Last Week's Best Posts on Big Education Ape » PostRank
Cheating feared after photos of school tests leaked - latimes.com
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 5 hours ago
Cheating feared after photos of school tests leaked - latimes.com: Cheating feared after photos of school tests leakedHundreds of photos of standardized tests have begun to appear on student social-networking sites in California, raising concerns about cheating and test security that could create thorny problems for schools and school districts.In the worst-case scenario, the photos could lead to invalidation of test scores for entire schools or prevent the state from using certain tests. For the moment, state officials have warned ... more »
Major Bill Actions in Education - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress
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Education - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress: Bill Introduced: H.R.4628 Interest Rate Reduction ActOpen Congress : Major Bill Actions in Education-14 minutes agoTo extend student loan interest rates for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans.Bill Introduced: S.2366 A bill to extend student loan interest rates for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans.Open Congress : Major Bill Actions in Education-14 minutes agoA bill to extend student loan interest rates for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans.Bill Introduced: S.2343 Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike ... more »
Appeals, Manifestos, and Statements by Bernardine Dohrn « Bill Ayers
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Appeals, Manifestos, and Statements by Bernardine Dohrn « Bill Ayers: Appeals, Manifestos, and Statements by Bernardine DohrnbybillayersThis article is part ofThe Port Huron Statement at 50, a forum on the document that sparked a generation of activism. From the Boston ReviewAs the 1960s dawned, appeals, manifestos, and statements poured from the pens and typewriters of a new generation burning with the need to trumpet a new morning. These writings have in common a wild impatience, a brassiness required to speak ... more »
Rita, Blocker, Vogel criticism: Orange Superintendent Ron Blocker and Seminole Superintendent Bill Vogel criticize Florida's school accountability. - Orlando Sentinel
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Blocker, Vogel criticism: Orange Superintendent Ron Blocker and Seminole Superintendent Bill Vogel criticize Florida's school accountability. - Orlando Sentinel: Vogel, Blocker: Florida's school accountability system will failByDave Weber, Orlando Sentinel3:14 p.m. EST, April 27, 2012Comments5Share35Florida's runaway school accountability system is destined to fail and take with it the positive goals it was intended to accomplish, the superintendents of Orange and Seminole county schools agreed Friday.Orange Superintendent Ron Blocker and Bill Vogel, superintendent of Seminole schoo... more »
Modern School: Stand for Children Lynch Mob Wants MA Teachers Blood
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Modern School: Stand for Children Lynch Mob Wants MA Teachers Blood: Stand for Children Lynch Mob Wants MA Teachers BloodbyMichael DunnHuck/Konopacki Labor CartoonsRiding the wave of hysteria about our dysfunctional schools and incompetent teachers, Stand for Children (S4C) Massachusetts has acquired enough signatures to get an initiative on the November ballot that would make evaluations more important than seniority in layoff and transfer decisions.S4C says that polls it commissioned in 2011 indicated 85% approval for their initiative,12 Workers are Killed ... more »
Steve Lopez: Cutting schools, cutting opportunities - latimes.com
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Steve Lopez: Cutting schools, cutting opportunities - latimes.com: Steve Lopez: Cutting schools, cutting opportunitiesHundreds of adult education supporters are lining both sides of Van Nuys Boulevard this afternoon at the government center, screaming for the 250,000-student system to be saved and calling for the heads of those who are advocating big cuts or elimination."No Education, No Future," said one man's sign, and while the crowd shouted, "Save our schools," a woman handed me a flier calling for the recall of ... more »
"NYSUT demands end to 'broken' testing structure." April 27, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org
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"NYSUT demands end to 'broken' testing structure." April 27, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org: NYSUT demands end to 'broken' testing structureNYSUT Media Relations - April 27, 2012ALBANY, N.Y. April 27, 2012 - Acting decisively to give voice to the pain and frustration that students and teachers are experiencing over state testing, the 600,000-member New York State United Teachers today called for an end to the state's current testing system which it said is harming children and hindering real ... more »
Just Another Unschooling Story – No Big Deal | Lefty Parent
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Just Another Unschooling Story – No Big Deal | Lefty Parent: Just Another Unschooling Story – No Big DealbyCooper ZaleMade my day to get notification from a friend on Facebook that this piece appeared in this week’sPsychology Today magazine, giving credence to the life path for young people known as “unschooling”. It particularly resonated with me because our own kids are peers of the piece’s subject, Kate Fridkis – our son Eric is 27 and our daughter Emma is 22. ... more »
Quinn the Governor. « Fred Klonsky
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Quinn the Governor. « Fred Klonsky: Quinn the Governor.byFred KlonskySent by a reader.With apologies to Bob Dylan.Come all without, come all withinYou’ll not see nothing like the Mighty QuinnCome all without, come all withinYou’ll not see nothing like the Mighty QuinnEverybody’s after teachers pension fundsSome are after retirement funds, others are jotting down notesEverybody’s in despair, every Teacher with new pension realityBut when Quinn the Governor gets hereEverybody’s not gonna jump for joyCome all without, come all withinYou’ll not see ... more »
Youth United For Change - YUC launches new campaign | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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YUC launches new campaign | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: YUC launches new campaignbySamantha CogginA crowd of students, teachers, community activists, parents, and members of Youth United For Change rallied Wednesday afternoon to support YUC's new “Safe to Count on Me” campaign. Supporters gathered at Norris SquarePark's basketball court and sported white, orange, and black campaign T-shirts to kick off the rally with an energetic chant: “It’s safe to count on me. Is it safe to count on you?”Image:Image Caption:Signs from ... more »
Education Perspectives / Measuring Success - Opting Out
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Education Perspectives / Measuring Success - Opting Out: OPTING OUTOpting Out: Families and Advocates Against Standardized TestingCompiled by Education Perspectives for the Central Valley, Inc.Pursuant to California Education Code 60615, parents have the right to opt their children out of the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Assessment. And now for the burning question:What about “Accountability”? Isn’t standardized testing meant to hold teachers and schools accountable and to track progress?These are the sound bites that drive political debates, the phrases that ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Super Search; Fast and Furious News
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Super Search; Fast and Furious News: Super Search; Fast and Furious NewsbyMelissa WestbrookUpdate: The information below has now disappeared from the website.You pick:1) We are paying some big bucks for Communications that makes huge errors in what they write to the point where they say something that is not true.2) Someone who put this information up originally had to back off because of how incredibly suspicious it looks to say the Committee made a recommendation when ... more »
RheeFirst! » How deceptive is this letter from Rhee’s organization?
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RheeFirst! » How deceptive is this letter from Rhee’s organization?: How deceptive is this letter from Rhee’s organization?byadminRecently, Rheefirst received irate emails about being scammed to sign a deceptive petition from change.org and care2. It turns out this is the chief recruitment ploy of Rhee’s organization. Sign and you become a Rhee “member” for life. One missive enumerated the number of times the inadvertent signer asked to be removed from Rhee’s “membership” list. To no avail.Written by Valerie Strauss for ... more »
Register Today for the Whole Child Virtual Conference — Whole Child Education
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Register Today for the Whole Child Virtual Conference — Whole Child Education: Register Today for the Whole Child Virtual ConferencebyKlea ScharbergWe are excitedly preparing for the2012 ASCD Whole Child Virtual Conferenceto be held May 3–11. This year's theme is "Moving from Implementation to Sustainability to Culture," and focuses on highlighting the great work of ASCD-associated schools, providing a forum in which educators who implement the whole child approach to education can learn from one another and presenters, and expanding awareness ... more »
Sacramento Press / Use arena money to bolster school funding
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Sacramento Press / Use arena money to bolster school funding: Use arena money to bolster school fundingbyJonathan Raymond, published onApril 27, 2012at1:58 PMLike the rest of Sacramento, I have followed the twists and turns of the city’s downtown arena saga with great interest. The Kings have been a valuable and generous partner of the Sacramento City Unified School District. I have attended many of their terrific “Get Fit” events at our schools and come away impressed by the team’s sincere ... more »
Robert Reich (How will you get beyond the outrage? Share your...)
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Robert Reich (How will you get beyond the outrage? Share your...): How will you get beyond the outrage? Share your ideas, actions,...How willyouget beyond the outrage? Share your ideas, actions, and long-term goals on tumblr and Twitter using the hashtag #beyondoutrage or on my Facebookpage.
The Shame of “School Reform” in New York City « Diane Ravitch's blog
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The Shame of “School Reform” in New York City « Diane Ravitch's blog: The Shame of “School Reform” in New York Citybydianerav Once again, a large group of New York City public schools will close their doors, their staffs will be fired and replaced, and new schools will open. Among the schools that will be closed are Flushing High School, reputed to be the oldest school in the city, and John Dewey High School, once highly regarded for its progressivism ... more »
The Common Core: The Technocrats Re-engineer Learning - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
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The Common Core: The Technocrats Re-engineer Learning - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: The Common Core: The Technocrats Re-engineer LearningbyAnthony CodyAs criticism of No Child Left Behind and the associated tests rises, we are hearing more and more about the Common Core Standards (CCS), the next great thing that is supposed to fix all that ails us. When atalking pineapplemade New York tests a laughing stock, state education commissioner John King reassured us,It is important to note that ... more »
What's missing from Bill Gates thinking on education reform?
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Will Small-Part Fixes Save Public Schools?What's missing from Bill Gates thinking on education reform?Published on September 22, 2011 byMarilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D.inThe Moment of YouthI've observed Bill Gates' philanthropic work for many years. I admire his passion, stewardship, and laser-sharp focus in a variety of efforts to improve human lives. But something is missing from his approach to Americaneducationreform that causes me concern. Lost in the milieu ofpolitics, power, and the lure of straightforward answers to complex questions are the research, ... more »
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will not approve of making teacher evaluations public - NY Daily News
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will not approve of making teacher evaluations public - NY Daily News: Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will not approve of making teacher evaluations publicCuomo's stance puts him at odds with Mayor Michael BloombergPrintALBANY TIMES UNIONGov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg may be headed toward a fight over teacher evaluations.RELATEDSTORIESTop aides to Mayor Bloomberg, Gov. Cuomo and union leaders reach historic agreement on teacher evaluationsNew ideas on tenure face union hurdleMayor Bloomberg and Gov. ... more »
Philanthropy gets in the ring - Education - AEI
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Philanthropy gets in the ring - Education - AEI: Philanthropy gets in the ringEdu-funders get serious about education policyThe year 2005 seems like a long time ago. That year, I published a hard look at education philanthropy titledWith the Best of Intentions: How Philanthropy is Reshaping K-12 Education, using the dismal experience of the then recently concluded $1.1 billion Annenberg Challenge as a jumping-off point. At the same time, the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation was walking away from the disappointing ... more »
Summer Matters | Summer Matters
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Summer Matters | Summer Matters: SUMMER MATTERSSummer Matters 2012 Kicks-Off in San Francisco with Superintendent Tom Torlakson and Mayor Ed LeeSF City Hall event also features Muhammed Chaudhry of Silicon Valley Education Fund, SFUSD Superintendent Carlos Garcia and parent Michelle Jacques-MenegazSummer began in California on Tuesday, Apr. 17at San Francisco City Hall. Although the calendar says it’s still spring, a celebratory event on the Mayor’s Balcony launchedSummer Matters 2012—a collaborative effort to expand access to quality summer-learning and enrichment programs ... more »
Schools Matter: Opt Out Movement Grows As Resistance to High Stakes Tests Intensifies
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Schools Matter: Opt Out Movement Grows As Resistance to High Stakes Tests Intensifies: Opt Out Movement Grows As Resistance to High Stakes Tests IntensifiesbyJim Hornht to Stan Karp:Opting Out of NJ ASKNJ SpotlightReilly, a former literacy director in Newark and then assistant superintendent in Hackensack as well as Morristown, said it has clearly led to a narrowing of curriculum that is only harming students. She is now a consultant in coaching teachers, including in New York City. “People don’t know ... more »
More Thoughts on Teacher Polls, Tenure, and School Funding - Dana Goldstein
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More Thoughts on Teacher Polls, Tenure, and School Funding - Dana Goldstein: More Thoughts on Teacher Polls, Tenure, and School FundingbyDana GoldsteinOver atThe NationI have anew piecelooking at surveys of public school teachers,one of whichfound job satisfaction at its lowest point since 1989. The most important thing to note is that polling shows teachers arenotunhappy because they resent new accountability policies like the more stringent teacher evaluations instituted in response to President Obama's Race to the Top program.In fact, most ... more »
Weekly Update: First for some fun, and then more fun | Seattle Education
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Weekly Update: First for some fun, and then more fun | Seattle Education: Weekly Update: First for some fun, and then more funbyseattleducation2011First, for some fun check out:The three-dayWorld Rhythm Festivalin Seattle, a weekend of immersion in world music, drum and dance. 3 days packed with an amazing range of world music traditions, including African, Middle-Eastern, Latin, Indian, Brazilian, North American, and more.The World Rhythm Festival, which starts today, is at Seattle Center and the corresponding International Marketplace will be ... more »
Fail - Test scores are mixed, costs are high and teachers are pissed - Sacramento News & Review
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Fail - Feature Story - Local Stories - November 17, 2011 - Sacramento News Review: FailTest scores are mixed, costs are high and teachers are pissed. Why critics say Sacramento city school reform could …ByCosmo Garvincosmog@newsreview.comRead 8 reader submitted commentsThis article was published on11.17.11.Full disclosure:Reporter Cosmo Garvin’s wife is a teacher in the Sacramento City Unified School District.School districts all over the country are struggling to turn around “failing schools.” It’s a harsh label, but the pressure to raise student ... more »
"Weingarten to leaders: Stay strong, stay together." April 27, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org
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"Weingarten to leaders: Stay strong, stay together." April 27, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org: Weingarten to leaders: Stay strong, stay togetherBy Sylvia Saunders - RA 2012 - April 27, 2012AFT President Randi Weingarten says anti-labor forces are using the economic downturn to weaken worker protections. Photo by Andrew Watson.At a time when activists are fighting for the very survival of the labor movement and public education, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten urged local union presidents to ... more »
LAUSD names 10 to lead its new regional offices - LA Daily News
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LAUSD names 10 to lead its new regional offices - LA Daily News: LAUSD names 10 to lead its new regional officesByDaily NewsPosted: 04/26/2012 09:06:10 PM PDTUpdated: 04/26/2012 09:09:51 PM PDTTen administrators were named Thursday to lead LAUSD's newly formed Local Education Service Centers, part of a reorganization designed to focus more attention on classroom instruction.The new structure consolidates Los Angeles Unified's eight local district offices into four regions, with a fifth office supervising struggling campuses. Each region will have ... more »
The Educated Reporter: For California, the SIG Program Has Shown Some Success, Study Finds
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The Educated Reporter: For California, the SIG Program Has Shown Some Success, Study Finds: For California, the SIG Program Has Shown Some Success, Study FindsbyEmily RichmondAnew studyfound student test scores improved in California’s lowest-achieving campuses that implemented aggressive reform measures, suggesting the federal School Improvement Grant program is showing early promise in the Golden State.The federal SIG dollars – with more than $4.6 billion awarded nationally since 2009 -- are earmarked for schools ranking in the bottom 5 percent for ... more »
Pearson and how 2012 standardized tests were designed - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Pearson and how 2012 standardized tests were designed - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Pearson and how 2012 standardized tests were designedbyValerie StraussThis was written by Fred Smith, a retired New York City Board of Education senior analyst who worked for the public school system in test research and development.By Fred SmithTherecent Pineapple and the Hare fiascodoes more than identify a daft reading passage on New York State’s 8th grade English Language Arts test. Education Commissioner John King ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Phony Precision in Teacher Evaluations
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Jersey Jazzman: Phony Precision in Teacher Evaluations: Phony Precision in Teacher EvaluationsbyDukeLet's talk more about phony precision in teacher evaluations:As I said before, using standardized test scores for even a small part of teacher evaluations is problematic, because the test is only part of the evaluation, but it's all of the decision. Because the rest of a teacher's evaluation is based on imprecise measures like observations, the very precise score a teacher gets on his or her students' tests takes ... more »
Teaching Practices and Smaller Classes | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
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Teaching Practices and Smaller Classes | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Teaching Practices and Smaller ClassesbylarrycubanLarge classes of 50-plus students were commonin early 20thcentury schools, especially in cities.Class size fell throughout the past century to around 30 students in elementary and secondary classrooms, dipping to 25 and rising to 35 in times of budgetary retrenchment. Beginning in the 1980s, state efforts to reduce class size to 20 students or less per classroom, especially in primary grades, led ... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top 4-27 AM Posts #soschat #edreform
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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Coming next week to a neighborhood near youBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-1 hour agoMike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Coming next week to a neighborhood near you: Coming next week to a neighborhood near youbyMike KlonskyWas this version of The Surge, Rahm's idea or John McCain's? Will the troops be stationed here permanently? Will they be using drones along with boots on the ground, to attack anti-war protesters? How long will the First Amendment of the ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: I Pick Enoch
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: I Pick Enoch: I Pick EnochbyMelissa WestbrookAfter reading and talking and researching, if I had to choose a superintendent, I would choose Steven Enoch.Pros - experienced, enthused, open to new ideas, nothing to prove, not using SPS as a stepping stone to next job, able to claim good academic outcomes for his district, keeps up with new educational ideasCons - had already planned to retire, possible financial issues at one districtFolks, there is no perfect superintendent. ... more »
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Ed Trust just likes tests
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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Ed Trust just likes tests: Ed Trust just likes testsbyadminThe Education Trust. I’ve seen their schtick before – the 72 power point slides that they run through in 10 minutes, making it seem as though their ideas are heavy on data and research, when they are really allbaloney.Today I saw it again at an otherwise wonderful conference about racial healing in New Orleans put together by the Kellogg Foundation for their ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Best Piece on Education This Year
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Jersey Jazzman: Best Piece on Education This Year: Best Piece on Education This YearbyDukeSeriously, it is, fromPaul Thomas:One distinct flaw in that development has been a trickle-down effect reaching from presidents and governors to state superintendents of education and school board chairs and members:people who have no or very little experience or expertise as educators or scholars attain leadership positions responsible for forming and implementing education policy.The faces and voices currently leading the education reform movement in the U.S. are ... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Coming next week to a neighborhood near you
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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Coming next week to a neighborhood near you: Coming next week to a neighborhood near youbyMike KlonskyWas this version of The Surge, Rahm's idea or John McCain's? Will the troops be stationed here permanently? Will they be using drones along with boots on the ground, to attack anti-war protesters? How long will the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution be suspended? These are some questions I have for the Mayor. It appears that members of the ... more »
NJ Spotlight | Opinion: A Tale of Two Cities: Charter Schools in Philadelphia, Camden
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NJ Spotlight | Opinion: A Tale of Two Cities: Charter Schools in Philadelphia, Camden: Opinion: A Tale of Two Cities: Charter Schools in Philadelphia, CamdenThe key to successful charters: keep the focus on the kids, keep the unions happyprint|email|shareByLaura Waters,April 27, 2012inOpinion|Post a CommentThe big education news this week in the Delaware Valley is the Philadelphia Public School District's announcement that it will close 40 of its 250 schools in September 2013.Related Links"A Blueprint for Transforming Philadelphia's Public Schools"Urban Hope ... more »
Compton's "Parent Trigger" Education Fight Heats Up | Mother Jones
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Compton's "Parent Trigger" Education Fight Heats Up | Mother Jones: Compton's "Parent Trigger" Education Fight Heats UpbyKristina RizgaLooks like the"parent-trigger law"debate is heating up betweenCompton' pro-charter parents and the Compton Unified School District.If you haven't been following the news out of Compton, last monthI bloggedabout how parents of kids attending LA's public McKinley Elementary School are trying something new: Shutting down the chronically struggling institution and demanding that it be replaced by a charter school. And yes, they can do ... more »
Education Quote of the Week: Arne Duncan on No Child Left Behind | Mother Jones
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Education Quote of the Week: Arne Duncan on No Child Left Behind | Mother Jones: Education Quote of the Week: Arne Duncan on No Child Left Behind—ByKristina Rizga| Thu Jan. 20, 2011 1:03 PM PST4Photo of Arne Duncan: Department of EducationHere's Education Secretary Arne Duncan on the widelyexpected overhaulof the nine-year-oldNo Child Left BehindAct, formally called the Education Elementary and Secondary Education Law,as quoted by AP:"Everyone I talk to really shares my sense of urgency that we have to do ...more »
The Church Speaks to Public Education Justice #soschat
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Public Education: Public EducationYou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22: 35-39The Church Speaks to Public Education JusticeAs we think about whether American society embodies Jesus' teaching that we should love our neighbors as ourselves, we need to be concerned about public schools, the ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Tom Moran: Reformy Mind Reader
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Jersey Jazzman: Tom Moran: Reformy Mind Reader: Tom Moran: Reformy Mind ReaderbyDukeWhat are we going to do with Tom Moran?Congratulations to the Perth Amboy school board for the double-whammy last night when itvoted to place Superintendent Janine Caffrey on administrative leave.This move will waste money and hurt kids. Nice going.Caffrey did nothing to deserve this. The charge against her was led by the board president, Samuel Lebreault, who is under investigation for trying to get free lunch for his kids ... more »
The Difference Between a Speech and a Lesson [Open Thread] | The Jose Vilson
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The Difference Between a Speech and a Lesson [Open Thread] | The Jose Vilson: The Difference Between a Speech and a Lesson [Open Thread]byJoseI don’t know if I should reveal this, but, oh well. When I was approached months ago about becoming a speaker for TEDxNYED, I did my usual nod of approval and, “Cool.” I felt a certain surprise about being asked to speak to people I consider colleagues about my passions. Plus, I felt honored because, well, at ... more »
Petulant [pech-uh-luhnt] - Wait, What?
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Petulant [pech-uh-luhnt] - Wait, What?: Petulant [pech-uh-luhnt]byjonpeltoPetulant [pech-uh-luhnt]:Adjective: (of a person or their manner) Childishly sulky or bad-tempered.Synonyms: testy – pettish – peevish – irritable – cantankerousIt may very well be the single most shocking development in this entire bizarre situation. Yesterday, Connecticut’s municipal officials came to the State Capitol to talk with the Governor and their legislators about the problems facing Connecticut’s cities and towns.Governor Malloy spoke to these Connecticut’s local elected officials and told them “not... more »
School Tech Connect: The Appearance of a Process
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School Tech Connect: The Appearance of a Process: The Appearance of a Processbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)I have been critical of Elaine Nekritz over time, I admit it. I thought her performance during the committee hearing on SB512 was lacking, and of course her vote there was insane. She voted for a thing the consequences of which were totally unknown.However, she is not afraid of answering questions, so for that, I give her props. I send out a lot of emails and ...more »
Village of Attachment — Whole Child Education
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Village of Attachment — Whole Child Education: Village of AttachmentbyASCD Whole Child BloggersPost submitted by Bev Ogilvie and Steve CairnsByrne Creek Community Secondary Schoolis committed to its culture of teacher collaboration. A weekly dedicated time slot is used by teams of staff to discuss student achievement and develop support plans. One student support plan was The Village of Attachment. Over six months, a group of staff met to learn the foundations and employ the strategies of this powerful paradigm.Drawing on ... more »
RheeFirst! » The Best Posts About Michelle Rhee’s Exaggerated Test Scores
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RheeFirst! » The Best Posts About Michelle Rhee’s Exaggerated Test Scores: The Best Posts About Michelle Rhee’s Exaggerated Test Scoresbyadmin Dated, but oh so good.Written by Larry Ferlazzo for his blog. Read theentire post here.“The education blogosphere, and parts of the education media, have been abuzz the past couple of days over the discovery that Michelle Rhee’s often-claimed astronomical student test gains when she was a teacher were not true. This, of course, does not mean that Rhee was not ... more »
The superintendent candidates for Seattle Public Schools: The good, the bad and the ugly | Seattle Education
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The superintendent candidates for Seattle Public Schools: The good, the bad and the ugly | Seattle Education: The superintendent candidates for Seattle Public Schools: The good, the bad and the uglyfromSeattle Education 2010byseattleducation2011I will focus on two of the candidates, Enoch and Husk. They are, in a sense, polar opposites. Banda seems “nice enough” but we need more than that in Seattle, particularly now after having to live through Broad and Goodloe-Johnson forcing their will on Seattle Public Schools with ... more »
Public education as a human right | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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Public education as a human right | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Public education as a human rightbyNijmie DzurinkoPlease help us welcome our newest blogger, Nijmie Dzurinko, former executive director of Philadelphia Student Union.In the blurry world of education reform parents, students, educators, and communities need a guiding light to keep us on track. What could public education look like in our city and state if education was fundamentally a human right guaranteed in our society? How can we proceed in ... more »
Schools Matter: "Support Our Schools" Astroturf Group Rallies With Letter Writing Campaign to County Commissioners
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Schools Matter: "Support Our Schools" Astroturf Group Rallies With Letter Writing Campaign to County Commissioners: "Support Our Schools" Astroturf Group Rallies With Letter Writing Campaign to County CommissionersbyJim HornThe shenanigans going on this spring in Knoxville, TN, offer a powerful case study of corporate control of schools in action.A few weeks before Eli Broad's East TN transplant, Jim McIntyre, delivered his State of the Schools speech in January of this year, a newgrassrootsastroturf group was formed to push the Broadie ... more »
Education Research Report: Lasting Impacts of Effective Teachers
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Education Research Report: Lasting Impacts of Effective Teachers: Lasting Impacts of Effective TeachersbyJonathan KantrowitzTeachers who raise test scores have long-term effects on students’ college enrollment and earnings as adultsA study showing the large impacts that highly skilled teachers have on students’ academic achievement and lifetime earnings is available on the Education Next website, www.educationnext.org. Researchers Raj Chetty and John N. Friedman of Harvard University and Jonah E. Rockoff of Columbia University analyzed school-district data from grades 3–8 for 2.5 mi...more »
My visit to Philadelphia « Diane Ravitch's blog
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My visit to Philadelphia « Diane Ravitch's blog: Diane Ravitch WebsiteDiane Ravitch WebsiteMy visit to PhiladelphiabydianeravYesterday I went to Philadelphia to speak to the annual meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Before I left New York City, the local spokesperson for Parents Across American, Helen Gym, asked if I would meet with some journalists to talk about the “reform” plan just released the day before. She sent me a link to the plan, and as I read ... more »
RheeFirst! » Massive Teacher’s Rally Held at CT State Capitol–Rhee gets a mention
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RheeFirst! » Massive Teacher’s Rally Held at CT State Capitol–Rhee gets a mention: Massive Teacher’s Rally Held at CT State Capitol–Rhee gets a mentionbyadminThis first hand account was sent by Terry Winters of CT, who attended a massive teachers’ rally before the State Capitol yesterday. The State Senate President Pro Tem and other legislators spoke at the rally.“Connecticut teachers converged on the State Capitol to stand up for students and the teaching profession—emphasizing that lawmakers need a meaningful education reform ... more »
PAA Action News Parents Across America
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Parents Across America: Information and action for parents coming together to strengthen our public schools. Comments? Suggestions? Stories? E-mail usinfo@parentsacrossamerica.org.More atwww.parentsacrossamerica.org.Looking for regular updates on key education stories? Join the PAA News list. EmailPAAnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.comPAA Action NewsGO TONational Resolution on High-Stakes TestingPAA Action AlertJoin the Pineapple Rebellion! Sign theNational Resolution against High-Stakes Testing!PAA and our allies raised a powerful challenge to the testing industry this week. First, our ... more »
FairTest to Honor Diane Ravitch with the Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award | FairTest
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FairTest to Honor Diane Ravitch with the Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award | FairTest: FairTest to Honor Diane Ravitch with the Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award Submitted by fairtest on March 26, 2012 - 1:52pmabout us assessment FairTest in the News in house k-12national news whats newDate and Time:Tuesday, 5 June, 5:30-830 p.m.Place: Julia Richman Educational Complex, 317 East 67th St., New York CityDiane Ravitch is an internationally renowned and respected historian of education. Formerly a ...more »
The Corporate Tax Loophole...or "The Hole".
