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 This blog is no longer being updated.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 Recruiting Stars to Teaching
Until we recognize teaching as a profession every bit as vital as medicine and law, and show that we mean it, the most creative advertising campaign will fall short of its objectives.
Walt Gardner, November 22, 2013
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Education Opinion Funding Adequacy Still Misunderstood
Equal funding for students is not the answer because non-English speaking and special education students need greater funding.
Walt Gardner, November 20, 2013
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Education Opinion Why the Best Teachers Don't Transfer
Teachers are not motivated by the same incentives that shape behavior in every other area.
Walt Gardner, November 18, 2013
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Education Opinion Does a Gap Year Pay Off?
If I had children, I would be open to a gap year, provided they had a realistic vision of what it entailed.
Walt Gardner, November 15, 2013
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Education Opinion Get Real About Teaching Career
The most important thing is for new teachers to have realistic expectations.
Walt Gardner, November 13, 2013
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Education Opinion Indifference to Hate in School
Allowing hate to exist is guaranteed to undermine whatever else positive takes place in school.
Walt Gardner, November 11, 2013
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Education Opinion Patriotism in the Classroom
Schools teach patriotism best when they permit students the freedom to follow their conscience.
Walt Gardner, November 8, 2013
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Education Opinion Base High School Diploma on Competency
Seat time is not necessarily linked to achievement.
Walt Gardner, November 6, 2013
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Education Opinion In Praise of Elementary School Teachers
Elementary school teachers prepare lesson that seem simple to adults in terms of subject matter, but they are actually harder in terms of pedagogy.
Walt Gardner, November 4, 2013
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Education Opinion Why 'Bad' U.S. Schools Attract Students
If American schools are as bad as reformers claim, why do Chinese parents send their children here for an education?
Walt Gardner, November 1, 2013
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Education Opinion Private Schools vs. Public Schools
When controlling for demographic factors, public schools are doing a better job academically than private schools.
Walt Gardner, October 30, 2013
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Education Opinion Why Teachers Are Fed Up and Burned Out
If teachers are treated like tall children, they soon become demoralized, regardless of their knowledge of subject matter and pedagogy.
Walt Gardner, October 28, 2013
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Education Opinion Evaluating Charter Schools Fairly
A healthy dose of skepticism is advised when comparing charter schools with traditional public schools because of different enrollment policies.
Walt Gardner, October 25, 2013
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Education Opinion School Board Book Censorship
The best teachers understand the difference between education and indoctrination.
Walt Gardner, October 23, 2013
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