In High-Performing Countries, Education Reform is a Two-Way Street

By Tim Walker In its report on the 2009 PISA results, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) noted, “Some of the most successful (education) reforms are those supported by strong unions rather than those that keep the union role weak.” In other words, when all stakeholders in education sit down at the table [...]

A Wave of Teacher Retirements on the Horizon

By Mary Ellen Flannery In Wisconsin, the number of state employees who have applied to retire this year is already 73 percent over last year – and public schools are bracing for a full-on stampede before contracts end in June. Educators simply can’t afford to stay on. With Gov. Scott Walker’s success in gutting collective [...]

What I Learned at School

“If we want to understand how much teachers are worth,” writes Marie Myung-Ok Lee in a tribute to the educators who influenced her, “we should remember how much we were formed by our own schooldays.” Source: The New York Times

NEA President Van Roekel: Don’t Punish Teachers for Their Years of Service

In a column posted on The Washington Post, Dennis Van Roekel says our students’ education is too important to jeopardize by laying off experienced teachers.

Wisconsin Judge Tells GOP to Stand Down on Implementing New Law

Republicans face yet another court order blocking the law that strips public employees of their collective bargaining rights. And this time the judge has said there will be consequences if the ruling is violated. Source: The Washington Post

New Reports Say Social Networking a Plus for Schools

While risks still exist, the use of social networking in schools not only benefits students, but also provides new opportunities for communication amongst teachers and administrators. Source: The Huffington Post

Controversial Voucher Bill Set for Vote in Congress

By Lance Fuller (UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon,the House of Representatives voted, 225-195, to reinstate the DC voucher program. The bill’s prospects in the U.S. Senate are unclear. The Obama administration opposes the program but has not threatened a veto.) On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on renewing and expanding the [...]

Obama: Too Much Testing Makes Education Boring

At a Monday town hall hosted by the Univision Spanish-language television network, President Obama said policymakers should find a test that “makes sense.” “One thing I never want to see happen,” he added, ” is schools that are just teaching the test because then you’re not learning about the world.”

Cheating Fears Cast Doubt on Rhee’s Legacy

The claims of sudden, significant improvement in DC schools under Michelle Rhee might not bear close scrutiny, writes Jay Bookman. A USA Today investigation reveals that one of the former chancellor’s prized schools may have faked its high test scores.

White House Remembers Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

By Alain Jehlen On March 25, 1911, fire killed 146 workers, mostly immigrant girls and women, in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City. The fire raced through the piles of cloth. Some of the doors had been locked by the owners, probably because they thought workers would steal the merchandise. Many workers jumped [...]

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