and I are in the same district but at separate schools. Let's pray the Supreme Court makes a decision one way or the other this time:Pledge again ruled unconstitutional: U.S. judge says 'under God' phrase violates rightTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1123562326849147402005-08-08T21:37:00.000-07:002005-08-08T21:38:46.853-07:00At least it's not my fault - They're Not Stupid—They're LazyTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1123279033343486382005-08-05T14:42:00.000-07:002005-08-05T14:57:13.350-07:00End of summer school today and even though the week before was hectic, I would rate it a success for the kids and teachers. One blessing was the low numbers. Only half of the kids that enrolled showed up. For my "levels" class I only had 10 kids, for homeroom 11. It was wonderful. The kids were great and all lessons were well planned. Using the latest ed jargon, "conncections" were made. One TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1121317625466117292005-07-13T22:03:00.000-07:002005-07-13T22:07:05.470-07:00So I'm teaching summer school this year and right now (5 days before class starts) nothing is complete. Imagine our surprise when we had to write curriculum the week before class starts. Never mind hiring took place in March. What a brutal week.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1120685020971211992005-07-06T14:18:00.000-07:002005-07-06T14:31:39.143-07:00Follow up from my last post - The chronic slacker mentioned to me at graduation that he "really appreciated" what I did for him and he'll "never forget it". I didn't know what to say but my initial reaction was just to roll my eyes. Some may say that I take teaching too seriously to be even bothered by the incident but I disagree. One must have values, priniples, etc. that are unwavering. Even toTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1118800550865110932005-06-14T18:39:00.000-07:002005-06-14T18:55:50.873-07:00The last two days have been quite an eye opener about the bad things in the public shcool system. Here is the situation, I have a kid in a required Sr. English class who until late last week had missed 43 of the past 60 school days. There is absolutely no way he can pass. I had already turned over his name to the assoc. principal, followed all district guidelines for student grading/reporting, TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1117683245255260012005-06-01T20:22:00.000-07:002005-06-01T20:34:05.260-07:00So we got our assignments for next school year. I don't know how other districts do this but in mine we fill out a "interest" survey in March and then by June 1st we have the final "board" assignments. These are handed out at a faculty meeting and the usual moaning and whining begins 30 seconds later. The process seems trivial (especially the survey) but what I've learned in 8 years is that TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1117164376580949482005-05-26T20:23:00.000-07:002005-05-26T20:26:16.586-07:00More on the new SAT - Three months after the SAT test with a new handwritten essay debuted, many universities are still grappling with how, when and even whether they will use the new scores.A model of efficiency.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1115701436218216662005-05-09T21:47:00.000-07:002005-05-09T22:03:56.293-07:00"I would advise writing as long as possible and include lots of facts, even if they're made up." Dr. Les Perelman - Director Undergraduate Writing - MIT - commenting on how to prepare for the new and "improved" SAT essay section.Well, well. It seems the college board has the same problem every HS English teacher in America has, too many papers and not enough time. Dr. Perelman was stunned by howTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1115568871035284442005-05-08T09:09:00.000-07:002005-05-08T09:14:31.040-07:00I used a great book in Creative Writing this semester titled, "I Thought My Father Was God", and had the kids write two personal narratives based on the books requirements. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality (and quanity) of work that the students wrote and shared. It's nice when a plan for learning comes together.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1114056558663921402005-04-20T20:55:00.000-07:002005-04-20T21:09:18.663-07:00Eduwonk has the NY Times article and here is a link from the Salt Lake Tribune about Utah "dropping out" of the NCLB. Utah's legislature passed the bill even under threat of lost Fed $$$$ ($76 mil).I like this move because I want to see more local/state(eventually less state)control over education. I don't view the NCLB has the panacea the Bush admin says it is OR the evil policy the union says TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1112735019891971882005-04-05T14:00:00.000-07:002005-04-05T14:03:39.893-07:00Locally: Seattle study of kids links bullying to TVPreschoolers who watch lots of television are more likely to become bullies later on, Seattle researchers say. And the risk increases by the hour. The finding adds to the list of social ills child-development experts have already linked to the tube, including obesity, attention-deficit problems, violence, smoking and sleeping difficulties. TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1112466922987627272005-04-02T10:32:00.000-08:002005-04-02T10:35:22.986-08:00From London: British plan improvements to school food This new plan will also require British teachers to stop yelling, "How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?"TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1112162076309769832005-03-29T21:51:00.000-08:002005-03-29T21:54:36.310-08:00Via Eduwonk - a new ed website (heavy on the data side) called Schoolmatters.comHere is a sample of what you can find. Nice tool for parents who want to compare schools/districts. Or even if you're looking for a new teaching job.