Monthly Archives: February 2009

Out-of-bounds parents at Bromwell

Posted on February 26, 2009 by axooms

A remarkable article about Bromwell Elementary’s problem with out-of-boundary parents: A school in one of Denver’s ritziest neighborhoods is asking parents to swear under the threat of perjury that they live within the school’s attendance boundaries in an effort to find people who … Continue reading →

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Compensation potpourri

Posted on February 24, 2009 by axooms

First, a piece in the Denver Post on bonus for principals in DPS: Nearly $1.7 million in bonuses was given to principals and assistant principals in Denver Public Schools last year in a program meant to attract top educators to the urban … Continue reading →

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Coming late v. leaving early

Posted on February 18, 2009 by axooms

In a debate that makes one yearn for the intellectual challenge of “tastes great v less filling” comes news that DPS’s five additional late-start days, added to the calendar at the DCTA’s request during the last round of contract negotiations, may become five additional leave-early … Continue reading →

Posted in Teacher Unions | Tagged | 1 Comment

The disease of direct placement

Posted on February 17, 2009 by axooms

Tomorrow, the Denver Board of Education will hear public comment on and discuss Superintendent Boasberg’s proposal to limit forced direct placement for Title I schools.  While I continue to believe this policy — which turns a free-form dance into musical chairs — … Continue reading →

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Half-pregnant reform

Posted on February 13, 2009 by axooms

An excellent article in the Washington Post describing the efforts in Boston around both charter and district-led pilot schools: [Boston] has unleashed imaginative teachers to run both independent charter schools and semi-independent “pilot” schools, with much of the rest of the country … Continue reading →

Posted in District Performance | Leave a comment

Obamaesque change in education

Posted on February 10, 2009 by axooms

Somewhat overlooked in Obama’s first press conference were his comments on education.  Here’s my shorthand: 1) more reform; 2) more money; 3) higher teacher pay; 4) better teacher training; 5) fire bad teachers; 6) pro charter; 7) high standards. Imagine the following … Continue reading →

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Is the ivory tower basement still college?

Posted on February 9, 2009 by axooms

With a lot of focus on college preparation and readiness as early as middle school (including the charter on whose board I serve), it’s disquieting, but probably important, to read another view.  Here is a piercing article from The Atlantic on the “destructive myth” … Continue reading →

Posted in Higher Education | Leave a comment