Monthly Archives: December 2011

Reading Notes

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Mike

When I was in college, I was not a good note-taker. My notes were by no means thorough, nor did I make good use of them, so I am probably not a credible authority on the matter. I am still … Continue reading →

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R. I. P. National Board Certification in Idaho

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Mike

The 12/23/2011 Idaho Statesman reports that as a result of legislation passed in the 2010 session, Idaho will discontinue funding the stipend ($2000/year for 5 years) that is paid to teachers who receive National Board Certification, having completed all of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education Reform, School Program, Teacher Accountability, Teacher Compensation | Leave a comment

Trains

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Mike

I recently made my annual round-trip to Rochester, Minnesota. When we were still teaching, we always flew – well, most of the way, once we learned that the 100 mile hop from the Twin Cities to Rochester by air cost … Continue reading →

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K12 and the Corporatization of American Education

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Mike

As a footnote to Lee Fang’s article in The Nation, an article in The Idaho Statesman, December 6, 2011, focuses specifically on K12, one of the major players in the virtual education industry. K12 is of particular interest in Idaho … Continue reading →

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K12 and Tom Luna

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Mike

Lee Fang, writing in The Nation, outlines “how online learning companies bought America’s schools.”  Closer to home, Dan Popkey’s December 6 Statesman article, “K12’s money hasn’t influenced Idaho schools chief Luna, spokeswoman says,” explores in more detail K12, one of … Continue reading →

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Virtual Schools and the Corporatization of American Education

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Mike

If it seems that School Reform has become the darling of Big Business and Big Business-friendly Politicians, there are reasons for that, and they have nothing to do with what kids learn, and a great deal to do with money. … Continue reading →

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