A Retired Teacher's Take

The Lottery Mentality - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com

2011-03-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

The Lottery Mentality - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

President Obama and the No Child Left Behind Act - The Daily Beast

2011-03-23T04:53:00.000-07:00

President Obama and the No Child Left Behind Act - The Daily Beast: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

In defense of NPR - War Room - Salon.com

2011-03-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

In defense of NPR - War Room - Salon.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Why Blame the Teachers? - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com

2011-03-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

Why Blame the Teachers? - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Ed Schultz: Why Wisconsin Matters

2011-03-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

Ed Schultz: Why Wisconsin Matters: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Education Week: Few 'i3' Winners Truly 'Rural,' Report Says

2011-01-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

Education Week: Few 'i3' Winners Truly 'Rural,' Report Says: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Can Berg take Conrad's seat? - David Catanese - POLITICO.com

2011-01-28T06:20:00.000-08:00

Can Berg take Conrad's seat? - David Catanese - POLITICO.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Legislation

2011-01-26T08:55:00.000-08:00

It is my understanding that many of the bills that are under discussion are not being reported on any site...So....anyone who reads this here some education bills of significance and or related to education....

the two biggest under discussion are TFFR

HB 1134...NDEA proposal

HB 1258....The defined contributions proposal.....Not a good thing

& merit pay

SB 2150 This is a long bill and covers everything from foundation aid to merit pay....One has to read it in detail to understand it

Others

1457 School nurses
1465 Bullying....there are 4 bills on this....This one makes more sense for schools than the others...this issue is tricky

2281 Concussion in sports
1143 World history required
1154 Scholarships
1211 Home school
1229 Abstinance education
1270 ESPB restructuring

These are not all of the bills but they do carry some weight....

Elizabeth Hampton: Teacher Pay: A Smarter Investment for the New Year

2011-01-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Hampton: Teacher Pay: A Smarter Investment for the New Year: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Value-Added Assessments: Where Is The Value In Ranking Our Teachers?

2011-01-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

Value-Added Assessments: Where Is The Value In Ranking Our Teachers?: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Deborah Loewenberg Ball: The Cost of Education Wars

2011-01-02T09:12:00.000-08:00

Deborah Loewenberg Ball: The Cost of Education Wars: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Ilana Garon: Teach For America's 'Highly Qualified' Is Highly Misleading

2010-12-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

Ilana Garon: Teach For America's 'Highly Qualified' Is Highly Misleading: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Jobs

2010-12-30T05:09:00.000-08:00

Recent headlines have confirmed what I had heard and also suspected since 2008. In 2008 we had a banking and housing crisis....We really didn't have a jobs crisis. Several economist since then have reported that many companies took advantage of the landscape and laid off many workers because they had over hired in the past 8 years and needed to look more at profits than employment.

Today we had a great retail Christmas and companies are reported huge profits....but.....they aren't hiring. Why? Because they have much more business overseas selling to the "new " middle classes in China and India and they have been able to ramp up productivity on a per employee basis so that they have not had to hire.

All of these newly elected Congressman who are bound and determined to create jobs have a bigger problem than they understand. When Caterpillar hires 90% of its new workers overseas we have a problem. Business doesn't need congressional math to figure out where there markets are. They need to produce shareholder support through profits and hiring in the USA drives those numbers the wrong way. After the holidays we will see a lot of scrambling going to incentivize business to hire. With economy recovering nicely without hiring why would they?

This is going to be tricky, not simple as we kept hearing during the campaign!

‘Team North Dakota’ Ends Remarkable Run in Congress - NYTimes.com

2010-12-30T04:59:00.000-08:00

‘Team North Dakota’ Ends Remarkable Run in Congress - NYTimes.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Wed KFGO talk

2010-12-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

It is interesting that Rick Berg is on the Heitkamp show today since Al Carlson is guest hosting....He seems to only like friendly confines. I wonder how many town hall meetings he will be hosting come January...

Being a congressman means listening to both sides the last time I checked. Time will tell.

A Reality Check

2010-12-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

When I overheard my new State Senator.....(Dist 47) bragging to another legislator last week that the are no elected Democrats within 100 miles of Bismarck reality set in. My wife and I have wanted to move to Bismarck for many years. Climate, family, the big lake, and outdoor activities were part of our reason. Also, I love to work on public policy issues. I call it small "p" politics. I am not particular who I work with but the end product is important. I have been around the legislature for 30 years and I know how it works. Without someone to whom you can initially go to to engage in policy discussions there is not much chance of new ideas getting even a look. An all R or even an all D legislature isn't the answer. The leadership controls all the action and not much gets moved forward if they don't want it. The minority party unlike in Congress, has no sway in the ND legislature. So my interest in public policy may have to be tempered while I try and work on the next election and see if we can find a couple of electable D's in this part of the state. Remember we are still 35% R and 35% D and a whole bunch of independents here...Those who brag about the numbers best remember that overreach will happen some day and the pendulum will swing... it always does.

A Stunning Realization

2010-12-11T06:48:00.000-08:00

I was driving down the snow covered streets of Bismarck yesterday when it struck me that the Govenor's budget last week was even more interesting that I had originally thought.

