Kids Protest Tax on Books
Fifth-graders in Springfield, MA, traveled to the state legislature in Boston on Apr. 26 to address a legislative taxation committee and demand that children’s books be exempted from the state’s 5% sales tax.
Test Restricted Content
The Educational Costs of Standardization
More testing might sound nice as a policy soundbite. But as Texas shows, the move toward high-stakes tests shortchanges learning in the classroom.
Dangers of Early Childhood Testing
As early as 1976 the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) called for a moratorium on standardized testing in the early schools years. A decade later, it strengthened its positions, saying: “We now believe firmly that no standardized testing should occur in preschool and K-2 years. Further we question the need to test every child in the remaining elementary years.”
Students Protest Tests
Hundreds of high school students from across Massachusetts boycotted the state’s high-stakes test this April.
Operation Bearlift
An elementary teacher, weary of gimmicks such as Gum Day and Hat Day, turns to social action to build classroom community.
The Tea Party
A high school English teacher uses a “tea party” – in which students give brief previews of good books – to entice reluctant readers to read.
A Journey to Openness
An elementary principal tells of his journey to openly gay administrator.
Fed Up with Gay-Bashing
An 11-year-old student takes a stand against homophobic slurs.
Defending Freedom of the Press
A middle school student organizes to defend a student newspaper.
Students’ Rights
A handy rundown of the free-speech rights students have under current law.
Please – No More Magic Bullets!
High-Stakes testing is the latest reform designed to save public education. But this reform du jour is a recipe for disaster.
A Vision of School Reform
A working draft outlining eight principles to guide school reform.
Down But Not Out
While enthusiasm for multiculturalism has waned, proponents have faith in the movement’s ability to endure.
Milwaukee: A Case Study
A look at one district reveals both the promises and challenges of sustaining multiculturalism
Embracing Cross-Racial Dialogue
“Some people say there is too much talk about race and racism in the United States
At Best, Silly, At Worst, Racist
The Massachusetts 10th-grade world history test is a Eurocentric exercise in trivial pursuit.
Pencils Out!
What’s on the 10th-grade test in Massachusetts?
Origins of Multiculturalism
Too many white educators think multiculturalism ends with ethnic food festivals. Here’s why multiculturalism needs to be placed in the context of the Civil Rights struggle for freedom, political power, and economic integration.
Resisting Zero Tolerance
A politically popular sound-bite has morphed into a Frankenstein’s monster, destroying children in its path. It doesn’t have to be that way.
First-Class Jails, Second-Class Schools
Society’s misplaced priorities are moving too many youths from the educational system and into the penal system.
Bright’ Like Me?
What if we take seriously the idea that people can become smart?
Chicago’s ‘No Social Promotion’ Under Attack
The much-touted policy is starting to draw fire from educators and civil rights activists.
Is There Value in Value-Added Testing?
Milwaukee plans an unprecedented expansion of testing. Here’s why it’s a mistake.
Teaching In Dangerous Times
In this era of demands for teacher quality, it is crucial to develop culturally relevant ways to assess teachers.
MPS Parents Protest Budget Cuts
Parents call upon School Board to find money to offset $32 million deficit.