Bad news for charter schools. . .

A new report shows a serious failure by charter schools in Minnesota, home of the longest running experiment with charter schools.

See this news piece.

See the report here as a PDF.

KIPP in Ohio

The KIPP school in Ohio is facing some problems.

Note this story about the school.

What do we think of this?

George Will champions a paternalistic school.

And, how did paternalistic schools treat women throughout history?

See this.

And what if a school decided that women should conform to these expectations for women, inculcating them in our schools?

The President's children

What do we see in this Op-Ed concerning DC schools and a new President choosing school for his children?

DC Schools Just Not Good Enough, Leonard Pitts Jr.

And more on DC schools.

The BIG Finale!

Two major topics remain on the agenda as we approach the end of the semester. Based on your comments in class, and other input, I believe we need to focus our remaining discussions to three things (two topics and your final autobiographical collage); the two topics:

(1) Your books—both readings for the course. What are the major ideas you gained form them? What did you like? What did you not connect with?

(2) What can schools do? Several of you are interested in how our schools are not succeeding (especially with students form poverty). You are also interested in reforms. We need to face what schools can and cannot accomplish. And why.

Please consider looking closely at the KIPP report and the article on the new paternalism.

Then compare the new paternalism piece with the essay by Alfie Kohn, "Choices for Children: Why and How to Let Students Decide," September 1993. (I also recommend that you read another piece by Kohn also, "Beyond Discipline," November 20, 1996)

A new piece by Kohn is also interesting: Why Self-Discipline Is Overrated

In a democracy, what is a school obligated to provide all students? And how should that be accomplished?

How should we respond to this?

America the Illiterate, Chris Hedges

School reform, poverty. . .what do we do?

Since we discussed the problems with poverty and school reform, some of you may want to look at a recent study concerning KIPP schools, a reform initiative. Warning: Serious research document!