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Category Archives: Politics
Book Review: The Power of Positive Deviance
Here’s another book that I read, two pages at a time for more than a year. I found it while researching for my own work on collaborative professional learning. Positive Deviance is the concept of coaching a community (social or … Continue reading
#MIpubED Community Concerns
As March 2015 winds to a close, the #MIpubED Twitter chats have uncovered more questions than answers…such is learning. In just a month we have discussed standards, high-stakes tests, and the creation of an online community where educators and their … Continue reading
Posted in Parenting, Politics, School Reform, Students, Teacher Leadership, Teachers
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#MIpubED High-Stakes Tests
Let’s be clear that assessments are not the standards and vice versa. When I was changing careers years ago and had to do a teaching internship, I had this great idea of gathering stories from educators about the trials and … Continue reading
Posted in Parenting, Politics, School Reform, Teachers
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#MIpubED Common Core/Higher Standards
Two years ago at a community conversation, a highly-educated and evidently highly-conservative parent asked me to assure him that I would not adhere to the Common Core State Standards because, he believed, it would require that I “teach history about … Continue reading
Posted in Parenting, Politics, Teachers
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#MIpubED Community Chat
There is so much going on with public education these days that now is a perfect time to really connect educators with the community members we service (parents, business partners, academia, and basically anyone with a vested interest in our … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Parenting, Politics, School Reform, Teacher Leadership, Teachers
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An Education Allegory
The fourth-grade safety patrol tells his side of the story like this: “I told this second-grade girl that she needed to stay off the snow on the sidewalk because that’s the rule. Then she asked me where she was supposed … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Students
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Net Neutrality
In an era when students will be mandated to take achievement tests online, another challenge looms. A concept called “net neutrality” or “open internet” is worth googling and learning about. In short, the Federal Communications Commission is deciding if they … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Teachers, Technology
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Parent Guide to CCSS
A parent recently approached me with a list of questions about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and how our schools are preparing for them. I was so pleased to have the conversation. Why would this be so pleasing you … Continue reading
Posted in Parenting, Politics, School Reform
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Equalizing Cultural Capital
There are some truths I question. One came up recently when a colleague told me, “You cannot raise the cultural capital of one group by reducing it from another.” In a broader context, you can’t rob Peter to pay Paul … Continue reading
Data Tells Stories…
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy recently released their 2013 Michigan Context And Performance Report Card. They also provide a handy, searchable database on their website to find your specific district and school results. BEFORE you start exploring, here are … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Politics
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