A Place at the Table

They're Not Your Children

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:37:13 -0500

When schools demand that children assume the position of mini adults, academic success may come at the price of the spontaneity and creativity that marks childhood.

Cutting Edge or Blunt Instrument?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:24:55 -0500

In sixth grade Family and Consumer Science, students learn to "Use correct tools and use tools correctly." Shouldn't that principle hold when school leadership is selecting and implementing tools to evaluate teacher effectiveness?

It's a Mystery?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:26:51 -0500

Is childhood the best of times or the worst of times? Highlight Magazine asked and kids offered an intriguing response that teachers can relate to.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:13:01 -0500

When education reformers talk to the press, how do teachers fair? Depends who you ask, says Susan Graham.

A Mess That's Out of Control

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:25:23 -0500

Sometimes the lessons children retain for a lifetime are the ones we never intended to teach.

Home Alone

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:39:35 -0500

No longer children but not quite young adults, parents struggle to find an after school solution that's just right for middle school latchkey kids who are often at risk when left home alone.

Run Run As Fast As You Can

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:14:45 -0500

Schools have been cutting back on PE and recess, but now new research indicates that running may increase brainpower. Will time on the track contribute to the Race to the Top?

A Pathway Worth Pursuing

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:10:22 -0500

When Robert Frost choose between two roads that diverged in the woods it made all the difference, but Mississippi is hoping that converging roads for college prep and career and technical education into career pathways will make the difference for their students by providing more options.

Tackling Performance Pay: Me and Albert Haynesworth

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:10:55 -0500

On Friday I was reading The Washington Post, and although I don't usually spend much time in the sports section, this headline got my attention: How to Measure $100 Million of Impact Since my job is to impact student...

What to Wear, or Not to Wear.... That is the Question

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:43:57 -0500

Stressing over what to wear is a back-to-school ritual for both students and teachersand it does matter, says Susan Graham.

I Think I'm Feeling Sick, Secretary Duncan!

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:35:03 -0500

Does the government's plan for addressing the H1N1 influenza this fall align with the reality of what schools can do.

Food for the Body and Soul

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:36:58 -0500

Back in the spring my daughter plunked a book down on the kitchen cabinet as I was making coconut cream pie. “Can’t stay, but I had to drop by to bring you this. Read it, you’re going to love it.”...

Such a Deal!

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:33:13 -0500

The parking lots of Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and the super-mall were all packed last weekend. It was Virginia’s annual Back to School Tax-Free Weekend. School supplies priced under $20 and clothing and shoes costing less than $100 were exempted from...

Prestige or Purpose?

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:40:26 -0500

Last week I wrote about the Dirty Little Business of cutting school costs by cutting career and technical education. Claus von Zastrow, over at Public School Insights, asked ….Is there cause for concern when attendance at 4-year colleges continues to...

A Dirty Little Business

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:53:20 -0500

With the fall school term about to start, the superintendents of Long Beach and Pass Christian school districts are busy trying to find replacement classes for vocational students. “It’s a very good program and the community college did an...