Brent Snavely

A construct of upbringing and society, holder of a BS and JD and most recently an MA, I have practiced law for about 20 years. It has been said "The Truth shall set you free" -- I believe it will, but only if it is Your Personal Truth. Parrhesia may be humankind's only hope.

Brent Snavely has written 19 posts for Cooperative Catalyst

A Standardized Composition Test

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ May 22, 2012 ⋅ 5 Comments

We know bubble sheets are unrelated to “real life”. I think we made the “education thing” up by constructing much nonsense about the written word being the supreme method of sharing ideas and information. I think we have forgotten that sharing experiences and doing things together are matters that (1) allow us to learn and … Continue reading »

Of Education, Learning, School and the School of Life

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ May 13, 2012 ⋅ 4 Comments

After spending (much too much) time with the written words of such ilk as Plato, William James, C.S. Lewis, Focault, Derrida and others, I decided to attend a one and one-half week seminar at an ‘alternative ed’ school — I went camping with the Indians. They have been running their school for many generations. In a manner … Continue reading »

No does mean “NO”

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ April 20, 2012 ⋅ 2 Comments

I visited a web site about a New York education conference at which individuals joined “a leading author and architect of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), David Coleman, to understand how the Core Standards for College and Career Readiness build on the work New York State has done in developing a standards-based system and … Continue reading »

The Education Hunger Game: School as Cornucopia

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ April 10, 2012 ⋅ 6 Comments

With all the hype about the movie in the back of my mind, I read the book Hunger Games last weekend. There are many ways to interpret the material, whether in a broad or more narrow context; for whatever the reason, education came to my mind. Does the font of wisdom operate to keep the colonized … Continue reading »

Have you been pilloried lately?

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ March 24, 2012 ⋅ Leave a Comment

In case the public display of teachers’ “performance” in New York slipped you by, here is a great picture of it:

The books aren’t banned, they’re just unavailable

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ February 21, 2012 ⋅ 1 Comment

Tucson’s Unified School District, not wanting to lose state funding, removed certain writings from being readily available to students. Is it the money, or is it something else? Beneath the stated reason, is there a fear-driven motive? Is there a subconscious recognition that culture and “performance” are, in fact, linked, and that allowing “other” stories to be told and … Continue reading »

RTTT

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ February 19, 2012 ⋅ 2 Comments

They just need to run faster, and they’ll get to the top…

Amerian Education’s Language & Lies Two-Step: Step 1 – Language

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ February 15, 2012 ⋅ Leave a Comment

In Henry VI, Part 2, we learned that members of Jack Cade’s group had no intention of helping anyone except themselves. If Dick the Butcher been the Secretary of Education instead a conspirator trying to foment a rebellion, perhaps he would have substituted, “The first thing we do, let’s teach them how to speak” for … Continue reading »

Teacher, Test Thyself

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ January 5, 2012 ⋅ 5 Comments

A simple multiple-choice question. Only one answer is right. You must consider yourself a failed teacher if you do not answer correctly. You will be penalized for guessing. Which of the following is the correct view of education in the U.S.A.? A: B: C: Both the above. D: One of the above. E: None of … Continue reading »

Education: Obfuscation, Metonym or Comparison Device?

Posted by Brent Snavely ⋅ December 30, 2011 ⋅ 7 Comments

During my 52-year trek to Utopia where I uncomfortably practice law, I fed cattle, pitched –it, picked rocks, baled hay and mended fences. I worked at fast-food places and apprehended shoplifters. I was a shop-rat, played cops and robbers, and was a Paramedic and a Paramedic Instructor. After 22 years of school and miscellaneous seminars, … Continue reading »

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