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Steve Jobs and Access to the Arts
I am a Mac Geek. I even have a t-shirt to prove it. And, naturally, along with that territory goes my disdain for PCs. Yesterday at a workshop presented by Chamber Music America, I heard from a woman at Wellesley College about a group of female students who compose music, either using Apple’s Garage Band,…
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KIPP Charter School Teachers Move to Join Teachers Union
Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) is a highly influential charter school operator, whose leaders have the ears of many key policy makers in education. The faculty of charter schools do not ordinarily belong to either the local AFT or NEA chapters, and of course, there are some exceptions, including charter schools created by local teachers…
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A Critic of Arne Duncan, and some surprises the economy may offer public schools
There was an interesting piece in Education Week yesterday offering a dissenting viewpoint on the nomination of Arne Duncan as Secretary of Education. I guess it’s becoming an old saw: those who believe in the free market as the solution to the challenges in public education, versus those who choose to approach change through a…
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Remembering Izzy Horowitz
If you’re in the arts education field, then you know or know about my dear friend and colleague, Rob Horowitz. Rob’s father, who was had a formidable career in music, passed away on December 26th. Here is a lovely obituary in The New York Times. Izzy was an record producer and classical music columnist for…
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Achievement Gap: Charter Schools are the Answer
In today’s Wall Street Journal, NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, and the Reverend Al Sharpton offer advice for President Elect Barack Obama.Their perscription: 1. More charter schools2. National Standards3. Take Federal K-12 funding and put it towards merit pay. (Wave goodbye to Arts Education funding at USDOE.)4. Drop Union work rules.5. Expand and ensure arts…
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21st Century Skills–Confusion Over Creativity
Over the years, proponents of arts education have hitched their wagons to many theories and beliefs as to why arts education is important. It has been improved math scores; improved reading scores; increased attendance; increased self-esteem; arts equals jobs; increased participation with cultural organizations; and more. I have, with some misgivings, found myself articulating any…
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Give Em What They Want?
Okay, I am back at my desk after a nice break in that week or so between Christmas and New Year’s. Here are a few quick items: 1. There’s a very interesting book out there, you might want to take a look: Spin Cycle. It’s by Jeffrey Henig, of Teacher’s College, Columbia University. He takes…