President Obama says he will veto the House version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act (ESEA). He does not like the Senate version either.
Suppose nothing happens, no bill is passed, then what?
Category Archives: Testing
U.S. Senate to Debate K12 education Bill Today
What could actually change in federal education policy this year? States will much more authority. The last legislation was passed in 2007. It is time for a change, but are these the right ones for children or for politicians? We can only hope that Congress will strengthen, not weaken our public schools.
Here’s a quick checklist of the Senate bill.
Charters in Perspective: A Quick Quiz and Answers
Are you aware of the Spencer Foundation’s Charter in Perspective Project? Issues are presented from different perspectives e.g. parental choice, preservation of public schools, and test beds for innovation.
Just for fun, here are some quick questions drawn from information on the site.
- What percentage of students are enrolled in charter schools in the U.S.? What is the percentage in New Orleans?
- Is public opinion about charter schools well informed?
- On average, how do traditional and charter students compare on achievement gains?
If you prefer a Common Core critical thinking question, you might ask:
- How would you account for the difference between the reasons parents give for sending children to charters and the charters parents actually select?
The answers and much more follow.
New Education Issues for Action Approved at LWVF Convention
Action issues on testing, charter school management, common curriculum, and use of public funds for education were updated at the Florida League of Women Voters convention this past week.
Voices from local leagues were heard.
The implications of the changes are summarized. We can go to work in new ways! Take a look.
Ethics in Education Conference: Miami
I am looking forward to attending this conference on May 1-2, not just because I am a panelist. The conference is sponsored by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. Co-sponsors are the University of Miami and Miami-Dade Public Schools. My panel is:
School Choice And Public Resources: What Are The Limits For Charter Schools And Private School Subsidies?
The other panels are very interesting as well. They cover everything from teaching to the test, social issues e.g. immigration, bullying, policing as well as oversight and accountability.
Details on the program and location follow. If possible, join us.
“Togetherness”, the Anti-Community’s Community?
Divided Community
Now television is in the charter fray. In this review of the series “Togetherness”, Joshua Leibner in Salon magazine describes its charter school subplot. Are neighborhood schools the “bogeyman for all of society’s ills?, he asks. He wonders if for white people of their education and class, all the education reform nonsense might feel right for minority kids–but just not for their children? The setting for the series is in Eagle Rock in Los Angeles. This is a real place where both Leibner and the show’s producers actually live. Is the show fact or fiction? Continue reading
‘STANDARDIZED’ TO BE SHOWN IN GAINESVILLE
Waiting for Superman is a documentary that casts public education as full of ‘drop out’ factories and ‘academic sinkholes’.
Rise Above the Mark explores the negative impact of school reform on public education.
Standardized is another documentary. This one takes on the testing mania that supports school reform. It will be shown in Gainesville, Florida. The poster was just sent to me. The failure of the Florida Standards Assessment online test administration yesterday underscores the message in the film. xxnxxx.info strapon sex
If you see all three films, you will cover the arguments on both sides.
It would be good to have a fourth film that documents all the good things that happen in our schools.
Seriously, About Testing
Terry Gillam
Terry sent a letter to the editor to the Orlando Sentinel. She is chair of the League education team there.
Her group has been studying the excessive testing issue.
Here is what they recommend:
Governor Scott Appoints a New Education Review Committee
Superintendent Dr. Owen Roberts of Alachua County is a member of the committee. His plan for revitalizing schools in the county was the subject of a post yesterday.
The charge to the committee is far reaching. It will explore:
Testing ‘Opt Out’ Bill Filed in Florida Legislature
Representative Mayfield filed HB 877 to make legal options for parents to opt their children out of state assessments. The bill, according to the Tampa Bay Times, requires parents to file a written request to exempt their children from state wide assessments.
There are some strings attached.