Last Words On The Education Writers Conference

I thought I was done writing about the EWA conference (and lost my notes somewhere along the way), but apparently there's more:

You Talkin' To Me?  Bad enough that he's white and male, but single-sex advocate Leonard Sax may be too argumentative to lead this fledgling movement into the mainstream.  And I'm not just saying that because he's a guy.   

Still On The Honeymoon:  Despite an awkward start, Michelle Rhee's lunchtime interview gave education reporters an up-close look at Rhee's fresh-faced, blunt approach to revamping a struggling urban district.  Rhee also made some news by effectively endorsing mayoral control -- no surprise -- and NCLB. 

They're Everywhere:  TFA is now infiltrating the mainstream news community, I am slowly figuring out.  I'm told that TFA alumns who are education reporters include David Hunn from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Amanda Millner-Fairbanks of the New York Times, and...?

Post First, Ask Questions Later: Asked about how the Internet has changed his reporting and his relationship with those he covers, the Dallas Morning News' Kent Fischer said, "I'm no longer waiting for the district to respond." Fischer also urged communications folks in districts and organizations to "roll up your sleeves" and get involved in online debates about education issues.  Associates I talked to seemed really cautious about doing this.

"They treat physics the way that we treat sports," remarked Two Million Minutes producer Bob Compton comparing the US obsession with sports and extracurriculars with the focus on academics in China and India. Indeed.  Where would I be without having had those drum lessons in 9th grade?