Flow Activities
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We call our's the Age of Information, but it would more accurately be
called the Age of Attention because when information becomes abundant,
attention b...
Labor and Strategy
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*LABOR & STRATEGY BOOK TALK*
Join us for a conversation with former ILWU organizing director Peter Olney
on building working class power by organizing ...
Eating Our Education Vegetables
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We may never be done talking about accountability. Back before the election
(roughly a thousand years ago), Rick Hess was contemplating another
possible di...
Rubik’s Cube and School Reform
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When the Rubik’s Cube appeared in the 1980s, I tried twisting and turning
the colors to get them all aligned. I failed. Finding out that there are 3
billio...
Memo to Trump Voters
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Memo to Trump Voters: Are you so blind that you did not recognize that your
vote played right into Putin’s hand? Was it your own racist instincts that
blin...
The time of living selfishly
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MAGAs (they're all MAGAs now) had the far better side of the American
civic/social contract they just killed. It ran on the unselfishness and
sacrifice of ...
A message from Quaker Meeting for Worship
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the branch of Society of Friends to which I belong is unprogrammed, we have
no designated ministers. Anyone who feels moved by the Spirit is free to
rise...
Trump and Education
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I do not believe American education is a top concern for Donald Trump. I do
believe that he could well turn it over to the likes of the Heritage
Foundation...
Backward, in High Heels
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If someone suggests a Women’s March, so help me… (Twitter comment) I
remember sitting in the teachers’ lunchroom at my middle school, January
2001, and hav...
What Was That?
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“He had become lonely in his mind, he knew: he no longer encountered other
people even in his thoughts.” ― Tom Crewe Still trying to process just what
just...
The Election Story in One Visual
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When George Clooney, Michael Moore, and the New York Times decided last
summer that Biden was too old to be President, it never occurred to them,
apparen...
Don’t Obey In Advance
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Last week, I hopped off a bus and voted early. It was quick, convenient,
and came with two stickers: one for me and one for ...
Read More
The post Don’t...
¡Sabemos lo que hay que hacer!
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Estamos listos para construyir un futuro mejor después de las elecciones.
Estamos a horas de la elección más importante- y quizás la decisión más
important...
October’s Parent Engagement Resources
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"We need dads to make a difference not just in school, but in our
societies." – parenting coach Dion Chavis @NimahGobir 3 Strategies for
Encouraging Dads’ ...
Try Substack?
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Seems like the popular new thing. Here’s my first try – it’s about
yesterday’s UFT Retired Teachers Chapter meeting – first ever not run by
Unity. (Spoiler...
Number 18 — A barely-hanging-on Blogoversary
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Blogoversary #18 SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 I started this blog while I was still
teaching, in 2006. I had just begun my 31st year as an educator. Just like
in pre...
Student "Growth" Measures Are STILL Biased
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This caught my attention:
New Jersey school districts may soon be evaluated differently, *with a
greater emphasis on student growth* as compared to stud...
Time to Rein in Vouchers
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Universal voucher programs have, in many states led to substantial budget
stress (Baker, 2024;[1] Hager, 2024). Initial cost estimates in Florida
were that...
AIN’T IT AWFUL
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As the terrible feelings of dread and angst spread across the world the
great majority of the American people feel powerless before the onslaught
of those ...
15 Questions for the Candidates
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Those citizens who fantasize about defying tyranny from within fortified
compounds have never understood how liberty is actually threatened in a
modern bur...
We are making a CPESS documentary!
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In 2020, I was approached by Deborah Meier and Jane Andrais and I decided
we should document the story of Central Park East Secondary School (CPESS).
This ...
The Sky is Falling, or is it?
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Well, this is the first anniversary of the introduction of Generative AI in
the form of ChatGPT to the world of education. Before it was a week old,
over o...
Vote NO on the UFT Contract. Here is Why:
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The best reason to vote no on this contract is this: UFT Unity* lied* to us
in 2018. They misrepresented that contract. It was predicated on deals we
wer...
Metaphors in ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech
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In this article, we will explore the powerful use of metaphors in Martin
Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” ...
