I do believe, Ms. Spellings. Let me count the ways...

[proud2BlibKansan]

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings recently published an essay titled “We Aren’t Serious.” Spellings calls our nation’s public school teachers “non-believers.” The non-believers, she claims, don’t believe poor and minority kids can learn. Further, she accuses our nation’s teachers of being the single biggest obstacle to student’s success.

Ms. Spellings, your shameless attempt to slander and discredit the nation’s teachers will not stand. We aren’t “non-believers.” I do believe, Ms. Spellings. Let me count the ways.

You say we must call out those who “shamelessly believe poor and minority kids can’t learn” (a.k.a. public school teachers); while you proudly trot out your former boss’s words about the “soft bigotry of low expectations.”

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One of my students was “unschooled” until age 15. I believe the fact that he didn’t learn to write until ninth grade negatively impacts his standardized test scores. This deficit doesn’t mean I’m a lousy teacher. Nor does my acknowledging the existence of this deficit mean I’m a lousy teacher.

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The truth is you are deliberately misrepresenting your detractors. Acknowledging the effects of poverty on academic performance is not the same as wanting poor kids to fail. I believe you know this, but you publish lies instead.


Continue reading on Examiner.com I do believe, Ms. Spellings. Let me count the ways... - Topeka K-12 | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/k-12-in-topeka/i-do-believe-ms-spellings-let-me-count-the-ways#ixzz1Yymhr4j6

[classof56]

1. Wow--David Reber does Kansas proud!

As do you! Thanks so much for posting. I just forwarded the article to my very progressive son-in-law, a teacher who has pretty much reached the limit with his chosen profession. Don't blame him, but encourage him to fight against the machine. United we stand!

Tired Old Cynic

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. David is awesome.

About a month ago on Facebook, he told of giving his students duct tape to fix the broken bindings on their textbooks. He said he was going to tell them the duct tape represented Sam Brownback's plan for funding education in Kansas and then he realized he had bought the duct tape himself. :rofl:

He also created this t-shirt: http://www.zazzle.com/this_is_what_a_union_thug_looks_like_tshirt-235403806703537761

[classof56]

3. Great story!

And I love the t-shirt!

:fistbump: