Blog

Check out this commentary in today's EducationNews.org. http://www.educationnews.org/education-policy-and-politics/miriam-k-freedman-one-radical-idea-to-fix-public-schools/ It's way out there--and won't happen, but your thoughts?

http://www.edexcellence.net/publications-issues/publications/high-flyers.html.  Thank you, Fordham for this study. It's about time.  In our national effort to 'close the gap' of various groups needing to function at least at the average level, have we forgotten about our top students-- who already function above the average?  I believe we have. Our efforts, funds, and focus are just not there.  Two examples.  NCLB focuses on the students who are not yet reading, writing, and doing math and [...]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904103404576558730329067142.html

http://www.educationnews.org/education-policy-and-politics/miriam-k-freedman-lets-prioritize-special-education-reform/

http://toped.svefoundation.org/2011/09/12/there-are-many-dimensions-to-chearing-and-many-ways-to-measure-its-harm/ What is 'cheating' and whom does it harm?

Here is the letter I emailed to Tom Friedman, NY Times columnist. Hello Mr. Friedman,  I enjoy reading and hearing you.  In your appearance on Sunday on Meet the Press, you paint a tough picture of our schools. You're right. I'm a former teacher, current school attorney, and parent of children who attended public schools.  It is obvious to me that focus on the wrong half of the class--the bottom. With No Child Left Behind and the special education programs, our focus is NOT on improving [...]

http://pajamasmedia.com/spengler/2011/09/05/a-moron-with-a-computer-is-still-a-moron/?singlepage=true All I can add is that I remember how relieved I was when the schools my children attended--in an upscale community--did NOT use calculators in classrooms. Yeah! It's only gotten worse since then, in my view. We need to teach basics, not pretend that technology can substitute for them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/technology/technology-in-schools-faces-questions-on-value.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2 Frankly, I'm tired of all these great 'ideas' for our schools--that don't work.  And they cost lost of money, that could better be spent on what actually works--a good teacher, students, and plenty of time on task. That's what it takes.  It's not rocket science, and let's not pretend it is.  And let's stop diverting our efforts from what works.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/03/opinion/blow-an-ode-to-teachers.html Another great article for the start of the school year. It's time for us to honor teachers--not malign them. Let's get with that program. It'll do wonders for our schools.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/nyregion/before-the-first-school-bell-teachers-in-bronx-make-house-calls.html Wonderful story. Yes, it's all about building relationships and getting parents involved with their children's school. How obvious--to visit parents at home before school starts--and how unusual and hard it is to do. Congratulations on this effort. I'm glad it's among the 'most e-mailed' NYTimes stories. It deserves to be.