Pal, I know I just got on you for publishing the latest battle in the education-reform wars. You can rip me a new one if you want, but Paul Tough just wrote something that has me firing on all cylinders. Please read this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/magazine/reforming-the-school-reformers.html?_r=1&ref=education
The last 2 paragraphs say it all for me. Isn't that EXACTLY what we were trying to do at the Guild and will try again in the future? Isn't that what you and I have been trying to do since starting our careers? Especially the "supplementing classroom strategies with targeted, evidence-based interventions outside the classroom" part! Not to mention the "providing low-income students with a robust system of emotional and psychological support, as well as academic support" part!
I LOVE THIS PAUL TOUGH PIECE!
I keep going back to Sedlacek non-cognitive variables. If we could convince someone that tracking those are as important (and should be counted as much) as tracking academic progress, couldn't we create a school that serves every student?
Ok, 'nuff for tonight. READ PAUL TOUGH!
Peace,
Al
Hi guys -
ReplyDeleteAl - I read this, too and loved it - being in the political world now at Stand is pretty different and has given me new appreciation for what's killing you about those pieces that Jeff posted. We have so much to accomplish not just in MA (or whatever state you're in), but across the county, and though we celebrate small wins along the way, the kind of mass reform that needs to happen so that all kids really have the chance to all be the apples that they are seems daunting. What I like about my new role at Stand is that this is an organization that's not afraid to stand up (no pun intended) against those that are against the types of changes that need to happen - no pussyfooting. Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Joel Klein is speaking on Tuesday at our staff retreat so I'm interested to see what he has to say!
Miss you guys. Good luck in your new roles!
Priya