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The Corporate Tax Loophole...or "The Hole"...uses animation to highlight the importance of getting corporations to pay their fair share and the negative impact corporate tax loopholes have on students, public education, and the middle class. Make you voice heard. Sign the petition at: EdVotes.org/loopholes
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Another Black Eye for the District
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Another Black Eye for the District: Another Black Eye for the DistrictbyMelissa WestbrookI knew about this investigation and the results. I had being holding off on raising the issue until next week out of courtesy to the superintendent search. The Times got the info anyway. (I don't have a total for the amount of money that is likely gone/missing but I think it is around $20-30K which is a great deal of money for Van Asselt.)From ... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Tough Choices or Wrong Choices
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Missouri Education Watchdog: Tough Choices or Wrong Choices: Tough Choices or Wrong ChoicesbyAnngie"The education system is merely a support for the political system we choose."- Vicky DavisIn 2007 the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) produced a report entitledTough Choices or Tough Times. In it, they outlined a view for the American education system as the supplier of workers for the 21st century in a global economy. From her blogChanneling Reality, Davis summarizes the the findings of the ... more »
Principal says many questions flawed on state standardized tests - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Principal says many questions flawed on state standardized tests - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Principal says many questions flawed on state standardized testsByValerie StraussThis is a letter that P.S. 321 Principal Elizabeth Phillips sent to John B. King Jr., the New York State education commissioner, about questions she has seen on this year’s standardized tests recently administered to students in various grades.Late last week King decided toinvalidate one set of questions on a reading test just given ... more »
New testing system could mean more time for instruction | The Salt Lake Tribune
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New testing system could mean more time for instruction | The Salt Lake Tribune: New testing system could mean more time for instructionSchools » Program tests literacy in early grades.By Lisa Schencker| The Salt Lake TribuneFirst Published Apr 24 2012 06:22 pm • Last Updated Apr 25 2012 11:07 amTeacher Heather Musser sat directly across from first-grader Benjamin Blake as he read a story about hats Tuesday.But she wasn’t just listening.PhotosJoin the DiscussionPost a CommentShe followed along on an iPad ... more »
Take the Next Step, Governor Cuomo « Diane Ravitch's blog
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Take the Next Step, Governor Cuomo « Diane Ravitch's blog: Take the Next Step, Governor CuomobydianeravI read in the Daily News this morning that Governor Cuomo will oppose the public release of teacher ratings (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/teachers/gov-andrew-cuomo-approve-making-teacher-evaluations-public-article-1.1067628#ixzz1t98iGb9q). I am glad he realizes that teachers’ evaluation should not be published for all to see, but I wish he had taken the next step, which is to shield such evaluations as part of every teacher’s personnel file. No member of the public has the ... more »
Good old Divisive Michelle Rhee Strikes again : Blocking preschool project funding doesn't put students first
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Editorial: Blocking preschool project funding doesn't put students first: Editorial: Blocking preschool project funding doesn't put students first When national school reform movement leader Michelle Rhee visited with Post-Dispatch editors and reporters last week, she told us that she never had met state Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield.Ms. Cunningham has been leading the school reform charge at the Missouri Capitol. Ms. Rhee's group,StudentsFirst, added some national heft, and money, to that debate when the organization set up a Missouri chapter. And ... more »
Don’t skip this step: Designing evaluations of teachers starts with trust | Thoughts on Public Education
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Don’t skip this step: Designing evaluations of teachers starts with trust | Thoughts on Public Education: Don’t skip this step: Designing evaluations of teachers starts with trust - by Merrill VargobyMerrill VargoWhere do teachers fit into the current landscape of education reform? The results of the recent Met Life poll should surprise no one: Teachers’ morale is at an all-time low. The causes are not hard to see, and include a combination of budget cuts and layoffs along with a ... more »
Phila. School District plan would dismantle central office, close schools - Philly.com
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Phila. School District plan would dismantle central office, close schools - Philly.com: Phila. School District plan would dismantle central office, close schoolsThe realities are ugly, leaders said Tuesday - the Philadelphia School District is nearly insolvent, lags behind most other urban districts in academics, and loses students to charters because parents believe it does not keep their children safe."What we do know through lots of history and evidence and practice is that the current structure doesn't work," School Reform Commission ... more »
A ‘simple fix’ for school curriculum (and it’s not Common Core) - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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A ‘simple fix’ for school curriculum (and it’s not Common Core) - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: A ‘simple fix’ for school curriculum (and it’s not Common Core)byValerie StraussThis waswritten byMarion Brady, veteran teacher, administrator, curriculum designer and author.By Marion BradyFor more than 20 years, in language as strong as the editors of mainstream media will allow, I’ve been slamming the stupidities of the education “reforms” dreamed up by amateur educators in Congress, state legislatures, and corporate offices.Read ... more »
The Innovative Educator: Suffering in Silence… Standardized testing from the view of an educator & parent
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The Innovative Educator: Suffering in Silence… Standardized testing from the view of an educator parent: Suffering in Silence… Standardized testing from the view of an educator parentbynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)Guest post byRenny Fong(TimeOutDad)As our children are undergoing the gruel of the high stakes standardized tests in New York, I can’t help but notice the silence. So many voices silenced. So many stories left unheard. Will all the time, money, and effort that has been spent on making the tests, preparing for ... more »
SVA Names For-Profit Schools with Revoked Charters - Student Veterans of America
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SVA Names For-Profit Schools with Revoked Charters - Student Veterans of America: SVA Names For-Profit Schools with Revoked Charters7 hours ago More Sharing ServicesShare|Share on facebookShare on bloggerShare on twitterShare on redditWASHINGTON, DC –Today, Student Veterans of America (SVA) published a list of 26 for-profit institutions whose SVA charters had been revoked. The removal of SVA chapters resulted from a routine, annual review of all chapters."SVA chapters must be established and led by student veterans. Student veteran organizations in development, ... more »
Form follows function. « Fred Klonsky
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Form follows function. « Fred Klonsky: Form follows function.byFred KlonskyChicago’s master architect, Louis Sullivan.As an art teacher with an admiration for good design I was won over early to the notion popularized by Chicago architect Louis Sullivan that form follows function.The shape of something should reveal and enhance its purpose.This morning the Washington Post’sValerie Strauss posts a columnon the debate over the length of the school day.A 2009 report by researchers at the School Redesign Network at Stanford University concludes ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Technology and Enoch
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Technology and Enoch: Technology and EnochbyMelissa WestbrookParent Cecilia McCormick, who is active in Special Ed issues, took it on herself to do some research on Superintendent Enoch's district and gathered info on their technology use Here an e-mail she sent to the Seattle School Board:I would like to share with you information provided by SRVUSD PTA yesterday. Given the costs of scaling up our district's use of technology and its ever-evolving nature, I'm sure you would ... more »
Deion Sanders and his charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Deion Sanders and his charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Deion Sanders and his charter schoolByValerie StraussStuff you can’t make up: Deion Sanders, who has been cited for misdemeanor simple assault in connection with a domestic disturbance that resulted in the arrest of his estranged wife, is opening a public charter school in Texas. And at that school he wants to film a reality show about the way he coaches the football team.Most school officials do ... more »
Daily Kos: RESOLUTION ON HIGH-STAKES TESTING
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Daily Kos: RESOLUTION ON HIGH-STAKES TESTING: RESOLUTION ON HIGH-STAKES TESTINGbyrss@dailykos.com (teacherken)This resolution is modeled on the resolution passed by more than more than 360 Texas school boards as of April 23, 2012. It was written by Advancement Project; Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund; FairTest; Forum for Education and Democracy; MecklenburgACTS; Deborah Meier; NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; National Education Association; New York Performance Standards Consortium; Tracy Novick; Parents Across America; Parents United for Responsible E... more »
Putting faces on the pension fight. A letter to Quinn. « Fred Klonsky
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Putting faces on the pension fight. A letter to Quinn. « Fred Klonsky: Putting faces on the pension fight. A letter toQuinn.APRIL 25, 2012tags:pension formula,teachers retirement systemH/T: Tim FurmanFrom:Wyman on Media, New Place LifeGovernor Pat QuinnOffice of the Governor207 State HouseSpringfield, Illinois 62706Dear Governor Quinn:I watched your press conference last Friday where you announced sweeping pension changes for active Illinois teachers. These changes will hurt my family, and I object to them strenuously. My daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Mike ... more »
Schools Matter: Jim McIntyre Sending $4,000,000 in Public Funds to Pearson for Testing & "Erasure Analysis"
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Schools Matter: Jim McIntyre Sending $4,000,000 in Public Funds to Pearson for Testing "Erasure Analysis": Jim McIntyre Sending $4,000,000 in Public Funds to Pearson for Testing "Erasure Analysis"byJim HornHow many billions of dollars has all the damaging and unethical high stakes testing of children cost states and the Federal government over the past 25 years? Not nearly as much a Pearson, CBT/McGraw-Hill, and SAS are planning for in the coming generation of year-round testing in every subject, as they plan ... more »
Evaluate Me, Please « teach from the heart
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Evaluate Me, Please « teach from the heart: Evaluate Me,PleaseI’ve said it before; I’ve never taught a perfect lesson. After each one I step back and look to see what I can do to make it better. My lesson plans are full of notes. Things that don’t work get tossed. Things get tweaked. Resources get added. Information is growing too quickly to do the same thing over and over.When I was working toward National Board Certification, I was a little ... more »
National Resolution on High-Stakes Testing #PINEAPPLEGATE #PINEAPPLEREBELLION
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National Resolution on High-Stakes Testing:National Resolution on High-Stakes TestingThis resolution is modeled on the resolution passed bymore than 360 Texas school boardsas of April 23, 2012. It was written byAdvancement Project;Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund;FairTest;Forum for Education and Democracy;MecklenburgACTS;Deborah Meier;NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.;National Education Association;New York Performance Standards Consortium; Tracy Novick;Parents Across America;Parents United for Responsible Education - Chicago;Diane Ravitch;Race to Nowhere... more »
Geaux Teacher!: What New Orleans Learned from Philadelphia
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Geaux Teacher!: What New Orleans Learned from Philadelphia: CAN WE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION?VisitFollow The Bill Louisiana!to join a live conversation on the home page, while you watch a live video ofthe current legislative proceedings in another window.What New Orleans Learned from PhiladelphiaCheck out the post referenced above (click on the title). Here's an excerpt:"We’re tired of the ridiculous labeling of schools as high-performing and low-performing. The label mentality assumes schools are in permanent stasis rather than in varying stages of ... more »
Best Questions: Supportive Education Communities — Whole Child Education
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Best Questions: Supportive Education Communities — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG Best Questions: Supportive Education CommunitiesApril 25, 2012 byMolly McCloskeyDespite the rumors, school improvement is hard. It's not about a single passionate leader. It's not about "fixing" teachers and teaching or parents and parenting. It's not about poverty. It's not about money. And it's not about standards. It's about all of them. And more.In this column, I'll take on the real deal of school improvement—for all schools, not ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Perth Amboy: Center of the Reformy Universe?
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Jersey Jazzman: Perth Amboy: Center of the Reformy Universe?: Perth Amboy: Center of the Reformy Universe?byDukeAnd the saga of Perth Amboy gets even stranger...When we last checked in on the City By the (Raritan) Bay,a nasty fight was brewingbetween schools superintendent Dr. Janine Caffrey and the PABOE. The board has charged Caffrey - not even a year into her term - with several offenses,including"...failing to meet with school principals, misrepresenting the facts at board meetings, dividing contracts to sidestep the ... more »
Student Loan Reform Fight Broader For Obama Than Interest Rate Debate
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Student Loan Reform Fight Broader For Obama Than Interest Rate Debate: Student Loan Reform Fight Broader For Obama Than Interest Rate DebatebyJoy Resmovits WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, congressional Democratsannounced plansto introduce legislation that would extend the current low interest rates on government-subsidized student loans, responding to the major public relations push from President Barack Obama. But while the issue has ginned up cable news chatter and drawn attention to a host of grassroots student debt relief efforts, it is a ... more »
Remarks by the President on College Affordability | The White House
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Remarks by the President on College Affordability | The White House: Remarks by the President on College AffordabilitybyThe White HouseUniversity of IowaIowa City, Iowa1:28 P.M. CDTTHE PRESIDENT: Hello, Hawkeyes! (Applause.) It is good to be back in Iowa! (Applause.) Can folks please give it up for Blake for that outstanding introduction? (Applause.) And I want to thank the University of Iowa Pep Band for firing everybody up. (Applause.)There is some good hospitality here, and I should know. I spent a ... more »
RheeFirst! » Poll: New Yorkers want an education policy different from Bloomberg’s (Rejects Rhee and her NY astroturf claims)
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RheeFirst! » Poll: New Yorkers want an education policy different from Bloomberg’s (Rejects Rhee and her NY astroturf claims): Poll: New Yorkers want an education policy different from Bloomberg’s (Rejects Rhee and her NY astroturf claims)byadminWritten by Azi Paybarah for Capital New York. Read theentire article here.“An NY1-Marist pollof New Yorkers showed a majority want the next mayor to make changes in education. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who abolished the old, unbeloved model of school governance to achieve mayoral control of ...more »
NYC Public School Parents: Please endorse and ask your CEC to approve the National Resolution against High-stakes Testing
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NYC Public School Parents: Please endorse and ask your CEC to approve the National Resolution against High-stakes Testing: Please endorse and ask your CEC to approve the National Resolution against High-stakes TestingbyLeonie HaimsonThe following resolution is modeled on a resolution that as of April 25 had been approved by405 Texas school boards, Palm Beach County in Florida, and Community Education Council in D 30 in Queens.It was written byParents Across America, in collaboration with theAdvancement Project;Asian American Legal Defense and ... more »
Its Begun…..Palm Beach School Board Votes to Adopt the National Resolution that Opposes High Stakes Testing | Scathing Purple Musings
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Its Begun…..Palm Beach School Board Votes to Adopt the National Resolution that Opposes High Stakes Testing | Scathing Purple Musings: Its Begun…..Palm Beach School Board Votes to Adopt the National Resolution that Opposes High Stakes TestingbyBob SikesTesting is Not Teaching- PBC citizens united to make a difference have announced on their Facebook page that the Palm Beach School Board has adopted theNational Resolution on High Stakes Testing.The resolution brings unprecedented bipartisan spirit. Joining the NAACP and NEA – traditional supporters ... more »
Effort afoot to restore art in California schools | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education
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Effort afoot to restore art in California schools | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education: Effort afoot to restore art in California schoolsbyadmin Jill Tucker -SFGate.com- Monday, April 23, 2012As it turns out, business leaders hiring the workforce of tomorrow don't want applicants who are really good at filling in bubbles on standardized tests.Creativity is key, more than 1,500 executives said in a 2010 survey.Yet California, like many states, long ago deemed creative arts a luxury, one that few ... more »
Democurmudgeon: Walker's Tools for Schools Programs Scraps System for "Anything Goes."
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Democurmudgeon: Walker's Tools for Schools Programs Scraps System for "Anything Goes.": Walker's Tools for Schools Programs Scraps System for "Anything Goes."byDemocurmudgeonI thought schools were doing great now? They are I guess, thanks to Scott Walker. They've been deregulated.Public schools no longer consult with, or serve the public, parents are finding out. And teaching models have been swept in the trash bin for cost saving ideas that restructure public education in a way that holds the bottom line. And every year ... more »
Teaching Channel: Videos, Lesson Plans and Other Resources for Teachers
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Teaching Channel: Videos, Lesson Plans and Other Resources for Teachers: View Giveaway Prize DetailsFor Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7th-11th, 2012 we’re celebrating with a5 Days, 5 Ways Giveawayto say thank you for all your hard work. We’re giving away more than 200 thank you gifts throughout the week, leading up to our Friday Grand Thank You!All You Have To Do Is Complete Your ProfileYou will be automatically entered in the giveaway if your Teaching Channel profile is complete and you ... more »
National Resolution against High-Stakes Testing « Parents Across America
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National Resolution against High-Stakes Testing « Parents Across America: National Resolution against High-Stakes Testingbyleoniehaimson The following resolution is modeled on a resolution passed by405 Texas school boardsasof April 25, 2012. It was written by Parents Across America, in collaboration with theAdvancement Project;Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund;FairTest;Forum for Education and Democracy;MecklenburgACTS;Deborah Meier;NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.;National Education Association;New York Performance Standards Consortium; Tracy Novick;Paren... more »
After controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troubles - NY Daily News
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After controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troubles - NY Daily News: EducationAfter controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troublesSome students had seen the story that the question was based onBYRACHEL MONAHAN/ NEW YORK DAILY NEWSTuesday, April 24, 2012, 10:18 PMPHOTO BY APTuber troubles on city schools test.Move over pineapple -- the yam talked, too.The state’s fourth-grade reading test included an African ...more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Your Most Valuable Asset? It's Not Gold.
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Missouri Education Watchdog: Your Most Valuable Asset? It's Not Gold.: Your Most Valuable Asset? It's Not Gold.byAnngieHilary Rosen's comment about Ann Romney never holding a job, completely discounting the years she has invested in raising her children, may have actually shed some light on the left's tactic. Though Ms. Rosen's comments caused them some temporary backlash, they were in fact consistent with the left's official message about children. They are a mere inconvenience to a woman's primary purpose, holding a ...more »
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee and StudentsFirst creates persistent problems in public education
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Michelle Rhee and StudentsFirst tackle persistent problems in public education: Michelle Rhee and StudentsFirst tackle persistent problems in public educationByAlexis Garrett Stodghill8:04 AM on 04/25/2012 Michelle Rheereceived national attention after becoming the chancellor of Washington, DC public schools in 2007. Experiences as a public school teacher before founding an organization that placed teachers in classrooms informed the policies implemented during her term. Rhee's decisions to closely tie standardized test scores to teacher compensation and shut down underperforming sc... more »
White House Council on Women and Girls: A Focus on Girls and STEM
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A panel of trailblazing women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields share their experiences and encourage young women to follow in their footsteps -- or blaze a trail of their own. April 24, 2012
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines
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FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team:Wednesday, April 25, 2012Move to cut sign language classes at Paso Robles High puts teens in a bindHaving studied sign language since fifth grade, Marina Perry planned to one day become an interpreter for the deaf. But then she learned that Paso Robles High School planned to eliminate its American Sign Language program.Monrovia Unified's concerns about Internet service provider prompt reviewWorried that federal funds may be in jeopardy, school district officials are reviewing their ... more »
Pearson, ALEC and the Brave New World: BOYCOTT NOW | United Opt Out National
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Pearson, ALEC and the Brave New World: BOYCOTT NOW | United Opt Out National: Pearson, ALEC and the Brave New World: BOYCOTT NOWbyadmin Dear Supporters of Public Education,A great deal of much-needed attention has been given recently to the role that ALEC has played in dismantling our democratic rights in favor of corporate profit. The institution of public education has not escaped the interest of ALEC. In fact, ALEC has taken a seat at the head of the educational table, ... more »
RIGHT AGAIN! Heritage Puts Out Memo Highlighting Common Core Issues | Truth in American Education
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Heritage Puts Out Memo Highlighting Common Core Issues | Truth in American Education: Heritage Puts Out Memo Highlighting Common Core IssuesbyJames BellHeritage held a panel and put out amemoon exiting the Common Core. It was a great panel featuring Jim Stergios from the Pioneer Institute, Williamson Evers of the Hoover Institute, Kent Talbert, former acting secretary at the US Department of Education, and Theodore Rebarber of AccountabilityWorks. As always, Heritage resources are succinct and useful. Watching the hour-longpanelis also rewarding:When ... more »
Byrne Creek Secondary: A Collaborative Community Opportunity — Whole Child Education
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Byrne Creek Secondary: A Collaborative Community Opportunity — Whole Child Education: Byrne Creek Secondary: A Collaborative Community OpportunitybyASCD Whole Child BloggersPost submitted by Mike Greenway and Lynn ArcherByrne Creek Secondary Schoolopened its doors to students for the first time in September 2005. The school was planned and built to solve an overcrowding problem in the south part of Burnaby. Planning and opening any new school has challenges; Byrne Creek was faced with additional problems. The community had the highest number ... more »
Shutting Down Public Voice on Charters | Edwize
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Shutting Down Public Voice on Charters | Edwize: Shutting Down Public Voice on ChartersbyChristina CollinsAsoriginally envisioned, charter schools were supposed to be a way of empowering communities to have a stronger voice in decision-making at their local schools — with community leaders, parents, and teachers on the boards and decisions being made in ways that gave stakeholders direct access rather than layers of bureaucracy.In New York, however, the expansion and oversight of the state’s charter sector seems to be moving ... more »
The plan: Travesty or opportunity? | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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The plan: Travesty or opportunity? | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: The plan: Travesty or opportunity?byDale Mezzacappaon Apr 24 2012 Posted inLatest newsCOMMENTS (2)PRINTEMAILIt is a new day, a bold experiment, an opportunity for innovation.Or, it is a travesty, the end of public education as we know it, a cynical right-wing ploy.Not to mention a new twist on the decision a decade ago, for whichthe District has little to show, to turn over schools to education management organizations.Sixty-four closed school buildings. ... more »
Remarks by the President to College Reporters | The White House
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Remarks by the President to College Reporters | The White House: Remarks by the President to College ReportersbyThe White House4:05 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hey, everybody. Thanks for being on the call. And first of all, let me apologize if the connection sounds fuzzy. As was just mentioned, I’m joining you guys on Air Force One. I’m just leaving North Carolina; I was at UNC-Chapel Hill. Now I’m on my way to the University of Colorado at Boulder. And tomorrow ... more »
Teacher evaluations — and surveys of students and colleagues - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools
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Teacher evaluations — and surveys of students and colleagues - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: Teacher evaluations — and surveys of students and colleaguesBy Katy MurphyTuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 8:49 am inteachers.Dave Orphal, a teacher at Skyline High School in Oakland, is writing a series of blog posts for The Education Report about revamping teacher evaluations — including a pilot program that two middle schools are using this year. Orphal serves as a veteran ... more »
Student Loans: Interest Rate Bill By George Miller Would Cut Tax Loopholes To Keep Rate Down For A Year
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Student Loans: Interest Rate Bill By George Miller Would Cut Tax Loopholes To Keep Rate Down For A Year: Student Loans: Interest Rate Bill By George Miller Would Cut Tax Loopholes To Keep Rate Down For A YearbyJoy Resmovits As President Barack Obama makes his way across the country to slam animpending increase infederal student loan-interest rates, a group of congressional Democrats is announcing plans to introduce a legislative fix.Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Education ...more »
Jack Hassard: Creationism Creeps Into Louisiana and Tennessee Science Classrooms - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
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Jack Hassard: Creationism Creeps Into Louisiana and Tennessee Science Classrooms - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Anthony CodyAnthony Cody spent 24 years working in Oakland schools, 18 of them as a science teacher at a high needs middle school. He is National Board certified, and now leads workshops with teachers focused on Project Based Learning. With education at a crossroads, he invites you to join him in a dialogue on education reform and teaching for change and deep ... more »
WI Teacher: Students aren’t being fed due to Budget Cuts | Defend Wisconsin
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WI Teacher: Students aren’t being fed due to Budget Cuts | Defend Wisconsin: WI Teacher: Students aren’t being fed due to Budget CutsbyItayPopoutVideobyWIVoicesTV.Meg Farrington (29-year veteran teacher from Somerset, WI) explains how some students are struggling with hunger in school and how teachers have “stepped up to the plate” to bridge the gap and fill the need in the community. Farrington said “because of Governor Walker’s cuts” at the state level, consequences in policy choices are playing themselves out in ... more »
Schools Matter: National Resolution on High Stakes Testing #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT
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Schools Matter: National Resolution on High Stakes Testing: National Resolution on High Stakes TestingbyJudy RabinThis Resolution calls on federal and state policymakers to reduce standardized test mandates and, instead, base school accountability on multiple forms of measurement.To end the abuse and misuse of high stakes testingSign on to this Resolution:WHEREAS,our nation's future well-being relies on a high-quality public education system that prepares all students for college, careers, citizenship and lifelong learning, and strengthens the nation's social and economic well-being... more »
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: MUD BARON PLANTS WHAT HE PREACHES
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4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: MUD BARON PLANTS WHAT HE PREACHES: MUD BARON PLANTS WHAT HE PREACHESBY MARY MACVEAN, LOS ANGELES TIMES …BUT FROM THE KANSAS CITY STAR!|HTTP://BIT.LY/JMBHVETue, Apr. 24, 2012 07:05 AM -- LOS ANGELES :: It's not easy to keep pace with the youth gardening evangelist Mud Baron - in the real world or the virtual one.To keep up, you need to relentlessly advocate for schoolyard gardens full of food and flowers. You need ... more »
All Things Education: Housing Policy & Educational Opportunity: Some Notes
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All Things Education: Housing Policy Educational Opportunity: Some Notes: Housing Policy Educational Opportunity: Some NotesbyRachel LevyToday I had the pleasure of being a panelist in Richmond atHOME's (Housing Opportunities Made Equal)Blogger Luncheon on Housing Opportunity. Besides being treated to a tasty lunch ( free parking!) I got to listen to and partake in interesting conversations about Richmond Metro Area housing, public and mass transportation, families, parenting, entrepreneurship, politics, democratic process and institutions, social media, real estate, communities, an...more »
Florida’s Education Commissioner Scoffs at Widespread Opposition to Testing | Scathing Purple Musings
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Florida’s Education Commissioner Scoffs at Widespread Opposition to Testing | Scathing Purple Musings: Florida’s Education Commissioner Scoffs at Widespread Opposition to TestingbyBob Sikes With the number of parents organizing opposition to high-stakes testing mushrooming across the nation, Florida’s education commissionershrugged:“I don’t pretend anxiety doesn’t exist. … I don’t make a value judgment on whether we have too many tests, because the question I have is, compared to what? But what I will say is that there are through rule things ... more »
Bruce Springsteen’s Appeal to Conscience « InterACT
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Bruce Springsteen’s Appeal to Conscience « InterACT: Bruce Springsteen’s Appeal to ConsciencebyDavid B. CohenBruce Springsteen (image by GabboT, used by permission, via Flickr)Tonight, I’ll be among the thousands of fans attending the Bruce Springsteen show at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. As often happens before I go to a concert, I’ve been listening to the latest release, familiarizing myself with the new stuff and getting psyched up to sing along and enjoy the show.Springsteen’s new album,Wrecking Ball, opens with ... more »
RheeFirst! » When Pineapplegate meets Erasuregate why, call it a “DC miracle!”
