tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post3272833879628061309..comments2023-06-18T10:20:27.090-04:00Comments on Laurie Goodman's Blog: On the agenda for the May 18 Board of Ed meeting.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-80188097861588639972009-05-21T09:24:12.234-04:002009-05-21T09:24:12.234-04:00I'm reading up a little on the theory of "groupthi...I'm reading up a little on the theory of "groupthink." It's worth exploring and thinking about. And while I suspect it's somewhat a part of human nature, I agree with you that the messenger should not dilute the validity of the message.Laurienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-87741143581540444912009-05-20T19:21:36.152-04:002009-05-20T19:21:36.152-04:00I don't think anybody (or at least most people) th...I don't think anybody (or at least most people) think in terms of collusion on votes. From what I've seen, all the trustees seem dedicated, hardworking, and well-meaning. Rather, maybe it's possible a little bit of Groupthink has taken hold? I find it hard to believe that on every issue, especially the tough ones like math in which there are more than one valid viewpoint, everybody always agrees and comes to the same conclusion. This circles back to that bunker mentality somebody mentioned last week. Just because some of the messengers can seem unpleasant is no reason to discount the entire message.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-38835518204894213502009-05-19T10:04:00.000-04:002009-05-19T10:04:00.000-04:00I have no idea, but it's high, right? I have thoug...I have no idea, but it's high, right? I have thought about this a lot and spoken about this before, including at the Board table. <br /><br />Would it "seem" more realistic if we had more contentious votes? I suppose. But does that mean I should vote "no" now and then just for show? Is that how public service is supposed to work? Whenever I think about this, it doesn't feel right. We're not putting on a faux-reality show, with scripted drama. <br /><br />I cannot speak for my fellow Board members, but I know I've never voted for something that I didn't actually support. And I've never discussed my planned vote in advance with other BOE members. Do we talk about things in committees or one on one, and do we ever disagree? Of course.Laurienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-66990715409335409672009-05-19T09:58:00.000-04:002009-05-19T09:58:00.000-04:003:05 -- Unfortunately, people who don't fall in lo...3:05 -- Unfortunately, people who don't fall in lockstep with the lunatic fringe in the Village are labeled "idiots" and "liars" who are "intellectually corrupt".<br /><br />Such is the rhetoric from the nattering nabobs of negativism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-45056034310717275412009-05-19T06:31:00.000-04:002009-05-19T06:31:00.000-04:00Just curious: about what percentage of BOE votes a...Just curious: about what percentage of BOE votes are unanimous?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-75305974503690279672009-05-18T15:05:00.000-04:002009-05-18T15:05:00.000-04:00Wow, chill, there's no need to be rude. I know Lau...Wow, chill, there's no need to be rude. I know Laurie and have worked with her on town issues over the years. She is far from "intellectually corrupt." Is there no possibility that you and she simply disagree? You know, reasonable people can disagree without one of them being a liar or an idiot. But wait--that would mean you were a "reasonable" person and it sure does not sound like it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-67366984553436961542009-05-18T14:06:00.000-04:002009-05-18T14:06:00.000-04:00Laurie, you can lie to yourself all you want about...Laurie, you can lie to yourself all you want about adopting a textbook vs. program/curriculum. However, it is beneath you and shameful. How sad that you are so intellectually corrupt. You sound like you got your talking points from Charlie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-57110221539874952792009-05-18T13:13:00.000-04:002009-05-18T13:13:00.000-04:00While the selection of a math textbook to be used ...While the selection of a math textbook to be used in all six schools is a meaningful event for our District, more than your "average" textbook adoption, I disagree with your position that we are adopting a new program or curriculum.Laurienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-90254504054373538162009-05-18T12:59:00.000-04:002009-05-18T12:59:00.000-04:00Laurie,
What legal nitwit told you that you are on...Laurie,<br />What legal nitwit told you that you are only voting to fund a new textbook?<br /><br />That is pure baloney and you should know it. You are "voting" because the district is about to adopt a "new math program." Program, that's right. Policy 6141 applies to the adoption of programs and/or curriculum as these words are often used interchangeably.<br /><br />Nice try, though. But you look worse than Nixon did explaining the 18 min. gap.<br /><br />BTW: enVision is just the sort of new program Ridgewood should NOT use. It's too new, too reliant on technology and has no research to back up its efficacy. You are about to rubber stamp a Pearson math marketing gimmick. I had hoped for more intellectual heft from at least you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-81855554698881359012009-05-18T09:07:00.000-04:002009-05-18T09:07:00.000-04:00No one knows how long it will take before the new ...No one knows how long it will take before the new state curriculum standards will be final, but given the strong positions of the educators and others involved on both (or all) sides of the debate, I doubt it will be anytime soon. Also, the process is as much about politics as it is about math and, as this is an election year, the potential for political influence on the process is likely to increase. <br /><br />Here in Ridgewood, we have been working through our math issues for years. The District made a commitment to make a decision this spring. We need to move forward, in a reasoned and thoughtful manner, for our students and our community. Fortunately, the Math Planning Team reviewed the four finalist math programs against both the current standards and the proposed draft standards, and any of the four will meet both sets of standards.Laurienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-63554057229179586192009-05-18T06:49:00.000-04:002009-05-18T06:49:00.000-04:00I've got to ask why on earth the board would take ...I've got to ask why on earth the board would take a vote before the new state curiculum standards are released. Wouldn't it be more prudent to take the planning team's recommendation under advisement but put off a final vote until then?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com