Education Reform

Are “all” charter schools public schools?

Wisconsin State Journal calls “all” charter schools public despite the fact that the latest charter school grant received by WI is for “independent charter schools” that don’t answer to a locally elected school board.   These same charter schools create a funding dilemma for neighborhood schools by authorizing a “backpack full of cash” funding stream… Read more »

A New Teacher Preparation “Entity” in Wisconsin?

Just a reminder. PI 34.006 Definitions. In this subchapter: “Institution” means one or more accredited colleges or universities offering an educator preparation program. “Student” means an individual enrolled in an educator preparation program. “Entity” means one of the following or a consortium of the following: (a) CESA. (b) Community-based organization. (c) Institution. (d) Non-profit organization…. Read more »

How to Really Appreciate Teachers. Guest post by Tanya Lohr.

I have found that it is very easy for administrators, candidates for public office, and elected officials to say “I appreciate teachers”, but when it comes to backing up those words with actions, it is rare for true appreciation to come through. It’s as if saying “I appreciate teachers” has become a socially contrived sound… Read more »

Educators Amplified!

Fired from KIPP in Texas to Teacher of the Year in Arizona: Guest post by Jessica Marks

On Friday, April 27, I will be giving a speech to a ballroom crowded with 300 people, explaining what it meant to have spent the last year as 2017’s Yavapai County Overall Teacher of the Year. It’s been quite an honor. A flag was waved over the nation’s Capitol in my honor. A declaration about… Read more »

Teacher Exodus, Plummeting Enrollments and Teacher License Deregulation: I don’t feel fine.

In my last blog post I took to task Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction and its leadership for pushing forward teacher license deregulation and “entity” driven teacher education.  Some have commented that should refrain from critiques of  DPI and its leadership and that Governor Walker and the Wisconsin Republicans have done the most damage to… Read more »

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction makes teacher “licensing process more understandable”

Or… Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction releases blueprint for the dismantling and demoralization of the teaching profession. “How can anyone make such a claim?” It’s easy.  In response to the “teacher shortage” narrative the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction put forth rules that favor “alternative” and “fast track” pipelines into the classrooms of Wisconsin public… Read more »

Can an Atheist School Board Member save Christmas?

                  What happens when a “liberal college professor” runs for school board?  What about Christmas? Just listen.

Teacher Exodus is finally NOT “Fake News”

  Breaking News from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel!  Teachers are leaving the profession.  Seriously!  It’s now true. According to a report released Friday by the nonpartisan Public Policy Forum,  Wisconsin has a teacher leaving problem that has fueled the so called teacher shortage. Let me start with this quote from Anne Chapman, senior researcher at the forum and… Read more »

Wisconsin: Fixing the Teacher “shortage” by killing the profession!

About to be “Frequently asked Questions” concerning “fast track” teacher licensure in the state of Wisconsin. Is there a way to get a teaching license without student teaching? Yes. Is there a way to get a teaching license without taking the edTPA? Yes. Is there a way to avoid that horrible Foundations of Reading Test?… Read more »