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RheeFirst! » When Pineapplegate meets Erasuregate why, call it a “DC miracle!”: When Pineapplegate meets Erasuregate why, call it a “DC miracle!”byadminDated but highly relevant to the text fixation of corporate reformers like RheeWritten by Laura Clawson for the DailyKos. Read theentire article here.“Data from 2009 and 2010 show that scores dropped at most schools the year after they were flagged for excessive erasures, raising questions about whether heightened security curbed abuses,” and results were flat in 2011, after Rhee ...more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Cuts in Salem-Keier District by Husk
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Cuts in Salem-Keier District by Husk: Cuts in Salem-Keier District by HuskbyMelissa WestbrookNews from the Statesman-Journal in mid-April in Oregon (via one of our readers). I would link to the story but you can't unless you pay.Here's the lead storyline:All library and media jobs at Salem-Keizer elementary and middle schools would be cut under a proposal by Superintendent Sandy Husk. The 48 library and media instructors were notified Thursday of the plan, part of the district's ... more »
Old superintendents. « Fred Klonsky
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Old superintendents. « Fred Klonsky: Old superintendents.byFred KlonskyI got a call yesterday from Dr. Fred.About ten years ago and for about ten years before that he was our district’s superintendent.In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a great fan of administrators.But every once in a while one comes along that makes me think twice.Dr. Fred called to apologize for missing my retirement party (write me for details about time and place). He retired and is living out west now. He ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Letter to SUNY board about Success Academy's proposed increase in management fees
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NYC Public School Parents: Letter to SUNY board about Success Academy's proposed increase in management fees: Letter to SUNY board about Success Academy's proposed increase in management feesbyLeonie HaimsonEva Moskowitz credit: NY PostUPDATE: Just heard that today, the SUNY committee tabled the proposed hike in fees.April 24, 2012Dear Chairman McCall, SUNY board of trustees and members of the SUNY charter committee:I hope you have seen Juan Gonzalez’ article in today’s Daily News; “Public kept in dark about sweet deals for ... more »
EDUCATING OUR WAY TO AN ECONOMY BUILT TO LAST: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike | The White House
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EDUCATING OUR WAY TO AN ECONOMY BUILT TO LAST: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike | The White House: Educating Our Way to an Economy Built to Last:Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike986,494 Hispanic students would be affected In his State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out a blueprint for an economy built to last—an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.The President has worked tirelessly ... more »
Why we Oppose Nato by Bernardine Dohrn/Bill Ayers « Bill Ayers
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Why we Oppose Nato by Bernardine Dohrn/Bill Ayers « Bill Ayers: Why we Oppose Nato by Bernardine Dohrn/Bill Ayersbybillayers The day after the 9/11 attacks the Bush administration took dozens of extreme, transformative actions, including invoking Article 5, the right to collective self-defense, of NATO’s founding charter—a first in NATO’s 50-year history.This marked the fateful expansion of NATO’s mission into new geographical regions (such as Afghanistan) and novel functions, such as the initiation and rationalization of the use of pre-emptive ... more »
Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » My article in Solutions magazine: Reforming Chinese Education: What China Is Trying to Learn from America
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Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » My article in Solutions magazine: Reforming Chinese Education: What China Is Trying to Learn from America: My article in Solutions magazine: Reforming Chinese Education: What China Is Trying to Learn from AmericabyYongZhaoThe Solutions magazine (print version volume 2, issue 2, page 38-43) published my article about China’s education reform in April. Below is the abstract. The entire article is online at:Reforming Chinese Education.When Shanghai, China, was awarded the number one spot for educational achievement ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: More errors on the Pearson's NYS math exams this week
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NYC Public School Parents: More errors on the Pearson's NYS math exams this week: More errors on the Pearson's NYS math exams this weekbyLeonie HaimsonGiven reports today of more errors in this week's 4thgrade and 8thgrade NYS math exams (see below), added tothe absurd passage and questions on the 8thgrade ELA exam, now known as Pineapplegate, we say three strikes and you’re out. Pearson should be made to forfeit their $32 million contract. If our children make errors on these ... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: The Black Box of Computerized Assessments - Does Anyone Know What's Really In There?
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Missouri Education Watchdog: The Black Box of Computerized Assessments - Does Anyone Know What's Really In There?: The Black Box of Computerized Assessments - Does Anyone Know What's Really In There?byAnngieThere's an old saying about the inmates running the asylum that comes to mind with this story from a science educator in Florida who looked into the science portion of Florida's standardized assessment. Robert Krampf was developing some science test prep questions for 5th graders preparing to take that state's ... more »
Schools for the corporate era - Colorlines.com - Salon.com
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Schools for the corporate era - Colorlines.com - Salon.com: Schools for the corporate eraGov. Jindal has reshaped Louisiana's public education system based on ALEC's blueprintsBYJULIANNE HING,COLORLINES.COM9 more Gov. Bobby Jindal(Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster)This piece originally appeared onColorlines.com.Gov. Bobby Jindal has remade the Louisiana public schools system with impressive speed over the past legislative session. Last week, he signed into law a suite of landmark reform bills that will likely change the direction of public education in Louisiana forever. But not all ... more »
Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » Mass Localism for Improving America’s Education
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Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » Mass Localism for Improving America’s Education: Mass Localism for Improving America’s EducationbyYongZhaoA version of this post is published inKappa Delta Pi Record, 48(1), p. 17-22in Feb. 2012.To build a better education system, America must build on what we have—differentiation, uniqueness, and diversity.It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without ... more »
LAUSD: SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AS A PREREQUISITE FOR EDUCATION (VIDEO #3) - Perdaily.com
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LAUSD: SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AS A PREREQUISITE FOR EDUCATION (VIDEO #3) - Perdaily.com: LAUSD: SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AS A PREREQUISITE FOR EDUCATION (VIDEO #3)byLeonard Isenberg(Mensaje se repite en Espaรฑol)(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)The failure to follow LAUSD's own bulletins, the LAUSD/UTLA Collective Bargaining, and state and federal are only part of the reason that LAUSD remains such an unmitigated failure when it comes to educating predominantly minority students that make up the ... more »
Obama honors Burbank educator as National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News
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Obama honors Burbank educator as National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News: Obama honors Burbank educator as National Teacher of the YearByBarbara Jones, Staff WriterPosted: 04/24/2012 07:52:43 AM PDTUpdated: 04/24/2012 08:15:45 AM PDTPresident Barack Obama congratulates the 2012 National Teacher of the Year, Rebecca Mieliwocki, who teaches at Luther Burbank Middle School in Burbank, Calif., Tuesday, April 24, 2012, during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (Charles Dharapak)CLICK PHOTO ... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH: How stupid items get onto standardized tests « Diane Ravitch's blog
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How stupid items get onto standardized tests « Diane Ravitch's blog: How stupid items get onto standardized tests Many people have wondered how the New York State Education Department permitted the nonsensical story about the pineapple and the hare to get onto the state test.This is not the first time a really bad reading passage got onto the test and it won’t be the last.State Commissioner John King was quick to issue a defensive statement saying that people were reading ... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Pineapple Rebellion in full swing
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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Pineapple Rebellion in full swing: Pineapple Rebellion in full swingbyMike Klonsky Sometimes it happens that way. A single insipid test question has sparked a rebellion and shone a light, not only on current standardized testing practices, but on the whole testing industry and its leading profiteer,Pearson Publishing.TheN.Y. Times reports:Anti-testing activists have taken up the cudgel, saying that the passage and the multiple-choice questions associated with it perfectly illustrate the absurdity of standardized testing. And by Friday ... more »
NEWS FLASH: Malloy Hits New Low As He Misleads Minority Community on Education Reform - Wait, What?
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NEWS FLASH: Malloy Hits New Low As He Misleads Minority Community on Education Reform - Wait, What?: NEWS FLASH: Malloy Hits New Low As He Misleads Minority Community on Education ReformOne story in today’sHartford Courantis about Governor Malloy’s visit last night to the Faith Congregational Church where he explained that if the 81 state representatives and 27 or 28 senators from the poorest (and most minority) districts voted for his version of the “Education Reform” bill – it would pass. ... more »
A Sociological Eye on Education | Aaron’s fable
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A Sociological Eye on Education | Aaron’s fable: Aaron’s fablePineapple (courtesy of Alvesgaspar)(The fable below will make more sense if you know the following: Last week, New York eighth-graders taking the state’s English Language Arts assessment were subjected to six exam questions based on abizarre and incomprehensible passage featuring a talking pineapple. State Education Commissioner John King Jr.defended the passage, but said that these questions wouldn’t count. Also last week,New York Timescolumnist David Brooks wrote acolumn calling for value-added assessment ... more »
COMMUNITY KILLER? Radical District reorganization, 64 school closings planned | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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Radical District reorganization, 64 school closings planned | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Radical District reorganization, 64 school closings plannedbyDale Mezzacappaon Apr 24 2012 Posted inLatest newsCOMMENTS (3)PRINTEMAILTags:District budget INN feedThomas Knudsen Penny Nixon leadership school closingDistrict staff and consultants are recommending asweeping overhaulof how public schools in Philadelphia operate, planning to close 64 schools over the next five years and divvy up those that remain among “achievement networks” led by teams of educators or nonprofit institutio... more »
Now wait, who is that grassroots group Students for Education Reform? - Wait, What?
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Now wait, who is that grassroots group Students for Education Reform? - Wait, What?: Now wait, who is that grassroots group Students for Education Reform?byjonpeltoporcupine backs into a cactus -Beware of AstroTurf Ed Reformersporcupine backs into a cactusOn April 19, 2012, 60 college students held a rally at the State Capitol demanding that the Legislature pass Governor Malloy “Education Reform” bill.Students For Education Reform’s Connecticut director claimed that students were coming from a dozen different Connecticut campuses and that the ... more »
PSAT for 4-24-12: Sign the National Resolution on High Stakes Testing
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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 4-24-12: Sign the National Resolution on High Stakes Testing: PSAT for 4-24-12: Sign the National Resolution on High Stakes Testingbyadmin Please sign onhere(as individuals and, where appropriate, as organizations such as Local School Councils, etc.) Here’s what and why:Advancement Project – Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund – FairTest – Forum for Education and Democracy – NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund – National Education Association – Parents ... more »
The Innovative Educator: Inform Others of the Harm of Standardized Tests with This Flyer
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The Innovative Educator: Inform Others of the Harm of Standardized Tests with This Flyer: Inform Others of the Harm of Standardized Tests with This Flyerbynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)We are finally reaching a time when parents are standing up for the rights of their children and opting out of tests. Social media has played a great role in this where parents are able tofind others from their statewho are doing the same thing they are and also discover and share information and ...more »
A new teacher evaluation system being tested at two OUSD schools - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools
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A new teacher evaluation system being tested at two OUSD schools - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: A new teacher evaluation system being tested at two OUSD schoolsMonday, April 23rd, 2012 at 4:04 pm inteachersNo CommentsDave Orphal, a teacher at Skyline High School in Oakland, will write a series of blog posts for The Education Report about teacher evaluations — including a pilot program that two middle schools are using this year. He serves as ... more »
‘Mr. President, public education in the U.S. is on the wrong track’ - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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‘Mr. President, public education in the U.S. is on the wrong track’ - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: ‘Mr. President, public education in the U.S. is on the wrong track’byValerie StraussThis is the text ofan open letterwritten to President Obama by Mary Broderick, president of the Arlington, Va.,-basedNational Schools Boards Association,a not-for-profit organization representing state associations of school boards and their member districts. The letter, sent earlier this month to the president, asks for a national dialogue about ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Banda Profile
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Banda Profile: Banda ProfilebyMelissa WestbrookThe Times has a goodprofileof the work that superintendent finalist, Jose Banda, has done in Anaheim.Banda was born in Texas, the son of migrant farmworkers who had little formal education. His first language was Spanish.When he was 2, the family moved to California, where he has stayed. His father began picking cotton at a ranch outside Bakersfield and eventually was promoted to supervisor. During breaks and summers, Banda and his six siblings ... more »
Today in DC: Occupy The Justice Department! | OccupyWallSt.org #OWS
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Today in DC: Occupy The Justice Department! | OccupyWallSt.org: Today in DC: Occupy The Justice Department!Posted 6 hours ago on April 24, 2012, 1:28 a.m. EST byOccupyWallStToday @ 11AM!950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC -- at the Dept of Justice (DOJ)viaOccupy The Justice Department:On April 24, 2012, Mumia Abu-Jamal’s 58th birthday, we will gather at the Department of Justice in Washington D.C and amplify our formal request that Attorney General Eric Holder meet with a delegation to discuss police corruption ... more »
Chris Hedges: Why the United States Is Destroying Its Education System | Seattle Education
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Chris Hedges: Why the United States Is Destroying Its Education System | Seattle Education: Chris Hedges: Why the United States Is Destroying Its Education Systembyseattleducation2011Posted originally on April 11, 2012 ontruthdig.Chris HedgesA nation that destroys its systems of education, degrades its public information, guts its public libraries and turns its airwaves into vehicles for cheap, mindless amusement becomes deaf, dumb and blind. It prizes test scores above critical thinking and literacy. It celebrates rote vocational training and the singular, amoral ... more »
It’s almost too juicy Parents United for Responsible Education
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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » It’s almost too juicy: It’s almost too juicybyadminPineapplegate. Just the kind of incredibly stupid, embarrassing testing scandal that President Obama and other candidates need to take seriously as they head into the summer campaign season.Don’t be on the wrong side of the pineapple, folks.I’ll have to admit that it was a lot of fun watching this story roll out with my friend and PAA co-founder Leonie Haimson when we were in ... more »
ED News Worth Reading April 2012
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ED News Worth Reading April 2012:ED News Worth Reading April 2012
AIN'T THIS A CRYING SHAME? Beaverton School District may consider fund-raising for teachers | OregonLive.com
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Beaverton School District may consider fund-raising for teachers | OregonLive.com: Beaverton School District may consider fund-raising for teachersBeavertonstudents and parents have raised funds for new playground equipment, sports gear, laptop computers and other items, but fund-raising for teachers has never been allowed.That may change as the school district faces the reduction of 344 jobs -- all staff -- next school year. The 39,000-student district has about 3,300 staff.The school board is contemplating the idea, which it has forbidden previously because ... more »
PAA leader sparks Pineapplegate « Parents Across America
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PAA leader sparks Pineapplegate « Parents Across America: PAA leader sparks Pineapplegatebypagrundy If you spent this weekend chuckling or fuming about a nonsensical standardized test question involving a hare and a talking pineapple, you havePAA co-founder Leonie Haimsonto thank. Leonie wrote the blog that started the media storm, highlighted the absurdity of high-stakes standardized tests and got the question pulled from the exam.Leonie, who’s worked on educational issues for years, was the right person in the right place in the ... more »
http://www.southbronxschool.com
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http://www.southbronxschool.com: BREAKING NEWS!!! First Look at the New Standardized Testing for College Studentsbynoreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher)Did ya readDavid Brooks' column last week in The New York Times?In the immortal words of Carl Spackler, I had to laugh. It just shows how out of touch the people who think they are on the cutting edge of this so called "reform movement" really are. Guess what got me the biggest laugh? Yep you are right.Brooks, showing is just how smart he thinks he ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Logic
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Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Logic: Reformy LogicbyDukeThe most reformyRev. Reginald T. Jackson, Executive Director, The Black Ministers Council of New Jersey [all emphases mine]:Oururban students are more likely to be assigned an inexperienced teacher — which is bad for both the teacher and the student— more likely to have a substitute and more likely to have a teacher teaching out-of-subject specialization. Additionally, because teachers garner more control over their assignments as they accrue seniority, leaving little incentive for them to take ... more »
ALEC Exposed as Lobby Group With 501(C) (3) “Public Charity” Status « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!
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ALEC Exposed as Lobby Group With 501(C) (3) “Public Charity” Status « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: ALEC Exposed as Lobby Group With 501(C) (3) “Public Charity” StatusbymillerlfConservative Nonprofit Acts as a Stealth Business LobbyistByMIKE McINTIRENYTimes Published: April 21, 2012ALEC’s members include corporations and nearly 2,000 lawmakers. Kraft Foods, Intuit and Coca-Cola left the group amid a policy controversy.ATT, Reynolds American and Pfizer each gave $130,000 to $398,000 to the group, its 2010 tax returns show.It was quickly flagged ... more »
Interview with myself. Quinn’s pension proposals. « Fred Klonsky
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Interview with myself. Quinn’s pension proposals. « Fred Klonsky: Interview with myself. Quinn’s pension proposals.byFred KlonskyQ. Who is impacted by the Governor’s plan?A. Quinn’s plan is aimed at all active employee who are inTeachers’ Retirement System (TRS), the State Universities Retirement System (SURS), the State Employee Retirement System (SERS), and the General Assembly Retirement System (GARS).Q. How much more would we have to pay into our pension plans?A.TRSwould go from 9.4% to 12.4% andSURSwould go from 8% to 11%.Q. What ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Pineapplegate and the media storm that has ensued
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NYC Public School Parents: Pineapplegate and the media storm that has ensued: Pineapplegate and the media storm that has ensuedbyLeonie HaimsonCredit: Bramhall Cartoons, Daily NewsHere is a rather breathless account of what is now being called Pineapplegate. I had no idea what a media storm would erupt as a result ofThursday’s blog post. Please also be sure to fill out this shortparent surveyabout the testing regime in NY State. If you are a teacher,fill this one out, and if a ... more »
Schools Matter: Is President Obama Listening?
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Schools Matter: Is President Obama Listening?: Is President Obama Listening?byJudy RabinNational School Board Association's Open Letter to President ObamaApril 17, 2012Dear President Obama:The night of your election, in Grant Park, you said, “I will listen to you especially when we disagree.” We are all committed to the best educational future for the children of America. Yet, as the nation prepares for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), school board members and top educational thinkers overwhelming urge ... more »
Standardized test security questioned - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Standardized test security questioned - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Standardized test security questionedByValerie StraussTenth-graders in Florida took the state’s standardized test in reading on a staggered schedule because there weren’t enough computers available for them all to take it at the same time, raising concerns that security of test questions could be compromised, theMiami Herald reported.Students took the test in reading, which is part of theFlorida Comprehensive Achievement Test(FCAT), in groups on a few different days last ... more »
The 5-Minute Break | The Jose Vilson
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The 5-Minute Break | The Jose Vilson: The 5-Minute BreakbyJoseLast week, New York State Education Commission decided to give students a mandated 5-minute break in the first book of the English-Language Arts test. When I read about it, I laughed for reasons I rather expand on after the math test. However, I did receive a tape with some recorded dialogue from the closed room where some of these decisions were made. Here’s an excerpt from the dialogue:Official A:What do you ... more »
Educating Our Way to an Economy Built to Last: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike | The White House
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Educating Our Way to an Economy Built to Last: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike | The White House: Educating Our Way to an Economy Built to Last: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate HikebyThe White House Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate HikeIn his State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out a blueprint for an economy built to last—an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.The ... more »
Schools Matter: Help Chalkface Radio Stay on Air
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Schools Matter: Help Chalkface Radio Stay on Air: Help Chalkface Radio Stay on AirbyJudy RabinOne of the most potent tools of the current education deform movement perpetuated by corporate interests has been the huge amount of money spent on the air war that is demonizing teachers and public education. In order to combat the drumbeat of lies and propaganda around education policy, it is essential that the voices of truth continue to stay on the air. Please publicize this urgent ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Why are classroom teachers being pulled out of schools to grade ELA exams, right before the math exams?
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NYC Public School Parents: Why are classroom teachers being pulled out of schools to grade ELA exams, right before the math exams?: Why are classroom teachers being pulled out of schools to grade ELA exams, right before the math exams?byLeonie HaimsonFrom a Brooklyn parent who prefers to remain nameless:This past weekend my daughter and I spent several hours going over math problems, preparing for her 5th grade state math exams which will take place Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this ... more »
Save Our Schools Education convention August 3-5 in DC | Save Our Schools: March and National Call to Action | causes.com
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Save Our Schools Education convention August 3-5 in DC | Save Our Schools: March and National Call to Action | causes.com: Save Our Schools Education convention August 3-5 in DCSave Our Schools Education ConventionA People’s Policy Activism Summithttp://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1104247304263-54/Convention+Planks.pdfAugust 3-5, 2012 Washington, DC Marriott Wardman ParkIf you are interested in participating as a delegate for one of the following education issues, please contact us at: info@saveourschools.comPlatforms1. Poverty (including anti-poverty program)2. Ci... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Mid Day Posts 4-23 #edreform #soschat
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Making Myself Useful (and other items) | Mr. TeachbadBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-5 minutes agoMaking Myself Useful (and other items) | Mr. Teachbad: Making Myself Useful (and other items)byteachbad(I’m a bit rushed…driving to Indiana in…36 minutes. More on that in a minute.)Churn ‘n’ Burn and Spin Me to theDoorThere are two short things I read this week that I believe are connected. The first was an article in Education Week from early in April calledWhen Teachers Are Treated ... more »
In Case You Missed It: Testing begins with many complaints; Mayoral candidates go after Mayor’s policies « EdVox
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In Case You Missed It: Testing begins with many complaints; Mayoral candidates go after Mayor’s policies « EdVox: In Case You Missed It: Testing begins with many complaints; Mayoral candidates go after Mayor’s policiesbyedvoxnyHere on EdVox we’re excited to bring you the latest news about education issues and policies affecting our communities. It can be hard to keep up with all of the events and happenings, so – in case you missed it…Here is a recap of the latest stories ...more »
National Teacher of the Year - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)
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National Teacher of the Year - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education): California Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwockiis Named America's Top Teacher WASHINGTON, D.C.—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today congratulated California's Rebecca Mieliwocki for being selected as the 2012 National Teacher of the Year, the nation's oldest and most prestigious teaching honor."Rebecca Mieliwocki is an inspiration to her students, to me, and to every California teacher. She brings enormous energy, enthusiasm, and optimism to teaching—a career that ... more »
No Conflict, No Conflict, Keep Moving; Nothing to See Here… - Wait, What?
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No Conflict, No Conflict, Keep Moving; Nothing to See Here… - Wait, What?: No Conflict, No Conflict, Keep Moving; Nothing to See Here…byjonpelto What is it about these Malloy appointees and their notion of what constitutes a conflict of interest. Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor seems to be adding to the list on a daily basis and now we’ve got “Special Master” Steven Adamowski.When it comes to conflicts of interests; you’ve got your straight up “conflict of interest”, your “appearance of ... more »
WISCONSIN GOVERNOR DELIVERS A BLOW TO TEACHERS WHO HOLD MASTER’S DEGREES « Teachers Fight Back
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WISCONSIN GOVERNOR DELIVERS A BLOW TO TEACHERS WHO HOLD MASTER’S DEGREES « Teachers Fight Back: WISCONSIN GOVERNOR DELIVERS A BLOW TO TEACHERS WHO HOLD MASTER’S DEGREESbyalkleenThis Wisconsin governor is UNBELIEVABLE ! Gov. Scott Walker has reshaped a rule to lower inflation-based raises that public unions can negotiate for teachers in public schools. The rule change wouldn’t use an individual’s actual salary as a “base salary” to calculate raises and would exclude factors such as a teacher’s higher degree.For instance, a ... more »
What America Owes In Student Loans : Planet Money : NPR #soschat
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What America Owes In Student Loans : Planet Money : NPR: What America Owes In Student LoansTotal student debt has gone through the roof. But the average debt per college grad has gone up much more slowly. See our earlier entries in this series:What America Sells To The World,What America Does For Work,What America BuysandWhat America Pays in Taxes The amount of student debt being taken on every year hasbeen rising rapidlyfor years now. You probably know these things already. ... more »
The Politics of Education – Dueling Budgets
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The Politics of Education – Dueling Budgets: The Politics of Education – Dueling BudgetsMONDAY, APRIL 23RD, 2012 AT 11:46 AMThis weekend, I was on CNN to speak about President Obama’s and Representative Ryan’s dueling budget proposals, and asked to comment on which of the two lighted the surer path to true education reform. See for yourself:
Shanker Blog » The Allure Of Teacher Quality
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Shanker Blog » The Allure Of Teacher Quality: The Allure Of Teacher QualitybyMatthew Di Carlo Those following education know that policy focused on “teacher quality” is by far the dominant paradigm for improving schools over the past few years. Some (but not nearly all) components of this all-hands-on-deck effort are perplexing to many teachers, and have generated quite a bit of pushback. No matter one’s opinion of this approach, however, what drives it is the tantalizing allure of variation in ... more »
Burbank educator named National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News
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Burbank educator named National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News: Burbank educator named National Teacher of the YearByBarbara Jones, Staff WriterPosted: 04/23/2012 07:48:56 AM PDTUpdated: 04/23/2012 08:27:28 AM PDTFILE PHOTO: Luther Burbank Middle School teacher Rebecca Mieliwocki teaches a 7th-grade English class in 2011. She was named National Teacher of the Year. (Andy Holzman/Daily News Staff Photographer) ((ANDY HOLZMAN/LA DAILY NEWS))Rebecca Mieliwocki, a 7th grade teacher at Burbank Middle School in Burbank was named today as National Teacher ... more »
FCMAT » California Education Headlines
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FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team: Monday, April 23, 2012Lottery fever not a big windfall for local schoolsLast month's $640 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot ---- and the ticket-buying fervor that led up to it ---- poured big bucks into the state's educational coffers, but won't have much of an effect on local classrooms, officials said.LAUSD chief wants to keep health class as graduation requirementLos Angeles Unified Superintendent John Deasy said Friday that health-education class should remain a requirement ... more »
Departments of Education and Justice Reach Settlement with Boston School Committee to Ensure Equal Opportunities for ELL Students | U.S. Department of Education
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Departments of Education and Justice Reach Settlement with Boston School Committee to Ensure Equal Opportunities for ELL Students | U.S. Department of Education: Departments of Education and Justice Reach Settlement with Boston School Committee to Ensure Equal Opportunities for ELL StudentsAPRIL 23, 2012Contact:Education Department, (202) 401-1576Justice Department, 202-514-2007WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Education with the U.S. Department of Justice reached agreement with the Boston School Committee, the governing body of the Boston Public Schools, and its superintendent to... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Superintendent Selection Process
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Superintendent Selection Process: The Superintendent Selection ProcessbyCharlie MasIn the end, the Board chooses the superintendent. This is pretty much the Board's most important duty and they are responsible for it. They have to make the choice. Not only that, but they have to determine their process for making the choice. When it comes to everyone else working in the District, the readers and writers on this blog generally support autonomy and oppose micromanagement. We want ... more »
Making Myself Useful (and other items) | Mr. Teachbad
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Making Myself Useful (and other items) | Mr. Teachbad: Making Myself Useful (and other items)byteachbad(I’m a bit rushed…driving to Indiana in…36 minutes. More on that in a minute.)Churn ‘n’ Burn and Spin Me to theDoorThere are two short things I read this week that I believe are connected. The first was an article in Education Week from early in April calledWhen Teachers Are Treated Like Widgets, Education Suffers. It was written by academics who are tired of all their studies ... more »
RIGHT AGAIN :) ! Potter Williams Report: Diane Ravitch Outsmarted by One of Her Own
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Potter Williams Report: Diane Ravitch Outsmarted by One of Her Own: DIANE RAVITCH OUTSMARTED BY ONE OF HER OWNEducation Week published aletterfrom Diane Ravitch to another progressive Deweyian educator Deborah Meier entitled “I Don't Understand Michelle Rhee.”Ravitch can't figure out why Rhee lies, why she blames teachers for everything and how she can reel in die-hard Republicans with ease.I guess education historian Diane Ravitch is not in on the endgame!Or is she? Maybe she's playing devil’s advocate for Duncan’s DOE ... more »
Ed Dept seeks to bring test-based assessment to teacher prep programs - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Ed Dept seeks to bring test-based assessment to teacher prep programs - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Ed Dept seeks to bring test-based assessment to teacher prep programsbyValerie StraussThe Obama administration wants to expand the use of standardized test scores as an accountability tool from K-12 into higher education.The Education Department just tried — and failed — to persuade a group of negotiators to agree to regulations that would rate colleges of education in large part on how ... more »
The Innovative Educator: The bad pineapple questions are not the problem with standardized tests
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The Innovative Educator: The bad pineapple questions are not the problem with standardized tests: The bad pineapple questions are not the problem with standardized testsbynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)I am disappointed that the mainstream story about testing happens to be a poor a test section about pineapples. While I agree the test question was ridiculous, I think focusing on that diverts us from the real problem which is that even if the test had greatest questions on earth, standardized testing at its ... more »
School Tech Connect: The Single Sound Test
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School Tech Connect: The Single Sound Test: The Single Sound Testbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)CPS's now departed turnaround guy, Donald Fraynd, said he was leaving with a heavy heart to begin a start-up company. He called it something else, I can't remember.This appears to be it.I'll give him one thing ; he's a true believer.Decades of research show one thing – nothing affects achievement as much as the quality of teaching students receive. In fact, teacher attributes may account for more than ... more »
StudentsFirst will be in Seattle | Seattle Education
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StudentsFirst will be in Seattle | Seattle Education: StudentsFirst will be in Seattlebyseattleducation2011…and that isnota good thing.Ms. Rhee (pronounced "re")StudentsFirst is an organization created by Michelle Rhee after her tumultuous tenure as Chancellor of DC public schools. She was supported by Eli Broad who threatened to pull his financial support for the DC public school system and Rhee specifically if she was not selected to continue as Chancellor of DC schools after Mayor Fenty’s failed re-election bid. After Fenty, who ... more »
May Day Wildcat March Called for 1pm | OccupyWallSt.org #ows
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May Day Wildcat March Called for 1pm | OccupyWallSt.org: May Day Wildcat March Called for 1pmbyOccupyWallStviaSTRIKE EVERYWHERE!:A call has gone out for a massiveWildcatmarch in NYC on May 1st, starting at 1PM. The original call is availablehere. Secondingstrikeisaverb, See you in the streets! Forward and Repost widely.https://www.facebook.com/events/297929263615205/and print and distribute flyers (wildcatmarchflyer-single,wildcatmarchflyer-quarter)CALL FOR A WILDCAT MARCH FOR GENERAL STRIKE PARTICIPANTSMAY 1ST, 2012 1PMWe were told by bosses, by activists, by union leaders we could... more »
NYC Educator: Don't Know Much About History
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NYC Educator: Don't Know Much About History: Don't Know Much About HistorybyNYC EducatorIs NY State right to abolish theGlobal History Regents exam? Lots of us have had our fill of standardized testing, and would like to see far less of it. Of course that's not the case, as the state plans all sorts of nonsense, largely to assess teachers. Kids will be spending hours of potential learning time indulging in nonsensical junk science, to appease those who wish to fire ... more »
Zoning The Poor Out of Good Schools | California Progress Report
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Zoning The Poor Out of Good Schools | California Progress Report: Zoning The Poor Out of Good SchoolsbymeganBy Peter SchragMost of us have long known that in places like Oakland and Berkeley, and probably in a lot of other cities as well, the easiest way to predict a school’s test scores is by the altitude of the building.The higher up the school, the more likely it will be in an affluent neighborhood. The schools in the flats, where the poor ... more »
REASONS NOT TO SIGN GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN'S TAX INITIATIVE PETITION - Perdaily.com
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REASONS NOT TO SIGN GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN'S TAX INITIATIVE PETITION - Perdaily.com: REASONS NOT TO SIGN GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN'S TAX INITIATIVE PETITIONbyLeonard Isenberg(Mensaje se repite en Espaรฑol)(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)In the bleak reality of coordinated political and corporate siege against public education, one is tempted to grasp at straws in trying to stop this continued onslaught against teachers and the ever worsening degradation of the essential democracy formative institution ... more »
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? pineapple question stumps ... everyone!