Read more
Testimony to the CPS Truancy Task Force
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I prepared testimony for one of two public hearings held by the Chicago
Public Schools Truancy Task Force, a body mandated by state legislation.
The meetin...
Skin Deep
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She spends so much time on her outward appearance. There is never a hair
out of place. Her makeup is perfect and her clothes are stylish and match
to ...
There Is A Teacher Shortage.Not.
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THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. And just to be sure you understand, it’s not
that teachers don’t want to teach. It’s not that there aren’t enough
teachers cer...
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*Defeating the Purpose of Education*
*Updated: May 2024*
*Most people would agree that the primary purpose of education is to
prepare children for a good a...
THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. NOT!
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There is a teacher shortage.And just to be sure you understand, it's not
that teachers don't want to teach.It's not that there aren't enough
teachers certi...
Abortion: Only For Those Who Need It!
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NOTE: This post contains my opinions on Catholicism based on my experiences
as a child in the 1960's and 70's. Take what you like and leave the rest. I
m...
Book Banning Turns to Dick and Jane
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Breaking News: Dateline February 4, 2022 - Parents in Dimwitty, Alabama
have asked the Dimwitty Board of Education to ban the children's primer *Fun
with...
On the Edge of Silence
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“There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide.
Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the
fundamen...
Have You Heard Has a New Website
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TweetHave You Heard has a new website. Visit us at
www.haveyouheardpodcast.com to find our latest episodes and our entire
archive. And be sure to check out...
Follow me at Substack
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I've moved. Follow me at Substack
I'm now posting regularly at Substack. You can subscribe for free to my new
Edu/Pol blog at michaelklonsky.substack.com
...
Aspiring Teachers Get New Help Paying For College
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[image: colorful classroom pattern]
*; Credit: shuoshu/Getty Images*
Cory Turner | NPR
New rules kick in today that will help aspiring teachers pay for c...
Tips Akses Situs Judi Qq Tanpa Perlu Takut Nawala
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Kegiatan berjudi slot melalui situs judi qq online, sekarang sudah
dilakukan oleh banyak penjudi Indonesia. Tentu, Kamu yang sedang membaca
artikel ini a...
GA run-offs need your help!
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Extremely important. Volunteer if you can. Thank you if you are already
doing so. Out of state opportunities here: Ralph …
Continue reading →
The Threat of Integration
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I have lived in the same house in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles
for over 30 years, where up until now I have had little or no interaction
with th...
We fight for a democracy worthy of us all!
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The nation stands at a crossroads, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García
in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and
it’s up...
A Fundamental Redesign of Our Schools
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I climbed the hill leading up to one of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle
this morning to enjoy a coffee while taking in a phenomenal view of the
city o...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
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I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this
afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved
ones. We ar...
Thoughts on schooling in the era of COVID-19
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Well, a whole lot has changed since I returned to blogging a month and half
ago. In case you didn't notice, and I'm sure everyone reading this did,
there's...
NAEP scores and "the science of reading"
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*Sent to US News. They just informed me that they no longer publish
letters to the editor. *
*Re: “National reading emergency” November 12*
*[https://www...
2019 NAEP Scores: Achievement Gap or …?
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Here you go: A ‘Disturbing’ Assessment: Sagging Reading Scores,
Particularly for Eighth-Graders, Headline 2019’s Disappointing NAEP Results
NAEP 2019: Re...
Cara Menang Bermain Judi Bola Online
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Bermain judi bola online tentu saja memiliki kesenangannya tersendiri baik
itu mendapatkan keuntungan maupun ketika menantikan hasil skor pada sebuah
perta...
A Storm is Coming! (…again)
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A new Commissioner will have as much impact on our state ed system as a new
meteorologist will have on …
Continue reading →
Déjà vu: 2019 ELA Assessment: Dear Board of Regents
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Dear Board of Regents,
I have copied below an email I sent to you almost a year ago, after the
2018 ELA assessment's computer-based testing failures and mo...
The World According to Michelle Rhee
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The men behind the curtain fashioning the brave new world of corporate run
education in America! Michelle Rhee is the founder of StudentsFirst, The
New T...
