Waiting for Superman- logic for the pigeons
As my union says: if super duper left of left leaning Hollywood doesn't nominate "Waiting for Superman" for an Oscar, it must not be very well done.Good one.But apparently not only was it a grossly...
View ArticleEducation and the (state of the) union
Who are we? What do we stand for? And how do we position ourselves to be the strongest possible professional workforce? I wish I could fight for what I believe fulltime. Instead, I am only left...
View ArticleOn data driven accontability
Data is powerful because it has the ability to provide the objective evidence we use to support claims valued by society. Want to know if we are making progress? Simply monitor the right data. For...
View ArticleDo we protect incompetent teachers?
I probably don't agree with 90% of what this blogger writes, but ok, so, I'm going to do it. A quote from Liberty's Lifeline:Why in the world would a talented teacher want to link his career to an...
View ArticleThe failed logic of seniority based lay-offs.
A union cannot also be a professional organization so long as it defends seniority rules. What type of organization protects more experienced workers over less experienced ones irregardless of...
View ArticleThe failure of targeting data
I wrote last week about the dangers of targeting data rather than the underlying conditions that serve as the cause for the data. Jay Mathews of the Washington Post then wrote about this policy at...
View ArticleThe best defense of seniority (so far)
I found this reprint of a Matthew DiCarlo piece from the Answer Sheet. It's the best attempt to "defend" seniority based decision making that I've seen. Needless to say- I take issue with several...
View ArticleThe value of a contract
For a few months now, I have developed an interest in the work of Dan Ariely, a behavioral economist from Duke. His work has many applications in the world of teaching. In his this most recent blog...
View ArticleCollective bargaining and budget deficits
So it was collective bargaing that caused the state budget crises circulating the United States, right? I'm certainly not a union appologist- but let me offer a second solution.A revenue bubble caused...
View ArticleOverpaid teachers
Funny one.The Daily ShowTags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook
View ArticleWhen issues turn into politics
It's sad, really. A chance to improve the teaching profession has seemingly been lost in poltiics. Let's see what happens in New York.The bill would do away with the so-called "last in, first out"...
View ArticleThe public, teachers, and seniority
How does the public feel about seniority? Here's a snap shot via Teacher Weak:With plans for massive teacher layoffs in New York looming, a recent Quinnipiac University poll reveals that 90 percent...
View ArticleWhat happens when you defend a losing position
MCEA and MSEA have been largely silent with regard to seniority issues. Failure to address these issues destroys public confidence. It's a horrific miscalculation to believe this issue- that of...
View ArticleA Letter to Maryland State Legislators
Dear state representative:I'm a resident of Howard County and a teacher with Montgomery County. I'm not a union apologist- in fact, I believe my union is largely a failure when it comes to representing...
View ArticleFirst in schools but last in fiscal responsibility
An article from the Maryland Public Policy Institute:The Pew Center ranks Maryland at the bottom of the pack when it comes to funding pensions, along with 18 other states. The center also says the...
View ArticleWhat's in a name
On May 5th 2011 I received my 3rd email invitation in three months. I was cordially invited to attend a celebration of 12 years of service for outgoing Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent,...
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A Stomach Churning Letter
My wife thought it was of little consequence. However, as I read congratulatory emails sent out to staff and watched videos celebrating Montgomery County Public Schools' record high SAT scores, my...
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How records are made
The MCPS press release was straight to the point. The results were nothing short of miraculous:Students in the Montgomery County Public Schools Class of 2010 produced the district’s highest-ever...
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When statistics lie- MCPS and the SAT
MCPS reported more than just a record for average SAT scores in 2010. They also reported a new record in the percentage of students earning a "college ready score." More than 50% of test takers...
View ArticleThe Montgomery County Public Schools' Fudge Factor: Record SAT scores
Fudging data is now the culture of schools across the United States. It is not a conspiracy theory. It is the way that districts and the principals within those districts that "honor" the data,...
View ArticleAn SAT meeting with results that matter
Dr. Jerry Weast likely learned a very important lesson in 2003. Messaging is important. By 2009 the message was far more refined, but the results would be no less contrived. Every high school in...
View ArticleA sophisticated decision: MCPS creates record SAT scores
The message in 2009 was much more sophisticated than in 2003. This time, principals would not be asked how they could decrease participation on the SAT in order to raise the averages. This time, MCPS...
View ArticleData driven decision making- The Big Whoops
Two Superintendents improving educationby: mmccabe4724
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Why we lie
Dan Ariely's new book, The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, is on its way out and it is one that all those interested in public policy should consider reading. "Little lies" bombard us from both sides...
View ArticleStarr vs. Weast: The line in the sand
Joshua Starr, the new superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, seems to get it. From the Gazette:I’m struck by how outcomes-based the organization has been — and I am a believer in...
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