Teachers decisions on how each student is taught and subsequently learn, is best left up to her/his classroom, isn't that why we hire talented teachers and not some sort of AI "being"???
I agree with much of what you’ve written. I would want to see the new D65 board take a few concrete steps to move us forward:
1. Empower principals and teachers to make daily decisions in the best interests of their students. Those are the experts who, as you point out, can make the biggest impact on the opportunity gap. The role of the administration is to setup educators for success by providing them with consistent tools, training, resources and policies.
2. Revisit recent policies to make sure they fit within a framework that promotes excellence for everyone. One example is the decision to eliminate geometry as an advanced course in middle school. From my perspective, that decision had unintended consequences because it essentially made advanced math available only to the families with the time and resources to advocate for their kids. I would rather keep these options available for everyone and then fight like hell to increase the participation of under-represented students.
3. Fund tried-and-true programs that work. There is a time for experimentation and innovation, but during a budget crunch it’s best to refocus on methods with stronger evidence behind them. D65 has a number of initiatives from a few years back that it could re-implement, and creating a universal pre-k program has a huge ROI because it closes gaps early and limits more expensive interventions in middle school.
I realize, of course, that I don’t have all the answers, and I’m certainly eager to hear other solutions.
Hey Chris, fyi I voted for you and have been super impressed with every forum you’ve participated in. I also know your sister in law—I’m pretty sure.
Anyway, I trust that you have the students’ best interests in mind. You’re always very knowledgeable and measured at every event.
The advanced math stuff has been very tricky to navigate. I’m definitely not against advanced math. My husband is a former math teacher turned principal. He thinks differentiation is possible within the classroom.
I worry about the unintended consequences of tracking. It really shapes students’ entire day in a very profound way. You think it’s just for one class but in reality it turns into much more than that. Students get lumped together for the rest of the day, due to scheduling constraints.
I love how the high school did earned honors. I am not even sure that’s still a thing or if it was successful.
Again, I’m not saying I’m against advanced math placement. I just resent the necessary evil that goes with it.
I agree that tracking comes with its own problems. We’re dealing with a lot of tradeoffs regardless of the solution we choose.
I think my default is to assume we can push all kids a little harder so long as we’re supporting them emotionally. This is the approach I usually use in my strength coaching practice, and I’m constantly amazed by how “unathletic” kids can make incredible progress - even when they don’t want to be there!
So the educational system is designed to fail Black, Brown , marginalized, low income students! Wow. Is that why we are losing so many students that we have to close more schools. Is that why Bessie Rhodes parents and students were treating without any respect/ decency? Is that why even the Mayor took his child out of D65? Is that why they canceled all accelerated programs ? I remember when my dear next door neighbor of 40 plus years John Kessler came home from subbing very disheartened and told me a student said “I don’t have to listen to you whitey He said Lorraine Morton would be very very upset at what is going on. P S. Karen did a very good job caring for you
Hey, you seem really angry. There is a lot to be angry about but it’s not me that is the problem. I’m just pointing out systemic problems. You are free to disagree with me. I’ve taught for fifteen years, so I’m very much aware of the issues our children face today.
And I want to let you know that I loved Karen very much. I hope she would have been proud of me for fighting for what I think is right. Something Karen never would have stood for was cruelty or rudeness. She was one of my first teachers, and she was an amazing one.
Teaching is not for everyone. But I’m happy I get to do it.
I remember just a few months ago there was an article in the RT about some of the Black students who were being given “warnings “ as they were not in their classes. One young man excused his absence by saying he hadn’t had breakfast. Another young man said he felt he was invisible. Yet another young man explained he felt he was being unfairly targeted. These young men (teenagers) were not being responsible. You couldn’t even get a job at McDonalds if you can’t show up for work and last through the day. They didn’t just develop these habits and attitudes when they entered ETHS. For some reason our schools didn’t hold them responsible. Now out in the real world they don’t have safety officers who will remind them where they should be. We are failing to prepare them for life You can talk all you want about equity but our schools aren’t preparing them for life. Sometimes while toting equity we promise them “generational wealth” if we agree to the NU stadium. You get generational wealth when you go through the union apprenticeship program to be an electrician or construction worker etc. A lot of wrongs for these teens and young men is created in the name of equity
I’m not 100% clear on your point. However, I am going to repeat this line from the piece: EVERYONE should have access to an EXCELLENT education.
That is all that equity is. I am not defending every action that has been done in the name of equity. I think this piece makes that very clear.
Also, there is nothing on here about disciplinary practices, although I am a big believer in restorative discipline, which utilizes meaningful consequences and reflection.
Equity isn’t bad. The term is often misinterpreted and misused.
Well said!
Thanks!
