ADMS707

"It was found that the state test has far-reaching effects on teaching, curriculum, school climate, students, parents, and school administration. The ideology of testing as a positive reform idea and the practice of testing as a constant and tangible threat, form the two poles of an experiential field that these educators encounter as figure and ground. The avoidance of failure and the threat of failure push these educators toward an ideological commitment to testing."

A well written, thoughtful expression of how Marx's theory that demonstrates how it has been turned into negative propaganda.

Because unions fundamentally fight for teachers' rights to have a say in what a democratic education in America looks like, I stand with teachers' unions.

I could not agree more with the sentiment of this piece. As someone who has chosen NOT to join the VEA, though- Lehmann is correct- I do not join because of HOW it is run, not because of what they are supposed to do. Parenting 101 would tell you that if parents are unable to provide for themselves, they cannot provide for a child- in airplanes you are supposed to put your own oxygen mask on first so you are able to take care of others around you- yet in education, we allow the "good of the children" to burn out or compromise teachers daily. I believe collective action is important, it is just not run the way I believe it could most effectively be run.

The school board and superintendent set up the groundwork for instructional reforms. They turned to the Council of the Great City Schools to look at how well the district's instructional program was meeting the academic needs of these English-language learners and newcomers. The study shows how a program considered excellent that performs very well, can still miss students with limited English speaking skills. The report shows how the school district missed the fact that many of these folks even existed, let alone began building programming to meet their needs. Most important are the strategies that offer the students a chance to join mainstream and improve their achievement. 

Once deified, now demonized, teachers are under assault from union-busting Republicans on the right and wealthy liberals on the left. And leading the charge from all directions is a woman most famous for losing her job: the former Washington, D.C., schools chancellor Michelle Rhee.

I did not need to bring up Kelly Williams-Bolar in my earlier post, just today another women was arrested.

Clearly, another first is called for if we are ever to regain our educational standing in the world: A first step toward finally taking teaching seriously in America. Will our leaders be willing to take that step? Or will we devolve into a third class power because we have neglected our most important resource for creating a first-class system of education?

The author questions if this is the rise of a new labor movement or simply the death of the old one.

In the light of the difficulties and tensions, we end with recommendations for anti-oppression teacher education. These focus on how (a) to make deliberative and transformative inquiry central and focused on social justice; (b) to invitereflection about the implications of social locations for teaching; (c) to createand sustain communities of inquiry and action among social justice educators;and (d) to articulate warrants for anti-oppressive teaching.

A young man who attempts the gap of dreaming and have your dream become a reality.

The article introduces teacher who have made a difference and who demonstrated compassion, "care" and a genuine concern for children.

Great Dialogue

Author detailed the challenges/advantages of having a different leadership style from the superintendent when he was assistant. More importantly, the author was chosen to be superintendent when the former superintendent resigned, and he described his belief that being a good superintendent is all about obtaining trust among the constituents.

History on the role of superintendents and perspectives of currrent superintendents on their roles. Emphasis on relational mentoring as an important factor for new superintendents.

The school board and superintendent set up the groundwork for instructional reforms. They turned to the Council of the Great City Schools to look at how well the district's instructional program was meeting the academic needs of these English-language learners and newcomers. The study shows how a program considered excellent that performs very well, can still miss students with limited English speaking skills. The report shows how the school district missed the fact that many of these folks even existed, let alone began building programming to meet their needs. Most important are the strategies that offer the students a chance to join mainstream and improve their achievement. 

Duncan said that 82% of the schools were on track to fail this year.

NEA biased article - but some damn good points.

Gerard Robinson (the Secretary of Education in Virginia) joined Chiefs for Change... along with a number of other governors from the south. Oh, yes and Chris Christy.

How to create a corporate plutocracy: eliminate the power of the unions, destroy their Democratic rivals creating a one-party system, sell off all services (including education) to the private sector, and watch the rise of fascism.

An aspect I had not considered much this week is the role of unions in micropolitics. The seniority issues and power of union forces are addressed in this sound clip/article.