Comments for Assailed Teacher

Comment on STUPID QUESTIONS ON LAST WEEK’S U.S. HISTORY REGENTS EXAM by Pit

Pit — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:23:06 +0000

Hi there,
I’m sorry it took me that long to answer.
Let me first state that I’m no longer up to date with the situation in my native country, Germany, since I retired in 2003 and came over here to the US in 2008. But I try to keep myself informed.
What I can say, though, is that multiple choice tests were always frowned upon in the German educational system – actually, not even allowed for the regular written tests that are required during the school year. The trend that was going on while I was still teaching, viz. towards more “comprehensive” tests that (nearly) always and exclusively require the students to write longer pieces themselves, has definitely continued. There are 6 – 8 of those written tests per school year. In higher grades the essay-type test is the only test allowed. Btw, usually it’s the teacher himself who “creates” this test, even for the final graduation exam. Apart from that, as you say, the students are encouraged to do presentations etc.
Unfortunately the trend towards more testing just for evaluating the students’ progress and comparing different schools has grown. It’s still done by the traditional testing method, but to my mind it seems to create a trend towards teaching to the test – which previously never was the goal. The goal then was comprehensive education, enlargement of knowledge and the ability to think.
That’s what comes to my mind as to German education just now. If Best regards from southern Texas,
Pit

Comment on WHEN NON-EDUCATORS GET INVOLVED by The Assailed Teacher

The Assailed Teacher — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:44:36 +0000

Says the person commenting on an article from 3 weeks ago. We’ve moved well beyond this issue, try to keep up.

Comment on WHEN NON-EDUCATORS GET INVOLVED by Kimberly

Kimberly — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:13:35 +0000

I think we have waisted enough time on the student teacher and her friends. Can we move on to something more interesting or are you just bored? I think you are giving them the attention that they are seeking.

Comment on About by Jean

Jean — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 03:10:12 +0000

I just read the story about your mother. It was beautiful and touching. Thank you for this blog. I, too, am worried about NYC public school education.

Comment on About by The Assailed Teacher

The Assailed Teacher — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:40:59 +0000

Thank you very much for stopping by and dropping the kind words. Don’t be a stranger.

Comment on A GENERAL STRATEGY? by Assailed Teacher

Assailed Teacher — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:56:03 +0000

In that case, it seems Annenberg may be inadvertantly pointing the way towards a winning formula. Progressive education activists need to coopt the rhetoric of reform and subtly stretch its meaning to refer to equalzing resources instead of results.

At the same time, we need to mobilize parents as a voting bloc so that they will elect local candidates who truly defend public education. This would solidify progressive policy for a long time.

I was going to give credit to the UFT for being part of the A+NYC initiative but it seems that they got involved out of necessity. After all, how could they NOT join the when groups like Students First are out to destroy them?

If a more progressive movement takes the Annenberg formula a step further in the direction of true public school advocacy and grass-roots mobilization, I forsee success.

Comment on A GENERAL STRATEGY? by Norm

Norm — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:53:02 +0000

I’ve been familiar with Annenberg stuff for well over a decade. Norm Fruchter and ilk. They were reformy before there was a reformy movement. Focus on leaving teachers out of the debate. But once they began to see the impact they shifted. Problem is they are also funding astroturf groups which I guess is OK but ultimate problem is their alliance and dependence on the UFT. They rarely stray though they actually sided with the Occupy people at the PEP where the UFT threatened not to show.
No matter how hard you push them they will not take a hard position on charters and pretty much tow the UFT line on that. Ask them about where they stand on the UFT charter co-locos and watch them run.
But they are allies in this struggle and in some ways so is the Unity UFT leadership which some people think would begin to move toward more activism if MORE gets enough of a vote out of the school divisions to make a dent and a threat that the next time there is an election they will truly have to run from a threat. Don’t get me wrong, as long as the retirees can dominate they cannot lose control but where they are vulnerable long term is at the school level. If MORE can capture chapter leaderships over the next 2 years that will change the nature of the DA.

Comment on About by Communist Teacher

Communist Teacher — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:59:03 +0000

Just received this article through my NYCORE listserve. Great blog! Your narrative combining the endtimes passages with the current situation in our field was ominous and frightening to say the least.

I seriously think that there can be no change to the system from within (legislating, marching, blogging, hand wringing,etc.) change will only come from direct action like we saw in Athens, Spain etc.

“A war is coming. At stake: our lives, the planet, freedom, living. The government, the corporations, the rich, and the extreme right are prepared to coalesce into an Axis of Evil. Are you going to fight back? Will you do whatever it takes, including taking up arms?…
I want you to see that revolution is a good idea, and that it has never been more necessary.”

The Anti-American Manifesto
by Ted Rall

Comment on SEVEN SIGNS OF THE APOCALYPSE FOR NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS by Remainders: Charter school waiting lists don’t equal demand | GothamSchools

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:27:48 +0000

[...] Signs of the apocolypse for city schools include Quinn, testing, and the Unity caucus. (Assailed Teacher) [...]

Comment on SEVEN SIGNS OF THE APOCALYPSE FOR NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS by ThoseWhoCantTeach

ThoseWhoCantTeach — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:57:23 +0000

Very well written.