The Washington Teacher: A Call To Action: Save DC's Schools!

The Washington Teacher: A Call To Action: Save DC's Schools!:

A Call To Action: Save DC's Schools!

By Candi Peterson

In the midst of upcoming contract negotiations, there are big plans ahead to close our traditional public schools. Never in our history has there been a greater need for teachers and school personnel to have an effective union. Our very future as educators and the future of our students will be determined by how vigorously we, alongside parents and community members are willing to fight to save our schools.

I invite all Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) members to come out and get involved in our WTU Representative Assembly to be held Tuesday, November 8 from 4:30-6:30 pm. at McKinley Technology Senior High School @ 151 T Street NE. Washington, DC. Let's do more than just give lip service to save our schools.

Earlier this week, The Washington Teacher blog featured an article about future plans to close additional public schools. Below for your perusal I have included an excerpt from the 21st Century School Fund newsletter which outlines the purpose of the Illinois Facility Fund (IFF) study which was commissioned by Deputy Mayor of

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Week 9: How much it too much, and what’s not enough?

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Week 9: How much it too much, and what’s not enough?:

Week 9: How much it too much, and what’s not enough?

One of the big adjustments in leaving a prep position with periods for a self-contained class is the change in the time I have to work with kids. I had gotten used to discrete 45-minute segments, but now have the whole day with the same class teaching multiple subjects, etc.

I still don’t feel like I have a good rhythm for the week, and I’m writing this on Monday of week 10, a day that has been my particular bête noire. I’m starting the week with WAY too much ambition, and it’s getting in the way of something really critical which is kids finishing the work, and getting feedback in some way–either through whole class correction, my

That’s 21 of Your Validators Ate Up At The Same Time | The Jose Vilson

That’s 21 of Your Validators Ate Up At The Same Time | The Jose Vilson:

That’s 21 of Your Validators Ate Up At The Same Time

by Jose

Rakim

“I‘m not a regular competitor, first rhyme editor
Melody arranger, poet, etcetera
Extra events, the grand finale like bonus
I am the man they call the microphonist
With wisdom which means wise words bein spoken
Too many at one time watch the mic start smokin’
I came to express the rap I manifest
Stand in my way and I’ll veto, in other words, protest
MC’s that wanna be dissed they’re gonna

Make or Break Moment for Public Education in California | California Progress Report

Make or Break Moment for Public Education in California | California Progress Report:

Make or Break Moment for Public Education in California

Posted on 07 November 2011

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By Pablo Rodriguez
Communities for a New California

On Friday, November 4th, I proudly joined a growing movement of students, teachers, parents, and workers and sent the open letter below to the fifty corporate elite who serve on the boards of California's public colleges and universities. We are the 99%, and through our taxes we are already paying more than our fair share to save public education and vital social services in California. We are at a make-or-break moment for the future of public education.

We have endured $17 billion in cuts to public education and 200% increases in tuition for the University of California, California State University and community college students since just 2008. Now, $2.5 billion in additional cuts to education and essential services

An Urban Teacher's Education: Teachers Make Too Much Money, Right?

An Urban Teacher's Education: Teachers Make Too Much Money, Right?:

Teachers Make Too Much Money, Right?

by James Boutin

A week ago, researchers from the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute (both free-market think tanks in DC) released a report claiming that American public school teachers, as a whole, are significantly overpaid.

Jason Richwine of Heritage and Andrew Biggs of AEI base the claim on their perceived market value of the average teacher, who, they say, tends to be at a cognitive disadvantage in comparison to their counterparts in the private market.

Teachers, many of whom pour their heart and soul into what they see as a thankless job, scoff at the notion that

School Tech Connect: Not Actuarially Sound

School Tech Connect: Not Actuarially Sound:

Not Actuarially Sound

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim)

Even if you've already called, call again. And get your Republican colleagues to call, too. They're the ones who could have some influence on their peeps.

There's been a lot of great coverage about the sudden amendment to SB512, and really, it comes down to this: SB512 ain't ready for prime time. In other words, it's just the sort of thing that would pass. You gotta call.

The bill increases the employer contribution drastically, and this would have the unintended consequence of increasing the value of the Money Purchase Option, and it would all end up costing the state something like $46B

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts #ows #edreform

Being Too Pretty, Not Pretty Enough Mark Girls as Targets for Sexual Harassment in School « Student Activism

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Being Too Pretty, Not Pretty Enough Mark Girls as Targets for Sexual Harassment in School « Student Activism:Being Too Pretty, Not Pretty Enough Mark Girls as Targets for Sexual Harassment in Schoolby Angus JohnstonThere’s lots of important stuff in the AAUW’s new report on sexual harassment in American high schools and middle schools, but I do want to highlight one small finding that hasn’t yet drawn much attention.The study asked students to identify which kinds of kids were at highest ... more »

Growing Resentment Toward Vouchers by State School Board Members « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

