The Tempered Radical

Blogger's Note: This was a tough post to write.  It feels like a confession that I should probably just keep to myself -- but I gotta believe that other teachers of tested subjects are thinking the same thoughts as I am.  While this isn't super polished, I hope it makes y'all think.

In the past few months, the North Carolina legislature has pushed forward two bills (see here and here) designed to

In difficult budget times, I can honestly say that I don't envy state legislators who are forced every spring into the uncomfortable position of cutting valuable programs in an effort to save cash.  Trying to decide between protecting programs that support teachers or firefighters or cops or senior citizens or the mentally disabled or the poor -- and by default, axing programs that support those same groups -- has got to be the worst part of being an elected official.

In a time when technology is drastically changing the way that we work, learn, and play, it is essential that school leaders have a clear plan for driving digital change in their classrooms, districts and communities.  These two tips can help:
Remember that tools don’t change learning spaces; Teachers do:
While integrating technology into learning spaces will require investments in new digital tools and services, many school leaders forget that investing in tools alone is never enough.

Late last week, I wrote a piece titled How Testing Will Change What I Teach Next Year.  In it, I detail the 48 DAYS that I spent teaching high level skills -- things like interpreting nonfiction text, evaluating the reliability of online sources, and building new knowledge through collaborative dialogue -- that are in my curriculum but that WON'T be covered on the new high-stakes multiple choice tests that our state is using to evaluate teache