Nancy E. Bailey's Blog, page 88
March 11, 2014
Platooning—Another Weird Education Word and Common Core Strategy for Elementary School
Since I already have a list of weird education words here’s a new one to add. How many of you have heard of “platooning”—which, in reference to education, means moving elementary students, subject-to-subject, teacher-to-teacher, to meet the new Common Core … Continue reading →
Platooning—Another Weird Education Word and Common Core Strategy for Elementary School
Since I already have a list of weird education words here’s a new one to add. How many of you have heard of “platooning”—which, in reference to education, means moving elementary students, subject-to-subject, teacher-to-teacher, to meet the new Common Core State Standards? Instead, of one primary teacher, students move around—subject to subject. This idea has […]
March 7, 2014
SAT Scores Damned Public Schools and Teachers for Years—Why a Facelift NOW?
We’re told the SAT needs a facelift to level the playing field and make the test more relevant for disadvantaged students. Whoa! Let’s rewind that tape a bit shall we? The SAT has been used for years to damn public … Continue reading →
March 4, 2014
Could it End High-Stakes Testing?—The Bizarre Practice of Irrelevant Testing of Students with Severe Disabilities
Could the odd practice of using high-stakes testing to test students with severe disabilities put an end to America’s obsession with high-stakes testing overall? There is nothing that speaks to individual differences more than students like Ethan Rediske. America may … Continue reading →
March 1, 2014
How to Teach Good Students to Be Criminals
Seventeen year old Chaz Seale could have been any of us. In a hurry to get out the door he accidentally grabbed a beer instead of a can of soda out of the fridge and put it in his lunchbox. … Continue reading →
February 27, 2014
Do You Want a Small Class Size For Your Child OR a Good Teacher? The Bogus Dilemma
It is well established that lowering class size, especially for K-3, can have a positive effect on students. The argument being made around the country, and illustrated well last night on Nashville’s Fox 17 news, is, do you want a small … Continue reading →
February 25, 2014
Florida Teachers Get VAMED Only a Week After the Death of Ethan Rediske
Floridians get to look up their teachers’ test scores now, courtesy of The Florida Times Union (they actually went to court for this), even though it is just a week after the death of Ethan Rediske. Tell me, Times Union … Continue reading →
February 23, 2014
The NEA’s Band-Aids for Common Core are Not Good Enough!
It’s not looking good for Common Core State Standards—one would think. The recent flurry of activity could trick educators and parents into thinking something is going to happen to rid schools of the standards. Even the NEA’s Dennis Van Roekel, … Continue reading →
February 19, 2014
Why I Don’t Like Teach for America–#ResistTFA
I have never liked Teach for America. I remember when I first heard about it. I thought to myself that is the dumbest program ever. Maybe I was biased. I had just spent seven years of my life teaching full-time … Continue reading →
February 16, 2014
Every Child, Every Day, College Bound AND Common Core?—Changing the Tune on What Constitutes College Preparation
For years the mantra has been every child must go to college. Of course, that’s why Americans were given the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). And that’s why students are being pushed with “rigor” to master skills at earlier levels … Continue reading →
