Search results for Reform
NSBA Director writes about “Debunking the ‘reform’ agenda’” for ASBJ
In the June issue of American School Board Journal, National School Boards Association Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel writes about the importance of a strong public education system and the forces that make false promises through “reforms” such as vouchers. Read his “Last Word” column here:
No human enterprise is perfect, and we all are capable of improving. That’s especially true when an institution faces continuing challenges and new demands. Such is the case with Read more here
America’s Education Spring: A Growing Revolt Against ‘Reform’ Mandates
"It's always hard to tell for sure exactly when a revolution starts," wrote John Tierny in The Atlantic recently.
Videos: NSBA leaders address the 2013 Annual Conference
Check out the speeches from National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) leaders from the 2013 NSBA Annual Conference:
2013-2014 President David A. Pickler:
Our new President, Pickler, discussed the “New NSBA” to create “the most relevant and responsive organization possible as we advocate in Washington, D.C., in state capitols across this country, and in service of our state association members.” Pickler noted that the NSBA Board of Directors has focused significant energies over the Read more here
In Education Reform Debate, One Group Standing Out This Session
State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, spoke Wednesday as Texas charter school supporters rallied at the Texas Capitol to lobby the Legislature for more funding.
Robberson: Lynch-mob mentality over Miles’ DISD reforms
I'm not generally known as a big Mike Miles supporter. I was particularly harsh in my critiques of the Dallas ISD superintendent last fall because he had a bad way of articulating the worth of experienced teachers versus energetic, new teachers.
They Don’t Learn It If They Don’t Like You
"Kids don't learn from people they don't like," said Rita Pierson, a teacher and anti-poverty advocate in opening an hour-long television program devoted to major themes in teaching and learning. Her presentation is available on the Web to promote the full program on PBS Tuesday and Thursday.
Pierson's message is that kids need human relationships with teachers in order to learn. She also makes no bones about how difficult it is for an adult to offer that kind of interaction with every...single...child.
"Will Read more here
Noah Berlatsky on School Reform
Last year there was a major change at the private Waldorf elementary school my son attends.
Efforts to Reform Teacher Evaluations in Texas Falter
When Texas lawmakers rolled out a framework for evaluating public school teachers more than 15 years ago, they intended to identify ways to strengthen the state's teaching corps.
Not much data available on school turnaround models, new CPE report finds
Turnaround strategies for low-performing schools are getting a lot of attention from states and the federal government—which are spending billions of dollars on those efforts. But do these strategies work?
The National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Center for Public Education (CPE) finds that while there have been some successes there’s not much evidence yet that many of these strategies will work on a larger scale.
The report, “Which Way Up? What research says about school turnaround Read more here
Mexican Teachers Rebelling Against Government over Education Reforms
A Mexican teachers' strike that began two months ago turned violent this week, with rebel "maestros" looting, burning and partially destroying the offices of Mexico's three main political parties in Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state.
Snyder defends secret project to reform education system
Gov. Rick Snyder on Friday defended his administration's involvement in a secret project that is trying to develop a cheaper way to deliver public education through a voucher-like funding system.
Measure Education Reform by Quality, Not Quantity
High-quality public education is critically important to America's future, and we are falling behind globally.
Council of Urban Boards of Education selects 2013-2014 steering committee
The National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) has elected its Chair, Vice Chair, and new members to its Steering Committee.
School board members Minnie Forte-Brown, of North Carolina’s Durham Public Schools, and Van Henri White, of New York’s Rochester City School District, will begin a one-year term as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. They began their service in these leadership roles in October 2012.
Forte-Brown is currently the Vice Chair Read more here
Ravitch: Public schools facing ‘unprecedented assault’
Public education is under attack. Local school boards are under attack. Local governance is under attack.
That was the blunt message delivered by Diane Ravitch at the closing General Session of NSBA’s annual conference in San Diego.
A nationally recognized education researcher and author, Ravitch has become a fierce critic of many of the education reform models that, in the past decade, have been advocated by misguided state and federal policymakers, as well by wealthy ideologues. And she shared Read more here
Pickler: Let’s ‘change the conversation’ about public schools
School board members have watched the efforts to privatize public education through vouchers and charter schools, and they’ve seen the authority of local school governance eroded by the decisions of state and federal policymakers.
They’ve also watched public education put on the defensive in national debates—and heard the arguments that the nation’s public schools are failing and school boards are obstacles to reform.
But none of this will go unchallenged in the future, NSBA’s new president, Read more here
Value Choices: Investing in High-Quality Preschool
It's a pleasure to be here and to participate in the launch of the state's new Early Childhood strategic plan
My friend Governor Markell has been an amazing partner and an extraordinary leader for children in Delaware. And Delaware is helping lead the nation where we need to go through its Race to the Top program and its Race to the Top-Early Learning challenge reforms.