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1111638157239571562005-03-23T20:18:00.000-08:002005-03-23T20:22:37.240-08:00Our district just installed a new gradebook, attendance, scheduling, program to all teacher computers. Part of the process was to revise progress/grade report codes. One of our fine collegues wrote down for a new progress code: "Your child has been left behind." We all had a good laugh. Sorry if that sounds too much like Readers Digest.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1109654162810489572005-02-28T21:14:00.000-08:002005-02-28T21:16:02.813-08:00Is the NCLB against the law?The report's section on "The Constitution and No Child Left Behind" could have been written by a moderate libertarian. It expresses dismay that "judicial interpretations of the Constitution in the latter half of the 20th century have significantly eroded state authority and frequently left states to the exigencies of federal politics," and claims the spending clause "TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1109218216646762612005-02-23T20:07:00.000-08:002005-02-23T20:10:16.646-08:00Well, at least they know how the kids feel now: Colleges perplexed by new SATIn a few weeks, high school students face the prospect of taking the much-publicized new SAT Reasoning Test, which for the first time will require them to write a timed essay. Yet colleges continue to send confusing signals about whether students applying in the fall to attend college must take the new exam.Some schools,TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1108616040446677782005-02-16T20:42:00.000-08:002005-02-24T18:13:45.100-08:00Public Ed has always been a test ground for larger Constitutional rights (see Brown v. Board of Ed). IMO what makes these cases so interesting is one can truly see how the Bill of Rights tries to protect the rights of the minority. In Slate,Dahlia Lithwick analyzes a Virginia district's plan to continue weekly religious instruction during school time but off campus. Quote: The Constitution is TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1107326594455201202005-02-01T22:36:00.000-08:002005-02-01T22:43:14.456-08:00At Slate: A series of articles called "teachings", written by Eric Liu, now compiled in a new book called "Guiding Lights", is good reading (Thanks Alton).
Here is a quote from the author:
Over the last two and a half years, I traveled across the country in search of life-changing teachers and mentors from all different walks. I met race-car drivers, Indian potters, ballet dancers, rappers, TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1106624948334674462005-01-24T19:43:00.000-08:002005-01-24T19:49:08.333-08:00Last week Connecticut asked the Feds to exempt them from the NCLB standards in grades 3-8. This week Missouri lowered "testing goals". Why wouldn't they? Was this because of a lack of funding?
Missouri education officials Friday significantly lowered test-score targets that the state's public school children will be expected to meet this year to comply with a federal law.
The revision, which TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1105592208973797452005-01-12T20:51:00.000-08:002005-01-26T22:20:59.480-08:00The author of "Tipping Point",(mutually enjoyed)Malcolm Gladwell, has a new book on decision making. In Slate this week he argues his thesis with another author who also has a new book on decision making. The dialogue is a great read. TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1103999846801146972004-12-25T10:30:00.000-08:002004-12-25T10:37:26.800-08:00All of us have had discussions about Ishmael and the philosophy of its author Daniel Quinn. I found a question from a teacher to Mr. Quinn and thought it would make a good coversation starter:
The Question:
For almost all my life I've wanted no other career than teaching, but after reading My Ishmael, I’m very confused. I'd have to think, after reading this book, that you wouldn’t think much of TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1103682320317424972004-12-21T18:17:00.000-08:002004-12-21T18:29:25.296-08:00Locally: Diploma requirements criticized - Oregon and Washington high schools rank low nationally for the number of math and English courses needed to graduate
Both states (Wa & Ore)require two years of math in high school for graduation, and neither state spells out what courses students must take, reports a study by Achieve Inc. Most states require three years of math, and five states requireTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1102048778194778152004-12-02T20:34:00.000-08:002004-12-02T20:39:38.196-08:00Locally:
Many principals say advisories are too much trouble or that teachers will resist taking on additional responsibility. Others see the appeal of advisories but aren't ready. Still other educators insist their students already get enough personal attention.
