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Pointed commentary by Ed World's Linda Starr.

You Said It!
Education World readers speak out about teacher bullies, corporal punishment, tenure, and more!

School Issues Features Regina Barreca National columnist brings her humor to Ed World.   In A Sub's Shoes Ed World News Editor Ellen Delisio tries substitute teaching. School Issues Glossary Your A to Z guide to the major ed issues. Wire Side Chats Ed World interviews national experts. EDScoops Education news headlines for busy educators. Lessons from Our Nation's Schools Ed World visits schools across the U.S. Read About It Brush up on hot education topics.   No Educator Left Behind Educators ask about No Child Left Behind. Working With NCLB Creative ways to meet NCLB mandates. The Weekly Survey See what Ed World readers think about current issues. School Doodle Ed World cartoonists' take on school issues. Whatever It Takes Ed World spends a year at a middle school.   Starr Points Pointed commentary by Ed World's Linda Starr. 'Voice' Essays Teachers reflect on classroom life. Soapbox Educators step up on the soapbox, voice their views. Message Boards Join the conversation! Free Newsletters Ed World offers ed headlines newsletter, eight more!

Are We Still "A Nation at Risk?"
Twenty years ago this month, the National Commission on Excellence in Education released "A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform." According to that report, "the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people." On what did the report's authors base their conclusions -- and do those 'indicators of risk' still exist?

Complete Sentences: Turning Students into Prison Inmates, by Margo Freistadt
The average cost of housing a single inmate in a U.S. prison is about $23,500, while the average expenditure for educating a U.S. student is $6,911. Perhaps we can all learn a lesson from Margo Freistadt's solution to California's school budget crisis.

Musings of a C- Parent
Recently, a Pennsylvania school chief proposed report cards that would grade parents on how involved they are in their children's education. A great idea! What parents wouldn't want to know whether they're doing all they can to ensure their children's success?

Are You a Bully?
A Connecticut school administrator, commenting on his district's decision to include teacher behavior in its anti-bullying policy, complained that it would be difficult to distinguish between bullying behavior and classroom management strategies. What about you? Can you tell the difference between behavior management and bullying?

A Resolve to Be Better--in Verse!
The tradition of making New Year's resolutions dates back to the ancient Babylonians, whose most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. Your resolutions are more likely to resemble those expressed by the composite teacher in today's poem!

Dear Santa: A Holiday Wish List for Schools
Put a school on your holiday gift list this year! You'll find that schools are a lot easier to buy for than those distant cousins you've been fretting over -- and the school will be a lot more grateful! Included: A shopping list for schools.

'Tis the Season...to Accentuate the Positive
In the spirit of the holiday season, spread goodwill by saying something positive to some of your most significant "others" -- the parents or teachers of the children in your life.

Is Your School as Good as the 92nd Street Y?
Last week, the Wall Street Journal revealed that former Salomon Smith Barney analyst Jack Grubman upgraded AT&T;'s stock rating in exchange for Citigroup Chairman Sandy Weill's promise to try to get Grubman's daughters into the nursery school at the 92nd Street Y. Is your school worth a $1 million?

Teaching Violence Through Violence
Corporal punishment in schools is legal in 23 U.S. states and 26 percent of Americans apparently believe that's OK. Who can explain the reasoning behind those disturbing statistics?

The Myth of Tenure and the Terrible Teacher
How can good schools rid themselves of bad teachers?

"Objection overruled, or You can always go to law school if things don't work out" by Taylor Mali
Taylor Mali, a former middle and high school teacher who is currently a professional performance poet, shares his thoughts about "what teachers make" with Education World readers.

It's Not What You Say … It's How You Say It!
As conference time once again approaches, many teachers are faced with the prospect of revealing to hopeful -- and sometimes hostile -- parents unwelcome truths about their cherished offspring. The most experienced teachers know, however, that sometimes the truth is best presented with a little subtlety and a lot of tact. Today, Linda Starr offers 20 of her favorite phrases from the Teachers' Dictionary of Educational Euphemisms.