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Growing Resentment Toward Vouchers by State School Board Members « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!:Growing Resentment Toward Vouchers by State School Board Membersby millerlfLegislators Challenged on VouchersWisconsin School Board Members Dislike Private School Choiceby: Terrence Falk | Monday 11/7/2011When the chairs of the Wisconsin senate and assembly education committees spoke before a state school board conference, they knew they were going to get tough questions.Senator Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) and Representative Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake) limited their remarks to... more »

ASCD Inservice: Casey―and ASCD―at Bat for Well-Rounded Ed. Policy

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ASCD Inservice: Casey―and ASCD―at Bat for Well-Rounded Ed. Policy:Casey―and ASCD―at Bat for Well-Rounded Ed. Policyby David Griffith, ASCD Public Policy DirectorThe No Child Left Behind Act's (NCLB) narrow focus on student achievement in English language arts and mathematics has been a point of contention since the law's enactment, and has become especially problematic in more recent years with the increased interest in college, career, and citizenship-ready students.That is why educators were so disappointed that the original Harkin-Enzi ESEA reauthorization bill ... more »

California Teachers of the Year for 2012 - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education)

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California Teachers of the Year for 2012 - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education):State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson AnnouncesCalifornia's Five Teachers of the YearSelects Burbank Teacher as Nominee to National CompetitionSACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today officially announced the selection of California's five 2012 Teachers of the Year."This honor is afforded to teachers who have demonstrated a special ability to connect with their students, a zest for the classroom, a genuine passion for an occupation that ... more »

Race to the Top is a Race Off a Cliff | Seattle Education

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Race to the Top is a Race Off a Cliff | Seattle Education:Race to the Top is a Race Off a Cliffby seattleducation2011Thank goodness that our state didn’t go aggressively after the Race to the Top bribe although we had our own state PTA pushing for it along with the corporate backed Stand for Children and the League of Education Voters.Now states that bought into the scam, whether they received the RTTT money or not, are stuck with an evaluation ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Mid Day Posts #ows #edreform

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NCLB Waivers are not Worthy Reforms in California - Living in Dialogue - Education Week TeacherBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-25 minutes agoNCLB Waivers are not Worthy Reforms in California - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:NCLB Waivers are not Worthy Reforms in Californiaby Anthony CodyA slightly abbreviated version of this post ran as an op-ed column in yesterday's Sacramento Bee.No Child Left Behind has put the schools of California in a vise. Next year, the vast majority ... more »

Public Policy Blogger: Inevitable consequences of too much standardization and testing in our public schools

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Public Policy Blogger: Inevitable consequences of too much standardization and testing in our public schools:Inevitable consequences of too much standardization and testing in our public schoolsby Anne GeigerThis is my story and I'm stickin' to it. Criticism of education reform shaped more and more by standardized test scores. Yes, a narrowed focus on standardization and testing is an easier path for politicians and pundit to measure the "return on investment" in our public classrooms. They can boil down "performance" of ... more »

OWSnews.org #OWS #OccupyWallStreet

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OWSnews.org:Roger Waters: The Tide Is Turning (#OccupyWallStreet Music Video)admin at OWSnews.org - 50 minutes agoEditor’s Note: Thank you for this Roger, much respect! Roger Waters on #OccupyWallStreet The Tide Is Turning: #OWS Music VideoFinding Freedom in HandcuffsChris Hedges at OWSnews.org - 50 minutes agoCross-posted from TruthDig Faces appeared to me moments before the New York City police arrested us Thursday in front of Goldman Sachs. They were not the faces of the smug Goldman Sachs employees, who peered at us ... more »

All Things Education: Will Flat NAEP Reading Scores Mean More Flat Reading Instruction?

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All Things Education: Will Flat NAEP Reading Scores Mean More Flat Reading Instruction?:Will Flat NAEP Reading Scores Mean More Flat Reading Instruction?by Rachel LevyAt first I was annoyed with Matthew Di Carlo of the Shanker Blog for criticizing people for things they hadn't yet said. Speaking of the NAEP, he predicted, "People on all 'sides' will interpret the results favorably no matter how they turn out." But, he was right.The results in my state of Virginia, were reported in The ... more »

Grumpy Educators: Florida: Bringing Parent Activism Out of the Shadows

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Grumpy Educators: Florida: Bringing Parent Activism Out of the Shadows:Florida: Bringing Parent Activism Out of the Shadowsby SandraIn Brevard County, Florida, parents are fighting to keep the public schools in their communities open as the School Board looks for cost savings by closing schools that are considered too under capacity and moving the students to schools considered with room but not in the "under capacity" definition. These closures have nothing to do with the performance of the schools, teachers, or ... more »

NCLB Waivers are not Worthy Reforms in California - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

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NCLB Waivers are not Worthy Reforms in California - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:NCLB Waivers are not Worthy Reforms in Californiaby Anthony CodyA slightly abbreviated version of this post ran as an op-ed column in yesterday's Sacramento Bee.No Child Left Behind has put the schools of California in a vise. Next year, the vast majority of our schools will be declared "failing" based on our inability to make every child in the state proficient on standardized tests. As ... more »

