Nancy E. Bailey's Blog, page 44

California’s Reading Crisis: Why Aren’t U.S. Kids Reading Well?

Children in California are not reading well. The New York Times reports that lawyers are suing the state on behalf of three schools, one a charter, for not following state literacy experts who are concerned about students learning English, those with disabilities, and African American and Hispanic students. Here are some thoughts when it comes […]

Require Ed. Secretary Betsy DeVos to Teach in a Public School

Betsy DeVos and any corporate reformer who impacts school policy should be required to spend at least a month each year teaching in a public school classroom. DeVos just attended Gov. Jeb Bush’s ExcelinEd meeting in Nashville. Let Jeb Bush and his corporate friends and politicians who drive corporate reform also teach for a month. […]

How to Help Children Overcome a Bully President

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was asked about President Trump’s ugly “Pocahontas” comment. She said, “I think the president continues to lead in an important direction in our country, and I think that we can all do well to reflect on the things we say before we say them.” But if you are a parent or […]

USDOE Special Ed. Director Nominee’s Ties to Common Core and Personalized Learning

President Trump recently nominated Johnny Collett from Kentucky to be the assistant secretary of education for special education and rehabilitation services for the U.S. Department of Education. Collett once taught high school as a special education teacher, though it is unclear if his college major is special education. But, unlike Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, he […]

Recess Isn’t P.E.: State Legislatures Reframe the Meaning of a Child’s Freedom

”I’d like to sit on the grass,” she confided in a whisper of angelic conspiracy, ” and look for ladybugs.” But there is no time for such lollygagging. The Atlanta public schools, like many districts across the country, have eliminated recess in elementary schools as a waste of time that would be better spent on […]

High School College: High School Hell!

Freshmen are told on one hand not to worry about college, then given an early version of a college entrance exam three weeks into their first year of high school. ~Chicago Tribune Nov.13, 2017 Like kindergartners pushed to be first graders, high school is the new college. Teens are more anxious than ever. Depression and […]

The New “Collaboration”—Students Teaching Themselves Without Schools

While the teacher’s role is currently mentioned in corporate reform involving technology, it is diminishing. Teachers are being replaced by outside partnerships who control how and what students learn. Simultaneously, the student-to-student role is increasing. Students are being relied on to instruct each other. This is exemplified in the term “collaboration.” What collaboration used to […]

Learning and Happiness: The Problem with Social-Emotional Learning

Happiness is a real factor when it comes to learning. It’s important to a child’s identity formation and how they relate to their environment (see study below). But can you teach happiness? There’s a push for social-emotional learning (SEL) which leads some to think that happiness can be taught. But SEL is not what it […]

Betsy DeVos Goes Trick or Treating for Dyslexia

US Senator Bill Cassidy MD (R-LA) and his wife Dr. Laura Cassidy recently met with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and dyslexia and learning disability organizations to discuss serving children with dyslexia. It’s important to remember five things. Public schools used to do more for students with learning disabilities. Resource classes, general education support, and certified […]

The Lost Joy of of Putting On a Play: What Children Miss in a “No Excuses” World

How many elementary school plays do children get to perform in? Do schools have time for plays anymore? Do children ever get to act out dramatically? Drama can’t be tested. So plays might become a burden for teachers forced to worry about school accountability. Since NCLB, and no excuses for poor test scores, became popular, […]