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Captain: Are ya ready kids?Kids: Aye, Aye captain!Captain: I can't heeeaaar yooouuu!Kids: AYE, AYE CAPTAIN!Captain: oooooooooooo...Captain: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants!Captain: Absorbent and yellow and porous is he.Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants!Captain: If nautical nonsense be somethin' ya wish.Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants!Captain: Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish.Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants!Captain: Ready? Sponge Bob Square Pants,Captain Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Sponge Bob ... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 4-22 #soschat #EDReform
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What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled? | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-13 minutes agoWhat Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled? | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…: What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled?byLarry FerlazzoProf. Armin Falk, a professor at Bonn University, unveiled some very intriguing studies on motivation last week. ...more »
Educator Musing: Real Parent Empowerment is a Rebellion
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Educator Musing: Real Parent Empowerment is a Rebellion: Real Parent Empowerment is a RebellionbyEducator Musing If without medical justification, [your son] is absent fromschool on any dayduring the Assessment period, the District will deem thisabsence as unexcused. Further, if you keep [your son] home from school during theAssessment period,without medical verification, it is within the District’sdiscretion to deemthese absences as indicia of educational neglect, whichwould leave the Districtlittle choice but to contact Child Protective Services(“CPS”). Pursuant to theNew York
Teacher Appreciation:From the Mouths of Babes! « Diary of a Public School Teacher!
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Teacher Appreciation:From the Mouths of Babes! « Diary of a Public School Teacher!: Teacher Appreciation:From the Mouths ofBabes!Some of my studentswrote a letter for the state department’s Teacher Appreciation Day contest. After reading the letters, it gave me some insight as to what my students appreciate about me. I chose to use the letters as an informal evaluation tool to see what I am doing right,(or wrong). I found some of the responses quite amusing.:)I bustle (Vocabulary word) around on ... more »
ARE MORE OF Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Right Wing Buddies Turning On Her?
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Potter Williams Report: Michelle Rhee’s Mask Is Slipping: Illegal Activity in Constitution State?: ARE MORE OF Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Right Wing Buddies Turning On Her?MICHELLE RHEE’S MASK IS SLIPPING: ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN CONSTITUTION STATE?It was only a matter of time before Michelle Rhee would start blowing her cover. But I have to admit she’s held off “enquiring minds who want to know” for at least five years since signing on to DC.Citizen watchdogs have found evidence of Rhee's ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Pineapples Don't Have Sleeves
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Pineapples Don't Have Sleeves: Pineapples Don't Have SleevesbyMelissa WestbrookIf ever there was a reason to pull a stop on standardized testing mania, it's this story.The Hare and the Pineapple.Yes, apparently in NYC's 8th grade standardized test there was a reading section, based on a story by Daniel Pinkwater, the children's author, about a hare and a pineapple having a race, based on The Tortoise and the Hare. (The story was altered from Mr. Pinkwater's original according ... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 4-22 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform
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ED News Worth Reading April 2011 at Pinterest.Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-12 minutes agoED News Worth Reading April 2011:ED News Worth Reading April 2011ED News Worth Reading April 2011https://pinterest.com/coopmike48/ed-news-worth-reading-april-2011/4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: CORONA-NORCO USD IN INLAND EMPIRE GIVES TEACHERS THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT INSTEAD OF PRESCRIBED LESSON PLANS, boosting scores and graduation rates in the heavily Latino, low-income district.Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-12 minutes ago4LAKids - some of the news... more »
NSBA President’s letter to Obama: please change direction! « Parents Across America
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NSBA President’s letter to Obama: please change direction! « Parents Across America: NSBA President’s letter to Obama: please change direction!byleoniehaimson“…school board members and top educational thinkers overwhelming urge abandoning the current “command-and-control” federal educational oversight…driving us toward mediocrity….Mr. President, public education in the U.S. is on the wrong track. As we have moved decision-making farther
Bridgeport Schools Going Private With Taxpayer Money? - Jonathan Kantrowitz - Connecticut News
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Bridgeport Schools Going Private With Taxpayer Money? - Jonathan Kantrowitz - Connecticut News: Bridgeport Schools Going Private With Taxpayer Money?April 22, 2012 at 3:18 pm byJonathan Kantrowitzby Jon Pelto fromWait, WhatThis week we learned that Governor Malloy and his education commissioner, Stefan Pryor hired certain consultants to help develop Malloy’s “Education Reform” bill. Rather than go through some silly competitive bidding process, they simply got a quasi-state agency, SERC to hire the two consultants; one for $195,000 and the other ... more »
Andrea Merida on why Denver school board should reject Gates grant « Parents Across America
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Andrea Merida on why Denver school board should reject Gates grant « Parents Across America: Andrea Merida on why Denver school board should reject Gates grantbyleoniehaimsonSee video below of Andrea Merida, a member of the Denver school board and Parents Across America, on why they should reject a grant from the ALEC-linked Gates Foundation. [For more on this issue, see theGates website,including comments from critics.] In hermessageon vimeo, Andrea asks:Why are the Denver Public Schools accepting money from the Bill ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: NYC principal opting her own children out of testing
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NYC Public School Parents: NYC principal opting her own children out of testing: NYC principal opting her own children out of testingbyLeonie HaimsonHere is a letter from a NYC principal who spoke outagainst standardized testing and corporate education reform onWNYC radio, whenBrian Lehrer had Michelle Rhee as his guest. She sent the below letter,about opting her children out of testing in the Ridgewood NJ public schools, to their principals,teachers, the superintendent, the NCLB administrator, guidance counselors,Special Education supervisor, etc.The official ... more »
What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled? | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…
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What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled? | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…: What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled?byLarry FerlazzoProf. Armin Falk, a professor at Bonn University, unveiled some very intriguing studies on motivation last week. I’ll provide a short summary of how I believe some of his key findings can be applied to education. You can also read a more extensive reporthere, review ... more »
What Works in Education | Seattle Education
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What Works in Education | Seattle Education: What Works in Educationbyseattleducation2011There are many successful programs that work around the country in terms of educating our students and one that was successful on a national level was the original war on poverty which was paid for by public funds.As Linda Darling-Hammond wrote in her book, The Flat World and Education:How Policy Can Matter…These declines are not inevitable. We have made strong headway on educational achievement in the past and can do ... more »
porcupine backs into a cactus - Beware of AstroTurf Ed Reformers
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porcupine backs into a cactus -Beware of AstroTurf Ed Reformersporcupine backs into a cactusJust Like Michelle Rhee's Students first only BETTERAstroturf lobbying refers to political organizations or campaigns that appear to be made up of grassroots activists but are actually organized and run by corporate interests seeking to further their own agendas. Such groups are often typified by innocent-sounding names that have been chosen specifically to disguise the group's true backersJust Like Michelle Rhee'sStudents firstAstroturf lobbying(only Better)we support:Promoting voucher progr... more »
I would’ve sworn you used the word “transparency” – The Art of Moving Public Funds “Off-Line” - Wait, What?
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I would’ve sworn you used the word “transparency” – The Art of Moving Public Funds “Off-Line” - Wait, What?: I would’ve sworn you used the word “transparency” – The Art of Moving Public Funds “Off-Line”byjonpelto Oh, remember the good ole days when politicians just directed that public contracts go to friends, donors and certain companies.That was then and this is now…and a whole new approach is taking shape.This week we learned that Governor Malloy and his education commissioner, Stefan Pryor ... more »
MOM CONGRESS - Parenting.com
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Educational Resources - Parental Involvement - Parenting.com: What Teachers Want to Tell ParentsThey don't really take summers off, and other info they'd like you to knowTEACHER TELL-ALLA Day in the Life of an Inner-City School TeacherA candid look into a world ofovercrowded classrooms, mouthy students, and too few resourcesTEACHER TIPS13 Discipline Tricks from TeachersHow they keep kids in line and how you can too!REINVENT PBJNew Ideas for School LunchTasty recipes for getting out a lunchbox ruttools guides+see allorganize volunteershealthy lunch ... more »
Frog Birds, Autonomous Individuals, Groups and Flying Kites in the Rain « Cooperative Catalyst
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Frog Birds, Autonomous Individuals, Groups and Flying Kites in the Rain « Cooperative Catalyst: Frog Birds, Autonomous Individuals, Groups and Flying Kites in the RainbyThomas Steele-MaleyI believe that society must be reconstructed to enlarge the contribution of autonomous individuals and primary groups to the total effectiveness of a new system of production designed to satisfy the human needs which it also determines.-Illich (1973)Frog Birds, Autonomous Individuals and GroupsThe time is now to listen to Frog Birds, intensify your autonomous local ... more »
How zoning policies affect student achievement - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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How zoning policies affect student achievement - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: How zoning policies affect student achievementbyValerie Strauss Thiswas written by Richard D. Kahlenberg, senior fellow at TheCentury Foundation. It first appeared onthe foundation’s website.By Richard D. KahlenbergAmericans value equal educational opportunity, but our system has always undercut that goal with housing, zoning, and school assignment policies that consign low-income students to high-poverty schools where they tend to perform worse. A fascinatingnew studyby Jonathan Rothwell of the...more »
School Tech Connect: Pineapples
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School Tech Connect: Pineapples: Pineapplesbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) I know there's been a lot of attention to thepineapple question on the New York test, but I'd like to point out that these terrible test questions are as common as the rain. You only hear about them when someone takes the risk of pointing them out. It is a testing violation for teachers to look through the testing booklet to see what's on the test.I did this very thing several times at ... more »
Cool Cat Teacher Blog The "James Brown" of Internet Teachers - Vicki Davis
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Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Learning about Learning: Research and Edreform News and Views 04/22/2012coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher)atCool Cat Teacher Blog-15 minutes ago- 6 Q's About the News | Teenage Drivers and A.D.H.D. - NYTimes.com This is a fascinating lesson and student opinion question about teenagers with ADHD and their driving. I think this is one that all drivers ed teachers should read but also that should be part of discussions with students of driving age. (You could ... more »
The 5th Legislative District Passes a No-Charter School Resolution | Seattle Education
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The 5th Legislative District Passes a No-Charter School Resolution | Seattle Education: The 5th Legislative District Passes a No-Charter School Resolutionbyseattleducation2011Resolution for Continued Prohibition of Charter Schools in Washington StateWhereas the platform of the Washington State Democrats specifically opposes publicly funded charter schools and vouchers; andWhereas the voters of Washington State have defeated charter measures three times; andWhereas peer-reviewed research shows that 83% of charter schools perform no better than public schools, and charter schools more...more »
ED News Worth Reading April 2011 at Pinterest.
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ED News Worth Reading April 2011:ED News Worth Reading April 2011ED News Worth Reading April 2011https://pinterest.com/coopmike48/ed-news-worth-reading-april-2011/
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: CORONA-NORCO USD IN INLAND EMPIRE GIVES TEACHERS THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT INSTEAD OF PRESCRIBED LESSON PLANS, boosting scores and graduation rates in the heavily Latino, low-income district.
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4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: CORONA-NORCO USD IN INLAND EMPIRE GIVES TEACHERS THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT INSTEAD OF PRESCRIBED LESSON PLANS, boosting scores and graduation rates in the heavily Latino, low-income district.: CORONA-NORCO USD IN INLAND EMPIRE GIVES TEACHERS THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT INSTEAD OF PRESCRIBED LESSON PLANS, boosting scores and graduation rates in the heavily Latino, low-income district.BY STEPHEN CEASAR, LOS ANGELES TIMES|HTTP://LAT.MS/HY6CGRAlejandra Zamora, left, and Saraiyah Hatter at Santiago High. As head of the ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: A Tale of Two Videos
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Jersey Jazzman: A Tale of Two Videos: A Tale of Two VideosbyDukeFirst, watch this (h/tBrian Page):PopoutThen, watch this (finally found a work-safe version):PopoutThey spend billions of dollars every year lobbying -- lobbying to get what they want. Well, we know what they want -- they want MORE for themselves and less for everybody else. But I'll tell you what they don't want.They
Don’t sit under the banana tree with anyone else but Rhee: Michele Rhee invited to speak to for-profit college “union” for $50K | Dailycensored.com
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Don’t sit under the banana tree with anyone else but Rhee: Michele Rhee invited to speak to for-profit college “union” for $50K | Dailycensored.com: Don’t sit under the banana tree with anyone else but Rhee: Michele Rhee invited to speak to for-profit college “union” for $50KWritten byDanny WeilBusiness,Education,MediaApr 21, 2012 On January 23 the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU), the trade “union” group for for-profit colleges in the United States, announced that former president George W. Bush ...more »
Jersey Jazzman: Some Of the Evaluation; All Of the Decision
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Jersey Jazzman: Some Of the Evaluation; All Of the Decision: Some Of the Evaluation; All Of the DecisionbyDuke There is a recurring theme in reformy teacher evaluation schemes: "We're not encouraging teaching to the test, because we're usingmultiple measures. The test scores will only be x% of the teachers evaluation. Stop worrying!"This theme is important to selling the plan, because even the reformyists acknowledge that teaching to the test will stifle children's learning. They also inherently acknowledge that taking a ... more »
School Tech Connect: You Know It's A Bad Idea When...
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School Tech Connect: You Know It's A Bad Idea When...: You Know It's A Bad Idea When...bynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)I just now noticed thatDavid Brooks just made an argumentfor something like value-added assessments at college, which illustrates the adage, "If there's a really, really bad idea, then David Brooks will be in favor of it and will in fact become this instant expert on it because as a person who is essentially a blogger with a column in a newspaper, that ... more »
Educator and Parent Opts Out in New Jersey | United Opt Out National
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Educator and Parent Opts Out in New Jersey | United Opt Out National: Educator and Parent Opts Out in New Jerseybyadmin Good afternoon.Please be advised that I do not permit my childrento participate in the NJ ASK or any other standardized testing for state report cards and NCLB/RTTT accountability. I believe that this kind of testing is, at best, counter-productive and perhaps even harmful to my children’s education and development. My position is based on my conscientious objection to the ... more »
Inside FCAT 2.0: What Changes Mean for Teachers, Students « Tangerine, Florida
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Inside FCAT 2.0: What Changes Mean for Teachers, Students « Tangerine, Florida: Inside FCAT 2.0: What Changes Mean for Teachers, Studentsby5redherrings April 20, 2012 | 2:41 PMBy Sarah GonzalezDanna Contreras doesn’t like the new FCAT.The sophomore at Booker T. Washington High School in Miami emigrated from Columbia three years ago.She wears thick, pink-rimmed glasses and she squints a lot. She says the new computerized version is harder to take.“I think I am better with paper, not on the computer because ... more »
Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky
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Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky: Sunday links.byFred KlonskyJohn Dillon explains the meaning ofschadnfreude.“Glad it’s you and not me, pal.” If you are a retired Illinois teacher and think that Quinn’s pension plan keeps you and yours safe,think again.The New York Timesfinallydiscoversthe dirty deeds of ALEC.Why the US is destroying it education system. ”A nation that destroys its systems of education, degrades its public information, guts its public libraries and turns its airwaves into vehicles for cheap, mindless amusement becomes deaf, ... more »
Meanwhile, Rick Scott Vetoed Funding for a Grad School Which Actually Generates STEM Professionals | Scathing Purple Musings
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Meanwhile, Rick Scott Vetoed Funding for a Grad School Which Actually Generates STEM Professionals | Scathing Purple Musings: 'Meanwhile, Rick Scott Vetoed Funding for a Grad School Which Actually Generates STEM ProfessionalsbyBob SikesLost in all theoutcry of opponentsand the sanctimonious hyperventilation of supporters over the creation of Florida Polytech, was a story which received only local coverage. On Tuesday, Rick Scott vetoed funding which would have gone towardFAMU’s new pharmacy schoollocated in Crestview.A $1.5 million gubernatorial veto of funding for ... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 4-21 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling | ED.gov BlogBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-4 minutes agoPresident Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling | ED.gov Blog: President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from DoublingbyCameron Brenchley“In America, higher education cannot be a luxury,” President Obama said in his weekly address. “It’s an economic imperative that every family must be able to afford.” At ... more »
Illinois Democrat’s plan to blow up the public school system. « Fred Klonsky
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Illinois Democrat’s plan to blow up the public school system. « Fred Klonsky: Illinois Democrat’s plan to blow up the public school system.byFred KlonskyIllinois is a blue state.We’re not talking about Walker’s Wisconsin or Kasich’s Ohio.We talking Democrats. Chicago’s Mayor Emanuel. Governor Quinn. Party Chairman and Speaker Madigan. Senate President Cullerton.Governor Pat Quinn’s pension proposal, which he claims he was “put on this earth” to create, will blow up the state’s public schools just as sure as I’m writing this.And ... more »
Wal-Mart: Quite The Model Corporate Citizen | Edwize
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Wal-Mart: Quite The Model Corporate Citizen | Edwize: Wal-Mart: Quite The Model Corporate CitizenbyLeo CaseyIn a major expose, theNew York Timeshas revealeda trail of corruption, bribery and cover-up at the highest levels of Wal-Mart, a leading corporate funder of anti-union and anti-public education projects and initiatives.Thelist of 2011 granteesof the Walton Family Foundation, the Wal-Mart’s corporate foundation, reads like a veritable who’s who of corporate education reform efforts. Among the more prominent beneficiaries of Wal-Mart money are:Michelle Rhee’s and Joel ... more »
COMMENT WOW: Charter schools a dividing issue in Sacramento County OR Thank You Gloria you Charter Queen
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Charter schools a dividing issue in Sacramento County education board races - Elections - The Sacramento Bee: In response to questions regarding the financial viability of Fortune (and Kevin Johnson's St. Hope), Greg Geeting sent me a 'study' of African American performance differentials in Sacramento and the state that had been the basis for the SCOE board's majority decision to fund Fortune, which wasn't a 'study' at all, but rather a mere fifteen or so page series of bars and ... more »
Action for the Week of April 22nd, 2012: Blast the Media with THIS STORY | United Opt Out National
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Action for the Week of April 22nd, 2012: Blast the Media with THIS STORY | United Opt Out National: Action for the Week of April 22nd, 2012: Blast the Media with THIS STORYHere at United Opt Out National we focus on opting out of corporate education reform. One way to “opt out” is to refuse the state test. By refusing to take the state test we deny them the data they need to profit and punish. This is no ordinary ... more »
CM Barron Blast’s Co-location Proposals at Council Hearing [Video] « New York City Parents Union
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
CM Barron Blast’s Co-location Proposals at Council Hearing [Video] « New York City Parents Union: CM Barron Blast’s Co-location Proposals at Council Hearing [Video]The issue of co-locating charter and public schools in the same building is a contentious one, and at an education hearing discussing the topic yesterday afternoon, the first two Council Members to speak thoroughly attacked the proposals in their districts.“Co-location has been nothing but chaos,” East New York Councilman Charles Barron declared while criticizing the poor graduation ... more »
How Democrats Are Abandoning the Most Vulnerable in Our Public Schools | Scathing Purple Musings
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
How Democrats Are Abandoning the Most Vulnerable in Our Public Schools | Scathing Purple Musings: How Democrats Are Abandoning the Most Vulnerable in Our Public SchoolsbyBob SikesOne wonders what lateSenatorTed Kennedywould make of the current school reform movement. The senate icon, who is widely seen as the father and champion of special education in the nation’s public schools, died in 2009 before folks like Michelle Rhee and the rich guys of Democrats for Education Reform took to the national stage. ... more »
Parents Across America members meet with USDE, saying: “Listen to parents, change your policy direction.” | Seattle Education
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Parents Across America members meet with USDE, saying: “Listen to parents, change your policy direction.” | Seattle Education: Parents Across America members meet with USDE, saying: “Listen to parents, change your policydirection.”Posted onApril 21, 2012byseattleducation2011|Leave a commentPress Release:WASHINGTON, D. C. – Several members ofParents Across America (PAA), a national network of activist parents, participated in a Parent Leaders meeting today hosted by the U. S. Department of Education’s Office of Communications and Outreach. Attending the USDE meeting were PAA members ... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Why do we Need a State Board of Education in Missouri?
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Why do we Need a State Board of Education in Missouri?: Why do we Need a State Board of Education in Missouri?bystlgretchenThe Teacher Evaluation System is Changing in Missouri according to KCEducation Enterprise.DESE and the State Board of Education is being led around the nose by the Federal Government again. Why do we need a State Board of Education or DESE when all the decisions are being made by the Department of Education? As practically all educational ... more »
ILLINOIS GOVERNOR REVEALS PENSION REFORM PLAN « Teachers Fight Back
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ILLINOIS GOVERNOR REVEALS PENSION REFORM PLAN « Teachers Fight Back: ILLINOIS GOVERNOR REVEALS PENSION REFORM PLANbyalkleenI won’t go into details about the “Reform Plan”, I’m sure you have heard and read about it in the news. Idoubt it will beacted uponby the legislature until afterthe November election. The legislators don’t have the intestinal fortitude to consider anything until the election is over.I do want to comment on the message that it sends to the teachers of Illinois. I believe the ... more »
Saturday coffee + Old school. « Fred Klonsky
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Saturday coffee. « Fred Klonsky: Saturday coffee.byFred KlonskyPopoutI was president of our local for ten years and I hated the last two months of the school year.That is when administrators made decisionsThat is never a good thing.Yesterday we got a memo from our Type 75 (who will not be back next year). She hasn’t done the required fireOld school.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGgafB0RmE8feature=related
Cory Booker on Newark creating 'village' for teachers: 'This is how we reinvent a great American city' - NorthJersey.com
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Cory Booker on Newark creating 'village' for teachers: 'This is how we reinvent a great American city' - NorthJersey.com: SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2012, 12:06 PMCory Booker on Newark creating 'village' for teachers: 'This is how we reinvent a great American city'ASSOCIATED PRESSTHE RECORDPAGES:12DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE|PRINT|E-MAILNEWARK — They are two of the most persistent challenges in trying to rebuild long-struggling cities like Newark: improving the schools and growing a middle class.Here, officials are hoping that a novel concept — reserving ... more »
President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling | ED.gov Blog
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling | ED.gov Blog: President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from DoublingbyCameron Brenchley“In America, higher education cannot be a luxury,” President Obama said in his weekly address. “It’s an economic imperative that every family must be able to afford.” At a time when higher education has never been more important, the President is calling on Congress to prevent student loan interest rates from ... more »
This Week's Education Research Report 4-21
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Areas with relatively high levels of economic segregation exhibit the highest school test-score gaps between low-income students and other studentsJonathan KantrowitzatEducation Research Report-1 day agoฮฉ Housing Costs, Zoning, and Access to High-Scoring Schools: Metropolitan Profiles An analysis by The Brookings Institution of national and metropolitan data on public school populations and state standardized test scores for 84,077 schools in 2010 and 2011 reveals that: - Nationwide, the average low-income student attends a school that scores at the 42nd percentile on ... more »
Modern School: The Irrelevancy of DNA
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
Modern School: The Irrelevancy of DNA: The Irrelevancy of DNAbyMichael DunnThis work has been released into thepublic domainby its author,brian0918.DNA has become an almost mythical molecule in the past 20 years. The Human Genome Project and the promises of personalized medicine and genetic testing companies like 23 and Me, give hope that we will find new treatments or cures for many tragic diseases, increase
While Rome Burned: Part (Darn, I’ve lost count) - Wait, What?
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
While Rome Burned: Part (Darn, I’ve lost count) - Wait, What?: While Rome Burned: Part (Darn, I’ve lost count)byjonpelto So despite all the new laws and changes that came after John Rowland resigned, due in part for directing state contracts to certain people, Governor Malloy and Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor were able to run two no bid contracts through a quasi state-entity. Readers will remember that this is really the second and third time the Malloy has used the State ... more »
WEEKLY ADDRESS: Calling on Congress to Prevent Student Interest Rates from Doubling | The White House
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WEEKLY ADDRESS: Calling on Congress to Prevent Student Interest Rates from Doubling | The White House: WEEKLY ADDRESS: Calling on Congress to Prevent Student Interest Rates from DoublingbyThe White House WASHINGTON, DC—In this week’s address, President Obama called on Congress to act before student loan interest rates double for more than 7.4 million students, adding an average of $1000 to their debt. Having a college education has never been more important, but it’s also never been more expensive. While the ... more »
The Innovative Educator: The Hottest Posts That Everyone's Talking About!
