While most agree that the issues facing education and our country's teachers are hardly laughing matters, sometimes comedy shines a more pure light on how wildly the wheels are coming off of the bus.
Thursday, March 3, the Daily Show's Jon Stewart concluded his week's theme on educators and education. The show began with Stewart, delivering in his signature sharp style, a satirical examination of a major cable news channel's coverage of the teacher pay versus Wall Street pay "debate" and ended with a thoughtful conversation with Diane Ravitch, author of "The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice are Undermining Education."
Watch highlights from the Thursday's show here:
Friday, March 4, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Is all "reform" good?
Reform is the new "it" word in education, but is all reform good? It is important to stay up to date about the different reform ideas and how they may actually affect your child's education. The following articles talk about some of the problems/issues with different reform ideas. Check them out.
How Finland emerged from recession with the best education system in Europe, The Irish Times, March 1, 2011
One of the big ideas in reform is to emulate Finland. However, Dr. Pasi Sahlberg, a senior education consultant to the Finnish Government, points out that, "Finland has not employed any of the market-based educational reform ideas in the ways that they have been accepted within education policies of many other nations, United States and England among them. By contrast, a typical feature of teaching and learning in Finland is high confidence in teachers and principals as respected professionals."
Read More>>
There Are No Silver-Bullets in Education Reform, Forbes, February 28, 2011
E.D. Kain discusses the reform efforts led by Michelle Rhee in Washington, D.C., the impact of the Gates and Broad foundations and teacher assessments. Kain concludes that, "[t]he accountability movement has shifted the focus away from American ingenuity and creativity in favor of strict testing regimes in an attempt to compete with Japan and Finland."
Read More>>
Finally there are two pieces by Diane Ravitch,
Why America's teachers are enraged, CNN, February 20, 2011 and
Ravitch:'A moment of national insanity', The Washington Post, March 1, 2011
In the articles Ravitch discusses the "corporate" reform movement and its untested ideas. She also laments the organized attacks against teachers in the name of reform.
Read more CNN>>
Read more Washington Post>>
How Finland emerged from recession with the best education system in Europe, The Irish Times, March 1, 2011
One of the big ideas in reform is to emulate Finland. However, Dr. Pasi Sahlberg, a senior education consultant to the Finnish Government, points out that, "Finland has not employed any of the market-based educational reform ideas in the ways that they have been accepted within education policies of many other nations, United States and England among them. By contrast, a typical feature of teaching and learning in Finland is high confidence in teachers and principals as respected professionals."
Read More>>
There Are No Silver-Bullets in Education Reform, Forbes, February 28, 2011
E.D. Kain discusses the reform efforts led by Michelle Rhee in Washington, D.C., the impact of the Gates and Broad foundations and teacher assessments. Kain concludes that, "[t]he accountability movement has shifted the focus away from American ingenuity and creativity in favor of strict testing regimes in an attempt to compete with Japan and Finland."
Read More>>
Finally there are two pieces by Diane Ravitch,
Why America's teachers are enraged, CNN, February 20, 2011 and
Ravitch:'A moment of national insanity', The Washington Post, March 1, 2011
In the articles Ravitch discusses the "corporate" reform movement and its untested ideas. She also laments the organized attacks against teachers in the name of reform.
Read more CNN>>
Read more Washington Post>>
Monday, February 21, 2011
Brewer Discusses $500 Million Tax Cut Deal on Sunday Square Off
Governor Jan Brewer appeared on Phoenix Channel 12's "Sunday Square Off" to discuss the tax cuts for businesses she signed into law last week.
Governor Brewer called the legislature into special session to vote on and pass a $500 million tax cut package. It isn't clear how soon, if ever, businesses and jobs will return to Arizona as a result, nor how education and vital state programs will be sustained after punching such a substantial hole into the state's already depleted revenue collections.
When asked by commentator Brahm Resnik if it was fair for businesses to get this large tax cut package when universities and patients on AHCCCS are left to face further cuts in funding, Governor Brewer replied, "Absolutely. Absolutely."
