Tag: students

Elisa Villanueva Beard, CEO of Teach for America, wrote an interesting article for The 74 last week titled “Too Many Students Say School Just Isn’t Relevant. It’s Time to Listen to Them.” I’m no longer a big fan of Teach for America. Like most reform efforts, after making a big scene in their first 10…

As much as I want to get away from this story, I can’t. I promised my readers – No More Cell Phone Coverage for the Rest of the Year – but the story will never die. Now, it’s Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds making news in the Hawkeye State that she will propose a bill banning…

Many agree that America’s K-12 education system is stuck, unable to break out from the shackles that prevent too many kids from becoming strong readers, writers, and problem-solvers. But if we look at other countries around the world, their schools seem to be working better for their kids than ours. Why? Recently, Virgil Hammonds from…

I remember the day I was talking with one of my high schoolers in my office. I was the principal of an urban high school in Houston, Texas at the time. I was asking the kid how he was doing in one of his courses and he shared that he was going to do okay…

It might be fair to say that our current K-12 model works for most kids in rural and suburban settings, especially when it comes to elementary education. But our urban school districts? Most are a mess, especially when it comes to financial efficiency. Last month, Marguerite Roza and Maggie Cicco, both from Georgetown University’s Edunomics…

I can’t say I’m excited about a second presidential term for Donald J. Trump. Embarrassed might be a better description. Nevertheless, it might be a good idea to learn more about what Trump could do as our 47th president. Just after the November election, The 74’s Linda Jacobson, in an article titled “What a Second…

Whenever traditional public school districts say they are “reimagining,” or “innovating,” or “creating” a better system for learning, be skeptical. Most have no idea what that means, and if they do, have no idea how to execute such a goal. For example, take the Des Moines Independent Community School District. The Des Moines Public Schools…

If you’ve read my column, you know I not in love with the title of “teacher.” It suggests that the focus should be on the act of “teaching” something, instead of the value of “learning” something. I like “learning coach” or “learning facilitator” way more. But, until we change our language around what we call…

For my last column before Thanksgiving break, I thought we would explore the world of school finance – specifically Vermont school finance. Now before you hit delete and start fixing your pumpkin pies, stay with me here. Vermont isn’t the only state struggling with how to best pay for their kids’ public schooling. And school…