I remember last spring when the information was made available that there was a huge need for infrastucture projects in the western half of the state. There was a call by some for special session to address these needs then and not wait till now to move on them. The Governor (Hoeven) rejected that idea.

By the way I still agree that was a missed opportunity. It takes time to move projects like the ones needed out west and by passing them now with an "emergency clause" they still may not get off the ground till the 2012 construction season.

Anyway, I realized that rejecting the special session and holding off till the sticker shock of last week....the legislature will be able to continue nickle and dime the ongoing needs of the state while hiding behind the huge infrastrucutre needs of the West. I fully support those projects but not if education gets caught in the pinchers of fiscal conservatism. Big dollars can be as difficult to address as can be shortfalls. I see this budget as an unintended consequence of not having a special session last spring when getting things moving was timely. Now we see public employees getting a 2% raise and the Gov. proposing a $1 billion dollar carryover. This should not happen in a surplus economy....By the way teacher wages....still 51st...!!!!

Taxes...

2010-12-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

In my negotiating mode I would have given the Republicans a date certain where the tax breaks would have ended for the rich. A means test would kick in to determine that time certain. eg. unemployment would drop to 8%... I would have left estate taxes off the table. I would have extended unemployment as long as is negotiable. I would have kept tax breaks for the middle class. I would have disconnected small business owners personal income taxes from their businesses. I would have reduced the social security taxes as they did. Tax credits for kids in college... yes yes yes.

Just my take on the tax negotiating.....I undoubtedly could be wrong but....don't give away the farm...look for win-win not lose-lose

New ND Budget

2010-12-09T14:26:00.000-08:00

I found several things to be interesting in the Gov's budget yesterday. It is interesting how the infra strucutre projects are being funded full bore and the agency budgets are being funded as if there is no economic boom going on in ND. That is not conservative that verges on ridiculous. 2% raises for public employees and education gets $100 per year in foundation aid. Education got that much when we were in trouble in the 80's. I guess "conservative" only applies to people issues.

I observedt that the Dems were more effusive than the Reps. were in describing the new budget. Carlson says it is time to shut down spending and the word "excellent" I read somewhere was the descriptor by the Dems. Something is wrong with that picture or the party in power is so powerful that they can ignore the Governor. On we go....

GOP gets queasy over earmark ban - Jake Sherman - POLITICO.com

2010-12-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

Isn't it easy to win an election and THEN realize the unintended consequences?.....the fact that Michelle Bachman is quoted in this article makes me smile. No earmarks no Stillwater MN bridge....She is worried.

GOP gets queasy over earmark ban - Jake Sherman - POLITICO.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

A Coronation...Continued

2010-12-07T14:50:00.000-08:00

I went there and did that...The mutual admiration society was all out in force today as the Hoeven/Dalymple hand off went forward. I listened hard to hear something different from Hoeven's comments. Now even he believes his stump speech. Lots of lofty accomplishments and very little substance. I have listened to a couple of political scientists recently describe his term as having set the stage for economic development and I just can't get past the word... LUCK!

On a side note. I heard an interview that Joel H did this a.m. with Senator Ryan Taylor and he did not deny the possibility that he may run for higher office in the future. He has what it takes!

The First Glimpse

2010-12-07T05:41:00.000-08:00

I spent an hour in the halls of the Capitol yesterday soaking up a bit of day one of the new legislative assembly. It was stunning how few Democrats there really are this session. I'm betting there will have to be a significant number of factions of the Republican party forming as time goes by just based on the numbers.

Obviously, I visited with my old friends from Grand Forks and some of the legislators I have known for many years like Joe Kroeber from Jamestown. It was both good and bad to see Andy Maragos back in the hall as he was a go to guy in the Republican caucus in the 90's but he did beat a couple of good friends to win back his seat.

The conversations are pretty muted right now. A lobbyist here and there and a lot of behind the scenes meeting going on to deciding things like committee positions.

I must admit Al Carlson demonstrated his normal self in this mornings paper when he responded to a question about having only enough Democrats to place one on each committee (not enough to get a second on any motion). "Of course we will second their motions" he said "and then kill it."

A Coronation

2010-12-07T05:30:00.000-08:00

I was driving back from MPLS on Sunday and had to stop for gas. As I walked by the newspaper stand I couldn't avoid the screaming headlines on the Fargo Forum front page. NDSU wins and and the Hoeven coronation begins. I decided to buy a paper and see what was in it.....a disclaimer...I never buy the Forum as it is almost the Fox news of ND but this was too good to pass up. I opened the paper to find three full pages on this coronation. There was even a full article on Mickey.

I have to say that Hoeven's popularity doesn't come close to deserving all that ink. He is the governor and he won the election to the US Senate. He now has to figure out how to vote on something and take a detailed position on issues of importance to North Dakotan's.

Lloyd Omdahl taught me in my political science classes at UND that the egalitarian nature of ND tends to be very opposed to politicians getting "uppity". We like our neighbors being our policy makers not some celebrity Governor. I wonder it that is changing based on the way the Forum is acting. We will see what the rest of the week brings.

