Latest Blogs by Bill Ferriter

Is Standardized Testing Changing ME for the Worse?

June 13, 2013 at 6:33 pm

Blogger's Note: This was a tough post to write. It feels like a confession that I should probably just keep to myself -- but I gotta believe that other teachers of tested subjects are thinking the same thoughts as I am. While this isn't super polished, I hope it makes y'all think.

Leadership Lessons Learned from Bridezillas

June 11, 2013 at 6:03 pm

So I have a bit of a confession to make: I’m addicted to reality television.

Three Flawed #edpolicy Assumptions that Every Parent Should Pay Attention To

June 7, 2013 at 6:17 pm

In the past few months, the North Carolina legislature has pushed forward two bills (see here and here) designed to

Want to Move Your School Forward? Lose Your Bedazzler.

June 5, 2013 at 6:00 pm

Let me ask you a quick question: Rate the last ten reform initiatives that your school, district and/or state embraced on a scale from "Ridiculously Simple" to "Ridiculously Complex." Now, think about which reform initiatives made a lasting impact and which were abandoned before the end of the next school year.

Why Saving NCCAT Makes Sense

June 2, 2013 at 7:46 am

In difficult budget times, I can honestly say that I don't envy state legislators who are forced every spring into the uncomfortable position of cutting valuable programs in an effort to save cash. Trying to decide between protecting programs that support teachers or firefighters or cops or senior citizens or the mentally disabled or the poor -- and by default, axing programs that support those same groups -- has got to be the worst part of being an elected official.

What Seth Doesn't Know about Schools

May 29, 2013 at 6:21 pm

Poking through my feed reader last Friday, I stumbled across this great Ted talk by digital pioneer and provocateur Seth Godin.

Two Important Reminders for Digital Leaders

May 24, 2013 at 7:20 pm

In a time when technology is drastically changing the way that we work, learn, and play, it is essential that school leaders have a clear plan for driving digital change in their classrooms, districts and communities. These two tips can help: Remember that tools don’t change learning spaces; Teachers do: While integrating technology into learning spaces will require investments in new digital tools and services, many school leaders forget that investing in tools alone is never enough.

Teaching Nonfiction Reading Skills in the Science Classroom [ACTIVITY]

May 20, 2013 at 2:27 pm

I don't have a ton of time to write today -- I've spent the past week teaching and learning alongside of some really progressive thinkers in Australia -- so I figured I'd share a few handouts that I've been using in class this year to teach nonfiction reading skills in my sixth grade science classroom.

Walking Moral Tightropes is NOT a Reform Strategy

May 14, 2013 at 11:41 pm

Late last week, I wrote a piece titled How Testing Will Change What I Teach Next Year. In it, I detail the 48 DAYS that I spent teaching high level skills -- things like interpreting nonfiction text, evaluating the reliability of online sources, and building new knowledge through collaborative dialogue -- that are in my curriculum but that WON'T be covered on the new high-stakes multiple choice tests that our state is using to evaluate teache

How Testing Will Change What I Teach Next Year

May 7, 2013 at 6:24 pm

Regular Radical Readers know that high stakes testing is in the forefront of my mind right now. I guess that's just what happens when you live and work in a nation hellbent on tying teacher evaluation to the scores that students produce on multiple choice exams.