Opinion Archive

  • What Passes for School Reform: “Value-Added” Teacher Evaluation and Other Absurdities       The less people know about teaching and learning, the more sympathetic they’re likely to be to the kind of “school reform” that’s all the rage these days.  Look, they say, some teachers (and schools) are lousy, aren’t they?  And we want kids to receive a better education — including poor kids, who typically get the short end of the stick, right?  So let’s rock the boat a little!  Clean out the dead wood, close down the places that don’t work, slap public ratings on these suckers just like restaurants that have to display the results of their health inspections.

    Reasons to Oppose School Reform – for Teachers and Parents

    Posted on May 11, 2012 | 1 Comment
    What Passes for School Reform: “Value-Added” Teacher Evaluation and Other Absurdities       The less people know about teaching and learning, the more sympathetic they’re likely to be to the kind of “school reform” that’s all the rage these days.  Look, they say, some teachers (and schools) are lousy, aren’t they?  And we want kids to receive a better education — including poor kids, who typically get the short end of the stick, right?  So let’s rock the boat a little!  Clean out the dead wood, close down the places that don’t work, slap public ratings on these suckers just like restaurants that have to display the results of their health inspections.

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  • While Kennewick School District and the Kennewick Education Association continue work to resolve the KEA grievance over standards based grading in Kennewick middle schools there is no new information from district or building administrators.  A parent has contacted us regarding her experience with SBG which we are reporting here.  I have chosen to not disclose the writer’s name. I have had an issue with my kiddo at Highlands which prompted me to look closer at the grading situation. I am an educator and I have taught in an elementary which used SBG. We collected students’ work and graded it as usual. Then for our report cards we had to align the questions from our assessments with the standards on our report cards and report on how well students master the standards. All the while teaching and reteaching, monitoring student progress,...

    Standards Based Grading – A Parent’s Concerns

    Posted on May 4, 2012 | 2 Comments
    While Kennewick School District and the Kennewick Education Association continue work to resolve the KEA grievance over standards based grading in Kennewick middle schools there is no new information from district or building administrators.  A parent has contacted us regarding her experience with SBG which we are reporting here.  I have chosen to not disclose the writer’s name. I have had an issue with my kiddo at Highlands which prompted me to look closer at the grading situation. I am an educator and I have taught in an elementary which used SBG. We collected students’ work and graded it as usual. Then for our report cards we had to align the questions from our assessments with the standards on our report cards and report on how well students master the standards. All the while teaching and reteaching, monitoring student progress,...

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  • SBG – Trouble is Brewing at Horse Heaven Hills This title paraphrases the words of a staff member who was describing recent events related to teacher concerns about Standards Based Grading.     Two issues are central to the controversy at the middle school: A significant number of teachers want to revisit the decision to implement Standards Based Grading The building site council is unwilling or unable to take action on behalf of those staff

    SBG – Trouble is Brewing at Horse Heaven Hills

    Posted on March 23, 2012 | 4 Comments
    SBG – Trouble is Brewing at Horse Heaven Hills This title paraphrases the words of a staff member who was describing recent events related to teacher concerns about Standards Based Grading.     Two issues are central to the controversy at the middle school: A significant number of teachers want to revisit the decision to implement Standards Based Grading The building site council is unwilling or unable to take action on behalf of those staff

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  • For readers who may not have seen these Tri-City Herald articles we offer links to some recent news and opinion pieces of interest to educators and families.  Follow the links below to read the associated articles and opinion letters: March 19 - Health care proposal worries Washington educators http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/19/1870484/health-care-proposal-worries-washington.html Kennewick, Pasco students learn in English and Spanish http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/19/1870743/kennewick-pasco-students-learn.html

    Local Education News and Opinion from the Tri-City Herald

    Posted on March 19, 2012 | No Comments
    For readers who may not have seen these Tri-City Herald articles we offer links to some recent news and opinion pieces of interest to educators and families.  Follow the links below to read the associated articles and opinion letters: March 19 - Health care proposal worries Washington educators http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/19/1870484/health-care-proposal-worries-washington.html Kennewick, Pasco students learn in English and Spanish http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/19/1870743/kennewick-pasco-students-learn.html

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  • SBG is still controversial This article was planned as a progress report on implementation of SBG in Kennewick middle schools.  Building administrators have declined requests for information about the status of SBG in their buildings.  While my first interview was with a teacher who favors SBG and generally speaks well of its adoption most staff members I contacted are critical of SBG. Consequently, I make no claim to be representing a comprehensive view of SBG in Kennewick.  My efforts to obtain information from building administrators will continue and will be reported later.   Middle school teachers from Highlands, Horse Heaven Hills and Park met with Kennewick Education Association (KEA) and Washington Education Association (WEA) representatives recently to register concerns about the implementation of SBG.  As a consequence, KEA filed grievances with Kennewick School District on behalf of the Union. Desert...