Measure 1

2010-10-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

I was listening this am to the Heitkamp talk show and listened to the rep of the oil industry talk about why we should support measure 1. Maybe it is because I have been around since measure 6 was passed but I find the oil support for this measure suspicious.

They have nibbled successfully at the heels of measure 6 since it was passed. Every legislative session they have made sure that the rules of the road in this legislation were stopped. They have raised the threshold of measure 6 so that since 1981 there has never been the support for schools that was available that year.

It is premature that we put money away today....! I oppose measure 1

We have 30-40 years to deal with oil money. We have major infrastructure issues to deal with today. Schools will not gain a penny from this move. And wherever oil lobbyists are I am not...I can see a future proposal that says " Hey you have plenty of money in the bank let the oil folks keep those taxes."

The elections

2010-10-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

I am returning to blogging as of next week. I have wait been waiting until the elections are over so that I can get back into my favorite activity....commenting on political issues. I am now retired and until the next adventure comes along I intend to post to this blog.

The landscape is ripe for a lot of changes and I intend to enjoy the ride.

I now live in Bismarck, ND. This is a 1 party town. I live in a district where the incumbents have no opposition....I find this appalling in a democracy. Unless there is another line of thinking to, at least, hold the incumbents accountable we have anarchy.

Countdown begins......

2010-04-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

I have been contributing less lately to this blog simply because in a month I will no longer be an active teacher.....As great careers go this has been one. I am not in the least bit sad I chose education for my career. It will be a bittersweet time next fall when school starts and I am not in "my" classroom.....

It is also time to be done. The is little advocacy for either children or colleagues anymore in schools. There used to be a collegiality that went beyond the walls of the school. It was more the "we are all in this together" kind of attitude. I have not found that anywhere for a number of years now. Teachers are busy folks and hanging out with colleagues is no longer in vogue....much less taking the time to be an advocate

I have always been crazy busy talking about what kids and schools need. It is in my being to continue but I can no longer look over my shoulder and find anyone there who wants to charge ahead with me.

It is my opinion... yes...With all that comes at us today from the state and federal level it is no surprise that there is little said in school lounges that drives consensus anymore.

I am ready to do something else....I am not ready to move to the couch. I would like to continue to be a child advocate but not being a part of one of the big three....the teachers union, the administrators assn., or the principals assn. leaves one on the outside of education advocacy.

Let the countdown begin....

Education Week: Is Firing Teachers the Answer?

2010-03-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

this is relevant.....But no one in DC is listening

Education Week: Is Firing Teachers the Answer?

Education Week: Teachers' Unions Slam Obama K-12 Budget Proposals

2010-03-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting article....It reflects a lot of things about the new ESEA proposal by virtue of those opposed to it.

Education Week: Teachers' Unions Slam Obama K-12 Budget Proposals

ESEA Renewal: What We Know So Far - Politics K-12 - Education Week

2010-03-11T13:17:00.000-08:00

This is a great peek into the next generation of ESEA

ESEA Renewal: What We Know So Far - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Education Week: Union Leaders and the Generational Divide

2010-03-11T05:28:00.000-08:00

this is where it is at with teachers unions today....everywhere....

Education Week: Union Leaders and the Generational Divide

ltr_022610_duncan.pdf (application/pdf Object)

2010-03-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

Here is the letter that was sent by Senators to Duncan...

ltr_022610_duncan.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Senators to Duncan: Don't Forget Rural Schools - Politics K-12 - Education Week

2010-03-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

There is absolutely no evidence that the DOE gets it relative to rural education....In fact, i would have to guess that in one year it has become even harder for rural schools to access federal dollars to improve studetn achievement.

Senators to Duncan: Don't Forget Rural Schools - Politics K-12 - Education Week

ED Releases Teacher Incentive Fund Regs - Teacher Beat - Education Week

2010-03-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

ED Releases Teacher Incentive Fund Regs - Teacher Beat - Education Week

The seven secrets behind great teaching - Features - TES Connect

2010-02-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

WOW!

The seven secrets behind great teaching - Features - TES Connect

Love Fest for Arne Duncan and Governors - State EdWatch - Education Week

2010-02-22T08:57:00.000-08:00

this makes me worry...!

Love Fest for Arne Duncan and Governors - State EdWatch - Education Week

Education Week: Why Did the Gates Small-High-Schools Program Fail?

2010-02-19T13:38:00.000-08:00

"Nail on the head"

Education Week: Why Did the Gates Small-High-Schools Program Fail?

The Most Shameful Response to an Apparent Crisis - Bridging Differences - Education Week

2010-02-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

Ooh! I like the way you write.....

The Most Shameful Response to an Apparent Crisis - Bridging Differences - Education Week

Teachers Are Potted Palms in School Reform - Walt Gardner's Reality Check - Education Week

2010-02-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

My sentiments exactly...!

Teachers Are Potted Palms in School Reform - Walt Gardner's Reality Check - Education Week

Yes, Let's Talk About Backroom Deals | The New Republic

2010-02-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

This article is from Politico.....I find their material to be very balanced. I am not so sure that
Congress is a messed up as the talking heads want us to believe....We do seem to forget the 2003 drug bill debacle every time we talk about health care reform....

