Thursday, February 17, 2011

Philly SRC hears dire warning on school funding | Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/17/2011

Philly SRC hears dire warning on school funding | Philadelphia Inquirer | 02/17/2011

Philly SRC hears dire warning on school funding

By Kristen A. Graham

Inquirer Staff Writer

City public school students, already lagging in academic achievement, are in danger of slipping further if a looming budget gap of as much as a half-billion dollars becomes a reality, school officials were told Wednesday night.

"The incredible amount of progress we've made can be reversed if resources aren't available," Deputy Superintendent Leroy Nunery told the School Reform Commission. "We hope the public will rally to this particular call."

The potential gap of $400 million to $500 million for 2011-12 comes on top of a shortfall of $40

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The Best Resources For Learning About Attacks On Teachers & Other Public Sector Workers In Wisconsin |#wiunion #wisolidarity #notmywi

The Best Resources For Learning About Attacks On Teachers & Other Public Sector Workers In Wisconsin | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

The Best Resources For Learning About Attacks On Teachers & Other Public Sector Workers In Wisconsin

by Larry Ferlazzo

The attacks on teachers and other public sector workers in Wisconsin by Governor Scott Walker and his allies could be a dangerous sign of things to come throughout the United States. Fortunately, the courageous and well-organized opposition could be an even more powerful indicator for the future.

I have a particular interest in what happens in Wisconsin — beyond its national implications. I lived in Milwaukee from age ten to fifteen, and know first-hand, and fondly remember, the hard work of educators in that state.

I hope readers will provide additional suggestions for this list — I’m sure there are plenty of good articles I don’t know about.

Here are my choices for The Best Resources For Learning About Attacks On Teachers & Other Public Sector

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Schools Matter: Democracy Movement in Full Flower in Madison: Next Stop, Columbus #killthebill #wiunion #weac #forWIteachers #Wsconsin #solidaritywi

Schools Matter: Democracy Movement in Full Flower in Madison: Next Stop, Columbus

Democracy Movement in Full Flower in Madison: Next Stop, Columbus

by Jim Horn
From Brian LeCloux, who posted this at ARN:

I was at the rally today for 11 hours. Awesome!

There were 5,000 inside the State Capitol from the early morning on, chanting "this is what democracy looks like" and "Recall Walker", singing "We Shall Overcome" and shouting "We Got Democracy, Yes We Do, We Got Democracy
how about you" and "We are Wisconsin" and "Kill this Bill" This went on for hours and was driven by a great crew
of drummers and protest leaders. At one point an American flag was unfurled stretching the width of the Capitol Rotunda as we sang. Very emotional for all involved.

Outside 20,000 were marching around the capitol building.

The firefighters and police, who are not affected by Walker's anti democratic
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DEM LAWMAKERS FLEE WISCONSIN The Huffington Post #weac #wiunion #notmywi

Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post
  • Oh! Gov Walker is getting pissed off-fa-fa. That's tooooo bad. He calls what he does working. No gov, it's union busting. Go Wisconsin 14!
  • Between returning federal rail funds and causing surreal Madison sit in, gotta hand it to Walker: he's getting Wisconsin nat'l coverage. :(
  • They don't answer to that. RT Gov. Scott Walker releases statement calling "Democrat Legislators Back Into State."
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SACRAMENTO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE: Class action in Wisconsin #weac #wiunion #notmywi

SACRAMENTO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE: Class action in Wisconsin