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The Innovative Educator: The Hottest Posts That Everyone's Talking About!: The Hottest Posts That Everyone's Talking About!bynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)Here’s the roundup of what's been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there's something that looks of interest to you. If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment.Not Letting Teachers “Friend” Kids Online...Apr 16, 2012, 4 ... more »
The Week's Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington Post
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
The Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington Post: ‘Talking pineapple’ question on standardized test baffles studentsValerie StraussatThe Answer Sheet-3 hours agoA question about a “talking pineapple” on a standardized reading test given to eighth-grade students in New York has sparked something of an uproar among students and adults who say it doesn’t make any sense. And because of all the fuss, now the state’s education commissioner says the question won’t be ... more »
The Fruitcake and the Big Banana – a tale inspired by a pineapple « Opine I will
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 6 days ago
The Fruitcake and the Big Banana – a tale inspired by a pineapple « Opine I will: The Fruitcake and the Big Banana – a tale inspired by apineappleThe Fruitcake and the Big Banana(A tale inspired by the Pineapple and the Hare)In recent times, politicians all across the country, thought they knew a way to get everyone to speak English just like them. One day a fruitcake, to appease those politicians, challenged all teachers in the country to a race ... more »
Big Education Ape BREAKING NEWS:
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Emails Are Not Enoughbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)There are times when an angry email is nowhere near sufficient. We have to start showing up at offices.Nevertheless, I'd like my representative to know that these are the questions on my mind when I finally manage to get her attention for 15 minutes.(Why these two short paragraphs are highlighted in white is a Blogger mystery. Thank you, Blogger, for highlighting these paragraphs in white and making it immutable.)Experience CountsbyDavid B. CohenAmong the more bizarre ... more »
Reports raise concerns about stability of principal corps in Philly schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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Reports raise concerns about stability of principal corps in Philly schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Reports raise concerns about stability of principal corps in Philly schoolsbySamantha Byleson Apr 20 2012 Posted inLatest newsCOMMENTS (0)PRINTEMAILWith the Districtrethinking the role of autonomy in curriculum, ACTION United and Education Voters of Pennsylvania released separate reports this week on principal turnover and principal leadership.ACTION United’s report“Revolving Doors: Findings from Philadelphia’s Highest-Poverty Schools” is the first in a series of reports... more »
Cheating feared after photos of school tests leaked - latimes.com
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 5 hours ago
Cheating feared after photos of school tests leaked - latimes.com: Cheating feared after photos of school tests leakedHundreds of photos of standardized tests have begun to appear on student social-networking sites in California, raising concerns about cheating and test security that could create thorny problems for schools and school districts.In the worst-case scenario, the photos could lead to invalidation of test scores for entire schools or prevent the state from using certain tests. For the moment, state officials have warned ... more »
Major Bill Actions in Education - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress
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Education - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress: Bill Introduced: H.R.4628 Interest Rate Reduction ActOpen Congress : Major Bill Actions in Education-14 minutes agoTo extend student loan interest rates for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans.Bill Introduced: S.2366 A bill to extend student loan interest rates for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans.Open Congress : Major Bill Actions in Education-14 minutes agoA bill to extend student loan interest rates for undergraduate Federal Direct Stafford Loans.Bill Introduced: S.2343 Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike ... more »
Appeals, Manifestos, and Statements by Bernardine Dohrn « Bill Ayers
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 5 hours ago
Appeals, Manifestos, and Statements by Bernardine Dohrn « Bill Ayers: Appeals, Manifestos, and Statements by Bernardine DohrnbybillayersThis article is part ofThe Port Huron Statement at 50, a forum on the document that sparked a generation of activism. From the Boston ReviewAs the 1960s dawned, appeals, manifestos, and statements poured from the pens and typewriters of a new generation burning with the need to trumpet a new morning. These writings have in common a wild impatience, a brassiness required to speak ... more »
Rita, Blocker, Vogel criticism: Orange Superintendent Ron Blocker and Seminole Superintendent Bill Vogel criticize Florida's school accountability. - Orlando Sentinel
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 5 hours ago
Blocker, Vogel criticism: Orange Superintendent Ron Blocker and Seminole Superintendent Bill Vogel criticize Florida's school accountability. - Orlando Sentinel: Vogel, Blocker: Florida's school accountability system will failByDave Weber, Orlando Sentinel3:14 p.m. EST, April 27, 2012Comments5Share35Florida's runaway school accountability system is destined to fail and take with it the positive goals it was intended to accomplish, the superintendents of Orange and Seminole county schools agreed Friday.Orange Superintendent Ron Blocker and Bill Vogel, superintendent of Seminole schoo... more »
Modern School: Stand for Children Lynch Mob Wants MA Teachers Blood
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Modern School: Stand for Children Lynch Mob Wants MA Teachers Blood: Stand for Children Lynch Mob Wants MA Teachers BloodbyMichael DunnHuck/Konopacki Labor CartoonsRiding the wave of hysteria about our dysfunctional schools and incompetent teachers, Stand for Children (S4C) Massachusetts has acquired enough signatures to get an initiative on the November ballot that would make evaluations more important than seniority in layoff and transfer decisions.S4C says that polls it commissioned in 2011 indicated 85% approval for their initiative,12 Workers are Killed ... more »
Steve Lopez: Cutting schools, cutting opportunities - latimes.com
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Steve Lopez: Cutting schools, cutting opportunities - latimes.com: Steve Lopez: Cutting schools, cutting opportunitiesHundreds of adult education supporters are lining both sides of Van Nuys Boulevard this afternoon at the government center, screaming for the 250,000-student system to be saved and calling for the heads of those who are advocating big cuts or elimination."No Education, No Future," said one man's sign, and while the crowd shouted, "Save our schools," a woman handed me a flier calling for the recall of ... more »
"NYSUT demands end to 'broken' testing structure." April 27, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org
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"NYSUT demands end to 'broken' testing structure." April 27, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org: NYSUT demands end to 'broken' testing structureNYSUT Media Relations - April 27, 2012ALBANY, N.Y. April 27, 2012 - Acting decisively to give voice to the pain and frustration that students and teachers are experiencing over state testing, the 600,000-member New York State United Teachers today called for an end to the state's current testing system which it said is harming children and hindering real ... more »
Just Another Unschooling Story – No Big Deal | Lefty Parent
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 10 hours ago
Just Another Unschooling Story – No Big Deal | Lefty Parent: Just Another Unschooling Story – No Big DealbyCooper ZaleMade my day to get notification from a friend on Facebook that this piece appeared in this week’sPsychology Today magazine, giving credence to the life path for young people known as “unschooling”. It particularly resonated with me because our own kids are peers of the piece’s subject, Kate Fridkis – our son Eric is 27 and our daughter Emma is 22. ... more »
Quinn the Governor. « Fred Klonsky
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 10 hours ago
Quinn the Governor. « Fred Klonsky: Quinn the Governor.byFred KlonskySent by a reader.With apologies to Bob Dylan.Come all without, come all withinYou’ll not see nothing like the Mighty QuinnCome all without, come all withinYou’ll not see nothing like the Mighty QuinnEverybody’s after teachers pension fundsSome are after retirement funds, others are jotting down notesEverybody’s in despair, every Teacher with new pension realityBut when Quinn the Governor gets hereEverybody’s not gonna jump for joyCome all without, come all withinYou’ll not see ... more »
Youth United For Change - YUC launches new campaign | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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YUC launches new campaign | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: YUC launches new campaignbySamantha CogginA crowd of students, teachers, community activists, parents, and members of Youth United For Change rallied Wednesday afternoon to support YUC's new “Safe to Count on Me” campaign. Supporters gathered at Norris SquarePark's basketball court and sported white, orange, and black campaign T-shirts to kick off the rally with an energetic chant: “It’s safe to count on me. Is it safe to count on you?”Image:Image Caption:Signs from ... more »
Education Perspectives / Measuring Success - Opting Out
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 10 hours ago
Education Perspectives / Measuring Success - Opting Out: OPTING OUTOpting Out: Families and Advocates Against Standardized TestingCompiled by Education Perspectives for the Central Valley, Inc.Pursuant to California Education Code 60615, parents have the right to opt their children out of the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Assessment. And now for the burning question:What about “Accountability”? Isn’t standardized testing meant to hold teachers and schools accountable and to track progress?These are the sound bites that drive political debates, the phrases that ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Super Search; Fast and Furious News
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 10 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Super Search; Fast and Furious News: Super Search; Fast and Furious NewsbyMelissa WestbrookUpdate: The information below has now disappeared from the website.You pick:1) We are paying some big bucks for Communications that makes huge errors in what they write to the point where they say something that is not true.2) Someone who put this information up originally had to back off because of how incredibly suspicious it looks to say the Committee made a recommendation when ... more »
RheeFirst! » How deceptive is this letter from Rhee’s organization?
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 10 hours ago
RheeFirst! » How deceptive is this letter from Rhee’s organization?: How deceptive is this letter from Rhee’s organization?byadminRecently, Rheefirst received irate emails about being scammed to sign a deceptive petition from change.org and care2. It turns out this is the chief recruitment ploy of Rhee’s organization. Sign and you become a Rhee “member” for life. One missive enumerated the number of times the inadvertent signer asked to be removed from Rhee’s “membership” list. To no avail.Written by Valerie Strauss for ... more »
Register Today for the Whole Child Virtual Conference — Whole Child Education
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Register Today for the Whole Child Virtual Conference — Whole Child Education: Register Today for the Whole Child Virtual ConferencebyKlea ScharbergWe are excitedly preparing for the2012 ASCD Whole Child Virtual Conferenceto be held May 3–11. This year's theme is "Moving from Implementation to Sustainability to Culture," and focuses on highlighting the great work of ASCD-associated schools, providing a forum in which educators who implement the whole child approach to education can learn from one another and presenters, and expanding awareness ... more »
Sacramento Press / Use arena money to bolster school funding
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 10 hours ago
Sacramento Press / Use arena money to bolster school funding: Use arena money to bolster school fundingbyJonathan Raymond, published onApril 27, 2012at1:58 PMLike the rest of Sacramento, I have followed the twists and turns of the city’s downtown arena saga with great interest. The Kings have been a valuable and generous partner of the Sacramento City Unified School District. I have attended many of their terrific “Get Fit” events at our schools and come away impressed by the team’s sincere ... more »
Robert Reich (How will you get beyond the outrage? Share your...)
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 10 hours ago
Robert Reich (How will you get beyond the outrage? Share your...): How will you get beyond the outrage? Share your ideas, actions,...How willyouget beyond the outrage? Share your ideas, actions, and long-term goals on tumblr and Twitter using the hashtag #beyondoutrage or on my Facebookpage.
The Shame of “School Reform” in New York City « Diane Ravitch's blog
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago
The Shame of “School Reform” in New York City « Diane Ravitch's blog: The Shame of “School Reform” in New York Citybydianerav Once again, a large group of New York City public schools will close their doors, their staffs will be fired and replaced, and new schools will open. Among the schools that will be closed are Flushing High School, reputed to be the oldest school in the city, and John Dewey High School, once highly regarded for its progressivism ... more »
The Common Core: The Technocrats Re-engineer Learning - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
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The Common Core: The Technocrats Re-engineer Learning - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: The Common Core: The Technocrats Re-engineer LearningbyAnthony CodyAs criticism of No Child Left Behind and the associated tests rises, we are hearing more and more about the Common Core Standards (CCS), the next great thing that is supposed to fix all that ails us. When atalking pineapplemade New York tests a laughing stock, state education commissioner John King reassured us,It is important to note that ... more »
What's missing from Bill Gates thinking on education reform?
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago
Will Small-Part Fixes Save Public Schools?What's missing from Bill Gates thinking on education reform?Published on September 22, 2011 byMarilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D.inThe Moment of YouthI've observed Bill Gates' philanthropic work for many years. I admire his passion, stewardship, and laser-sharp focus in a variety of efforts to improve human lives. But something is missing from his approach to Americaneducationreform that causes me concern. Lost in the milieu ofpolitics, power, and the lure of straightforward answers to complex questions are the research, ... more »
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will not approve of making teacher evaluations public - NY Daily News
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will not approve of making teacher evaluations public - NY Daily News: Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he will not approve of making teacher evaluations publicCuomo's stance puts him at odds with Mayor Michael BloombergPrintALBANY TIMES UNIONGov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg may be headed toward a fight over teacher evaluations.RELATEDSTORIESTop aides to Mayor Bloomberg, Gov. Cuomo and union leaders reach historic agreement on teacher evaluationsNew ideas on tenure face union hurdleMayor Bloomberg and Gov. ... more »
Philanthropy gets in the ring - Education - AEI
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago
Philanthropy gets in the ring - Education - AEI: Philanthropy gets in the ringEdu-funders get serious about education policyThe year 2005 seems like a long time ago. That year, I published a hard look at education philanthropy titledWith the Best of Intentions: How Philanthropy is Reshaping K-12 Education, using the dismal experience of the then recently concluded $1.1 billion Annenberg Challenge as a jumping-off point. At the same time, the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation was walking away from the disappointing ... more »
Summer Matters | Summer Matters
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Summer Matters | Summer Matters: SUMMER MATTERSSummer Matters 2012 Kicks-Off in San Francisco with Superintendent Tom Torlakson and Mayor Ed LeeSF City Hall event also features Muhammed Chaudhry of Silicon Valley Education Fund, SFUSD Superintendent Carlos Garcia and parent Michelle Jacques-MenegazSummer began in California on Tuesday, Apr. 17at San Francisco City Hall. Although the calendar says it’s still spring, a celebratory event on the Mayor’s Balcony launchedSummer Matters 2012—a collaborative effort to expand access to quality summer-learning and enrichment programs ... more »
Schools Matter: Opt Out Movement Grows As Resistance to High Stakes Tests Intensifies
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago
Schools Matter: Opt Out Movement Grows As Resistance to High Stakes Tests Intensifies: Opt Out Movement Grows As Resistance to High Stakes Tests IntensifiesbyJim Hornht to Stan Karp:Opting Out of NJ ASKNJ SpotlightReilly, a former literacy director in Newark and then assistant superintendent in Hackensack as well as Morristown, said it has clearly led to a narrowing of curriculum that is only harming students. She is now a consultant in coaching teachers, including in New York City. “People don’t know ... more »
More Thoughts on Teacher Polls, Tenure, and School Funding - Dana Goldstein
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago
More Thoughts on Teacher Polls, Tenure, and School Funding - Dana Goldstein: More Thoughts on Teacher Polls, Tenure, and School FundingbyDana GoldsteinOver atThe NationI have anew piecelooking at surveys of public school teachers,one of whichfound job satisfaction at its lowest point since 1989. The most important thing to note is that polling shows teachers arenotunhappy because they resent new accountability policies like the more stringent teacher evaluations instituted in response to President Obama's Race to the Top program.In fact, most ... more »
Weekly Update: First for some fun, and then more fun | Seattle Education
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Weekly Update: First for some fun, and then more fun | Seattle Education: Weekly Update: First for some fun, and then more funbyseattleducation2011First, for some fun check out:The three-dayWorld Rhythm Festivalin Seattle, a weekend of immersion in world music, drum and dance. 3 days packed with an amazing range of world music traditions, including African, Middle-Eastern, Latin, Indian, Brazilian, North American, and more.The World Rhythm Festival, which starts today, is at Seattle Center and the corresponding International Marketplace will be ... more »
Fail - Test scores are mixed, costs are high and teachers are pissed - Sacramento News & Review
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Fail - Feature Story - Local Stories - November 17, 2011 - Sacramento News Review: FailTest scores are mixed, costs are high and teachers are pissed. Why critics say Sacramento city school reform could …ByCosmo Garvincosmog@newsreview.comRead 8 reader submitted commentsThis article was published on11.17.11.Full disclosure:Reporter Cosmo Garvin’s wife is a teacher in the Sacramento City Unified School District.School districts all over the country are struggling to turn around “failing schools.” It’s a harsh label, but the pressure to raise student ... more »
"Weingarten to leaders: Stay strong, stay together." April 27, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 21 hours ago
"Weingarten to leaders: Stay strong, stay together." April 27, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org: Weingarten to leaders: Stay strong, stay togetherBy Sylvia Saunders - RA 2012 - April 27, 2012AFT President Randi Weingarten says anti-labor forces are using the economic downturn to weaken worker protections. Photo by Andrew Watson.At a time when activists are fighting for the very survival of the labor movement and public education, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten urged local union presidents to ... more »
LAUSD names 10 to lead its new regional offices - LA Daily News
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LAUSD names 10 to lead its new regional offices - LA Daily News: LAUSD names 10 to lead its new regional officesByDaily NewsPosted: 04/26/2012 09:06:10 PM PDTUpdated: 04/26/2012 09:09:51 PM PDTTen administrators were named Thursday to lead LAUSD's newly formed Local Education Service Centers, part of a reorganization designed to focus more attention on classroom instruction.The new structure consolidates Los Angeles Unified's eight local district offices into four regions, with a fifth office supervising struggling campuses. Each region will have ... more »
The Educated Reporter: For California, the SIG Program Has Shown Some Success, Study Finds
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The Educated Reporter: For California, the SIG Program Has Shown Some Success, Study Finds: For California, the SIG Program Has Shown Some Success, Study FindsbyEmily RichmondAnew studyfound student test scores improved in California’s lowest-achieving campuses that implemented aggressive reform measures, suggesting the federal School Improvement Grant program is showing early promise in the Golden State.The federal SIG dollars – with more than $4.6 billion awarded nationally since 2009 -- are earmarked for schools ranking in the bottom 5 percent for ... more »
Pearson and how 2012 standardized tests were designed - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 21 hours ago
Pearson and how 2012 standardized tests were designed - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Pearson and how 2012 standardized tests were designedbyValerie StraussThis was written by Fred Smith, a retired New York City Board of Education senior analyst who worked for the public school system in test research and development.By Fred SmithTherecent Pineapple and the Hare fiascodoes more than identify a daft reading passage on New York State’s 8th grade English Language Arts test. Education Commissioner John King ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Phony Precision in Teacher Evaluations
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Jersey Jazzman: Phony Precision in Teacher Evaluations: Phony Precision in Teacher EvaluationsbyDukeLet's talk more about phony precision in teacher evaluations:As I said before, using standardized test scores for even a small part of teacher evaluations is problematic, because the test is only part of the evaluation, but it's all of the decision. Because the rest of a teacher's evaluation is based on imprecise measures like observations, the very precise score a teacher gets on his or her students' tests takes ... more »
Teaching Practices and Smaller Classes | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
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Teaching Practices and Smaller Classes | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Teaching Practices and Smaller ClassesbylarrycubanLarge classes of 50-plus students were commonin early 20thcentury schools, especially in cities.Class size fell throughout the past century to around 30 students in elementary and secondary classrooms, dipping to 25 and rising to 35 in times of budgetary retrenchment. Beginning in the 1980s, state efforts to reduce class size to 20 students or less per classroom, especially in primary grades, led ... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top 4-27 AM Posts #soschat #edreform
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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Coming next week to a neighborhood near youBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-1 hour agoMike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Coming next week to a neighborhood near you: Coming next week to a neighborhood near youbyMike KlonskyWas this version of The Surge, Rahm's idea or John McCain's? Will the troops be stationed here permanently? Will they be using drones along with boots on the ground, to attack anti-war protesters? How long will the First Amendment of the ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: I Pick Enoch
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: I Pick Enoch: I Pick EnochbyMelissa WestbrookAfter reading and talking and researching, if I had to choose a superintendent, I would choose Steven Enoch.Pros - experienced, enthused, open to new ideas, nothing to prove, not using SPS as a stepping stone to next job, able to claim good academic outcomes for his district, keeps up with new educational ideasCons - had already planned to retire, possible financial issues at one districtFolks, there is no perfect superintendent. ... more »
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Ed Trust just likes tests
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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Ed Trust just likes tests: Ed Trust just likes testsbyadminThe Education Trust. I’ve seen their schtick before – the 72 power point slides that they run through in 10 minutes, making it seem as though their ideas are heavy on data and research, when they are really allbaloney.Today I saw it again at an otherwise wonderful conference about racial healing in New Orleans put together by the Kellogg Foundation for their ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Best Piece on Education This Year
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Jersey Jazzman: Best Piece on Education This Year: Best Piece on Education This YearbyDukeSeriously, it is, fromPaul Thomas:One distinct flaw in that development has been a trickle-down effect reaching from presidents and governors to state superintendents of education and school board chairs and members:people who have no or very little experience or expertise as educators or scholars attain leadership positions responsible for forming and implementing education policy.The faces and voices currently leading the education reform movement in the U.S. are ... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Coming next week to a neighborhood near you
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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Coming next week to a neighborhood near you: Coming next week to a neighborhood near youbyMike KlonskyWas this version of The Surge, Rahm's idea or John McCain's? Will the troops be stationed here permanently? Will they be using drones along with boots on the ground, to attack anti-war protesters? How long will the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution be suspended? These are some questions I have for the Mayor. It appears that members of the ... more »
NJ Spotlight | Opinion: A Tale of Two Cities: Charter Schools in Philadelphia, Camden
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NJ Spotlight | Opinion: A Tale of Two Cities: Charter Schools in Philadelphia, Camden: Opinion: A Tale of Two Cities: Charter Schools in Philadelphia, CamdenThe key to successful charters: keep the focus on the kids, keep the unions happyprint|email|shareByLaura Waters,April 27, 2012inOpinion|Post a CommentThe big education news this week in the Delaware Valley is the Philadelphia Public School District's announcement that it will close 40 of its 250 schools in September 2013.Related Links"A Blueprint for Transforming Philadelphia's Public Schools"Urban Hope ... more »
Compton's "Parent Trigger" Education Fight Heats Up | Mother Jones
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Compton's "Parent Trigger" Education Fight Heats Up | Mother Jones: Compton's "Parent Trigger" Education Fight Heats UpbyKristina RizgaLooks like the"parent-trigger law"debate is heating up betweenCompton' pro-charter parents and the Compton Unified School District.If you haven't been following the news out of Compton, last monthI bloggedabout how parents of kids attending LA's public McKinley Elementary School are trying something new: Shutting down the chronically struggling institution and demanding that it be replaced by a charter school. And yes, they can do ... more »
Education Quote of the Week: Arne Duncan on No Child Left Behind | Mother Jones
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Education Quote of the Week: Arne Duncan on No Child Left Behind | Mother Jones: Education Quote of the Week: Arne Duncan on No Child Left Behind—ByKristina Rizga| Thu Jan. 20, 2011 1:03 PM PST4Photo of Arne Duncan: Department of EducationHere's Education Secretary Arne Duncan on the widelyexpected overhaulof the nine-year-oldNo Child Left BehindAct, formally called the Education Elementary and Secondary Education Law,as quoted by AP:"Everyone I talk to really shares my sense of urgency that we have to do ...more »
The Church Speaks to Public Education Justice #soschat
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Public Education: Public EducationYou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22: 35-39The Church Speaks to Public Education JusticeAs we think about whether American society embodies Jesus' teaching that we should love our neighbors as ourselves, we need to be concerned about public schools, the ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Tom Moran: Reformy Mind Reader
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Jersey Jazzman: Tom Moran: Reformy Mind Reader: Tom Moran: Reformy Mind ReaderbyDukeWhat are we going to do with Tom Moran?Congratulations to the Perth Amboy school board for the double-whammy last night when itvoted to place Superintendent Janine Caffrey on administrative leave.This move will waste money and hurt kids. Nice going.Caffrey did nothing to deserve this. The charge against her was led by the board president, Samuel Lebreault, who is under investigation for trying to get free lunch for his kids ... more »
The Difference Between a Speech and a Lesson [Open Thread] | The Jose Vilson
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The Difference Between a Speech and a Lesson [Open Thread] | The Jose Vilson: The Difference Between a Speech and a Lesson [Open Thread]byJoseI don’t know if I should reveal this, but, oh well. When I was approached months ago about becoming a speaker for TEDxNYED, I did my usual nod of approval and, “Cool.” I felt a certain surprise about being asked to speak to people I consider colleagues about my passions. Plus, I felt honored because, well, at ... more »
Petulant [pech-uh-luhnt] - Wait, What?
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Petulant [pech-uh-luhnt] - Wait, What?: Petulant [pech-uh-luhnt]byjonpeltoPetulant [pech-uh-luhnt]:Adjective: (of a person or their manner) Childishly sulky or bad-tempered.Synonyms: testy – pettish – peevish – irritable – cantankerousIt may very well be the single most shocking development in this entire bizarre situation. Yesterday, Connecticut’s municipal officials came to the State Capitol to talk with the Governor and their legislators about the problems facing Connecticut’s cities and towns.Governor Malloy spoke to these Connecticut’s local elected officials and told them “not... more »
School Tech Connect: The Appearance of a Process
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School Tech Connect: The Appearance of a Process: The Appearance of a Processbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)I have been critical of Elaine Nekritz over time, I admit it. I thought her performance during the committee hearing on SB512 was lacking, and of course her vote there was insane. She voted for a thing the consequences of which were totally unknown.However, she is not afraid of answering questions, so for that, I give her props. I send out a lot of emails and ...more »
Village of Attachment — Whole Child Education
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Village of Attachment — Whole Child Education: Village of AttachmentbyASCD Whole Child BloggersPost submitted by Bev Ogilvie and Steve CairnsByrne Creek Community Secondary Schoolis committed to its culture of teacher collaboration. A weekly dedicated time slot is used by teams of staff to discuss student achievement and develop support plans. One student support plan was The Village of Attachment. Over six months, a group of staff met to learn the foundations and employ the strategies of this powerful paradigm.Drawing on ... more »
RheeFirst! » The Best Posts About Michelle Rhee’s Exaggerated Test Scores
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RheeFirst! » The Best Posts About Michelle Rhee’s Exaggerated Test Scores: The Best Posts About Michelle Rhee’s Exaggerated Test Scoresbyadmin Dated, but oh so good.Written by Larry Ferlazzo for his blog. Read theentire post here.“The education blogosphere, and parts of the education media, have been abuzz the past couple of days over the discovery that Michelle Rhee’s often-claimed astronomical student test gains when she was a teacher were not true. This, of course, does not mean that Rhee was not ... more »
The superintendent candidates for Seattle Public Schools: The good, the bad and the ugly | Seattle Education
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The superintendent candidates for Seattle Public Schools: The good, the bad and the ugly | Seattle Education: The superintendent candidates for Seattle Public Schools: The good, the bad and the uglyfromSeattle Education 2010byseattleducation2011I will focus on two of the candidates, Enoch and Husk. They are, in a sense, polar opposites. Banda seems “nice enough” but we need more than that in Seattle, particularly now after having to live through Broad and Goodloe-Johnson forcing their will on Seattle Public Schools with ... more »
Public education as a human right | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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Public education as a human right | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Public education as a human rightbyNijmie DzurinkoPlease help us welcome our newest blogger, Nijmie Dzurinko, former executive director of Philadelphia Student Union.In the blurry world of education reform parents, students, educators, and communities need a guiding light to keep us on track. What could public education look like in our city and state if education was fundamentally a human right guaranteed in our society? How can we proceed in ... more »
Schools Matter: "Support Our Schools" Astroturf Group Rallies With Letter Writing Campaign to County Commissioners
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Schools Matter: "Support Our Schools" Astroturf Group Rallies With Letter Writing Campaign to County Commissioners: "Support Our Schools" Astroturf Group Rallies With Letter Writing Campaign to County CommissionersbyJim HornThe shenanigans going on this spring in Knoxville, TN, offer a powerful case study of corporate control of schools in action.A few weeks before Eli Broad's East TN transplant, Jim McIntyre, delivered his State of the Schools speech in January of this year, a newgrassrootsastroturf group was formed to push the Broadie ... more »
Education Research Report: Lasting Impacts of Effective Teachers
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Education Research Report: Lasting Impacts of Effective Teachers: Lasting Impacts of Effective TeachersbyJonathan KantrowitzTeachers who raise test scores have long-term effects on students’ college enrollment and earnings as adultsA study showing the large impacts that highly skilled teachers have on students’ academic achievement and lifetime earnings is available on the Education Next website, www.educationnext.org. Researchers Raj Chetty and John N. Friedman of Harvard University and Jonah E. Rockoff of Columbia University analyzed school-district data from grades 3–8 for 2.5 mi...more »
My visit to Philadelphia « Diane Ravitch's blog
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My visit to Philadelphia « Diane Ravitch's blog: Diane Ravitch WebsiteDiane Ravitch WebsiteMy visit to PhiladelphiabydianeravYesterday I went to Philadelphia to speak to the annual meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Before I left New York City, the local spokesperson for Parents Across American, Helen Gym, asked if I would meet with some journalists to talk about the “reform” plan just released the day before. She sent me a link to the plan, and as I read ... more »
RheeFirst! » Massive Teacher’s Rally Held at CT State Capitol–Rhee gets a mention
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RheeFirst! » Massive Teacher’s Rally Held at CT State Capitol–Rhee gets a mention: Massive Teacher’s Rally Held at CT State Capitol–Rhee gets a mentionbyadminThis first hand account was sent by Terry Winters of CT, who attended a massive teachers’ rally before the State Capitol yesterday. The State Senate President Pro Tem and other legislators spoke at the rally.“Connecticut teachers converged on the State Capitol to stand up for students and the teaching profession—emphasizing that lawmakers need a meaningful education reform ... more »
PAA Action News Parents Across America
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Parents Across America: Information and action for parents coming together to strengthen our public schools. Comments? Suggestions? Stories? E-mail usinfo@parentsacrossamerica.org.More atwww.parentsacrossamerica.org.Looking for regular updates on key education stories? Join the PAA News list. EmailPAAnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.comPAA Action NewsGO TONational Resolution on High-Stakes TestingPAA Action AlertJoin the Pineapple Rebellion! Sign theNational Resolution against High-Stakes Testing!PAA and our allies raised a powerful challenge to the testing industry this week. First, our ... more »
FairTest to Honor Diane Ravitch with the Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award | FairTest
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FairTest to Honor Diane Ravitch with the Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award | FairTest: FairTest to Honor Diane Ravitch with the Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award Submitted by fairtest on March 26, 2012 - 1:52pmabout us assessment FairTest in the News in house k-12national news whats newDate and Time:Tuesday, 5 June, 5:30-830 p.m.Place: Julia Richman Educational Complex, 317 East 67th St., New York CityDiane Ravitch is an internationally renowned and respected historian of education. Formerly a ...more »
The Corporate Tax Loophole...or "The Hole".
