The Irascible Professor

Enthusiasm.

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:40:00 EST

Guest commentator Felice Prager's article on enthusiasm begins ...When we told our relatives we were moving to Arizona, they balked at our decision and told us that our children would be subjected to Arizona's inferior schools with lower standards. They said that by moving away from New York, the full potential of our two sons never would be realized. Much to their dismay, our sons' schools produced two very bright adults who can match wits with anyone from the big city. ... The piece shows that her two sons certainly developed enthusiasm for learning in the Arizona public schools.

Salinger and Me.

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:18:00 EST

Guest commentator Sanford Pinsker shares his thoughts on J.D. Salinger's influence on his own development as a writer and a scholar of English literature.

Technocrati tag(s): education college university

My Letter to the World (of Technology).

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:37:00 EST

Guest commentator Carolyn Foster Segal's delightfully irascible screed on the curse of email is spot on target. You will enjoy her sharp-witted commentary.

Technocrati tag(s): education college university

Two Observations from a Long-Time Teacher.

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:46:00 EST

Long-time high-school English teacher Rick Fowler provides his take on education legislation such as "No Child Left Behind" and "Race to the Top." Read what somebody with more than 30 years of classroom experience has to say about these two pieces of education legislation.

Technocrati tag(s): education K-12

More Unsung Heroes

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:18:00 EST

Guest commentator Poor Elijah (Peter Berger) examines Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan's proposals to improve teacher quality in America's public schools. The IP adds a few of his own observations to Poor Elijah's controversial comments.

Technocrati tag(s): education K-12

Higher Education in California - Time for a New Master Plan II?

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:26:00 EST

In a recent op-ed article in the Los Angeles Times William Tierney, professor of higher education at the University of Southern California and Director of the USC Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis, suggested that the current Master Plan for Public Higher Education in California is obsolete and needs to be replaced with a master plan that "better reflects the times." In this commentary the Irascible Professor examines the remaining suggestions (other than funding) in Tierney's proposals for a new Master Plan.

Technocrati tag(s): education college university

Higher Education in California - Time for a New Master Plan I?

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:01:00 EST

In a recent op-ed article in the Los Angeles Times William Tierney, professor of higher education at the University of Southern California and Director of the USC Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis, suggested that the current Master Plan for Public Higher Education in California is obsolete and needs to be replaced with a master plan that "better reflects the times." In this commentary the Irascible Professor challenges Tierney's proposal to move from a taxpayer-funded model of public higher education in California to one that would charge "market cost" tuition and provide higher levels of student aid.

Technocrati tag(s): education college university

Poor Elijah's 2010 Education Wish List.

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

To start the new year (and our 12th year of publication) off right, we present an education wish list for 2010 from Poor Elijah (Peter Berger) that's sure to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable in the education reform community.

Technocrati tag(s): education K-12

The Dissertation Blues, Then and Now.

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST

Guest commentator Sanford Pinsker riffs on the problems associated with finishing a Ph.D. dissertation in his witty and acerbic style.

Technocrati tag(s): education university

Education Reform - Not so Much.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:46:00 EST

.... We consult surgeons about surgical techniques, engineers about engines, and architects about skyscrapers. But when it comes to fixing our schools, we consistently rely on people who have absolutely no firsthand experience with real students or classrooms. No wonder education reform hasn't made schools better. ... Thus begins Poor Elijah's guest commentary on why much of what passes for education reform has been a failure.

Technocrati tag(s): education K-12

Charter Schools - A Choice but not Necessarily a Great Choice.

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:22:00 EST

The Irascible Professor looks at how good charter schools really are in light of new information from the Center for Research on Educational Outcomes at Stanford University.

Technocrati tag(s): education K-12

The 16'th Annual Emperor's Awards

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:50:00 EST

Once again Poor Elijah (Peter Berger) skewers the education establishment with his annual Emperor's Awards.

Technocrati tag(s): education K-12

Harvard, Malcolm X, and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:45:00 EST

Guest commentator Sanford Pinsker provides some insight on the recent arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who was arrested for breaking into his own house.

Technocrati tag(s): education college university

Education's New Angle

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:44:00 EST

Guest commentator Poor Elijah (Peter Berger) takes a close look at how to teach the history of the Civil War in light of the election of President Obama.

Technocrati tag(s): education K-12

Fees or Tuition - Let's Call it What it is.

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:20:00 EST

The Irascible Professor challenges California to label "educational fees" at its institutions of higher education what they really are "tuition."

Technocrati tag(s): education college university

A Fortunate Age - My Commencement Season Reading.

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:16:00 EST

Guest commentator Sanford Pinsker didn't make it to graduation this year, but he did read Joanna Smith Rakoff's new novel A Fortunate Age. This book about a group of late '90s Oberlin College graduates is patterned after Mary McCarthy's The Group. Sanford's comments about this commencement season and the novel are sure to catch your attention.

Technocrati tag(s): education college university

Longing for the Good Old Days.

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:48:00 EST

Guest commentator Susanne Shaphren riffs on education in the "good old days."