¿Habla usted inglés?
Next month, residents of Colorado and Massachusetts will vote on proposals to replace bilingual education with English immersion in the states' public schools. Debate over the proposal has been loud and contentious, and each side has reams of research supporting its position. The voters have a difficult decision to make.

Should Schools Parent Our Kids?
Should the community expect teachers and administrators to deal with problems -- or potential problems -- that do not directly affect students during the school day? Should parents want schools to take on the role of raising their kids?

No Break Today!
Faced with a need to find more time to meet increasing educational standards, 40 percent of schools in the United States have either cut recess or are considering doing so. Eliminating recess, policymakers say, gains more time for learning. But does it gain more learning time? Read what the experts -- and columnist Linda Starr -- have to say about the growing trend toward "all work and no play."

It's the Principal of the Thing!
Numerous studies confirm that nearly one third of new teachers leave the profession within five years. Why do they leave -- and why don't they stay? The reasons may surprise you.

Should You Raise the Bar or Lower Your Standards?
Columnist Linda Starr says troubled kids don't need teachers who understand their problems; they need teachers who set high standards and stick to them -- no matter what.

Twenty Teacher-Tested Tips for a Stress-Free Year
Do you greet the start of a new school year with anticipation liberally laced with anxiety? Does the pressure of dealing with student lethargy, parental demands, and administrative imperatives cause you to wear a path in your hardwood floors? Is ulcer medication the first item on your weekly grocery list? Have you tried all the traditional tips for lowering job-related stress and found them ineffective? Have we got a tip (or 20) for you!

You've Got E-Mail!
Like most of you, I get e-mail -- lots and lots and lots of e-mail. Most of those e-mails hit the recycle bin almost as fast as they hit my inbox. I received one the other day, however, that caught my eye before my finger reached Delete. So I thought I'd pass it on to a few million of my closest friends!

Will Private Schools Want Our Kids?
By guest editor Barbara Day
Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that school vouchers are constitutional -- even when used to pay tuition at schools with religious affiliations. Last week, a Tallahassee judge ruled against the use of school vouchers altogether, saying they violated Florida's state constitution. In this week's StarrPoints, guest editor Barbara Day says that lawmakers focusing on issues of constitutionality may be missing the point. "A greater area of concern exists," Day points out. "How will vouchers impact the needs of students with disabilities?"

The Best Laid Plans…
You've spent the last few weeks decorating bulletin boards, planning activities, collecting supplies, writing letters to students and parents, reading articles and texts on classroom management, and practicing personal relaxation techniques. You're efficient and organized. Your carefully thought out plans for the first day of school include an appropriate mix of fun, educational, and administrative introductory activities. You are ready, able, and full of anticipation. It's going to be a wonderful year! But is it going to be the year you planned?

ABCs for Teachers
Ask any teacher. He or she will be sure to tell you that -- despite long summers spent basking on the beaches of the Riviera, despite winter breaks spent sliding down the slippery slopes of Aspen, despite hours that would make a banker green with envy, despite full-time salaries spent on filling the leisure hours left by what are really only part-time jobs -- teaching is a tough profession. Hah! The truth is, a teacher's job really is as easy as ABC!

20 Questions
Linda Starr ends the year with a huge pile of news clippings, reports, and surveys -- and a long list of unanswered questions about many issues addressed in that soon-to-be-recycled pile of papers. How many can you answer?

Kindergarten Is for Kids
In an attempt to accelerate the academic progress of today's kindergarteners, says columnist Linda Starr, schools are ignoring the importance of kids' developmental limitations -- and maybe jeopardizing their future as well.

Don't Blame It on the Internet!
Linda Starr says that Internet regulations won't protect kids who are looking for love online.

Schools Offer Fat Kids Slim Hope
Linda Starr says most schools offer fat kids slim hope for a healthy future.