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The Corporate Tax Loophole...or "The Hole"...uses animation to highlight the importance of getting corporations to pay their fair share and the negative impact corporate tax loopholes have on students, public education, and the middle class. Make you voice heard. Sign the petition at: EdVotes.org/loopholes
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Another Black Eye for the District
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Another Black Eye for the District: Another Black Eye for the DistrictbyMelissa WestbrookI knew about this investigation and the results. I had being holding off on raising the issue until next week out of courtesy to the superintendent search. The Times got the info anyway. (I don't have a total for the amount of money that is likely gone/missing but I think it is around $20-30K which is a great deal of money for Van Asselt.)From ... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Tough Choices or Wrong Choices
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Missouri Education Watchdog: Tough Choices or Wrong Choices: Tough Choices or Wrong ChoicesbyAnngie"The education system is merely a support for the political system we choose."- Vicky DavisIn 2007 the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) produced a report entitledTough Choices or Tough Times. In it, they outlined a view for the American education system as the supplier of workers for the 21st century in a global economy. From her blogChanneling Reality, Davis summarizes the the findings of the ... more »
Principal says many questions flawed on state standardized tests - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Principal says many questions flawed on state standardized tests - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Principal says many questions flawed on state standardized testsByValerie StraussThis is a letter that P.S. 321 Principal Elizabeth Phillips sent to John B. King Jr., the New York State education commissioner, about questions she has seen on this year’s standardized tests recently administered to students in various grades.Late last week King decided toinvalidate one set of questions on a reading test just given ... more »
New testing system could mean more time for instruction | The Salt Lake Tribune
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New testing system could mean more time for instruction | The Salt Lake Tribune: New testing system could mean more time for instructionSchools » Program tests literacy in early grades.By Lisa Schencker| The Salt Lake TribuneFirst Published Apr 24 2012 06:22 pm • Last Updated Apr 25 2012 11:07 amTeacher Heather Musser sat directly across from first-grader Benjamin Blake as he read a story about hats Tuesday.But she wasn’t just listening.PhotosJoin the DiscussionPost a CommentShe followed along on an iPad ... more »
Take the Next Step, Governor Cuomo « Diane Ravitch's blog
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Take the Next Step, Governor Cuomo « Diane Ravitch's blog: Take the Next Step, Governor CuomobydianeravI read in the Daily News this morning that Governor Cuomo will oppose the public release of teacher ratings (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/teachers/gov-andrew-cuomo-approve-making-teacher-evaluations-public-article-1.1067628#ixzz1t98iGb9q). I am glad he realizes that teachers’ evaluation should not be published for all to see, but I wish he had taken the next step, which is to shield such evaluations as part of every teacher’s personnel file. No member of the public has the ... more »
Good old Divisive Michelle Rhee Strikes again : Blocking preschool project funding doesn't put students first
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Editorial: Blocking preschool project funding doesn't put students first: Editorial: Blocking preschool project funding doesn't put students first When national school reform movement leader Michelle Rhee visited with Post-Dispatch editors and reporters last week, she told us that she never had met state Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield.Ms. Cunningham has been leading the school reform charge at the Missouri Capitol. Ms. Rhee's group,StudentsFirst, added some national heft, and money, to that debate when the organization set up a Missouri chapter. And ... more »
Don’t skip this step: Designing evaluations of teachers starts with trust | Thoughts on Public Education
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Don’t skip this step: Designing evaluations of teachers starts with trust | Thoughts on Public Education: Don’t skip this step: Designing evaluations of teachers starts with trust - by Merrill VargobyMerrill VargoWhere do teachers fit into the current landscape of education reform? The results of the recent Met Life poll should surprise no one: Teachers’ morale is at an all-time low. The causes are not hard to see, and include a combination of budget cuts and layoffs along with a ... more »
Phila. School District plan would dismantle central office, close schools - Philly.com
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Phila. School District plan would dismantle central office, close schools - Philly.com: Phila. School District plan would dismantle central office, close schoolsThe realities are ugly, leaders said Tuesday - the Philadelphia School District is nearly insolvent, lags behind most other urban districts in academics, and loses students to charters because parents believe it does not keep their children safe."What we do know through lots of history and evidence and practice is that the current structure doesn't work," School Reform Commission ... more »
A ‘simple fix’ for school curriculum (and it’s not Common Core) - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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A ‘simple fix’ for school curriculum (and it’s not Common Core) - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: A ‘simple fix’ for school curriculum (and it’s not Common Core)byValerie StraussThis waswritten byMarion Brady, veteran teacher, administrator, curriculum designer and author.By Marion BradyFor more than 20 years, in language as strong as the editors of mainstream media will allow, I’ve been slamming the stupidities of the education “reforms” dreamed up by amateur educators in Congress, state legislatures, and corporate offices.Read ... more »
The Innovative Educator: Suffering in Silence… Standardized testing from the view of an educator & parent
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The Innovative Educator: Suffering in Silence… Standardized testing from the view of an educator parent: Suffering in Silence… Standardized testing from the view of an educator parentbynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)Guest post byRenny Fong(TimeOutDad)As our children are undergoing the gruel of the high stakes standardized tests in New York, I can’t help but notice the silence. So many voices silenced. So many stories left unheard. Will all the time, money, and effort that has been spent on making the tests, preparing for ... more »
SVA Names For-Profit Schools with Revoked Charters - Student Veterans of America
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SVA Names For-Profit Schools with Revoked Charters - Student Veterans of America: SVA Names For-Profit Schools with Revoked Charters7 hours ago More Sharing ServicesShare|Share on facebookShare on bloggerShare on twitterShare on redditWASHINGTON, DC –Today, Student Veterans of America (SVA) published a list of 26 for-profit institutions whose SVA charters had been revoked. The removal of SVA chapters resulted from a routine, annual review of all chapters."SVA chapters must be established and led by student veterans. Student veteran organizations in development, ... more »
Form follows function. « Fred Klonsky
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Form follows function. « Fred Klonsky: Form follows function.byFred KlonskyChicago’s master architect, Louis Sullivan.As an art teacher with an admiration for good design I was won over early to the notion popularized by Chicago architect Louis Sullivan that form follows function.The shape of something should reveal and enhance its purpose.This morning the Washington Post’sValerie Strauss posts a columnon the debate over the length of the school day.A 2009 report by researchers at the School Redesign Network at Stanford University concludes ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Technology and Enoch
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Technology and Enoch: Technology and EnochbyMelissa WestbrookParent Cecilia McCormick, who is active in Special Ed issues, took it on herself to do some research on Superintendent Enoch's district and gathered info on their technology use Here an e-mail she sent to the Seattle School Board:I would like to share with you information provided by SRVUSD PTA yesterday. Given the costs of scaling up our district's use of technology and its ever-evolving nature, I'm sure you would ... more »
Deion Sanders and his charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Deion Sanders and his charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Deion Sanders and his charter schoolByValerie StraussStuff you can’t make up: Deion Sanders, who has been cited for misdemeanor simple assault in connection with a domestic disturbance that resulted in the arrest of his estranged wife, is opening a public charter school in Texas. And at that school he wants to film a reality show about the way he coaches the football team.Most school officials do ... more »
Daily Kos: RESOLUTION ON HIGH-STAKES TESTING
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Daily Kos: RESOLUTION ON HIGH-STAKES TESTING: RESOLUTION ON HIGH-STAKES TESTINGbyrss@dailykos.com (teacherken)This resolution is modeled on the resolution passed by more than more than 360 Texas school boards as of April 23, 2012. It was written by Advancement Project; Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund; FairTest; Forum for Education and Democracy; MecklenburgACTS; Deborah Meier; NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; National Education Association; New York Performance Standards Consortium; Tracy Novick; Parents Across America; Parents United for Responsible E... more »
Putting faces on the pension fight. A letter to Quinn. « Fred Klonsky
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Putting faces on the pension fight. A letter to Quinn. « Fred Klonsky: Putting faces on the pension fight. A letter toQuinn.APRIL 25, 2012tags:pension formula,teachers retirement systemH/T: Tim FurmanFrom:Wyman on Media, New Place LifeGovernor Pat QuinnOffice of the Governor207 State HouseSpringfield, Illinois 62706Dear Governor Quinn:I watched your press conference last Friday where you announced sweeping pension changes for active Illinois teachers. These changes will hurt my family, and I object to them strenuously. My daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Mike ... more »
Schools Matter: Jim McIntyre Sending $4,000,000 in Public Funds to Pearson for Testing & "Erasure Analysis"
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Schools Matter: Jim McIntyre Sending $4,000,000 in Public Funds to Pearson for Testing "Erasure Analysis": Jim McIntyre Sending $4,000,000 in Public Funds to Pearson for Testing "Erasure Analysis"byJim HornHow many billions of dollars has all the damaging and unethical high stakes testing of children cost states and the Federal government over the past 25 years? Not nearly as much a Pearson, CBT/McGraw-Hill, and SAS are planning for in the coming generation of year-round testing in every subject, as they plan ... more »
Evaluate Me, Please « teach from the heart
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Evaluate Me, Please « teach from the heart: Evaluate Me,PleaseI’ve said it before; I’ve never taught a perfect lesson. After each one I step back and look to see what I can do to make it better. My lesson plans are full of notes. Things that don’t work get tossed. Things get tweaked. Resources get added. Information is growing too quickly to do the same thing over and over.When I was working toward National Board Certification, I was a little ... more »
National Resolution on High-Stakes Testing #PINEAPPLEGATE #PINEAPPLEREBELLION
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National Resolution on High-Stakes Testing:National Resolution on High-Stakes TestingThis resolution is modeled on the resolution passed bymore than 360 Texas school boardsas of April 23, 2012. It was written byAdvancement Project;Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund;FairTest;Forum for Education and Democracy;MecklenburgACTS;Deborah Meier;NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.;National Education Association;New York Performance Standards Consortium; Tracy Novick;Parents Across America;Parents United for Responsible Education - Chicago;Diane Ravitch;Race to Nowhere... more »
Geaux Teacher!: What New Orleans Learned from Philadelphia
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Geaux Teacher!: What New Orleans Learned from Philadelphia: CAN WE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION?VisitFollow The Bill Louisiana!to join a live conversation on the home page, while you watch a live video ofthe current legislative proceedings in another window.What New Orleans Learned from PhiladelphiaCheck out the post referenced above (click on the title). Here's an excerpt:"We’re tired of the ridiculous labeling of schools as high-performing and low-performing. The label mentality assumes schools are in permanent stasis rather than in varying stages of ... more »
Best Questions: Supportive Education Communities — Whole Child Education
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Best Questions: Supportive Education Communities — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG Best Questions: Supportive Education CommunitiesApril 25, 2012 byMolly McCloskeyDespite the rumors, school improvement is hard. It's not about a single passionate leader. It's not about "fixing" teachers and teaching or parents and parenting. It's not about poverty. It's not about money. And it's not about standards. It's about all of them. And more.In this column, I'll take on the real deal of school improvement—for all schools, not ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Perth Amboy: Center of the Reformy Universe?
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Jersey Jazzman: Perth Amboy: Center of the Reformy Universe?: Perth Amboy: Center of the Reformy Universe?byDukeAnd the saga of Perth Amboy gets even stranger...When we last checked in on the City By the (Raritan) Bay,a nasty fight was brewingbetween schools superintendent Dr. Janine Caffrey and the PABOE. The board has charged Caffrey - not even a year into her term - with several offenses,including"...failing to meet with school principals, misrepresenting the facts at board meetings, dividing contracts to sidestep the ... more »
Student Loan Reform Fight Broader For Obama Than Interest Rate Debate
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Student Loan Reform Fight Broader For Obama Than Interest Rate Debate: Student Loan Reform Fight Broader For Obama Than Interest Rate DebatebyJoy Resmovits WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, congressional Democratsannounced plansto introduce legislation that would extend the current low interest rates on government-subsidized student loans, responding to the major public relations push from President Barack Obama. But while the issue has ginned up cable news chatter and drawn attention to a host of grassroots student debt relief efforts, it is a ... more »
Remarks by the President on College Affordability | The White House
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Remarks by the President on College Affordability | The White House: Remarks by the President on College AffordabilitybyThe White HouseUniversity of IowaIowa City, Iowa1:28 P.M. CDTTHE PRESIDENT: Hello, Hawkeyes! (Applause.) It is good to be back in Iowa! (Applause.) Can folks please give it up for Blake for that outstanding introduction? (Applause.) And I want to thank the University of Iowa Pep Band for firing everybody up. (Applause.)There is some good hospitality here, and I should know. I spent a ... more »
RheeFirst! » Poll: New Yorkers want an education policy different from Bloomberg’s (Rejects Rhee and her NY astroturf claims)
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RheeFirst! » Poll: New Yorkers want an education policy different from Bloomberg’s (Rejects Rhee and her NY astroturf claims): Poll: New Yorkers want an education policy different from Bloomberg’s (Rejects Rhee and her NY astroturf claims)byadminWritten by Azi Paybarah for Capital New York. Read theentire article here.“An NY1-Marist pollof New Yorkers showed a majority want the next mayor to make changes in education. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who abolished the old, unbeloved model of school governance to achieve mayoral control of ...more »
NYC Public School Parents: Please endorse and ask your CEC to approve the National Resolution against High-stakes Testing
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NYC Public School Parents: Please endorse and ask your CEC to approve the National Resolution against High-stakes Testing: Please endorse and ask your CEC to approve the National Resolution against High-stakes TestingbyLeonie HaimsonThe following resolution is modeled on a resolution that as of April 25 had been approved by405 Texas school boards, Palm Beach County in Florida, and Community Education Council in D 30 in Queens.It was written byParents Across America, in collaboration with theAdvancement Project;Asian American Legal Defense and ... more »
Its Begun…..Palm Beach School Board Votes to Adopt the National Resolution that Opposes High Stakes Testing | Scathing Purple Musings
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Its Begun…..Palm Beach School Board Votes to Adopt the National Resolution that Opposes High Stakes Testing | Scathing Purple Musings: Its Begun…..Palm Beach School Board Votes to Adopt the National Resolution that Opposes High Stakes TestingbyBob SikesTesting is Not Teaching- PBC citizens united to make a difference have announced on their Facebook page that the Palm Beach School Board has adopted theNational Resolution on High Stakes Testing.The resolution brings unprecedented bipartisan spirit. Joining the NAACP and NEA – traditional supporters ... more »
Effort afoot to restore art in California schools | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education
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Effort afoot to restore art in California schools | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education: Effort afoot to restore art in California schoolsbyadmin Jill Tucker -SFGate.com- Monday, April 23, 2012As it turns out, business leaders hiring the workforce of tomorrow don't want applicants who are really good at filling in bubbles on standardized tests.Creativity is key, more than 1,500 executives said in a 2010 survey.Yet California, like many states, long ago deemed creative arts a luxury, one that few ... more »
Democurmudgeon: Walker's Tools for Schools Programs Scraps System for "Anything Goes."
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Democurmudgeon: Walker's Tools for Schools Programs Scraps System for "Anything Goes.": Walker's Tools for Schools Programs Scraps System for "Anything Goes."byDemocurmudgeonI thought schools were doing great now? They are I guess, thanks to Scott Walker. They've been deregulated.Public schools no longer consult with, or serve the public, parents are finding out. And teaching models have been swept in the trash bin for cost saving ideas that restructure public education in a way that holds the bottom line. And every year ... more »
Teaching Channel: Videos, Lesson Plans and Other Resources for Teachers
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Teaching Channel: Videos, Lesson Plans and Other Resources for Teachers: View Giveaway Prize DetailsFor Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7th-11th, 2012 we’re celebrating with a5 Days, 5 Ways Giveawayto say thank you for all your hard work. We’re giving away more than 200 thank you gifts throughout the week, leading up to our Friday Grand Thank You!All You Have To Do Is Complete Your ProfileYou will be automatically entered in the giveaway if your Teaching Channel profile is complete and you ... more »
National Resolution against High-Stakes Testing « Parents Across America
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National Resolution against High-Stakes Testing « Parents Across America: National Resolution against High-Stakes Testingbyleoniehaimson The following resolution is modeled on a resolution passed by405 Texas school boardsasof April 25, 2012. It was written by Parents Across America, in collaboration with theAdvancement Project;Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund;FairTest;Forum for Education and Democracy;MecklenburgACTS;Deborah Meier;NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.;National Education Association;New York Performance Standards Consortium; Tracy Novick;Paren... more »
After controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troubles - NY Daily News
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After controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troubles - NY Daily News: EducationAfter controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troublesSome students had seen the story that the question was based onBYRACHEL MONAHAN/ NEW YORK DAILY NEWSTuesday, April 24, 2012, 10:18 PMPHOTO BY APTuber troubles on city schools test.Move over pineapple -- the yam talked, too.The state’s fourth-grade reading test included an African ...more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Your Most Valuable Asset? It's Not Gold.
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Missouri Education Watchdog: Your Most Valuable Asset? It's Not Gold.: Your Most Valuable Asset? It's Not Gold.byAnngieHilary Rosen's comment about Ann Romney never holding a job, completely discounting the years she has invested in raising her children, may have actually shed some light on the left's tactic. Though Ms. Rosen's comments caused them some temporary backlash, they were in fact consistent with the left's official message about children. They are a mere inconvenience to a woman's primary purpose, holding a ...more »
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee and StudentsFirst creates persistent problems in public education
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Michelle Rhee and StudentsFirst tackle persistent problems in public education: Michelle Rhee and StudentsFirst tackle persistent problems in public educationByAlexis Garrett Stodghill8:04 AM on 04/25/2012 Michelle Rheereceived national attention after becoming the chancellor of Washington, DC public schools in 2007. Experiences as a public school teacher before founding an organization that placed teachers in classrooms informed the policies implemented during her term. Rhee's decisions to closely tie standardized test scores to teacher compensation and shut down underperforming sc... more »
White House Council on Women and Girls: A Focus on Girls and STEM
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A panel of trailblazing women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields share their experiences and encourage young women to follow in their footsteps -- or blaze a trail of their own. April 24, 2012
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines
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FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team:Wednesday, April 25, 2012Move to cut sign language classes at Paso Robles High puts teens in a bindHaving studied sign language since fifth grade, Marina Perry planned to one day become an interpreter for the deaf. But then she learned that Paso Robles High School planned to eliminate its American Sign Language program.Monrovia Unified's concerns about Internet service provider prompt reviewWorried that federal funds may be in jeopardy, school district officials are reviewing their ... more »
Pearson, ALEC and the Brave New World: BOYCOTT NOW | United Opt Out National
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Pearson, ALEC and the Brave New World: BOYCOTT NOW | United Opt Out National: Pearson, ALEC and the Brave New World: BOYCOTT NOWbyadmin Dear Supporters of Public Education,A great deal of much-needed attention has been given recently to the role that ALEC has played in dismantling our democratic rights in favor of corporate profit. The institution of public education has not escaped the interest of ALEC. In fact, ALEC has taken a seat at the head of the educational table, ... more »
RIGHT AGAIN! Heritage Puts Out Memo Highlighting Common Core Issues | Truth in American Education
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Heritage Puts Out Memo Highlighting Common Core Issues | Truth in American Education: Heritage Puts Out Memo Highlighting Common Core IssuesbyJames BellHeritage held a panel and put out amemoon exiting the Common Core. It was a great panel featuring Jim Stergios from the Pioneer Institute, Williamson Evers of the Hoover Institute, Kent Talbert, former acting secretary at the US Department of Education, and Theodore Rebarber of AccountabilityWorks. As always, Heritage resources are succinct and useful. Watching the hour-longpanelis also rewarding:When ... more »
Byrne Creek Secondary: A Collaborative Community Opportunity — Whole Child Education
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Byrne Creek Secondary: A Collaborative Community Opportunity — Whole Child Education: Byrne Creek Secondary: A Collaborative Community OpportunitybyASCD Whole Child BloggersPost submitted by Mike Greenway and Lynn ArcherByrne Creek Secondary Schoolopened its doors to students for the first time in September 2005. The school was planned and built to solve an overcrowding problem in the south part of Burnaby. Planning and opening any new school has challenges; Byrne Creek was faced with additional problems. The community had the highest number ... more »
Shutting Down Public Voice on Charters | Edwize
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Shutting Down Public Voice on Charters | Edwize: Shutting Down Public Voice on ChartersbyChristina CollinsAsoriginally envisioned, charter schools were supposed to be a way of empowering communities to have a stronger voice in decision-making at their local schools — with community leaders, parents, and teachers on the boards and decisions being made in ways that gave stakeholders direct access rather than layers of bureaucracy.In New York, however, the expansion and oversight of the state’s charter sector seems to be moving ... more »
The plan: Travesty or opportunity? | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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The plan: Travesty or opportunity? | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: The plan: Travesty or opportunity?byDale Mezzacappaon Apr 24 2012 Posted inLatest newsCOMMENTS (2)PRINTEMAILIt is a new day, a bold experiment, an opportunity for innovation.Or, it is a travesty, the end of public education as we know it, a cynical right-wing ploy.Not to mention a new twist on the decision a decade ago, for whichthe District has little to show, to turn over schools to education management organizations.Sixty-four closed school buildings. ... more »
Remarks by the President to College Reporters | The White House
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Remarks by the President to College Reporters | The White House: Remarks by the President to College ReportersbyThe White House4:05 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hey, everybody. Thanks for being on the call. And first of all, let me apologize if the connection sounds fuzzy. As was just mentioned, I’m joining you guys on Air Force One. I’m just leaving North Carolina; I was at UNC-Chapel Hill. Now I’m on my way to the University of Colorado at Boulder. And tomorrow ... more »
Teacher evaluations — and surveys of students and colleagues - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools
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Teacher evaluations — and surveys of students and colleagues - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: Teacher evaluations — and surveys of students and colleaguesBy Katy MurphyTuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 8:49 am inteachers.Dave Orphal, a teacher at Skyline High School in Oakland, is writing a series of blog posts for The Education Report about revamping teacher evaluations — including a pilot program that two middle schools are using this year. Orphal serves as a veteran ... more »
Student Loans: Interest Rate Bill By George Miller Would Cut Tax Loopholes To Keep Rate Down For A Year
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Student Loans: Interest Rate Bill By George Miller Would Cut Tax Loopholes To Keep Rate Down For A Year: Student Loans: Interest Rate Bill By George Miller Would Cut Tax Loopholes To Keep Rate Down For A YearbyJoy Resmovits As President Barack Obama makes his way across the country to slam animpending increase infederal student loan-interest rates, a group of congressional Democrats is announcing plans to introduce a legislative fix.Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Education ...more »
Jack Hassard: Creationism Creeps Into Louisiana and Tennessee Science Classrooms - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
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Jack Hassard: Creationism Creeps Into Louisiana and Tennessee Science Classrooms - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Anthony CodyAnthony Cody spent 24 years working in Oakland schools, 18 of them as a science teacher at a high needs middle school. He is National Board certified, and now leads workshops with teachers focused on Project Based Learning. With education at a crossroads, he invites you to join him in a dialogue on education reform and teaching for change and deep ... more »
WI Teacher: Students aren’t being fed due to Budget Cuts | Defend Wisconsin
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WI Teacher: Students aren’t being fed due to Budget Cuts | Defend Wisconsin: WI Teacher: Students aren’t being fed due to Budget CutsbyItayPopoutVideobyWIVoicesTV.Meg Farrington (29-year veteran teacher from Somerset, WI) explains how some students are struggling with hunger in school and how teachers have “stepped up to the plate” to bridge the gap and fill the need in the community. Farrington said “because of Governor Walker’s cuts” at the state level, consequences in policy choices are playing themselves out in ... more »
Schools Matter: National Resolution on High Stakes Testing #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT
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Schools Matter: National Resolution on High Stakes Testing: National Resolution on High Stakes TestingbyJudy RabinThis Resolution calls on federal and state policymakers to reduce standardized test mandates and, instead, base school accountability on multiple forms of measurement.To end the abuse and misuse of high stakes testingSign on to this Resolution:WHEREAS,our nation's future well-being relies on a high-quality public education system that prepares all students for college, careers, citizenship and lifelong learning, and strengthens the nation's social and economic well-being... more »
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: MUD BARON PLANTS WHAT HE PREACHES
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4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: MUD BARON PLANTS WHAT HE PREACHES: MUD BARON PLANTS WHAT HE PREACHESBY MARY MACVEAN, LOS ANGELES TIMES …BUT FROM THE KANSAS CITY STAR!|HTTP://BIT.LY/JMBHVETue, Apr. 24, 2012 07:05 AM -- LOS ANGELES :: It's not easy to keep pace with the youth gardening evangelist Mud Baron - in the real world or the virtual one.To keep up, you need to relentlessly advocate for schoolyard gardens full of food and flowers. You need ... more »
All Things Education: Housing Policy & Educational Opportunity: Some Notes
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All Things Education: Housing Policy Educational Opportunity: Some Notes: Housing Policy Educational Opportunity: Some NotesbyRachel LevyToday I had the pleasure of being a panelist in Richmond atHOME's (Housing Opportunities Made Equal)Blogger Luncheon on Housing Opportunity. Besides being treated to a tasty lunch ( free parking!) I got to listen to and partake in interesting conversations about Richmond Metro Area housing, public and mass transportation, families, parenting, entrepreneurship, politics, democratic process and institutions, social media, real estate, communities, an...more »
Florida’s Education Commissioner Scoffs at Widespread Opposition to Testing | Scathing Purple Musings
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Florida’s Education Commissioner Scoffs at Widespread Opposition to Testing | Scathing Purple Musings: Florida’s Education Commissioner Scoffs at Widespread Opposition to TestingbyBob Sikes With the number of parents organizing opposition to high-stakes testing mushrooming across the nation, Florida’s education commissionershrugged:“I don’t pretend anxiety doesn’t exist. … I don’t make a value judgment on whether we have too many tests, because the question I have is, compared to what? But what I will say is that there are through rule things ... more »
Bruce Springsteen’s Appeal to Conscience « InterACT
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Bruce Springsteen’s Appeal to Conscience « InterACT: Bruce Springsteen’s Appeal to ConsciencebyDavid B. CohenBruce Springsteen (image by GabboT, used by permission, via Flickr)Tonight, I’ll be among the thousands of fans attending the Bruce Springsteen show at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. As often happens before I go to a concert, I’ve been listening to the latest release, familiarizing myself with the new stuff and getting psyched up to sing along and enjoy the show.Springsteen’s new album,Wrecking Ball, opens with ... more »
RheeFirst! » When Pineapplegate meets Erasuregate why, call it a “DC miracle!”
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RheeFirst! » When Pineapplegate meets Erasuregate why, call it a “DC miracle!”: When Pineapplegate meets Erasuregate why, call it a “DC miracle!”byadminDated but highly relevant to the text fixation of corporate reformers like RheeWritten by Laura Clawson for the DailyKos. Read theentire article here.“Data from 2009 and 2010 show that scores dropped at most schools the year after they were flagged for excessive erasures, raising questions about whether heightened security curbed abuses,” and results were flat in 2011, after Rhee ...more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Cuts in Salem-Keier District by Husk
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Cuts in Salem-Keier District by Husk: Cuts in Salem-Keier District by HuskbyMelissa WestbrookNews from the Statesman-Journal in mid-April in Oregon (via one of our readers). I would link to the story but you can't unless you pay.Here's the lead storyline:All library and media jobs at Salem-Keizer elementary and middle schools would be cut under a proposal by Superintendent Sandy Husk. The 48 library and media instructors were notified Thursday of the plan, part of the district's ... more »
Old superintendents. « Fred Klonsky
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Old superintendents. « Fred Klonsky: Old superintendents.byFred KlonskyI got a call yesterday from Dr. Fred.About ten years ago and for about ten years before that he was our district’s superintendent.In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a great fan of administrators.But every once in a while one comes along that makes me think twice.Dr. Fred called to apologize for missing my retirement party (write me for details about time and place). He retired and is living out west now. He ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Letter to SUNY board about Success Academy's proposed increase in management fees
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NYC Public School Parents: Letter to SUNY board about Success Academy's proposed increase in management fees: Letter to SUNY board about Success Academy's proposed increase in management feesbyLeonie HaimsonEva Moskowitz credit: NY PostUPDATE: Just heard that today, the SUNY committee tabled the proposed hike in fees.April 24, 2012Dear Chairman McCall, SUNY board of trustees and members of the SUNY charter committee:I hope you have seen Juan Gonzalez’ article in today’s Daily News; “Public kept in dark about sweet deals for ... more »
EDUCATING OUR WAY TO AN ECONOMY BUILT TO LAST: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike | The White House
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EDUCATING OUR WAY TO AN ECONOMY BUILT TO LAST: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike | The White House: Educating Our Way to an Economy Built to Last:Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike986,494 Hispanic students would be affected In his State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out a blueprint for an economy built to last—an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.The President has worked tirelessly ... more »
Why we Oppose Nato by Bernardine Dohrn/Bill Ayers « Bill Ayers
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Why we Oppose Nato by Bernardine Dohrn/Bill Ayers « Bill Ayers: Why we Oppose Nato by Bernardine Dohrn/Bill Ayersbybillayers The day after the 9/11 attacks the Bush administration took dozens of extreme, transformative actions, including invoking Article 5, the right to collective self-defense, of NATO’s founding charter—a first in NATO’s 50-year history.This marked the fateful expansion of NATO’s mission into new geographical regions (such as Afghanistan) and novel functions, such as the initiation and rationalization of the use of pre-emptive ... more »
Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » My article in Solutions magazine: Reforming Chinese Education: What China Is Trying to Learn from America
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Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » My article in Solutions magazine: Reforming Chinese Education: What China Is Trying to Learn from America: My article in Solutions magazine: Reforming Chinese Education: What China Is Trying to Learn from AmericabyYongZhaoThe Solutions magazine (print version volume 2, issue 2, page 38-43) published my article about China’s education reform in April. Below is the abstract. The entire article is online at:Reforming Chinese Education.When Shanghai, China, was awarded the number one spot for educational achievement ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: More errors on the Pearson's NYS math exams this week
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NYC Public School Parents: More errors on the Pearson's NYS math exams this week: More errors on the Pearson's NYS math exams this weekbyLeonie HaimsonGiven reports today of more errors in this week's 4thgrade and 8thgrade NYS math exams (see below), added tothe absurd passage and questions on the 8thgrade ELA exam, now known as Pineapplegate, we say three strikes and you’re out. Pearson should be made to forfeit their $32 million contract. If our children make errors on these ... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: The Black Box of Computerized Assessments - Does Anyone Know What's Really In There?
