My friend’s sons attend the local public school system. The younger one is in kindergarten this year. Last night over dinner we discussed the repeated absence of his teacher and its impact on his reading level. (more…)

This economy is hard. Almost universally, the conventional wisdom is that it will take a while to get better. There seems to be almost unrealizable expectations about what the government funds can and will deliver in terms of getting back on a highway to prosperity. Every organization and group has a hand out, looking for funds to “stimulate” the economy and shore up budget shortfalls.

We will continue to stall and sputter if the stimulus package is used to supplement current shortcomings. (more…)

Now that President Obama has taken his oath, the official Presidential agenda for education has been published. It’s light on the details. And equity is not an official aim, though equity should be served by focus on teachers, improving early childhood education and addressing dropout rates. Obama’s pick for education secretary, Arne Duncan should be a fairly straightforward confirmation. (more…)

There is an impending teaching shortage. When I look around my area, I see many teachers who are struggling to find jobs and there is little evidence of a lack of available teachers.  I taught in a district where there was a veritable dearth of applicants and that was 10 years ago. Another example of inequity. But the national estimate of anticipated teacher retirements is steep. (more…)

A significant challenge to closing the equity gap is overcoming perception. Excuses about why inequity is insurmountable are all over the place. They aren’t necessarily grounded in fact. Here is a great article that addresses misconceptions about socioeconomically disadvantaged families and communities. Once inaccurate beliefs are addressed, we can move forward with solutions that are implementable and fair.

According to a recent NY Times Magazine article, Cuba has gone from a 40% illiteracy rate 50 years ago, to almost universal literacy today. It is a success story that has not taken the half century. Reports of Cuba’s dramatic improvement rates go back over 25 years. This is in an economy of significant poverty and ill-defined equity. A recent article in GOOD magazine By John Wood discussed poverty and education, with literacy as THE solution. It’s a good theory, challenged by the evidence in Cuba, where the political culture shapes more outcomes than not and is thus surmountable for other countries. (more…)

The New York Times looks at school consolidation in this article on the Amagansett District with a total student population of 115. The article is following up on the Suozzi Report which focused on potential solutions for property tax relief. Looking at the plethora of taxable entities in New York State- school districts included – the Report recommended consolidation of districts with fewer than 1000 students. Note that in Ulster County we have 55 property tax burdens. For 180,000 residents, these tax burdens account for significant financial burdens. If consolidation can improve efficiency and reduce the costs related to living here, isn’t it worth studying? This is not an endorsement of every suggestion. But it makes sense to consider the options and their costs and benefits. (more…)