The fact that advisories aren't more widespread -- even though they cost almost no money and most teachers who've tried them swear TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1101492400044349602004-11-26T10:02:00.000-08:002004-12-02T20:34:07.343-08:00We've had discussions about this before: Schools' ban on junk food takes bite out of budgets
Same old story:
In high schools around the state, vending machines and student stores can bring in $20,000 to as much as $60,000 a year, depending on the size of the school. Much of that comes from peddling pop, chips and candy.
Without those items, profits at the Lynnwood High student store are downTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1100470187931974922004-11-14T14:05:00.000-08:002004-11-14T14:09:47.930-08:00This is'nt an ed article but, it's a good one anyway. Good metaphor about talent, independence, and "work".
Here's a good quote:
"The company controls the most effective means of self-expression I have. This is unacceptable to me as an individual, therefore I must leave."
Think about it.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1100009831724270312004-11-09T06:06:00.000-08:002004-11-09T06:17:11.726-08:00An interesting article indeed. Although I don't think seceding from the nation is necessary I do believe a message needs to be sent to Washington D.C.. The White House should be reminded that they represent all Americans and that close to 50 million voters did not want George Bush to represent them. I call for a one day work stoppage by all those who were disappointed with the election results. Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13578221739816469837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1099771241669077032004-11-06T11:56:00.000-08:002004-11-06T12:00:41.670-08:00Are you considering moving after the election? This is an interesting independence movement for a new country in North America.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1099631799731661882004-11-04T21:12:00.000-08:002004-11-04T21:16:39.733-08:00For the record:
I voted for the 1% tax increase to bankroll an "educational trust fund" and charter schools. And no I don't think those are contradictory (even as a union member).
FYI: They both failed. TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1099454494892007312004-11-02T19:51:00.000-08:002004-11-02T20:01:34.893-08:00A new ed blog, educhange, that Eduwonk touts as "liberal". After reading it I feel the label should be "logical". Plus the first link is to Alfie Kohn. Cool. TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1098847666363539482004-10-26T20:18:00.000-07:002004-10-26T20:32:49.056-07:00Cool new book about the politics of ed reform. Even better it's free! Via Eduwonk -
Here is the link. You'll need Adobe Acrobat to download, which is about 900kb.
Here's a snippet:
WHY THE INSTITUTION DEFENDS THE EXISTING SYSTEM
It might seem that the leadership in public education would welcome the state
intervening constructively to get the fundamentals right, to create a framework withinTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1097909553731551762004-10-15T23:52:00.000-07:002004-10-15T23:52:33.730-07:00I have stayed away from linking performance to grades and have continued to do so this year. I am trying to help my students understand that grades, for the most part, and the +s and -s, in a complete part, are micromanaging. I give them feedback, often. But grades have always killed the desire to take a risk. Why take a risk when you may get a failing grade; better to go for the safe average. travishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046884922400886735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1097722820058053612004-10-13T19:49:00.000-07:002004-10-13T20:00:20.056-07:00The state Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission met in Vancouver yesterday and made this reccomendation:
...none of the eight commission members at yesterday's meeting favored requiring students to earn a score of "proficient" in each of three subjects — reading, writing and math — starting in 2008.
Instead, commissioners voted to allow students to reach the "proficient" level in TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1096946954627390952004-10-04T20:24:00.000-07:002004-10-04T20:29:14.626-07:00Vent #1 of the school year:
No way should any teacher have four preps that include three different English/Writing classes. I can't keep up with the workload. I have always tried to balance teaching, coaching, and the personal but my schedule is difficult. Any suggestions?
TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1096132152101696532004-09-25T10:06:00.000-07:002004-09-25T10:09:12.100-07:00A post from Ben who is teaching in Lesotho:
My start of the year
A lot of the start of my year has involved settling in to the house on
campus, arranging for my work permit and residency permit, and getting
paper work in order.
