In Georgia, school officials from Greene County have stopped pursuing a plan to separate each school in the entire district by gender.
What has resulted is something I wish more school districts would do, take a temperature of the population, and try to structure the district according to the results. This relates to an earlier post on this blog. Each family has a certain view as to the best type of school for their child(ren). While no school can please all the people all the time, I think it is essential that school start to think "outside the box" and find creative ways to provide choice.
In Green County, GA, the school district will try to mirror the poll results.
Most families will vote as to how the parents view education. However, I think that an intelligent family would look at their child and then make a decision. I will use my twin boys as an example.
Research has shown that single-sex schools can provide wonderful results in certain types of children. Boys who have a natural competitive streak and can get caught up in a school that "feminizes" learning will often turn off from school and disengage from academia.
When I use the term "feminize" I mean this - what has occurred in schools is that reading and writing are often about feelings and relationships. The term, Chick-Lit, is often used about the genre of books that middle-schoolers read.
So many boys enjoy non-fiction and How-To type books. Assignments that require boys to empathize with characters are not easy.
One of my twins would do well in a single-sex school, and the other would not. As I will say many times in this blog, schools face the daily challenge of providing education for a variety of learning styles, and one size does not fit all.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Will Huge Teacher Salary Change Anything?
The New York Times is reporting that a New York City charter school will attempt something different in its approach to school. The teachers will each make $125,000 per school year.
This salary is far above the typical NYC teacher's salary and above even wealthy suburban schools.
The goal is to determine whether attracting the "best" teachers will significantly change student performance.
Here is a quote from the headmaster of this school.
"I would much rather put a phenomenal, great teacher in a field with 30 kids and nothing else than take the mediocre teacher and give them half the number of students and give them all the technology in the world."
I think it is a great educational question that has many variables.
As a former teacher and teacher consultant, I believe in that statement. A "good" teacher can have an extraordinary impact on a student.
But I also think that a "good" teacher for Student A is not necessarily the best teacher for Student B.
In our desire to find a recipe for producing the "best" teachers, it is often overlooked that teaching is also an art.
In my opinion, the foundation that is critical would be that the teacher demonstrates to the students that he/she is 100% invested in them. Almost a decade ago, Theodore Sizer wrote a book titled, The Students Are Watching: Schools and the Moral Contract. In it, Sizer points out that we as educators must demonstrate high morals and values if we want the students to have the same.
From there, we can start to discuss pedagogy, technology and testing.
In conclusion on the topic at hand, maybe $125,000 will be enough to get a student performance to rise. It will be an interesting school year.
This salary is far above the typical NYC teacher's salary and above even wealthy suburban schools.
The goal is to determine whether attracting the "best" teachers will significantly change student performance.
Here is a quote from the headmaster of this school.
"I would much rather put a phenomenal, great teacher in a field with 30 kids and nothing else than take the mediocre teacher and give them half the number of students and give them all the technology in the world."
I think it is a great educational question that has many variables.
As a former teacher and teacher consultant, I believe in that statement. A "good" teacher can have an extraordinary impact on a student.
But I also think that a "good" teacher for Student A is not necessarily the best teacher for Student B.
In our desire to find a recipe for producing the "best" teachers, it is often overlooked that teaching is also an art.
In my opinion, the foundation that is critical would be that the teacher demonstrates to the students that he/she is 100% invested in them. Almost a decade ago, Theodore Sizer wrote a book titled, The Students Are Watching: Schools and the Moral Contract. In it, Sizer points out that we as educators must demonstrate high morals and values if we want the students to have the same.
From there, we can start to discuss pedagogy, technology and testing.
In conclusion on the topic at hand, maybe $125,000 will be enough to get a student performance to rise. It will be an interesting school year.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A Musical View on Education
School teacher... Priest..... Elected official....
What to the three have in common? A belief system.
It is my position that education, religion and politics are similar in that there may not be a "right" answer to everything. I realize that I may be treading into hallowed ground for some people, but all three domains are driven in some way by beliefs.
