Reflections

After multiple days of attending the Network Team Institute training offered by NYSED, I find myself decompressing from all of the information and ideas shared throughout the week. Here's what I know... I still have a ton of work to do in order to become more skilled in understanding the modules. I still can't see them being implemented as whole parts. I need to reserve judgment on them as an instructional tool until I can say I have dived into every one of them (at my level). I haven't, so I won't. My original thought on the standards (alone) has not changed much. The standards, on their own, and with time, may very well be reachable with support, resources, professional development and direction.   Here's what I want to know... Commissioner John King gave two amazing speeches on two of the days. They were incredible. I found myself really relating to the sentiment of the speeches. I want to know if he is aware how much of his message is lost in translat...

Facebook and Twitter have been a buzz this weekend with posts and images regarding Common Core Learning Standards and all things SED. One of my teachers had a positive post about CCLS and connecting with ISTE Standards . I posted a comment on it and then removed it. But, it occurred to me that wasn't what leaders are supposed to do. I'm supposed to have an opinion. And, I do. Here is what I posted: "I wish there was a way to better dissect the issues we are having with the CCLS rollout. CCLS on its own will be ok. Teachers have told us that themselves. Test scores, on their own, like the old days, wou ld have been ok. It's when we lump CCLS with state test scores and teacher/principal accountability that makes it unfair. We need to be deliberate in our discussion of the issues and not lump all of it (CCLS, testing, HEDI, opt out) into one. Most importantly, we have to be sure not to pass any of our own personal stress (due to rollout, pd needs, resource needs, a...