From Dissent Magazine, it's worth a read:How Billionaires Rule Our Schools, by Joanne Barkan.Okay, go ahead and laugh, and make it a good one, but don't be too surprised by the first thought that came to mind while reading this article: How can we get these institutions to really drive home arts education???One project, the Broad Superintendents Academy, pays all tuition … [Read more...] about Got Dough: How Billionaires Rule Our Schools (Dissent Magazine)
Dispatch from the East: Calcium Light Night And The Morning Snow
Fade to white...I don't know how many of you know Charles Ives's work "Calcium Light Night," which refers to what is also known as a carbide light, or in the theater as a limelight, but last night walking home from the train was quite a trip, with the heavy snow and deserted surroundings. After having had the truly great pleasure of hearing hockey legend Mark Messier speak … [Read more...] about Dispatch from the East: Calcium Light Night And The Morning Snow
The Challenges and Just A Bit Of Irony: Bloomberg’s Gun Control Advocacy Finds a Hard Sell by Those in Power
Now this is a particularly interesting article.Bloomberg's Gun-Limits Coalition Grows, but Finds a Hard Sell in Washington, Elizabeth A. Harris, The New York Times, January 26, 2010But despite the coalition's size, its deep pockets and its muscular public relations operation, Mr. Bloomberg's campaign has failed to force major strengthening of federal gun control laws. 1. … [Read more...] about The Challenges and Just A Bit Of Irony: Bloomberg’s Gun Control Advocacy Finds a Hard Sell by Those in Power
The See-Saw of Education: The Suprising Reasons Why Other Nations Outperform the US
What, you say? Yesterday it was push-pull and today it's see-saw? What will it be tomorrow???Tomorrow? Well, maybe I will use a phrase that Rob Horowitz and I used to bandy about: the churn.I am a big fan of Valerie Strauss's blog in the Washington Post: The Answer Sheet.It doesn't hurt that she has from time-to-time pointed towards Dewey21C, but really, it's because of posts … [Read more...] about The See-Saw of Education: The Suprising Reasons Why Other Nations Outperform the US
Two Directions At Once: The Push-Pull in Education
"Only two?," was probably the crack more than a couple of you thought while eyeballing the above title.Here are two stories, that go a long way towards showing how education is often traveling in more than one direction at any given moment.The first is about a recent study finding testing to be among the best ways to really learn something: To Really Learn, Quit Studying and … [Read more...] about Two Directions At Once: The Push-Pull in Education