Recent News
March 18th, 2013
Defining bullying down–op ed in the New York Times
In case you missed this op ed–I found it very thought provoking, especially after reading the many comments it garnered.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/opinion/defining-bullying-down.html.
One question for me is whether bullying–no matter how it is defined, broadly or narrowly–is a problem that Congress or state legislatures can solve. Think about that. More layers for schools to deal with –with questionable effectiveness–and, of course, less time for teaching and learning. Just think of the hours spent on compliance training–teaching educators how to fill out forms and comply with pages and pages of new rules. Is this really the best way to help children? Alas, we are not even asking this question?
I’d rather see articles like this one–and the many heartfelt comments–in the public square, not legislative halls–at least not until we agree on definitions and ‘best practices.’ We are a long way from all of that. Let us as a people come to consensus about what we will tolerate and what we will not. And what works. Then, perhaps, let’s take it to our legislators.
First, let’s do some homework. I applaud this piece as a conversation-starter.
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | No Comments
March 11th, 2013
Paperwork reduction in schools… for what purpose?
Many states are looking at paperwork reduction–teachers and administrators are inundated with requirements. In special education alone, back in 2002, there were 814 monitoring requirements for states and districts. It’s gotten worse. We are certainly losing the so called ‘paperwork reduction efforts (PRE).’ I applaud efforts to reduce paperwork and bureaucratic requirements.
But, I want to be sure that in our efforts, we stay focused on the big purpose, lest we lose track (MT4TO). It’s not just about paper reduction, its about the effect of all that paper on reducing time for teaching and learning. And, unfortunately, on teachers leaving the field.
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | No Comments
March 10th, 2013
My new PayPal account! Still learning the ropes.
Thanks for visiting my website.
Here’s the Picasa link to the road sign collection.
https://picasaweb.google.com/111922357335807924669/ChildrenGoingToSchoolRoadSignsFromAroundTheWorld. You may have to cut and paste it…
If you are interested in buying the greeting cards on line, here is the PayPal account: http:/tinyurl.com/awwydzh.
You may have to cut and paste this also, for now.
I hope you can use it. Let me know if there are issues. I’m still learning the ropes on this!
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | No Comments
February 23rd, 2013
Mark Zuckerberg and Sergey Brin, How about a Milner Prize to fix special education?
This is exciting! Silicon Valley entrepreneurs (the chief executive of Facebook, Mr. Zuckerberg, and the co-founder of Google, Mr. Brin) have teamed up with investor Yuri Milner to create a new prize to spur innovation. Called the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, it provides $3M to each of a group of 11 scientists to spur breakthrough discoveries. Here’s the Wall Street Journal article about it.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323549204578315480875059390.html
HMMM. How about an innovation, breakthrough prize to fix the broken special education system–to spur practitioners, legislators, parents, students–to think and do differently. It is time! Now that would be truly exciting!
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | No Comments
February 12th, 2013
Signs, Letreros, Hyoushiki–children crossing signs from around the world!
Check out the ROAD SIGNS exhibit at the Boston Children’s Museum–February 15 to March 17!
Signs, Letreros, Hyoushiki …. This exhibit features my collection of road signs of children going to school around the world. Japan, Mexico, China, Czech Republic, Great Britain, France, Spain, Italy, etc. etc. Check out the entire collection online.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog about my mother (December 18), I think these signs are fantastic. Artistic and colorful–in basic red, yellow and blue.
Countries show a different view of childhood and children. Some are playful; others stern; some are ‘sexist’ perhaps; others not; some artistic; some face the ‘wrong way!’ Etc. The collection –that I have gathered since 1968, when I got my first sign while living in New Jersey–is a rich testament to the diversity in our world.
Enjoy it! I have created greeting cards of these signs for sale. Buy a set of 4 for $19.50, postage included.
Happy travels! Observe our fascinating world!
Here’s the POSTER for the EXHIBIT!