Now, for vouchers - Ackerman says school reform is new 'civil-rights movement' | Philadelphia Daily News | 11/07/2011

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Now, for vouchers - Ackerman says school reform is new 'civil-rights movement' | Philadelphia Daily News | 11/07/2011:Now, for vouchers - Ackerman says school reform is new 'civil-rights movement'BY MORGAN ZALOTPhiladelphia Daily Newszalotm@phillynews.com 215-854-5928CLEM MURRAY / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERVoucher supporters hope that Ackerman's entry into the discussion will tip the legislative balance.1 of 2View imagesREADER FEEDBACK Post a commentTHE CONTROVERSIAL reforms that Michelle Rhee pushed during her tumultuous tenure as public-schools leader in Washington, D.C., were hardly the ... more »

“The Bobble-Head Issue of Education” «

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“The Bobble-Head Issue of Education” «:“The Bobble-Head Issue of Education”November 7, 2011 by Irene SegePhoto: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for ChildrenCornelia Grumman, executive director of the First Five Years Fund, offered a “playful” way of thinking about early education on NBC’s Education Nation recent panel discussion on early learning. “I do call it the bobble head issue of education. A lot of people nod their heads and say, ‘Oh yes that’s important,’ but I don’t think they really fully understand ... more »

Freedom Waves to Gaza Boats November 6, 2011 « Bill Ayers

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Freedom Waves to Gaza Boats November 6, 2011 « Bill Ayers:Freedom Waves to Gaza Boats November 6, 2011by billayersThe take over of the Tahrir and the Saoirse was violent and dangerous. Despite very clear protests from the occupants of the two boats that they did not want to be taken to Israel, they were forcibly removed from the boats in a violent manner. The whole take over took about 3 hours. Many of those on the Canadian boat were beaten.It ... more »

Schools Matter: How Huffman and Haslam Made TN a Laughingstock and Got Sued at the Same Time

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Schools Matter: How Huffman and Haslam Made TN a Laughingstock and Got Sued at the Same Time:How Huffman and Haslam Made TN a Laughingstock and Got Sued at the Same Timeby Jim HornOn Saturday the Knoxville News-Sentinel published a guest column from me that was in reaction to a guest column a few days earlier by the CEO of the local Chamber of Commerce, which has led the push for the not-ready-for-prime-time teacher evaluation scheme that any self-respecting Tennessee judge ...more »

The complex landscape of Ohio charter schools November 7, 2011 - PrivatizationWatch.Org #ows

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November 7, 2011 - PrivatizationWatch.Org:November 7, 2011by nospam@example.com (Editor)HeadlinesA hidden toll as states shift to contract workersMI: Some school districts get 'best practices' money ‎CO: Denver’s school board battlesFL: Judge again blocks prison privatizationIN: City to privatize some meter readingOH: The complex landscape of Ohio charter schoolsNE: Audit: 'Error' in child welfare servicesCA: Residents concerned police outsourcing may jeopardize securityNJ: Public, private alliances raising concernsNews summariesA hidden toll as states shift to contract workersLike ... more »

OWS Teams Up with the Street Vendor Project | OccupyWallSt.org #ows

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OWS Teams Up with the Street Vendor Project | OccupyWallSt.org:OWS Teams Up with the Street Vendor Projectby OccupyWallStNew Partnership Allows OWS Supporters to Purchase Food from Local Street Vendors, to Donate to the Protesthttp://streetvendor.org/owsIn the wake of the NYPD's escalating harassment of street cart vendors, Occupy Wall Street (OWS) and the Street Vendor Project have teamed up to create an online donation platform for street vendors who call Liberty Square (aka Zuccotti Park) their home. Through the website, supporters across ... more »

The Occupy Movement is Coming Home to UC Berkeley « Student Activism #ows

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The Occupy Movement is Coming Home to UC Berkeley « Student Activism:The Occupy Movement is Coming Home to UC Berkeleyby Angus JohnstonThis fall’s wave of “Occupy” actions centered on the Occupy Wall Street encampment in NYC has drawn on many recent movements for inspiration, from the Arab Spring to the mass uprisings of Greece and Spain to the last few years’ campus occupations and street protests in Britain and the occupation of the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison.But to anyone ... more »

Shanker Blog » Schedule Conflicts

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Shanker Blog » Schedule Conflicts:Schedule ConflictsPosted by Matthew Di Carlo on November 7, 2011As most people know, the majority of public school teachers are paid based on salary schedules. Most (but not all) contain a number of “steps” (years of experience) and “lanes” (education levels). Teachers are placed in one lane (based on their degree) and proceed up the steps as they accrue years on the job. Within most districts, these two factors determine the raises that teachers receive.Salary schedules ... more »