Homepage: Susan Ohanian Speaks Out (Susan Ohanian Speaks Out)

"The markers of true educational quality are far more difficult to quantify than the number of students enrolled in a particular class. . . . Ranking of schools encourages a destructive competitiveness, leading institutions away from offering rich alternatives and toward a stultifying sameness."

—Patrick Bassett, president, National Association of Independent Schools

NCLB Outrages

Recess policy up for review by Tacoma School District
Tacoma district considers more time for play. Some principals argue against recess of any kind outside of lunchtime because it interferes with the day’s schooling.
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INDEX OF NCLB OUTRAGES

The Eggplant

U. S. Department of Education's Little Red Schoolhouse 'Front' Vandalized by Militant Activists
Another item in the news you will read nowhere else. A convoy of Barbies in pink and purple Beach Cruisers, accompanied by a massive deployment of GI Joe Acti...
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NCLB In Your Face

Unknown Kindergartner
"The move to eviscerate the program [Reading First] by drastically cutting it is the ultimate example of throwing the baby out with the bath water,” said Alan E. Farstrup...
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Yahoo, Good News!

Poetry Program Gives Prisoners Unexpected Voice

This is a most exceptional program. Do NOT miss it.

Of interest: On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being highest security, Rincon Prison is listed at "4."

And...
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INDEX OF YAHOO, GOOD NEWS!

Outrage of the Day

Obama’s No-Brainer on Education

Jonathan Alter continues to offer evidence that Harvard grads don't need to know the subject matter in...
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INDEX OF OUTRAGES OF THE DAY

Commentaries

AP Diary
The true story of what it's like to spend a week grading Advanced Placement exams

From Chronicle of Higher Education, July 11, 2008...
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INDEX OF COMMENTARIES

Educator Roundtable
A Petition Calling For the End of the No Child Left Behind Act

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The Great Word Catalogue:
FUNdamental Activities for
Building Vocabulary,
book and website

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In The News

Planning to Change the World
Ohanian Comment: What a good idea to be reminded every day that each and every one of us should be working with young people for social justice. . . and to see ideas for...
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INDEX OF NEWS ITEMS

Resisters' Letters

Dear Congressman Miller,

I was extremely concerned about the panel of "experts" that testified today. While some ideas about adding extra counselors and class reduction are to be lauded as ways of helping kids, using mo...
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INDEX OF LETTERS

Outrages

Schools hunting 'missing' papers
The BBC has a form online for people to report their experiences with the test. by Staff As term ends in most areas, teachers are still gr...
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INDEX OF FEATURED OUTRAGES

Sarah's Notes

Baaaaccckkkk To School
Ohanian Comment: For a glorious combination of sound and sight and wonderful teaching, read A Day in the Life for Septemb...
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INDEX OF SARAH'S NOTES

Stupid Test Items

California History-Social Science Standards Test
A student teacher comments: The correct answer was a). That the word relocated in a question could possibly be paired with an answer that has freedom in it is a...
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MORE TESTITEMS

Research that Counts

FCAT third-grade reading law questioned
And now a word from reality-based research: The research stretching over a 60-plus-year period has consistently demonstrated the same thing: that retention in grade does not im...
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INDEX OF RESEARCH THAT COUNTS

Special Needs Commentary

More about Murray's Articles

Charles Murray's articles have provoked numerous responses most of which state that measuring IQ is not an exa...
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INDEX OF SPECIAL NEEDS COMMENTARIES

Special Needs News

Students, teachers weigh in, as 'Left Behind' up for renewal

Kay's Comment: So many issues to debate and so little agreement on any of them ... Perhaps NCLB should not be reauthorized just because it has raised so many questi...
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INDEX OF SPECIAL NEEDS NEWS

Featured Resource

Phi Delta Kappan

Phi Delta Kappan is the the most important professional journal for education, bar none. It addresses policy issues for educators at all levels, providing a forum for debate on controvers...
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WOO News

Congratulations, WOO!

Ohanian Comment: The hometown newspaper that has studiously ignored the WOO finally pays tribute to accomplishment. On July 29, The WOO held its 2006 GED Graduation & St...
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