Posts belonging to Category Education Reform

“A Bargain Worth Making”

President Obama wants to make a bargain with the schools of America. Here’s what he said in his State of the Union Address to Congress: JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Ask Chip a question or share your own thoughts! —If you’re reading this entry on the blog site, click “Post a Comment” or the word “Comments” below [...]

Part Three—Speaking Truth to Power

Parts One and Two of this blog theme—“Speaking Truth to Power”—spotlight respected voices in our profession speaking out about what Jonathan Kozol called “savage inequalities” in our country. JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Ask Chip a question or share your own thoughts! —If you’re reading this entry on the blog site, click “Post a Comment” or the [...]

Part Two—Speaking Truth to Power

I invite you to read this excellent article by Linda-Darling Hammond on the devastating impact that revisions to No Child Left Behind will have on children living in poverty. It is a courageous indictment of the flawed and failing policies of NCLB under both Republican and current Democratic administrations in Washington, acquiesced to by state and [...]

Part One—Speaking Truth to Power

Sixty-five years ago, at the age of eighteen, Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote a short paper for his college newspaper on “the purpose of education.” (The Maroon Tiger, Morehouse College, January–February 1947). As we honor his contributions and sacrifice and teach our children about what he taught us, let us reflect on these words: JOIN [...]

Savor this Speech

On December 9th, 2011, at the National Opportunity to Learn Summit, Diane Ravitch delivered a clarion wake up call to all of us. To read what she had to say in full, click here. You’ll be glad you did. In fact everyone concerned about children and schools—teachers, principals, parents, policymakers—should read and discuss why this [...]

Light in Hard Times

If you didn’t see 60 Minutes on November 27th, please take a few minutes to watch “Hard Time Generation: Families Living in Cars.” Scott Pelly and Nicole Young’s story of the amazing Metzger children and their dad and other such families in Seminole County, Florida, is extraordinary by itself. JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Ask Chip a [...]

A Petition Worthy of Your Signature

Principals in New York State are standing up and speaking out for teachers and students everywhere, and it’s time for the rest of us to add our voices. Read this article from the New York Times about the open letter written by Dr. Sean Feeney and Dr. Carol Burris, both principals in New York State. [...]

Academic Conversations

I have not been so immediately stunned and impressed by a book for teachers as I have by the one I am about to recommend, no, urge you to get as soon as you can. According to the publisher (Stenhouse), it will not be available until mid-November, but you can pre-order it right now. JOIN [...]