tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post111824410565465470..comments2023-12-23T13:25:43.770-08:00Comments on Rob Kremer: Fingernails on the ChalkboardRob Kremerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13842508120324878364noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post-1118675801519481142005-06-13T08:16:00.000-07:002005-06-13T08:16:00.000-07:00Some years ago Theodore Sizer wrote the book "Hora...Some years ago Theodore Sizer wrote the book "Horace's Compromise: the Dilemma of the American High School" and suggested, as I recall, that we abolish compulsory education for those over the age of twelve, or fourteen. From what I have seen and heard from teachers that would not be a bad idea. Then schools would have to come up with quality educational methods to retain their students.<BR/>Just a short comment on a big issue.<BR/>M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post-1118511077979534672005-06-11T10:31:00.000-07:002005-06-11T10:31:00.000-07:00Jack said,"In education, I think we're still waiti...Jack said,<BR/>"In education, I think we're still waiting for the status quo to be challenged by the next revolutionary idea."<BR/><BR/>I have a hard time buying that Jack.<BR/><BR/>I think reality is more that there is no waiting. The stautus quo has become so politicized and entrenched that every challenge, earth shattering or not, has little chance of hindering any of the perpetual edu-meddling by our status-quoers.<BR/>The self preservation at all costs approach by those running our education system (and their political allies) has clearly sentenced our schools to another decade or so of floundering mediocrite. The professional posturing around the edges pretending to provide mixes of adaptation mearly sustains the who's in charge objectives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post-1118463996863101382005-06-10T21:26:00.000-07:002005-06-10T21:26:00.000-07:00Rob, I didn't mean to dismiss the importance of re...Rob, I didn't mean to dismiss the importance of reforms related to governance. It's just that I see them as a means to an end. As you described, charter schools can be little laboratories to develop the larger reforms that, once proven, can be adopted more broadly.<BR/><BR/>Your point about the so-called progressive education folks is correct. They were the rebels, now they are the status quo. Without wishing to sound like a Marxist, there is something to be said for his analysis of the thesis (or status quo) being challenged by the antithesis (revolutionary idea), ultimating producing a synthesis which becomes the new thesis.<BR/><BR/>In education, I think we're still waiting for the status quo to be challenged by the next revolutionary idea.<BR/><BR/>Gus, I think you're probably right about what the Chalkboard Project would need to do to get back on track but I am not optimistic this will happen. Unfortunately, what we're seeing is what typically results when seemingly hard-headed business people decide to tackle a problem: They get the so-called "experts" around them, try to find a consensus and then take the conservative (in the dictionary, not ideological, sense) path of just trying to do better what you're already doing.<BR/><BR/>It is exactly the same reason that large, established businesses sooner or later get their butts kicked by innovative, entrepreneurial new start-up companies.<BR/><BR/>That's why its important that we have Rob and people like him acting as entrepreneurs in the educational field.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post-1118415828330848472005-06-10T08:03:00.000-07:002005-06-10T08:03:00.000-07:00Jack:Interestingly, there has been a national deba...Jack:<BR/>Interestingly, there has been a national debat of sorts over what goes on in the classroom, but it is in spite of the "progressive educators" who don't want the debate, since it reveals their methods as inferior.<BR/><BR/>The "math wars" and the whole language vs. phonics controversy continue to this day. <BR/><BR/>I wouldn't dismiss governance-related reforms as insignificant, however. I think governance is a key issue. Only if we shift authority over what goes on in the classroom away from distant bureaucracies and layers of government will we start to get decisions made based on what the kids need, rather than what interest groups want for the adults.<BR/><BR/>That is where charters can be a very powerful: they establish small laboratories where schools are autonomous and competing, and are governed at the most local possible level - the school.<BR/><BR/>I think that is critical. Charters will bring about the "national debate" on what goes on in the classroom by demonstrating methods that work.<BR/><BR/>If not for the charter school law, Chuck Arthur would have never been able to start his first Direct Instruction charter school (www.arthuracademy.org) which will eventually be a network of ten schools in the Portland area, all using the same research-proven teaching methods that the "progressive" educators find abhorrent. <BR/><BR/>So, I think governance is a key element of bringing about the debate you correctly see is necessary.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for chiming in. Your views make this blog a better, more interesting place. <BR/><BR/>And I wish you would run for governor again!Rob Kremerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13842508120324878364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post-1118410688916228532005-06-10T06:38:00.000-07:002005-06-10T06:38:00.000-07:00Unfortunately, Rob, I'm afraid you have the Chalkb...Unfortunately, Rob, I'm afraid you have the Chalkboard Project pegged. Not because the people behind it aren't bright enough or well-intentioned, but because of the very approach you describe of trying to find a general consensus opinion rather than bold, new ideas about how to educate our kids.<BR/><BR/>Increasingly, I think that's what is lacking: a new approach or theory of education that catches the fancy of the educators as well as parents and political leaders, one that gets people enthused about education again. Whether it's really an improvement or not, we need something to shake up the system and restore some energy to it.<BR/><BR/>No offense, but debates over school vouchers and charter schools are really about process, governance and financing mechanisms. We really haven't had a national debate over what goes on in the classroom since the so-called "progressive education" movement sprang up a century ago.<BR/><BR/>More and more, I think John Maynard Keynes was right: "It is ideas, not vested interests, which are dangerous for good or evil."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post-1118351451034567322005-06-09T14:10:00.000-07:002005-06-09T14:10:00.000-07:00$2.7 million wasted. I don't care if it was privat...$2.7 million wasted. I don't care if it was private foundation dollars. How many charter schools could that money have helped to open?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post-1118288878865336842005-06-08T20:47:00.000-07:002005-06-08T20:47:00.000-07:00Rob,I agree completely. I am still willing to give...Rob,<BR/>I agree completely. I am still willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, however. I am disappointed that they: 1) did not address Oregon's collective bargaining laws which have severely impacted K-12 financing. 2) They gave very little comment on, "Salaries and benefits per full-time equivalent staff member are high relative to other states".(ECONorthwest,2005) This is quantified to between $300-500 million per year above the similar states of Minnesota, Iowa, New Hampshire, Colorado, Wisconsin among others. Oregon is enduring the 4th highest class sizes, curtailing programs and shortening school years at the expense of having the 8th highest compensated K-12 employees in the U.S. 3) Recognition that Oregon has fallen from 25th in "per capita income" in 1990 to our ranking of 34th in 2004.<BR/><BR/>If these points are not completely addressed in the "Quality" Work groups, I will believe that it is politics as usual, and Oregon will continue to "muddle along" for the next decade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post-1118262321918943112005-06-08T13:25:00.000-07:002005-06-08T13:25:00.000-07:00Anon:I don't know precisely how much they spent. T...Anon:<BR/>I don't know precisely how much they spent. The Oregonian article said they had $2.7 million in support. That is probably what they have spent so far. It's not taxpayer money anyway.Rob Kremerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13842508120324878364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596769.post-1118259115569782572005-06-08T12:31:00.000-07:002005-06-08T12:31:00.000-07:00Rob:You didn't tell us how much money the CP spent...Rob:<BR/><BR/>You didn't tell us how much money the CP spent spinning their wheels for the last couple of years.<BR/><BR/>Is it hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com