One result (or lack thereof) of the deadlock in Congress is a failure to reauthorize the federal No Child Left behind act. Because of the legislature's inaction, President Obama has announced that states may apply for waivers of the act so long as they "agree to adopt a prescribed set of education reforms," according to this Education Week blog post by Michele McNeil.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced last June that the administration would proceed with a waiver plan if Congress fails to reauthorize NCLB by the start of school.
Duncan said waivers would be offered as long as states meet other requirements, which will not be spelled out fully until next month. Areas likely to be considered in waiving the 2014 proficiency deadline are: raising standards for achievement, new strategies to help low-performing schools, and implementing educator evaluation systems that are tied to test scores.
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten had a cautious response to Duncan's announcement.
"We understand and feel the frustration with No Child Left Behind, and we support changing it in a comprehensive way to better assist teachers and students," Weingarten said. "Time will tell whether moving to a waiver plan that bypasses the full legislative (and public comment) process is the right approach."
"Waivers, if issued, should be informed by what works to improve teaching and learning," she continued. "We will continue to encourage Congress to get the education law right to ensure that students in this country have a fair, equitable, high-quality public education system."
Showing posts with label Arne Duncan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arne Duncan. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
U.S. education secretary interfering in LA superintendent selection
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has apparently lent his weight to the cause of John White for State Superintendent of Education.
As Associated Press reporter Melinda Deslatte writes here, Duncan has approached at least two members of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on White's behalf.
As reported previously in EdLog, White, a 35-year old Teach for America product with limited educational experience, was selected to run the State Recovery School District, even though he has never been a school district superintendent.
He is Governor Bobby Jindal's choice to replace Paul Pastorek as state superintendent of education, but apparently does not have enough support on BESE to be confirmed. White would need the votes of eight of the 11 board members, but reportedly has solid opposition from four of them.
The two BESE members who report being contacted by Duncan are Linda Johnson from Plaquemine and Louella Givens from New Orleans; both of them have said they oppose White's appointment.
As Associated Press reporter Melinda Deslatte writes here, Duncan has approached at least two members of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on White's behalf.
As reported previously in EdLog, White, a 35-year old Teach for America product with limited educational experience, was selected to run the State Recovery School District, even though he has never been a school district superintendent.
He is Governor Bobby Jindal's choice to replace Paul Pastorek as state superintendent of education, but apparently does not have enough support on BESE to be confirmed. White would need the votes of eight of the 11 board members, but reportedly has solid opposition from four of them.
The two BESE members who report being contacted by Duncan are Linda Johnson from Plaquemine and Louella Givens from New Orleans; both of them have said they oppose White's appointment.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Duncan: No Child Left Behind is unworkable and must be changed
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has finally come to the same conclusion that teachers around the nation reached years ago: the No Child Left Behind Act is a recipe for disaster. It is set up to guarantee that schools appear to be failing and that teachers are at fault.
As reported here by the Washington Post's Nick Anderson, Duncan told the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that the flawed law will soon stigmatize three quarters of American schools as failures.
Said Duncan, "This law is fundamentally broken, and we need to fix it, and fix it this year. The law has created dozens of ways for schools to fail and very few ways to help them succeed. We should get out of the business of labeling schools as failures and create a new law that is fair and flexible and focused on the schools and students most at risk."
The act, passed in 2002 as former President George W. Bush's signature education initiative, has been heavily criticized for overemphasizing standardized tests and for its unreachable goal requiring all children to become proficient in math and reading.
As reported here by the Washington Post's Nick Anderson, Duncan told the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that the flawed law will soon stigmatize three quarters of American schools as failures.
Said Duncan, "This law is fundamentally broken, and we need to fix it, and fix it this year. The law has created dozens of ways for schools to fail and very few ways to help them succeed. We should get out of the business of labeling schools as failures and create a new law that is fair and flexible and focused on the schools and students most at risk."
