Posts by: Kenneth Bernstein

Miracle schools, vouchers and all that educational flim-flam

By Kenneth Bernstein On April 17, 2011  

is the title of this piece by Diane Ravitch. It appeared at the website of Nieman Watchdog of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, as part of the “Ask This” which is subtitled “Questions the Press Should Ask.” Oh if only reporters and writers on education were knowledgeable enough about education [...]

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Education: two important proposals

By Kenneth Bernstein On March 31, 2011  

Education is not listed among the enumerated powers of Article I Section 8 of the Constitution. Yet the national governments of the United States have maintained an interest in education going back to the Congress under the Articles of Confederation, which in the Land Ordinance of 1785 established that the 16th of the 36 square [...]

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An incredibly important piece on teaching and education

By Kenneth Bernstein On March 23, 2011  

Sometimes one encounters something that needs no commentary from me – it is complete in itself. I want to share something like that about teaching and education.

People who follow the blog Valerie Strauss runs at the Washington Post, the Answer Sheet, experienced that. Valerie often cross-posts things written elsewhere. Occasionally she posts [...]

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I am a proud union teacher

By Kenneth Bernstein On March 22, 2011  

I stand with my unionized sisters and brothers, especially in Wisconsin, but everywhere where teachers and unions are under attack.

I am the lead union representative for more than 100 teachers in my school.

Today, all across the country, teachers are blogging their support for our unionized [...]

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The Influence of Teachers

By Kenneth Bernstein On March 19, 2011  

Teachers can never declare “Missions Accomplished,” because they are a bridge, not an endpoint, for all the boys and girls (and men and women) who come into their lives . . . . the teacher’s job is to help students build a self, to create the entity that will be constant company for life. That’s [...]

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A partial response to Bill Gates’ op-ed about teachers

By Kenneth Bernstein On February 28, 2011  

Today’s Washington Post features an op-ed by Bill Gates titled How teacher development could revolutionize our schools.  Teachers are the latest focus of Gates and his foundation.  Before I respond to anything in this particular piece, let me remind readers that the last time Bill Gates got enthused about something in education, it [...]

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A must read -

By Kenneth Bernstein On February 26, 2011  

which ends like this

I asked Lynda Hiller if she felt generally optimistic or pessimistic. She was quiet for a moment, then said: “I don’t think things are going to get any better. I think we’re going to hit rock bottom. The big shots are in charge, and they just don’t give a darn about [...]

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An open letter to residents of Wisconsin

By Kenneth Bernstein On February 24, 2011  

This diary is the contents of an email widely distributed by Cynthia Koebert. It was written by her mother Jo Koebert to her brother. I have the permission of both Koeberts to distribute. I urge you to read it and to pass it on

Here are the words of Jo Koebert:

I am a Wisconsin [...]

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Letters to a Senator

By Kenneth Bernstein On February 22, 2011  

“We are the first generation to leave our kids worse off than we were. How did this happen? Why is there such a wide distance between the rich and the middle class and the poor? What happened to the middle class? We did not buy boats or fancy cars or diamonds. Why was it possible [...]

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