The Benefits of Being Snowbound
“Listen to your customers, not to the HiPPO,” HiPPO being short for “highest paid person’s opinion.”
― Pedro Domingos, The Master Algorithm: How the Quest for the Ultimate Learning Machine Will Remake Our World
This week's winter storm brought a welcome reprise.
I spent the week lounging around the house - reading books and catching up on bad television. Watched a few movies, and now breathlessly await the Spring of 2025 for the release of the next chapter in the Fast and the Furious saga.
Throughout the week I slept in, seldom getting up before 8. Life is going to be rough next week when the kids return to school and the alarm starts ringing at 5AM. But. last week was a welcome opportunity to recharge batteries.
Shockingly, I even found time for a few Twitter - or X, if you prefer - battles. Something I thought I'd forsaken because they never seem to go anywhere. Thanks to educator Ezra Howard for making it feel like the Internet still has possibilities.
The writers who took to social to express their joy over the halcyon days brought on by the storm-wrought closures brought a chuckle. Rest assured that my household maintained its normal level of chaos, isolation, and invention. I think I prefer it to the Rockwellian scenes painted by others but to each their own.
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You can't ban books, but cell phones, the fair game. At least according to education policy experts.
Pundits are increasingly spilling ink in a rush to support the eradication of cell phones in schools. And they are not alone, according to a recent post in ExcelinEd, 61% of parents endorse rules that would make students store their cell phones in lockers while at school. Meanwhile, about 59% of those respondents would openly revolt if such a policy was instilled at their place of employment.
Since ExcellingEd's business is eventually Tennessee's business, it is worth noting that former Florida Governor Jeb Bush devoted a significant amount of time in his keynote speech at this year's ExcelinEd conference to outlining the perils of cell phones at schools. Ironically most of those in attendance were busy on their phones reading emails, checking in with friends and family, and scrolling on the Gram while the ex-Governor spoke. .
Bush supports legislation that would require students to place phones in an envelope attached to the classroom door at the onset of class, and they could retrieve them later. Sure, that's going to work. I expect full adherence. Now let's talk about my bridge in Arizona.
Look our addiction to phones is annoying, but they are here to stay, and banning them isn't the answer. A healthier approach would be to explore measures that increase self-regulation. We also need to acknowledge that kids' perceptions of social media and phones are a whole lot different than adults'.
Last night I expressed concern that my 13-year-old had created a Facebook account to scour Marketplace for potential items for resale. "You are not posting things are you?" I asked with trepidation.
"No". he responds, "I hate Facebook. All it is a place for old heads to yap, yap, yap. I be like what is blood yapping about."
Yeah, apparently he and his peers don't reserve the same level of respect for their elder's views as those posting.
For our part, we've become our parents, scared of the negative impacts of the modern world. As Bob Dylan sang, the times, they are a changing. And like any change, there is some good with the bad. Both are here to stay, and no amount of protestation is going to change that.
As a parent, I've slowly learned that I can't protect my children from everything, and some solutions are not necessarily the ones I choose. But that's all right because the future is theirs, not mine.
Both of my kids have had cell phones for about two years now. Despite my reticence, it has worked out well. They haven't lost the phones. They spend a fair amount of time with them, but they still spend a great deal of time interacting with friends both in-person and online.
For all the cries over a lack of in-person face time and the hindrance of social development it brings, I gotta say, my kids are better at social interaction than I ever was at their age. There is an openness that I never experienced in my teenage years.
Driving my children and their friends places, I'm struck by the things they'll express aloud without fear of judgment. I find myself subconsciously checking the rearview mirror to gauge the reaction of their friends. I've yet to see a judgmental look. Kids may not be communicating in ways that are familiar to us, but they are definitely communicating, and in doing so creating their own rules.
The parents of my generation may have served as arbitrators on everything, with mixed success, but I find myself, as a parent, sliding into a more supportive role. It'd be easier to dictate, but I'm not sure it would be effective.
