Archive for December, 2008

Irrational Pessimism

This has nothing to do with education (other than the diminished capacity for paying for it) but the phrase “irrational pessimism” was too good not to take note of. In recent years I’ve made a concerted effort to be a less sarcastic and a more cheerfully optimistic girl, mostly because I feel like I should [ READ MORE ]

Accountability

Diane Ravitch at Education Week has written one of the most eloquent and succinct arguments I’ve read against the use of standardized testing as the only meter for accountability in schools. By making test scores the sole gauge of progress, one can expect to see cheating and test prepping, and other quasi-legitimate and outright illegitimate [ READ MORE ]

Losing Academic Confidence

As a student, it’s sometimes helpful to see your academic situation from the professors’ point of view. It’s also valuable to note the fact that the educators are sometimes as flummoxed by students’ flailings and failings as the students are. When bright young things who were stoked to dive on into their pursuit of knowledge [ READ MORE ]

Obama Girls To Attend Private School

I hate to say it, but Obama has already made a blunder. He is a politician, which means he’s supposed to piss off at least half the people most of the time, so I suppose I shouldn’t be so shocked. I really, really like him, but when it comes to fearless leaders, we can’t let [ READ MORE ]