The other part has been school.
I now see where unions got there start and why some people are so pro
union.
I have always seen them as a hinderance to "good" TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1097909861466740342004-09-23T19:26:00.002-07:002004-10-15T23:57:41.466-07:00I am in the process of helping my students switch their perception of grades. If I can help to make students away of grade-grubbing, they can make a decision on how to approach their 7th grade year. It is a crucial year and one that I believe sets the foundation for the remaining years in school. Grades tend to focus students on the grade. One time shot grades are even worse. Who will take a risktravishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046884922400886735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1097909590623240912004-09-23T19:26:00.001-07:002004-10-15T23:53:10.623-07:00travishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046884922400886735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1095992896775153842004-09-23T19:26:00.000-07:002004-09-23T22:31:18.400-07:00An interesting argument and one worth arguing. There, of course, are two well thought out sides, but the bottom line is what is best for the student and then, what is best for helping the student benefit their society. Should the highly capable be left to wallow?
http://nationdeceived.orgtravishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046884922400886735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1095912983190736842004-09-22T21:13:00.000-07:002004-09-22T21:16:23.190-07:00Not an education article but a good read anyway:
Web logs catch fire as kindling for change
Bloggers, those crusading individuals ranting away on their keyboards to anyone with a live modem, have already influenced national political debates, including the firestorm over Dan Rather's reporting. Even in the relatively bland landscape of Seattle politics, they are starting to find a voice, too.TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1095744184742163872004-09-20T22:20:00.000-07:002004-09-20T22:23:04.743-07:00I'll post this e-mail from Travis.
Thomas Jefferson opened on time, but with much of the school partly finished
as Dan knows from my visit to use his computer and Riso. My room still has
bare walls since we cannot use staples and the special tape is not here. I
am missing shelves so things are in boxes. It is kind of a chaotic look that
is, hopefully, not too unsettling for the students andTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1095553074558770782004-09-18T17:15:00.000-07:002004-09-18T17:17:54.556-07:00The future is now:
With a point and a click of her computer mouse, Hudson High School senior Roxanne Mutti hands in a poetry assignment to a teacher 3,000 miles away, then scrolls through messages from 19 classmates at schools that span four time zones.
Mutti is among a surging number of high school students inhabiting two educational worlds. While sitting at computers in four-walled TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1094917996775751062004-09-11T08:48:00.000-07:002004-09-11T08:53:16.776-07:00My post for the first week of school might seem "jockish" (is that a word?) but it's not. Read the article. We've discussed all of the issues before.
Seventeen Reasons Why Football Is Better Than High School
Don't let the title throw you off.
WE DEFINE SCHOOL as a place of learning. But as I visited classes in the high school in which I was an observer for a year, what I saw mostly -- and whatTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1095390562379012652004-09-03T20:21:00.001-07:002004-09-16T20:09:22.380-07:00Sarting a new school has been an up and down ride. This is to be expected. I wonder if this is more a result of opening a new school or due to the change itself. Tony, perhaps you can shed some light on this being that you changed schools. I have not felt like I quite click into the larger scheme of the school. Currently we are all getting our bearings and I would imagine that the connectiveness travishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046884922400886735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1094268262042082622004-09-03T20:21:00.000-07:002004-09-03T20:24:22.043-07:00Starting a new school. How cool is that for some one to have within their professional career? Really great. Now, it will come with its share of ups and downs and triumphs and tragedies, but I am feeling pretty good about it all. I will let you know in a couple of weeks. Here is a link to the work in progress webpage:
http://jefferson.vansd.org/
travishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046884922400886735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1093930900664005332004-08-30T22:33:00.000-07:002004-08-30T22:41:40.663-07:00Locally (for some of us now): Back to school + WASL = anxiety test
Yes there is a quite a bit of whining in this article:
I don't even want to start the school year," said Brown, 29, who saw the number of students in his Federal Way district classroom spike from 17 to 28 last year. "We're already getting e-mails about how test scores have got to come up."
But some good points as well:
Some TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1093840037410858682004-08-29T21:25:00.000-07:002004-08-29T21:27:17.410-07:00Made some aesthetic changes yesterday. Travis, Ben, Eric, David, and Dan post as soon as you can.
TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1093707984511233782004-08-28T08:44:00.000-07:002004-08-28T08:46:24.510-07:00I wish I would of wrote this:
We're not usually fond of mission statements, especially for groups like schools where the mission should be painfully obvious without all the hype. Mission statements in the wonderland of modern education tend to focus on blather such as "all children will become life-long learners" and at least one gratuitous reference to "Diversity."
Via: ReformK12.comTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1093316595180168812004-08-23T19:55:00.000-07:002004-08-23T20:03:15.180-07:00Locally: New state standardsWhen the testing culture is criticized, proponents say that critics don't support high standards/achievement. That's a BS argument and most realize it. Here is why the fed's should leave the states alone and the states should give more power to local districts.The rule changes announced yesterday also will help the 436 schools and 125 school districts that did not makeTLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1092882783426859712004-08-18T19:30:00.000-07:002004-08-18T19:33:03.426-07:00I did some browsing of the "blogoshphere" today and I like this one:
http://www.reformk12.com/ Pragmatic and to the point.
TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1092345689346916642004-08-12T14:15:00.000-07:002004-08-12T14:21:29.346-07:00This makes a great soundbite:
“As far as making it a graduation requirement,” she (Judith Billings) says of the WASL, “I think right now that’s a mistake.”
Billings has other parts to her platform, but the idea of dropping the WASL as a graduation requirement is her bombshell. It would derail, or at least seriously alter, the push toward state standards that has been the centerpiece of TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1091837959212913282004-08-06T17:09:00.000-07:002004-08-06T17:19:19.213-07:00Light(er) blogging the next few days. Here are some quotes to ponder -
Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it. Thoreau
Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk. Thoreau
I hate quotations. Tell me what you know. Emerson
TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1091075898008234462004-07-28T21:31:00.000-07:002004-07-31T22:25:54.906-07:00A nationally certified teacher would carry a certain prestige with him or her similar to that of a doctor or lawyer. I realize that there is more to life than fancy trappings and cute letters at the end of your name. However, the ability to control the quality of the profession and raise it up a notch to keep in those who really want to forward the field and move on those who don't, is not a bad travishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046884922400886735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1091075498486809812004-07-28T21:27:00.000-07:002004-07-31T22:17:41.646-07:00Ok, ok, this is anecdotal evidence, but it does not make sense to rely on one test for prospective teachers or students.
An incorrectly graded licensing exam for prospective teachers has stalled hiring in some places, sent school districts rummaging through employment records, and spawned at least one lawsuit so far.
The mistakes made by the Educational Testing Service that led thousands of TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1090879916397041262004-07-26T15:00:00.000-07:002004-07-26T15:11:56.396-07:00Locally: Time to push back on underfunded federal education mandates
It's time for Oregon to push back harder against underfunded, federal, education mandates. These mandates attempt to set federal education priorities above those of states, while forcing states to pay the lion's share of the costs.
If the federal government has the temerity to assert that its priorities are more important, TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1090535144312343612004-07-22T14:48:00.000-07:002004-07-22T15:25:44.313-07:00All politics are local -
How would Kerry's ed plan work in our district? After reading this aritcle I have a little better idea but there are some things I don't get:
Plan - Teachers who can demonstrate excellence--by proving through standardized tests that their pupils are learning well--would be eligible for pay raises of about $5,000.
Comment - Are standardized tests the only way to TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1090276875322543022004-07-19T15:35:00.000-07:002004-07-19T15:41:15.323-07:00This isn't too cutting edge but it sounds like a great idea especially in comparison with VSD's Novanet credit makeup which is a joke.
Unlike an online course, the “E 2020” lab software uses a prerecorded teacher who appears on the student’s screen. In the classroom labs, a live certified teacher monitors and assists students when necessary.
