Monthly Archives: March 2015

The PDP farce – wink, wink, nod, nod

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Don R

An extended version of my Huffington Post blog PDPs – Professional Development Plans (usually referred to as Professional Development Points by teachers) – are the primary means of giving teachers needed training during their careers.  All teachers are required to … Continue reading →

Posted in Charter Schools, Common core, Education, Education reform, High schools, homeschooling, Inclusion classes, Music and arts courses, Public Education, Standardized testing, Teachers, Teaching, Urban High Schools | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

DoE mandates now prevent teaching the curricula for an average of 35 minutes of every class period

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Don R

An extended version of my original blog on the Huffington Post In 1990, a classroom teacher typically had all but six minutes per class available to teach the lesson plan for the day.  We were able to dive into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Charter Schools, Common core, Education, Education reform, High schools, homeschooling, Inclusion classes, Music and arts courses, Public Education, Standardized testing, Teachers, Teaching, Urban High Schools | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Classroom teachers – your voices just got a LOT louder (about a million times louder!) by an invitation to join the Huffington Post education blog

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Don R

It doesn’t happen very often for classroom teachers, but sometimes the good guys and gals do actually finish first.  When I started this blog last fall, my goal was simple:  let classroom teacher voices be heard about the real problems … Continue reading →

Posted in Charter Schools, Common core, Education, Education reform, High schools, homeschooling, Inclusion classes, Music and arts courses, Public Education, Standardized testing, Teachers, Teaching, Urban High Schools | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Career DoE bureaucrats: Holding classroom teachers accountable for teaching a full-period lesson plan when DoE mandates PREVENT teaching for 35 minutes of every class period.

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Don R

In 1990, a classroom teacher typically had all but six minutes per class available to teach the lesson plan for the day.  We were able to dive into the lesson content, and use best practices reinforcement techniques to engage and … Continue reading →

Posted in Charter Schools, Common core, Education, Education reform, High schools, homeschooling, Inclusion classes, Music and arts courses, Public Education, Standardized testing, Teachers, Teaching, Urban High Schools | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Guest post from M. Shannon Hernandez announcing a special nationwide podcast for teachers

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Don R

I am pleased to post this guest piece by M. Shannon Hernandez.  Shannon and I collaborate whenever possible because we share three critical characteristics:  a passion to teach, being driven to engage children in learning, and an absolute conviction that … Continue reading →

Posted in Charter Schools, Common core, Education, Education reform, High schools, homeschooling, Inclusion classes, Music and arts courses, Public Education, Standardized testing, Teachers, Teaching, Urban High Schools | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Ohio teacher visits Finland schools – and sees why they have a #1 worldwide ranking in education.  The comparisons with #17 USA are stunning.

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Don R

Here’s a refreshing change of pace – an uplifting view about the state of education!  Thanks to a wonderful submission sent in by Suzanne G., a math and special education teacher from Ohio, we have the chance to visit a … Continue reading →

Posted in Charter Schools, Common core, Education, Education reform, High schools, homeschooling, Inclusion classes, Music and arts courses, Public Education, Standardized testing, Teachers, Teaching, Urban High Schools | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments