Sent home to change into a shorter skirt

A UK academy (equivalent to a US charter school) sent home a student for non-compliance with its uniform rule. The school says she must wear the official skirt or trousers or stay home. She says this is a matter of religious freedom.

Students "free speech" outside school

The Supreme Court is soon to hear a case concerning a student using profanity about her school and one of its programs for which she was suspended from the program for twelve months. The issue is that this occurred on social media, outside the school's campus and outside the school day. This two-pronged problem, whether her speech is protected or not and whether the school can act or not, puts any school in an impossible position.

Professional Development, free or not free

I had an interesting conversation with a young teacher a few days ago. She felt quite strongly that professional development for teachers ("PD") should be free, and as a result she refused to and would refuse to pay which she claimed is a common position amongst her peers. This of course raises several interesting questions.

Surprise Billing and Insurance Fraud

I just heard an NPR story on "surprise billing" which reminded me of an episode in my own medical journey. It was not only an unexpected bill, but I am confident it was also medical fraud.

Perhaps this is why the police are losing support

Another day, another coffee and this time we were talking about the police. My friend and I, highly-educated, professional, middle-class and middle-aged, were talking about something in the news this morning. Calls to "de-fund" the police. Neither of us supported removing police funding, Both of us supported re-directing police funds or re-prioritizing, for example to more visible policing and to less militarized weaponry. What was interesting was that we both distrust the police and that should be concerning.

Appropriate or controversial - what is a school to do?

This story about a teacher in Burlington, Wisconsin raises two important questions for schools and teachers. One is the old beauty - eye - beholder and the other is when is it appropriate to touch on certain topics. There is no simple answer to either; the best solution lies in having clear policies and a supportive school culture.

This is a tricky one

Grade inflation seems to be a recurring favorite among politicians, journalists and educational critics, specially when discussing colleges. Reportedly, the number of high grades goes up year after year and so the obvious inference is that courses are easier, standards are falling or both. Yet the only reports I recall reading are always about top schools like Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford. Perhaps the smart are getting smarter.

City parking court lost my respect

I went to court again, this time as a defendant. A few months ago, I went to a local pre-school's annual open door with student displays, parent barbecues, games and fun for the whole family. This preschool is located in an upmarket neighborhood with clearly posted parking limits and restrictions for blocks. I parked about four blocks away and went to the fair, and when I returned to my car two hours later within the three-hour limit was most surprised to find a ticket on the windshield. Not for parking too long, but for parking within 8 feet of a driveway. This $125 fine was entirely bogus so I decided to contest it.

Dual-enrolment is a great idea

I had breakfast with a former colleague this morning. I say breakfast, but it would have been more accurately described as lunch. She was telling me about the dual-enrolment program at her local school and I confessed to being a fan although my dual-enrolment experience was different. It was for elementary students.

NPR is not as objective as they claim

I am listening today to the election results, commentary and explanations on my local NPR station. To be fair, they are not NPR although they brand themselves as such. They are an entity provided by the local state university and they purchase programming from NPR amongst other public radio providers. Both the local station and the NPR feed are claiming seemingly every five minutes or so that they do not offer opinions, they bring the facts, they are objective. None of this is true.