Monthly Archives: February 2012

Attract and Retain the Best Teachers

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Mike

The proclaimed purpose of teacher pay scales is to attract and retain the best teachers. Like so many things in the world of public education, this is not quite as simple as it at first sounds. Attracting and retaining are … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Education Reform, Teacher Compensation | Leave a comment

A Shining Example (?)

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Mike

A friend recently sent me this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/education/mooresville-school-district-a-laptop-success-story.html?_r=2&emc=eta1 Fascinating if true, I thought. I read something like this and think “If only Herb Grosdidier could have had access to this technology in 1968.”  Herb, as I’m sure you all know … Continue reading →

Posted in Curriculum, Education Reform, Technology | Leave a comment

Dicta

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Mike

The primary dictum that should guide all policy, all practice, and all reform of them is, of course, as it is in medicine: Do No Harm. The next and most proximate dictum: It’s the Curriculum, Stupid! All else must follow … Continue reading →

Posted in Curriculum, Education Reform, School Program | Leave a comment

An Overwhelming Question

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Mike

The Overwhelming Question that hangs heavy over every thoughtful teacher as he nears the end of his career is “Have I made a difference?” And then the tense changes and the question becomes “Did I make a difference?” The answer … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Teacher Accountability | Leave a comment

Study: Once-a-year teacher evaluations not enough

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Mike

So says the head of an article in the January 6 Idaho Statesman. I deplore much of what is said about us in the media, but to my surprise I found myself agreeing with most points in this article and … Continue reading →

Posted in Education Reform, Teacher Accountability | Leave a comment