St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Classroom Visits Stir Action By New Schools Chief
After visiting classrooms in the 25 schools, new St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent, Kelvin Adams, admits that that teachers in the district are simply not teaching. And he aims to direct more focus the failing assessments that have been saying the same thing for years.
He has many reforms in mind to fix these disturbing findings, with some even implemented this January. The fact that he is not turning his back on our children like so many others by just ignoring the problem is commendable. However, it is also important that he rallies others in support St. Louis schools and that his reform plans are effective, meaning based on research.
The bottom line is our community can not afford to continue to fail our children, SLPS need reform.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Education is a Lagging Market in the US
The bottom line: When compared to other countries and other industries the education in America is radically lacking in progress! The solution? Getting patents and educators actively invested in our children though school choice!
More from the CATO Institute on School Choice
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Democrats for Education Reform names Hubbard Midwest Regional Director
December 8th, 2008, New York, New York -- Democrats for Education Reform, a national political action committee, announced today that it has named Missouri State Representative Rodney R. Hubbard (D-58th District, MO) as the organization's first Midwest Regional Director.
"We are going to support Democratic leaders and leaders-in-the-making who want to modernize our public schools, give every school and library broadband internet access, expand charter schools, grant charter authorization to big city mayors, institute longitudinal studies that will help us analyze teacher and student performance over time, provide merit pay for quality teachers and increase funding for teacher training," said Hubbard. "Candidates and current office holders who have the courage and the conviction to create 21st century schools for all students are the kind of bold leaders who can help us fix our broken public school systems."
Hubbard, who wraps up his second legislative term this month, was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in November 2002. A lifelong Democrat, his political legacy has been in two key areas: revitalization of the City of St. Louis and education reform. He is well known for working with Democrats and Republicans to improve public education and provide parents with high quality education opportunities. His new role will allow him to focus all of his time and energy on this issue.
During his tenure in State government, Hubbard received the 2006 Distinguished St. Louis Business Journal Legislative Award; 2005 Associated Industries Cooperative Award; 2005 Lewis & Clark Statesman Award presented by St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association; Loretta Hall Award from the Carr Square TMC; Yes I Can Award; the 2004 Lewis & Clark Statesman Award presented by St. Louis RCGA and the 2004 Certificate of Appreciation presented by the Missouri Assisted Living Association. He is also a member of the Taheed Youth Group, an anti-drug/violence taskforce as well as his membership with the One Hundred Black Men. Hubbard earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University. Rep. Hubbard resides in St. Louis City with his wife, Shameem S. Hubbard. He is the proud father of Ayana Amani, Rodney R. Jr., Jabari Ali, and Attallah Azizah.
Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a New York City-based political action committee whose mission is to encourage a more productive dialogue within the Democratic Party on the need to fundamentally reform American public education.
DFER operates on all levels of government to educate elected officials and support reform-minded candidates for public office.
The Children's Education Alliance of Missouri has the press release.
"We are going to support Democratic leaders and leaders-in-the-making who want to modernize our public schools, give every school and library broadband internet access, expand charter schools, grant charter authorization to big city mayors, institute longitudinal studies that will help us analyze teacher and student performance over time, provide merit pay for quality teachers and increase funding for teacher training," said Hubbard. "Candidates and current office holders who have the courage and the conviction to create 21st century schools for all students are the kind of bold leaders who can help us fix our broken public school systems."
Hubbard, who wraps up his second legislative term this month, was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in November 2002. A lifelong Democrat, his political legacy has been in two key areas: revitalization of the City of St. Louis and education reform. He is well known for working with Democrats and Republicans to improve public education and provide parents with high quality education opportunities. His new role will allow him to focus all of his time and energy on this issue.
During his tenure in State government, Hubbard received the 2006 Distinguished St. Louis Business Journal Legislative Award; 2005 Associated Industries Cooperative Award; 2005 Lewis & Clark Statesman Award presented by St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association; Loretta Hall Award from the Carr Square TMC; Yes I Can Award; the 2004 Lewis & Clark Statesman Award presented by St. Louis RCGA and the 2004 Certificate of Appreciation presented by the Missouri Assisted Living Association. He is also a member of the Taheed Youth Group, an anti-drug/violence taskforce as well as his membership with the One Hundred Black Men. Hubbard earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University. Rep. Hubbard resides in St. Louis City with his wife, Shameem S. Hubbard. He is the proud father of Ayana Amani, Rodney R. Jr., Jabari Ali, and Attallah Azizah.
Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a New York City-based political action committee whose mission is to encourage a more productive dialogue within the Democratic Party on the need to fundamentally reform American public education.
DFER operates on all levels of government to educate elected officials and support reform-minded candidates for public office.
The Children's Education Alliance of Missouri has the press release.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
US News & World Report Prove: Charter Schools are Working
Though Charter High Schools only make up 5% of High Schools nationwide, they constituted 18 of the Top 100 Schools!! This study by the U.S. News and World Report was released yesterday.
CONGRATULATIONS to these schools and their success! Though both the freedom to innovate and accountability for results are underlying (and successful) principles that are engraved in concept of any charter school, the extra-representation on this list is the result of passionate individuals, fighting on behalf of our children for real improvements in education!
The results are in: SCHOOL CHOICE WORKS!
The Wall Street Journal has more information (including study methodology and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools).
CONGRATULATIONS to these schools and their success! Though both the freedom to innovate and accountability for results are underlying (and successful) principles that are engraved in concept of any charter school, the extra-representation on this list is the result of passionate individuals, fighting on behalf of our children for real improvements in education!
The results are in: SCHOOL CHOICE WORKS!
The Wall Street Journal has more information (including study methodology and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools).
Sunday, December 7, 2008
History of St. Louis School Choice
The political battle over school choice has been long and brutal in St. Louis.
On one side there is an alliance of teachers union leaders, central board administrators and various public-school interest groups that has an established routine for managing the schools and are skeptical of any proposal for change. Unfortunately, this cartel acts as a veto player in school policymaking.
Until educational improvement through school choice gains its proper support, the war in Jefferson City will rage on. And regrettably it is the children that suffer the causalities.
The Hoover Institution details the painstaking history of school choice in Missouri politics.
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