Yes, Let's Talk About Backroom Deals | The New Republic

Lawmakers to launch bipartisan effort to rewrite No Child Left Behind - washingtonpost.com

2010-02-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

This issue may get fast tracked as it is the only issue where there is a remote possibility of bipartisan work. The results will likely not work at all for midwest and rural education. It will get at the core of reform for the worst of the worst urban situations.....In other words we are not likely to find it very helpful here!

It will move fast so if anyone has an opinion you will need to watch carefully.

Lawmakers to launch bipartisan effort to rewrite No Child Left Behind - washingtonpost.com

Education Week: Work Begins on 'Next Generation' of Science Standards

2010-02-18T06:01:00.000-08:00

Education Week: Work Begins on 'Next Generation' of Science Standards

Education Week: Tying Teacher Tenure to Student Scores Doesn’t Fly

2010-02-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

Education Week: Tying Teacher Tenure to Student Scores Doesn’t Fly

Education Week: Attention, Gates: Here's What Makes a Great Teacher

2010-02-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

Wow! Read the whole thing and it will make a difference.....

Education Week: Attention, Gates: Here's What Makes a Great Teacher

Teacher Programs Realigned in FY 2011 Federal Budget Request - Teacher Beat - Education Week

2010-02-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

big news on the budget!

Teacher Programs Realigned in FY 2011 Federal Budget Request - Teacher Beat - Education Week

New Spin

2010-02-02T07:01:00.001-08:00

I have been told by someone who I respect that my blogging is too "intense" over the last year...

I took a pretty good beating during the election cycle and decided to stick mostly to postings that reflect current information on education issues that are relevant right now. I won't stop that but...

Since I am now three months from leaving the classroom I thought it would be fun to lighten up a bit a tell a few "kid stories".

I teach a unique population of "at risk" high school students so the stories I hear are often very entertaining:

D was driving down a street in the middle of our university campus when a car pulled up beside him, rolled down the window, and yelled at to ask if he wanted a beer. D is 16 and swears he did not know the other driver. As any good teenager would, he said sure and was tossed a beer from window to window. It gets better....His grandmother was in the passenger seat of his car. She grabbed the beer from him popped the top and drank it. "You aren't old enough she said..." He swears it is totally true.....

Education Week: New Critiques Urge Changes in Common Standards

2010-01-29T10:43:00.000-08:00

This will be an interesting exercise in frustration...when this is finally released...

Education Week: New Critiques Urge Changes in Common Standards

State preschool programs save $1B a year in crime, education costs | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

2010-01-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

Great case for pre- school support!

State preschool programs save $1B a year in crime, education costs freep.com Detroit Free Press

Education Week: Differentiate, Don't Standardize

2010-01-22T11:35:00.000-08:00

WOW! that is all I can say about this article! I hope many many people see this!

Education Week: Differentiate, Don't Standardize

Education Sector: Research and Reports: College- and Career-Ready

2010-01-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

This may read a bit nerdy/geeky..... but this kind of data has been missing for many years in education and could drive the future...

Education Sector: Research and Reports: College- and Career-Ready

Education Week: Quality of Questions on Common Tests at Issue

2010-01-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

This is really an interesting development and will be a big deal as time moves on!

Education Week: Quality of Questions on Common Tests at Issue

Education Week: Putting New Standards Into Practice a Tough Job

2010-01-19T11:17:00.000-08:00

Finally, someone is begiknnning to talk about how hard it is and why we don't just adopt every change that comes along...it has to work before we can make wholesale changes

Education Week: Putting New Standards Into Practice a Tough Job

Hoeven for Senate

2010-01-16T14:38:00.000-08:00

I have a lot of history with John Hoeven. One year before he ran for Governor I was in the hotel in a snow storm when he was asked by the Democratic hierarchy to run as a Democrat...He declined and then changed parties shortly thereafter. The question could still be asked. Was he trying to maximize his chances of winning by cherry picking the party of least resistance? I believe that would be a yes.

After he announced he was running for Governor we education reps had a private meeting wherein John was presented with the facts about teachers' wages prior to the year 2000. He campaigned on that issue an won the educator vote in ND in a big way. He had no plan as to how to deliver on the promise on election day but he had one by swearing in day that December...We gave it to him and he, of course, took credit for it.

Much to the chagrin of his chosen party he has been an advocate for funding and tax relief as it relates to public education in ND throughout his career as Governor.

Now he announces he is running for US senate and pirouettes instantly from a populist agenda to the far right....Heath care reform is bad. He is going to do the jobs jobs jobs dance. He seems to have already forgotten that in the US Senate he is 1 of 100 CEO. I am certain there is more to come when the worst of them all arrives on Monday (S. McConnell) and says very nice things about John.

Don't get me wrong. John will likely win and once again grease the skids of his political career. He has made hay at every turn to date and there is nothing in his way that would change now.

Mark my words, though, the pragmatic populist we have known as Governor will gladly enter the land of "NO" without looking back.

