My son was sick this week. Nothing serious, but a little complicated because of the diabetes. As we got through this really minor bump in the road of life, I learned something…
No matter how big, how independent, how distant or how moody your teenager gets, when they are sick, the first person they call is [...]
The peculiar reality in public education is that we must answer to many masters. State and Federal requirements, politics, and the demands of parents, businesses and the community all contribute to curriculum delivery and assessment. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be confusing. Easily lost in all of that is WHAT IS [...]
The California Legislative Analysis Office (LAO) has suggested that Federal stimulus money that was earmarked for schools be ‘redirected’ to California’s general fund. WHAT? So, let me get this straight…the state let spending overrun the amount it was taking in, then couldn’t solve the problem in a reasonable amount of time leading to an enormous [...]
Textbooks are an important part of most instruction. Sure, there is great teaching/learning that can happen without a textbook…but by and large, although not the only tool in the teacher’s toolbox, textbooks are as important to teachers as hammers are to carpenters. Textbooks are a tool to be used in the classroom; a resource to [...]
Yesterday, I had the great privilege to be a member of the CLASSI III team that visited Valley Oak. It was a great day. I just had to share something with all of you…
Valley Oak is doing some really great things for the kids there; they are targeting sub-groups, and dealing with an increasingly [...]
Anonymity has been on my mind a lot lately. Anonymity can be a double-edged sword. Sometimes, it is necessary and helpful. Other times, it muddies the waters and makes things more difficult. For example…
The Climate Assessments are anonymous. Completely, totally 100% anonymous. Unless, of course, you walk around every day, telling everyone “Boy, my LD [...]
Do you ever watch The Simpsons? I usually don’t, but last night I happened to stumble upon it while flicking through the channels, and I watched the whole thing. It shaded a particular aspect of public education in a questionable light…and was funny as heck. If you missed it, the episode which aired Sunday, March [...]
