Local Knowledge

It’s not a “Graduation Loophole” it’s “Portfolio Assessment.” And it’s better.

Kevin Shelly reported last week about Camden’s graduation process. He showed that many students are graduating not by passing standardized testing, but through an appeals process. That’s created quite a backlash from all sides of the aisle. Laura Waters wrote defending the district. Camden School Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard wrote defending the students. Keith Benson wrote an … Continue reading It’s not a “Graduation Loophole” it’s “Portfolio Assessment.” And it’s better.…

Posted by Stephen Danley in education, Local Knowledge.

The Power of Privilege – Camden Residents are Always the Last to Know

Here we go again. Last year, new charter schools coming to Camden were holding recruiting sessions at Rutgers-Camden before the schools were approved or announced. This year, Camden residents are again the last to know about new schools.  It’s not exactly an industry secret that Mastery and at least one other charter are expanding in … Continue reading The Power of Privilege – Camden Residents are Always the Last to Know…

Posted by Stephen Danley in education, Local Knowledge.

Credit, Tradeoffs and Misrepresentation in Camden Demolition Project

For those who haven’t been following, Courier-Post reporter Kevin Shelly has been all over the Camden demolition project. I’ve been following it step-by-step, even having him come to speak to a class about the issue last year. There are a few reasons for that: 1) my work shows that community groups really care about blight 2) two of … Continue reading Credit, Tradeoffs and Misrepresentation in Camden Demolition Project…

Posted by Stephen Danley in Local Knowledge.

Least Favorite Education Talking Point: the “Silent Majority”

In the last few weeks, I’ve heard my least favorite education talking point return. People keep claiming that a “silent majority” is scared off by those loud activists. But when I hear that claim, here’s what I’m really thinking. Such a claim dampens participation, holds activists to a double-standard, and is woefully culturally unaware of … Continue reading Least Favorite Education Talking Point: the “Silent Majority”…

Posted by Stephen Danley in education, Local Knowledge.

Student Voice: Raising Money for Camden AAU Basketball

I always like to highlight neat things happening across the city, so I was particularly pleased to see one of my former students, Brian Gregg, raising money for an AAU basketball team here in Camden. I went ahead and donated, and promised him if he shared some more details with me, I’d pass them along … Continue reading Student Voice: Raising Money for Camden AAU Basketball…

Posted by Stephen Danley in Local Knowledge.