Universal Access to a Quality Education: Research and Recommendations for the Elimination of Curricular Stratification | Education and the Public Interest Center

2010-01-15T07:52:00.000-08:00

I completely disagree with this assertion. I have absolutely nothing to base my disagreement on except 30 years in the classroom.

Universal Access to a Quality Education: Research and Recommendations for the Elimination of Curricular Stratification Education and the Public Interest Center

Class Struggle - Study shows how dumb we can be

2010-01-15T07:49:00.000-08:00

This and the next story contradict each other...

Class Struggle - Study shows how dumb we can be

Milestones on Minorities and Poverty in Southern Schools - NYTimes.com

2010-01-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

This was predicted 20 years ago.....and may be a trend

Milestones on Minorities and Poverty in Southern Schools - NYTimes.com

What Makes a Great Teacher? - The Atlantic (January/February 2010)

2010-01-13T07:47:00.000-08:00

Teach for America is here to stay and this is an interesting review...

What Makes a Great Teacher? - The Atlantic (January/February 2010)

Hoeven....Senate

2010-01-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

Electing a CEO to the Senate bothers me a lot! I see Hoeven and former Governor Schafer both as CEO types...These guys never have learned how to play in the big sand box with others. They have always been in charge. The argument is that they can learn but I have never seen that concept work. The US Senate is a place where 100 men and women have equal power and control. In fact, even more than that. This is a place that would be better designed for folks who have had to work in non-profits than it is for CEO's. To make things happen we need folks with smaller not larger egos. People who have had to dig hard to make things work and understand the art of compromise. I realize that will never happen. Unless you are a multimillionaire you have no chance of winning. I see the deadlock in the Senate being exacerbated by Hoeven going there not improved as the GF Herald says today. He may be a moderate R but he has had great luck getting ideas from others that were populist and worked. Plus he has never had a tough policy issue to deal with. Even in his announcement he says he will go there and lower taxes....Everyone from every political persuasion agrees that higher taxes are the only answer to this budget deficit we are in...Speaking the party line will not help North Dakota....Voting no on everything won't either.

I realize that I find myself in a smaller and smaller minority in this state and that is fine. I continue to believe that things get done when there is a balance of power from all political persuasions. We are not even close to that today.

Dorgan's Announcement

2010-01-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

I remember in the late 90's when I got a call from S. Dorgan himself asking me to review a short paragraph of language in a bill related to special education. He needed a response ASAP as he had to vote on this item the next day. It was one of those moments when you can say that your elected leaders may not be so far away from the world you live in after all....

There was a time in the 80's when nearly 17% of the ND GDP came from federal dollars....We were in the tough economic times and needed our delegation to make sure that the doors stayed open in ND. Sure today, times are good and people want to bash "pork".....One thing I can say is that the legacy of this Congressional delegation will be that when they got funding for ND it was for things that were of value to all of us and made sense. It never seemed like we were taking advantage of the system here.

S. Dorgan was very good about his stewardship of the needs of this state and its people.

Folks are going to be gleeful about the possibilities of someone from a new party and a new face in DC. Maybe we should not be so fast......Mark my words, there will be a significant period of time where those things that S. Dorgan drove to ND will not happen. Even with all the talk...about change... Washington DC is not going to be any different any time soon. Seniority rules! We have it today. We won't have it in the future. At least not in this office.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-24T12:53:00.001-08:00

For/to anyone who reads this blog....I want to wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday! We are lucky to have chosen education as our career of choice. Not everything about what we do is on the level of wonderful, but I do absolutely enjoy going to work every day and dealing with learning!

Education Week: Charter Schools: Education's Fox in the Henhouse?

2009-12-24T12:53:00.000-08:00

I have reported for years that the potential for privatization of education was/is real and that warehousing of those who "can't" in public schools is a real possiblity...

Education Week: Charter Schools: Education's Fox in the Henhouse?

Learning from the Health Care Debacle - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

2009-12-22T12:31:00.000-08:00

Absolutely right on but it will take more than the unions to make the right things happen....I am worried!

Learning from the Health Care Debacle - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

National Journal Online - Education Tracking Continues To Stir Debate

2009-12-21T05:48:00.000-08:00

I disagree with both assertions! Neither goes far enough....If we don't know what the end game is after 20 years of writing standards then something is terribly wrong. Tracked or not we know what children should know and be able to do when the matriculate....The method of getting many of them there means offering them caring adults in any environment that works for them (the student).

National Journal Online - Education Tracking Continues To Stir Debate

AASA :: Fishing Blindly for Quality Teaching

2009-12-21T05:39:00.000-08:00

Obviously, this is a propriatory organization but it sounds like a more aggressive approach to heirarchy to me and I am not ready to go there. I feel bad having to say this but we have no history of administrators being quality instructional leaders. Some are great managers but instructional leadership takes a paradigm shift that I have never seen.