In education, this can be seen in many different ways. Some topics that bring out emotional discussion in educational circles: phonics/whole language (from the 90's), homework, sex education, cursive handwriting, and even music.
I live on the Seacoast of New Hampshire. Recently a Budget Committee member from a local town expressed his displeasure toward a proposed increase in school music funding. He put an exclamation point on his view by saying that, "I see no evidence to make me not believe that the music program and the band program, as fine as they are, are somewhat of a catch basin for students who cannot qualify to get into more academic programs."
Ouch.
Being a former math teacher I know that statistics can be used to prove various points. I'm sure that folks on both sides of this issue can bring forth statistics in favor of their position. My personal experience regarding music is that it is of critical importance to students of all academic abilities. I never saw music as a "catch basin" for students who struggled in the classroom. I believe that music can only make a more well-rounded student. I have taught many academically talented students who are just as gifted in music.
But from his experience, that Budget Committee member believes in his position.
As in religion and politics, I have certain educational beliefs. Unlike religion where we can just go to our own house of worship and not interact with others, education brings forth issues that have to be debated in public, often leading to heated meetings.
I am just scratching the surface on two issues, music and educational philosphy. I'm sure I will be addressing each in future posts.
What to the three have in common? A belief system.
It is my position that education, religion and politics are similar in that there may not be a "right" answer to everything. I realize that I may be treading into hallowed ground for some people, but all three domains are driven in some way by beliefs.
In education, this can be seen in many different ways. Some topics that bring out emotional discussion in educational circles: phonics/whole language (from the 90's), homework, sex education, cursive handwriting, and even music.
I live on the Seacoast of New Hampshire. Recently a Budget Committee member from a local town expressed his displeasure toward a proposed increase in school music funding. He put an exclamation point on his view by saying that, "I see no evidence to make me not believe that the music program and the band program, as fine as they are, are somewhat of a catch basin for students who cannot qualify to get into more academic programs."
Ouch.
Being a former math teacher I know that statistics can be used to prove various points. I'm sure that folks on both sides of this issue can bring forth statistics in favor of their position. My personal experience regarding music is that it is of critical importance to students of all academic abilities. I never saw music as a "catch basin" for students who struggled in the classroom. I believe that music can only make a more well-rounded student. I have taught many academically talented students who are just as gifted in music.
But from his experience, that Budget Committee member believes in his position.
As in religion and politics, I have certain educational beliefs. Unlike religion where we can just go to our own house of worship and not interact with others, education brings forth issues that have to be debated in public, often leading to heated meetings.
I am just scratching the surface on two issues, music and educational philosphy. I'm sure I will be addressing each in future posts.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Home-School Decision
In addition to day-to-day aspects of school law, national cases come to my attention. I won't make this into a federal judiciary blog, but some cases are worthy of mention.
The California Court of Appeals recently ruled that parents do not have the constitutional right to home school their children. In my opinion, what made this case interesting is that the case came from a child and family state agency (DSS in MA, DCYF in NH) investigation.
Attorneys for two of the children filed a claim with the juvenile court saying the children should be in public school. The juvenile court opined that the education the children were receiving was inferior, but that the parents had the right to home-school their children.
The case was appealed with the above court making the ruling.
The reaction was met with strong words from high-ranking officials, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. All stated that home-schooling was still alive in California, and legislation might need to be enacted to ensure the ability of parents to home-school their children.
The California Court of Appeals recently ruled that parents do not have the constitutional right to home school their children. In my opinion, what made this case interesting is that the case came from a child and family state agency (DSS in MA, DCYF in NH) investigation.
Attorneys for two of the children filed a claim with the juvenile court saying the children should be in public school. The juvenile court opined that the education the children were receiving was inferior, but that the parents had the right to home-school their children.
The case was appealed with the above court making the ruling.