Blockchain: Life on the Ledger
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Originally posted on Wrench in the Gears:
I created this video as a follow up to the one I prepared last year on
Social Impact Bonds. It is time to examine...
New Local Businesses in Sacramento
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Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can
be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn
the loc...
3rd Grade Reading: Who is Failing?
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Education Trust Midwest has just released its study on third grade reading
and, predictably, the results aren’t great. This study uniquely compares
Michiga...
Opting out of the Dinosaur (end of year test)
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Today I sent in a second letter to refuse PARCC/CMAS for my son, Luke. The
first email I sent at the beginning of the year was not sufficient as they
requi...
Resurrection
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I realized it's Lent, but this blog, bless Jesus Christ, can't wait.
Ok, so with that said, I plan to discuss Class Action suits in existence,
as well as w...
IDEA Is Still The Law Of The Land
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Unless you've been living under a rock, you know the US Department of
Education (USDOE) rescinded 72 Dear Colleague and other letters of
explanation to ...
Education Is a Civic Question
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In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah
Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and
hard w...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
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Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
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An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller)
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The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished
watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The
film p...
Farewell, Sleep
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Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
Capturing the Spark
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It’s been a long time since InterACT was an active education blog, though I
remain quite proud of what we did here. Those of us who wrote blog posts
here h...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
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I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
WTU Peterson Slate: Not a 1 Woman Dictatorship
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Candi Peterson & GeLynn Thompson
Candidates for WTU Prez & GVP 2016By Candi Peterson, WTU Gen. Vice President
*Statements or expressions of opinions herein...
MY NEW BLOG
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My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
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Dear Readers,
Thank you for visiting *The Perimeter Primate*. This blog is being retired
for the time being. Although I no longer post here, I do still s...
I am Retiring
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I have some news: I am retiring from the PBS NewsHour and Learning Matters.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other
conte...
Flaws at the Heart of Current Education Reforms
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Originally posted on Creative by Nature:
“Teaching is an art form rooted in the wise and careful use of educational
research and assessment tools. When gove...
The MAP Test
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Teachers will be voting this afternoon on the contract that has been
tentatively agreed upon. I am asking all teachers to not allow an
evaluation system th...
Thursday night’s school board meeting probably wasn’t what was anyone planned a month, week, or even a day before it happened. Even though the district seemed to know it would be a capacity crowd (a demonstration by the district-wide band, and renewal of charters–which always brings in supporters fearful of their school losing their location) I think it all turned into a bit more than any of us planned. It was the controversies surrounding the district’s lone priority high school that brought folks to their feet, literally, throughout the night. Priority schools, like the one that I teach at, were brought about by the state of California implementing reforms required to apply for Race to the Top or RttT. The state has never won any of the prior two rounds of those grants, but it is still committed to the Obama administration school reform plan. This means identifying the lowest decile performance schools, and either shutting them down, giving them to a charter operator, firing all the staff, or firing/moving half the staff, and replacing the rest. My district has been doing transformation, or letting go of half the staff. Things have been brewing a Hiram Johnson since the summer. The nexus of conflict was the new administrator at the site, Felisberto Cedros. It wasn’t just the staff, but students who were unhappy. Dozens of Hiram Johnson students stage walkout New principal takes tough stances at Sacramento’s Hiram Johnson High Things came to a head towards the end of May, when the Superintendent called in the school’s staff and told them that Mr. Cedros was going to continue as principal, and that folks needed to get on board, or they would be leaving. Within a week, teachers were being called down to the district office, and told there were being involuntarily transferred the next school year. The union, SCTA, began to plan to take action by meeting with the school staff, and then planned to bring their grievances to the school board meeting on June 2nd.