Why?
According to Governor Brewer, "It's the business that drives the economy." Not education. Not patients.
Watch below:
Governor Brewer called the legislature into special session to vote on and pass a $500 million tax cut package. It isn't clear how soon, if ever, businesses and jobs will return to Arizona as a result, nor how education and vital state programs will be sustained after punching such a substantial hole into the state's already depleted revenue collections.
When asked by commentator Brahm Resnik if it was fair for businesses to get this large tax cut package when universities and patients on AHCCCS are left to face further cuts in funding, Governor Brewer replied, "Absolutely. Absolutely."
Why?
According to Governor Brewer, "It's the business that drives the economy." Not education. Not patients.
Watch below:
Civility Breaks Out In Tucson
The cause of civility is being advanced in Tucson, Arizona.
Today, the University of Arizona announced that Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton will co-chair a new National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona. According to a press release by the University of Arizona,
Last week, Gabrielle Gifford's aid Ron Barber announced the formation of The Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, which will administer the fund announced that,
To read more about The National Institute for Civil Discourse and The Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding, see below:
Bush, Clinton to Chair New National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona, UANEWS, 2/21/11.
University of Arizona Sets Up Civility Institute, New York Times, 2/21/11.
The National Institute for Civil Discourse Website
The Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Shooting victim Barber launches fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding, FOX11AZ.com, 2/17/11.
Browne, Cooper to play benefit in Tucson, Ariz, Arizona Daily Star, 2/17/11.
Today, the University of Arizona announced that Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton will co-chair a new National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona. According to a press release by the University of Arizona,
One of the key goals for the institute is to connect people with diverse viewpoints and to offer a venue for vigorous and respectful debate. Among the institute's first events will be an executive forum with media, foundation, academic, government and corporate leaders regarding moving forward the national conversation about civil discourse and proceeding with constructive solutions.
Last week, Gabrielle Gifford's aid Ron Barber announced the formation of The Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, which will administer the fund announced that,
The fund, created by the Barber family, will support nonprofit programs or organizations that work to heal the wounds inflicted on January 8, 2011. It will honor those who lost their lives or were injured that day, and will pay tribute to the first responders, citizens and medical personnel who came to their aid. The fund will support nonprofit activities in public schools, faith communities, and mental health. Concerts will play an important role in building the fund and in healing and unifying our community.An all star fundraising concert, featuring Jackson Browne, Alice Cooper, and many other musical acts will kick off the fund on March 10, 2011. Tickets are on now sale at Ticketmaster.
To read more about The National Institute for Civil Discourse and The Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding, see below:
Bush, Clinton to Chair New National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona, UANEWS, 2/21/11.
University of Arizona Sets Up Civility Institute, New York Times, 2/21/11.
The National Institute for Civil Discourse Website
The Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Shooting victim Barber launches fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding, FOX11AZ.com, 2/17/11.
Browne, Cooper to play benefit in Tucson, Ariz, Arizona Daily Star, 2/17/11.
Are all parents ready to help their students?
We came across a great opinion piece in The Christian Science Monitor, Want better students? Teach their parents. Author Jerome Kagan, a professor at Harvard, discusses the importance of parents in the preparation of children for school. The article highlights problems faced by children raised in families with limited education. Kagan points to a Tufts program of early intervention using ten, two hour home visits to work with the parents of economically disadvantaged two-year-olds. Low-cost limited interventions with parents seems to have an effect. We encourage you to take a look at the article.
Fortunately this past November, Arizona voters rescued our First Things First Program, which targets funds to early childhood development. Sadly, parents who need services to improve their educational potential were not so lucky; all state funding for GED was eliminated in the last legislative session. This seems counterproductive if you are trying to encourage families with limited education to prepare their children for school.
To learn more about preparing adults to help their children go to these web sites: Tucson Area Literacy Coalition, TucsonLiteracy.org and Pima Community College Adult Education. You may also want to check out a program that has had success in Arizona and other states, Parents as Teachers. You can find out if they are in a location near you by putting in your zip code here.
