Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

Grades in school are thought to reflect students’ knowledge of the curriculum. They are not, and they never were. They do reflect students’ ability to function in a hierarchical social organization, which is useful, but very different from knowledge of curriculum.

Leaders who have big ideas, but no capacity to implement them need to realize it and stop asking those of us who can do both to do their work.

“Back in the day” a grade of “C” on a report card meant “average,” so it was reasonable that lots of folks saw them. Grades have much different meanings now.

Unsupported arguments. I’m familiar with them. I’ve listened to school leaders for decades.

Narcissists join together in cliques, but they always turn on each other. I learned this lesson by watching it happen in schools (adults, not children) for decades.

I understand language evolves, but the stray capital letters in writing drives me crazy.

“Content delivery” is a sign you misunderstand teaching.

If a student is hostile towards test or tester we cannot claim it measures what is is supposed to.

Naming a situation isn’t that same as solving the problem.

If you department doesn't have the "bandwidth" for their responsibilities, please don't delegate it to others. We are already busy doing our work.

"We need a business analyst for our educational users." Yeah, I know the role of business analysts, but let's be clear that most have no expertise to make accurate analyses.

Every rotten idea is promoted with a great name.

Here is your regular reminder that students are not "kiddos" and adults are not "rock stars."

I'm not interested in learning (or teaching) ideas that cannot be criticized .

Should alchemy be taught along side chemistry? I mean, some folks really believe it, and we should be fair.

One thing I learned during 35 years in education: Leaders are not as interested in solving problems as they are interested in having situations that can use as excuses.

Perhaps the most difficult lesson to learn as a teacher is that not everyone is as enamored with the subject as your are.

If you are the only person convinced by your argument, it isn’t very good.

Echo chambers are real.

See that the imagination of nature is far, far greater than the imagination of man.
-Richard P. Feynman