The act, passed in 2002 as former President George W. Bush's signature education initiative, has been heavily criticized for overemphasizing standardized tests and for its unreachable goal requiring all children to become proficient in math and reading.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
U.S. Education Secretary greets Federation members
LFT President Steve Monaghan, Monroe Federation of Teachers and School Employees President Sandie Lollie and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Travelling through Louisiana on an eight-state tour to celebrate America's public school teachers, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited with members of the Monroe Federation of Teachers and School Employees at their back-to-school membership meeting.
Duncan, who was in Monroe to check out a program at the city's J.S. Clark Elementary School, accepted an invitation from MFT/SE President Sandie Lollie to meet educators at the union meeting.
Louisiana Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek, LFT President Steve Monaghan, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers President Carnell Washington and Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Meladie Munch.
As you can see from the YouTube video released by the Education Department, the secretary was impressed by the energy and dedication of teachers and school employees.
“I want to say a huge thank you for what you’re doing for the state’s children,” Duncan told the Federation members. “We’re fighting a daily battle for our children’s lives. Some form of higher education has to be the goal for all of our children.”
“Teachers are the unsung heroes in our society,” Duncan continued. “We can’t do enough to celebrate them. We need to take the focus off athletes and movie stars and put the focus on education.”
As you can see from the YouTube video released by the Education Department, the secretary was impressed by the energy and dedication of teachers and school employees.
“I want to say a huge thank you for what you’re doing for the state’s children,” Duncan told the Federation members. “We’re fighting a daily battle for our children’s lives. Some form of higher education has to be the goal for all of our children.”
“Teachers are the unsung heroes in our society,” Duncan continued. “We can’t do enough to celebrate them. We need to take the focus off athletes and movie stars and put the focus on education.”
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Louisiana frozen out of Race to the Top funds
Doing a passable impression of the Soup Nazi on the old Seinfeld show, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today said "No money for you" to Louisiana Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek.
For the second time, our state was frozen out of the education fund known as Race to the Top. In the first round, only Tennessee and Delaware won money; this time, nine states and the District of Columbia will get a share of $3.4 billion from the competition.
Asked for a comment, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said the loss changes nothing about the Federation's commitment to student achievement.
“The Louisiana Federation of Teachers remains committed to including educator voice and involvement in any initiatives that affect our profession,” said Monaghan. “Despite this development, we will continue to partner with the state and local school districts in achieving our goal of a quality education for all children."
It did not go unnoticed that Louisiana lost its bid for funding even though Pastorek made the competition a top priority of his department, ramming through numerous controversial policies in an effort to demonstrate his passion for reform.
Associated Press writer Dorie Turner put it this way in her report: "But some education groups said 'Race to the Top' rewarded states that have weak reform efforts while leaving out those like Colorado and Louisiana that have made strides to overhaul their schools."
Could loss of the federal funds have anything to do with a governor who's spent the last few months on a beach loudly criticizing the federal government? Or who bemoaned federal spending even as he handed out oversized cardboard checks written on accounts funded by that same government?
For the second time, our state was frozen out of the education fund known as Race to the Top. In the first round, only Tennessee and Delaware won money; this time, nine states and the District of Columbia will get a share of $3.4 billion from the competition.
Asked for a comment, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said the loss changes nothing about the Federation's commitment to student achievement.
“The Louisiana Federation of Teachers remains committed to including educator voice and involvement in any initiatives that affect our profession,” said Monaghan. “Despite this development, we will continue to partner with the state and local school districts in achieving our goal of a quality education for all children."
It did not go unnoticed that Louisiana lost its bid for funding even though Pastorek made the competition a top priority of his department, ramming through numerous controversial policies in an effort to demonstrate his passion for reform.
Associated Press writer Dorie Turner put it this way in her report: "But some education groups said 'Race to the Top' rewarded states that have weak reform efforts while leaving out those like Colorado and Louisiana that have made strides to overhaul their schools."
