Last Week's Best Posts on Big Education Ape » PostRank #ows #EDreform #sosmarch #p2 #1u

Last Week's Best Posts on Big Education Ape » PostRank

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Are Missouri legislators recruiting lobbyists to sell education reform? - St. Louis Political Buzz | Examiner.com

2012-Jan-7

Are Missouri legislators recruiting lobbyists to sell education reform? - St. Louis Political Buzz | Examiner.com:Are Missouri legislators recruiting lobbyists to sell education reform?Add a commentLisa Payne-Naeger, St. Louis Political Buzz ExaminerMichelle Rhee of StudentsFirst is coming to Missouri, as a lobbyist for education reform, and she is doing so at the request of the Missouri legislature. Rhee, a prominent proponent of charter schools, announced on the StudentsFirst website:StudentsFirst members across the state and bipartisan leaders in the General Assembly ...

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This Week In Education: Thompson: The Benefits and Costs of Graduation Exams

2012-Jan-6

This Week In Education: Thompson: The Benefits and Costs of Graduation Exams:Thompson: The Benefits and Costs of Graduation Examsby john thompsonAfter reading Sarah Butrymowicz's Hechinger Ed analysis of Oklahoma’s new graduation law, I remain agnostic on whether students should be required to pass four End of Instruction tests to earn a diploma. About 16% of the state’s seniors began the year needing to pass one or more of their exit examinations. A law has been filed to delay the graduation ...

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Why Teach For America Is Not Welcome in My Classroom | LA Progressive

2012-Jan-6

Why Teach For America Is Not Welcome in My Classroom | LA Progressive:Why Teach For America Is Not Welcome in My ClassroomJuly 18, 2011 By Mark NaisonEvery spring, without fail, a Teach for America recruiter approaches me and asks if they can come to my classes and recruit students for TFA, and every year, without fail, I give them the same answer.“Sorry.”Until Teach for America becomes committed to training lifetime educators and raises the length of service to five years ...

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Jersey Jazzman: My Commenters Rock, TN-style!

2012-Jan-6

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CIP Updates Underway for PWCS « PWC Education Reform Blog

2012-Jan-5

CIP Updates Underway for PWCS « PWC Education Reform Blog:CIP Updates Underway for PWCSJanuary 5, 2012 — pwceducationreformPWCS has announced that they will begin updating the CIP shortly and citizen comments are welcomed. Here’s the announcement and link:Capital Improvement Planning Begins; Community Input Opportunities to ComeJanuary 5, 2012Preliminary work is underway on the ever-evolving Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Capital Improvements Program (CIP). School Board Members last night (January 4) discussed staff recommendations for updating the program in the ...

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NYC Public School Parents: Richard Barr on the glorious Snyder school buildings, too many lost, sold or sitting empty

2012-Jan-5

NYC Public School Parents: Richard Barr on the glorious Snyder school buildings, too many lost, sold or sitting empty:Richard Barr on the glorious Snyder school buildings, too many lost, sold or sitting emptyby Leonie HaimsonMorris High School in the BronxMayor Bloomberg’s invitation to his State of the City speechfeatures a photo of the glorious Morris High School building in the Bronx where his address will be given. Morris High School was designed by the NYC Superintendent of schools, Charles B.J. ...

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Would I announce my bargaining position before bargaining? No. But that’s me. « Fred Klonsky

2012-Jan-5

Would I announce my bargaining position before bargaining? No. But that’s me. « Fred Klonsky:Would I announce my bargaining position before bargaining? No. But that’s me.by Fred KlonskyThere was some concern about the way I reported Senate President John Cullerton’s statement yesterday.On the video I posted, Cullerton said plainly that the state employee unions, our leadership included, had expressed a willingness to negotiate adjustments in the pension benefits of union members.I wan’t shocked by Cullerton’s statement because our union leadership ...

