Wednesday afternoon began with collecting a boxed lunch and boarding buses for school visits, as part of the Plenum experience. The Plenum is the gathering of accredited represeantatives of constituent organisations. We are only an affiliate, so the role is as an observer really.

The organisers had set up visits to a number of schools, at each of which there was an intern doing the Ritchie program. With a requirement for principal certification in the States such programs are very common. The school we visited was a kind of case study of the sharp end of school reform here in the States. It was a combined middle/senior creative arts school. It was only two years old. It was recognised as an innovation school, giving it flexibility in staffing and other matters. So far so good.

At the sharp end though, it was replacing two previous schools - a middle school and high school - which were in the process of being closed for poor performance. The middle school that was closing is actually in the same building as the school we visited - quite a juxtaposition. Moreover, the flexibility of being an Innovation school seemed to be being used to extend the school year, the school day and pay less. There is an innovation which sees core subjects being taught in large groups with one teacher and up to 8 tutors (graduates with no teachin qualifications). These work with groups of 6 students at a time. they are on class 7 out of 8 periods, with one period for planning. So far so good. However, for the privilege they are paid $21,000 per year - a sum that seems barely able to support a basic living! An interesting ethical dilemma. Is this exploiting one group for the benefit of another?

The business meeting was as all such meetings are - long, necessary and unexciting. After the reception, Charles and Steve and I set off to try a couple of the places I had seen on my morning walk. The first stop was a famous jazz place called El Chapultepec which, in the past, has seen such legends as Sinatra, Count Basie, the Marsalis brothers etc perform. Unfortunately, last night it hosted two other customers, a grumpy bar tender, flat beer and rap on the juke box. It won a prize as a "dive bar" in 2011. I can see why!

We had more luck with the Wazee Supper Club - a bar/pizza place in a 1910 building. Its black and white tile floor, turn of the century gas lights and antique clock with red formica tables create a nice atmosphere. The waitress was bright and efficient and knew all 30 available beers. To top it off there was a jazz quintet performing - lovely!

To finsih the day off, Charles and I prepared today's presentation. I fell into bed about midnight...

to wake - bright and alert at 4.30, and unable to get back to sleep. I caought up with emails and headed down for teh next phaseof the Penum meeting at 0700! I kid you not - breakfast available from 7 or a 7.30 kick off. The session continues as I type this.

Charles and I attended the UCEA awards over lunch and then set off to give one of our papers.

We were scheduled to give our paper at 2.00pm but in a room well away from the main converence venue. No one came! We decided that was enough excuse to sieze an opportunity to see one of the cit's museums - the Colorado History Museum, which covered mining, the snow fields, the attempts to settle the plains, Native Americans, Japanese internment and many other topics in a highly engaging way. Today's cover picture was generated in the replica of the school room.

We (or more accurately Charlie) had started up a conversation with a couple of guys on the shuttle bus, and got the name of a wine bar - Caveaux. After the museum, we headed there (after getting further directions along the way)- and met Willie and Arnie- the guys who had given us the tip. It was a pleasant way to spend an hour or so, and being happy hour, the price was right - so we covered California, France and Italy in the tasting.

Willie said he was a defence attorney, but also that he had run the 1500 metres for the US in te Mexico Olympics. I took the liberty of checking on return to the hotel, and could not find anyone with a name like Willie who had been in the US squad in '68. mmmmm. Anyway, he was engaging company.

From there we went to an Italian restaurant called Maggiano's - part of a big chain, and packed to the gills. Good, unexceptional veal for me and ravioli for Charles. Back on the free bus and back to the hotel to polish up tomorrow's presentation and sort out the blog.