No Teacher Left Behind?

As Missouri public schools wrestle with what bargaining rights apply to teachers, a good legislative brawl is emerging on pay for performance on the national level. Today's cato institute dispatch summarizes the challenges of No Child Left Behind from both sides of the political aisle.

Riverview Gardens Not A Teacher’s Paradise:

Submitted by Nina:

After reading about the disgusting array of challenges in teaching in Riverview Gardens in St. Louis County, it seems to me that there ought to be more alternatives to this community besides just waiting out your term for retirement. You know that teachers must be against the wall if a number of those families were trying to get into the City to explore other options.

Rockwood

Submitted by: JaneS

I have read that our school district, Rockwood, has spent over $66,000 to sue the state in order to get more money for education. The districts across the state have wasted about $4.6 million. Does anyone else have a problem with this? I cannot fathom why the district would think it would be okay to use our money for something we did not intend it for!

On top of the deceit I feel has happened, I also find it strange they think more money will help the schools. It is totally obvious to me there needs to be more done than just pour more money into the system. First off, lets use the money we have efficiently, and then lets try something different to fix these schools.

Hopefully, enough people will be upset about this as well and do something about it. Please…if you do, call your superintendent now.

You can contact Craig Larson at larsoncraig@rockwood.k12.mo.us or call 636-938-2200.

Business Support for METS Encouraging

Today's announcement about the formation of a formal c3 to promote math, engineering, technology, and science is a positive step. Our state desperately needs more participation from private sector businesses like what is displayed here.

Crying Out for KIPP in St. Louis

Bob Herbert hit the mark recently by claiming that new forms of identifying good teachers and weeding out poor ones have to be created for new schools to flourish. Unfortunately, last week’s press update from the transitional school district of St. Louis Public Schools passed without a single event to suggest that’s where we are headed. St. Louis desperately needs strong leadership models, and help may soon be on the way – the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP). KIPP shows you what fresh blood borne from such programs like Teach for America can do with new ideas are allowed to be taught.

Building Math Scores, One Chess Move at a Time

Submitted by: Diana

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While improving math scores to meet the demands of MAP test remain vital, TeacherTube shows us a great example for how to make analytical skill-building a fun experience….using chess in urban districts.