Living in Dialogue
Anthony Cody spent 24 years working in Oakland schools, 18 of them as a science teacher at a high-needs middle school. A National Board-certified teacher, he now leads workshops with teachers on Project Based Learning. He is the co-founder of the Network for Public Education. With education at a crossroads, in this blog he invited you to join him in a dialogue on education reform and teaching for change and deep learning. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: education reform.
School & District Management
Opinion
Why Are Reformers So Insensitive?
Guest post by John Thompson.
Diane Ravitch was recently informed of the contents of the New York City Department of Education e-mails that the United Federation of Teachers gained information through a Freedom of Information request. The first thing that Ravitch recognized in the communications was "the chummy exchanges between the public officials in charge of the New York City public school system and the top dogs of the charter leadership." Ravitch then explained that the communications document "the collusion between those who are sworn to protect the public schools and those who are incentivized to privatize them."
Diane Ravitch was recently informed of the contents of the New York City Department of Education e-mails that the United Federation of Teachers gained information through a Freedom of Information request. The first thing that Ravitch recognized in the communications was "the chummy exchanges between the public officials in charge of the New York City public school system and the top dogs of the charter leadership." Ravitch then explained that the communications document "the collusion between those who are sworn to protect the public schools and those who are incentivized to privatize them."
Education
Opinion
On Cory Booker's Nausea: A Teacher's Meditation
Guest poem by Bill Schechter.
So who dares criticize Private Equity?
So who dares criticize Private Equity?
Assessment
Opinion
John Thompson: Would a Reformers' Code of Ethics Help End Our Educational Civil War?
Guest post by John Thompson.
Early in my career, I floated a naive idea with my union business representative. What if education embraced a school reform code of ethics?
Early in my career, I floated a naive idea with my union business representative. What if education embraced a school reform code of ethics?
School & District Management
Opinion
David Musselwhite: Values of the Common Core: Equity, Competition, and Collaboration
A week ago I featured a guest post by Jack Hassard, Common Core Values: Do they include Authoritarianism? Today, in the spirit of promoting dialogue, I am sharing a response from a different point of view.
Education
Opinion
A Science Teacher's View: The Backward-Engineered Common Core Science Standards
Guest post by Chemtchr.
Last Friday afternoon, Achieve's "Next Generation Science Standards", as they're calling their Common Core, finally became available. Their "public comment" interval ends June first.
Last Friday afternoon, Achieve's "Next Generation Science Standards", as they're calling their Common Core, finally became available. Their "public comment" interval ends June first.
School & District Management
Opinion
Tim Slekar: Pennsylvania Schools get the Shock Treatment
Guest post by Tim Slekar.
About a year ago I published a blog that detailed how Pennsylvania governor, Tom Corbett, was using the shock doctrine to dupe the citizens of Pennsylvania into believing that a $1 Billion dollar cut to public education was necessary to help with the state's budget deficit. I quickly pointed out that these cuts would actually weaken public schools and help push Corbett's real education agenda (dismantling public schools) and that in the end, no money would be saved anyway. However, these cuts would hinder real learning and create the appearance of failing schools.
About a year ago I published a blog that detailed how Pennsylvania governor, Tom Corbett, was using the shock doctrine to dupe the citizens of Pennsylvania into believing that a $1 Billion dollar cut to public education was necessary to help with the state's budget deficit. I quickly pointed out that these cuts would actually weaken public schools and help push Corbett's real education agenda (dismantling public schools) and that in the end, no money would be saved anyway. However, these cuts would hinder real learning and create the appearance of failing schools.
Assessment
Opinion
Finding Common Ground to Build the Movement Against High Stakes Tests
One of the oldest problems with the left or progressive movement is our tendency to drag ourselves down through internal struggle over who has the most correct political line. We are seeing some of this dynamic emerge in the movement against high stakes testing. Perhaps it is a coming of age - a sign of our success - that we have a strong enough movement that people are taking these issues seriously. But I am afraid we are going to squander our precious momentum by turning our anger on one another, when there are very clear assaults taking place on teachers and students across the country.
School & District Management
Opinion
Yong Zhao in Conversation: Education Should Liberate, Not Indoctrinate
Last week I shared this interview with Yong Zhao focused on the Common Core standards. Today I am sharing a conversation between Dr. Zhao and Yvonne Siu-Runyan.
Federal
Opinion
Common Core Values: Do they Include Authoritarianism?
This week there has been an upsurge of debate over the Common Core (national) Standards. I hope we can tolerate and appreciate different points of view as we work to understand more deeply what these standards are all about, and the ways they may shift teaching, learning and testing in the USA.
