When I was a teenager, I made a solemn vow that, should I ever become a parent, I would never, ever, ever tell my kids to “turn down that noise!” Flawed human that I am, I have failed to fulfill my share of resolutions and have, at times, fallen short of my self-expectations. It…
Private schools are nothing, if not diverse. Some are grounded in religious orientations, while others are secular. Some are organized as nonprofit entities, while others are profit-seeking proprietorships or corporations. Some follow distinctive educational philosophies (think Montessori, or Waldorf), while others subscribe to an eclectic set of principles and practices. Some are large, others…
Yes, that’s a loaded title, and lest it overly prejudice an open-minded reading of what follows, let me begin by offering credit where credit is due, and recognizing the good. The California Department of Education does not lack for outstanding talent, leadership, and dedication. CDE staff are hard working public servants, seasoned educators and…
Very early on in my career as an educator (and while still a bachelor), I took a date for a picnic on an isolated, sun-drenched strand of beach located roughly 7,500 miles away from Los Angeles. Despite it being a hot, summer day, there was literally no one within eyesight or earshot on that…
During the course of the week leading to the California Legislature’s February 16 deadline for the introduction of proposed legislation for the current year, some 3,200 bills saw the light of day at the State Capitol. We are still in the process of sifting through the…
