Goodlad on School Reform: Are we ignoring lessons of the past 50 years?Who is John Goodlad anyway? Here's a rather good, general biography on answers.com.My quick take: he's an extraordinary educator who is the most remarkable combination of background, heart, and intellect. From the one-room school-house of his early career, to work as a principal, to prominence as a … [Read more...] about Essential Reading: John Goodlad’s Three Part Piece in the Post
Archives for May 2010
Apologies to All
Listening to Diane Ravitch on Leonard Lopate just about makes me want to cry; if you click through the previous post you may very well feel the same way. So, I thought it might be good to offer a respite. For all those who are heading towards some sort of apology, or would like to forget their most recent apology, I present you The Apologies of the Week, a favorite section from … [Read more...] about Apologies to All
Diane Ravitch on WNYC’s Leonard Lopate Show
Okay, I admit it, I may just have blogged more about Diane Ravitch than any other single person since I started Dewey21C almost two years ago. And that is as it should be!It never ceases to amaze me how bizarre the world of K-12 education has become. Diane provides some sanity from the never ending madness of K-12 education policy debates. And if you're wondering how we got … [Read more...] about Diane Ravitch on WNYC’s Leonard Lopate Show
“I Felt Like A Professional”–What a Teacher Told Me at a Recent Conference
I have to admit, that comment both was a potent pill, as it both pleased me and broke my heart. How could it be possible that the teachers feel so beleaguered? Well, one look at the major media around teaching and teachers, and well, you figure it all out in an instant. It was pleasing, of course, as an assessment of the all-day professional development conference. We got … [Read more...] about “I Felt Like A Professional”–What a Teacher Told Me at a Recent Conference
You Can’t Even Give Music Education Away for Free: PS24 in The Bronx
Okay, I hear you in advance: it's one single example. But let's look a bit more deeply at it, shall we?Take a good gander at this article from a local newspaper. Why would a principal turn a program away, when it's being provided for free, is being embraced by other schools in the area, and the schools are facing historic budget cuts? Why is the principal allowed to do it? What … [Read more...] about You Can’t Even Give Music Education Away for Free: PS24 in The Bronx