Out Front
An openly gay high school teacher discusses what schools can do to fight homophobia.
Test Restricted Content
$22 Million Siphoned from MPS to Pay for Private Schools
The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear the Milwaukee voucher case, shifting focus to political and educational problems with public funds for private schools.
What Color is Beautiful?
A kindergartner says he doesn’t like his dark skin. His teacher grapples with how to respond, and finds a valuable resource in the book “Nina Bonita.”
Trivial Pursuit Testing
An education professor takes the notorious Massachusetts teacher certification test. It’s a great test, he says, if the goal is to train contestants for “Jeopardy” or “Trivial Pursuit.”
Tracking and the Project Method
A teacher reflects on alternatives to tracking, and how to teach kids with a range of skills.
Keeping Schools on Track
Research has proven that tracking is inequitable. So why does it persist? And why do so many reformers sidestep the issue?
Terriblehorriblenogoodverybad
Some days are like that. And some practices, like tracking, are even worse.
What’s the Fuss?
Are debates over bilingual ed grounded in what’s best for students, or are they clouded by cultural issues and opinions about assimilation?
The Poetry of Protest
Martin Espada’s poetry is a weapon for justice for those who aren’t white, who don’t speak English, and whose work as migrant laborers is exploited.
Philip’s Transformation
How an elementary school teacher uses the book “Crow Boy” to teach respect for differences, and how she helped one angry, alienated student.
The Trial
Helping students get past “us versus them” while exploring homelessness.
Revolving School Doors
High housing costs mean many students move — and change schools — once or more each year, with dire effects on learning.
Past and Present
Reviews of “Teacher with a Heart: Reflections on Leonard Covello and Community,” by Vito Perrone, and “School Equity: Strategy for Creating Productive Schools in a Just Society,” edited by Marilyn J. Cittell.
Where’s the R-Word? Speaking Out on Textbook Silences
Why is the word “racism” missing from so many elementary-school history textbooks? Can you really teach US history without it?”
Always Consider Yourself a Student
A 35-year teaching veteran, who insists that social-justice issues should be introduced in early elementary-school classes, describes her curriculum and her commitment to progressive teaching.
Reconstituting Jefferson
Reconstituting schools — bring in a new reform program and forcing teacher to reapply for their jobs or leave — is a nationwide trend, an example of “get tough” policies. At this teacher’s school it was mean-spirited and shallow
Reconstitution Trend Cools
A national perspective on the reconstitution controversy.
What Happened to the Merger?
A look at the NEA-AFT merger proposed this summer, why it didn’t happen, and where we go from here.
New Battlegrounds
How voucher schools, and some charter schools, are trying to circumvent special education regulations.
Staying Past Wednesday
A second-grade teacher explores the seldom-touched issues of grief and loss with her students.
Culturally Authentic Bias
A teacher learns that just because a book is multicultural doesn’t mean it’s free from bias.
The Voucher Threat
Many urban schools are so beset with problems that vouchers may sound like legitimate reform. But don’t be fooled. The very survival of public education is at stake.
Of Eagles and Chickens
A teacher describes how a modern fable helps him teach about the African-American struggle for identity.
Of Eagles and Chickens
Where to find poetry, books and movies that offer insight on this issue.
Great Eagle Wisdom
Powerful quotes from “In Our Own Words: A Treasury of Quotations from the African American Community.”