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Boston Stands Up for Wisconsin Teachers’ Rights

February 24, 2011 by

Getting the message out in front of the Fox News office.

Citizens for Public Schools joined the throngs at the Massachusetts State House Tuesday in support of Wisconsin teachers and all workers whose right to bargain collectively is under attack.

Just for the record, though some news reports made it sound like the Tea Party had a significant presence, their numbers were dwarfed by all those who came out to support teachers and other union workers.

For more on this important event, watch for the next issue of the Backpack.

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Filed Under: Boston Issues, Education

Quote of the Day

January 29, 2011 by

“There really is a bipartisan consensus on education reform. It happens to be the Republican agenda of the past 30 years, minus the Republicans’ traditional contempt for federal control of education policy. Where did the Democratic agenda go? So, having no political leadership to support public education, collective bargaining, or the dignity of the teaching profession, we must look for leadership wherever it can be found. Right now, it’s among the people who have stood up for the rights of teachers on the cold and windy streets of Madison, Wisconsin, as well as those who have rallied in their own cities and towns.”

–Diane Ravitch, in the Washington Post’s Answer Sheet blog.

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Filed Under: Education-Other

High-Stakes Testing’s Unintended Consequences

January 26, 2011 by

Northeastern University Professor Louis Kruger continues to screen his MCAS documentary, “Children Left Behind,” and speak to community groups about the film’s message. A recent article in the Sharon Patch featured an interview with Kruger, a member of the CPS board of directors:

Kruger says high-stakes tests such as the MCAS have “unintended consequences” for the students who fail them.

“The research indicates that high stakes tests do not accomplish their principal aim of improving the academic skills of students, and in addition the tests have serious side effects on our most vulnerable students,” Kruger says.

“If high stakes tests, such as the MCAS, were pharmaceuticals, the FDA would ban their use.”

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Filed Under: Achievement Gap, Education, Film

“Race to Nowhere” Screenings in Mass.

January 24, 2011 by

Today’s Boston Globe reports on a screening of the documentary film “Race to Nowhere” and a discussion the film generated in Harvard, MA, about unhealthy pressures placed on students.

“Race to Nowhere,” which features interviews with students, parents, teachers, and administrators from Connecticut to California, argues that the high-stakes push to achieve has created a generation of high-strung students constrained in a “one-size-fits-all” system. It was produced and co-directed by a California mother of three who began the project when her own children developed symptoms of depression over their schooling.

A series of screenings are scheduled this week and in coming weeks throughout Massachusetts. This Thursday, Jan. 27, there will be a screening and discussion at Northeastern University at 7 p.m. For ticket and more information, email tickets@racetonowhere.com or call 925-310-4242. For the full Massachusetts schedule, click here.   → Read More

Filed Under: Education-Other

School Committee Vote Draws Outrage, Grief

December 17, 2010 by

Boston families and staff at many schools throughout the city are in various states of shock, grief, and outrage this week, after the mayor-appointed School Committee voted Wednesday night to close, merge or allow charter takeovers of 21 schools. Amid cries of “Shame on you!” and “You don’t care about the kids or the babies on their Bob 2016 Revolution Flex stroller!” from the crowd of many hundreds, and protected by a line of police, the members one by one cast their votes in favor of School Superintendent Carol Johnson’s plan. The closings and mergers will have a sharply unequal impact, falling most heavily on students of color, English language learners, students with special needs, and low-income areas of the city.

These huge disruptions are only the beginning of what’s in store for Boston, as charter operators are lining up to launch many more schools, which will drain millions of dollars away from the public schools.   → Read More

Filed Under: Education-Other
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