Could loss of the federal funds have anything to do with a governor who's spent the last few months on a beach loudly criticizing the federal government? Or who bemoaned federal spending even as he handed out oversized cardboard checks written on accounts funded by that same government?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Saying something stupid...
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said something stupid a couple of days ago: “I spent a lot of time in New Orleans, and this is a tough thing to say, but let me be really honest. I think the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans was Hurricane Katrina.”
Inevitably, when a gaffe that outrageous is committed, the apologies followed. Here is how the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported the apology; here is the Baton Rouge Advocate's version of the retraction.
Left hanging in the lurch after Duncan apologized were State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek and Recovery School District Superintendent Paul Vallas, both of who nodded in bobbleheaded agreement with Duncan's careless comment.
LFT President Steve Monaghan said that Duncan's apology is acceptable, and offered a bit of advice to Pastorek and Vallas:
“Secretary Duncan did the right thing and to his credit, he did so rather quickly,” said Monaghan. “However, it is quite sad that some Louisiana education officials rushed to express their support for his comment. To those officials, we suggest that there is a reason why silence is so often considered golden."
Inevitably, when a gaffe that outrageous is committed, the apologies followed. Here is how the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported the apology; here is the Baton Rouge Advocate's version of the retraction.
Left hanging in the lurch after Duncan apologized were State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek and Recovery School District Superintendent Paul Vallas, both of who nodded in bobbleheaded agreement with Duncan's careless comment.
LFT President Steve Monaghan said that Duncan's apology is acceptable, and offered a bit of advice to Pastorek and Vallas:
“Secretary Duncan did the right thing and to his credit, he did so rather quickly,” said Monaghan. “However, it is quite sad that some Louisiana education officials rushed to express their support for his comment. To those officials, we suggest that there is a reason why silence is so often considered golden."
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Race to the Top, Microsoft connection
Does Microsoft founder Bill Gates exercise too much influence over U.S. education policy simply because of the millions he is able to spread around? And does that influence fly in the face of what experts know to be the right path to education reform?
This article by Associated Press reporters Libby Quaid and Donna Blankinship raises those questions, saying that Gates' foundation "is taking unprecedented steps to influence education policy, spending millions to influence how the federal government distributes $5 billion in grants to overhaul public schools."
If teachers wonder why the federal Race to the Top program is heavily slanted toward charter schools and teacher evaluations based on student test scores, they need look no farther than Gates. Two of his former employees are inner circle advisers to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and have received special ethics waivers so they may continue their close association with Gates' foundation.
LFT is asking for teachers' opinions of the Race to the Top program. Please click here to answer a short survey about the issues.
This article by Associated Press reporters Libby Quaid and Donna Blankinship raises those questions, saying that Gates' foundation "is taking unprecedented steps to influence education policy, spending millions to influence how the federal government distributes $5 billion in grants to overhaul public schools."
If teachers wonder why the federal Race to the Top program is heavily slanted toward charter schools and teacher evaluations based on student test scores, they need look no farther than Gates. Two of his former employees are inner circle advisers to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and have received special ethics waivers so they may continue their close association with Gates' foundation.
LFT is asking for teachers' opinions of the Race to the Top program. Please click here to answer a short survey about the issues.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Is Race to the Top a bum's rush with no basis in research?
Before U.S. Secretary if Education Arne Duncan and our own Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek wax too enthusiastic about the charter schools and merit pay that comprise too much of the federal Race to the Top plan, they should read this article in Education Week (free registration required).
The main thrust of the article is that, for leaders who pride themselves on basing programs on facts and research, Race to the Top comes up short on both counts:
Ravitch and several other experts quoted in the article all agree that "two priorities at the heart of the program...lack research evidence: evaluating teachers based on students’ standardized test scores and promoting the growth of charter schools."
Before Louisiana's schools get hustled into yet another bureaucratic bum's rush, shouldn't we ask the intelligent questions, and then base policy on real research and data?