The reaction was met with strong words from high-ranking officials, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. All stated that home-schooling was still alive in California, and legislation might need to be enacted to ensure the ability of parents to home-school their children.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Keeping a Good File - I
Recently I represented a family at an IEP meeting. A month previous, the parents showed up for their initial consult, and they had two three-inch binders filled with documents related to their son who was a special education student. In the end, things worked out for the family, but one of the reasons for this success was the collection of documents.
It can't be stressed enough that parents of special education students need to keep documentation from the school. There are many ways this can be done (binders, folders, etc.). But the main message here is to SAVE EVERYTHING.
There were a few documents I pulled out during the IEP meeting that seemed to surprise the school, who didn't think the parents would keep such pieces of paper.
As an attorney, I like binders. They require a sturdy three-hold punch, but in my opinion they are worth it.
If you are a parent of a special education student and do not have a detailed binder or folder, it would be in your best interest to get one organized.
I think it is helpful to start at the beginning and go in chronological order. Start with the very first referral or meeting notice and just keep adding to it. Put in everything, IEP's, evaluations and be sure to include any emails or work sent home by teachers. You may never know when a printed email communication helps turn an issue in your favor.
This way should someone else need to get an overview of the case, the timeline is right there in one handy binder. Or two, if your child has been under the IEP umbrella for a while.
It can't be stressed enough that parents of special education students need to keep documentation from the school. There are many ways this can be done (binders, folders, etc.). But the main message here is to SAVE EVERYTHING.
There were a few documents I pulled out during the IEP meeting that seemed to surprise the school, who didn't think the parents would keep such pieces of paper.
As an attorney, I like binders. They require a sturdy three-hold punch, but in my opinion they are worth it.
If you are a parent of a special education student and do not have a detailed binder or folder, it would be in your best interest to get one organized.
I think it is helpful to start at the beginning and go in chronological order. Start with the very first referral or meeting notice and just keep adding to it. Put in everything, IEP's, evaluations and be sure to include any emails or work sent home by teachers. You may never know when a printed email communication helps turn an issue in your favor.
This way should someone else need to get an overview of the case, the timeline is right there in one handy binder. Or two, if your child has been under the IEP umbrella for a while.
Some Background About Me
I grew up in Central Massachusetts, graduating from Narragansett Regional High School. I did my undergraduate study at Bates College. Later I earned an M.Ed. from Lesley College and taught middle school for 15 years. While I was teaching, I went to Massachusetts School of Law. After law school, I passed both the Massachusetts and New Hampshire bar exams, and currently practice in those states.
I miss teaching. There are times I think I might go back to the classroom. But, right now I feel I am helping students in a different way as I work for them as their attorney or GAL/Ed. Advocate.
I miss teaching. There are times I think I might go back to the classroom. But, right now I feel I am helping students in a different way as I work for them as their attorney or GAL/Ed. Advocate.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Topics of Interest
School law covers more than you might think. The obvious - Reading, Writing and 'Rithmetic.... Less obvious - Tort Liability, Collective Bargaining, and Employment Discrimination.
Schools are often the most hotly discussed municipal budget concerns, yet the typical taxpayer doesn't grasp the world that exists inside a school. For most people, a school is an entity that they experienced when they were younger. Therefore school change is often misunderstood, in terms of pedagogy, delivery of curriculum, special education, facilities and especially legal concerns.
How many times have you heard someone declare, "In my day, that kid would have........."? (The title of a future post.)
I will start things off by stating that I am fascinated by schools. Since I was a young child I always wanted to go to law school. Like the classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup commercial, schools and law were two great areas joined to please my brain.
Schools are often the most hotly discussed municipal budget concerns, yet the typical taxpayer doesn't grasp the world that exists inside a school. For most people, a school is an entity that they experienced when they were younger. Therefore school change is often misunderstood, in terms of pedagogy, delivery of curriculum, special education, facilities and especially legal concerns.
How many times have you heard someone declare, "In my day, that kid would have........."? (The title of a future post.)
I will start things off by stating that I am fascinated by schools. Since I was a young child I always wanted to go to law school. Like the classic Reese's Peanut Butter Cup commercial, schools and law were two great areas joined to please my brain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
