By Tom
Homework's making headlines. After enjoying a heady period as a great way to boost test scores, it's starting to take some heat, most notably on the Today Show by the authors of an anti-homework blog and companion book. According to them, homework is hurting our children.
Where were they when I needed them?
By Tom
A new report, commissioned by CSTP, was just released on science education in Washington State's elementary classrooms. It was conducted through interviews with 34 experienced teachers, many of whom are NBCTs.
The title speaks volumes: Science Education in Washington's elementary Schools: A System at Risk. Among the findings:
I wasn't personally involved with this survey, but I see evidence of the findings all around me. After a huge literacy renaissance two years ago, my district adopted a new math curriculum this year, and the two subjects seem to be consuming everyone's attention. In many classrooms, science is the first "horse thrown off the ship."
So what?
by Tom
Five years ago, Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson was running for re-election in what was to be her second-toughest campaign. She was challenged by Judith Billings, who had the job before Terry took over in 1996. My mom called to tell me that there was going to be a debate between the two candidates at our local community college and she wanted me to take her to watch it. So I did, and on the way over she asked which candidate I was supporting. "Billings," I told her, but mostly because she had the support of the WEA, and I've always been a union guy.
I have to admit, I have a bias here. I feel comfortable around technology and use it for education and social learning. I teach two online courses and use technology in my classroom for podcasts, vidcasts, and instruction; my students use technology as well for more than word-processing. So when I saw that Michigan was leading the way in online courses, I had to read the article, oh, and by the way, the article is online.
I am again looking forward to the classroom. I feel like it was long ago when I was there. I miss the interactions between students, watching young people make meaning of the world around them. I miss the opportunities to improve compassion and skill and purpose. I miss working with teachers who, by default, are amazing people with amazing talents to impact the learning of children.
by Stories from School's FIRST guest blogger: John
The nationally syndicated article by E. J. Dionne on education that appeared in this past Sunday’s Seattle Times is relevant to Tom’s last post on what new approach the Obama administration will take on education policy.
In addition to the policy statement Tom mentioned (EPI), Dionne also mentions a second policy onto which new Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has signed—the Education Equality Project. It’s Statement of Policies includes this: “The sad reality is that these systems are not broken. Rather, they are doing what we have designed them to do over time. The systems were not designed with the goal of student learning first and foremost, so they are ill-equipped to accomplish what is demanded of them today.”
Schools were not built to overcome achievement gaps—they were designed to manage and rank all kids and educate some kids. While this may seem depressing, I believe it offers some hope…
By Tom
The next time your car underperforms, try this: Gather your friends and neighbors and issue a statement criticizing your car. Spell out its shortcomings as well as your expectations concerning its performance. Patiently allow it twelve years to reach those expectations, but make it clear that you will be voicing your disappointment at every opportunity. If it complains, silence it. Tell it that it has only itself to blame for its condition. Point out other cars that are doing just fine. You could even get David Brooks to say something menacing, like "Getting rid of the worst 6% of our nation's cars is one of the best things we could do to improve our nation's transportation system." If your car has the gall to ask for some additional funding in order to make the needed repairs, you could snarl, "More money!? We've been trying that for years! And look what it's gotten us! A broken-down car!"
You could try that approach. Or…
By Tom
A year ago, before the economy went sour, the Basic Education Finance Task Force was told to figure out what the state of Washington would have to do if it was serious about providing a high-quality educational system. So they did. And to no one's surprise, the fixes involve spending more money. Billions of it.
The timing couldn't have been worse. Our state is looking at a $5 billion deficit as we head into the legislative session. Education amounts to about 40% of the state budget. The Task Force proposals will cost up to $3 billion beyond what the state already pays for education. So where is all that money going to come from? Good question. And it's exactly the question Governor Gregoire asked Dan Grimm, the chair of the Task Force.
As a former state treasurer, Mr Grimm should know his way around the state budget. His response? Increase taxes. Specifically, extend the state sales tax, currently applied only to the sales of goods; to services, such as doctor visits. The governor also told him that she would put the Task Force's funding proposal to a voter referendum. Hmm. I could probably name about four people that would vote for a tax hike at this point in time. And I work in a school.
Which means we won't be getting a pony for Christmas this year. We won't be starting the next school year with the school system described in the Task Force proposal. That's too bad, since the proposals address most of the obstacles that stand between us and a really effective public school system.
Is there a silver lining to this cloud? Perhaps.
Driving to/from Olympia: 4 hours
Writing and rewriting testimony: 6 hours
Sleep lost due to nerves, obsessive rewriting, and worry
that being in the classroom is more important than speaking on school funding:
3 hours
Preparing for sub: 4 hours
Feeling of having spoken for greater educational equity:
priceless.
Monday, I testified before the task force on Basic Education
funding. As the proposal moves to the legislature for full consideration, more
teachers need to testify.