Comments for toddmarrone.com

Comment on SkullKill Spring at Sweet Mabel by Ronnie B

Ronnie B — Wed, 29 May 2013 11:30:06 +0000

Dear Todd,
Sorry I can’t make that opening date but will b sure to visit the gallery at a later date.It’s good to hear from you.
Ronnie

Comment on Fieldless Trip by Debra (@teacherdebra)

Debra (@teacherdebra) — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:25:13 +0000

Love it! Great trip that included art, appreciation and innovation.

Comment on Kids Type the Darndest Things by Debra (@teacherdebra)

Debra (@teacherdebra) — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:16:15 +0000

Todd,
If only the board and the admin listened to the students, maybe they would see what a mess they are making, and what a disservice they are doing to them. There are so many ridiculous responses to things that I don’t even know where to start. School is being reduced to numbers- testing, scoring, standardizing, evaluating- when it should be about the learning and the growth of individuals with the capacity to connect, communicate, collaborate and question. It blows my mind that this is what it has come to. Where are the educators on these committees?

Comment on Kids Type the Darndest Things by kate

kate — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:09:16 +0000

The fence comments are funny if you don’t know the context. They don’t mean mending fences, folks. They mean the completely ridiculous and prison-like fences that were put up around part of the school grounds as a knee jerk to Sandy Hook. And the really stupid thing is the whole back of the campus is open anyway. I have spoken to some people who are on the ground for the SD and they hate the fences. One guy that was working outside WV the other day said he was at the school for a fire drill and the kids could barely move through the gate entry masse.Tha is safe. Even though this blog has little to do with fences, except as symbolism for trapping the children’s minds in boring thought, that is the fence story.

Comment on Open Letter to a Perturbed Mob by Todd Marrone

Todd Marrone — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:52:57 +0000

Regina, the shift to the Keystone Exams makes that much more complicated. The Keystone results will be tied to teacher and administrator evaluations, as well as student advancement and graduation. Perhaps, the the state is one step ahead of you.

Imagine, however, what would happen if a district like LMSD told the state to keep their money… we’d rather support teacher autonomy, enrichment opportunities and experiential learning with bake sales. Imagine.

Comment on Open Letter to a Perturbed Mob by Regina

Regina — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:17:25 +0000

As Pennsylvania is one state that allows parents to opt their children out of PSSA testing for religious or philosophical reasons, it does make the mind wander….what if masses of parents simply opted their children out?

Comment on Open Letter to a Perturbed Mob by Regina

Regina — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:51:02 +0000

Todd. Thanks for validating. Good jobs are difficult to come by, we’re human, so choosing to keep your job is not an irrational thing to do in most cases. Parents sense this, and in this case their desire for a rich curriculum is at odds with those who develop and deliver that programming.

So it comes down to the value of the test, and whether there is enough political will to do away with it and the other metrics of ‘no child left behind’, which has of course always been part of a veiled movement to dismantle public education as it exists, in favor of other educational models (vouchers, etc.). The whys and the hows and the whether-its-good-or bad would be a WHOLE other can of worms. In the end: It exists. Many stand to make a ton of money from it.

So can it be un-seated? Depends. Mostly on who makes money from not having standardized testing. Who makes money from keeping public education in it’s current (or near current) state. AND, the employer market who is the ultimate ‘customer’ of the public education system, but has become de-coupled from it.

So should the ‘Mob” fight the curriculum changes or the test? Both, I think. They have more control, though, over the former than the latter. For now. Parents, and residents, do pay 90% of those salaries and benefits and expenses. Somehow, though, that 10% funder has become the Gorilla leaving folks fearful for their jobs. That may be displaced fear. Unless the ramifications extend beyond this job into chances of getting any other job.

Hmmmm……

Comment on Open Letter to a Perturbed Mob by Todd Marrone

Todd Marrone — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:50:41 +0000

Regina,

A wise (wo)man says a complex thing in a simple way. Consequently, you’re wiser than me. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule but I would say that the majority of teachers and administrators would resemble your synopsis. Editorially, I’d add, the good ones definitely do. Many may not be able and/or willing to express it. What do you think?

Comment on Open Letter to a Perturbed Mob by Regina

Regina — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:30:06 +0000

So, if I’m reading this correctly, you’re saying that both our teachers & our administrators value the arts in education. They also value their jobs, which they’ll lose if students don’t perform well on the PSSA and Keystone Exams. They’re choosing to cut the arts to devote more time to the subjects tested, so that kids pass, and they keep their jobs. Is that right? I want to be sure I understand what you’re saying before I comment further.

Comment on Open Letter to a Perturbed Mob by Todd Marrone

Todd Marrone — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:10:11 +0000

Thanks so much for your interest and support. It’s certainly unsettling but, as I’ve said, the district decision-making is largely in response to the overemphasis of standardized test results, put in place by the state. It’s a giant machine but people built it, people can fine tune or reprogram it to stop from stepping on school buildings.