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Matt Damon and Mother Reject Union's Award – SchoolBook

2012-Jan-5

Matt Damon and Mother Reject Union's Award – SchoolBook:Matt Damon and Mother Reject Union's AwardRobyn Beck/Agence France-Press-Getty ImagesMatt Damon with his mother, Dr. Nancy Carlsson-Paige, in 2007 after he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.FACEBOOKTWITTERPRINTJan. 5, 2012, 11:25 a.m.By ANNA M. PHILLIPS12:19 p.m. | Updated The actor Matt Damon and his mother, a professor of education, on Wednesday turned down an award from the country’s largest teachers union after reading an opinion article that the union’s president ...

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CEJ Parents React to Gov. Cuomo’s “State of the State” « EdVox

2012-Jan-4

CEJ Parents React to Gov. Cuomo’s “State of the State” « EdVox:CEJ Parents React to Gov. Cuomo’s “State of the State”by edvoxnyCoalition for Educational Justice: “As the governor takes up his new commission and focuses on performance, we strongly encourage him to design a platform that improves students’ ability in the world, not ability to take a test.”Governor Cuomo gave his second State of the State Address in Albany today, outlining a number of goals and initiatives for public education. ...

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Anti-public school allies: Kyle Olson, Juan Williams and Rahm Emanuel. « Fred Klonsky

2012-Jan-4

Anti-public school allies: Kyle Olson, Juan Williams and Rahm Emanuel. « Fred Klonsky:Anti-public school allies: Kyle Olson, Juan Williams and Rahm Emanuel.by Fred KlonskyAre you ready for the latest trio of anti-public school allies?The head of the anti-union Michigan-based Education Action Group, Kyle Olson, features a new video on his blogthis week.It is a promo of a new fake-umentary infomericial by Juan Williams promoting charter schools. You remember that Juan Williams was fired from National Public Radio for anti-Muslim comments.The ...

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Broward County Florida FCAT scores are finally in… am I reading this data correctly? Are all the F’s really charter schools ??? « Continuing Change

2012-Jan-4

Broward County Florida FCAT scores are finally in… am I reading this data correctly? Are all the F’s really charter schools ??? « Continuing Change:Broward County Florida FCAT scores are finally in… am I reading this data correctly? Are all the F’s really charter schools ???by gatorbonbcLook at the data closely..I see only five schools in Broward County with an F… and, all 5 are charters.Here are the names:.1. COMMUNITY CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL2. CHARTER SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE AT RIVERLAND ELEMENTARY3. ...

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Occupy DOE in DC Rules of Engagement | United Opt Out National

2012-Jan-4

Occupy DOE in DC Rules of Engagement | United Opt Out National:Occupy DOE in DC Rules of Engagementby adminOccupy the DOE Rules of Engagement400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024We are requesting to everyone that this remain a PEACEFUL occupation with NON-VIOLENT actions. We are not responsible for the actions of individuals or groups that do not follow the general rules of engagement outlined here.GSA property includes The Department of Education Building and the surrounding Plaza along Maryland Avenvue. (However: ...

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The #1 Reason Girls Drop Out (and What You Can Do About It) « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education

2012-Jan-4

The #1 Reason Girls Drop Out (and What You Can Do About It) « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education:The #1 Reason Girls Drop Out (and What You Can Do About It)by Laura VarlasThe United States has the highest teen birthrate in the industrialized world, and teen pregnancy and parenting is the number one reason girls drop out of school. (See the infographic below for the far-reaching effects of teen pregnancy.)This is an avoidable crisis—teen parents don’t have ...

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Race gap in school discipline? | Recordnet.com

2012-Jan-4

Race gap in school discipline? | Recordnet.com:Race gap in school discipline?Blacks expelled, suspended more than others at SUSDPrint this Article Email this Article Text Size: A | A | APhoto 1 of 1 | Zoom Photo +By Roger PhillipsRecord Staff WriterJanuary 01, 2012 12:00 AMSTOCKTON - Though they represent only a small percentage of the population at Stockton Unified's four comprehensive high schools, black students receive a sizable percentage of the expulsions and suspensions, a disparity experts say is reflective ...

