Word on the street is that some of Delaware’s most entrenched “good old boys” are being considered for Delaware’s Secretary of Education role. And I know there is a well-connected group of education insiders who would applaud Governor-elect Carney for such a pick. But in 2017, I think Delaware kids and schools deserve more than the … Continue reading Kids Deserve More Than the Good Old Boys’ Club in 2017
Students Need us to Quit “Adulting” and Start Acting
One of my 20-month-old daughter’s quirks is that she does not like getting her hands dirty. If she falls outside, she quickly glances at her hands, and then at her parents, expecting us to dust her off with haste. Her teachers tell us she enjoys painting at school, but not the colorful residue it leaves … Continue reading Students Need us to Quit “Adulting” and Start Acting
The Segregated, Stealthy Spaces of Education Policy
As sure as the campaign signs and billboards will soon be removed across our state, the image of diverse, broad-based support and engagement presented by vote-seeking politicians will be replaced with an all-too-familiar reality: folks are most comfortable doing the business of public policy in segregated, stealthy spaces hand-in-hand with special interest groups. In the … Continue reading The Segregated, Stealthy Spaces of Education Policy
Tips for the First Weeks of College
By Atnre Alleyne and Tatiana Poladko It's back to school time and we're especially excited about all the students who are embarking on their first semester of college (especially our TeenSHARPies!). While students' hard work and rigorous preparation in high school will help them excel in these new environments, we also understand how important strong advising … Continue reading Tips for the First Weeks of College
All Who Can’t Hear Must Feel
This post is adapted from a speech I delivered to students at the University of Delaware Political Science and International Relations Convocation in May 2015. I’m the last of my mother’s 5 kids, she had me at 40 years old, and she named me Atnreakn Siahyonkron Babatunde Alleyne. Atnreakn is an ancient Egyptian name derived … Continue reading All Who Can’t Hear Must Feel
Should Delaware’s teachers’ union have endorsed Lisa Blunt Rochester on her historic run for Congress?
Photo credit: Doug Curran, Special to News Journal Lisa Blunt Rochester is poised to make history this fall. The former Delaware Labor Secretary and current Democratic candidate for Congress is super-qualified and would be the first woman and person of color The First State sent to Congress. Delaware is one of only three states that has … Continue reading Should Delaware’s teachers’ union have endorsed Lisa Blunt Rochester on her historic run for Congress?
The Kids Who Win the Summer
By Tatiana Poladko and Atnre Alleyne There will be winners and losers this summer. And not just during the Olympic Games. As sure as ice cream trucks will bring joy to neighborhoods this summer, this seemingly-innocuous season brings learning loss and a wider academic gap for a certain set of students. Unbeknownst to many of … Continue reading The Kids Who Win the Summer
How another police shooting reveals public education’s problems with race
As a father of a 16-month-old, I'm tired. But after enough “you don’t know what tired looks like” clapbacks and side-eye from my wife, I no longer say such silly things in front of her. The many times I am up at night with my daughter pales in comparison to the amount of sleep she … Continue reading How another police shooting reveals public education’s problems with race
An Open Letter to Senator Bryan Townsend (and his colleagues) about HB399
Update (7/1/16): House Bill 399 passed in the legislature early this morning with a few major amendments (and compromises) from Senators Sokola and Townsend that address some of the concerns expressed by stakeholders (see the Parent Advocacy Council for Education's letter, for example) and here on this blog. For example, parent and student surveys will … Continue reading An Open Letter to Senator Bryan Townsend (and his colleagues) about HB399
How the teacher’s union’s new teacher evaluation bill is unfair to students, teachers, and taxpayers
School is out and summer is upon us. But if anyone is paying attention, this is the week when powerful interest groups take the unsuspecting masses to school. It is the last week of Delaware’s legislative session and while most are ruminating on 4th of July plans, pressure groups are seeing their bills breeze by … Continue reading How the teacher’s union’s new teacher evaluation bill is unfair to students, teachers, and taxpayers
Urgency of Now 