Pitfalls of public/private school partnerships

More on the reality of Edison schools

Spellings errs again: In her own words....

An example of why NCLB fools some parents

And another example....

Washington trip update and other news....
Hi, Everyone,
A couple of days ago I asked a young, second-year elementary teacher from Missouri how standardized testing had affected her teaching in her first year.

"I tried to make it fun for the kids," she smiled. "And I taught them how to take the test." She seemed to find no fault with the system. So I dug a bit deeper.

"Did the test help your kids to learn the broad knowledge they need to help them in life?"

Her face clouded. "No," she said quietly. This concise vignette says all that is needed about why we do what we do. And one thing we do is visit Washington, D.C. from time to time. Plans for our 2009 Capitol Hill advocacy visit are progressing. As I mentioned last month, those who participate will take with them proposals in their expertise areas, written in legislative language, both digital and hard copy. Charles Meisgeier, the NET's associate director, has graciously agreed to oversee this aspect of the project. As we firm up our list of participants, he will be in touch with each one to supervise that project. His email is meisgeierarbor@comcast.net. If your proposal is already completed, you can send it to him now.

Speaking of firming up our participant list, NET secretary Jacqueline Kenneally has agreed to take over that responsibility, which I much appreciate. Over the last few months several people (including members of other education advocacy groups) have contacted me expressing interest in participating. That list might be outdated so if you plan to go, or think you might go, please email Jacqueline at jpkenneally@comcast.net, even if you have already contacted me. She will be emailing you information that might not appear in our monthly editions of NETwork, so it's better to be on the list and drop out, than not be on it and try to join at the last minute.

Other news in this issue: Caroline Grannan writes on the failing health of Edison schools; and a cautionary tale, also involving Edison, about mixing the public and private sectors in U.S. education. And why Margaret Spellings is to education what George W. Bush is to—well, everything. Also, a couple of examples of why some sincere parents are fooled by pro-NCLB rhetoric.

Warm regards,
Dennis