“DIAL 8 FOR SPANISH” We’ve all heard the “Para Español, marque ocho,” when we reach an automated answering system. When you do, do you shrug? Look at it as a positive of multicultural America? Get annoyed? I feel all of the above and I do not believe that is a... Continue reading

BETSY DeVOS Betsy DeVos was appointed to be Secretary of Education on the vote of Vice President Pence to break a 50-50 tie in the Senate. Why so much controversy over a “minor” cabinet appointment? The Detroit Free Press echoed many people’s concern that “DeVos isn’t an educator, or an... Continue reading

“Hands up, don’t shoot!” Michael Brown, an unarmed teen was shot and killed by police. Some still say that’s the way it happened. Except Michael Brown never said, “hands up” and never said “don’t shoot.” Rather, Brown, had just robbed a store and was confronted by a cop in his... Continue reading

I am concerned, that in the future, an increasing percentage of American’s will be willing to work but will have difficulty qualifying for the jobs that are available. Twenty years ago my wife and I visited a John Deere plant in Iowa. The guide was a man who had worked... Continue reading

Where is dad? When discussing our urban schools this question is not politically correct to ask. You seldom, if ever, see this in the conversation about failing urban schools, poverty, crime, gangs, and drugs. Anyone who is a parent knows that childen do not raise themselves and two parents are... Continue reading

In the past months I wrote about steps to dramatically improve schools at no cost. I wrote about Recruiting, Rewarding, Removing and Renewing teachers as the key to improvement. So, why haven't districts discovered these simple, practical keys to success? In this month's blog I will give my answer. Let's... Continue reading

This is the 4th R in the 4 R’s series – designed to dramatically improve our schools at no cost. In the prior three months I detailed how to Recruit the best possible teachers, Reward those truly deserving, and Remove those teachers who harm children, or are just mediocre. If... Continue reading

Good and great teachers do not want to see incompetent teachers retained year after year, receiving the same salaries as they do. But it is not their job to weed out the people who are just mediocre or worse, those who can cause harm to children; that is the job... Continue reading

In June, I wrote about how to expand the teaching pool and heighten your chances of recruiting really good teachers. Now, the task becomes making distinctions between those who are great, good, average, less than average and terrible. Simply put, those teachers who are outstanding should be paid more. They... Continue reading

My purpose in this blog is to talk about important educational issues, not the the immediate headline of the day. My belief is the education of our youth is the foundation of our country. My posts are intended to improve education in our country. Below the dotted line is the... Continue reading