It cracks me up that those of us rebels without a clue, who fondly share our sticking-it-to-man stories, think we can now assume the role of the "man" unquestioned. Good luck with that.
And good luck with the idea of banning phones from schools. Like indoor plumbing, it's here to stay no matter how many fond remembrances of trips to the outhouse you may have.
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A couple years ago, Tennessee created a Grow Your Own program for teachers. The deal was that the state would help locals become teachers at little or no cost to themselves. It was envisioned as a means to combat the state's growing teacher shortage. I doubt lawmakers ever envisioned that it would also serve as a vehicle to get the Tennessee Commissioner of Education the certifications needed to be in compliance to hold her position.
An article this week in the Tennessee Journal points out that Governor Lee's appointee Lizzette Reynolds may lack the proper credentials to serve in her current role. Under Tennessee Code Annotated 4-3-802,
“The commissioner shall be a person of literary and scientific attainments and of skill and experience in school administration,” according to the law. “The commissioner shall also be qualified to teach in the school of the highest standing over which the commissioner has authority.”
Lee’s press secretary, Elizabeth L. Johnson, responded with a statement to The Tennessee Journal that “Commissioner Reynold’s credentials and professional experience qualify her to serve as TDOE commissioner.”
“Additionally,” Johnson noted, “though not explicitly required by statute, Commissioner Reynolds is currently enrolled in the UT Martin Education Preparation Program (EPP) to expand upon her previous experience.”
Huh? The statute says, "shall also be qualified to teach in the school of the highest standing over which the commissioner has authority." That would be licensed, wouldn't it?
Maybe, Johnson is trying to use the wording on the website as wiggle room, "be enrolled in or have completed an approved educator preparation program, and be recommended for licensure by the program provider."
But why UT Martin, it's all the way out in West Tennessee. Yes, it's part of the state's GYO network, but she could have just as easily enrolled locally at David Lipscomb, or if she felt the urge to drive, Middle Tennessee State. Both programs turn out some of the best teachers in Tennessee.
According to last year's EPP report card - you know the Commissioner loves a report card - the program scored several did not meet expectations, whereas as the previously mentioned programs met or exceeded exceptions in every category.
The Commissioner being enrolled in classes raises some additional questions.
Is she paying tuition, or is she on a scholarship?
Does she plan to do some student teaching?
Isn’t it a conflict of interest to go to UT Martin when she oversees their program approval?
Inquiring minds want to know.
The best part of the Journal article is the relating of the tale of John Morgan.
Back in 2010, the Tennessee Board of Regents members elected John Morgan, then-Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen’s deputy, as the system’s new chancellor.
Regents allowed Morgan to forgo a requirement that he have completed graduate work. Morgan had a bachelor’s degree and had done coursework toward a master’s degree but had not completed it.
Senate Republicans at the time sharply criticized Morgan’s appointment.
“The action of the Board in this regard is such a major deviation from general practice that it would leave one to conclude that the requirements were rewritten to fill the position with an applicant already selected,” wrote then-Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, the chair of the Senate Education Committee at the time.
Amen, Delores, amen.
There is one area I believe needs clarification though. The inference is that Governor Lee went out and found a candidate, be it Penny Schwinn or Lizzette Reynolds, who shared his vision and could bring it to fruition.
That's backward, the Jeb Bush think tank found Governor Lee and supplied him with people they felt could fulfill their vision. A vision that they share in plain sight.
1. CONTINUING THE MOMENTUM FOR HIGH-QUALITY READING AND MATH INSTRUCTION
2. SOCIAL MEDIA AND SMARTPHONES IN THE CLASSROOM
3. EXPANDING SCHOOL CHOICE
4. UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS
5. TEACHER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
6. LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
7. GUIDELINES FOR HOW STUDENTS USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Read it and you'll be prepared for this year's legislative session. After all the apple never falls far from the tree.
Lastly, I need to clarify this statement from The Tennessee Lookouts opinion piece by Sam Stockard, "Granted, Reynolds inherited a mess from Schwinn in the way of a new A-F grading system for schools, which was passed in 2016 incidentally but is just now taking hold."