The main thrust of the article is that, for leaders who pride themselves on basing programs on facts and research, Race to the Top comes up short on both counts:
“What is extraordinary about these regulations is that they have no credible
basis in research. They just happen to be the programs and approaches favored by
the people in power,” writes Diane Ravitch, a research professor of education at New
York University, in her blog, Bridging
Differences, which is hosted by edweek.org.
Ravitch and several other experts quoted in the article all agree that "two priorities at the heart of the program...lack research evidence: evaluating teachers based on students’ standardized test scores and promoting the growth of charter schools."
Before Louisiana's schools get hustled into yet another bureaucratic bum's rush, shouldn't we ask the intelligent questions, and then base policy on real research and data?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Diane Ravitch: the interview
You have to love Diane Ravitch. She's the go-to gal for an honest, refreshing and intelligent, if acerbic, take on education reform.
Take this interview with John Merrow from Learning Matters, posted in his Taking Note blog.
Here's what she has to say about No Child Left Behind: "I would say, sorrowfully, that NCLB has failed. It did nothing to raise standards, because it left decisions about standards to the states."
About the type of "reform" embodied in the charter school movement: "Deregulation nearly destroyed our economy in the past decade, and we better be careful that we don’t destroy our public schools too."
About President Obama's $4 billion Race to the Top program: "What if Washington doesn’t know best? What if the 'reform' ideas are wrong?...There is a ton of evidence that evaluating teachers based solely on student test scores is a bad idea"
About U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: "If Arne Duncan knows exactly how to reform American education, why didn’t he reform Chicago’s schools?"
Take this interview with John Merrow from Learning Matters, posted in his Taking Note blog.
Here's what she has to say about No Child Left Behind: "I would say, sorrowfully, that NCLB has failed. It did nothing to raise standards, because it left decisions about standards to the states."
About the type of "reform" embodied in the charter school movement: "Deregulation nearly destroyed our economy in the past decade, and we better be careful that we don’t destroy our public schools too."
About President Obama's $4 billion Race to the Top program: "What if Washington doesn’t know best? What if the 'reform' ideas are wrong?...There is a ton of evidence that evaluating teachers based solely on student test scores is a bad idea"
About U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: "If Arne Duncan knows exactly how to reform American education, why didn’t he reform Chicago’s schools?"
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Duncan: All school, all the time
School should be open six days a week, eleven months a year. That's what U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told an audience of high schoolers in Denver on Tuesday.
"Go ahead and boo me," Duncan said to the students. "I fundamentally think that our school day is too short, our school week is too short and our school year is too short."
"Go ahead and boo me," Duncan said to the students. "I fundamentally think that our school day is too short, our school week is too short and our school year is too short."
Monday, April 6, 2009
U.S. education secretary setting a bolder, broader agenda
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan brought an uncomfortable message to the meeting of the National School Boards Association in San Diego over the weekend: he supports the idea of mayors seizing control of troubled urban school systems.
As San Diego Union-Tribune writer Maureen Magee reports here, he also wants to "recruit top teachers to underperforming campuses through incentives, reinvent schools as community centers, and increase collaboration among school districts, businesses, nonprofits and mayors."
There's a lot to digest in the new secretary's approach to public education. He's been at the forefront of some important reforms in Chicago, where he sometimes came into conflict with the Chicago Teachers Union.
LFT is impressed with his concept of schools as centers of their communities. That is the prescription the Federation had in mind in our call for a bolder, broader agenda for public education.
As San Diego Union-Tribune writer Maureen Magee reports here, he also wants to "recruit top teachers to underperforming campuses through incentives, reinvent schools as community centers, and increase collaboration among school districts, businesses, nonprofits and mayors."
There's a lot to digest in the new secretary's approach to public education. He's been at the forefront of some important reforms in Chicago, where he sometimes came into conflict with the Chicago Teachers Union.
LFT is impressed with his concept of schools as centers of their communities. That is the prescription the Federation had in mind in our call for a bolder, broader agenda for public education.
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