Throughout history, there are numerous examples of smart people who have made poor decisions. At the time, they may have thought that the decision seemed logical, appropriate and promised that positive changes would result. We have all read stories of well-respected people who have made incredibly ill-conceived statements, policies, and proclamations that in hindsight were misguided, short-sighted and downright wrong. Here's a grievous example of one of those misguided decisions.

The…

As educators, I felt many of the Long Islanders on this board would find this email informative...

There are no miracles, but there are teachers: An educator’s view on the Common Core

Most professions have professional journals. Professional journals have long been the method by which innovations to professions have been introduced. Lengthy articles explaining the: who, what, where, when, why and how of an innovation in the profession was spelled out for all to read. Follow-up journal articles weighed the pros and cons. Journals historically have been a form of print media, but with the advent of the internet many are transitioning to a digital form in addition to the…

Remembering our favorite TV teachers

In decades of trying to improve schools, things aren’t working out. Maybe, we should apply a lesson of life to our approach to elementary school: Do the present right, and the future will take care of itself.

On the surface much of the lingo of school improvement seems full of confident commitment to excellence and success for all. Language like accountability for measurable outcomes, high standards, data driven decision-making, racing to the top, leaving no children behind, and so on…

The True Story of Pascale Mauclair

An Alternative To The Federally Mandated Teacher Evaluation Plans

All of the plans for evaluating classroom teacher performance in the public schools share a common flaw: failure to recognize that the present system of public education in the United States are incapable of providing children…

“Reality Pedagogy” to Engage Black Male Students

From the Marshall Memo #425

“To address the low achievement of black males,” says Teachers College Columbia professor Christopher Emdin in this Kappan article, “schools must be willing to accept that there are ways of looking at the world, modes of communication, and approaches to teaching and learning that are unique to black males. At the same time, educators must also…

What Works – and What Doesn’t – Educating Male Students of Color

From The Marshall Memo #425

In this Kappan article, NYU professor Pedro Noguera reviews the discouraging statistics on African-American and Latino male students: they are less likely to be placed in programs for high achievers, more likely to be classified as learning disabled or mentally retarded and placed in special education; they have the highest suspension…

A Flawed Approach to Reading in the Common-Core Standards

In reading the recently proposed Common Core State Standards already accepted by all but three states, I could not see many elementary school children of any background or ability meeting the standards at the…

Amid a Federal Education Inquiry, an Unsettling Sight

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press; Alex Wong, via Getty Images

A spokesman for Education Secretary Arne Duncan, left, cautioned against the presumption of guilt in an investigation of Washington schools under the direction of Michelle Rhee.

By …

Top ten rules for raising kids

from Prism Decisions Systems - http://www.prismdecision.com/top-ten-rules-for-raising-kids

• Love them to death but never, ever indulge them.
• From the youngest age, help them to master something productive because if you don’t, they are sure to master something unproductive (i.e., all children distinguish themselves in some way!)
• Read to them…