Superintendent: School-based health centers, community-based reform critical
When San Diego Unified Superintendent Cindy Marten was principal of Central Elementary School, a first-grader told her he wanted to meet President Obama.
Marten told him that she, too, would like to meet the president — that they shared the same dream. A week after that conversation, the little boy was dead of sickle cell anemia.
Marten used this story at Monday’s Caucus breakout session on community schools at NSBA’s annual conference to show the power that school-based health centers can Read more here
New NSBA President David Pickler takes office in midst of change
David A. Pickler
David A. Pickler knows about change.
His career has evolved from business to law to financial planning and accounting. As a member of the Shelby County, Tenn. school board, Pickler is in the midst of a massive merger with Memphis City Schools that will drastically change the demographics and operations of the school district.
So as Pickler becomes NSBA’s 2013-14 President at the Third General Session this afternoon, he has plans to help NSBA become a “change agent,” and a Read more here
$300m a terrible deal: Barnett
Premier Colin Barnett says the Prime Minister's proposed education reforms, which will see WA receive just $300 million from a national package of $14.5 billion, is a "terrible deal" for the State.
NSBA, AASA leaders: We’re stronger working together
Just as it’s essential for school boards and superintendents to work well together on behalf of their schoolchildren, it’s equally important for NSBA and the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) to partner successfully on behalf of public education.
That was the opening observation of NSBA Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel during an informal discussion with AASA Executive Director Dan Domenech at a Focus on Education session Saturday.
Both national organizations are committed Read more here
The New NSBA: ‘We will make our presence felt’
The “new NSBA” will take the battle to those who look to dismantle the nation’s public education system—and its leaders intend to play a more influential role in future policy debates over school reform and local school board governance.
That was the message delivered by Thomas J. Gentzel, NSBA’s new executive director, at NSBA’s annual conference First General Session Saturday.
The NSBA Board of Directors and state school boards association leaders have spent the past year working on Read more here
School boards given guidance to avoid excessive out-of-school suspensions
Access the complete guide, "Addressing the Out-of-School Suspension Crisis: A Policy Guide for School Board Members”
A new report shows how school boards are creating discipline policies to avoid excessive out-of-school suspensions, which disproportionately affect minority students, that disrupt student learning and engagement.
The report, “Addressing the Out-of-School Suspension Crisis: A Policy Guide for School Board Members,” was released today during the National School Boards Association’s Read more here
Strengthening the board and superintendent relationship
These are challenging times for boards and superintendents and we must not forget the necessity of a highly effective relationship as they lead our schools.
That was the message from Nesa Brauer and Dean Langdon of the Illinois Association of School Boards at a Saturday morning session. Their session, “The Board and Its Superintendent: Developing and Maintaining an Effective Relationship,” highlighted a framework to analyze the relationship between the governing body and its top administrator. Read more here
Pickler to delegates: ‘We can make a difference’
Working together, the nation’s 90,000 school board members can “accomplish great things,” NSBA President-Elect David A. Pickler told the Delegate Assembly Friday.
“In a spirit of passion, a journey of commitment, a journey of dedication, we can change the world … we can make a difference,” he said.
Noting that other organizations have dominated the policy debate over public education for far too long, Pickler, who Monday will become NSBA’s president, said that by working together, NSBA, Read more here
At Occupy the DOE, A Push for Democratic, Not Corporate, Education Reform
Activists at the Occupy the DOE march on Saturday, April 6th protested education reform measures including high-stakes standardized testing, school closures, and defunding.
School officials urge community to raise its hand for education reform
It's been a few years since one of Melissa Lyman's daughters cracked open a textbook inside a Victoria school district classroom.
NM schools grading formula reform bill vetoed
Critics say New Mexico's formula for grading its 830 public schools is a confusing mess, but Gov.
Unlike in DC, school test cheating administrators are being criminally charged in Atlanta
For the most part, DC has swept the test cheating that occurred during the Chancellorship of Michelle Rhee under the rug, likely because it interferes with the false narrative that the "reform" program in the DC Public Schools has been successful.
New Mexico Gov. Martinez to act on high-profile bills
One reform measure from the recently concluded legislative session could be the best example of how politics influences education policies.
Testing, Early Learning, and the Pace of Reform: Talking with Teachers
Our work at the US Department of Education aims to make sure that students throughout this country have the education that they deserve – an education that will give every student a genuine opportunity to join a thriving middle class. A crucial part of that work is supporting, elevating and strengthening the teaching profession.
Interview with NSBA Conference speaker Diane Ravitch: ‘Schools belong to the people and not to corporations’
From 1991 to 1993, Diane Ravitch served as Assistant Secretary of Education in President George H.W. Bush’s administration. Today, the author and education historian says the institution she served at the federal level is under an unprecedented threat from powerful interests intent on privatizing public schools.
