By

Ray Pinney 

Looking back on the educational scene from about 1997 to 2007, it seems that while school boards and the state had their differences, the world operated fairly smoothly. School funding could be uneven, but in most districts it increased (being held to flat funding was the worst you could expect).  Yes, the public and the state legislators demanded more accountability, primarily through standardized tests, but there was little real debate about school employee compensation and work structure.

There were pockets of schools with low achievement (there still are, especially in our poorer districts), in most districts.  Overall, academic achievement was on the upswing, and there was a feeling of optimism about our education system.

Those days, Eden-esque as they now seem, are long gone and irretrievable. Nor should we try to go back.

Recently, after listening to a discussion about the 2 percent cap, a board member told me that we in education need to realize that the faucet of funds is not flowing like it once did.  He is right. (more…)

By

Ray Pinney

Once when my daughter was younger, she pulled me aside and in a whisper (so that her younger brother could not hear), told me “Dad I know that the Easter Bunny is not real but Santa Claus is, but don’t worry I won’t tell Evan.” How could I argue with her?  It was very nice that she was willing to keep the charade going about the Easter Bunny but I knew that it was only a matter of time before she figured out the truth about Santa Claus, despite our practice of eating the “Santa cookies,” using different wrapping paper and leaving some sooty boot marks near the fireplace.

Even with my best efforts to allow my children to hold on to their beliefs about those magical holiday characters, eventually the real world sets in and they realize my ruse. 

I thought about the way kids must feel when the truth sets in about the holidays as I attended a special event last Wednesday.  That’s when Acting Commissioner Cerf addressed the issue of tenure reform and the related issues of teacher evaluation and seniority rules.

Many in the education world like the myth that teacher tenure is a cornerstone of a good education system. (more…)

 By

Ray Pinney

All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;

               Shakespeare - As You Like It

A couple of years ago, I watched the movie Avatar pretty much because I heard the special effects were great.  And it was true: The special effects were great. In fact, they were the only thing that really made the movie standout.  The plot line, acting and the message were actually mediocre. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to watch a live performance but, unlike Avatar, even the special effects could not hold my attention.  The show was standing room only and, with people waiting outside, I decided to walk out on it.  The acting was awful, and the plot was so obvious that we knew the ending before the show even started.  While the special effects were noisy, they were predictable, and I had seen them before.  The show was the Assembly Commerce and Economic Committee Meeting on the Opportunity Scholarship Act.

While I spend most of my time urging board members and others to get involved in the process and communicate with their legislators, that does not keep me from getting frustrated with the process at times.

What made this legislative committee meeting such a bad show? (more…)

By

Ray Pinney

To my wife shopping is a sport (sometimes a full contact sport) and it is not just about purchasing an item but getting a great deal.  In this economy, my wife has lots of company. I have heard reports that thrift shops and used car dealers are seeing record sales increases. While I don’t know where legislators and Governor Christie shop for their clothes, but in this economy when it comes to education reform (they, like my wife when she buys a sweater) are shopping for a bargain.

The faces in the State House haven’t changed much since 2008 – most of the legislators are the same. But you would not know it by some of the legislation that is now moving and which was widely rejected just a couple of years ago. Why does the Opportunity Scholarship Act, a voucher bill previously rejected by the legislature, now seem to be popular?

It is not just because Governor Christie is a proponent and his predecessor was not.  (more…)