Class action in Wisconsin

by Duane Campbell

Don Taylor
As I write this, we are in our fourth day of demonstrations against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s “budget repair” bill and its’ provisions to effectively eliminate public sector collective bargaining. Today, the Democrats in the senate have fled the state, leaving the Republicans one vote short of a quorum to pass the bill. The Democrats say they will not return until the anti-union provisions are off the table.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edt3rjqghg4&feature=player_embedded]
Disguised as a bill to fix a shortfall in the current budget, this bill would:
  • Abolish public sector collective bargaining on all topics except wages. There would be no more negotiating leaves of absence, health and safety, discipline for just cause, or anything else. Negotiated wage increases would be capped at CPI; in other words, no real negotiation could occur.
  • Prohibit public employers from deducting union dues via payroll deduction. This measure is one of
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we're for peace, protest, rights and solidarity #weac #wiunion #notmywi

we're for peace, protest, rights and solidarity



Walker supporters plan Saturday counter rally

By Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel
Feb. 17, 2011 9:07 p.m. |(38) COMMENTS
Madison -- Supporters of Gov. Scott Walker's plans to take union rights away from public workers are planning a Saturday rally at the Capitol, following days of protests by opponents of the measure.
"BOOK IT: capitol rally for taxpayers, noon on SATURDAY! bring cleaning supplies to clean up the pigsty the liberal union goons left behind at OUR house," talk radio host Vicki McKenna wrote in a Facebook posting.

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Budget Protest in Madison - Firefighters #wiunion #notmywi #WEAC


As we prepare for another day at the Capitol, we thank all of our brothers and sisters - union and non - for their incredible support. Here's a short video of local firefighters, met with cheers for their solidarity. We fight this fight for all workers.
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Democurmudgeon: State Sen. Jon Erpenbach Speaks to the Nation on MSNBC, Warns of Republican Attack on #weac #wiunion #notmywi

Democurmudgeon: State Sen. Jon Erpenbach Speaks to the Nation on MSNBC, Warns of Republican Attack on Labor in Wisconsin.

State Sen. Jon Erpenbach Speaks to the Nation on MSNBC, Warns of Republican Attack on Labor in Wisconsin.

by Democurmudgeon
Rachel Maddow found at least one Wisconsin State Senator, Jon Erpenbach, who explains in the simplest terms, the situation for even conservative tea party members to understand.

Popout
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CTA Supports Educators and Public Workers in Wisconsin #weac #wiunion #notmywi


CTA Supports Educators and Public Workers in Wisconsin [HQ]

by California Teachers Association (videos)
0:26
California Teachers Association stands in support of educators and public workers in Wisconsin battling to retain their collective bargaining rights.
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Rally in Nashville–March 5 « Blount County Education Association

Rally in Nashville–March 5 « Blount County Education Association

Rally in Nashville–March 5

02/17/2011
by bceaweb

There will be a gathering of supporters of public education in Nashville on Saturday, March 5th. Make plans to attend!
If you plan on coming, please let your association rep know or respond to the event invitation on our Facebook Page.

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NEA president demands that educator voices be heard #wiunion #notmywi #WEAC

NEA president demands that educator voices be heard



NEA president demands that educator voices be heard

Van Roekel travels to Wisconsin to demonstrate support of 3.2 million NEA members



MADISON — NEA President Dennis Van Roekel is in Wisconsin today meeting with Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) President Mary Bell and WEAC members to let them know that the Association’s 3.2 million members are solidly behind them in their efforts to stand up for Wisconsin’s working families.
“I came here today to support our members, teachers and educators who are speaking up for public schools and the middle class. Our members are standing up to make sure that they have a seat at the table when decisions are made about schools and the quality of education,” said Van Roekel. “Let there be no mistake: the views of teachers reflect their commitment to students. Educators are eager to offer their ideas and insight about how to help students succeed. To silence the voice of teachers can only diminish all of our work to make public schools great for all students.”
Acknowledging Wisconsin’s financial challenges, Van Roekel said the state needs strong and visionary leadership. “We need solutions, not scapegoats,” he said. “Gov. Walker can’t solve Wisconsin’s problems by himself. Wisconsin teachers and educators are ready to join in the work on solutions. That is the essence of the ‘Wisconsin Idea’ and American ideals.”
“Sadly, Wisconsin isn’t the only place where there is a concerted effort on the part of some politicians and corporate leaders to weaken or eliminate the middle class,” Van Roekel said. “Instead of repaying the CEOs and big donors who contributed to their campaigns, we have to hold these elected leaders accountable to do what is in the best interests of working people – not a few wealthy and powerful individuals.”
“Middle class workers and their families are not asking for special treatment,” Van Roekel said. “I know that teachers and public employees love Wisconsin and are willing to help shoulder the state’s financial burdens, but they are not willing to give up their voice. We need balance and shared sacrifice. We need leaders who will come up with solutions that will strengthen state economies and create jobs. In fact, Gov. Walker’s plan won’t make Wisconsin stronger – it would increase the state’s long-term debt – and it won’t create any new jobs.”
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the working men and women of Wisconsin for refusing to bow to individuals and special interests who want to dismantle the rights of working Americans and the stability of middle class families. NEA stands proudly with you and together – we will not be silent or denied,” Van Roekel said.
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School Tech Connect: Incoming Meme

