Author Archives: Mike

Bill Gates on Teacher Evaluations

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Mike

I have been critical of “Reformists” with their mantras of greater teacher accountability, putting greater pressure on teachers in order to make them shape up, and firing some as an example to the rest. And I still am critical of … Continue reading →

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Pilot Programs

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Mike

The Idaho Statesman, 3-23-2012, reported on the “technological revolution” at Eagle Elementary in the Meridian, Idaho, school district. The district used federal funds to purchase 43 iPads and 130 iPod Touches. Parent groups raised money for another 17 iPads. Each … Continue reading →

Posted in Curriculum, Education Reform, Technology | Comments Off on Pilot Programs

Math and Science

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Mike

I am listening to NPR’s Science Friday. The panel of experts is discussing and bemoaning how few of today’s youth pursue science in high school, college, and beyond. This is nothing new. The experts were discussing and bemoaning the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Curriculum, Education Reform, School Program, Technology | Comments Off on Math and Science

Revealing Truths about Our Nation’s Schools

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Mike

A few days ago, I observed in an e-mail to a friend I heard about this [The Office for Civil Rights’ report, Reveling New Truths About the Nation’s Schools] on NPR’s Talk of the Nation today, so I looked it … Continue reading →

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Sleepers

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Mike

I read Walden many summers ago, and much of it has left me. One passage. however, has always stayed: Men think that it is essential that the Nation have commerce, and export ice, and talk through a telegraph, and ride … Continue reading →

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College for All? (2)

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Mike

In “Making It in America,” Adam Davidson explores the problems of American manufacturing, using two young people as his vehicle. Maddie has no education beyond high school and no specialized skills. Luke has a good math background, three years of … Continue reading →

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College for All?

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Mike

In election season, politicians love to attribute unfortunate quotes to opposing politicians, either out of context or just plain contrary to fact. The following comes from an article in Tampa Bay Times Politifact *, a column syndicated in the Cleveland … Continue reading →

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Attract and Retain the Best Teachers

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Mike

The proclaimed purpose of teacher pay scales is to attract and retain the best teachers. Like so many things in the world of public education, this is not quite as simple as it at first sounds. Attracting and retaining are … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Education Reform, Teacher Compensation | 1 Comment

A Shining Example (?)

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Mike

A friend recently sent me this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/education/mooresville-school-district-a-laptop-success-story.html?_r=2&emc=eta1 Fascinating if true, I thought. I read something like this and think “If only Herb Grosdidier could have had access to this technology in 1968.”  Herb, as I’m sure you all know … Continue reading →

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Dicta

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Mike

The primary dictum that should guide all policy, all practice, and all reform of them is, of course, as it is in medicine: Do No Harm. The next and most proximate dictum: It’s the Curriculum, Stupid! All else must follow … Continue reading →

Posted in Curriculum, Education Reform, School Program | Comments Off on Dicta