For the last couple of weeks, I have been reflecting on an early June graduation ceremony I attended to celebrate foster youth.  Sponsored by True Up, Benchmark, Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth, Kentucky Safe, and the Department for Community Based Services, this event at the Home of the Innocents inspired and challenged me.  As an example, it made me wonder what would happen if public schools were as attuned to developmentally appropriate processes as that unique graduation event was.  It made wonder about the fundamental [...]

Last week, I referenced a rather magical and unique event that happened in early June for foster care youth graduating from residential agencies in the Louisville area.  Sponsored by True Up, Benchmark, Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth, Kentucky Safe, and the Department for Community Based Services, the ceremony was animated by real attention to these young people – their needs; their goals; and, their futures.  As referenced in last week’s blog, I celebrated the quality and student-centric nature of the event, but [...]

Have you ever had one of those times when you expected one thing and got the exact opposite?  A meeting – a meal – a concert – a family reunion?  That is what happened last week when I attended the graduation celebration for a group of foster care youth.  Sponsored by True Up, Benchmark, Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth, Kentucky Safe, and the Department for Community Based Services, the celebration lifted up the youngsters from Boys and Girls Haven, Home of the [...]

Last week, I wrote about Dr. Diane Ravitch, the noted national school reformer who recently was in Kentucky as the recipient of the University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award.  I wrote about admiring Dr. Ravitch as a person of considerable intellect and even more courage because she has the ethics to change course on major issues.  In last week’s blog, I talked about high stakes accountability, where I could not agree with Dr. Ravitch more fully.  This week – I want to offer a differing point of [...]

I picked up my oldest granddaughter from school yesterday and when she got into the car, Rileigh emoted, “I feel so sorry for my teachers.  They are just a nervous wreck.  They are giving us pep talks; telling us we won’t have homework; and, seeing if a dance during school will make us work harder.”  What is going on with her teachers?  Why, it’s time for state assessment testing.  And teachers and principals know that [...]