Amnesia about A Nation at Risk. Amnesia about Covid responses. And Jed wishing he could have amnesia about the King’s game on April 30, 2023.
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This week some of the topics we discuss include the following:
The 40th Anniversary of report, “A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform” (00:01:59)
Why the American economy has been able to persist despite the problems in education (00:04:59)
The equity shift to ensure the hyper-talented kids in the lowest quintile get the opportunity to go to college (00:10:05)
Why we think the Economist ‘s coverage of education lately has been really good (00:11:43)
A recognition of Marshall (Mike) Smith’s impact and role in A Nation at Risk (00:12:07)
The historical amnesia during last week’s Congressional committee hearing framed in terms of good guys versus bad guys (00:13:12)
Randi Weingarten’s modus operandi or MO and lack of responsibility (00:15:19)
The impacts of the pandemic in 2020-2023 (00:17:20)
Politics in Urban Settings and 50-50% Red State Politics (00.22.13)
New York realities and ironies (00:23:23)
The Post Janus Poker Game (00:25:29)
Virginia’s new content standards (00:28:17)
The need to help students learn how to grapple with a spectrum of ideas (00:30:55)
The materials, tools, and training teachers need for this content (00:35:33)
The value adds of the Core Knowledge Approach (00:36:57)
The link to the show notes referenced today. At the end of this description.
As ever, I’m eager to hear feedback and suggestions from CharterFolk. So, if you have a chance to listen to the discussion and want to drop me a line with some thoughts, feel free to reach me at jed@charterfolk.org .
If you haven’t yet heard or seen the first and second volumes of WonkyFolk, you can access them here.
Meanwhile, I thank you once again for being part of the CharterFolk community and for the efforts you are making to improve educational opportunity in our country.
Show Notes:
Economist article about the surprising strength of the American economy over the past several decades. https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/04/13/from-strength-to-strength
The Meritocracy Trap by Daniel Markovits, https://www.amazon.com/The-Meritocracy-Trap-audiobook/dp/B07V5KBLGT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KCE4CF53LE13&keywords=meritocracy+trap&qid=1683056414&sprefix=meritocracy+trap%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1
Nation at Risk Story in the Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/04/26/how-nationatrisk-report-hurt-public-schools/
Recognition of passing of Marshal (Mike) Smith https://twitter.com/arotherham/status/1653062577872576516
New York Times Article about Randi Weingarten https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/magazine/randi-weingarten-teachers-unions.html
C-Span entire Covid 19 hearing featuring testimony of Randi Weingarten https://www.c-span.org/video/?527655-1/teachers-union-president-testifies-covid-19-school-closures
C-Span coverage of Marjorie Taylor Greene stating that Randi Weingarten is not a mother https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5068192/rep-taylor-greene-aft-president-mother
C-Span Coverage of Terrell Bell Confirmation Hearings https://www.c-span.org/video/?88265-1/education-secretary-nomination-confirmation
2020 article showing Weingarten Calling for teacher strikes if schools re-open. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/strikes-are-an-option-to-force-schools-to-reopen-safely-aft-president-says/2020/07
Story on Weingarten and the AFT exerting influence on the CDC regarding Covid guidance. https://undark.org/2021/06/10/teachers-union-shaped-cdc-school-guidance/
Hochul offers a single word in support of lifting the charter school cap in NYC...