The chicken-and-egg failure of educational reform

The Obama/Duncan era of educational policy continues to get it backwards. . .

See this clarifying post at Schools Matter. . .

Another Call to Reconsider NCLB

Civil Rights Framework for Providing All Students an Opportunity to Learn through Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

More from Krashen

Hustlers and High Rollers: Not Just Wall Street

Sent to the NY Times, July 12, 2010

Bob Herbert ("Outside the Casino," 7/12) notes that Wall Street
"hustlers and high rollers" are doing well, while schools are cutting
services, including libraries.

Federal education policy will have the same effect: Education
Secretary Duncan plans to spend billions on new standards and tests,
increasing testing far beyond the currently unreasonable levels. There
is no scientific evidence that this will help students, but it will
help the "hustlers and high rollers" in the publishing industry: Along
with new standards and tests come new textbooks linked to tests.

In contrast, there is substantial evidence showing that programs that
have been weakened were effective: For example, studies show that
library quality and staffing is related to literacy development.

Libraries are especially important for children of poverty, who have
few other sources of books. Investing in libraries, however, does not
result in quick profits for the hustlers and high rollers in
education.

Stephen Krashen

July 12, 2010

**Outside the Casino**

**New York Times**

**By BOB HERBERT

National Standards as misguided goal

See this policy brief from EPIC. . .excellent challenge to the call and pursuit of national standards.

The role of parents more complex than many think. . .

See Walt Gardner's post today (21 July 2010) and my subsequent comment.

At the heart of deficit views of the poor. . .

Without a critical perspective (in other words, when any of us become blinded by our own assumptions), we fail the potential offered by being educated. . .

Disturbing news about what we accept when faced with evidence:

How facts backfire

Schools matter, but. . .

This is promising:

"Supt. Tom Brady puts it this way: Teachers can’t do it alone. Unless community organizations begin to address some of the myriad social issues affecting a child’s academic progress, urban schools in particular will never fulfill their promise."

Read the article HERE.

Recommended

Great letter posted at the Journal for Educational Controversy blog.

Student mobility, poverty. . .and conditions beyond control of schools

Student Mobility in Rural and Nonrural Districts in Five Central Region States

Excellent piece about flaws of national standards

Krashen has shared this excellent Op-Ed:

Core Standards: More drill and kill

Published June 21, Atlanta Journal Constitution

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/core-standards-more-drill-553702.html

By Cindy Lutenbacher