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 This blog is no longer being updated.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 How Important Is Grit for Success?
Grit will get students only so far in achieving success in educational settings.
Walt Gardner, April 22, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Evaluating Court Decisions About Unions
Although teachers are sometimes seen as deserving of special protection, that sentiment will not prevail down the road under incessant criticism.
Walt Gardner, April 20, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Disparate Impact in School Discipline
Avoiding disparate-discipline outcomes, regardless of actual student behavior, is a prescription for disaster.
Walt Gardner, April 18, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Who's a Qualified College Applicant?
It's doubtful that personal videos and the like are evidence of reading and writing skills.
Walt Gardner, April 15, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Identifying Gifted Black and Hispanic Students
Gifted students in this country are treated as stepchildren.
Walt Gardner, April 13, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Don't Use SAT and ACT to Satisfy ESSA
Tests have to be designed with the same care as drugs are developed.
Walt Gardner, April 11, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion The Eternal Achievement Gap
The academic achievement gap will always exist, not only within groups but between groups.
Walt Gardner, April 8, 2016
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2 min read
Education Opinion Teacher Tenure Compromise
Nothing will ever end the debate over teacher tenure, but a compromise bill in the California Assembly shows promise.
Walt Gardner, April 6, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Teach to the Test to Teach Writing
Teaching to the test is sound pedagogy, particularly when the subject is writing a critical analysis.
Walt Gardner, April 4, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Social-Emotional Outcomes Warrant Assessment
Including non-cognitive items on standardized tests is a step in the right direction if we want to produce lifelong learners.
Walt Gardner, April 1, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Supreme Court Tie Vote Doesn't Settle Union Dues Issue
Teachers' unions are blamed for all the ills afflicting public schools, which is why the issue of agency fees is not dead.
Walt Gardner, March 30, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Teaching About Religion in Classrooms
Social studies teachers will have to walk on eggs when they instruct students about Islamic history.
Walt Gardner, March 28, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Charter Schools Are Not Villains
Students are shortchanged when there are no rules and no consequences.
Walt Gardner, March 25, 2016
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1 min read
Education Opinion Older Teachers Are Vulnerable to Firing
Without tenure, teachers at all levels will find themselves at risk of downgrading or dismissal.
Walt Gardner, March 23, 2016
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1 min read
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