Remote Teaching Isn’t Even Remotely Teaching by Christine Vaccaro
Remote learning has proven to be grueling for all concerned parties, but there is, as in all things, a gift. Those who do not work in education have had a peek behind the curtain. They have seen that teaching isn’t about explaining how to divide fractions; it is about the finesse that teachers employ to deal with the child who still gets it wrong the fifth time. Parents have learned firsthand that the awesome power entrusted to their children’s teachers is only in small part about curriculum. The crucial responsibility we wield is in the innumerable judgement calls made all day, every day, born out of sheer instinct and honed mastery that, at any second, have the potential to create a moment that can change a life.
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The Coronabushaccountability Virus by Grumpy Old teacher
Tests from the Spring of 2021 will tell us nothing except how to put children into the categories of that last paragraph. And you know what? We don’t need a test to do so.
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Jaw-Dropper by Grumpy Old teacher
Live in the moment when the Department of Education admits that testing steals time for instruction.
And then ask yourself which you would rather have.
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Federal Charter Schools Program a Fountain of Corruption and Disruption by Thomas Ultican
In other words, using DeVos’s numbers and official reports contracted by the US Department of Education for checking; in all cases the NPE numbers proved to be conservative and accurate.
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You Can’t Have My Students’ Lives to Restart Your Economy by Steven Singer
Will we continue to value money over children? Will we pave the post-Coronavirus future over the bodies of sick children and adults?
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Till Covid-19 Takes Your T-bird Away by Grumpy Old Teacher
Out of Kilter - The Extreme Polarities Exposed by Covid-19 by Cheryl Gibbs Binkley
he time when we can ignore those signals is past. The stakes have gone up, and societal survival is at stake. More measurement, whether by national or local report cards or digital tracking may give us a false sense of understanding, but will not solve the failures of our societal disequilibrium.
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Faulty Billionaire Financed Education “Study” by Thomas Ultican
The billionaire sponsored paper from Chris Stewart and Brightbeam is not a study; not even close. It is propaganda. Mark Twain attributed Benjamin Disraeli with saying “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics.” The Brightbeam paper grossly violates all three of these categories of lies.
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The First Taste is Free: Ed Tech Follows Drug Dealer Sales Techniques with Schools During Coronavirus Crisis by Steven Singer
Global venture capital investments in ed tech finished 14 times higher by the end of the decade than they started. Investments went from $500 million in 2010 to $7 billion in 2019. And insiders expect that to triple in the next decade to more than $87 billion.
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New Guides for Researchers, Bloggers and Parents by Thomas Ultican
These two books bring light to the corrupt billionaire led privatization of America’s public schools and provide some tools that citizens can use to fight back. As an unapologetic advocate for elected school board led public schools, I hardily recommend these two new publications.
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The Lie of Florida Virtual by Thomas Ultican
Virtual school remains dependent on real public schools to carry out its mission.
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The Surprise of Distance Learning by Grumpy Old Teacher
Master of my classroom, I suffer the tyranny of doing this online. I do not share this easily, I am not seeking reassurance or an outpouring of ‘you got this’ remarks. I am tough, I have gone through much and I will get through this.
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How Did America’s Schools Cope with Spanish Flu vs. Coronavirus? by Steven Singer
Why didn’t more districts in 1918 try to make teachers instruct students through the newspaper and over the phone? Why didn’t more districts make teachers go to school buildings and even students homes during an epidemic? Are we really doing the right thing by emulating those solutions?
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Project Propaganda AKA Project Forever Free by Thomas Ultican
This is clearly a propaganda effort but it is doomed to fail because they are selling a bad product. It is truly sad that these self-centered billionaires are not trying to improve public schools instead of destroying them.
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Virtual Learning Through Quarantine Will Leave Poor and Disabled Students Behind by Steven Singer
I understand that everyone wants to appear like they’re doing something to meet the challenges provided by this crisis. However, sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.
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Top 10 Things I Want My Students to do During the Coronavirus Quarantine by Steven Singer
My dear precious little students! There are people out there who love you so much. There are people who would move Heaven and Earth to keep you safe. I know you’re scared and bored and anxious. But remember we’re in this together. And no matter where you are or what you’re doing there’s at least your crazy English teacher who loves you very much and can’t wait to see you all again. Stay safe!
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FFCRA and Public Ed - What Educators need to know by Terri Rector Michal
Finally, to our public school employees, please take this time to care for yourself and your families. We will need you more than ever once our school doors reopen.
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BATs State News - Special Edition
There are also some questions that we should be thinking about as we start to look at what is next. How can we support our students and their families once we start to realize the full trauma of this pandemic? What can we do to protect public education from the privatization that is knocking even harder at the door? What do we really want education to look like when we return? The inequities within our schools have suddenly been pushed to the forefront with a bright spotlight; what can we do to make sure that we address this as we move forward? What can we do in our communities to strengthen our social supports so that if schools do ever have to close again in the future, we have systems in place to help those most in need?
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An Assisted Care Nurse: Help Us Be More Florence Nightingale, Less Typhoid Mary by Joy Amy
We owe it to the Nurses and CNA's who work on the frontlines at the hospital to do every last thing we can and explore every last available option to slow the wave they are bracing for. Please. Act today. Let's leave no single stone unturned. Respectfully and sincerely, A nurse who would like to be a little more Florence Nightingale and a little less Typhoid Mary.
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The Vicious Attack on Sweetwater Union High School District by Thomas Ultican
At this point in time, billionaires throughout America are openly hostile toward public education including US Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. Many politicians who take money from them would be happy to facilitate the state taking over our school districts. It is in the best interest of the entire Sweetwater family to close ranks and solve this crisis before outside forces take advantage.
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