I can't tell you how many times I have heard supporters of arts education say: "we need a research project that will prove beyond any doubt what we already know about the benefits of arts education. Then we will really make headway."It's the silver bullet theory. In this case, it's the incontrovertible piece of research that will flip the switch. The silver bullet theory has … [Read more...] about Is There a Silver Bullet to Fix Education?
main
Update on NYSCA Funding Cuts
Thanks to New York State politics, the cuts to NYSCA as proposed by Governor Patterson will not be taking place. Phew....With state budget deficits growing, what happened here may be worth noting carefully, very carefully.It raises the question of exactly how prepared we all are to advocate during a period of budget reductions. In this instance, had the New York State … [Read more...] about Update on NYSCA Funding Cuts
The Bleeding Edge: 20 Percent Mid-Year Cuts to the New York State Council on the Arts
The budget for the State of New York has a big hole in it, this year and next. Governor David Patterson has proposed major cuts, some call it amputations, to the NYSCA budget.A cut of $2.6 million occurred just a short time ago. Now the Governor has proposed an additional cut of $7 million. All totaled, this is a near 20 percent cut, reducing the NYSCA budget to $39 million, … [Read more...] about The Bleeding Edge: 20 Percent Mid-Year Cuts to the New York State Council on the Arts
To Go Where No Public School Teacher Has Gone Before: No Tenure
Michelle Rhee, DC Schools Chancellor, has unveiled non-tenure track pilot program for teachers in the DC public school system. With the help of private foundations, Rhee will offer this non-tenure track for teachers, in exchange for significantly increased pay.Teacher tenure: it's the boogie-man of school administrators and free marketeers. But you know, it's like anything … [Read more...] about To Go Where No Public School Teacher Has Gone Before: No Tenure
News Flash: Gates Foundation Announces New Focus in Education
I bet this will be my most viewed blog.The big news here is that Gates, as many people already knew, will be moving away from its focus on the creation of small schools. It will be interesting to see what happens to the small school movement, particularly those districts that are in the middle or early stages of development. Here is an excerpt from Liz Green's piece from Gotham … [Read more...] about News Flash: Gates Foundation Announces New Focus in Education