Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top 4-4 AM Posts #soschat #edreform

Teacher-Prep Rulemaking: Is Consensus in Jeopardy? - Teacher Beat - Education Week

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Teacher-Prep Rulemaking: Is Consensus in Jeopardy? - Teacher Beat - Education Week: Teacher-Prep Rulemaking: Is Consensus in Jeopardy?byStephen SawchukThe panelists charged with rewriting federal teacher-preparation rules faced a grueling day today during which major tension points emerged with little resolution, all of which served to call into question whether they will be able to reach consensus by Thursday.You don't have to take my word for it: During some of the breaks, I spoke to a handful of negotiators—they all, reasonably, ... more »

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. A problem with democracy. « Fred Klonsky

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Life in Rahm’s Chicago. A problem with democracy. « Fred Klonsky: Life in Rahm’s Chicago. A problem with democracy.byFred KlonskyFromRolling Stone:What Rahm seems to be doing is building a new machine for our age of union busting and austerity. His budget, which the City Council passed 50 to 0 like it was some Soviet Party Congress (maybe it had something to do with the hundreds of thousands Goldner’s PAC had to spend), killed six community mental health clinics, saving $2.3 ... more »

The Dreamer, The Believer [The Race Man Cometh] | The Jose Vilson

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The Dreamer, The Believer [The Race Man Cometh] | The Jose Vilson: The Dreamer, The Believer [The Race Man Cometh]byJoseThis is what I getfor reading comments on CNN blogs. Or anywhere else but my blog anyways.The trolls spew racism all over a post that’s simply meant to help progress the conversation about race, not get us stuck in the same epitaphs of indifference and conservatism. For once, I’d like to see people who normally settle upon their asses when it ...more »

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee: New Missouri charter-school law would improve profitability tability

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New Missouri charter-school law would improve accountability - KansasCity.com: New Missouri charter-school law would improve accountabilityBY MICHELLE RHEESpecial to The StarMichelle Rhee is the founder and CEO of StudentsFirst, a bipartisan grassroots movement that is working to improve the nation’s schools. She previously served as chancellor of Washington D.C., schools and before that founded the New Teacher Project, which helps districts recruit effective teachers to challenging schools. She splits her time between Sacramento, Calif., and Nashville, Tenn.More NewsNew Missouri ch... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Hearings and my testimony on the DOE's woefully inadequate preliminary capital budget

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NYC Public School Parents: Hearings and my testimony on the DOE's woefully inadequate preliminary capital budget: Hearings and my testimony on the DOE's woefully inadequate preliminary capital budgetbyLeonie HaimsonThe NY City Council Education Committee held hearings on the Mayor’s Fiscal 2013 Preliminary Capital Budgeton March 26, 2012 at 250 Broadway. Education Chair Robert Jackson called the meeting to order at 10 am andread opening testimony, focused on how there are only 38,000 seats in the plan, though the DOE admits ... more »

RHEE-Divided Two D.C. school reform events, competing visions - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post

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Two D.C. school reform events, competing visions - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post: Two D.C. school reform events, competing visionsbyBill TurqueThe two education gatherings last Thursday evening were only two miles apart on the map. But in the philosophy and agendas, the expanse separating them is vast.In the spare, concrete-and glass chapel at Metropolitan Community Church in Shaw, about 100 community activists met to discuss the future of D.C. public education in a symposium called a “A Fork ... more »

Hechinger Report | Q&A with Steve Barr: Lessons from charter schools in L.A. and New Orleans

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Hechinger Report | QA with Steve Barr: Lessons from charter schools in L.A. and New Orleans: QA with Steve Barr: Lessons from charter schools in L.A. and New OrleansbySarah CarrSteve Barr has often found himself in the minority as a charter school founder who supports teacher unionization, albeit of a transformed nature. About 12 percent of charter schools nationally employ unionized teachers, according torecent datafrom the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.Barr is probably best known for the 2008 takeover ... more »

Ready for Inspection! The Problem with “Quality Reviews” | Mr. D's Neighborhood

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Ready for Inspection! The Problem with “Quality Reviews” | Mr. D's Neighborhood: Ready for Inspection! The Problem with “Quality Reviews”byldorazio1“No matter how nitpicky, how fastidious a reviewer can be, he (she)’ll never, ever come close to what you actually do in yourclassroom.”Some time ago, an acquaintance I knew from the Department of Education, a science specialist, told me this when I was complaining about State Quality Reviews (SQRs).As true as this is (and he should know—he actually does SQRs for ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 4-3 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform

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Chris Norby: Too many kids stuck with label of English Language Learner | english, language, ell - Opinion - The Orange County RegisterBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-8 minutes agoChris Norby: Too many kids stuck with label of English Language Learner | english, language, ell - Opinion - The Orange County Register: By CHRIS NORBY/ Republican Assemblyman representing FullertonCalifornia kindergartners are being routinely designated as "Limited English" and placed into costly and ineffective programs for years before they're able ... more »

THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: The Ben Chavis / American Indian Public Charter School saga continues

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THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: The Ben Chavis / American Indian Public Charter School saga continues: The Ben Chavis / American Indian Public Charter School saga continuesbyThe Perimeter PrimateBen Chavis’s crooked charter school reign is finally being exposed. A preliminaryinvestigationinto his management has found evidence of fraud and multiple violations of state laws. As a result, the Oakland Unified Office of Charter Schools is recommending a denial for the renewal of one of Chavis’s three Oakland American Indian Model design charter schools. ... more »

Will Oakland’s top-scoring school be closed? - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

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Will Oakland’s top-scoring school be closed? - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: Will Oakland’s top-scoring school be closed?Monday, April 2nd, 2012 at 7:19 pm incharter schools8 Comments »During a 6 p.m. special meeting Wednesday night, the Oakland school board considers the fate of American Indian Public Charter School II, a middle school in downtown Oakland with anear-perfect Academic Performance Indexof 990.American Indian Public Charter School II, one of three schools run byAmerican Indian Model Schools, ... more »

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » New Illinois accountability system: 1/2 star (Not Recommended)

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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » New Illinois accountability system: 1/2 star (Not Recommended): New Illinois accountability system: 1/2 star (Not Recommended)byadminPhoto by Sarah-Ji FotografaThe Tribune’s Diane Rado writesa very disturbing storythis morning about the Illinois State Board of Education’s proposed new state standardized tests and rating system for schools.She’s looked at the state’s90 page waiver requestand the500-plus page attachmentto the US Department of Education which asks for permission for Illinois to opt out of No Child ... more »

FairTest | The National Center for Fair and Open Testing

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FairTest | The National Center for Fair and Open Testing: K-12 Testingk-12FairTest's work on K-12 testing issues centers on four broad concerns:standardized tests, especially norm-referenced multiple choice tests, are harmfulto children and to education;basinghigh-stakes decisions on standardized tests (high school graduation, advancement, etc.) is bad educational practicewhilebasing decisions about teachers and schools on test results damages eduationauthentic assessment, such as performance assessment and portfolios, must be implemented at all levels, from individual classrooms to... more »

Opting out of the MAP test and a MAP opt out letter template just in time for Spring testing | Seattle Education

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Opting out of the MAP test and a MAP opt out letter template just in time for Spring testing | Seattle Education: Opting out of the MAP test and a MAP opt out letter template just in time for Spring testingbyseattleducation2011FromEvaluation system will compound problemsby Wendy Lecker in Connecticut, to follow is an excerpt:Amid all the talk of the proposed teacher evaluation system, one major effect is not being discussed — the exponential increase in standardized tests that these evaluationsdemand.The ... more »

Why Scott Walker Is Avoiding Mitt Romney « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

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Why Scott Walker Is Avoiding Mitt Romney « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Why Scott Walker Is Avoiding Mitt RomneybymillerlfJohn NicholsThe Nation April 2, 2012When Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker toured the state on the eve of Tuesday’s Republican presidential primary, he visited many of the same cities and regionswhere Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum were campaigning.But Walker scrupulously avoided visiting those communities at the same time as the candidates.There’s a reason for the embattled governor’s avoidance of the Republicans ... more »

Announcing the New StopBullying.gov | ED.gov Blog

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Announcing the New StopBullying.gov | ED.gov Blog: Announcing the New StopBullying.govPosted onApril 3, 2012byCameron BrenchleyEducation Secretary Arne Duncan and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently unveiled the revitalized Stop Bullying websitewww.stopbullying.gov.The site encourages children, parents, educators, and communities to take action to stop and prevent bullying, and providesa map with detailed information on state laws and policies, interactive webisodes and videos for young people, practical strategies for schools and communities to ensu... more »