“The students see and they hear a teacher,” said TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1090033434327368462004-07-16T19:56:00.000-07:002004-07-16T20:03:54.326-07:00One of the items that all teachers should consider, even if it is a consideration and than a rationale for not pursuing it is decided, is the pursuit of National Board Certification. This is currently available to anyone and most districts or states have some sort of encouragement financially. You may say, BUT HEY--this is just one more certification and hoop to go through and I don't get paid travishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046884922400886735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1087878597804156402004-06-21T21:15:00.000-07:002004-06-21T21:29:57.803-07:00This is good: More schools de-emphasizing students' class rankings
Here's why:
"Finishing first or fifth at your high school doesn't tell a college as much about you as your standardized test scores or the strength of your curriculum because that they can compare to students at other schools," said David Hawkins, director of public policy for Alexandria, Va.-based National Association for TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1087167569567866092004-06-13T15:56:00.000-07:002004-06-13T15:59:29.566-07:00High school exit exams set low bar
States are setting a low bar for high school seniors and requiring only middle school knowledge to pass English and mathematics exit exams to graduate, according to a study released June 10.
Achieve Inc., a bipartisan, nonprofit education organization formed by governors and prominent business leaders, analyzed public high school graduation exams in Florida, TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1086844907509393192004-06-09T22:12:00.000-07:002004-06-09T22:21:47.510-07:00The California teacher of the year was a guest columnist in the Washington Post today. He was asked one question: If you were "emperor" of education what would you change?
Here are a few of his views:
It's been an average day in a regular week in the middle of a typical year. I got off the phone about an hour ago with another parent in denial. At snack, the usual six or eight of us complained TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1086754908301435572004-06-08T21:15:00.000-07:002004-06-08T21:21:48.300-07:00Oh Well:
About 96 percent of this year's high school seniors passed the MCAS test required for graduation, prompting state Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll yesterday to renew his call for making the exam tougher.
Obviously Massachusetts' students are in a lose lose situation.
Why can't we just acknowledge that maybe public education is doing a good job, instead of continuing to say, `TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1086410565885061662004-06-04T21:40:00.000-07:002004-06-04T21:42:45.886-07:00Posting will be light(er) with graduation and finals coming up. Maybe Travis will find some insights to share? Travis are you out there?TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1086410427553042612004-06-04T21:23:00.000-07:002004-06-04T21:51:13.603-07:00Last year about this time Quasi counted how many "admins" were at central office: 43 and all making six figures (or close).
In Houston we find the same situation.
Here's an excerpt:
The 10 most highly paid Houston school district administrators will earn a total of more than $1 million this year, in some cases after double-digit raises, even as nearly 500 school district employees have lost TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1086145264221404962004-06-01T19:28:00.000-07:002004-06-01T20:01:04.223-07:00Saw the movie Super Size Me last night. Of course it raises the same issues about food,nutrition, and schools that Fast Food Nation does.
I don't think it's coincidental that schools offer "fast food" in their food courts... uh cafeterias. It's cheaper and very popular which makes it the perfect choice for cash strapped districts.
However, in his great book Teaching With the Brain in Mind, TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1085540888782333382004-05-25T20:03:00.000-07:002004-05-25T20:08:08.783-07:00We've discussed the nature of grading a few times. This article discusses how letter grades get in the way of the "pursuit" of knowledge.
During his (Chomsky) junior high school years, he went to an experimental school run by Temple University's education department. With no grades or competition, each student was simply encouraged to do his or her best. Chomsky recollects this school as a TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1085540124186750922004-05-25T19:51:00.000-07:002004-05-25T19:55:24.186-07:00This didn't take long: NEA Memo: Kerry Backs Away
From "Pay for Performance"
A confidential memo from National Education Association President Reg Weaver to union officials detailed a meeting he had last week with U.S. Senator John Kerry in which Kerry backed away from the “pay for performance” language in his proposed education plan.
So much for "new" ideas.
TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380675.post-1085012072227279122004-05-19T17:05:00.000-07:002004-05-19T17:14:32.226-07:00This is school? Yes, this is school:
The three R's are of no interest to anyone here. Fairhaven, modeled after a system called the Sudbury Valley School, is a school, yes. But not as you might know it.
It is everything the ubiquitous "Leave No Child Behind" model of school, with its standardized testing and formulaic demands, is not.
This is a school with no set hours, no required classes, no TLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16843407099560715580noreply@blogger.com0