Comments for The American Crawl

Comment on Shakin’ Like a Polaroid Picture by Sam

Sam — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:47:12 +0000

I like how if an artist were to get a brush and paint Sadie, she’d look like something out of “All Dogs go to Heaven.”

Comment on Shakin’ Like a Polaroid Picture by ally

ally — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:50:23 +0000

two best looking dogs I know

Comment on Because I’m Teaching L.A.’s Kids: Thoughts on Today’s Front Page Article by cystaa

cystaa — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:37:51 +0000

Right on. I sincerely hope that your piece will find its way onto the opinion pages of the LA Times, because you present such a well reasoned and cogent response to the ham-handed approach of the authors (no offense to hams). But it’s not nuance that sells newspapers.

It’s interesting how the article purports to just report the facts, but downplays issues such as class and institutional practices that affect performance of students AND teachers. I also don’t think they accurately portray the can of worms that is “value-added” analysis. Even Diane Ravitch isn’t a fan, if I remember correctly. As this article is the first in the series, there is definitely room for improvement, but I am not hopeful, especially in light of the way that the paper went after King/Drew Hospital.

I am particularly concerned about the “outing” of so-called ineffective individuals. Is that even legal? I know that they used publically available data, but their interpretation of it is being used in a way that relates to personnel matters that could be considered confidential, right? Especially since the teachers haven’t had the opportunity to view the interpretation of the data in advance. That may be a stretch though. Even if it could be considered legal, it just seems icky. Spreading alarm, public shame and embarrassment always leads to better performance, right? It works really well in the classroom with students, so why not with the adults? This just doesn’t seem very constructive at all.

It’s really a shame that at this point in time, when we know so much about how the brain works, and as you point out, about the qualities of effective teachers and real school reform, that the public is being subjected to this farcical dance between a Rand senior economic analyst, the authors, and AJ Duffy. We can’t let them have the last word.

Comment on Because I’m Teaching L.A.’s Kids: Thoughts on Today’s Front Page Article by nemesis

nemesis — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:37:05 +0000

very well put… i share many of your concerns and might i suggest that while i am skeptical of immediate positive change to come from this body of journalism and the responses it will generate… that perhaps your post here can be shared as one of said responses?

Comment on Because I’m Teaching L.A.’s Kids: Thoughts on Today’s Front Page Article by the happenings of a week in education… | ED4Change

the happenings of a week in education… | ED4Change — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:27:03 +0000

[...] on… but was interesting nonetheless. my nemesis seemed to have been able to pull together more coherent sentiments here regarding this… however i was in the middle of another [...]

Comment on Notes and Disclaimer about being a Department of Education Teaching Ambassador by The American Crawl : Because I’m Teaching L.A.’s Kids: Thoughts on Today’s Front Page Article

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:13:59 +0000

[...] work around teacher effectiveness, researcher within an urban school, and Department of Education employee: I have a whole bunch of concerns as I read the article. However, my opinion here comes solely as a [...]

Comment on Notes and Disclaimer about being a Department of Education Teaching Ambassador by nemesis

nemesis — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:31:29 +0000

let’s hope it stays clear for you when you are representing their views vs. your own… that skepticism being voiced, let’s do this…

Comment on Life Turned into a Database by nemesis

nemesis — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 04:43:15 +0000

i would like to peep out that book when you are done ruminating on it… make sure to clean it first tho…

really dig the sentiment…

Comment on Life Turned into a Database by Dorka

Dorka — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:01:51 +0000

That is a great photo. Where did you take it?

Comment on Immortality, Vampire Novels: What is Travis Teaching? by C Gutiérrez

C Gutiérrez — Sun, 30 May 2010 04:12:29 +0000

This actually looks like a total rip-off of a movie script I’ve had circulating in LA recently.

The synopsis: The year is 1973. A covert government agency has created 36 genetically modified super-soldiers to wage war in the event of a first-strike by the Russians.

It’s basically “Universal Soldier” w/ vampires.