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | 1 Comment
February 12th, 2013
Early language is key. We have known this. Here’s more research…
Children who come to school with a small vocabulary are already behind. Beore day one. We have known this for a long time… In fact, I remember how startled I was when I first learned of this gap.
See, e.g., the 2003 longitudinal studies by Betty Hart and Todd R. Risley, showing that by age 3, youngsters from language rich (generally well-to-do) families have a working vocabulary of 1116 words, children from working class families have a 749 word vocabulary, and children from families receiving welfare have a 525 word vocabulary.
After all these years of efforts and reforms, that gap is not closing. Efforts by schools to close that key language gap–between those who have many words and those with few–have not done the trick. Calls for more instruction? I’m dubious about their efficacy.
Instead, I suggest we look at these children’s homes to help parents understand the importance of language and of speaking with their young children. I wonder how many parents understand this critical aspect of raising young children. I suspect that many do not and that they would be appreciative if efforts were made to inform them and suggest how they might create language- rich environments in their homes. And how important that would be in helping their children in school. I suggest we may get farther with this approach than with the usual one of asking (demanding) that schools close so many gaps for so many children–even before they come to school.
As I watch my almost two-year old granddaughter speaking with an ever increasing vocabulary–I can only think how wonderful it would be if more children could grow up in language-rich environments. Let us focus on that!
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | No Comments
February 10th, 2013
Great story about fixing schools… the old fashioned way
Happy Sunday! I enjoyed reading this review of the Union City schools in New Jersey. “The Secret to Fixing Bad Schools.” It’s step by step focus by all–administration, teachers, students, parents–on results, starting in early childhood. It’s not about firing bad teachers or getting charter schools. It’s an amazing story of success. Congratulations to the hard workers in Union City, New Jersey! As someone who grew up in Flemington, New Jersey, this story makes me proud to have grown up in the Garden State!
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | No Comments
January 29th, 2013
OCR’s new letter on students with disabilities in sports.
An OK letter in some ways and very troubling in many others.
OK? In many ways this “letter to colleagues” states the current practice–as schools have successfully been including students with disabilities in sports programs for many, many years. [NOTE that much of OCR's regulations and letters, including parts of this letter reach far beyond the law, Section 504. More on this in a later blog].
Interestingly, this ‘directive’ or ‘ruling’ as headlines proclaim, came in the form of a letter to colleagues….not a ruling, not a court decision, not a formal action by a deliberative body. What weight will it have in future disputes? We know that often courts, administrative law judges, and hearing officers overturn government letters–when they exceed their authority.
Troubling? This letter goes far beyond the law when it ‘orders’ separate programming. In my view, this letter exceeds the authority of Section 504. Section 504 has more modest goals, to provide equal opportunity in EXISTING programs for students with disabilities–not to demand the creation of new programs.
Troubling? This letter misuses the term ‘modifications.’ When it talks about ‘ reasonable modifications’ it is really discussing ‘reasonable accommodations.’ We know that accommodations do NOT fundamentally alter standards, programs, etc., while modifications do. This OCR letter is not, as I read it now, ordering fundamental alterations in existing programs. Thus, it’s talking about accommodations. This misuse of terminology is troubling, as it confuses educators, parents, and students alike.
Much has already been written about this new OCR letter. See, for example the Ed Week Blog below.
Above are my quick two cents. More later. Your thoughts?
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | No Comments
January 22nd, 2013
Here I am at the airport… with a three hour delay, so…
So, I started to surf the net… as we tend to do at these rather frustrating times…
And, lucky me, I came upon this blog–Coming of Age in the Middle. I loved it! Maybe this plane delay was meant to happen?
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | No Comments
January 19th, 2013
Dear Abby is gone–truly the end of an era
Many of us grew up with Dear Abby. She was the voice of common sense–with great humor and an acerbic tone. Always fun to read. Always a twist of cleverness and wisdom. I will miss her, even as she has not been writing for quite a while. The obit cited here is fun to read. What a life story she had! Enjoy!
Post by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, M.A., J.D. | No Comments
