Schools as community centers?
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- July
- 17
A New York Times article today highlights Randi Weingarten’s new vision of public schools. Weingarten, who was recently elected to take the helm of the American Federation of Teachers, which has 1.4 million members, said schools need to provide more than a basic education to close the achievement gap and help poor children succeed.
“Can you imagine a federal law that promoted community schools — schools that serve the neediest children by bringing together under one roof all the services and activities they and their families need?” Weingarten, the current head of the New York teachers union, the United Federation of Teachers, said, according to the article. “Imagine schools that are open all day and offer after-school and evening recreational activities and homework assistance. And suppose the schools included child care and dental, medical and counseling clinics.”
Stop clicking your mouse and you can almost here the collective groan from property tax-weary Lower Hudson Valley residents. But given Weingarten’s new position, she will have a lot of influence in the presidential campaign and her ideas will have direct access to the ears of both candidates.
That said, you all pay the taxes so you’re the boss(es). What do you think of Weingarten’s idea?
This entry was posted
on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 at 2:30 pm by Dwight R. Worley.
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I really enjoyed reading this article. It was very informative. Yes, only imagine if schools were ran more like community centers. This is actually an idea I have had for a few years now. I have a similar idea for a school I plan to start in a few years , God willing.
I imagine students coming and going at various times of the day, depending on the course or workshop they have registered for, similar to college or community centers.
I imagine students also become instructors, and or facilitators as well.
Who says you have to be old and gray in order to teach.
Cant give away to much of this idea. Im still organizing the thoughts in my head. As I think out loud.
Take a look at more at http://www.aishaladon.com
Aisha, is an Independent Education Adviser
I imagine teaching without unions, parents paying for what they demand then suddenly I wake up and read this nonsense. Since when are the musings of the UFT union head taken as a prototype for a new order of education? I guess this will be another consequence of putting the Cook County Dog Catcher in the White House.