Girls and Boys Together?
Single-sex public schools, says Linda Starr, are a viable educational alternative whose time has come again.

Thank a Teacher!
Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week by thanking the teachers who changed your life. Linda Starr would like to thank ...

Too Many Elephants?
Linda Starr wonders whether anyone knows what the role of public schools should be.

Stop Tolerating Zero Tolerance
Linda Starr declares zero tolerance for zero-tolerance policies.

Tackling Teen Truancy
Linda Starr on the essential elements of effective school-based truancy programs.

Measuring the Effects of Effective Teaching
Linda Starr reevaluates her position on whether teacher effectiveness can be measured by standardized tests.

State Tests Don't Make the Grade
Linda Starr explains why teachers don't "teach to the test."

You Get What You Pay For
Columnist Linda Starr discusses the difference between "highly qualified" and "high-quality" teachers.

Teaching Isn't for Losers
Linda Starr compares teachers who do their jobs with those who complain about the job.

Thank a Teacher -- Please!
Linda Starr suggests that schools and communities need to provide more than a paycheck if they want to keep their best teachers teaching.

Peer Grading vs. Privacy: The Supreme Court Rules
Linda Starr takes on the United States Supreme Court.

Is Abstinence a $135 Million Subject?
Linda Starr asks whether schools can afford $135 million for abstinence education.

Is High School Failing Our Kids
High schools have to figure out a way to include students who don't fit the program -- or be prepared to lose them.

The NCLB Act: Oppression or Opportunity?
Columnist Linda Starr reflects on the implications of the No Child Left Behind Act.

My Favorite Teacher
Columnist Linda Starr reminisces about the special qualities of a favorite teacher.

Trust Your First-Grade Teacher
Columnist Linda Starr shares the secret of successful reading instruction.

Teaching Today Is Just Impossible -- Isn't It?
Columnist Linda Starr reflects on the atmosphere of defeat pervading our nation's failing schools.

Whose Job Is It Anyway?
Columnist Linda Starr calls for universal accountability for student achievement.

Dear Santa ...
Columnist Linda Starr tells Santa what teachers want for Christmas.

Dismantling the Devil's Workshop
This week, columnist Linda Starr suggests ways to make schools safer for students and teachers.

Does Inclusion Help or Hurt Students?
This week, columnist Linda Starr reveals the truth about inclusive schools.

Harry Potter and the Censored Tome
Columnist Linda Starr reflects on who should choose the books your students read.

A Teacher's Prayer of Thanksgiving
Linda Starr reflects on what teachers are thankful for all year long.

Protect Yourself Against Textbook Tampering
Columnist Linda Starr discusses why you cannot assume that your textbooks are complete and error- and bias-free.

Patriotism and Prayer: Can You Have One Without the Other?
Columnist Linda Starr reflects on prayer and patriotism in our nation's schools.

Teaching Multiculturalism in a Country at War
Columnist Linda Starr reacts to Lynne Cheney's remarks about increasing the emphasis on multicultural education.

Help Wanted! Easing the Teacher Shortage
Columnist Linda Starr compares two jobs available to today's young college graduates -- and asks the question, "Who wants to be a teacher?"

Where Is Arabia, Anyway?
Columnist Linda Starr talks about teaching, preaching, and tolerance.

Are You a Real Teacher?
Columnist Linda Starr lists the top ten ways to recognize real teachers.

Duhs and Don'ts for Today's Teachers
Columnist Linda Starr explains why understanding isn't what today's troubled kids need.

And Behold! 12 Commandments for Teachers!
Columnist Linda Starr dreams of a short list of guiding principles that can help teachers keep their jobs -- and the overwhelming avalanche of state and national standards -- in perspective.

No Time for Reading: A Lesson Learned at Gunpoint
Education World editor Linda Starr reacts to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, which found that 68 percent of U.S. fourth graders fail to achieve minimum grade level proficiency in reading.