Education Ability and Time Limits

In her article, "Education Ability Doesn't Have Time Limits", (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julie-woestehoff/education-accountability-time-limits_b_792090.html) author Julie Woestehoff has some intriguing ideas about promoting/flunking children and not placing them in a classroom based on their age.  Her proposal of moving students along to the next level when they have proven mastery of the current level is contrary to all public school systems in the U.S. and is an idea that should be tested.  Think about this -- kids wouldn't be stigmatized by the label of having "flunked" or "held back", they simply haven't achieved mastery yet.  If their friends have moved ahead, it might provide more impetus for them to work harder to do the same.  Of course, the entire standardized testing system would have to be scrapped, and who would be happier about that -- the students or the teachers?!!!!

Portable North Pole

This is the coolest thing I've seen in a while.  The website, Portable North Pole (http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/prepare-a-message/child) creates a personalized video from Santa for anyone (children, adults, lovers, co-workers).  You fill in personalized info, have the option to download a picture of the person,  and a very cute video of Santa speaking from the North Pole  is created.  I made one for my 17-year old son (saying that he was a good boy this year) and am going to do one for my college son (saying that he was naughty and needs to clean his room more!).    Hope you have fun with it!

NYC Set to Release Teacher Ratings

I just finished the Teacher Magazine article, "Showdown Nears on Release of NYC Teacher Ratings", http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2010/12/07/391410usteacherdata_ap.html?r=172937046, which details the efforts of the New York City teacher's union to stop the publication of teacher performance ratings.  The school board chancellor, Joel Klein, doesn't see a problem with releasing the ratings, stating "We aren't naive about the impact this release could have on our teachers, ... "which is why we hope that no one misuses the data or views it as an opportunity to scapegoat teachers."  Objectors state that if students see the ratings, they could use that information to harass teachers and that parents whose children are in the classrooms of low rated teachers will want to be transferred out.  Of course, the matter in Los Angeles where a teacher committed suicide when  his sub-par rating was released is weighing heavily on many minds.  What do you guys think?  Should what is basically your performance review be released to the public?  Should anyone's?  I don't mind the idea of school rankings and test results being made public knowledge, but I don't like the idea of individuals being subjected to public scrutiny.