Schwinn, had nothing to do with the design of the A-F grading formula recently rolled out. The law was passed in 2016, and a year later a grading formula was put in place, one that favored growth over achievement. Due to the pandemic and incompetence, the results from that formula were never released. Despite inheriting a new funding formula, a new third-grade retention policy, and a floundering Grow Your Own program, Reynolds chose to reform the existing formula before the Christmas Eve release of school grades.
That decision was hers alone, and therefore it is not too high an expectation that she be able to fully explain it in a manner that is understandable to everyone, not just to legislators behind closed doors.
I guess now we can hire school principals and let them take English classes to satisfy their GED requirements. If they are nice people, it's only fair right?
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Since we are already speaking about our former Education Commissioner, let's not stop now.
Way back in 2017, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) was just another floundering education non-profit struggling to remain relevant in Tennessee.
If you are unfamiliar with TNTP, I refer you back to a description from Louisiana Education Researcher Mercedes Schneider:
TNTP is short for The New Teacher Project, though the TNTP doesn’t officially stand for that anymore. It is just TNTP. It is like when Kentucky Fried Chicken changed their name to just KFC. I guess that they are now so much more than just new teachers. They have gotten into research and policy advising, beginning with their report ‘The Widget Effect’ a few years ago which is often quoted when reformers discuss the potential of merit pay and of ending LIFO [“last in, first out”]. Then they wrote something recently called ‘The Irreplaceables’ about how schools are retaining their bad teachers and losing their good ones. A few days ago they came out with a new report called ‘Keeping Irreplaceables in D.C. Public Schools.’
That was written in 2013 but still holds true today.
Schwinn hit Tennessee and suddenly the organization's future brightened.
The Commissioner released an RFP on Christmas Eve for an 8 million dollar contract to train Tennessee teachers in foundational literacy skills. Despite a record devoid of real experience in training teachers. TNTP conveniently won the RFP. They also hired Ms. Schwinn's husband for a nebulous position based in Philadelphia, despite his residency in TN.
In 2021, that contract amazingly ballooned to $16 million, despite any evidence of success. By then Mr. Schwinn had moved on to another vendor with ties to the TDOE.
Before her departure as head of the TDOE, the contract was changed ensuring that the organization received all its money before all the training was complete.
In this week's piece, Sam Stockard reveals that Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds is recommending the state keep the contract going. Of course, the price will rise, perhaps to $21 Million.
Nothing changes, nothing changes.
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Last week, I told you about the challenges former State Academic Officer Lisa Coons is facing in Virginia. Seems like the end of the week brought more of the same. Virginia may be for lovers, but there doesn't appear to be a lot of love for the beleaguered commissioner. The time to confirm is dwindling.
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Yesterday on the X, sometimes I like saying it, a poster accused me of parroting Governor Lee. That brought a chuckle, as apparently, he was unfamiliar with the story about the day Tennessee Homeland Security showed up at my door. So I thought I'd reprint that tale:
I was working on Wednesday's piece when the phone rang. Picking it up and looking at the screen showed a call from an unidentified caller with a 615 area code. Inexplicably, I answered,
"Hello"
"I'm looking for Thomas Weber", came the male voice from the phone.
"This is he."
"Good morning, I'm with the state office of Homeland Security and I'm wondering if you would have some time to meet with me tomorrow?"
"Have I done something wrong? Do I need to get a lawyer?" I asked slightly unnerved.
"No, the commissioner of education Penny Schwinn has received some threats, and your name was given as someone to talk with. This is just part of my investigation and you are under no obligation to talk with me."
After a brief exchange, it was agreed upon that he would come by the house the next day.
On Thursday morning I was visited by a genial agent, and after a brief conversation, he left, with me having no more understanding of the purpose of his visit than before he arrived.
In the course of our conversation, he asked me one time if I'd ever threatened the commissioner. He also freely admitted to having scanned my social media accounts and blog posts, finding nothing remotely threatening. Never once did he ask me if I had any idea who might be interested in threatening the commissioner or if I had heard of anyone interested in causing her or her family harm.
