The objective of these Lessons on Education is to provide you a source of thinking about many of the topics found in the study of education. In one sense you can look at them as chapters of my second book. One advantage of using this format is that it is multimedia. Most lessons have one or two embedded videos from experts in the field or videos that are relevant to the current topic. Some are positive and some are negative (Lessons 1,2,3,4 and 5), some are simply informative, and some are very positive and uplifting (Lessons 18 and 19). Use them as you see fit, begin at 1 and look at them all (about 9 hours) or skip around to the topics you find useful. You could also listen to these with audio only if you prefer podcast style learning.
Lesson 1 - (17:38)
American schools need serious immediate attention. Our economic prosperity is at stake
Lesson 2 - (14:15)
These are folks who are not a part of our educational system. They think we’re in need of bold change. As a nation we have a big problem.
Lesson 3 - (11:43)
This is an important lesson because we spell out many of the shortcomings our system; we discuss data on our poor performance.
Lesson 4 - (13:28)
In the last lesson we elaborated on a statement I made in my Feb 3rd speech – I said, conditions in some classrooms are deplorable. This video will help you understand my statement .
Lesson 5 - (21:07)
Grade inflation is running wild in some America’s schools. This is a way to make the students and parents feel good but by international standards many of our students are nowhere near an “A” level of proficiency.
Lesson 6 - (12:32)
One of the data items used to describe an American high school graduate is their competency. This lesson explains how competency is assessed.
Lesson 7 - (16:28)
America is facing a major shortfall in the ability to train and employ four-year graduates in education.This is the discussion topic for this lesson.
Lesson 8 - (17:56)
Where is the “force for change”? A force so strong that it will lead to significant change? It will not come from within the existing structure – they have ignored our slippage for years and done nothing.
Lesson 9 - (8:11)
The key ideas from my book, The Kids Are Smart Enough, So What’s the Problem? will be discussed.
Lesson 10 - (9:27)
In my talk, the point was made that America has 80,000 schools where disruptive children destroy teaching time. The origin of this number will be explained.
Lesson 11 - (20:55)
Motivation is a vital component in inspiring both students and teachers. Self-Determination/intrinsic motivation will be discussed.
Lesson 12 - (21:59)
Reading is the key to all education. Two lessons will be presented. This lesson covers American student performance.
Lesson 13 - (14:15)
Seventy percent of US prison inmates (federal and state) are functionally literate – we must teach all children how to read.
Lesson 14 - (12:31)
Social promotion is an unacceptable answer to moving a student forward with the needed reading skills. What is it and why is it used?
Lesson 15 - (17:51)
Benchmarking, how do we measure up, is the key ingredient of the international testing used in 79 countries. This lesson should build confidence that this is a good and meaningful exam.
Lesson 16 - (21:21)
There is only one way to improve our international standing and that is to better educate our less fortunate students. Most top international systems place significant resources on educating their poor –it works.
Lesson 17 - (23:02)
In 1993 the state of Massachusetts was forced to equalize spending across all schools. This reform produced marvelous results putting the state atop all US school systems.
Lesson 18 - (17:20)
Geoffrey Canada’s Harlem Children’s Zone is a major triumph. After many years of experimentation, he finally discovered how to get his children educated and into college.
Lesson 19 - (23:07)
Born of a desire to hold their position as one of the best state systems in the US, they commissioned a team to make a proposal that would position them as a world class state. It is an excellent study of what it takes and how much it costs to be world class. It is a work-in-progress.
Lesson 20 - (24:50)
Students possessing character and grit will be better behaved in class and graduate as better citizens. Our school systems must produce good scholars who are good citizens.
Lesson 21 - (23:06)
Slowly by surely the white-black performance gap is closing. This positive effect has been paused due to run-away discipline issues that are stealing valuable classroom time.
Lesson 22 - (40:55)
If a family is unable to provide a stimulating environment, we must provide an alternate environment that will foster early brain development. In addition, we must teach character and grit, the noncognitive skills necessary for success.
Lesson 23 - (27:17)
This is a montage of clips from You Tube videos on teacherexcellence. It will highlight the importance of teacher excellenceand make you think about some of the great teachers in your life.
Lesson 24 - (36:01)
This is a montage of clips from You Tube videos on teacher excellence. It will highlight the importance of teacher excellence and make you think about some of the great teachers in your life.
Lesson 25 - (30:08)
The teaching profession is in trouble in the United States. We are running out of teachers and there are a number of issues that must be resolved if we are to reverse this trend.
Lesson 26 - (31:05)
The life of a teacher in one of the world’s top-tier system is considerably different from their lives in the US. These countries are highly selective in how they pick their teachers, and how they are utilized. Teachers in these countries are high paid, high status jobs.
Lesson 27 - (22:46)
Teacher unions are a necessary organization but not the way they operate today. They stifle innovation, do not foster teacher quality and are too power hungry. They have created a wide labor vs management gap that is not healthy for the education of our children. They need to focus on educational quality; pay will follow.