Teacher Linda Robinson works on algebra with students, left, Alicia Varney and Savannah Reed, both 16, at Union County’s Porter Ridge High, one of the schools that logged a strong performance on new state ratings of teacher effectiveness. Davie Hinshaw — dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com
Introductory Essay By Betsy L. Angert | Published at EmpathyEducates. February 7, 2014
A court case will determine what is best for our children; an experienced teacher in every classroom or one deemed “more effective.” A young one, a fun one, or perchance a Teach For America [TFA] Fellow? There is much to be said for having powerful connections. Sure there are studies [one], that might partially substantiate the claim that TFA teachers are effective, but what do these say? It is good to be white and among the elite if you want a quality education.
When we think of Teach For America, perhaps we will see facts are the facts except when they are fluid, which may mean frequently facts are not facts. As researchers note, rarely are these balanced. [See LAUSD Human Capital Diagnostic; Understanding Teacher Effects for a read on "Limitations of Teacher Effects."] How might this be? We each see correlations. With little information we deduce causation. Good teachers and great management equals an excellent education – or were it not for tenure regulations, all would be well, so says Students Matter. This is an organization vested in privatization. The intent is to prove that public education is the source of discrimination rather than the great equalizer. And the plan may succeed if a judge and jurors are persuaded.
It is believed that ‘the truth will set us free,’ but how can that be when frames of reference are 

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empathyeducates:The 4 Most Profound Ways Privatization Perverts EducationBy Paul Buchheit | Originally Published at AlterNet. February 16, 2014 Profit-seeking in the banking and health care industries has victimized Americans. Now it’s beginning to happen in education, with our children as the products.
There are good reasons – powerful reasons – to stop the privatization […]20 by empathy / 1d Tea