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Discuss: [T]he standards of the two kinds of education [liberal and practical] are fundamentally different and fundamentally opposed. The standard of liberal education is based upon definitions of excellence in the various disciplines. These definitions are in turn based upon example. One learns to order one’s thoughts and to speak and write coherently by [...] While the goals behind No Child Left Behind were admirable, experience has taught us that the law has some serious flaws that are hurting our children instead of helping them. Teachers are being forced to teach to a test, while subjects like history and science are being squeezed out. And in order to avoid [...] Georgia is one of ten states that won big grants in the “Race to the Top” competition last year. “Race to the Top” is an education incentive plan championed by President Obama that awards billions of dollars to states that have the best plans for school reforms. Illinois didn’t make the cut. But [...] Readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic. Two out of three ain’t bad for us Illinoisans: Illinois high school juniors no longer will be tested on writing skills during the state’s standardized tests every spring, eliminating the last Illinois writing exam and shaving about $2.4 million amid budgetary shortfalls…. “Good teachers, good schools, good principals don’t need [...] I went to see “The Cartel” at The Peoria Theater over the weekend (it’s playing through Sept. 16). From a technical standpoint, I was immediately disappointed that it was a DVD played over an LCD projector. When I go to the theater, I expect to see an actual film. I recognize that many films [...] Public school students are graded and tested all the time. Schools are scored too — California rates them in an annual index. Not so with teachers. Nationally, the vast majority who seek tenure get it after a few years on the job, practically ensuring a position for life. After that, pay and job protections [...] I never thought I’d see the day that I’d read this in the paper: “…the crowd turned to face the Capitol and shouted ‘Raise my taxes.’” A rally of 15,000 people from throughout the state roared in anger and frustration outside the state Capitol on Wednesday, protesting budget cuts affecting education and social services…. [...] At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Terry Knapp spoke to the council and encouraged them all to read a new book by Diane Ravitch called “The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice are Undermining Education.” He wanted them (especially the Mayor) to read it before next week’s education [...] I heard a story on NPR the other day about the chancellor of the Washington (D.C.) public schools, Michelle Rhee. She has a plan for improving the struggling urban school district: She has proposed a new contract for the union that would undermine tenure, the teachers union holy of holies. The carrot is money. [...] From a press release: PEORIA PROMISE FOUNDATION HIRES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Peoria Promise Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of Tara Gerstner as the organization’s first Executive Director effective October 1st. Tara brings a strong marketing and leadership background in both corporate and nonprofit management to this position. She has led the [...] |
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