Comments on: Linda Darling-Hammond

By: Hammad Sheikh

Hammad Sheikh — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:11:54 +0000

You are doing a great job. This generation really needs this.

By: Bill Bushaw

Bill Bushaw — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:22:24 +0000

Steve,

You are right and you have an important ally at the National Parent Teachers Association. Their new international president, Chuck Saylors and executive director, Bryon Garrett identified a federal public policy agenda that addresses the issue you raise. National PTA is a member of the Learning First Alliance (LFA) as is PDK. I will see Byron or Mishaela Durán, Director of Government Affairs, the middle of January, and would be happy to share any materials you have.

Bill

By: Steve Anderson

Steve Anderson — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:46:51 +0000

I was glad to see in your article “America’s Commitment to Equity Will Determine our Future,” that you are taking a more holistic view to the accountability issue. I’d like to suggest that this needs to be expanded. As an elementary principal I have always been concerned that policy makers have always left out the parent involvement variable as they develop all the “should’s” for schools. Don’t they realize how powerful this variable is related to student achievement? I was fortunate to have received a Kellogg Foundation grant to study parent involvement and conduct an experiment with my school and a school in Jacksonville, Florida. Also, I was lucky to have an opportunity to work with Dr. Caplan at the University of Michigan and all of his team’s research on the “Boat People.” Would be happy to share if you think there is an interest. It seems as though politicians don’t want to touch this issue with a 10 foot pole.

Steve Anderson