S1E11 System? What System?

Jan 22, 2018

Show Notes:

During today's show, we discuss the following topics during our first segment:

• From the Washington Post, we discuss the previously lauded Ballou High School where it was just discovered that many students who received a diploma missed an extensive amount of school (so much so that they probably shouldn't have graduated by traditional metrics). 

• More than 1 of every 10 students receiving a diploma from a D.C. public high school last year missed most of the academic year, according to an investigation released Tuesday that casts a shadow on a district that has trumpeted improvements in graduation rates.

• What does it mean to receive a diploma? Why is there doubt cast upon the students, when in reality it is an adult-created / system-created problem?

In our second segment, we bring back Hot Takes! and talk about school awards, teacher evaluations, tracking students to specific careers, and extracurricular activities. 

In our final segment, we bring back another beloved segment all about #DearBetsy! During #DearBetsy, we discuss Devos' most recent speech that posits that Bush 2 and Obama's respective education reforms have done little to impact students.

Resources Mentioned/Referenced:

Devos: Nothing Presidents Barack Obama or George W. Bush did in Education Reform Really Worked

No More School Awards!

What to do with extracurricular activities?

 

Article about just Ballou High School (WaPost)

DC Graduating Chronically Absent Students (WaPost)

Ask the Right Questions and Learn Something (WaPost Op-Ed)

Not Ballou's Fault (WaPost Op-Ed from Valedictorian)