On Bullying, Teen Suicide, and the Rush to Ascribe Blame (Often to Schools) - Dana Goldstein

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On Bullying, Teen Suicide, and the Rush to Ascribe Blame (Often to Schools) - Dana Goldstein: On Bullying, Teen Suicide, and the Rush to Ascribe Blame (Often to Schools)byDana GoldsteinOne of my first assignments as a college student journalist for theBrown Daily Heraldwas covering the suicide of a sophomore, who killed herself while home for October break. I remember feeling sick to my stomach as I walked to the girl's dormitory to interview her shocked, grieving friends. About 10 of ... more »

Stephen Krashen Pulls the Rug Out From Under the Standards Movement - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

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Stephen Krashen Pulls the Rug Out From Under the Standards Movement - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Stephen Krashen Pulls the Rug Out From Under the Standards MovementbyAnthony CodySome Comments on Paul Farhi's "Flunking the Test"Guest post by Stephen Krashen.In"Flunking the Test,"Paul Farhi concludes that the media has seriously under-reported the successes of American education and have taken the pronouncements of self-proclaimed "reformers" at face-value. Farhi backs up his argument with real data: American students' performance on international ... more »

Chris Norby: Too many kids stuck with label of English Language Learner | english, language, ell - Opinion - The Orange County Register

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Chris Norby: Too many kids stuck with label of English Language Learner | english, language, ell - Opinion - The Orange County Register: By CHRIS NORBY/ Republican Assemblyman representing FullertonCalifornia kindergartners are being routinely designated as "Limited English" and placed into costly and ineffective programs for years before they're able to get out. Classified as English Language Learners, such kids are regularly pulled from class and extensively tested for nonexistent deficiencies.Contrary to popular stereotypes, the vast majority of these students ... more »

Computer Science Transitions From Elective to Requirement - US News and World Report

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Computer Science Transitions From Elective to Requirement - US News and World Report: Computer Science Transitions From Elective to RequirementThe digital age is here to stay, so some colleges are updating mandatory general education courses.ByKELSEY SHEEHYApril 3, 2012RSS FeedPrintCommentTweetinShareRelated Articles10 Most Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State StudentsU.S. News Ranks Top Online Degree ProgramsTech Trumps Football at South Texas High SchoolSome say digital literacy should be required for undergraduates. iSTOCKPHOTOEarning acollege degreeoften involves completing... more »

Presidential Proclamation -- Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2012 | The White House

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Presidential Proclamation -- Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2012 | The White House: Presidential Proclamation -- Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., 2012byThe White HouseRelease Time:For Immediate ReleaseEDUCATION AND SHARING DAY, U.S.A., 2012 - - - - - - -BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATIONFor centuries, the pursuit of knowledge and the cultivation of character have driven American progress and enriched our national life. On Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., we renew our commitment to these timeless ... more »

ED Releases New Report on Arts Education in U.S. Public Schools | ED.gov Blog

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ED Releases New Report on Arts Education in U.S. Public Schools | ED.gov Blog: ED Releases New Report on Arts Education in U.S. Public SchoolsPosted onApril 3, 2012byCameron Brenchley On Monday, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education,released the findingsof the first nationwide arts survey in a decade that comprehensively documents the state of arts education in U.S. public schools.At the announcement, Secretary Arne Duncan pointed to the importance of the report because ... more »

Louisiana Educator: Capitol Rally April 4

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Louisiana Educator: Capitol Rally April 4: Capitol Rally April 4byMichael DeshotelsEducators, concerned parents and school board members should make every effort to attend the rally on the capitol steps this Wednesdaymorning starting at 9:00 a.m.If you care about the education profession and the future of public schools please attend so your protest can beseenby the legislature and the public!In case you had any doubt . ..HB 974basically does away with due processfor all educators, even those that are rated "highly ... more »

Twilight is to College Bound Kids What Twinkies are to Marathoners « PWC Education Reform Blog

