Jul 24
Education standards were left to the states. In the past years, the heavy hand of the Federal Government has inched in to where now we have national standards. Robert Holland tell us how this happened. New standards for math and English called Common Core are poised to hit public schools across the nation. Some schools …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/obama-quietly-implements-common-core/
Sep 07
It amazes me that our teachers and administrators have bought into the Common Core standards without really knowing what they are all about. Forty six states have adopted the standards without discussion or opposition. Only four states have had the courage and understanding to keep the standards out of their state. The discussions on Linkedin, …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/common-corelay-over-and-play-dead/
Sep 21
I hear politicians who talk about education reform and I hear news commentators complaining about the sad shape of our schools, but I see very few doing anything about the real problem. I see education innovators bringing new apps to the kids and I see iPads and Kindles and other pads making their way into …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/who-else-wants-a-real-change-in-education/
Mar 24
Mission Hill put together a Prezi presentation that is very thought provoking and challenging for us in the education field. Enjoy and be refreshed.
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/rethinking-education/
Mar 17
Ernest Boyer is right. The general education curriculum is a disaster area. A long time ago, general education missed the path. Dazzled by the rewards of specialization in industry and other areas of life, it seemed appropriate to adopt a similar approach to the instruction of the young. There is, of course, a place for …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/curriculum-is-a-disaster/
Feb 10
Somewhere down the line, we stopped getting the job done and started doing the job. We stopped trying to be a part of something great and started being ok with being a part of anything. Our innate desire to be special and unique turned into surrender to mediocrity. Where did we go wrong? Could it …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/the-eight-hour-work-day-mentality/
Dec 31
Revolution Revolution is an integral part of human progression. They bring about change that, in many cases, goes on to impact the whole human race. I am inspired by the dedication and sacrifices made in the American, the French, the Russian Revolutions. I am blown away by the ultimate sacrifice of putting your life on …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/are-we-ready-for-an-education-revolution/
Dec 31
Technology Proficient We live in a world that is obsessed with end results. We love the Super Bowl champion, the Spelling Bee winner, the President of the United States and standardized test results. Of course there is nothing wrong with being a winner, but the real winners are often those who learn from the process. …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/what-is-technology-proficiency-in-our-schools/
Dec 03
This piece comes to us courtesy of The Hechinger Report’s Lessons From Abroad blog. As the United States focuses more on using tests as a means of holding educators and school districts accountable, Finland–which is one of the top performers on international tests–has gone in the opposite direction. In the U.S., states give annual high-stakes …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/standardized-testing-a-foreign-concept-in-finland-with-worlds-top-students/
Oct 09
Schools should rethink the traditional way of learning based on brain research. Multi-age classroom, curriculum and teaching to the student are a few we could start with. Bill Vining Posted By eSchool News Staff On September 19 [1] The human brain is always growing and changing. Neuroscience offers an exciting glimpse into how the human …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/five-myths-about-learning/
Sep 30
What Does It Mean to Be Well-Educated? By Alfie Kohn No one should offer pronouncements about what it means to be well-educated without meeting my wife. When I met Alisa, she was at Harvard, putting the finishing touches on her doctoral dissertation in anthropology. A year later, having spent her entire life in school, she …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-well-educated/
Sep 29
You hear the term “good education” a lot. Everyone wants a good education for their children but have you ever defined what that is? In today’s climate of education reform, “good education” should be the first thing discussed. I would like your opinion. Please leave a comment.
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/what-is-your-definition-of-good-education/
Sep 22
You work hard making a living, raising your child, making your marriage work, and contributing to your community. You expect your community school to do their part. Grade your school against the following standards that should not be negotiable. Your school: * Personalizes the curriculum for your child * Assist in helping your child build …
Permanent link to this article: http://billviningjr.com/do-you-make-these-education-mistakes/