AASA :: Fishing Blindly for Quality Teaching

Education Secretary Arne Duncan Says Merit Pay Should Be Tied to Student Growth - US News and World Report

2009-12-21T05:35:00.000-08:00

Once again....It will be fun to see who and what gets funded next year. It will define the future reauthorization of NCLB

Education Secretary Arne Duncan Says Merit Pay Should Be Tied to Student Growth - US News and World Report

Flypaper: Education reform ideas that stick, from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute

2009-12-21T05:33:00.000-08:00

Good stuff if you want to know where the rub is!!!!!

Flypaper: Education reform ideas that stick, from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute

Education Week: Is Merit Pay the Answer?

2009-12-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

This is an extremely well written assessment of the whole merit pay conversation. Make sure you don't miss the comments about value added teaching. Also, the comments at the end about what we should be doing with this issue right now are right on!

Education Week: Is Merit Pay the Answer?

36 States Plan to Apply for Race to the Top, Round 1 - Politics K-12 - Education Week

2009-12-15T08:59:00.000-08:00

Please note! North Dakota is not applying for Race to the Top funds.....38 states are....I cannot imagine for one minute that there is not something that we could do that would be able to allow us to qualify for some support. Our system of education is still constantly on the verge of not being able to deliver. The new rules will leave us further behind than we are already.

Is anybody home at the DPI or the media looking into this?

36 States Plan to Apply for Race to the Top, Round 1 - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Education Week: Over the Top

2009-12-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

this is not only true but almost funny....if it weren't true!

Education Week: Over the Top

Theatre vs Skills center

2009-12-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

I don't often do this but as I move toward leaving this career for another I have "rant a bit." I have to be the advocate for the students with whom I work.

The school I work in was started in the 80's in Roosevelt Elementary. This is a physical facility that had already been closed as an elementary school because it was beyond repair. We spent many years there until the boilers and most of the other systems just gave out. We then moved to our present site. We are in the west wing of the Division of Vision services building. As soon as we moved in and division moved to the east wing of the building they completely gutted and remodeled the first floor to a very nice place.

A little known fact:

We rent our side of the building from the state...so we can do nothing without permission from the state. We have never had new student/teacher desks. We have no lab for science. We cobble our computer systems together by moving old machines from our lab to our classrooms. Our art room is part of our kitchen. We have to fight to keep our lunch program going. We have air conditioning on one side of the hall only. We have a heating system our of the 50's.

I have repeatedly sent proposals to the school board asking them to consider the possibility that Grand Forks could use a new Skills Center ( like the $12 million dollar one being completed as we speak in Bismarck or the one in Fargo). A place for our students...for people looking for additional training in computers and other businesses, an adult learning center, a place where local businesses could train on new computer software, even a place where a variety of tech schools could offer on site classes.

I picked up the paper this morning and saw that the district is going to spend $14 million on new theaters and music facilities. These are great programs and SPA has done a lot for many Grand Forks students. These two schools were completely redone after the flood. Where was the forethought then? If I had the choice I would vote for us first! We didn't even make the radar. We are not on a "burner" much less the back burner.

GFPS hired a consultant to look into the facilities for these arts programs but there was no consultant looking into programs for my population of students. This is a huge sum of money dedicated to a limited but powerful group of students. The students I work with have no advocates in the community other than the small group of staff members who work with them daily.

Folks, will say I am whining! You bet I am! These kids and these programs deserve the same facilities that the rest of the students populations gets. And a skills center would be a huge asset to this community if it was designed and built correctly.

Web Watch: How Do You Define Professional Development?

2009-12-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

Continuous, regular, and weekly...Hello, is there anyone out there who has seen this kind of Professional development? It certainly is not happening here.....We are the home of "fly by" professional development. And no one is asking what we are interested in learning either...

Web Watch: How Do You Define Professional Development?

Education Week: What If Faculty Meetings Were Voluntary?

2009-12-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

Can we add this to the administrator's bible.....?

Education Week: What If Faculty Meetings Were Voluntary?

Education Week: The 'Master's Pay Bump'

2009-12-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

Interesting Twist!

Education Week: The 'Master's Pay Bump'

NREA meetings with DOE Officials!

2009-12-02T09:46:00.000-08:00

Missing is the truly Rural part of America....The upper Midwest!

US Department of Education, NREA, and NREAC involved in discussions

Meeting 1

I met with John White, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Rural Outreach, November 30 in Washington. Assistant Secretary White is gathering information about rural schools and rural communities. He is a great listener and is requesting our collective assistance. John is seeking exemplary programs in rural schools. If you are willing to share a program in your community that is exemplary, please email the details to jehill@purdue.edu . If you are open to a visit from the U. S. Department of Education to assist them in becoming familiar with the challenges of rural schools and rural communities, please email me. This is our opportunity and responsibility to tell our stories and educate those who can assist us in Washington.

Meeting 2

Mary Kusler and I were part of a group invited to meet with Kevin Jennings, Assistant Secretary of Education, Office of State and Drug Free Schools on the same day. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss obstacles that are faced in terms of safety in schools. The discussions covered a number of topics. Mary emphasized the shortage of mental health services available to students in rural areas. The assistant secretary shred thoughts about collecting data on the climate of all schools from a variety of perspectives. The group shared the merits and potential unintended consequences of such an undertaking. Mary and I expressed our concerns with competitive grant programs placing rural districts at a disadvantage. The assistant secretary was open and listened intently to the comments that were made. We are appreciative of the opportunity to speak with department officials.