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Missouri Education Watchdog: The Black Box of Computerized Assessments - Does Anyone Know What's Really In There?: The Black Box of Computerized Assessments - Does Anyone Know What's Really In There?byAnngieThere's an old saying about the inmates running the asylum that comes to mind with this story from a science educator in Florida who looked into the science portion of Florida's standardized assessment. Robert Krampf was developing some science test prep questions for 5th graders preparing to take that state's ... more »
Schools for the corporate era - Colorlines.com - Salon.com
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Schools for the corporate era - Colorlines.com - Salon.com: Schools for the corporate eraGov. Jindal has reshaped Louisiana's public education system based on ALEC's blueprintsBYJULIANNE HING,COLORLINES.COM9 more Gov. Bobby Jindal(Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster)This piece originally appeared onColorlines.com.Gov. Bobby Jindal has remade the Louisiana public schools system with impressive speed over the past legislative session. Last week, he signed into law a suite of landmark reform bills that will likely change the direction of public education in Louisiana forever. But not all ... more »
Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » Mass Localism for Improving America’s Education
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Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » Mass Localism for Improving America’s Education: Mass Localism for Improving America’s EducationbyYongZhaoA version of this post is published inKappa Delta Pi Record, 48(1), p. 17-22in Feb. 2012.To build a better education system, America must build on what we have—differentiation, uniqueness, and diversity.It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without ... more »
LAUSD: SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AS A PREREQUISITE FOR EDUCATION (VIDEO #3) - Perdaily.com
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LAUSD: SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AS A PREREQUISITE FOR EDUCATION (VIDEO #3) - Perdaily.com: LAUSD: SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AS A PREREQUISITE FOR EDUCATION (VIDEO #3)byLeonard Isenberg(Mensaje se repite en Espaรฑol)(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)The failure to follow LAUSD's own bulletins, the LAUSD/UTLA Collective Bargaining, and state and federal are only part of the reason that LAUSD remains such an unmitigated failure when it comes to educating predominantly minority students that make up the ... more »
Obama honors Burbank educator as National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News
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Obama honors Burbank educator as National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News: Obama honors Burbank educator as National Teacher of the YearByBarbara Jones, Staff WriterPosted: 04/24/2012 07:52:43 AM PDTUpdated: 04/24/2012 08:15:45 AM PDTPresident Barack Obama congratulates the 2012 National Teacher of the Year, Rebecca Mieliwocki, who teaches at Luther Burbank Middle School in Burbank, Calif., Tuesday, April 24, 2012, during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (Charles Dharapak)CLICK PHOTO ... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH: How stupid items get onto standardized tests « Diane Ravitch's blog
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How stupid items get onto standardized tests « Diane Ravitch's blog: How stupid items get onto standardized tests Many people have wondered how the New York State Education Department permitted the nonsensical story about the pineapple and the hare to get onto the state test.This is not the first time a really bad reading passage got onto the test and it won’t be the last.State Commissioner John King was quick to issue a defensive statement saying that people were reading ... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Pineapple Rebellion in full swing
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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Pineapple Rebellion in full swing: Pineapple Rebellion in full swingbyMike Klonsky Sometimes it happens that way. A single insipid test question has sparked a rebellion and shone a light, not only on current standardized testing practices, but on the whole testing industry and its leading profiteer,Pearson Publishing.TheN.Y. Times reports:Anti-testing activists have taken up the cudgel, saying that the passage and the multiple-choice questions associated with it perfectly illustrate the absurdity of standardized testing. And by Friday ... more »
NEWS FLASH: Malloy Hits New Low As He Misleads Minority Community on Education Reform - Wait, What?
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NEWS FLASH: Malloy Hits New Low As He Misleads Minority Community on Education Reform - Wait, What?: NEWS FLASH: Malloy Hits New Low As He Misleads Minority Community on Education ReformOne story in today’sHartford Courantis about Governor Malloy’s visit last night to the Faith Congregational Church where he explained that if the 81 state representatives and 27 or 28 senators from the poorest (and most minority) districts voted for his version of the “Education Reform” bill – it would pass. ... more »
A Sociological Eye on Education | Aaron’s fable
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A Sociological Eye on Education | Aaron’s fable: Aaron’s fablePineapple (courtesy of Alvesgaspar)(The fable below will make more sense if you know the following: Last week, New York eighth-graders taking the state’s English Language Arts assessment were subjected to six exam questions based on abizarre and incomprehensible passage featuring a talking pineapple. State Education Commissioner John King Jr.defended the passage, but said that these questions wouldn’t count. Also last week,New York Timescolumnist David Brooks wrote acolumn calling for value-added assessment ... more »
COMMUNITY KILLER? Radical District reorganization, 64 school closings planned | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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Radical District reorganization, 64 school closings planned | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Radical District reorganization, 64 school closings plannedbyDale Mezzacappaon Apr 24 2012 Posted inLatest newsCOMMENTS (3)PRINTEMAILTags:District budget INN feedThomas Knudsen Penny Nixon leadership school closingDistrict staff and consultants are recommending asweeping overhaulof how public schools in Philadelphia operate, planning to close 64 schools over the next five years and divvy up those that remain among “achievement networks” led by teams of educators or nonprofit institutio... more »
Now wait, who is that grassroots group Students for Education Reform? - Wait, What?
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Now wait, who is that grassroots group Students for Education Reform? - Wait, What?: Now wait, who is that grassroots group Students for Education Reform?byjonpeltoporcupine backs into a cactus -Beware of AstroTurf Ed Reformersporcupine backs into a cactusOn April 19, 2012, 60 college students held a rally at the State Capitol demanding that the Legislature pass Governor Malloy “Education Reform” bill.Students For Education Reform’s Connecticut director claimed that students were coming from a dozen different Connecticut campuses and that the ... more »
PSAT for 4-24-12: Sign the National Resolution on High Stakes Testing
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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 4-24-12: Sign the National Resolution on High Stakes Testing: PSAT for 4-24-12: Sign the National Resolution on High Stakes Testingbyadmin Please sign onhere(as individuals and, where appropriate, as organizations such as Local School Councils, etc.) Here’s what and why:Advancement Project – Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund – FairTest – Forum for Education and Democracy – NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund – National Education Association – Parents ... more »
The Innovative Educator: Inform Others of the Harm of Standardized Tests with This Flyer
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The Innovative Educator: Inform Others of the Harm of Standardized Tests with This Flyer: Inform Others of the Harm of Standardized Tests with This Flyerbynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)We are finally reaching a time when parents are standing up for the rights of their children and opting out of tests. Social media has played a great role in this where parents are able tofind others from their statewho are doing the same thing they are and also discover and share information and ...more »
A new teacher evaluation system being tested at two OUSD schools - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools
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A new teacher evaluation system being tested at two OUSD schools - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: A new teacher evaluation system being tested at two OUSD schoolsMonday, April 23rd, 2012 at 4:04 pm inteachersNo CommentsDave Orphal, a teacher at Skyline High School in Oakland, will write a series of blog posts for The Education Report about teacher evaluations — including a pilot program that two middle schools are using this year. He serves as ... more »
‘Mr. President, public education in the U.S. is on the wrong track’ - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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‘Mr. President, public education in the U.S. is on the wrong track’ - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: ‘Mr. President, public education in the U.S. is on the wrong track’byValerie StraussThis is the text ofan open letterwritten to President Obama by Mary Broderick, president of the Arlington, Va.,-basedNational Schools Boards Association,a not-for-profit organization representing state associations of school boards and their member districts. The letter, sent earlier this month to the president, asks for a national dialogue about ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Banda Profile
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Banda Profile: Banda ProfilebyMelissa WestbrookThe Times has a goodprofileof the work that superintendent finalist, Jose Banda, has done in Anaheim.Banda was born in Texas, the son of migrant farmworkers who had little formal education. His first language was Spanish.When he was 2, the family moved to California, where he has stayed. His father began picking cotton at a ranch outside Bakersfield and eventually was promoted to supervisor. During breaks and summers, Banda and his six siblings ... more »
Today in DC: Occupy The Justice Department! | OccupyWallSt.org #OWS
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Today in DC: Occupy The Justice Department! | OccupyWallSt.org: Today in DC: Occupy The Justice Department!Posted 6 hours ago on April 24, 2012, 1:28 a.m. EST byOccupyWallStToday @ 11AM!950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC -- at the Dept of Justice (DOJ)viaOccupy The Justice Department:On April 24, 2012, Mumia Abu-Jamal’s 58th birthday, we will gather at the Department of Justice in Washington D.C and amplify our formal request that Attorney General Eric Holder meet with a delegation to discuss police corruption ... more »
Chris Hedges: Why the United States Is Destroying Its Education System | Seattle Education
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Chris Hedges: Why the United States Is Destroying Its Education System | Seattle Education: Chris Hedges: Why the United States Is Destroying Its Education Systembyseattleducation2011Posted originally on April 11, 2012 ontruthdig.Chris HedgesA nation that destroys its systems of education, degrades its public information, guts its public libraries and turns its airwaves into vehicles for cheap, mindless amusement becomes deaf, dumb and blind. It prizes test scores above critical thinking and literacy. It celebrates rote vocational training and the singular, amoral ... more »
It’s almost too juicy Parents United for Responsible Education
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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » It’s almost too juicy: It’s almost too juicybyadminPineapplegate. Just the kind of incredibly stupid, embarrassing testing scandal that President Obama and other candidates need to take seriously as they head into the summer campaign season.Don’t be on the wrong side of the pineapple, folks.I’ll have to admit that it was a lot of fun watching this story roll out with my friend and PAA co-founder Leonie Haimson when we were in ... more »
ED News Worth Reading April 2012
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ED News Worth Reading April 2012:ED News Worth Reading April 2012
AIN'T THIS A CRYING SHAME? Beaverton School District may consider fund-raising for teachers | OregonLive.com
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Beaverton School District may consider fund-raising for teachers | OregonLive.com: Beaverton School District may consider fund-raising for teachersBeavertonstudents and parents have raised funds for new playground equipment, sports gear, laptop computers and other items, but fund-raising for teachers has never been allowed.That may change as the school district faces the reduction of 344 jobs -- all staff -- next school year. The 39,000-student district has about 3,300 staff.The school board is contemplating the idea, which it has forbidden previously because ... more »
PAA leader sparks Pineapplegate « Parents Across America
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PAA leader sparks Pineapplegate « Parents Across America: PAA leader sparks Pineapplegatebypagrundy If you spent this weekend chuckling or fuming about a nonsensical standardized test question involving a hare and a talking pineapple, you havePAA co-founder Leonie Haimsonto thank. Leonie wrote the blog that started the media storm, highlighted the absurdity of high-stakes standardized tests and got the question pulled from the exam.Leonie, who’s worked on educational issues for years, was the right person in the right place in the ... more »
http://www.southbronxschool.com
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http://www.southbronxschool.com: BREAKING NEWS!!! First Look at the New Standardized Testing for College Studentsbynoreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher)Did ya readDavid Brooks' column last week in The New York Times?In the immortal words of Carl Spackler, I had to laugh. It just shows how out of touch the people who think they are on the cutting edge of this so called "reform movement" really are. Guess what got me the biggest laugh? Yep you are right.Brooks, showing is just how smart he thinks he ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Logic
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Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Logic: Reformy LogicbyDukeThe most reformyRev. Reginald T. Jackson, Executive Director, The Black Ministers Council of New Jersey [all emphases mine]:Oururban students are more likely to be assigned an inexperienced teacher — which is bad for both the teacher and the student— more likely to have a substitute and more likely to have a teacher teaching out-of-subject specialization. Additionally, because teachers garner more control over their assignments as they accrue seniority, leaving little incentive for them to take ... more »
ALEC Exposed as Lobby Group With 501(C) (3) “Public Charity” Status « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!
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ALEC Exposed as Lobby Group With 501(C) (3) “Public Charity” Status « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: ALEC Exposed as Lobby Group With 501(C) (3) “Public Charity” StatusbymillerlfConservative Nonprofit Acts as a Stealth Business LobbyistByMIKE McINTIRENYTimes Published: April 21, 2012ALEC’s members include corporations and nearly 2,000 lawmakers. Kraft Foods, Intuit and Coca-Cola left the group amid a policy controversy.ATT, Reynolds American and Pfizer each gave $130,000 to $398,000 to the group, its 2010 tax returns show.It was quickly flagged ... more »
Interview with myself. Quinn’s pension proposals. « Fred Klonsky
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Interview with myself. Quinn’s pension proposals. « Fred Klonsky: Interview with myself. Quinn’s pension proposals.byFred KlonskyQ. Who is impacted by the Governor’s plan?A. Quinn’s plan is aimed at all active employee who are inTeachers’ Retirement System (TRS), the State Universities Retirement System (SURS), the State Employee Retirement System (SERS), and the General Assembly Retirement System (GARS).Q. How much more would we have to pay into our pension plans?A.TRSwould go from 9.4% to 12.4% andSURSwould go from 8% to 11%.Q. What ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Pineapplegate and the media storm that has ensued
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NYC Public School Parents: Pineapplegate and the media storm that has ensued: Pineapplegate and the media storm that has ensuedbyLeonie HaimsonCredit: Bramhall Cartoons, Daily NewsHere is a rather breathless account of what is now being called Pineapplegate. I had no idea what a media storm would erupt as a result ofThursday’s blog post. Please also be sure to fill out this shortparent surveyabout the testing regime in NY State. If you are a teacher,fill this one out, and if a ... more »
Schools Matter: Is President Obama Listening?
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Schools Matter: Is President Obama Listening?: Is President Obama Listening?byJudy RabinNational School Board Association's Open Letter to President ObamaApril 17, 2012Dear President Obama:The night of your election, in Grant Park, you said, “I will listen to you especially when we disagree.” We are all committed to the best educational future for the children of America. Yet, as the nation prepares for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), school board members and top educational thinkers overwhelming urge ... more »
Standardized test security questioned - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Standardized test security questioned - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Standardized test security questionedByValerie StraussTenth-graders in Florida took the state’s standardized test in reading on a staggered schedule because there weren’t enough computers available for them all to take it at the same time, raising concerns that security of test questions could be compromised, theMiami Herald reported.Students took the test in reading, which is part of theFlorida Comprehensive Achievement Test(FCAT), in groups on a few different days last ... more »
The 5-Minute Break | The Jose Vilson
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The 5-Minute Break | The Jose Vilson: The 5-Minute BreakbyJoseLast week, New York State Education Commission decided to give students a mandated 5-minute break in the first book of the English-Language Arts test. When I read about it, I laughed for reasons I rather expand on after the math test. However, I did receive a tape with some recorded dialogue from the closed room where some of these decisions were made. Here’s an excerpt from the dialogue:Official A:What do you ... more »
Educating Our Way to an Economy Built to Last: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike | The White House
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Educating Our Way to an Economy Built to Last: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike | The White House: Educating Our Way to an Economy Built to Last: Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate HikebyThe White House Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate HikeIn his State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out a blueprint for an economy built to last—an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.The ... more »
Schools Matter: Help Chalkface Radio Stay on Air
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Schools Matter: Help Chalkface Radio Stay on Air: Help Chalkface Radio Stay on AirbyJudy RabinOne of the most potent tools of the current education deform movement perpetuated by corporate interests has been the huge amount of money spent on the air war that is demonizing teachers and public education. In order to combat the drumbeat of lies and propaganda around education policy, it is essential that the voices of truth continue to stay on the air. Please publicize this urgent ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Why are classroom teachers being pulled out of schools to grade ELA exams, right before the math exams?
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NYC Public School Parents: Why are classroom teachers being pulled out of schools to grade ELA exams, right before the math exams?: Why are classroom teachers being pulled out of schools to grade ELA exams, right before the math exams?byLeonie HaimsonFrom a Brooklyn parent who prefers to remain nameless:This past weekend my daughter and I spent several hours going over math problems, preparing for her 5th grade state math exams which will take place Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this ... more »
Save Our Schools Education convention August 3-5 in DC | Save Our Schools: March and National Call to Action | causes.com
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Save Our Schools Education convention August 3-5 in DC | Save Our Schools: March and National Call to Action | causes.com: Save Our Schools Education convention August 3-5 in DCSave Our Schools Education ConventionA People’s Policy Activism Summithttp://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1104247304263-54/Convention+Planks.pdfAugust 3-5, 2012 Washington, DC Marriott Wardman ParkIf you are interested in participating as a delegate for one of the following education issues, please contact us at: info@saveourschools.comPlatforms1. Poverty (including anti-poverty program)2. Ci... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Mid Day Posts 4-23 #edreform #soschat
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Making Myself Useful (and other items) | Mr. TeachbadBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-5 minutes agoMaking Myself Useful (and other items) | Mr. Teachbad: Making Myself Useful (and other items)byteachbad(I’m a bit rushed…driving to Indiana in…36 minutes. More on that in a minute.)Churn ‘n’ Burn and Spin Me to theDoorThere are two short things I read this week that I believe are connected. The first was an article in Education Week from early in April calledWhen Teachers Are Treated ... more »
In Case You Missed It: Testing begins with many complaints; Mayoral candidates go after Mayor’s policies « EdVox
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In Case You Missed It: Testing begins with many complaints; Mayoral candidates go after Mayor’s policies « EdVox: In Case You Missed It: Testing begins with many complaints; Mayoral candidates go after Mayor’s policiesbyedvoxnyHere on EdVox we’re excited to bring you the latest news about education issues and policies affecting our communities. It can be hard to keep up with all of the events and happenings, so – in case you missed it…Here is a recap of the latest stories ...more »
National Teacher of the Year - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)
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National Teacher of the Year - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education): California Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwockiis Named America's Top Teacher WASHINGTON, D.C.—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today congratulated California's Rebecca Mieliwocki for being selected as the 2012 National Teacher of the Year, the nation's oldest and most prestigious teaching honor."Rebecca Mieliwocki is an inspiration to her students, to me, and to every California teacher. She brings enormous energy, enthusiasm, and optimism to teaching—a career that ... more »
No Conflict, No Conflict, Keep Moving; Nothing to See Here… - Wait, What?
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No Conflict, No Conflict, Keep Moving; Nothing to See Here… - Wait, What?: No Conflict, No Conflict, Keep Moving; Nothing to See Here…byjonpelto What is it about these Malloy appointees and their notion of what constitutes a conflict of interest. Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor seems to be adding to the list on a daily basis and now we’ve got “Special Master” Steven Adamowski.When it comes to conflicts of interests; you’ve got your straight up “conflict of interest”, your “appearance of ... more »
WISCONSIN GOVERNOR DELIVERS A BLOW TO TEACHERS WHO HOLD MASTER’S DEGREES « Teachers Fight Back
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WISCONSIN GOVERNOR DELIVERS A BLOW TO TEACHERS WHO HOLD MASTER’S DEGREES « Teachers Fight Back: WISCONSIN GOVERNOR DELIVERS A BLOW TO TEACHERS WHO HOLD MASTER’S DEGREESbyalkleenThis Wisconsin governor is UNBELIEVABLE ! Gov. Scott Walker has reshaped a rule to lower inflation-based raises that public unions can negotiate for teachers in public schools. The rule change wouldn’t use an individual’s actual salary as a “base salary” to calculate raises and would exclude factors such as a teacher’s higher degree.For instance, a ... more »
What America Owes In Student Loans : Planet Money : NPR #soschat
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What America Owes In Student Loans : Planet Money : NPR: What America Owes In Student LoansTotal student debt has gone through the roof. But the average debt per college grad has gone up much more slowly. See our earlier entries in this series:What America Sells To The World,What America Does For Work,What America BuysandWhat America Pays in Taxes The amount of student debt being taken on every year hasbeen rising rapidlyfor years now. You probably know these things already. ... more »
The Politics of Education – Dueling Budgets
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The Politics of Education – Dueling Budgets: The Politics of Education – Dueling BudgetsMONDAY, APRIL 23RD, 2012 AT 11:46 AMThis weekend, I was on CNN to speak about President Obama’s and Representative Ryan’s dueling budget proposals, and asked to comment on which of the two lighted the surer path to true education reform. See for yourself:
Shanker Blog » The Allure Of Teacher Quality
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Shanker Blog » The Allure Of Teacher Quality: The Allure Of Teacher QualitybyMatthew Di Carlo Those following education know that policy focused on “teacher quality” is by far the dominant paradigm for improving schools over the past few years. Some (but not nearly all) components of this all-hands-on-deck effort are perplexing to many teachers, and have generated quite a bit of pushback. No matter one’s opinion of this approach, however, what drives it is the tantalizing allure of variation in ... more »
Burbank educator named National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News
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Burbank educator named National Teacher of the Year - LA Daily News: Burbank educator named National Teacher of the YearByBarbara Jones, Staff WriterPosted: 04/23/2012 07:48:56 AM PDTUpdated: 04/23/2012 08:27:28 AM PDTFILE PHOTO: Luther Burbank Middle School teacher Rebecca Mieliwocki teaches a 7th-grade English class in 2011. She was named National Teacher of the Year. (Andy Holzman/Daily News Staff Photographer) ((ANDY HOLZMAN/LA DAILY NEWS))Rebecca Mieliwocki, a 7th grade teacher at Burbank Middle School in Burbank was named today as National Teacher ... more »
FCMAT » California Education Headlines
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FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team: Monday, April 23, 2012Lottery fever not a big windfall for local schoolsLast month's $640 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot ---- and the ticket-buying fervor that led up to it ---- poured big bucks into the state's educational coffers, but won't have much of an effect on local classrooms, officials said.LAUSD chief wants to keep health class as graduation requirementLos Angeles Unified Superintendent John Deasy said Friday that health-education class should remain a requirement ... more »
Departments of Education and Justice Reach Settlement with Boston School Committee to Ensure Equal Opportunities for ELL Students | U.S. Department of Education
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Departments of Education and Justice Reach Settlement with Boston School Committee to Ensure Equal Opportunities for ELL Students | U.S. Department of Education: Departments of Education and Justice Reach Settlement with Boston School Committee to Ensure Equal Opportunities for ELL StudentsAPRIL 23, 2012Contact:Education Department, (202) 401-1576Justice Department, 202-514-2007WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Education with the U.S. Department of Justice reached agreement with the Boston School Committee, the governing body of the Boston Public Schools, and its superintendent to... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Superintendent Selection Process
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Superintendent Selection Process: The Superintendent Selection ProcessbyCharlie MasIn the end, the Board chooses the superintendent. This is pretty much the Board's most important duty and they are responsible for it. They have to make the choice. Not only that, but they have to determine their process for making the choice. When it comes to everyone else working in the District, the readers and writers on this blog generally support autonomy and oppose micromanagement. We want ... more »
Making Myself Useful (and other items) | Mr. Teachbad
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Making Myself Useful (and other items) | Mr. Teachbad: Making Myself Useful (and other items)byteachbad(I’m a bit rushed…driving to Indiana in…36 minutes. More on that in a minute.)Churn ‘n’ Burn and Spin Me to theDoorThere are two short things I read this week that I believe are connected. The first was an article in Education Week from early in April calledWhen Teachers Are Treated Like Widgets, Education Suffers. It was written by academics who are tired of all their studies ... more »
RIGHT AGAIN :) ! Potter Williams Report: Diane Ravitch Outsmarted by One of Her Own
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Potter Williams Report: Diane Ravitch Outsmarted by One of Her Own: DIANE RAVITCH OUTSMARTED BY ONE OF HER OWNEducation Week published aletterfrom Diane Ravitch to another progressive Deweyian educator Deborah Meier entitled “I Don't Understand Michelle Rhee.”Ravitch can't figure out why Rhee lies, why she blames teachers for everything and how she can reel in die-hard Republicans with ease.I guess education historian Diane Ravitch is not in on the endgame!Or is she? Maybe she's playing devil’s advocate for Duncan’s DOE ... more »
Ed Dept seeks to bring test-based assessment to teacher prep programs - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Ed Dept seeks to bring test-based assessment to teacher prep programs - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Ed Dept seeks to bring test-based assessment to teacher prep programsbyValerie StraussThe Obama administration wants to expand the use of standardized test scores as an accountability tool from K-12 into higher education.The Education Department just tried — and failed — to persuade a group of negotiators to agree to regulations that would rate colleges of education in large part on how ... more »
The Innovative Educator: The bad pineapple questions are not the problem with standardized tests
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The Innovative Educator: The bad pineapple questions are not the problem with standardized tests: The bad pineapple questions are not the problem with standardized testsbynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)I am disappointed that the mainstream story about testing happens to be a poor a test section about pineapples. While I agree the test question was ridiculous, I think focusing on that diverts us from the real problem which is that even if the test had greatest questions on earth, standardized testing at its ... more »
School Tech Connect: The Single Sound Test
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School Tech Connect: The Single Sound Test: The Single Sound Testbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)CPS's now departed turnaround guy, Donald Fraynd, said he was leaving with a heavy heart to begin a start-up company. He called it something else, I can't remember.This appears to be it.I'll give him one thing ; he's a true believer.Decades of research show one thing – nothing affects achievement as much as the quality of teaching students receive. In fact, teacher attributes may account for more than ... more »
StudentsFirst will be in Seattle | Seattle Education
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StudentsFirst will be in Seattle | Seattle Education: StudentsFirst will be in Seattlebyseattleducation2011…and that isnota good thing.Ms. Rhee (pronounced "re")StudentsFirst is an organization created by Michelle Rhee after her tumultuous tenure as Chancellor of DC public schools. She was supported by Eli Broad who threatened to pull his financial support for the DC public school system and Rhee specifically if she was not selected to continue as Chancellor of DC schools after Mayor Fenty’s failed re-election bid. After Fenty, who ... more »
May Day Wildcat March Called for 1pm | OccupyWallSt.org #ows
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May Day Wildcat March Called for 1pm | OccupyWallSt.org: May Day Wildcat March Called for 1pmbyOccupyWallStviaSTRIKE EVERYWHERE!:A call has gone out for a massiveWildcatmarch in NYC on May 1st, starting at 1PM. The original call is availablehere. Secondingstrikeisaverb, See you in the streets! Forward and Repost widely.https://www.facebook.com/events/297929263615205/and print and distribute flyers (wildcatmarchflyer-single,wildcatmarchflyer-quarter)CALL FOR A WILDCAT MARCH FOR GENERAL STRIKE PARTICIPANTSMAY 1ST, 2012 1PMWe were told by bosses, by activists, by union leaders we could... more »
NYC Educator: Don't Know Much About History
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NYC Educator: Don't Know Much About History: Don't Know Much About HistorybyNYC EducatorIs NY State right to abolish theGlobal History Regents exam? Lots of us have had our fill of standardized testing, and would like to see far less of it. Of course that's not the case, as the state plans all sorts of nonsense, largely to assess teachers. Kids will be spending hours of potential learning time indulging in nonsensical junk science, to appease those who wish to fire ... more »
Zoning The Poor Out of Good Schools | California Progress Report
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Zoning The Poor Out of Good Schools | California Progress Report: Zoning The Poor Out of Good SchoolsbymeganBy Peter SchragMost of us have long known that in places like Oakland and Berkeley, and probably in a lot of other cities as well, the easiest way to predict a school’s test scores is by the altitude of the building.The higher up the school, the more likely it will be in an affluent neighborhood. The schools in the flats, where the poor ... more »
REASONS NOT TO SIGN GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN'S TAX INITIATIVE PETITION - Perdaily.com
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REASONS NOT TO SIGN GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN'S TAX INITIATIVE PETITION - Perdaily.com: REASONS NOT TO SIGN GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN'S TAX INITIATIVE PETITIONbyLeonard Isenberg(Mensaje se repite en Espaรฑol)(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)In the bleak reality of coordinated political and corporate siege against public education, one is tempted to grasp at straws in trying to stop this continued onslaught against teachers and the ever worsening degradation of the essential democracy formative institution ... more »
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? pineapple question stumps ... everyone!
