"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Andre Agassi's double fault

Andre Agassi's double fault

Sent to Time Magazine, November 15

Andre Agassi used his "person of the year" nomination to launch an unfounded attack on American teacher education and teacher evaluation. All the available data shows that in general American teachers are pretty good: The only serious problem in American education is the fact that we have such a large percentage of children living in poverty (20%, compared to Sweden's 3%): Middle class children who attend well-funded schools rank at the top of the world on international tests.

Mr. Agassi, founder of the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, asks us all to "lay aside your agendas" while pushing his own charter school agenda.


Stephen Krashen

Person of the Year Nomination: Andre Agassi

Time Magazine, November 23, 2010

The nominee is: the American student. I deserve better. Far better. I need my teachers to be better trained and held accountable for their performance. I want you to expect excellence from me. My future is at stake, and I'm not equipped for a 21st century world. If you all lay aside your agendas, you can create a groundswell that will lift me to college and beyond. If only there were a children's union.

Agassi is a retired tennis champion and founder of the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2030948_2030946_2030942,00.html #ixzz15RnNm9cc

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