Texas has had its share of headaches when it comes to testing.  Does anyone else remember the TECAT?  That was a test that every Texas teacher had to take to keep on trucking.  It was an absurd, expensive ordeal where teachers were treated like cattle because lawmakers weren't sure that they were educated enough ...

My mother always used to say, ''Open the jar, and the worms will come out.''  This seemed to apply to almost any controversial situation.  Bloggers are having a field day with a ''jar opening'' decision about school vouchers. On cnn.com we learn that Utah lawmakers have okayed vouchers for all students currently ...

See the video posted on dallasnews.com showing a group headed to Austin to participate in a rally for vouchers. Several private school parents said they need public funding so they don't have to skimp on other things to cover education costs. Public school parents at the rally said vouchers could help their children bail ...

The superintendent for Anne Arundel is making an entire staff of a high school reapply for their jobs.  This includes teachers, administrators, custodians, and secretaries.  Get out the broom, and get ready for a clean sweep.  Annapolis High School has failed to meet No Child Left Behind guidelines for four ...

Everyone wants to blame teachers for low test scores.  After all, teachers are the easiest targets.  I have to wonder how much money is being spent on all of the research studies about improving teacher quality.  What about the time and effort spent on discussions about the No Child Left Behind Law?  Are ...

I did not realize that scores of studies are being conducted to determine the effectiveness of a master's degree in education for classroom teachers.  I do remember the long hours I spent studying in order to receive my master's degree.  Most of my study hours were at night after my three children were in ...

You can recommend your middle school for a place on the top list of middle schools that is being compiled for The Washington Post Magazine by contacting Jay Mathews at washingtonpost.com and letting him know why you think your school is one of the best.  Although he is mainly focusing on the D.C. area, he is hoping to identify ...

The ongoing dilemma about where to house and how to motivate middle school students is back in the news on newyorktimes.com.  As any parent with a child this age will tell you, middle school students are an unusual lot.  They come in a variety of sizes with all sorts of interesting personalities.  If you teach them ...

I knew it would happen.  Yet another committee has decided that teachers are the ones to blame when students don't do well.  After all, they can't do anything about the parents or living situations that some of these children might have, so according to dallasnews.com a new report stresses the improvement of ...

An article on washingtonpost.com gives us insight to the history of Montessori Schools.  Started in January 1907, they are ready to celebrate their 100th birthday.  Maria Montessori,  an Italian physician, started her school by allowing students the freedom to approach learning as individuals using a variety of ...