Tim Slekar and I Discuss My Book on “Busted Pencils”

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1. Catherine King says:

   February 11, 2020 at 2:52 pm

   Diane: I just listened–nicely done. (I like the ‘losers’ thing.) CBK

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2. Timothy D. Slekar (@slekar) says:

   February 12, 2020 at 2:34 pm

   Please leave a review. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busted-pencils/id1060237752

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3. bkendall527 says:

   February 14, 2020 at 3:10 pm

   Diane,
   I listened to the podcast. Based on what you said, we are not enemies. However, there are several differences I perceive between us.
   First, I use the tools provided by those who are transparently-dishonest against them. And yes, I have a growing list of what is wrong with both standardized assessments and classroom tests. You do not like the tool I use. And currently, it is the best tool I have.
   Second, I started down this path in the fall of 2005. You have been engaged in education as a professional, what, 50-years more or less.
   Third, I am self-taught and still an undirected student. My path has been much like the Jews 70-year travels to the promised land, that Mark Twain wrote could be accomplished in a three-day stagecoach ride. (I hope I got the analogy and paraphrase correct, as I did check to be sure) You received how many years of Professional Training and Professional Development.
   Fourth, I do not have the decades of professional experience in public education you have. And because of it, I had to rely on prior professional experiences, training, skills, and study in multiple fields brought to the table, and my pursuit of knowledge understanding and experience since 2005.
   Fifth, I picked one specific facet (assessments) to focus on, from a list that ranges from Academic Parenting Skills (a concept I pitched to the local school board in October 2008) to teaching children personal-discipline (self-control) skills. And unlike a few folks I have chatted with online, I do not know everything there is to know about testing or the other facets of interests, as I am still a student of them. However, I know enough about assessments to use them as a tool. You, it seems, are trying to focus on many things at once; or am I incorrect.

   Diane, I would only ask you to remember I am a student in your field of expertise. And I always appreciate suggestions to increase and improve both the breadth and depth of my knowledge and understanding.

   To better acquaint me of your work Amazon delivered the following books this morning:
   Left Back: A Century of Battles over School Reform
   Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools
   Slaying Goliath: The Passionate Resistance to Privatization and the Fight to Save America’s Public Schools
   The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education
   And Thriftbooks has posted:
   The Great School Wars: New York City, 1805-1973: A History of the Public Schools as Battlefield of Social Change

   Any suggestions about the order I read them in, or for other reading materials will be appreciated. And if any of the differences I see irritate you, that was not my intention. It was a way of sharing a little of who I am and the person I perceive you to be.

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   • dianeravitch says:

     February 14, 2020 at 4:41 pm

     THanks! THat’s quite a reading list! I suggest you read them in chronological order.

     Let me know what you think.

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     • bkendall527 says:

       February 14, 2020 at 5:04 pm

       Will do. Thanks!

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4. bkendall527 says:

   February 14, 2020 at 3:14 pm

   “did NOT check”

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