Deborah Meier is a visionary teacher, author, and founder of successful small schools in New York City and Boston. Harry Boyte, senior scholar at Augsburg College, is founder of the youth civic empowerment initiative Public Achievement and a leader in the movement to democratize higher education. This blog is no longer being updated.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
My Love-Hate Relationship With Choice
Meier: Maybe if teachers had time to know each other, their students, and families personally, they'd grow to trust each other as partners.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
Five Myths of the Charter Public School Movement
Nathan: You refer to some charters as more like a chain. The majority of charters are independent. But, yes, some of them are part of a group. Would you regard Coalition of Essential Schools, or Core Knowledge, or Montessori schools as "chain" schools?
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
When Charters Are More Like Chain Stores Than Small Schools
Meier: When looking at charter schools what I mostly see are chains operating more like Wal-Marts than mom-and-pop stores, with authority more distant from the children and families.
Education
Opinion
Happy Holidays!
Bridging Differences is on a publishing break. Deborah Meier will return with new posts and a new co-blogger in January. Until then, happy holidays!
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Democracy, Schools, and Teachers' Unions
Casey: 'At a time that teachers' unions face existential threats, how do we defend the democratic voice that they provide teachers?'
Teaching
Opinion
Do Teachers' Unions Truly Practice Democracy?
Meier: Do most teachers view their unions much as they view other organizations--some better, some worse, but not "ours."
Teaching
Opinion
The Difficult Conversations on Race
Casey: How can schools in a society that aspires to be democratic not take on the injustices of racism?
Teaching
Opinion
Can Schools Act as a Force Against Racism?
Meier: What are the lessons in equality that young people absorb through the structuring of schools, and how do they match the "civics" lessons they may be receiving formally?
Teaching
Opinion
Our Children and Race
Casey: I can't look at the pictures of Michael Brown and Tamir Rice without seeing reflections of the faces of my own children and my own students.
School & District Management
Opinion
Most Schools Don't Model Democracy
Meier: While it's true democracy is never complete, we do kids and ourselves a disservice to pretend that our schools are living examples of even an imperfect democracy.
Education
Opinion
Happy Thanksgiving!
Bridging Differences is taking a break for the holiday this week. Deborah Meier will return with a new post on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Teaching
Opinion
Democracy: Who Educates the Educators?
Casey: No one becomes a teacher to become rich. We do so out of a vocation, a calling to educate and care for young people.
Teaching
Opinion
Confronting School Reforms That Work Against Democracy
Meier: Does a climate of fear help create excuses for more and more emergencies that can't be turned over to "the people"?
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
The 2014 Elections, Public Education, and Teachers' Unions
Casey: Attacks will be made on teacher and public employee pensions. Due process rights for teachers will be assailed.