Leadership Blog

Walt Gardner's Reality Check

Walt Gardner taught for 28 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District and was a lecturer in the UCLA Graduate School of Education. This blog is no longer being updated.

Education Opinion The Importance of 'Different' High School Diplomas
Issuing different high school diplomas is recognition of reality.
Walt Gardner, June 27, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion The Truth About Teacher Pay
Higher salaries might help recruit the best college graduates to teaching, but they are not enough to retain top talent.
Walt Gardner, June 24, 2016
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2 min read
Education Opinion Great Teachers Cannot Be Made
Great teachers are virtuosos who cannot be made by even the best schools of education.
Walt Gardner, June 22, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion The Irony of Teacher Licensing
Knowledge alone is not enough to be effective in a public school classroom.
Walt Gardner, June 20, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Field Trips Leave Indelible Memories
No lecture or textbook can ever compete with a well planned field trip.
Walt Gardner, June 17, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Confronting Absenteeism
When teachers form a personal bond with their students, it has the potential to improve attendance.
Walt Gardner, June 15, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Balancing Student Safety and Dignity
Until I read about a surefire way of keeping schools safe while at the same time protecting student dignity, I'll continue to support metal detector wanding.
Walt Gardner, June 13, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Cultural Lessons Are Vital for Teachers
If I had been more aware of cultural factors, I would have designed my lesson plans differently.
Walt Gardner, June 10, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Philanthropists Lack Educational Expertise
It's important not to let philanthropic organizations dictate school reform.
Walt Gardner, June 8, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Are School Inspectors Next?
Professionally trained inspectors using the proper rubric can provide invaluable information to all stakeholders.
Walt Gardner, June 6, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Do Vouchers Promise More Than They Deliver?
Vouchers used at private schools don't always produce superior student performance.
Walt Gardner, June 3, 2016
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2 min read
Education Opinion Vocational Education Now More Than Ever
Educational historians are going to look back at our obsession with college with puzzlement.
Walt Gardner, June 1, 2016
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2 min read
Education Opinion Anti-Testing Backlash Will Backfire
Rather than demonize standardized tests, improve their quality and use them for diagnostic purposes.
Walt Gardner, May 30, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion In Massachusetts Schools, Only Perfection Will Do
No state can fully control factors in the homes and neighborhoods of students that are responsible for differences in student performance.
Walt Gardner, May 27, 2016
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1 min read
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