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Captain: Are ya ready kids?Kids: Aye, Aye captain!Captain: I can't heeeaaar yooouuu!Kids: AYE, AYE CAPTAIN!Captain: oooooooooooo...Captain: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants!Captain: Absorbent and yellow and porous is he.Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants!Captain: If nautical nonsense be somethin' ya wish.Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants!Captain: Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish.Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants!Captain: Ready? Sponge Bob Square Pants,Captain Kids: Sponge Bob Square Pants, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Sponge Bob ... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 4-22 #soschat #EDReform
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What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled? | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-13 minutes agoWhat Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled? | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…: What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled?byLarry FerlazzoProf. Armin Falk, a professor at Bonn University, unveiled some very intriguing studies on motivation last week. ...more »
Educator Musing: Real Parent Empowerment is a Rebellion
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Educator Musing: Real Parent Empowerment is a Rebellion: Real Parent Empowerment is a RebellionbyEducator Musing If without medical justification, [your son] is absent fromschool on any dayduring the Assessment period, the District will deem thisabsence as unexcused. Further, if you keep [your son] home from school during theAssessment period,without medical verification, it is within the District’sdiscretion to deemthese absences as indicia of educational neglect, whichwould leave the Districtlittle choice but to contact Child Protective Services(“CPS”). Pursuant to theNew York
Teacher Appreciation:From the Mouths of Babes! « Diary of a Public School Teacher!
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Teacher Appreciation:From the Mouths of Babes! « Diary of a Public School Teacher!: Teacher Appreciation:From the Mouths ofBabes!Some of my studentswrote a letter for the state department’s Teacher Appreciation Day contest. After reading the letters, it gave me some insight as to what my students appreciate about me. I chose to use the letters as an informal evaluation tool to see what I am doing right,(or wrong). I found some of the responses quite amusing.:)I bustle (Vocabulary word) around on ... more »
ARE MORE OF Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Right Wing Buddies Turning On Her?
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Potter Williams Report: Michelle Rhee’s Mask Is Slipping: Illegal Activity in Constitution State?: ARE MORE OF Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Right Wing Buddies Turning On Her?MICHELLE RHEE’S MASK IS SLIPPING: ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN CONSTITUTION STATE?It was only a matter of time before Michelle Rhee would start blowing her cover. But I have to admit she’s held off “enquiring minds who want to know” for at least five years since signing on to DC.Citizen watchdogs have found evidence of Rhee's ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Pineapples Don't Have Sleeves
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Pineapples Don't Have Sleeves: Pineapples Don't Have SleevesbyMelissa WestbrookIf ever there was a reason to pull a stop on standardized testing mania, it's this story.The Hare and the Pineapple.Yes, apparently in NYC's 8th grade standardized test there was a reading section, based on a story by Daniel Pinkwater, the children's author, about a hare and a pineapple having a race, based on The Tortoise and the Hare. (The story was altered from Mr. Pinkwater's original according ... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 4-22 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform
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ED News Worth Reading April 2011 at Pinterest.Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-12 minutes agoED News Worth Reading April 2011:ED News Worth Reading April 2011ED News Worth Reading April 2011https://pinterest.com/coopmike48/ed-news-worth-reading-april-2011/4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: CORONA-NORCO USD IN INLAND EMPIRE GIVES TEACHERS THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT INSTEAD OF PRESCRIBED LESSON PLANS, boosting scores and graduation rates in the heavily Latino, low-income district.Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-12 minutes ago4LAKids - some of the news... more »
NSBA President’s letter to Obama: please change direction! « Parents Across America
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NSBA President’s letter to Obama: please change direction! « Parents Across America: NSBA President’s letter to Obama: please change direction!byleoniehaimson“…school board members and top educational thinkers overwhelming urge abandoning the current “command-and-control” federal educational oversight…driving us toward mediocrity….Mr. President, public education in the U.S. is on the wrong track. As we have moved decision-making farther
Bridgeport Schools Going Private With Taxpayer Money? - Jonathan Kantrowitz - Connecticut News
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Bridgeport Schools Going Private With Taxpayer Money? - Jonathan Kantrowitz - Connecticut News: Bridgeport Schools Going Private With Taxpayer Money?April 22, 2012 at 3:18 pm byJonathan Kantrowitzby Jon Pelto fromWait, WhatThis week we learned that Governor Malloy and his education commissioner, Stefan Pryor hired certain consultants to help develop Malloy’s “Education Reform” bill. Rather than go through some silly competitive bidding process, they simply got a quasi-state agency, SERC to hire the two consultants; one for $195,000 and the other ... more »
Andrea Merida on why Denver school board should reject Gates grant « Parents Across America
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Andrea Merida on why Denver school board should reject Gates grant « Parents Across America: Andrea Merida on why Denver school board should reject Gates grantbyleoniehaimsonSee video below of Andrea Merida, a member of the Denver school board and Parents Across America, on why they should reject a grant from the ALEC-linked Gates Foundation. [For more on this issue, see theGates website,including comments from critics.] In hermessageon vimeo, Andrea asks:Why are the Denver Public Schools accepting money from the Bill ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: NYC principal opting her own children out of testing
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NYC Public School Parents: NYC principal opting her own children out of testing: NYC principal opting her own children out of testingbyLeonie HaimsonHere is a letter from a NYC principal who spoke outagainst standardized testing and corporate education reform onWNYC radio, whenBrian Lehrer had Michelle Rhee as his guest. She sent the below letter,about opting her children out of testing in the Ridgewood NJ public schools, to their principals,teachers, the superintendent, the NCLB administrator, guidance counselors,Special Education supervisor, etc.The official ... more »
What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled? | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…
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What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled? | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…: What Do New Studies Say Happens If You Are Treated Unfairly And/Or Feel Controlled?byLarry FerlazzoProf. Armin Falk, a professor at Bonn University, unveiled some very intriguing studies on motivation last week. I’ll provide a short summary of how I believe some of his key findings can be applied to education. You can also read a more extensive reporthere, review ... more »
What Works in Education | Seattle Education
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What Works in Education | Seattle Education: What Works in Educationbyseattleducation2011There are many successful programs that work around the country in terms of educating our students and one that was successful on a national level was the original war on poverty which was paid for by public funds.As Linda Darling-Hammond wrote in her book, The Flat World and Education:How Policy Can Matter…These declines are not inevitable. We have made strong headway on educational achievement in the past and can do ... more »
porcupine backs into a cactus - Beware of AstroTurf Ed Reformers
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porcupine backs into a cactus -Beware of AstroTurf Ed Reformersporcupine backs into a cactusJust Like Michelle Rhee's Students first only BETTERAstroturf lobbying refers to political organizations or campaigns that appear to be made up of grassroots activists but are actually organized and run by corporate interests seeking to further their own agendas. Such groups are often typified by innocent-sounding names that have been chosen specifically to disguise the group's true backersJust Like Michelle Rhee'sStudents firstAstroturf lobbying(only Better)we support:Promoting voucher progr... more »
I would’ve sworn you used the word “transparency” – The Art of Moving Public Funds “Off-Line” - Wait, What?
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I would’ve sworn you used the word “transparency” – The Art of Moving Public Funds “Off-Line” - Wait, What?: I would’ve sworn you used the word “transparency” – The Art of Moving Public Funds “Off-Line”byjonpelto Oh, remember the good ole days when politicians just directed that public contracts go to friends, donors and certain companies.That was then and this is now…and a whole new approach is taking shape.This week we learned that Governor Malloy and his education commissioner, Stefan Pryor ... more »
MOM CONGRESS - Parenting.com
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Educational Resources - Parental Involvement - Parenting.com: What Teachers Want to Tell ParentsThey don't really take summers off, and other info they'd like you to knowTEACHER TELL-ALLA Day in the Life of an Inner-City School TeacherA candid look into a world ofovercrowded classrooms, mouthy students, and too few resourcesTEACHER TIPS13 Discipline Tricks from TeachersHow they keep kids in line and how you can too!REINVENT PBJNew Ideas for School LunchTasty recipes for getting out a lunchbox ruttools guides+see allorganize volunteershealthy lunch ... more »
Frog Birds, Autonomous Individuals, Groups and Flying Kites in the Rain « Cooperative Catalyst
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Frog Birds, Autonomous Individuals, Groups and Flying Kites in the Rain « Cooperative Catalyst: Frog Birds, Autonomous Individuals, Groups and Flying Kites in the RainbyThomas Steele-MaleyI believe that society must be reconstructed to enlarge the contribution of autonomous individuals and primary groups to the total effectiveness of a new system of production designed to satisfy the human needs which it also determines.-Illich (1973)Frog Birds, Autonomous Individuals and GroupsThe time is now to listen to Frog Birds, intensify your autonomous local ... more »
How zoning policies affect student achievement - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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How zoning policies affect student achievement - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: How zoning policies affect student achievementbyValerie Strauss Thiswas written by Richard D. Kahlenberg, senior fellow at TheCentury Foundation. It first appeared onthe foundation’s website.By Richard D. KahlenbergAmericans value equal educational opportunity, but our system has always undercut that goal with housing, zoning, and school assignment policies that consign low-income students to high-poverty schools where they tend to perform worse. A fascinatingnew studyby Jonathan Rothwell of the...more »
School Tech Connect: Pineapples
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School Tech Connect: Pineapples: Pineapplesbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) I know there's been a lot of attention to thepineapple question on the New York test, but I'd like to point out that these terrible test questions are as common as the rain. You only hear about them when someone takes the risk of pointing them out. It is a testing violation for teachers to look through the testing booklet to see what's on the test.I did this very thing several times at ... more »
Cool Cat Teacher Blog The "James Brown" of Internet Teachers - Vicki Davis
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Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Learning about Learning: Research and Edreform News and Views 04/22/2012coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher)atCool Cat Teacher Blog-15 minutes ago- 6 Q's About the News | Teenage Drivers and A.D.H.D. - NYTimes.com This is a fascinating lesson and student opinion question about teenagers with ADHD and their driving. I think this is one that all drivers ed teachers should read but also that should be part of discussions with students of driving age. (You could ... more »
The 5th Legislative District Passes a No-Charter School Resolution | Seattle Education
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The 5th Legislative District Passes a No-Charter School Resolution | Seattle Education: The 5th Legislative District Passes a No-Charter School Resolutionbyseattleducation2011Resolution for Continued Prohibition of Charter Schools in Washington StateWhereas the platform of the Washington State Democrats specifically opposes publicly funded charter schools and vouchers; andWhereas the voters of Washington State have defeated charter measures three times; andWhereas peer-reviewed research shows that 83% of charter schools perform no better than public schools, and charter schools more...more »
ED News Worth Reading April 2011 at Pinterest.
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ED News Worth Reading April 2011:ED News Worth Reading April 2011ED News Worth Reading April 2011https://pinterest.com/coopmike48/ed-news-worth-reading-april-2011/
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: CORONA-NORCO USD IN INLAND EMPIRE GIVES TEACHERS THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT INSTEAD OF PRESCRIBED LESSON PLANS, boosting scores and graduation rates in the heavily Latino, low-income district.
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4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: CORONA-NORCO USD IN INLAND EMPIRE GIVES TEACHERS THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT INSTEAD OF PRESCRIBED LESSON PLANS, boosting scores and graduation rates in the heavily Latino, low-income district.: CORONA-NORCO USD IN INLAND EMPIRE GIVES TEACHERS THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIMENT INSTEAD OF PRESCRIBED LESSON PLANS, boosting scores and graduation rates in the heavily Latino, low-income district.BY STEPHEN CEASAR, LOS ANGELES TIMES|HTTP://LAT.MS/HY6CGRAlejandra Zamora, left, and Saraiyah Hatter at Santiago High. As head of the ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: A Tale of Two Videos
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Jersey Jazzman: A Tale of Two Videos: A Tale of Two VideosbyDukeFirst, watch this (h/tBrian Page):PopoutThen, watch this (finally found a work-safe version):PopoutThey spend billions of dollars every year lobbying -- lobbying to get what they want. Well, we know what they want -- they want MORE for themselves and less for everybody else. But I'll tell you what they don't want.They
Don’t sit under the banana tree with anyone else but Rhee: Michele Rhee invited to speak to for-profit college “union” for $50K | Dailycensored.com
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Don’t sit under the banana tree with anyone else but Rhee: Michele Rhee invited to speak to for-profit college “union” for $50K | Dailycensored.com: Don’t sit under the banana tree with anyone else but Rhee: Michele Rhee invited to speak to for-profit college “union” for $50KWritten byDanny WeilBusiness,Education,MediaApr 21, 2012 On January 23 the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU), the trade “union” group for for-profit colleges in the United States, announced that former president George W. Bush ...more »
Jersey Jazzman: Some Of the Evaluation; All Of the Decision
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Jersey Jazzman: Some Of the Evaluation; All Of the Decision: Some Of the Evaluation; All Of the DecisionbyDuke There is a recurring theme in reformy teacher evaluation schemes: "We're not encouraging teaching to the test, because we're usingmultiple measures. The test scores will only be x% of the teachers evaluation. Stop worrying!"This theme is important to selling the plan, because even the reformyists acknowledge that teaching to the test will stifle children's learning. They also inherently acknowledge that taking a ... more »
School Tech Connect: You Know It's A Bad Idea When...
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School Tech Connect: You Know It's A Bad Idea When...: You Know It's A Bad Idea When...bynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)I just now noticed thatDavid Brooks just made an argumentfor something like value-added assessments at college, which illustrates the adage, "If there's a really, really bad idea, then David Brooks will be in favor of it and will in fact become this instant expert on it because as a person who is essentially a blogger with a column in a newspaper, that ... more »
Educator and Parent Opts Out in New Jersey | United Opt Out National
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Educator and Parent Opts Out in New Jersey | United Opt Out National: Educator and Parent Opts Out in New Jerseybyadmin Good afternoon.Please be advised that I do not permit my childrento participate in the NJ ASK or any other standardized testing for state report cards and NCLB/RTTT accountability. I believe that this kind of testing is, at best, counter-productive and perhaps even harmful to my children’s education and development. My position is based on my conscientious objection to the ... more »
Inside FCAT 2.0: What Changes Mean for Teachers, Students « Tangerine, Florida
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Inside FCAT 2.0: What Changes Mean for Teachers, Students « Tangerine, Florida: Inside FCAT 2.0: What Changes Mean for Teachers, Studentsby5redherrings April 20, 2012 | 2:41 PMBy Sarah GonzalezDanna Contreras doesn’t like the new FCAT.The sophomore at Booker T. Washington High School in Miami emigrated from Columbia three years ago.She wears thick, pink-rimmed glasses and she squints a lot. She says the new computerized version is harder to take.“I think I am better with paper, not on the computer because ... more »
Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky
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Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky: Sunday links.byFred KlonskyJohn Dillon explains the meaning ofschadnfreude.“Glad it’s you and not me, pal.” If you are a retired Illinois teacher and think that Quinn’s pension plan keeps you and yours safe,think again.The New York Timesfinallydiscoversthe dirty deeds of ALEC.Why the US is destroying it education system. ”A nation that destroys its systems of education, degrades its public information, guts its public libraries and turns its airwaves into vehicles for cheap, mindless amusement becomes deaf, ... more »
Meanwhile, Rick Scott Vetoed Funding for a Grad School Which Actually Generates STEM Professionals | Scathing Purple Musings
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Meanwhile, Rick Scott Vetoed Funding for a Grad School Which Actually Generates STEM Professionals | Scathing Purple Musings: 'Meanwhile, Rick Scott Vetoed Funding for a Grad School Which Actually Generates STEM ProfessionalsbyBob SikesLost in all theoutcry of opponentsand the sanctimonious hyperventilation of supporters over the creation of Florida Polytech, was a story which received only local coverage. On Tuesday, Rick Scott vetoed funding which would have gone towardFAMU’s new pharmacy schoollocated in Crestview.A $1.5 million gubernatorial veto of funding for ... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 4-21 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform
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President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling | ED.gov BlogBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-4 minutes agoPresident Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling | ED.gov Blog: President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from DoublingbyCameron Brenchley“In America, higher education cannot be a luxury,” President Obama said in his weekly address. “It’s an economic imperative that every family must be able to afford.” At ... more »
Illinois Democrat’s plan to blow up the public school system. « Fred Klonsky
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Illinois Democrat’s plan to blow up the public school system. « Fred Klonsky: Illinois Democrat’s plan to blow up the public school system.byFred KlonskyIllinois is a blue state.We’re not talking about Walker’s Wisconsin or Kasich’s Ohio.We talking Democrats. Chicago’s Mayor Emanuel. Governor Quinn. Party Chairman and Speaker Madigan. Senate President Cullerton.Governor Pat Quinn’s pension proposal, which he claims he was “put on this earth” to create, will blow up the state’s public schools just as sure as I’m writing this.And ... more »
Wal-Mart: Quite The Model Corporate Citizen | Edwize
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Wal-Mart: Quite The Model Corporate Citizen | Edwize: Wal-Mart: Quite The Model Corporate CitizenbyLeo CaseyIn a major expose, theNew York Timeshas revealeda trail of corruption, bribery and cover-up at the highest levels of Wal-Mart, a leading corporate funder of anti-union and anti-public education projects and initiatives.Thelist of 2011 granteesof the Walton Family Foundation, the Wal-Mart’s corporate foundation, reads like a veritable who’s who of corporate education reform efforts. Among the more prominent beneficiaries of Wal-Mart money are:Michelle Rhee’s and Joel ... more »
COMMENT WOW: Charter schools a dividing issue in Sacramento County OR Thank You Gloria you Charter Queen
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Charter schools a dividing issue in Sacramento County education board races - Elections - The Sacramento Bee: In response to questions regarding the financial viability of Fortune (and Kevin Johnson's St. Hope), Greg Geeting sent me a 'study' of African American performance differentials in Sacramento and the state that had been the basis for the SCOE board's majority decision to fund Fortune, which wasn't a 'study' at all, but rather a mere fifteen or so page series of bars and ... more »
Action for the Week of April 22nd, 2012: Blast the Media with THIS STORY | United Opt Out National
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Action for the Week of April 22nd, 2012: Blast the Media with THIS STORY | United Opt Out National: Action for the Week of April 22nd, 2012: Blast the Media with THIS STORYHere at United Opt Out National we focus on opting out of corporate education reform. One way to “opt out” is to refuse the state test. By refusing to take the state test we deny them the data they need to profit and punish. This is no ordinary ... more »
CM Barron Blast’s Co-location Proposals at Council Hearing [Video] « New York City Parents Union
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CM Barron Blast’s Co-location Proposals at Council Hearing [Video] « New York City Parents Union: CM Barron Blast’s Co-location Proposals at Council Hearing [Video]The issue of co-locating charter and public schools in the same building is a contentious one, and at an education hearing discussing the topic yesterday afternoon, the first two Council Members to speak thoroughly attacked the proposals in their districts.“Co-location has been nothing but chaos,” East New York Councilman Charles Barron declared while criticizing the poor graduation ... more »
How Democrats Are Abandoning the Most Vulnerable in Our Public Schools | Scathing Purple Musings
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How Democrats Are Abandoning the Most Vulnerable in Our Public Schools | Scathing Purple Musings: How Democrats Are Abandoning the Most Vulnerable in Our Public SchoolsbyBob SikesOne wonders what lateSenatorTed Kennedywould make of the current school reform movement. The senate icon, who is widely seen as the father and champion of special education in the nation’s public schools, died in 2009 before folks like Michelle Rhee and the rich guys of Democrats for Education Reform took to the national stage. ... more »
Parents Across America members meet with USDE, saying: “Listen to parents, change your policy direction.” | Seattle Education
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Parents Across America members meet with USDE, saying: “Listen to parents, change your policy direction.” | Seattle Education: Parents Across America members meet with USDE, saying: “Listen to parents, change your policydirection.”Posted onApril 21, 2012byseattleducation2011|Leave a commentPress Release:WASHINGTON, D. C. – Several members ofParents Across America (PAA), a national network of activist parents, participated in a Parent Leaders meeting today hosted by the U. S. Department of Education’s Office of Communications and Outreach. Attending the USDE meeting were PAA members ... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Why do we Need a State Board of Education in Missouri?
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Missouri Education Watchdog: Why do we Need a State Board of Education in Missouri?: Why do we Need a State Board of Education in Missouri?bystlgretchenThe Teacher Evaluation System is Changing in Missouri according to KCEducation Enterprise.DESE and the State Board of Education is being led around the nose by the Federal Government again. Why do we need a State Board of Education or DESE when all the decisions are being made by the Department of Education? As practically all educational ... more »
ILLINOIS GOVERNOR REVEALS PENSION REFORM PLAN « Teachers Fight Back
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ILLINOIS GOVERNOR REVEALS PENSION REFORM PLAN « Teachers Fight Back: ILLINOIS GOVERNOR REVEALS PENSION REFORM PLANbyalkleenI won’t go into details about the “Reform Plan”, I’m sure you have heard and read about it in the news. Idoubt it will beacted uponby the legislature until afterthe November election. The legislators don’t have the intestinal fortitude to consider anything until the election is over.I do want to comment on the message that it sends to the teachers of Illinois. I believe the ... more »
Saturday coffee + Old school. « Fred Klonsky
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Saturday coffee. « Fred Klonsky: Saturday coffee.byFred KlonskyPopoutI was president of our local for ten years and I hated the last two months of the school year.That is when administrators made decisionsThat is never a good thing.Yesterday we got a memo from our Type 75 (who will not be back next year). She hasn’t done the required fireOld school.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGgafB0RmE8feature=related
Cory Booker on Newark creating 'village' for teachers: 'This is how we reinvent a great American city' - NorthJersey.com
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Cory Booker on Newark creating 'village' for teachers: 'This is how we reinvent a great American city' - NorthJersey.com: SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2012, 12:06 PMCory Booker on Newark creating 'village' for teachers: 'This is how we reinvent a great American city'ASSOCIATED PRESSTHE RECORDPAGES:12DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE|PRINT|E-MAILNEWARK — They are two of the most persistent challenges in trying to rebuild long-struggling cities like Newark: improving the schools and growing a middle class.Here, officials are hoping that a novel concept — reserving ... more »
President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling | ED.gov Blog
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President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling | ED.gov Blog: President Obama Calls on Congress to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from DoublingbyCameron Brenchley“In America, higher education cannot be a luxury,” President Obama said in his weekly address. “It’s an economic imperative that every family must be able to afford.” At a time when higher education has never been more important, the President is calling on Congress to prevent student loan interest rates from ... more »
This Week's Education Research Report 4-21
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Areas with relatively high levels of economic segregation exhibit the highest school test-score gaps between low-income students and other studentsJonathan KantrowitzatEducation Research Report-1 day agoฮฉ Housing Costs, Zoning, and Access to High-Scoring Schools: Metropolitan Profiles An analysis by The Brookings Institution of national and metropolitan data on public school populations and state standardized test scores for 84,077 schools in 2010 and 2011 reveals that: - Nationwide, the average low-income student attends a school that scores at the 42nd percentile on ... more »
Modern School: The Irrelevancy of DNA
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Modern School: The Irrelevancy of DNA: The Irrelevancy of DNAbyMichael DunnThis work has been released into thepublic domainby its author,brian0918.DNA has become an almost mythical molecule in the past 20 years. The Human Genome Project and the promises of personalized medicine and genetic testing companies like 23 and Me, give hope that we will find new treatments or cures for many tragic diseases, increase
While Rome Burned: Part (Darn, I’ve lost count) - Wait, What?
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While Rome Burned: Part (Darn, I’ve lost count) - Wait, What?: While Rome Burned: Part (Darn, I’ve lost count)byjonpelto So despite all the new laws and changes that came after John Rowland resigned, due in part for directing state contracts to certain people, Governor Malloy and Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor were able to run two no bid contracts through a quasi state-entity. Readers will remember that this is really the second and third time the Malloy has used the State ... more »
WEEKLY ADDRESS: Calling on Congress to Prevent Student Interest Rates from Doubling | The White House
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WEEKLY ADDRESS: Calling on Congress to Prevent Student Interest Rates from Doubling | The White House: WEEKLY ADDRESS: Calling on Congress to Prevent Student Interest Rates from DoublingbyThe White House WASHINGTON, DC—In this week’s address, President Obama called on Congress to act before student loan interest rates double for more than 7.4 million students, adding an average of $1000 to their debt. Having a college education has never been more important, but it’s also never been more expensive. While the ... more »
The Innovative Educator: The Hottest Posts That Everyone's Talking About!
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The Innovative Educator: The Hottest Posts That Everyone's Talking About!: The Hottest Posts That Everyone's Talking About!bynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)Here’s the roundup of what's been popular on The Innovative Educator blog this week. Below you’ll see the top weekly posts along with the number of pageviews. I hope there's something that looks of interest to you. If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired, share it with others and/or leave a comment.Not Letting Teachers “Friend” Kids Online...Apr 16, 2012, 4 ... more »
The Week's Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington Post
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The Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington Post: ‘Talking pineapple’ question on standardized test baffles studentsValerie StraussatThe Answer Sheet-3 hours agoA question about a “talking pineapple” on a standardized reading test given to eighth-grade students in New York has sparked something of an uproar among students and adults who say it doesn’t make any sense. And because of all the fuss, now the state’s education commissioner says the question won’t be ... more »
The Fruitcake and the Big Banana – a tale inspired by a pineapple « Opine I will
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The Fruitcake and the Big Banana – a tale inspired by a pineapple « Opine I will: The Fruitcake and the Big Banana – a tale inspired by apineappleThe Fruitcake and the Big Banana(A tale inspired by the Pineapple and the Hare)In recent times, politicians all across the country, thought they knew a way to get everyone to speak English just like them. One day a fruitcake, to appease those politicians, challenged all teachers in the country to a race ... more »
Big Education Ape BREAKING NEWS:
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Emails Are Not Enoughbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)There are times when an angry email is nowhere near sufficient. We have to start showing up at offices.Nevertheless, I'd like my representative to know that these are the questions on my mind when I finally manage to get her attention for 15 minutes.(Why these two short paragraphs are highlighted in white is a Blogger mystery. Thank you, Blogger, for highlighting these paragraphs in white and making it immutable.)Experience CountsbyDavid B. CohenAmong the more bizarre ... more »
Reports raise concerns about stability of principal corps in Philly schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
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Reports raise concerns about stability of principal corps in Philly schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Reports raise concerns about stability of principal corps in Philly schoolsbySamantha Byleson Apr 20 2012 Posted inLatest newsCOMMENTS (0)PRINTEMAILWith the Districtrethinking the role of autonomy in curriculum, ACTION United and Education Voters of Pennsylvania released separate reports this week on principal turnover and principal leadership.ACTION United’s report“Revolving Doors: Findings from Philadelphia’s Highest-Poverty Schools” is the first in a series of reports... more »
