News Nuggets

Campaign Buttons?: Not on our Campus!

The chancellor of the New York City School System promulgated a memo reminding system staff that political paraphernalia could not be worn at school.

"Fail to the Chief": Neither Candidate gets NCLB

After eight years of failed education policy, two candidates vie for the title as "Your Education President for Change."

Fracturing Teacher Trust with Forked-Tongue Politics

"Speaking with forked tongue" and "talking out of both sides of the mouth" is standard fare from politicians. So are promises to teachers for additional money and job support. And, what politicians give, they can take away.

Miami: Now a Majority Spanish-Speaking City

It's official. Miami is a majority Spanish-speaking city.

And, this does not mean that like San Antonio, Los Angeles or Tucson that the majority population is of Hispanic origin. This means that the majority of the city's population speaks Spanish.

Districts “Cutting Down” on Teacher Absences: Will they use an Axe, Weed Trimmer or Bulldozer?

May is the time to maximize student learning. But, May follows a period of maximum, high-stakes-test-related stress and fatigue.

Does your School District have a "Rubber Room"

National Public Radio (NPR) ran a program about the " Rubber Room" program that is operated by the New York Public School System.

Why Last Resort Programs Work: Stopping the Dropout Epidemic

It is amazing how "last resorts" programs sometimes enjoy success (and pick up the pieces) that other, better funded, better designed, higher-rated, programs (that are staffed by more highly-qualified folks) flub.

NCLB is up for Re-Authorization: Candidates Take Pot Shots, but Don't have a Clue

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is up for re-authorization.

And, candidates of both parties have taken their pot shots at the bad law.

But, none of the candidates says anything to indicate that they have a clue about how to "fix" the law, or indicates that they know how to "fix" public education.

Paying Parents to "Do the Right Thing"

Paying "Low-Income" Parents to "Do the Right Thing?" Is this a viable antipoverty strategy? Do you think that an approach like this is "crazy?" Would you rather just put parents in jail for "Doing the wrong thing?" Is putting parents in jail for doing the wrong thing cheaper, or more expensive than paying them to do the right thing?

Teacher Sexual Abuse of Children: Disgusting! Scandalous! Preventable?

Our country's print media, talk shows and newscasts flooded with "deplorable news" after the Associate Press released a report on teacher sexual abuse of students.