People say to me, what's the problem? Is anyone really against the arts in schools?My typical response is that it's not often one single event, it's more about the waves that wash it off the beach. Those waves have been the back-to-basics movement, NCLB, budget cuts, accountability, principal empowerment, site-based management, and so much more. It's why some of us in NYC have … [Read more...] about A Thousand Little Cuts: “The civil right is to an excellent education,” she said. “It’s not about having an art room.”
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A Successful DC Arts-Centered Middle School to Get “Reformed”
The precise term is "turned," a diminutive of "turnaround," I presume. Turnaround being the latest and greatest craze in school reform. I believe the term is used in the espionage business as well. As in she "turned rogue." So, in short order:A middle school in the well-to-do Georgetown section of DC fails to attract students from its zoned area. Those parents choose to send … [Read more...] about A Successful DC Arts-Centered Middle School to Get “Reformed”
Final USDOE Race to the Top Guidelines Released: Arts Education an Outlier
I will try hard to be positive and productive with this blog. I promise.Okay, the long awaited Race to the Top final guidelines have been released. At the bottom of this entry I will provide a set of the links to the Executive Summary, full guidelines, press release, etc.First, let's address the question: what about arts education? The short answer is that the news is not … [Read more...] about Final USDOE Race to the Top Guidelines Released: Arts Education an Outlier
A Vital Partner: The United Federation of Teachers
It's not the smoothest time for teacher unions these days. They're a a pretty easy target when people wring their hands about the state of K-12 public education. But, hey, what would their critics do without them. Who would they have to criticize and blame? (The answer is: teacher colleges and school boards, in case you haven't heard.)If you look around at most of the arts … [Read more...] about A Vital Partner: The United Federation of Teachers
You Cannot Make this Stuff Up: NYC Department of Ed And Its Hypnotherapist
Presumably, this blog will be subject to some criticism by the Association of Hypnotherapists. In today's New York Daily News, there is an article about the New York City Department of Education dropping almost $375,000 on the services of a "new age hypnotherapist." Apparently, this consultant was brought on board to "boost productivity and morale among middle managers" … [Read more...] about You Cannot Make this Stuff Up: NYC Department of Ed And Its Hypnotherapist