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An open letter from an American teacher to Secretary Duncan
- 05-03-2011
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Blog by Anthony Cody/Education Week
Today, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized Teacher Appreciation Week with another of his confusing tributes - a mixture of fulsome praise, acknowledgment of the errors of NCLB, and a reiteration of the fierce urgency he feels for pushing forward his agenda. This has become a familiar message, offered every time he encounters teachers. In my continuing effort to engage this administration in meaningful dialogue, I offer the following open letter in response to him. Dear Secretary Duncan, I continue to be confused by the messages you are sending to teachers.Your letter states: [“] In today's economy, there is no acceptable dropout rate, and we rightly expect all children--English-language learners, students with disabilities, and children of poverty--to learn and succeed. [”] You are clearly aware of what has happened to school budgets in today's economy. What does it mean to say it is unacceptable for a single student to drop out, or for students with disabilities to fail, when the funds that support these students have been slashed to bits? (more...)
Also: Failing Schools
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