I read this sort of writing (usually in self help books) when I was in my 20's. I had trouble believing it then and even more trouble believing it now.

In "The Big Picture" Dennis Littky writes on page 195
Martin Luther King Jr said "The time is always right to do what is right."
So... the time is NOW, NOW, NOW!
a little bit later on he urges us to
Imagine what your school would look like if the changes you imagine began to take hold. Live off that beauty and let it push you on.

Here is an idea from Dennis Littky to effect change in education.

If you are a teacher have dinner at your students' homes.

Low Support students achieve NCEA Level 1

This morning the northern region received the news that 4 students from the low support quadrant have achieved NCEA. I did a rough check and approximately 30% of each students' 80 credit total were Maths standards. The new standards being proposed in Mathematics may make this less likely to happen in the future.

The 3 R's

Our government's 3 R's are: Reading, riting and rithmetic.
Dennis Littky's (The Big Picture) 3 R's are: Relevance, relationships and rigour

Damned computers ruining the youth of this fine country

My son (15) and my daughter (11) use the computer too much. On it nearly all the time - it has taken the place of TV I suppose but perhaps it is even more addictive. Susan and I have to tell them to get off the damn thing. When I was a kid we went outside and played but my 2 kids don't (well it's a fairly rare event).

Having trouble focusing on my blog

i am worried about my job. With the regional manager to be based in Auckland I don't feel my job here in Welllington is that secure.

The Big Picture

I read a bit of Dennis Littky's "The Big Picture" last night. Dennis Littky is very strongly against national standards and testing. This morning as I gazed bleary eyed at the mail area I can see (still wrapped in clingfilm) the Ministry of Educations glossy publication "National Standards Information For Schools" with the "Timeline for Implementing National Standards" highlighted on the first page. The government are not interested in Dennis Littky's "Big Picture".

Getting a bit confused navigating around the blog

Have fiddled with changing the template for the blog = good. Also edited a previous blog - not sure if I could repeat immediately but blundering around I should eventually find the pathway. Also viewing my blog confuses me but will get there.

Testing how to link with blogger

My son recently discovered David Bowie. He showed me this youtube video which is a blast from the past.

Wiki's

I have been updating and having a play with the wiki's in Raki and Northern. Certainly a lot easier to play around with than webpages where u have to know how to use dreamweaver to make changes and all the upload palaver that goes with it.

Setting up a blog

hmmm interesting.