School Tech Connect: Incoming Meme

Incoming Meme

by effacethefacade@yahoo.com (Tim)
from my rss reader...

The puff pieces on Urban Prep are about to start again.

I don't really even mind the push-kids-into-college goalpost, unless it creates unsustainable debt for people. There's a whole generation of people with very high scores graduating from very prestigious colleges right now for whom there are no jobs, and it is only fair to expand this opportunity to people with lower scores graduating from more average institutions. However, back in the traditional public school world, the thing you get measured and condemned by is test scores. So let's return to the chart that probably isn't making the news regarding the above
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Schools Matter: My Last Look at The Last Word

Schools Matter: My Last Look at The Last Word

My Last Look at The Last Word

by Jim Horn

When I heard that the centerfold for the Hemlock Society calendar, Ann Coulter, was going to be Lawrence O'Donnell's guest tonight, I decided to give him 60 seconds on this one. I stopped at 45. This is entirely an unjustified waste of any air time or my time for a show that is even vaguely billed as political news and
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School Tech Connect: I Would Call This A Rip-Off #wiunion #notmywi

School Tech Connect: I Would Call This A Rip-Off

I Would Call This A Rip-Off

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim)
If this is true then the revolution really needs to get moving.


Saw it at Eschaton.
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Wisconsin Democrats Walk from Statehouse to Prevent a Bill Freezing Wages, Benefits | Politically Illustrated #wiunion #notmywi

Wisconsin Democrats Walk from Statehouse to Prevent a Bill Freezing Wages, Benefits | Politically Illustrated

Wisconsin Democrats Walk from Statehouse to Prevent a Bill Freezing Wages, Benefits

BY: RICHARD LONGPUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 17, 2011

"Labor," by RJ Matson.

SAN FRANCISCO (Politically Illustrated) – Wisconsin Democrats fled the statehouse on Thursday in an effort to prevent a vote on a controversial bill that would freeze wages, cut benefits and limit the bargaining rights of public unions.

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“We’re teachers, librarians, public servants,” Amanda Walker, of Wisconsin, told Politically Illustrated. “Why are we getting punished for the economic recession brought on by the greed and filth of Wall Street? Why are we having to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as Wall Street reaps profits of a new bull market?”

The comments by Mrs. Walker come as state troopers were sent to find the absent lawmakers, but few are still in state lines, according to one Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller.

“I can tell you this – we’re not all in one place,” Sen. Scott Miller

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Evening Edition Feb. 17, 2011 Big Education Ape: Ed News Now, Education

Big Education Ape: Ed News Now, Education

Big Education Ape: Ed News Now


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Education
northjersey.com - ‘Green’ revolt in Garfield to reports that pre-K school funding being targeted GARFIELD — Proposals to cut state funding for full-time preschool programs are in the air, and that has parents here u...

coopmike48
oregonlive.com - Published: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 6:20 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 6:30 PMEighty-three percent of Oregon third graders met state reading benchmarks in 2009-10. Should the o...

