We might think that we are fighting particular bills in the legislature. Instead what we’re really fighting is an overarching, well-organized, deeply funded agenda. Continue reading We’re Fighting an Agenda, Not Just Bills in the Legislature
Category Archives: Education
An Index of My School Choice Posts So Far
*Updated 3-20-15: There are many parents, teachers, administrators and board members who are fighting a very tough fight in Oklahoma and other states right now against a very corrupt idea misnamed “school choice”. Continue reading An Index of My School Choice Posts So Far
Plenty of Room for Liberals in Oklahoma — Step Up!
Well, well. My native state of Oklahoma has been in the news a lot lately. It seems that people around the country find us entertaining at best, and at worst, dangerous.
We are both. Continue reading Plenty of Room for Liberals in Oklahoma — Step Up!
How School Choice Turns “We” Into “Me”
“School choice” turns the “we” of society into the “me” of taking care of my child at the expense of everyone else.
Quality Teachers Are Developed — Not Found
Are quality teachers found or developed? This is not just a rhetorical exercise. The answer has everything to do with how we go about the whole management of our teacher workforce. Continue reading Quality Teachers Are Developed — Not Found
New Oklahoma Supt Understands Importance of Space
Joy Hofmeister, new Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, understands the meaning and value of space. Continue reading New Oklahoma Supt Understands Importance of Space
Teacher, You Live in Two Worlds
We teachers live in two worlds: One is of collaboration and democracy. The other is of contest and domination.
We’ve done well with that first world, the one of collaboration. It’s that second one of the contest and mental brutality of eliminating the competition that we have a hard time swallowing. Continue reading Teacher, You Live in Two Worlds
Gov Fallin Won’t Give Up on Punishing Public Schools
Apparently, Governor Mary Fallin is still sold on the A-F school grading model from the very latest new and improved “government transparency” website that was rolled out during her state of the state address on February 2. Continue reading Gov Fallin Won’t Give Up on Punishing Public Schools
So You Want Evidence of Choice and Charter Problems?
So, you think that you want to expand “school choice” for parents by passing proposed legislation that would allow charters and private schools to take tax money with little of the financial or quality safeguards that publicly controlled schools now have?
Continue reading So You Want Evidence of Choice and Charter Problems?
Cynical School Choice Stunts Ramp Up In Oklahoma
Once upon a time in Oklahoma, magnet public schools were the “choice” that allowed for much more creativity and freedom. They helped to break years of racial/economic segregation. But that’s not the point of a huge “school choice” push today. Continue reading Cynical School Choice Stunts Ramp Up In Oklahoma