Lessons Learned
Some of the lessons that Gloria Ladson-Billings has drawn from working with the Teach for Diversity certification program, as mentioned in the article above.
Test Restricted Content
Race and the Achievement Gap
Using standardized tests to measure achievement perpetuates a system of institutionalized racism and lends the cloak of science to discrimination.
Resisting High-Stakes Tests
Teachers follow their principles and refuse to take part in the high-stakes game.
Ohio Teachers Give Tests an ‘F
National Board certified teachers believe the state’s testing policies do far more harm than good.
Nationwide Protests Against Tests
Grass-roots protests take aim at high-stakes standardized tests and call for alternative forms of accountability.
Learning to Read – ‘Scientifically
President Bush calls for ‘scientifically based’ reading instruction. What might that mean?
Bush’s Bad Idea for Bilingual Ed
The president proposes a three-year time limit for non-English speakers to attain ‘English fluency.’ Here’s why that’s a big mistake.
Rethinking Schools
Editorial It’s been 15 years since a group of activist teachers started Rethinking Schools, using only a temperamental Apple IIe and a kitchen table that stood in for a layout board. Some thoughts on how we’ve evolved since that humble beginning, and how we’ve stayed the same.
Creating A Vision of Possibility
An excerpt from her new book, Reading, Writing, and Rising Up: Teaching About Social Justice and the Power of the Written Word.
Saxophone
Student writing from Reading, Writing, and Rising Up.
Forward to the Past?
Issues of segregation, insufficient funding, and hurried decision-making envelop Milwaukee’s return to neighborhood schools
Controversial Testing Plan Goes to Milwaukee School Board
Controversy swirls around plan to increase standardized testing.
Value Added, Value Lost?
Value-added testing is enjoying growing popularity. Will it help children learn better?
Tax Dollars at Work
Georgia officers travel to Vermont to grill anti-testing advocate.
Unsung Heroes
Why aren’t people such as Daniel Shays or Fannie Lou Hamer held up as role models?
Bilingual Education: Strike Two
Arizona voters follow California’s lead and mandate English-only programs.
Bilingual Education Works
Bilingual education is generally misunderstood – even though people appear to understand many of its underlying principles.
Bilingual Education: A Goal for All Children
To defeat English-only initiatives like those bankrolled by Silicon Valley millionaire Ron Unz, progressives need to do a better job of educating the public about the benefits of bilingual education.
Diversity Vs. White Privilege
Christine Sleeter explains why multiculturalism, at its core, is a struggle against racism, and must go beyond an appreciation of diversity.
Michael’s Story
A third-grade teacher helps her students deal with anger and, in the process, learns a few lessons of her own.
Vouchers Go Down to Defeat
Michigan and California voters squash initiatives allowing public dollars for private schools.
Voucher Votes
How previous voucher initiatives have fared at the polls.
Oregon Rejects Anti-Gay Initiative
If it had passed, the so-called “Student Protection Act” could have banned the mere mention of homosexuality in public schools.
Planting Seeds of Solidarity
In discussing global issues, how can a teacher nurture student empathy and caring, yet avoid the trap of an “us versus them” dichotomy?”
Books to Help Build Solidarity
A collection of books useful in working with ideas raised in Peterson’s article, “Planting Seeds of Solidarity.”