Hall Talk: Is the Chicago Teachers Strike the ‘Super Bowl’ of Ed Reform?
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Go to My Saved Content.It was a fascinating week in education news, with, of course, the Chicago teachers strike taking center stage.
Earlier this week, The Atlantic’s Andrew P. Kelly went as far as to call it the “Super Bowl of School Reform,” noting that, in broader terms, the labor dispute in Chicago is a reflection of the national education reform debate.
For Chicago’s educators, the most contentious points surround accountability and job security, with the union arguing for a teacher-evaluation system that doesn't rely too strongly on factors teachers can't control. The union was also negotiating for laid-off educators to take top consideration when new positions become available. Now, as negotiations hit the fifth day, a deal seems likely to come soon, according to the Chicago Tribune.
In the coming weeks, we'll see if the strike in Chicago opens up a national discussion about education reform.
Teen Launches Cheap Camera Into Space and Captures Stunning Photos
A 19-year-old from England took control of his science learning, by using an inexpensive camera to capture some stunning pictures of Earth from space. The teenager, whose background in aerospace consists of an introductory physics course, captured the images on a £200 budget. Your move, NASA. (The Telegraph)
America is still lagging behind other countries when it comes to early childhood education programs. A recent study showed just 69 percent of 4-year-olds in the U.S. are enrolled in preschool programs, compared to 95 percent in France, Mexico, Spain and the Netherlands. Sadly, the U.S. didn't even break the top 20. (Education Week)
The Washington Post's Jay Matthews looked at the role of short-term substitutes in our schools, advocating that, because of the costs, it might be time to stop hiring them. Matthews makes the case for in-school floating educators who could fill in for absent teachers, and the author even goes as far as to propose the best taught classrooms don't need substitutes... (Washington Post).
Minneapolis College Prep opened this fall looking to close the academic achievement gap. The charter school made several culture changes -- from the dress code, to making the curriculum more engaging -- and their plan has borrowed ideas from the Noble Network of charter schools in Chicago. (MinnPost)