Writing as a parent. ‘Beyond Measure: Rescuing an Overscheduled, Overtested, Underestimated Generation’ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/20/books/review/beyond-measure-rescuing-an-overscheduled-overtested-underestimated-generation.html?_r=0  Fired for having a heart!  What??!!  We say “Higher the Hero” – Dalene Bowden is Busting Pencils!!! This Idaho Middle School Lunch Lady Was Fired for Giving a Free Lunch to a Hungry Student http://news.yahoo.com/idaho-middle-school-lunch-lady-233401253.html Update: Cafeteria worker fired over free lunch… Read more »

Fired-Religous Struggle-In Social Studies U.S. History Class. Muslim Teacher Fired After Showing Malala Video http://www.bluejersey.com/2015/12/3-5/ “…disregarding science in favor of a particular religious belief is unconstitutional,” writes Stephen D. Foster Jr. 11-Year-Old Student Sues His Florida Public School For Failing To Teach Evolution https://www.freespeech.org/text/11-year-old-student-sues-his-florida-public-school-failing-teach-evolution Reading for enjoyment??? What an idea! Teacher: Why I stopped assigning homework… Read more »

No meaningful link!  First part of this article rocks.  The second part doesn’t really relate to the standardized tests.  It more relates to the “teacher made” tests.  Take a look and decide for yourself. Four Tips to Make it Easier on Everyone http://southhills.macaronikid.com/article/1124535/too-much-testing Clap clap clap! BustED some Pencils!! How important is arts education? https://www.facebook.com/natgeotvUS/videos/10153617771436005/?fref=nf… Read more »

“the exposure to trauma has a profound impact…” , writes AISHA SULTAN The Limitations of Teaching ‘Grit’ in the Classroom http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/12/when-grit-isnt-enough/418269/ High-achievers segregated. The New ‘Education Segregation’ Hurting the U.S. http://www.forbes.com/sites/haroldsirkin/2015/12/03/the-new-education-segregation-hurting-the-u-s/   Gold for corporations! TS Gold – A Child’s Report Card http://www.pegwithpen.com/2015/12/ts-gold-childs-report-card.html Get BustED Pencils Trending News to come right to your in-box! Enter your… Read more »

Boring to students and teachers.  Type of bullying.  Follow the rules, do what you are told, ignore the interactive part.  Keep BUSTING PENCILS Barry!! The Sad Art of Closed Reading http://www.barrylane.com/2015/12/closed-reading/ RTI raises MANY concerns! “Response to Intervention”—An Excuse to Deny Services to Students with Learning Disabilities? http://www.livingindialogue.com/response-intervention-excuse-deny-services-students-learning-disabilities/ Smoke in Mirrors!!! Success Metrics Questioned in… Read more »

…”a much needed student centered redesign of public education”, writes Jamaal Bowman Principal to N.Y. Gov. Cuomo: Stop spreading a false narrative about public education https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/11/27/principal-to-n-y-gov-cuomo-stop-spreading-a-false-narrative-about-public-education/    Can the Kahn Academy “personalize” karate? Education is broken — but this entrepreneur has a stunningly simple idea to fix it http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-fix-education-khan-academy-ted-video-2015-11 The things we know that help children develop are… Read more »

        170 teaching vacancies in early November! UNPRECEDENTED for Detroit Public Schools. DPS facing surge of midyear teacher departures http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2015/11/26/dps-teachers-leaving/76311802/       Sick schools, air unfit to breath, teachers fear being fired if reported, Asthma (in some schools) reach epidemic levels. Crumbling Schools Add Health Problems to Classroom Stress http://news.yahoo.com/crumbling-schools-add-health-problems-classroom-stress-190223653.html   “As future… Read more »

Less testing AND listening to the community?!  Wow WV Department Of Education Suggests Dropping Common Core Standards, Replacing Them http://www.wchstv.com/news/features/eyewitness-news/stories/WV-Department-Of-Education-Suggests-Dropping-Common-Core-Standards-Replacing-Them-231556.shtml#.VkskdGSrS2w   A trouble picture painted. What could be wrong with a “community school” model? http://appsphilly.net/what-could-be-wrong-with-a-community-school-model/ Overturn broad authority! Uh-oh!! Effort to curb schools superintendent’s powers goes before Wisconsin Supreme Court http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/effort-to-curb-schools-superintendents-powers-goes-before-wisconsin-supreme-court-b99615882z1-350061921.html?ipad=y Get BustED Pencils Trending News… Read more »

“…cry bloody murder to your school board!” Author on Common Core: ‘A Comprehensive Dumbing Down of American Education at Every Level’ http://cnsnews.com/news/article/barbara-hollingsworth/common-core-comprehensive-dumbing-down-american-education-every   Elaine Cox, M. D. says it so eloquently, “Perhaps supporting our teachers to find professional fulfillment in educating students, rather than teaching to the test, will allow their enthusiasm for knowledge to shine… Read more »

Go Michigan Department of ED! Critical thinking and creativity over memorizing facts and filling in bubbles!  Way to BUST SOME PENCILS!!  (Confetti shower please) In teaching versus testing, teaching must win http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2015/10/09/teaching-versus-testing-teaching-must-win/73528336/ Melinda Gates said “Parents rightfully said, ‘Oh my gosh, a new test,” – Really Melinda?!!  I believe it was more like “What the… Read more »