Comments on: We Need Fewer Heroes

By: "C"

"C" — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:18:02 +0000

Having enjoyed both Dan’s and the Classroom Distinctions commentaries I realized that Freedom Writers did inspire and motivate me – to hang up the WonderTeacher cape next to the SuperMom cape that I gave up quite some time ago. I’m sure my colleagues and former principal are most shocked – no more 8pm nights, no more marking at home until 10pm, no more Saturday/Sundays at school.

The line in the sand hasn’t been drawn, it has been carved. Too bad it took 10 years and a near burn out to clue in. Should have watched the movie sooner. It’s all about balance.

FOR SALE: one WonderTeacher cape – pink only *blush*

“C”

By: A. Mercer

A. Mercer — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:20:49 +0000

Doug, exactly, but setting up the whole feeder system involved work, and was done by starting at a grass-roots level, not based on an edict from the state.

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:37:39 +0000

@Mercer- Interesting article full of a ton of basic policy issues that are full of common sense.

If you want your kids to pass the highest level AP exams, prepare them early on.

By: A. Mercer

A. Mercer — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:20:07 +0000

May I take this opportunity to share this interesting article on Jamie Esclante?

http://www.reason.com/news/show/28479.html

which points out how the “time line” for what he did was shrunk by a factor of 5+ years, and created completely unrealistic expectations both in and out of education.

It then explains exactly how he got his program to work, and how it fell apart. Lots of great lessons for policy types.

By: Mr. K

Mr. K — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:10:58 +0000

when i read that today, i’m pretty sure they plagiarized the “no heroes” part from you wholesale.

did you get a writing credit?

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:05:24 +0000

@ Dan- Great spot on this post.

Their definition of “unscreened” will surely yield students from the upper tier. The requirement of writing an application will bring in students w/ parents who care a enough to write an application and get the recs and will not be in the bottom tier of students, who most need the help.

Seriously, when are you going to produce an episode of DY/AV based on the Wire featuring McNulty’s passion along with this allusion to “juking” the stats that Simon references??

I look forward to that very much……

By: Dina

Dina — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:19:06 +0000

There it is. My post. Internal structure, quote, links and all. Shameless. Did you need a kitchen sink? I’d be glad to look into it, you know, as a wedding gift–oh. Never mind– you TOOK IT ALREADY.