In 2010, Ravitch published The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Undermine Education. A keynote speaker at the 2013 NSBA Annual Conference in San Read more here
Weingarten on why she got arrested, ‘the gall’ of reformers and more
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten was arrested last week in Philadelphia while protesting a hearing of the School Reform Commission that voted to close 23 public schools.
‘Storm of reform’ — the damage done
Principal Carol Burris' recent post on why she is no longer a fan of the Common Core stirred wide interest and lively debate - enough that Carol decided to follow up with a piece that addresses some of the questions voiced in the comments following the piece, as well as in the emails she received after its posting.
Education the Louisiana Way
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., last Friday visited a private Catholic school, St. Mary's Academy in New Orleans, for a tour and a discussion with local education officials and families. The purpose of the visit, (gumbo and sazerac aside) was to promote Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's education agenda, much of which has landed in court. "We want to explore what has been gained in terms of experience to see how we can learn from this at the federal level," Cantor said after the event.
Jindal, Read more here
Is it time for significant education reform?
Government is properly committed to assuring that all children receive a minimum education.
Steve Peha responded to Arne Duncan’s Distracting Gaffe on March 9, 2013 05:57 PM
Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood Educators around the country tell me they aren’t optimistic about reform. Morale is low. They are overwhelmed by the present and anxious about the future. New evaluation systems, new tests from new consortia, and new curriculum from the Common Core are coming to classrooms everywhere whether teachers are ready or not. And many of them feel that they are not. We are asking more of teachers than ever before. In theory, there is nothing wrong with this; asking more of Read more here
Randi Weingarten arrested at Philadelphia school closings hearing
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten was arrested along with 18 other activists in Philadelphia today as they were protesting a hearing by the School Reform Commission on a plan to close nearly 30 public schools in the city.
Corporate Reform ‘Shill’ Beat by Labor-Backed Zimmer in LA School Board Election
In a win for public education, the billionaire-backed corporate reform candidate was handed a loss in Tuesday's Los Angeles School Board election.
Education reforms in Israel: Let’s look at Sweden
It is true that Sweden spends more public money than Israel per pupil; however, Israeli households pay much more than the Swedes.
Jeanne Allen responded to Arne Duncan’s Distracting Gaffe on March 5, 2013 11:10 AM
Leadership Goes Beyond Pinocchio's Noses Irresponsible Leadership That Goes Beyond Pinocchio's Noses The Center for Education Reform wrote last week about the Chicken Little behavior this administration is leading on education, along with countless school leaders and association spokespeople. We are happy to have sparked a mini-debate on the subject! But what remains absolutely astonishing is that among all of these thousands of entities that spend and receive federal money, no one seems to Read more here
Big Monied Education ‘Reform’ Groups Flood Los Angeles School Board Race
Los Angeles has become the latest battleground in the contested war over school "reform" as a group of billionaire school-privatization advocates have turned Tuesday's school board election into a national, multi-million dollar "test case" in the fight over the future of education.
Are education reforms hurting the students who need the most help, poor and minority kids?
In his blog "becoming radical , " Paul Thomas, a Furman University associate professor of education, contends that the education reform movement perpetuates inequity and increases segregation.
Protests and demonstrations are a form of free speech, but…
Yesterday, Austin was the scene of at least two protests, immigration advocates gathered to demand comprehensive reform, but that movement was over-shadowed by the 'Save Texas Schools' movement.
Showdown over Education Reform
Recently approved by the Mexican Congress and ratified by a majority of state legislatures, the country's new education law is touted as a centerpiece of the Pact for Mexico agreed to by the nation's major political parties.
Speaker: Removing constraints will improve public education
A former Baton Rouge high school teacher turned education scholar said Friday that reforms of public education have mostly failed and will continue to fail until school leaders learn to "cage-bust" the constraints placed upon them and that they place on themselves.
White seeks education improvements
BATON ROUGE -- Louisiana schools are making good progress, says Superintendent of Education John White, and some adjustments to existing reforms could speed up that progress.
Texas Senators have harsh words for STAAR exam
Members of the state Senate Education Committee are spending hours maligning Texas' standardized testing system - and talking openly about ways to reform it.
Stop saying that
My colleague Emma Brown recently wrote a glossary to help people better understand the undecipherable jargon used in the education world - words and phrases such as "self-regulation" and "DIBELS" and "scaffolding." Here's a related piece, about what a maddening phrase constantly thrown around in the education reform debate really means.
Branstad outlines goals for students, future teachers resulting from education reform
Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday announced two concrete goals he believes the state can achieve as a result of the education reform package now winding its way through the Iowa Legislature.
Why ‘school reform’ is a misnomer — principal
Carol Burris is the award-winning principal of South Side High School in New York who has been at the forefront of opposition to New York State's new teacher evaluation system.
