Yesterday I responded to a comment about whether teachers in Utah have “tenure.” But I’ve never claimed to be focusing on Utah alone in this blog. So here’s some more information on teacher tenure nationwide from the think tank study … Continue reading»

Yesterday’s blog posting provoked the following comment: Mary,It is so very disappointing that despite repeated attempts by many of your blog posters that you continue to perpetuate the myth that our teachers have tenure. Repeatedly saying something does not make … Continue reading»

Well, I figured my last post (on firing teachers) would draw some comments, and it did. Some readers contend that it is not in fact difficult to fire incompetent teachers; others disagree. My own guess, based on the comments, my … Continue reading»

The Deseret News recently ran an article about challenges to teacher tenure. Since I was interviewed for – and quoted in – that article, I thought I’d share some further thoughts about an issue that roils the education community. Should … Continue reading»

As threatened, I want to give a more personal answer to the question one of my readers posed on this blog. He or she wrote: “I know how difficult the question is to address, but can you compare the quality … Continue reading»

A reader posted this this response to my most recent post, on online education: “Here’s the burning question: Which method of instruction is most conducive to learning? I m not sure we know how to make that evaluation, and even … Continue reading»

I’ve read a spate of articles lately that question the value of (what the reporters all acknowledge to be a burgeoning number of) online courses. Let me state for the record, once again, that I now teach online. Still, as … Continue reading»

I blog about K-12 education, because that’s where I work and that’s what I know best, but as the wife of a university professor and as a parent who has written tuition checks for three college students, I’ve been paying … Continue reading»

Not surprisingly, comments on my posting about Kansas City’s heavy education spending and poor educational results honed in on the district’s poor spending choices: buildings over academics, “toys” versus teachers. I agree with all that. But I also believe that … Continue reading»

Blog readers know that one reason I favor like Teach for America and various urban teaching fellows programs is that they help attract men and women with strong academic backgrounds to the profession. So I was intrigued by today’s Education … Continue reading»