Standards. Standardized. The same for everyone?
by David SafierI think Ed Sec Arne Duncan really, truly wants to improve education in this country, and I don't think he has a political agenda. He doesn't want to make education more liberal or more conservative. He wants to make it better. That doesn't mean he'll do a good job, but it does mean … Read more
Grad students to improve math teaching?
by David SafierI like the idea of trying to boost the level of conceptual math understanding in K-12 schools. I would love to see the program they're creating here, linking UA grad students with working math teachers, help students become better at math. But math whiz grad students who have never taught helping teachers be … Read more
Not a rhetorical question
by David SafierThis morning's Star has an article, Medical tourism keeps growing, about people going to other countries to get medical treatment. The main example is of someone who got a hip replacement for $20,000 in New Zealand — in Aukland, at a private hospital. The cost included travel and lodging. According to the article, … Read more
Some religious groups not happy with “Students’ Religious Liberties” bill
by David SafierAccording to an article in Jewish News of Greater Phoenix (and reprinted in Tucson's Arizona Jewish Post), some Jewish leaders are concerned about HB2357, which is supposed to protect students' freedom of religious expression in schools. Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Bill Straus said that the ADL is primarily concerned about the clause that … Read more
Comment on the Ethnic Studies issue
by David SafierI'm a relative newcomer to Arizona — about 5 years — so I don't have personal knowledge of politics that goes further back than that. Commenter Rex adds perspective to the issue of Horne's relentless attacks on ethnic studies. Horne needs to burnish his conservative credentials to gain support for his run for … Read more
The end of ethnic studies? Part II
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is back on his high horse again arguing for the elimination of the ethnic studies programs at Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). Bill aims to rid TUSD of ethnic studies: "Ethnic studies programs … are designed to promote ethnic chauvinism," state Superintendent of Public Instruction … Read more
The end of ethnic studies?
by David SafierI'm relieved I'm not pushing to end a program that's a proven success in raising students' academic achievement. The right wing would say I hate children, that I'm willing to further my own partisan liberal agenda at the expense of students' futures. Nope. They're the ones who want to end ethnic studies programs … Read more