    Standards Based Grading in KSD Middle Schools – Update on Implementation

    Posted on March 14, 2012 | 5 Comments
    SBG is still controversial This article was planned as a progress report on implementation of SBG in Kennewick middle schools.  Building administrators have declined requests for information about the status of SBG in their buildings.  While my first interview was with a teacher who favors SBG and generally speaks well of its adoption most staff members I contacted are critical of SBG. Consequently, I make no claim to be representing a comprehensive view of SBG in Kennewick.  My efforts to obtain information from building administrators will continue and will be reported later.   Middle school teachers from Highlands, Horse Heaven Hills and Park met with Kennewick Education Association (KEA) and Washington Education Association (WEA) representatives recently to register concerns about the implementation of SBG.  As a consequence, KEA filed grievances with Kennewick School District on behalf of the Union. Desert...

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  • This is an open letter from Washington State’s Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz: A Democrat For Education Count me as a Democrat opposed to the most strident elements of so-called Education Reform. Let me be clear that I am not opposed to high standards, high achievement, or accountability. What I reject is the culture of scapegoating teachers for the failures of society to protect families and kids, the hypocrisy of defunding schools while corporations bank record profits, and the focus on the latest fads instead of long term, structural improvements. Follow this link to read the entire letter: http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/washington-state-democratic-party-chairman-dwight-pelz-speaks-up-on-ed-reform/   For additional information about the issues addressed by Pelz follow this link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2017598267_dwight_pelz_ed_reform_is_like.html    

    Washington State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz speaks up on ed reform

    Posted on February 29, 2012 | 1 Comment
    This is an open letter from Washington State’s Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz: A Democrat For Education Count me as a Democrat opposed to the most strident elements of so-called Education Reform. Let me be clear that I am not opposed to high standards, high achievement, or accountability. What I reject is the culture of scapegoating teachers for the failures of society to protect families and kids, the hypocrisy of defunding schools while corporations bank record profits, and the focus on the latest fads instead of long term, structural improvements. Follow this link to read the entire letter: http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/washington-state-democratic-party-chairman-dwight-pelz-speaks-up-on-ed-reform/   For additional information about the issues addressed by Pelz follow this link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2017598267_dwight_pelz_ed_reform_is_like.html    

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  •                                                   Tri-City Herald Editorial Comments at this link: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/25/1800190/voters-should-approve-their-local.html    

    Kennewick School District Levy Election

    Posted on January 26, 2012 | No Comments
                                                      Tri-City Herald Editorial Comments at this link: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/25/1800190/voters-should-approve-their-local.html    

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  • The Tri-City Herald recently endorsed charter school legislation in Washington then invited readers to offer their opinions.  The editorial and selected responses are linked below. The Herald editorial: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/17/1790103/its-time-to-take-a-look-at-charter.html  Bob Valiant: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795533/fast-focus-meet-the-lemmings.html  Kathy White:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795526/fast-focus-we-dont-need-charter.html Greg Fancher:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795534/fast-focus-look-beyond-propaganda.html  William Pennell:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795525/fast-focus-not-the-answer.html  Daniel Bell:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795538/fast-focus-giving-charters-low.html Sandra Smith: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795537/fast-focus-different-learning.html Judy Golberg: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795536/fast-focus-no-to-charter-schools.html  

    Charter School Debate in Tri-Cities

    Posted on January 24, 2012 | 4 Comments
    The Tri-City Herald recently endorsed charter school legislation in Washington then invited readers to offer their opinions.  The editorial and selected responses are linked below. The Herald editorial: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/17/1790103/its-time-to-take-a-look-at-charter.html  Bob Valiant: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795533/fast-focus-meet-the-lemmings.html  Kathy White:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795526/fast-focus-we-dont-need-charter.html Greg Fancher:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795534/fast-focus-look-beyond-propaganda.html  William Pennell:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795525/fast-focus-not-the-answer.html  Daniel Bell:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795538/fast-focus-giving-charters-low.html Sandra Smith: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795537/fast-focus-different-learning.html Judy Golberg: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795536/fast-focus-no-to-charter-schools.html  

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