It appears that competitive grants may be a strategy that might become more prevalent. We must continue to communicate to legislative assistants and Department of Education personnel the lack of capacity small and rural districts has to participate in that game.

Meeting 3

Several weeks ago, top officials from the U.S. Department of Education reached out to AASA and the NREAC, seeking help understanding the needs of rural schools. Coordinating with the Department, we invited nine superintendents from across the country, representing a variety of rural school districts, to meet with Sec. Duncan. On Nov. 17, 2009, these nine superintendents gathered for a full day of meetings in Washington, D.C.

The nine superintendents who met with Sec. Duncan at the Department of Education were: Mark Bielang of Paw Paw, Mich., Public Schools; Randy Mohundro of Deleon, Texas, Independent School District ; Lyn Guy of Monroe County, W.Va., Schools; Elizabeth Reust of Plainville, Kan., Unified School District 270; Timothy Mitchell of Chamberlain, S.D., School District; Kevin Mitchell of Park County, Wyo., School District 1; Deborah Jackson-Dennison of Window Rock, Ariz., Unified School District 8; Randy Shaver of Tupelo, Mis.., Public School District; and Beatriz Ramirez of Raisin City, Calif., Public Schools. AASA staff attending the meeting included AASA Executive Director Dan Domenech and public policy staffers Bruce Hunter and Mary Kusler.

The focus of the day was to provide feedback on school-improvement strategies in rural areas and initial feedback and input on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Act. Participants in the meeting were able to contribute their thinking both on Capitol Hill and the Department. With the median school district size in the United States being 1,400 students, it is clear that small school districts should have a bigger say in policy discussions.

The day started early with meetings with Senate education staff to discuss the upcoming reauthorization of ESEA and also provide feedback on funding within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The afternoon was filled with three hours of meetings with Sec. Duncan and senior staff at the Department.

The meeting at the Department was broken up into three segments. During the first hour, participants were updated and then led in a discussion of ARRA by Deputy Sec. Tony Miller and Deputy Assistant Sec. for Rural Outreach John White. During this time, the superintendents were able to share the good, the bad and the ugly of stimulus funding including the jobs it had saved in West Virginia, the lack of new funding for Kansas and the overall concern about governors supplanting their effort in education with ARRA funding.

Sec. Duncan joined meeting participants for a discussion of school-improvement strategies for the lowest-performing rural schools. During the hour he was with the participants, he did more listening then speaking. When he did talk, he was contributing to the intense conversation and following up with more questions. He was clearly interested in the feedback from the superintendents on strategies to strengthen schools in need of improvement. The discussion ranged from the need for professional development for rural principals in turn-around schools, to addressing the needs of native children, to the need for resources to rural schools via formula -- not competitive -- avenues. (Mary Kusler provided this report)

Education Week: Duncan Aims to Make Incentives Key Element of ESEA

2009-12-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

Good news...bad news.....here

Education Week: Duncan Aims to Make Incentives Key Element of ESEA

Education Week: Winners Named for Gates Teacher Grants

2009-11-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

It will be important to watch these results....

Education Week: Winners Named for Gates Teacher Grants

Education Week: The New War Against Ed Schools

2009-11-20T08:52:00.000-08:00

Great ideas... especially the idea of funding lab schools for interning undergrads....!

Education Week: The New War Against Ed Schools

A Race to the Bottom | The Big Money

2009-11-20T07:21:00.000-08:00

Amazing assessment and very very possible....Has anyone heard if ND will even apply?

A Race to the Bottom | The Big Money

Urbanite Duncan Continues Rural Outreach - Politics K-12 - Education Week

2009-11-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

This is so true!

Urbanite Duncan Continues Rural Outreach - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Obama and Duncan Are Wrong About Charters - Bridging Differences - Education Week

2009-11-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

I particuatly enjoy the comments about skimming good students and ignoring the disabled.

Obama and Duncan Are Wrong About Charters - Bridging Differences - Education Week

Education Week: Prospect of Health-Plan Tax Draws Union Opposition

2009-11-17T09:02:00.000-08:00

Something worth thinking about!

Education Week: Prospect of Health-Plan Tax Draws Union Opposition

Education Week: The Impact of Alternate Routes to Teaching

2009-11-16T10:36:00.000-08:00

This, too, may be the future....I am confused by Sec. Duncan. He wants to change the way teacher preparation is done in the college degree route but is unconcerned about those who enter the profession from the "alternate" programs....Which way does he want it? If higher standards are expected of college grads then why not higher standards of alternatively prepared teachers...

It is still about student achievement as defined by a test score.........

Plus, by filling the supply/demand void with alternate route educators we have literally stopped the possibility of significant wages increases happening any time soon. Every other profession that has high wages, controls the supply side of the equation.

Education Week: The Impact of Alternate Routes to Teaching

Education Week: Reimagining the Textbook

2009-11-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

The time will come when the book goes away....I wonder when that will be?