coopmike48
oregonlive.com - Published: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 5:22 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:45 PMTeams representing the Portland Association of Teachers and the management of the Portland school ...

coopmike48
boston.com - PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee's (CHAY'-fee) has named a Providence executive and philanthropist as chairman of the state's higher-education board.Lorne A. Adrain, managing direc...

coopmike48
sacbee.com - For high school seniors applying to college - and students already in college - the time is now to fill out financial aid applications. The FAFSA, the most important part of the application, is due...

coopmike48
educationvotes.nea.org - Posted in: Top Story Tags: Scott Walker, teachers budget, Wisconsin By Cynthia McCabe On Friday, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker released his budget bill that contained outrageous attacks on the rights...

mikeklonsky
rickackerly.com - Late in the fall two middle school teachers came to my office with a dilemma: “We don’t want to be guilty of grade inflation, but the grading system isn’t fair. Sara, for instance, works really har...

coopmike48
californiaprogressreport.com - Printer-friendly versionSend to friendBy Assemblymember Roger Dickinson Affordable health insurance is available for your children, regardless of pre-existing conditions, during open-enrollment Mar...

coopmike48
upi.com - Published: Feb. 17, 2011 at 4:30 AMWASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama is to meet with key U.S. lawmakers Thursday to discuss overhauling the No Child Left Behind education law, the...

coopmike48
washingtonpost.com - Fairfax County schools will no longer require students to pay for Advanced Placement exams, in response to a ruling by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II that called such fees illegal.Fair...

coopmike48
washingtonpost.com - "We've been in a good place with [Obama officials] the whole time," Van Roekel said. "That doesn't mean we don't ever have disagreements. We both agree absolutely that the way it is right now in pu...

leoniehaimson
host.madison.com - MATTHEW DeFOUR | mdefour@madison.com | 608-252-6144 madison.com | | Posted: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 4:40 pm Nearly 800 Madison East High School students walked out of school Tuesday morning to j...

mikeklonsky
washingtonpost.com - Facing a budget deficit of as much as $600 million for the next fiscal year, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray has asked accounting giant Deloitte to analyze the District's public schools budget in search...

coopmike48
gothamschools.org - The vast majority of city principals say they’re happy with the support they get from the Department of Education, according to the latest results of the city’s survey of school leaders. But the nu...

coopmike48
csmonitor.com - Some 150 schools districts sent officials, school board members, and teachers union reps to Denver this week to hear how collaboration can improve student achievement and boost education reform. Ca...

coopmike48
oregonlive.com - Published: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 6:28 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:42 PMAfter the state developed new rules about how to control misbehaving students, the McMinnville Sch...

coopmike48
seattletimes.nwsource.com - Seattle Public Schools will make bus-transportation changes next fall that will require up to 4,200 students to walk farther to their bus stops or switch schools to be guaranteed a ride.The changes...

coopmike48
northjersey.com - N.J. public schools can weather state spending cuts, school finance expert testifies HACKENSACK — New Jersey’s public schools can provide quality education despite last year’s cuts in state funding...

coopmike48
ednewscolorado.org - Legislative Democrats know they don’t like Gov. John Hickenlooper’s proposed 2011-12 budget, but they don’t yet know quite how to soften the blow to K-12 education. “The budget we pass won’t be the...

coopmike48
boston.com - BOISE, Idaho—Legislation aimed at weakening the leverage of labor organizations in Idaho passed another hurdle Wednesday despite opposition from union workers who flooded the Capitol this week to t...

coopmike48
njspotlight.com - New Jersey Education Commissioner Chris Cerf listening to panel discussion on his tenure reform proposals. At left is Arcelio Aponte, the state Board of Education president. In a presentation befit...

coopmike48
seattletimes.nwsource.com - The state's prepaid college-tuition program, known as the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program, would be a little less generous for people who buy credits after March 31 of this year under a ...

