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 This blog is no longer being updated.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
Choice Is Not Based on Performance Alone
Few parents are willing to sacrifice the education of their children on the altar of ideology.
Education
Opinion
Cyberbullying of Teachers Destroys Morale
The irony is that students have more protection against cyberbullying than their teachers.
Education
Opinion
Vocational Education Can Reduce the Dropout Rate
To reduce the dropout rate through legitimate means, the U.S. needs to adopt Germany's dual system.
Education
Opinion
L.A. School Board Vote Is Harbinger for the Nation
The election of a charter school majority on the Los Angeles Unified School Board reflects deep frustration and anger over the district's performance.
Education
Opinion
Teacher Pensions Need Overhaul
Allowing all new teachers to choose the type of pension plan they want is an effective way of filling high demand fields.
Education
Opinion
Newspapers Are Models for Composition
Since the Common Core places heavy weight on non-fiction,newspapers can be a valuable resource for teachers.
Education
Opinion
Subject-Matter Expertise Is Not Enough
If subject matter expertise alone is enough for success in K-12, then professors would be highly effective.
Education
Opinion
AP Tests Face Uncertain Future
As the number of students taking AP classes has increased, pass rates have fallen slightly.
Education
Opinion
Are Disruptive Students Diamonds in the Rough?
It's a stretch to argue that defiance should be tolerated because it may be a sign of genius.
Education
Opinion
Student Newspaper Advisors on Thin Ice
Student newspaper advisors are caught between their duty as journalists and their responsibility as teachers.
Education
Opinion
Teachers of Color Badly Needed
Performance-based assessment of teachers of color has the potential of addressing their shortage.