Teachers decisions on how each student is taught and subsequently learn, is best left up to her/his classroom, isn't that why we hire talented teachers and not some sort of AI "being"???
Free speech BOTH ways. Gotta accept and practice it.
I agree with much of what you’ve written. I would want to see the new D65 board take a few concrete steps to move us forward:
1. Empower principals and teachers to make daily decisions in the best interests of their students. Those are the experts who, as you point out, can make the biggest impact on the opportunity gap. The role of the administration is to setup educators for success by providing them with consistent tools, training, resources and policies.
2. Revisit recent policies to make sure they fit within a framework that promotes excellence for everyone. One example is the decision to eliminate geometry as an advanced course in middle school. From my perspective, that decision had unintended consequences because it essentially made advanced math available only to the families with the time and resources to advocate for their kids. I would rather keep these options available for everyone and then fight like hell to increase the participation of under-represented students.
3. Fund tried-and-true programs that work. There is a time for experimentation and innovation, but during a budget crunch it’s best to refocus on methods with stronger evidence behind them. D65 has a number of initiatives from a few years back that it could re-implement, and creating a universal pre-k program has a huge ROI because it closes gaps early and limits more expensive interventions in middle school.
I realize, of course, that I don’t have all the answers, and I’m certainly eager to hear other solutions.
Hey Chris, fyi I voted for you and have been super impressed with every forum you’ve participated in. I also know your sister in law—I’m pretty sure.
Anyway, I trust that you have the students’ best interests in mind. You’re always very knowledgeable and measured at every event.
The advanced math stuff has been very tricky to navigate. I’m definitely not against advanced math. My husband is a former math teacher turned principal. He thinks differentiation is possible within the classroom.
I worry about the unintended consequences of tracking. It really shapes students’ entire day in a very profound way. You think it’s just for one class but in reality it turns into much more than that. Students get lumped together for the rest of the day, due to scheduling constraints.
I love how the high school did earned honors. I am not even sure that’s still a thing or if it was successful.
Again, I’m not saying I’m against advanced math placement. I just resent the necessary evil that goes with it.
Thank you, that’s too kind.
I agree that tracking comes with its own problems. We’re dealing with a lot of tradeoffs regardless of the solution we choose.
I think my default is to assume we can push all kids a little harder so long as we’re supporting them emotionally. This is the approach I usually use in my strength coaching practice, and I’m constantly amazed by how “unathletic” kids can make incredible progress - even when they don’t want to be there!
So the educational system is designed to fail Black, Brown , marginalized, low income students! Wow. Is that why we are losing so many students that we have to close more schools. Is that why Bessie Rhodes parents and students were treating without any respect/ decency? Is that why even the Mayor took his child out of D65? Is that why they canceled all accelerated programs ? I remember when my dear next door neighbor of 40 plus years John Kessler came home from subbing very disheartened and told me a student said “I don’t have to listen to you whitey He said Lorraine Morton would be very very upset at what is going on. P S. Karen did a very good job caring for you
Hey, you seem really angry. There is a lot to be angry about but it’s not me that is the problem. I’m just pointing out systemic problems. You are free to disagree with me. I’ve taught for fifteen years, so I’m very much aware of the issues our children face today.
And I want to let you know that I loved Karen very much. I hope she would have been proud of me for fighting for what I think is right. Something Karen never would have stood for was cruelty or rudeness. She was one of my first teachers, and she was an amazing one.
Teaching is not for everyone. But I’m happy I get to do it.
I remember just a few months ago there was an article in the RT about some of the Black students who were being given “warnings “ as they were not in their classes. One young man excused his absence by saying he hadn’t had breakfast. Another young man said he felt he was invisible. Yet another young man explained he felt he was being unfairly targeted. These young men (teenagers) were not being responsible. You couldn’t even get a job at McDonalds if you can’t show up for work and last through the day. They didn’t just develop these habits and attitudes when they entered ETHS. For some reason our schools didn’t hold them responsible. Now out in the real world they don’t have safety officers who will remind them where they should be. We are failing to prepare them for life You can talk all you want about equity but our schools aren’t preparing them for life. Sometimes while toting equity we promise them “generational wealth” if we agree to the NU stadium. You get generational wealth when you go through the union apprenticeship program to be an electrician or construction worker etc. A lot of wrongs for these teens and young men is created in the name of equity
Hey Mary Alice. Welcome to my Substack!
I’m not 100% clear on your point. However, I am going to repeat this line from the piece: EVERYONE should have access to an EXCELLENT education.
That is all that equity is. I am not defending every action that has been done in the name of equity. I think this piece makes that very clear.
Also, there is nothing on here about disciplinary practices, although I am a big believer in restorative discipline, which utilizes meaningful consequences and reflection.
Equity isn’t bad. The term is often misinterpreted and misused.
Thanks for being here. 💕