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Twilight is to College Bound Kids What Twinkies are to Marathoners « PWC Education Reform Blog: Twilight is to College Bound Kids What Twinkies are toMarathonersApril 3, 2012 — pwceducationreform“Preparing them for a college education with “Twilight” is like preparing a marathoner with Twinkies.”This line is from Alexander Nazaryan in her article,“Against Captain Underpants: How we are raising a generation of illiterates”,published in theNY Daily News. It comes just days after an op-ed by Dr Sandra Stotsky inBloombergstating that“New Reading ... more »

Schools Matter: KIPP Presentation at Occupy the DOE: Stop the KIPP-nosis

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Schools Matter: KIPP Presentation at Occupy the DOE: Stop the KIPP-nosis: KIPP Presentation at Occupy the DOE: Stop the KIPP-nosisbyJim HornDuring the past weekend (March 30-April 2), a feisty and determined group of teachers, scholars, parents, grandparents, and students met to organize and teach one another about how all this high stakes testing is not good for kids. Califather was there to capture the entire 4 day event on live video, which is now archived atLivestream.com. I will be be ... more »

Baseless Reformy Thoughts from Connecticut (& How this year’s reforms improved decades of past performance!?) « School Finance 101

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Baseless Reformy Thoughts from Connecticut ( How this year’s reforms improved decades of past performance!?) « School Finance 101: Baseless Reformy Thoughts from Connecticut ( How this year’s reforms improved decades of past performance!?)byschoolfinance101This utterly absurd post appeared yesterday on the CT Ed Reform blog:http://ctedreform.org/blog/2012/04/poverty-is-not-to-blame-ct%E2%80%99s-low-income-students-rank-48th-in-the-nation-while-ma%E2%80%99s-rank-2nd/Essentially, the argument goes:CT’s achievement gap is worse than achievement gaps in states like Massachusetts and New ... more »

This is why we don’t want charter schools: Lousiana proposed bill allows discrimination | Seattle Education

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This is why we don’t want charter schools: Lousiana proposed bill allows discrimination | Seattle Education: This is why we don’t want charter schools: Lousiana proposed bill allows discriminationbyseattleducation2011Our state budget has not been resolved and the governor has called for our legislators to return to Olympia tomorrow to come to an agreement on the budget. This issue of charter schools might return withRodney Tomin the lead holding the state budget hostage unless he gets his way and the budget ... more »

STEMing the minority gap | Thoughts on Public Education

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STEMing the minority gap | Thoughts on Public Education: STEMing the minority gapShareCollege pipeline narrows for critical majorsPosted on 4/03/12 • Categorized asAchievement Gap,STEMByJohn Fensterwald - Educated GuessThe gap starts early in elementary school, widens in middle school, and continues, through filters and barriers, on a trajectory of low achievement and missed opportunities. By the end of college, the number of Latinos andAfrican Americanswho graduate with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math is a trickle: an estimated 1,688 from ... more »

State Superintendent calls for 'immediate freeze' on raises for CSU executives | 89.3 KPCC

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State Superintendent calls for 'immediate freeze' on raises for CSU executives | 89.3 KPCC: State Superintendent calls for 'immediate freeze' on raises for CSU executivesIn astrongly-worded letterto the California State University Board of Trustees today, the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, derided recent pay raises for two incoming campus presidents and called for a freeze on executive compensation when hiring for five other open campus president positions.Last month, the CSU Board of Trustees approved the maximum allowable pay ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Meet the Alliance for Education, Seattle's Shadow School Board

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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Meet the Alliance for Education, Seattle's Shadow School Board: Meet the Alliance for Education, Seattle's Shadow School BoardbyMelissa WestbrookOr it seems like they want to be.In the latest batch of public disclosure documents, it appears that Director DeBell did not, as he claims, sit around by himself during the holiday break in December writing up Policy 1620. He has said that Erinn Bennett, Board Office manager, and Holly Ferguson, SPS Governance, helped him shape it.But he ... more »

Public Education Communication Breakdown | Re:education in Baltimore

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Public Education Communication Breakdown | Re:education in Baltimore: Public Education CommunicationBreakdownI just came across a section of a piece on education reporting —“Flunking the Test”by Paul Farhiin the February/March issue of American Journalism Review— that I find myself wishing the communications officials at Baltimore City Public Schools would read:…veteran education reporters say they face a simple yet profound barrier to doing their job: It’s hard to get inside a classroom these days. They say administrators are wary about putting potential ... more »