Education Week: Reimagining the Textbook

Issue and Policy Briefs | Alliance for Excellent Education

2009-11-13T07:25:00.000-08:00

More on teacher prep......!

Issue and Policy Briefs | Alliance for Excellent Education

Education Week: Researchers Probe Pay Incentives for Teachers

2009-11-12T05:42:00.000-08:00

This might be a good read...I am still convinced that over all gross measures of achievement gains will not ever connect to pay for performance.....Individual gains can be... but when you go from "zero to something" instead of "good to proficient" you don't get credit in today's systems. The big world still wants everyone to be "proficient".....not "something"

Education Week: Researchers Probe Pay Incentives for Teachers

Obama's Vision for Education - Bridging Differences

2009-11-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

A different twist on the administrations plans....

Obama's Vision for Education - Bridging Differences

Teachers....Health Care

2009-11-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

I am in a group plan with BCBSND. Historically teachers have been able to bargain reasonably good insurance over the years. The decay in these plans began in about 2001 and has gotten worse over that last couple of years. *Little known fact.* We have a PPO(preferred provider option) even though we are told we don't. We have to designate a primary care physician within one system or we pay the difference between a 90/10 coverage and a70/30 coverage. If I retire and move and want to exercise my cobra option I not only will have to pay a premium but I will have to pay the 70/30 as well. Then, when my cobra runs out, at today's rate, I will have less insurance and a nearly $1300 a month premium. I will not be at medicare age so I am in the jaws of this dilemma....I am guessing that I am, like many others, who would like to see insurance reform that would just slow down the decay in coverage.....

Our insurance has been like the airlines.....no charges.....then charge for peanuts....then charge for water....then charge for luggage....then charge for gas....then charge for holidays....and on it goes

Learning Point Associates: Generation Y Policy Modules

2009-11-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

This is revealing as we move the conversation forward...

Learning Point Associates: Generation Y Policy Modules

Evaluating D.C. teachers a confusing job - washingtonpost.com

2009-11-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

This may be the future!?

Evaluating D.C. teachers a confusing job - washingtonpost.com

Road Diaries: Teacher of the Year

2009-11-05T06:16:00.000-08:00

This is a must read for every educator and politician in America.....we still and probably never will "get it"

Road Diaries: Teacher of the Year

BCBSND Elections

2009-11-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Since nearly every educator in ND is on some blue cross insurance plan this needs to be noted....Blue Cross has distributed its ballots for election of the board of directors. There is no opposition running against the incumbents. This is, in and of itself, unacceptable! Much less, the fact that I find out that educators can't vote. Even though we pay a portion of our premiums we are NOT eligible to vote. We are on a group plan so "someone" gets to vote once for all 1000 of us.

Bridging Differences: Should Teacher Evaluation Depend on Student Test Scores?

2009-11-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

This really gets to the heart of the problem......!

Bridging Differences: Should Teacher Evaluation Depend on Student Test Scores?

TFFR

2009-11-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

I am going to start a series of post about TFFR.....Based on the graphs I have in front of me...TFFR is going broke and there is very little we can do to fix it...there is a need for a larger conversation about this issue....What do we do? More folks need to get tuned in to this issue and begin a dialogue....If we don'.... the legislature will be left making the decision.that may or may not be a good thing.

HB 1400

2009-11-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

If any other policy geeks read this....I have a question....? I was reading this bill and found that section #24 and #25 seem to contradict each other....One says that every junior in Nd "shall" take the ACT/work keys tests.....#25 says that if one wants general diploma they "may" take the ACT/Work keys tests....I don't get it.....???

Education Week: National Panel Urges Upgrades to Teacher Workforce

2009-11-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

More of the same changes we can expect to happen in the next 5 years....

Education Week: National Panel Urges Upgrades to Teacher Workforce

Race to the top

2009-11-02T05:53:00.000-08:00

I am curious.....There is absolutely no news on federal grant applications in ND.....Are we trying to circumvent the rules and apply or not....for "Race to the top" or the "Innovations" program...? We don't appear to be qualified for either but it is a lot of dollars to not even be in the game.

CAE_Arts_and_Graduation_Report.pdf (application/pdf Object)

2009-10-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

Finally....This needs to be read by every politician in America!

CAE_Arts_and_Graduation_Report.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Op-Ed Columnist - The Quiet Revolution - NYTimes.com

2009-10-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

I do not agree with this entire scenario but some of the changes were inevitable......Charter schools in rural America make no sense at all.....They are place bound and counter intuitive....We need other new ideas.

Op-Ed Columnist - The Quiet Revolution - NYTimes.com

Education Week: Study Urges Regional Focus on Rural Schools

2009-10-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

This is where the NCLB fails as well as the current federal government approach to education....

Education Week: Study Urges Regional Focus on Rural Schools

Education chief calls for teacher prep overhaul - washingtonpost.com

2009-10-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

On the money!

Education chief calls for teacher prep overhaul - washingtonpost.com

Curriculum Matters: Coming Next for Common Standards: Science and Social Studies?

2009-10-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

Here they come....!

Curriculum Matters: Coming Next for Common Standards: Science and Social Studies?