Comments on: Playmaker>Guestblogger: Jean Desravines

By: PhillipMarlowe

PhillipMarlowe — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 21:54:19 +0000

The latest in the Fight Against Democracy by the professional education reform crowd: Booker Council mayhem draws social-media fire

The fallout from Tuesday night's Newark City Council meeting continues on social media. Mayor Cory Booker caused a near-riot Tuesday by stepping in at a City Council meeting to vote for political ally Shanique Davis Speight . Davis Speight was sworn in away from the angry crowd. The deal prevented outspoken critic John Sharpe James, son of former Mayor Sharpe James, from being appointed to the seat.

By: PhillipMarlowe

PhillipMarlowe — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 21:51:01 +0000

Well, Learn and Earn knows not to accuse Andy or his reform friends of doing it for the money. That will get a rejoinder from Andy.

By: jeffrey miller

jeffrey miller — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 10:48:36 +0000

Um, it would seem eduwonk needs a new system to weed-out spam. Can Bellwether afford a more robust and interactive blog?

By: bill jones

bill jones — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:35:59 +0000

I “love your child” from my DC office two thousand miles away from his or her school. And I will advocate for your child for my six figure salary and protection from any consequences for my ideas or deeds.

Now, that is a job I might consider!

By: jeffrey miller

jeffrey miller — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:06:52 +0000

RE: Playmakers

Love the sports allusions both in the name of whatever Playmakers is and in the font. See, that’s what gets professional educators and stakeholders geeked-out–make everything into a sports analogy or some kind of sports-themed idea and shazaaam! instant cred and followers! Because education is JUST LIKE football. Go Team!

“the very specific actions policymakers can take” Golf clap. Well done. Go from generalities to the specifics of what your brand can offer. Try to offer value points. Good.

By: jeffrey miller

jeffrey miller — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 06:55:07 +0000

Hey bill, notice how the New Leaders website UI looks amazingly like the new Windows 8 UI? I am so totally sure that’s a mere coincidence…

On the Board of Directors of New Leaders, one find someone from Bain Capital and Goldman Sachs. ‘Nuff said.

By: bill jones

bill jones — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:27:00 +0000

This article is an advertisement.

Throw it out or use it as puppy paper.

If I were to take the time to design a physics curriculum for the local Berkeley high school or spend time with its science teachers THAT would be worth more than the billions spent on edu-reform in the past 10 years.

Those who CAN ADD VALUE have been excluded from this war. This entire mess is NOT about educating adolescents in math and science. This IS a culture war.

By: Richard V Reed

Richard V Reed — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 04:37:57 +0000

I whole heartedly agree with you Mr Thompson,Discipline is the key for any succes door to open. I personally believe that The teachers should be given some adminstring powers, so that they can enforce discipline in classrooms.

And i also agree that every school should have a Talented and efficient principal to enable and encourage great teaching for stronger student achievement.

By: Attorney DC

Attorney DC — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:41:26 +0000

Mr. Thompson: I heartily agree with you: Discipline is KEY for creating any real learning environment in low-income schools. As a former teacher, I know how difficult (impossible, really) it is to teach in a school where administrators do not assist teachers in enforcing consistent discipline standards. Even worse, I’ve witnessed more than one administrator undermine teachers who try to enforce basic behavior standards in their classrooms.

We need to convince education policy gurus that maintaining discipline and behavior standards is key to helping low-income students achieve in schools. We can’t keep talking about “teacher quality” without giving teachers an environment in which they can teach.

By: john thompson

john thompson — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:55:24 +0000

Real world, in the inner city the first three priorities must be discipline, discipline, and discipline. There are a lot of 4s, 5s, and 6s, but teacher quality means nothing until a principal finds a way to enforce discipline and attendance. In my experience, principals almost never get that power, so the rest is just chatter.

By the way, gaining the right to enforce the rules is politics. But, leadership is politics. So, when a lucky principal is empowered, he or she gains a lot of political leverage with teachers.