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Schools Matter: Pearson-Gate Claims More Corrupt Junketeers

2012-Jan-4

Schools Matter: Pearson-Gate Claims More Corrupt Junketeers:Pearson-Gate Claims More Corrupt Junketeersby Jim HornBelow is Michael Winerip's Jan. 1 piece on the fetid corporate cesspool that is Pearson Education and Pearson Foundation. I have taken the liberty to highlight the public officials who have been bought by Pearson's generous junkets. Below Winerip's piece is a late December piece by Winnie Hu.Junketeers in LondonJanuary 1, 2012New Questions About Trips Sponsored by Education PublisherBy MICHAEL WINERIPIn the summer of 2010, Lu Young, the ...

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Jersey Jazzman: Urban Students=Cash Cows

2012-Jan-4

Jersey Jazzman: Urban Students=Cash Cows:Urban Students=Cash Cowsby DukeHey, I know how to fix schools: let's give MORE tax money to private companies! As quickly as possible!First proposed by Gov. Chris Christie and since taken up by South Jersey Democrats, a plan that would open up select public schools to nonprofit or even for-profit management appears poised for passage in the final days of the legislature's lame duck session. The proposed Urban Hope Act, at least in its current incarnation, is ...

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California and Sacramento-area teachers took pay hits last year - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

2012-Jan-4

California and Sacramento-area teachers took pay hits last year - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee:California and Sacramento-area teachers took pay hits last yeardlambert@sacbee.comPUBLISHED WEDNESDAY, JAN. 04, 2012School districts across California slashed teacher payrolls by historic amounts last school year, cutting 15,000 teachers and $1 billion from their budgets, according to a Bee review of new state data.The roughly 5.5 percent statewide reduction in teaching payroll eclipsed the 3 percent cut the prior year."This $1 ...

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Schools Matter: The importance of access to books

2012-Jan-4

Schools Matter: The importance of access to books:The importance of access to booksby skrashenSent to the San Francisco Chronicle, Jan 3, 2012According to the Chronicle, Ze’ev Wurman thinks that “access to books is not a problem” because of one finding in one report produced by the US Government (“Fewer California schools have trained librarians,” Jan 2, 2012). This is like dismissing global warming because yesterday was cold. And it is counter to the results of a multitude of studies.Numerous scientific ...

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"NYSUT: SED decision to suspend funding to all SIG schools 'shocking'."

2012-Jan-3

"NYSUT: SED decision to suspend funding to all SIG schools 'shocking'." January 03, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org:NYSUT: SED decision to suspend funding to all SIG schools 'shocking'NYSUT Media Relations - January 3, 2012 ALBANY, N.Y. January 3, 2012 - New York State United Teachers President Richard C. Iannuzzi today reacted to the unexpected suspension of School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding for 10 school districts:"The State Education Department's decision to now immediately suspend funding to all 10 districts ...

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Big Education Ape: 1-3-11 PM U.S. Department of Education announces that 4th qtr PROFITS are up 57% EDition #ows #edreform

2012-Jan-3

Big Education Ape: Ed News Now: Big Education Ape: Ed News NowPublished by Coopmike48 – 7 news spotters todayNext update in about 11 hoursSee all articlesHEADLINESEDUCATIONSOCIETYSTORIESPOLITICSLEISUREENVIRONMENT#P2ED#CORPREFORMEstimating The Effects Of Financial Incentives In Denvershankerblog.org - Our guest author today is Eleanor Fulbeck, who earned her Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2011, and is currently a post-doctoral fellow at the University of ...DianeRavitchWorkers of the World, Unite!nytimes.com - Ottumwa, Iowa The Republican Party is the ...