Fortunately this past November, Arizona voters rescued our First Things First Program, which targets funds to early childhood development. Sadly, parents who need services to improve their educational potential were not so lucky; all state funding for GED was eliminated in the last legislative session. This seems counterproductive if you are trying to encourage families with limited education to prepare their children for school.
To learn more about preparing adults to help their children go to these web sites: Tucson Area Literacy Coalition, TucsonLiteracy.org and Pima Community College Adult Education. You may also want to check out a program that has had success in Arizona and other states, Parents as Teachers. You can find out if they are in a location near you by putting in your zip code here.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Kotterman v. Huppenthal: Superintendent of Public Instruction
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Two candidates have emerged from the Arizona primary election for Superintendent of Public Instruction. They are Penny Kotterman and John Huppenthal. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is the top education official in the state, and acts as the Chairman of the State Board of Education and is the head of the Department of Education. The Superintendent of Public Instruction influences policy in the legislature, is responsible for the implementation of education legislation and is in charge of the Department of Education and its interactions with school districts. Further, the Superintendent of Public Instruction commands the bully pulpit on education issues and has a great deal of influence on the direction the state takes regarding educational issues like school funding. Because of the importance of this officeholder, we have gathered information to help you make an informed decision on November 2 when you elect the next Superintendent of Public Instruction. To read why you should pay attention to the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, click here.
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SURVEYS
Each candidate was offered the opportunity to fill out a survey about public education that the Arizona Education Network wrote. To read their views on this 13 question survey, click the pdf links below.
Kotterman's Survey on Superintendent of Public Instruction
Still awaiting Mr. Huppenthal's survey that was emailed to him on 9/13, 9/14 and 9/18.
VIDEO
The office of Clean Elections held a 30 minute debate between the two candidates. Hear what they have to say about how they would lead the public education system in Arizona.
Huppenthal v Kotterman Clean Elections Debate
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For related links, visit:
Arizona Superintendent of Public Education: Why You Should Pay Attention to This Office
Penny Kotterman: http://www.pennykotterman.com
John Huppenthal: http://www.johnhuppenthal.com
Quick Facts: Public Education Funding in Arizona
Are Your Candidates Education-Friendly, a guide on voting records and surveys.
First Things First: Prop 302 Your Questions Answered
.
.
Two candidates have emerged from the Arizona primary election for Superintendent of Public Instruction. They are Penny Kotterman and John Huppenthal. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is the top education official in the state, and acts as the Chairman of the State Board of Education and is the head of the Department of Education. The Superintendent of Public Instruction influences policy in the legislature, is responsible for the implementation of education legislation and is in charge of the Department of Education and its interactions with school districts. Further, the Superintendent of Public Instruction commands the bully pulpit on education issues and has a great deal of influence on the direction the state takes regarding educational issues like school funding. Because of the importance of this officeholder, we have gathered information to help you make an informed decision on November 2 when you elect the next Superintendent of Public Instruction. To read why you should pay attention to the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, click here.
.
SURVEYS
Each candidate was offered the opportunity to fill out a survey about public education that the Arizona Education Network wrote. To read their views on this 13 question survey, click the pdf links below.
Kotterman's Survey on Superintendent of Public Instruction
Still awaiting Mr. Huppenthal's survey that was emailed to him on 9/13, 9/14 and 9/18.
VIDEO
The office of Clean Elections held a 30 minute debate between the two candidates. Hear what they have to say about how they would lead the public education system in Arizona.
Huppenthal v Kotterman Clean Elections Debate
.
.
For related links, visit:
Arizona Superintendent of Public Education: Why You Should Pay Attention to This Office
Penny Kotterman: http://www.pennykotterman.com
John Huppenthal: http://www.johnhuppenthal.com
Quick Facts: Public Education Funding in Arizona
Are Your Candidates Education-Friendly, a guide on voting records and surveys.
First Things First: Prop 302 Your Questions Answered
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