- Apr 5, 2019
Quality, Not Kindergarten Redshirting, is the Problem
Published in ChicagoNow, April 25, 2019 In my long career as an early childhood program director, I have given many talks to parents of...
- Aug 17, 2018
When 47 Percent of the Entering Kindergarten Class is Not Ready, Something is Very Wrong
He's the little one getting on the bus for kindergarten Published in ChicagoNow, August 17, 2018 Another of my grandkids started just...
- May 22, 2017
When Math Doesn't Add Up
Published in ChicagoNow, May 22, 2017 A girl hates math, so she writes a letter: “Dear Math, I wish you would grow up and solve your own...
- Aug 30, 2016
PARCC Test Fails More Than 60 Percent of Kids - Why Keep Giving It?
From Raise Your Hand Illinois Published in ChicagoNow, August 30, 2016 When I was teaching high school English back in the day, if 60...
- Feb 24, 2016
Standardized Testing: March Madness Returns to our Schools
Published in ChicagoNow, February 24, 2016 March madness is almost upon us. I’m not talking about the basketball tournament, but rather...
- Oct 28, 2015
President Obama Opts Out of High Stakes Testing
From Raise Your Hand Illinois Published in ChicagoNow, October 28, 2015 Finally. In the twilight of his Presidency, President Obama seems...
- Sep 17, 2015
PARCC Test Fails Kids Again
From Raise Your Hand Illinois Published in ChicagoNow, September 17, 2015 Parents, brace yourselves. The results are in and only 30-40...
- Mar 30, 2015
PARCC Bullies
From Raise Your Hand Illinois Published in ChicagoNow, March 30, 2015 The headline of an Evanston Now (no connection to ChicagoNow) post...
- Mar 12, 2015
Excessive Testing Removes Bulletin Boards and Children’s Imaginations
From Meriwether Lewis Elementary Published in ChicagoNow, March 12, 2015 A Chicago Public School teacher, who served as a proctor for the...
- Feb 11, 2015
Special Education, the PARCC Test, and Opting Out
Commonly attributed to Albert Einstein Published in ChicagoNow, February 11, 2015 Just how should a student with special needs that...