I’m leaving out many details, but this is the adult part of the story. It is the students themselves that are at the heart of this story, and that’s what was so wonderful, and horrible, and heart-breaking all at once. As this was going on, the students heard what was happening. They began organizing on Facebook, to also have a contingent of students at that same school board meeting. When I checked on the Thursday morning of the school board meeting, over 200 people had committed to coming to the board meeting, and about 180 said maybe. That’s a good turnout. But, also at this time, some disturbing signs began to appear…Sacramento Press is a local news website that has a very open publication policy, you submit it, and they will run it. This story appeared and started to circulate Thursday morning, suggesting that students were not their own agents in this protest, but instead were being manipulated by the union. I was concerned because it was pretty clear how Mr. Cedros’ supporters were going to proceed at the board meeting, and it is an object lesson on a side of the argument about what is best for kids that you NEVER want to be on.
One of the first speakers to appear was a 1/2 time PE teacher at Hiram, and in a room FULL of students from her school she essentially said, these students are being manipulated by adults, and I know that students are not behind this because they are children and don’t have the adult verbiage to have written the fliers that were distributed. I saw some of the students literally blanch and gasp at that point.
I can understand saying the kids don’t understand all that is involved, this is for their best interest, etc. but you have to acknowledge their intelligence, their anger, and their point of view. They did NONE of that, and instead proved the student’s case that they were being silenced, their views were being ignored, and that they did not matter. I’m going to write another post about the grown ups, but I wanted to share what the kids said and did that evening because they deserve that much dignity and respect. Here are some of my tweets with quotes from them. I’ve corrected typos made in the haste of the meeting, but kept most of the abbreviations:
ASB (student body) member from HJ speaks about the chaos. Interventions and programs are gone and teachers are leaving…
Last speaker resigned as ASB prez #scusd Current ASB prez speaks about how chgs in admin have affected students. I dread working in ASB now. #scusd ASB vp says when bd mbrs asked how things were she said we’ll see, but she now feels this year has not been for the better #scusd
No I’m not being manipulated, I’m scared, but I’m speaking up. We will keep speaking until the admin is gone #scusd Why did admin refer to himself as warden and school as prison. I am not his prisoner.
How many of us will have to petition you to get him out? Crowd yells, answer her! Most of the teachers you are letting go are the core of our programs. Support HJ students remove admin team #scusd I am a student, I am a leader is the repeated refrain followed by request to remove admin team. #scusd
ASB prez from McClatchy speaks in support of his fellow HJ students #scusd
Some of the speakers are near tears; some political theater from students as they stand and share why they are HJ Warriors #scusd
Crowd is wild, and it finishes w/parent saying he is a warrior, and votes #scusd
I think that Board Member Diana Rodriguez helped to bring some sense back the adults, and dignity back to the students by thanking the students for speaking up and saying she found them to be authentic. The cap on the evening was the sober commentary delivered by the school board’s youth member who spoke against adultism and asked the board to continue their stand against it. Here was a message waiting for me from an out of state teacher friend, Kevin Jarrett (NJ) who had followed my twitter coverage:
Holy mother of GOD what is happening in your district???
There was one parent who, although she spoke against Cedros, and delivered the most damning piece against him in many ways (more about that later), was clearly dismayed at having the students involved in this. I wish it had not come to that, and I would have been happy to just have the adults there protesting. But, they are not children anymore, many are eighteen and therefore adults. I’m not going to tell them they can’t have their say, because clearly, that’s what’s been going on at Hiram and that is the crux of the problem. They’re having to appear is because we as adults have let them down. We’ve put them under the charge of an administration that is clearly bullying them and haven’t heard their pleas for assistance. Now it’s public, and ugly, but it did not have to be that way. The only way to fix this situation is for the adults in charge to heed their call, step up to the plate, and do the right thing for the Hiram Johnson community by getting rid of the current administrative team. But there is a lesson here for me as well. Many times in education blogs that are anti-reforminess, they complain about kids being trotted out for community meetings when there is a charter school controversy. Some of the kids at last night’s meeting were there to support their charter school. I think this experience has taught me that should I find myself blogging on that topic, that I don’t discount the concerns of the students, or trivialize what they have to say to make my point, because they deserve better than that. Here is the video archive of the meeting