Fred Deutsch's Blog (7)

I participated in a webinar with the National School Board Association on Wednesday about what’s happening on Capitol Hill and the Department of Education. These are the notes I took about what’s going on: HR 3221 – funding for modernization, repair and renovation passed the House last month. It awaits action in the Senate. IDEA funding – HR 3578 and S 1652 are bipartisan bills to provide full funding for IDEA. The average cost across the nation to educate a special education stu… Continue

Superintendent Kimberly Moritz commented about how an “us vs. them” attitude is a big problem for school districts because it permeates through an entire school climate. "I’ve been on the job as superintendent in my current district for a year now. When I interviewed with all of the committees one thing came through loud and clear. The BOE actually asked me at my final interview what I thought the biggest problem was and I was able to answer, “us vs. them”. That “us vs. them” is created through… Continue

Each night before going to bed I read teacher blogs. I’m impressed how technology is transforming the classroom, and I can’t help but wonder how long it will take for technology to impact school board members like it has teachers. What if school board members, like teachers, used Nings, Personal Learning Networks, and other Web 2.0 tools to help us become better at what we do? What would that mean for our school distric… Continue

At Connie's invitation, I'm cross-posting a few things from my school-board blog (www.school-of-thought.net). I wrote this wintery-day post this morning: After last night’s blizzard-abbreviated budget work session and a quick call to my worried w… Continue

Funny thing happened on the way to a school board meeting. I received a letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. It’s not every day I receive a letter from a US Ed Secretary, so I thought I would share the story. I re… Continue

A few more comments about Randy Pausch. When I first saw his talk a few months ago (link posted in earlier post), I was inspired and moved. However, I had no idea it would turn into a phenomenon that would inspire and move so many across the globe. I understand the lecture has been translated into seven languages . . . and now I’ve come to learn Diane Sawyer will interview Professor Pausch on ABC tomorrow night, April 9th at 10 pm Eastern time/9 pm Central time. The show is called THE LAST LECT… Continue

One of the most inspiring stories I have ever heard comes from dying professor Randy Pausch from Carnegie Melon University who gives his “last lecture” about what really matters most in life after learning he has a terminal illness. To see the lecture, click on the link below. It’s lengthy, 75 minutes in all - but you’ll come away from the talk a changed person. In other words, it’s a good investment of your time. Trust me. Click here. Continue