The American public has become increasingly aware of our decline as world leaders in education. Recent PISA test results illustrate a clear slippage in rank. Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan described our latest performance as “a picture of educational stagnation.” Meanwhile, Sunday talk shows feature the latest rounds of debate as pundits seek to find solutions to what […]
Education Reform from the Bottom Up Read More »
As much as I dread taking classes, it is like regular exercise. it’s good for you in spite of any pain or discomfort.
Upgrading Teacher Skills: Why It Matters Read More »
It was my first day of student teaching and I was feeling overwhelmed. I was wearing my only suit, which made me way overdressed and therefore feeling even more out of place. Adding to my discomfort was the fact that my cooperating teacher, as well as two thirds of the school, was out with the
What Education Really Needs is Industrial Strength Voban Read More »
The Denver Post lamented the fact that far too many Colorado high school graduates need remedial classes when they attend college. The numbers are indeed abysmal. The blame, as usual, falls on teachers and schools. Parents, students, and government officials always seem to avoid taking any responsibility. That discussion is for another day, however. As an educator with
Creating a New Metaphor in Education Reform Read More »
As a ten or eleven-year old kid, I went on a trip to Colorado’s State Capitol with our school’s PTA to help lobby for education funding. All the kids who went signed up to speak with one of our senators. Nervous, I approached a hard-eyed man who looked down at me, obviously annoyed at having
On Becoming an Education Reform Vigilante Read More »