Once upon a time before NCLB, I actually taught government. Then I was told I didn't.  Just that simple(in a related twist Turner was told he did).  The details of why are sealed among the corners of my mind but I was  reassigned and not because of anything I did.  It was a result of NCLB language.   As a younger teacher it takes time to build a ...

“Either fix our schools or get used to failure” News stands across the country will feature that statement top and center on the November 14 edition of Time magazine this week. To accompany the piece, its author, Fareed Zakaria, hosted a CNN GPS special “Fixing Education” on Sunday evening. In a sick economy, I suppose that another attack on ...

Nearly six months ago I wrote a post titled “The Education Market.” Since then, things have only gotten worse.  The American public is divided on the Occupy Wall Street movement and it’s decentralized nature makes it difficult to figure out exactly what they’re asking for, but it’s origin is certain. Increasingly, Americans are losing trust in ...

Despite internet reports we here at TU have yet to endorse Donald Trump or any other candidate for that matter. We might support those who question current trends in reform.  But we try our best to avoid overt political involvement.  Accordingly we frown on those who criticize or attack for personal or political gain. Keeping this effort in ...

It is hard to believe that what this post's title suggests is even possible, but just a short time ago the Underground had only a limited knowledge of what was happening everywhere across this great country. Then we started a blog. Look at us now. Frightening huh? In an effort to foster similar growth among our ''audience''(both of you) we'd ...

I read an encouraging article today in our local Charlottesville newspaper, The Daily Progress titled ''Expert Seeks Deeper Education Reforms.'' Dr. Pedro Noguera from New York University believes that we place too much effort trying to get students passing scores on standardized tests. Noguera also says, ''we have found ways to insure that with ...

As Charlie Sheen publicly self-destructs I suspect that few people are looking for meaning among the carnage and mayhem. It is perhaps painfully apparent by now that the man is not well and the attention it garners from mainstream media and general public is both frightening and sad. The consumption of celebrity and its coverage by formerly more ...

Twice in the same week, John Stewart and the Daily Show address education issues.  This time by interviewing Diane Ravitch.  Nothing new from her in this interview, but it's great to see her arguments reaching a wider audience outside of the education world.  It is also great to see a national television show cover this side of education.  It's ...

History teachers live for a time like this.  The ''Jasmine Revolution'' blooms.  Following popular demonstrations and protests in Tunisia, the news of Egypt has captured the world, and we wait to see what will happen in Yemen, Algeria, and Jordan.  Remember 1989, across Europe, oppressive governments crumbled and the world changed seemingly ...

The politician blames the districts and the principals and the teachers for failing to educate the low-income students. The teachers blame the politicians and the districts for the constant interference. If that doesn't work, they blame one another. Timmy can't graduate, because his middle school teachers were so lousy and his middle school ...