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Gov. Scott Walker can thank Michelle Rhee for making teachers unions the enemy

2012-Jan-3

Gov. Scott Walker can thank Michelle Rhee for making teachers unions the enemy:Gov. Scott Walker can thank Michelle Rhee for making teachers unions the enemyTOOLBOX ResizePrintE-mailReprintsRichard D. KahlenbergSunday, February 27, 2011Education writer explains how the former D.C. schools chief helped stoke anti-union firesA half-century ago, Wisconsin became the first state in the nation to pass legislation allowing collective bargaining for public employees, including educators. At the time, teachers across the country, who make up a significant share of public employees, ...

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Modern School: Less Than 25% of California Schools Have Librarians

2012-Jan-2

Modern School: Less Than 25% of California Schools Have Librarians:Less Than 25% of California Schools Have Librariansby Michael Dunn(Image from Flickr, by library_mistress)Less than 1 out of 4 California schools have full-time credentialed librarians, according to the state Department of Education (See San Francisco Chronicle, 1/2/12). There are only about 900 school librarians in the state, down roughly 20% from two years ago. Many schools have cut librarians entirely, while others have hired them part-time or are sharing them with ...

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A fourth “r” for 21st century literacy - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

2012-Jan-2

A fourth “r” for 21st century literacy - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:A fourth “r” for 21st century literacyby Valerie StraussThis was written by Cathy N. Davidson, a Duke University professor, self-described “technopragmatist,” and author of Now You See It: How the Brain Science of Attention Will Transform the Way We Live, Work, and Learn. By Cathy N. DavidsonWhat basic skills do kids today need to thrive in the 21st century digital age? The 3 R’s of “reading, ...

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

2012-Jan-2

MY ENDORSEMENT OF A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE « Teachers Fight BackBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-3 hours agoMY ENDORSEMENT OF A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE « Teachers Fight Back:MY ENDORSEMENT OF A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEEby alkleenMy phone has been constantly ringing with calls from the campaign managers of the Republican presidential contenders. Given my large readership on this blog, all the candidates are vying for my endorsement. I’m getting really tired of this harassment, so here goes, these are my ...

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Segregated Charter Schools Evoke Separate but Equal Era in U.S.

2012-Jan-1

Segregated Charter Schools Evoke Separate but Equal Era in U.S.:Segregated Charter Schools Evoke Separate but Equal Era in U.S. December 28th, 2011 | Author: National OfficeComment by RachelPendergraftThe kids in the article below seem to be happy. Parents have been given a choice as to where to send their children and without government interference, many have selected schools with a student population that reflects the race of those children. In addition, many of these schools satisfy the children’s longing to ...

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What Mayor Bloomberg Kisses When He isn't Kissing Lady Gaga #edreform #ows

2012-Jan-1

What Mayor Bloomberg Kisses When He isn't Kissing Lady Gaga

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The Innovative Educator: 20 Quotes About Learning That Inspired Me in 2011 From My Personal Learning Network

2012-Jan-1

The Innovative Educator: 20 Quotes About Learning That Inspired Me in 2011 From My Personal Learning Network:20 Quotes About Learning That Inspired Me in 2011 From My Personal Learning Networkby noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)A well formed quote, like a picture, is a great method for painting detailed concepts. Each year I do my best to capture quotes that were impactful to me that year. In 2010 I shared my Top Ten Quotes for Teaching Generation Text. In 2009 I shared My ...

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Rick Scott’s “Governed Very Differently Than What He Campaigned On” | Scathing Purple Musings

2012-Jan-1

Rick Scott’s “Governed Very Differently Than What He Campaigned On” | Scathing Purple Musings:Rick Scott’s “Governed Very Differently Than What He Campaigned On”by Bob Sikes Lakeland republican senator Paula Dockery dropped her gubernatorial bid when she realized she couldn’t compete with Rick Scott’s money. Nonetheless, she served on his transition team after Scott’s victory over Alex Sink. In today’s Orlando Sentinel story by Aaron Deslatte, Dockery has some sharp criticism for Scott:“I think he has governed very differently than what ...