If the agent had thought to ask, I would have been hard-pressed to offer any leads. The commissioner serves in a fairly anonymous position. She's supposedly a Republican in a state where Republicans hold a super-majority.
Of all the ex-employees that I have talked to over the last two years, none have expressed any personal animosity towards Ms.Schwinn. Those that do feel particularly wronged, have taken their case to the courts.
While it's popular right now to blame parent groups for unhinged behavior, in all my recent conversations with representatives from those groups, most are trying to discern what falls in the purview of the state and what falls into the local. They may have disagreements with current education policy but who's to blame remains unclear to most.
So if Commissioner Schwinn is actually receiving threats, my supposition would be that they are coming from a random crackpot, as opposed to an organized effort. But I was never asked for my supposition.
For my part, I assured the agent that I would never physically threaten another human being, nor would I associate with anyone who harbored such intentions. I find the whole idea abhorrent.
The whole situation was rather puzzling. If he found none of my writings threatening and he had no interest in asking if I had knowledge of anybody else who might wish harm to the commissioner, why was he at my house?
If I was investigating say, a bank robbery, I would be out talking to people who I suspected of robbing banks or who knew people who robbed banks. That didn't seem to be the case here.
In the course of our conversation, he did reveal that Ms. Schwinn had shown him a screenshot depicting a graphic from a past post. The graphic was one of two figures in bed with the faces of Ms. Schwinn and me superimposed on the bodies. A graphic that could arguably be considered in poor taste.
Also, one that I had nothing to do with its creation. The graphic comes from a man who lives in the commissioner's hometown of Sacramento. He takes my blogs, repackages them with a graphic he creates, and redistributes them. I have no involvement whatsoever, other than the benefit of wider distribution.
The agent seemed satisfied with the explanation, reiterating that this investigation was not coming at the behest of Ms.Schwinn, who was a tireless public servant who understood the nature of her position and would have preferred to just ignore perceived threats and continue in her pursuit of life, justice, and the American way in servitude of the citizens of Tennessee - or something like that. It was just that the Office of Homeland Security had an obligation to pursue all threads.
Again, if I was looking for bank robbers...
One other example that was given, was the agent's personal opinion that my post Kalifornication, might be considered in questionable taste. I was never able to get a clear answer as to why, but I'll leave that to your discretion.
So just to be clear...in no way, shape, or form do I evoke any ill-will or harm towards the Commissioner or her family, nor do I endorse anybody else holding such views. Threatening people with physical harm or trying to intimidate those who hold alternative views is morally abhorrent to me.
I believe in our system and the need to let it work.
But after Thursday, I can't help but wonder if the same holds true for myself and my family. As pleasant as the visit was, and while no overt threats or even hints were delivered, it's hard not to question the true purpose of the visit.
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If you grew up in the '80s and '90s in Nashville, you are likely familiar with Jason and the Scorchers. The purveyors of cow-punk carried the rock and roll banner for Nashville's youth. Remember the Nashville of the last decade ain't the Nashville of today. Those were some true halcyon days.
Several years ago, drummer Perry Baggs passed away. Now, bassist Jeff Johnson is recovering from a stroke.
Guitarist Warner Hodges and former road manager Ronnie Douglas visited the bassist, and the signs of recovery were evident. Still, the road to healing is a long one and fraught with expenses.
To help with those expenses, friends are holding a benefit for Johnson on Saturday, January 27th. The show is sold out, but you can still support him by purchasing merchandise.
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Time to rattle the cup a little bit before I head out the door.
If you could help a brother out…and you think this blog has value, your support would be greatly appreciated.
To those who’ve thrown some coins in the basket, I am eternally grateful for your generosity. It allows me to keep doing what I do and without you, I would have been forced to quit long ago. It is truly appreciated and keeps the bill collectors semi-happy. Now more than ever your continued support is vital.
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If you’d like less opinion and more news, check out my writing for The Tennessee Star. It’s a bit drier but equally informative.