Before We Challenge Books, We Should Be Challenged By Them – In Defense of Being Uncomfortable

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  From WRAL today: BILOXI, MISS. — "To Kill a Mockingbird" is being removed from a junior-high reading list in a Mississippi school district. The Sun Herald reports that Biloxi administrators pulled the novel from the 8th-grade curriculum this week. School board vice president Kenny Holloway says the district received complaints that some of the book's … Continue reading Before We Challenge Books, We Should Be Challenged By Them – In Defense of Being Uncomfortable

In Defense of the Arts and Humanities in Our Public Schools

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There is an incredible emphasis on the STEM curriculum approach in our public schools. And I fear that because of the limiting of resources and reduction of per-pupil funding by our state government that other subject areas have and will suffer for it. We are already seeing that manifested in the class-size law that threatens … Continue reading In Defense of the Arts and Humanities in Our Public Schools

The Incestuous Synergy and Stench of Western Governors University NC

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The billboards are already up on I-40. Two are visible in the ride from Winston-Salem to Raleigh. “Western Governors University: North Carolina” It’s a national online university that now has a base here in North Carolina. Have not heard of it? Well, it was proposed rather secretly within the 2015 budget - page 86 to … Continue reading The Incestuous Synergy and Stench of Western Governors University NC

Mark Johnson and the Word “No” – Following the Money

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“I have decided to stop taking offense at the suggestion that we are buying influence. Now I simply concede the point. They are right. We do expect something in return. We expect to foster a conservative governing philosophy consisting of limited government and respect for traditional American virtues. We expect a return on our investment." … Continue reading Mark Johnson and the Word “No” – Following the Money

Why Service Work Matters For High Schoolers And the Rest of US

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October 15th is rapidly approaching and I am busy rereading drafts of recommendations for those students who have deadlines for early decision applications and scholarship awards. This year, most early decision recs are being sent to UNC-Chapel Hill, my wife's alma mater. Some to App State's Honors College. A couple to USC in Columbia. One … Continue reading Why Service Work Matters For High Schoolers And the Rest of US

A Thank You to North Carolina’s Educational Journalists – But Not on Rob Bryan or Darrell Allison’s Behalf

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I am sure that former state legislator Rob Bryan and current PEFNC leader Darrell Allison are not very happy with some of the educational journalists in NC who dedicate themselves to uncovering and exposing things hidden which affect so many openly. That is especially true in the world of public education and the “reforms” that … Continue reading A Thank You to North Carolina’s Educational Journalists – But Not on Rob Bryan or Darrell Allison’s Behalf

A Failing Charter School, An ISD, and a Rich Privatizer in Oregon – The Ingredients for “Innovation” in NC

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Mark Johnson has been preaching “urgency, ownership, and innovation.” Well, we have an urgent matter that someone needs to own very quickly and show some innovation and we seem to have all of the ingredients for a solution already in place. Consider: The new NC Innovative School District “needs” to take over failing schools in … Continue reading A Failing Charter School, An ISD, and a Rich Privatizer in Oregon – The Ingredients for “Innovation” in NC

(I)ntruding on (S)chools (D)eliberately – Why There is Nothing Innovative About NC’s ISD Reform

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Last week’s State Board of Education meeting saw a potential list of schools to be considered for the new NC Innovation School District whittled down to four. The ISD Superintendent, Dr. Eric Hall, made his presentation to the SBOE answering questions and doing what he is expected to do: his job. And to all accounts … Continue reading (I)ntruding on (S)chools (D)eliberately – Why There is Nothing Innovative About NC’s ISD Reform