Monthly Archives: January 2011

Does Size Matter?

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Mike

Idaho State Superintendent of Schools proposes reducing the number of teachers in Idaho by some 700+, which will mean larger average class sizes:  the number of students divided by the number of teachers. Average class size will go from 18.2 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

What Are Most Students Learning in College?

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Mike

Today, 1/19/11, I read a most interesting article in the newspaper. Oddly, it does not seem to be available on The Statesman’s website. Find it at the Hechinger Report’s site. http://hechingerreport.org/content/what-are-most-students-learning-in-college-not-enough-study-says_4979/ Predictably, the article laments that “An unprecedented [longitudinal] study … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Posts, Curriculum, Education Reform | Comments Off on What Are Most Students Learning in College?

Luna’s Reform Proposals

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Mike

As we go into Idaho’s 2011 legislative session, Superintendent Tom Luna proposes a major overhaul of public education in Idaho. Prominent features are larger classes and fewer teachers for next year. He says this will be made feasible by giving … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Senior Project Inception

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Mike

December 8 and 9, 2010, I returned to Nampa High School to evaluate Senior Project Presentations, as I have continued to do since retirement. Earlier this semester, in correspondence with colleagues at NHS, I was asked how the Senior Project … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Posts, Curriculum, Education Reform, School Program | Comments Off on Senior Project Inception

First, Fire All the Teachers

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Mike

I have read in this morning’s paper that “School Hits Bumps on the Road to Reform.” http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/01/06/1478112/troubled-ri-school-hits-bumps.html It seems that the school district fired the entire faculty of the high school, en masse, “in a radical, last ditch attempt to … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Posts, Education Reform | Comments Off on First, Fire All the Teachers

Thoughts on Bad Teachers

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Mike

Politicians, Pundits, Polemicists, and some Professors Who Probably Know Better harp at us through the media that American Public Education is sick unto death. It needs to be reformed from top to bottom. The very assumptions that form the basis … Continue reading →

Posted in Education Reform, Teacher Accountability, Teacher's Unions | Comments Off on Thoughts on Bad Teachers