Voting for the Kids

By Larry Sand
10/27/2022
While there is no shortage of issues to consider when marking ballots on Election Day, education matters should be high on the list. All citizens, taxpayers, and parents, of course, have a stake in righting our wayward educational ship. Fortunately, the political angle has been front and center since parent-friendly Republican Glenn Youngkin beat out establishment Democrat...

TAGS: California public education, california public schools, California teachers unions, CTA, government unions, parents

Don’t Buy into SEL

By Larry Sand
05/11/2022
This article originally appeared in For Kids and Country.  Social Emotional Learning (SEL) was always a bad idea, and now that it is politicized, it’s a nightmare. As a longtime teacher, I have seen firsthand that education is a fad-filled field. Culturally responsive education, inventive spelling, new math, experiential learning, balanced literacy, etc. are educational...

TAGS: parents, social emotional learning, Transparency

The School Fiscal Officer’s Dilemma

By Mark Moses
04/25/2022
Most California school districts and their labor unions have finally come to terms on COVID-19 protocols, reconciling federal and state funding and mandate issues with the funding given them in several relief packages. Now, a new round of labor unrest is percolating across the state as new compensation contracts are negotiated. Teachers expect sizable raises,...

TAGS: parents, teachers union, teachers unions

Yes, Virginia, There Are Lessons We Have Learned

By Larry Sand
11/11/2021
The recent election in Virginia has provided a trove of “teachable moments.” As a former educator, I know a teachable moment when I see one. And the political doings in Virginia this fall have been a goldmine. While the Democrats still maintain a small majority in the Old Dominion’s Senate in the recent election, Virginia...

TAGS: Central Valley, culture, election, parents, party, Teacher, Terry mcauliffe, union, va, virginia, wars