Region One Education Service Center’s Post

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I always look forward to the new #PDKPoll results, particularly for an update on how the public is feeling about their child/ren entering the teaching profession. In looking at this year's topline data, I find it very interesting (and amusing) to see how much more opinionated on this question the public has become since 1969, when 10% of respondents didn't have an opinion either way. This grew to 22% of respondents in 1983 before a sharp decline to get to single digits in 1993 - today, 1% of respondents replied "no opinion" I have to imagine that the impacts of the release of A Nation at Risk in April of 1983 and the subsequent shift in how we talk about K-12 education and its "failures" (including who to blame for them) is being shown here. In working with state leaders to address teacher recruitment and retention issues over the past several years, the need for a marketing campaign around the positives of being a teacher has been raised every time. This data is a stark reminder that the way we as a field talk about what it means to be an educator matters - not that we shouldn't advocate for higher pay and better working conditions and publicly share student achievement data, but that we probably need to be more considerate of how we do so and aware of the unintended consequences of our attempts to hold people accountable within the unwieldy system(s) of K-12 education in our country.

Tragically, there have been multiple genocides in history. As indicated by the chart below, this topic should be better taught in schools. One genocide was unique in its relative recency, mechanization, planniing, scope and scale. It's the one referred to as "The Holocaust" ... which killed approximately 6,000,000 European-resident Jews from roughly 1941-1945. About 6 million non-Jews (political prisoners, gay people, persons then-living with disabilities and others) were also purposely killed outside of combat operations by the Nazis. As shown in the chart that appears below, US educators (and, I suspect, today's teachers in other countries as well) must do a better job of teaching this material. The US Holocaust Museum in Washington DC has amazing exhibits. By visiting this museum (and/or by checking out their online resources), teachers -- and parents too -- can teach their children well. The topic is difficult, but important to learn about, and learn from. Suggestion: do not start (or if you do, then start extra gently) any earlier than 6th grade (age 10/11), nor any later than grade 9 (age 13/14). #NeverForget #NeverAgain #NeverAgainstAnyone

IDRA’s School Resource Hub features over 120 lesson plans, instructional best practices and historical resources to support teachers in delivering culturally-sustaining classroom lessons. The Geography of Racism: Housing Policy features a 12-minute video that shows students how racism has affected the built landscape and physical infrastructure of U.S. cities, and how experimental voucher programs have been used to relocate Black families from poor neighborhoods to more prosperous ones. https://lnkd.in/gnieWZH4

Over the next week, I will be posting a series of videos detailing the state of public education in Kentucky and how this year's General Assembly has the opportunity to get our profession steered back on the right track. Today's video will feature some key statistics on the current state of the teaching profession in our state and pose you with the question "Who will teach our children when all the teachers are gone?"

Please follow EDUCATIONAL FIRST STEPS to watch the magical impact unfold….

45 +: Wisdom based upon reflection and experience?

In 1990 I gave my oath to defend the United States from enemies, both foreign and domestic, when I joined the United States Marine Corps. I thought those days were over, but nothing would be further from the truth. Today, I restate my oath to my country, county, area, teachers, parents, and students. You have my word that I will work hard to earn your confidence as a Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee. I will do this in at least four ways: 1. Policy Impact Assessment of Federal and State policy on our county public schools. 2. Inform constituents about upcoming county policies that may include state guidance (not law) so you can be informed about how it potentially impacts the parent-teacher partnership and your district. 3. When a policy is passed, I will use every available tool to make sure you are informed. 4. I will vote, "no" on every policy that threatens fragile parent-teacher partnerships- the bedrock of student success. The students in our public schools can only flourish if you voice your concerns. I can't do it, the Board can't do it, but I can enable you to do so by providing meaningful oversight as policy is being contemplated. Let's get started. Vote Shane Lewis for Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Area 4

More families are going to be able to choose their child's school and it's important to learn more about the schools they may be choosing. This point was made by director of national research at EdChoice, Mike McShane. In his new Forbes article, he briefly highlights two studies conducted, one about microschooling and the other about private schooling and civic education; both contradict stereotypes and assumptions. https://lnkd.in/dJD4PREk

Check out this video and story about one of Boys and Girls Clubs of Huntington County Club Alumni.