Tag Archives: education

Vote today for the legislator who will fight for equitable education in Maine

Today is election day in Maine. When you vote – as I urge you to do – choose the candidate who understands the importance of fighting to create an equitable, outstanding education system for all Mainers. Our economy and the health of our state depend on a universally well-educated electorate. We should not continue to […]

For the health of our state we need to turn the page on cultural insensitivity

The insensitivity toward cultures other than his own demonstrated by Governor Le Page’s February 11th ‘joke’ at the expense of a Chinese man and name perfectly illustrates the need for more World Language and Global Education in Maine. To begin with, in an era when the demographics and economy of the state are changing, and […]

How to evaluate a school district leader

In the heat of budget travails, as well as in more tranquil times, school board members and school administrators should remember that it is on the backs of teachers that the quality of an education system truly rests. Creating conditions that encourage teachers to do their finest work, and retaining the best teachers, should therefore […]

Should schools teach empathy?

The education reform agenda promoted by the federal government, the testing industry, and many state governors is off the mark. Our greatest need in education is not measurement and accountability and standards. While these can be useful tools for improvement, they should hardly occupy center stage. Our focus should instead be on making sure we are giving our youth an education […]

21st Century Skills at Risk

What should schools be teaching? What is fundamental to the skill set of an educated person? According to the Framework for 21st Century Learning, created by The Partnership for 21st Century Skills with the encouragement of the U.S. Department of Education, among skills at the center of the curriculum should be : Critical thinking. Communication. Collaboration. Creativity. I think […]

Technology and Children: the pluses and minuses

Computers can be used to great effect in schools and they can also interfere with  development when over-used. Therefore much care should be taken on the part of curriculum coordinators, principals, school boards, and teachers to ensure that students reap the benefits of technology rather than its problems. Districts should not rush to assign one-to-one […]