coopmike48
harvinmoore.com - A document worth referring to I wrote this op-ed column for the Examiner Newspaper group. You can see the original article, which was published today, here. THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 7. EDUCA...

coopmike48
voiceofsandiego.org - Posted on February 16, 2011 Two weeks after teachers and parents called for San Diego Unified to launch an investigation of a Chollas View charter school, other parents and teachers have stepped ...

coopmike48
modeducation.blogspot.com - The following is a repost from Larry Ferlazzo. It was also reprinted in the Answer Sheet, Valerie Strauss’ blog on the WaPo. As most of you who follow education are now well aware, Michelle Rhee, d...

coopmike48
nydailynews.com - Watts/News Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson warned of the dangers in laying off the 'wrong teachers.' Despite skyrocketing tax revenues, the city still needs to ax 4,666 teachers to balance the books, o...

coopmike48
bigeducationape.blogspot.com - twincities.com - Gov. Mark Dayton's plan to increase funding for K-12 education consists of leaving the general education formula alone but adding about $50 million — roughly 0.4 percent of the tot...

coopmike48
ed.gov - DENVER—If we had a dollar for every time someone used the word “collaboration” at the Department of Education’s labor-management conference that wrapped Wednesday, the Department might not have nee...

coopmike48
democraticunderground.com - GOP plan to change collective bargaining passes House subcommittee (Iowa) Source: Iowa IndependentOn the same day when thousands took to the streets of Madison, Wis., to protest legislation that wo...

coopmike48
nydailynews.com - Watts/News Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson warned of the dangers in laying off the 'wrong teachers.' Despite skyrocketing tax revenues, the city still needs to ax 4,666 teachers to balance the books, o...

leoniehaimson
quickanded.com - For the last two weeks, Higher Ed Watch has been running guest posts from Neil Raisman, the former chancellor at Briarcliffe College, which is owned by the Career Education Corporation. (You can re...

coopmike48
voiceofsandiego.org - Posted on February 16, 2011 San Diego Unified wants to take a closer look at the three City Heights schools that Price Charities has poured funding into, part of a pilot program with San Diego St...

coopmike48
nj.com - Published: Thursday, February 17, 2011, 6:00 AMTRENTON — After nearly a century, the days of New Jersey teachers automatically earning tenure after a few years on the job could be over.Under a plan...

coopmike48
caller.com - ROBSTOWN — ROBSTOWN — About 670 parents and school district officials from across the region gathered Wednesday at the 26th Annual Parent Involvement Conference to do some homework on how parents c...

coopmike48
chicagotribune.com - Associated Press 2:10 p.m. CST, February 16, 2011chi-ap-wi-wisconsinbudget-e DENVER — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says that the move in Wisconsin and other states to strip teachers of barg...

coopmike48
ibabuzz.com - By Katy Murphy Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 at 12:14 pm in budget Why, some of you asked, would the Oakland school district tell all of its principals that they might be reassigned to another pos...

coopmike48
californiaprogressreport.com - Printer-friendly versionSend to friendBy F. Noel PerryNext 10 Every day Californians are hearing more and more about the state’s $25.4 billion deficit – and the choices being considered in Sacramen...

coopmike48
washingtonexaminer.com - D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray's education transition team is recommending significant changes to the controversial Impact teacher evaluation tool created by interim Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson. The...

mikeklonsky
nydailynews.com - Handschuh/News Merryl Tisch, Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents. State Education Commissioner David Steiner's statements yesterday on giving the city leeway to lay off teachers based...

