Our public schools are better than you may think. Probably a lot better. With the constant dialogue that “we must improve schools” and the “need to implement reforms,” it is imperative that we as a taxpaying public seek to understand all of the variables in which schools are and can be measured, and not all … Continue reading Our Public Schools Are Better Than the NCGA Would Want You to Believe
School Performance Grades
When .gov Allows .edu To Be Governed By .com – North Carolina’s Allegiance to EVAAS
At the beginning of each school year, I am required to fully disclose my syllabus to all perspective students and parents. On the first day of class, I give each student a set of rubrics that I use to gauge written work throughout the year. Any student can ask how any assessment was graded and … Continue reading When .gov Allows .edu To Be Governed By .com – North Carolina’s Allegiance to EVAAS
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The New North Carolina State Report Cards And What They Really Show
“The transformation of our public education system will open true pathways out of poverty.” – Mark Johnson, September 7th, 2016 from an op-ed entitled “Our American Dream” (https://www.ednc.org/2016/09/07/our-american-dream/). This week State Superintendent of Public Schools Mark Johnson presented a new school report card interface and “updated features” so that the public can view school … Continue reading The New North Carolina State Report Cards And What They Really Show
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Why Teachers Should Be Wary of EVAAS and SAS
In October, the venerable James Ford of the Public School Forum delivered the keynote address at the North Carolina English Teacher’s Association. It was more than exceptional as Ford highlighted that what hurts our schools most are external factors that are not being dealt with such as systemic poverty. Part of his presentation included a … Continue reading Why Teachers Should Be Wary of EVAAS and SAS
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EVAAS, The Iceberg Effect, and Stranger Things – The Secretive Way NC Measures Teachers and Schools
In October 2017, the venerable James Ford of the Public School Forum delivered the keynote address at the North Carolina English Teacher’s Association. It was more than exceptional as Ford highlighted that what hurts our schools most are external factors that are not being dealt with such as systemic poverty. Part of his presentation included … Continue reading EVAAS, The Iceberg Effect, and Stranger Things – The Secretive Way NC Measures Teachers and Schools
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Our Schools Are Not Failing; Our Policy Makers Are – On Raleigh’s New Way of Measuring Schools
When you are the North Carolina General Assembly and you want to stop a string of court decisions that have declared your unconstitutional acts “unconstitutional,” then you change the judicial system in your favor. Or at least try. When you are the North Carolina General Assembly and you want to remain in power on West … Continue reading Our Schools Are Not Failing; Our Policy Makers Are – On Raleigh’s New Way of Measuring Schools
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“Emptiness” – Concerning the State Superintendent’s Words on School Performance Grades
It is usually a good feeling that accompanies a “congratulatory” note from someone in a position of authority who recognizes hard work and accomplishment, especially in a field that constantly measures performance in such an arbitrary fashion. School performance grades were released by DPI this week and quick to point out any “successes” that could … Continue reading “Emptiness” – Concerning the State Superintendent’s Words on School Performance Grades
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The NCGA’s Plan to Make School Performance Grades Fuel Voucher Expansion
Public Schools First NC (PSFNC.org), an organization that supports advocacy of public education in North Carolina, regularly sends out very informative factoids through social media that give texture to the landscape of the politics associated with public education. With the current recess of the General Assembly after its disastrous budget proposal for public education, … Continue reading The NCGA’s Plan to Make School Performance Grades Fuel Voucher Expansion
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Measure That – What If Every School Sent Its Yearbook To The North Carolina General Assembly?
With the insistence of people like Sen. Chad Barefoot to send “data” to the General Assembly concerning how money is spent and how resources are being used, why don’t schools also send them a copy of their yearbooks. Around this time in many schools, yearbooks are being distributed to students and others who early in … Continue reading Measure That – What If Every School Sent Its Yearbook To The North Carolina General Assembly?
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Growth Vs. Proficiency, School Performance Grades, & A Dissenting Vote
Simply put, North Carolina should allow student growth to weigh more in the formula that measures school performance grades. (Honestly, we should get rid of it). This past week a bill passed the General Assembly House K-12 Education Committee that according to an EdNC.org report from Alex Granados “would change the calculation of the grades … Continue reading Growth Vs. Proficiency, School Performance Grades, & A Dissenting Vote
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