Play-based or experiential learning versus play

A few years ago I was at a meeting of the local NAEYC affiliate and listened to several of the attendees ramble on about "play" and play-based programs and play being a toddler's "work". All seemed smug and supercilious, and one sneered at what she called "academic" pre-schools. Needless to say, not one defined her terms.

Learning to read

You probably know that in Germany and Finland, formal reading instruction begins in G2 whereas in the UK and the US it begins in K. The fundamental consideration here is not student capability vis-a-vis reading per se, but philosophy re teaching and learning for children aged birth to 7. The important thing is that neither view of reading is right or wrong, nor is it the final answer. Both must be a part of an holistic view of education. In mine, reading starts in the first year of PK or around age three.

Black women with 'natural' hairstyles are perceived as less professional

I have not read the study which prompted this headline, just an article discussing it. Reportedly, black women who wear their hair in afros or braids are seen as less professional than those who straighten their hair. This of course affects how they are treated, what opportunities they might have, promotion and earnings. Other than the more general discussions of right, wrong and relevance, what interests me is how this might apply to a school setting,

Choosing a school based on its reputation

I wrote yesterday about a parent who chose a school based on price rather than value who later regretted his choice. On a related note, I wrote a week ago about the risks of changing schools each time a parent sees what s/he thinks is a better option. Both posts prompt the question of how does a parent compare schools so that s/he can make the best decision for his/her child(ren) and family.

The Walmart Effect

Full disclosure - I have not read Charles Fishman's book*, however I did listen to a lengthy interview he gave soon after its publication. One of the points he made was that Walmart's founder discovered that American consumers would drive a considerable distance to save a penny, engendering the constant mantra of savings, price rollbacks, sales and discounts. Every commercial transaction has two principal factors, price and service or in other words, price and quality. The Walmart Effect largely removed quality from consideration.

Who is a school's client?

Schools exist between a rock and a hard place, a scylla and charybdis of serving two often conflicting clients. I do not mean politicians, national, state and local government or teacher unions. I mean parents and students.

The worst form of government, except for all the others

I was reminded of Winston Churchill's famous musing while listening to a radio piece on bikers travelling to South Dakota. One of the riders emphasized his love for "freedom" and how it is his "freedom" which allows him to ride his motorcyle, to go to South Dakota and to not wear a mask. The journalist noted that 60% of the population supported a mask requirement and that local Native American tribes were blockading roads to prevent these bikers from entering their areas. Clearly this view of "freedom" does not align with one of the basic tenets of democracy.

Righting a wrong or doing one?

University selection, by the university, is more of an art than a science and it appears that every model has its flaws. The latest approach, from the University of Oxford, involves selecting students based to a large extent on the school they attended. The Universty of Oxford has announced that students from "struggling" schools will still be admitted, even if they do not gain the normally required grades.

Tax breaks for schools

Should schools receive tax breaks? It's an easy-enough question, until you look at what a tax break is, and of course dive into the recurring puzzle of defining a school. Let's look at some of these points.

Dollars and sense - financial literacy in schools

About a year ago, the US Federal Reserve reported that 40% of Americans did not have $400 available for an unexpected bill, while 12% would be unable to pay an unexpected $400 bill at all. Current projections are for this to become even worse. Clearly externalities are significant in this, however schools and the education system are not without fault. As well as Reading, Riting and Reck'ning, we should be teaching financial literacy.