HE:EDtweet: What would it take to end us-versus-them? #charter #public

After reading many tweets, updates, posts, and articles about the us-versus-them climate of traditional public school districts and charter schools (around the country) it seemed odd to find an article highlighting the fact that at least nine (9) districts in larger cities have signed agreements with intent to work with local charter schools.

It would seem logical for traditional public school districts and public charter schools to work together but every other comment you read displays one bashing the crap out of the other.

Is it impossible to believe traditional public school districts and public charter schools can work together?

What are some of the barriers keeping collaboration from happening?

Is there nothing to be gained from collaboration?

What happens to the status/quality of education if traditional public school districts and public charter schools (that do not currently work together) cannot learn to partner?

HE:ED Highlight : Hey, ever heard of CES? Which one?

Well, as it turns out, there's CES and there's CES ...after speaking with a parent who was confused after being directed to "CES" as an ed-options resource it seemed logical to look into to this "organization that had two different websites". Upon further investigation it turns out there are actually to seperate entities.

The Coalition of Essential Schools' is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating intellectually challenging schools, based in Portland, ME. Their offices are located at 482 Congress Street.

At the Coalition of Essential Schools' website - http://www.essentialschools.org/items/1 - the organization's vision is described by saying

"We envision an educational system that equips all students with the intellectual, emotional, and social habits and skills to become powerful and informed citizens who contribute actively toward a democratic and equitable society."

The Center for Effective Schools is an organization that offers consultations, trainings and workshops to prevent the escalation of anti-social behaviour. The Center for Effective Schools is based in King of Prussia, PA. Their offices are located at 2012 Renaissance Boulevard.

At the Center for Effective Schools website - http://www.devereux.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ces_about - the following is listed

"The mission of the CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS, a part of Devereux's larger Institute of Clinical Training and Research, is to build capacity in schools for serving children with, or at-risk for developing, emotional and behavioral disorders. This mission is accomplished through training, consultation, new model program development, and applied research"

So, looks like both organizations are possible resources for parents, depending on the parents situation and needs…(as a parent) are you looking to work with an organization that creates schools or drives innovation within them?

HE:ED Share : iPads as textbooks (in some cases)

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20100915/ai_n55230985/
Pike Peaks Prep, Colorado Springs, Colorado

http://www.examiner.com/presentation-skills-in-national/schools-testing-ipads-to-deliver-more-effective-teaching-and-learning
Marymount School , New York City, NY
Independence Middle School, Pittsburgh, PA
4 School Districts, California

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/11/at-one-dc-school-ipads-for-everybody.html
Friendship Tech Prep Academy, Washington D.C.

Above are multiple links (and the names of the corresponding schools) looking to implement iPads as educational tools. Sounds great!
 
But, a few questions that come to mind...

• How will these iPads be implemented safely?
• What plans will be put into place to maintain a focus on educational use?
• Will the staff be routinely trained on new capabilities and best practices from across the country?
• Will the iPads stay at the school?

HE:ED highlight: Teachers say "it's the parents"...but, is it?

After seeing Whitney Tilson's presentation 'A Right Denied' or Davis Guggenheim's documentary 'Waiting for Superman' its easy to become angry and/or depressed about the state of public education in America.

In fact, it seems to be that no matter how you look at public education in america, it's a fail. American students are not competitive internationally (and while other countries show growth american acheivement is stagnant).

Many students are still learning to read when should they should be reading to learn in or after the 4th grade. And these same students don't catch up to "where they should be" by graduation.

Now, teachers will say that it's not the schools that are the problem, "it's the parents". And since parents play a large part in a successful education, that may be partly true.

But, just a thought, if we ask ourselves what American children are actually learning in public school systems, can we say that active, involved parents would make all the difference? Are public school curricula addressing all the needs of american children in large cities?

And for argument's sake, if "it's the parents" than why isn't our President (an active, informed parent himself) sending his children to public school?