Category Archives: Teacher Accountability

Student Journals

Recently, a friend commented, regarding the theater shooting incident in Colorado I just heard a news item that is one of the most appalling things I’ve ever heard. James Holmes wrote his plan for the attack in a notebook and … Continue reading

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The Ontario Model

Forty years ago, or forty-one perhaps, Genny and I took the long way ‘round returning from Sioux Falls, SD to Payette, ID. We drove north to Winnipeg, turned left, and followed Canada 1 clear across. We dropped south to Seattle … Continue reading

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Bad Systems, Bad Teachers

You all have probably gathered by now from my rants that the world of school is not easily walked away from. You have probably gathered that I have little use for the school “reform” movement, which, in the cynicism of geezerhood, … Continue reading

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Bill Gates on Teacher Evaluations

I have been critical of “Reformists” with their mantras of greater teacher accountability, putting greater pressure on teachers in order to make them shape up, and firing some as an example to the rest. And I still am critical of … Continue reading

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An Overwhelming Question

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

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Study: Once-a-year teacher evaluations not enough

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

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R. I. P. National Board Certification in Idaho

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

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Parent Involvement

Idaho law now requires that school districts adopt some sort of pay-for-performance plan. At first glance, it seems simple: you pay those who perform, and you do not pay those who don’t. Actually, at this point, it starts to get … Continue reading

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Finland

They say that comparisons are odious. Nevertheless, the educational achievements of Finland and the U. S. are frequently compared by Reformists (Politicians, Pundits, Polemicists, and all too many Professors who should know better and perhaps do), and the U. S. … Continue reading

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Teacher-bonus Strategies

Idaho state law now mandates pay-for-performance for teachers, but school districts retain latitude in how p-f-p plans will be structured and administered. “With a Sept. 1 deadline nearing, administrators and teachers throughout Idaho are hammering out local approaches that will … Continue reading

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