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coopmike48 States, GOP go after teachers in budget crisis - CNN.com -http://goo.gl/oXHSn #wiunion #notmywi16 minutes ago · reply

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boston.com - NEW YORK—New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration is warning his preliminary budget will contain difficult news following federal and state budget cuts.Under the preliminary plan, to ...

coopmike48
northjersey.com - N.J. mayors lobby Trenton for pension and health cost reform It’s a familiar tune: the call for health benefit, pension and civil service reforms. But Wednesday, the cry for change didn’t come from...

coopmike48
beyondchron.org - School Beat: Schools Need the Special Election by Lisa Schiff‚ Feb. 17‚ 2011 California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) just did our state’s public schools the biggest favor or...

coopmike48
voices.washingtonpost.com - My guest is Richard D. Kahlenberg, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, a nonprofit public policy research organization, writes about education, equal opportunity and civil rights.By Richard ...

coopmike48
dailyrecord.com - Gov. Chris Christie's incoming education chief said Wednesday teacher tenure should be changed so that the job protection is awarded and kept based on rigorous reviews, but he stopped short of aski...

coopmike48
nyceducator.com - I have a challenging new class on my hands for the spring semester, a class chock-full to the brim with second semester seniors who have long since checked out on school, desperately need a credit ...

coopmike48
baycitizen.org - Updated Feb. 16, 2011 at 5:39 p.m. with a quote from union member Cathy Helton When the city's unions united in November to soundly defeat Proposition B, a controversial ballot initiative that woul...

coopmike48
coloradoindependent.com - Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper rolled out a budget plan Tuesday in which he proposes trying to make up hundreds of millions of dollars in shortfalls by mostly slashing elementary school fundin...

coopmike48
sacramentopress.com - Media, business, conservationist and government representatives from across the state gathered at the Sacramento Metro Chamber on Wednesday, Feb. 16, to launch reform of the state’s regulatory syst...

coopmike48
huffingtonpost.com - Cathie Black has experienced what may be her first successful public outing as chancellor.Yesterday the chancellor went to Albany to convince lawmakers not to make drastic cuts to the city's educat...

coopmike48
larryferlazzo.edublogs.org - Feb 16 2011 Larry Ferlazzo TED Talks, the famous site/meeting that invites notable thinkers and doers to speak and then shares their talks online, has just created a new feature called TED Conversa...

coopmike48
gothamschools.org - After several years of mixed reviews and a decision by its authorizer to give it an abbreviated charter, a charter school run by the city’s teachers union is losing its principal. Sources close to ...

coopmike48
oregonlive.com - Published: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 6:07 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:12 PMFor the past half-decade, the parents at Hayhurst School have been divided. The school housed two ...

coopmike48
washingtonpost.com - I admire the erudite and public-spirited members of the Montgomery County Board of Education. Their superintendent, Jerry D. Weast, is one of the best in the business, a national leader with a smar...

coopmike48
nj.com - Published: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 6:15 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 6:48 PMWASHINGTON — Michelle Rhee, a national figure in education reform who turned down Gov. Chris Chris...

coopmike48
34years.tumblr.com - 0 notes February 16, 2011 The Democrats get their butts kicked in the recent elections, then alienate one of their larger constituencies, teachers, with the recent “Advancing Student Achievement Th...

coopmike48
bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Approximately 150 school districts from 40 state sent teachers, school board members and administrators to the Denver Educational Summit this week. The summit was organized by the Obama administrat...

coopmike48
articles.latimes.com - If this were a standardized test about standardized testing, it would follow a format like this: Standardized testing in California has: (a) Led to greater accountability. (b) Narrowed classroom in...

mikeklonsky
weac.org - PrioritiesAbout WEACMoving Education ForwardBenefits of Membership News around the webEducators’ Bulletin BoardBlogsVideoPhotos This blog is a forum for elected leaders and staff 12/14/2009 > Full ...

coopmike48
ctmirror.org - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy spared early, primary and secondary education from budget cuts, and beefed up spending on school choice, but he is proposing a $143.5 million reduction to public colleges and ...

coopmike48
tangerineflorida.com - Govenor Scott “maintains state funding for education — no cuts.” Well, as usual, the devil is in the details. Let’s see what one of my favorite writers says about Scott’s budget as unveiled in Lake...

coopmike48
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