Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top 4-6 AM Posts #soschat #edreform

Geaux Teacher!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 2 hours ago

Geaux Teacher!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!bynoreply@blogger.com (Lee Barrios, M.Ed., NBCT)I join the thousands of teachers statewide who are very disappointed that due to factors beyond our control we were unable to join the rally on the Capitol steps yesterday. I propose that we "rally" via a letter writing campaign that will afford each and every one of us the opportunity for a strong personal voice in this one-way conversation with legislators. There seems to be not ... more »

State Regulators Let Vocational Schools Operate without Approvals - The Bay Citizen

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 2 hours ago

State Regulators Let Vocational Schools Operate without Approvals - The Bay Citizen: State Regulators Let Vocational Schools Operate without ApprovalsLack of proper oversight leaves students with few protectionsTEXT SIZEAAAByJENNIFER GOLLANonApril 5, 2012 - 6:21 p.m. PDTstart discussionSarah Rice for The Bay CitizenStudents arrive at Prime Career College in Vallejo Tuesday morning, which offers vocational nursing degrees and other programs. Prime is one of 137 schools statewide whose state approvals have lapsedJob prospects for thousands of California students are being threatened ... more »

School Tech Connect: Reductions Are Actually Increases

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 2 hours ago

School Tech Connect: Reductions Are Actually Increases: Reductions Are Actually Increasesbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)I noticed that the IFT and IPACE-endorsed Elaine Nekritz and Lou Lang are the sponsorsof the pension test billthat Glen is talking about.I don't think the endorsements were wrong, by the way. You can't be responsible for everything your friends do.To be honest, I'd never even heard of this pension system. Now I regret not researching the Water Reclamation candidates. Who knows what kind of wingnuts I may ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 4-5 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 2 hours ago

Schools Matter: Krash Course #5: Reform We NeedBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-5 minutes agoSchools Matter: Krash Course #5: Reform We Need: Krash Course #5: Reform We NeedbyP. L. ThomasEach time I publish or post a critique of the education reform insanity coming from the Corporate Reformers, I receive badgering responses asking what I would do instead. So here is a list of Reform We Need:• Secretary of Education Arne Duncan needs to resign, and apologize for his inexpert ... more »

The Weinstein Co. scores PG-13 rating for 'Bully' - Boston.com

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 2 hours ago

The Weinstein Co. scores PG-13 rating for 'Bully' - Boston.com: The Weinstein Co. scores PG-13 rating for 'Bully'By Derrik J. LangAP Entertainment Writer/April 5, 2012E-mail|Print|Comments (0)Text size–+00ShareThisNewLOS ANGELES—The Weinstein Co. said Thursday an edited version of the film "Bully" will be released across the U.S. on April 13 with a PG-13 rating.The Motion Picture Association of America initially gave the film an R rating for language, meaning kids under 17 were restricted from seeing it without an accompanying adult.The MPAA ... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Teacher Evaluation Forum on April 17

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 2 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: Teacher Evaluation Forum on April 17: Teacher Evaluation Forum on April 17byLeonie HaimsonTeacher Evaluation Nightmare !a forum on testing,teacher evaluations and our schoolsTuesday, April 17 at 5:30 PMMurry Bergtraum High School Auditorium411 Pearl Street, Manhattan(Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Station 4,5,6 -Fulton Street Station 2,3 - ChambersStreet Station J)Come to a Meeting to Discuss:Why are the new teacher evaluations badfor teachers, students, and families?How can we organize to change them?Speakers:Carol Burris:L.I.Principal,one of the co-authorsof ... more »

‘Fed up’ teachers at 150 schools support strike: union chief - Chicago Sun-Times

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 2 hours ago

‘Fed up’ teachers at 150 schools support strike: union chief - Chicago Sun-Times: ‘Fed up’ teachers at 150 schools support strike: union chief“Fed up“ with being scapegoated, Chicago public school teachers in 150 schools have voted overwhelmingly in mock ballots to support a strike should ongoing contract negotiations fail, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis revealed Thursday.Chicago Public School officials and Mayor Rahm Emanuel have created such a “hostile” climate that teacher leaders in 150 schools polled CTU members about ... more »

Readout from the President’s Film Screening of To Kill A Mockingbird at the White House | The White House

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

Readout from the President’s Film Screening of To Kill A Mockingbird at the White House | The White House: Readout from the President’s Film Screening of To Kill A Mockingbird at the White HouseThis evening, the President hosted a film screening of To Kill a Mockingbird in the Family Theater at The White House to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The President welcomed guests including local students from Washington-Lee High School, Mary Badham Wilt, the actress who played Scout, and Veronique ... more »

Mulgrew challenges DOE to increase school budgets New York Teacher | Edwize

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

New York Teacher | Edwize: New York TeacherbyW.J. LevayMulgrew challenges DOE to increase school budgetsWith new money coming from the state and an improving city revenue picture, the Department of Education must finally start rebuilding ravaged school budgets, UFT President Michael Mulgrew told the City Council on March 27. Class sizes should go down and after-school and enrichment programs must be restored, he said.Here’s the pitchCity schools finish in the money at annual Virtual Enterprise competitionWould-be entrepreneurs need to pitch ... more »

Engaging Parents In School… - What An Awful & Misleading Video About Our Schools

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

Engaging Parents In School… - What An Awful Misleading Video About Our Schools: What An Awful Misleading Video About Our SchoolsbyLarry FerlazzoMichele Molnar over at Education Weekhas just postedabout a new campaign for school choice begun by the ultra-conservativeAmerican Federation For Children. The campaign is calledParents Know Best, and is immediately joiningThe Worst Parent Engagement Ideaslist.They’re kicking-off their campaign with an incredibly misleading video, with statements taken completely out of context, that I have embedded below:PopoutThe quote from Bob Chanin, ...more »

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Strike support spreads to 150 schools. « Fred Klonsky

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Strike support spreads to 150 schools. « Fred Klonsky: Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Strike support spreads to 150 schools.byFred KlonskyNegotiating a teacher union contract in this town ain’t mumbly peg, to paraphrase the late Harold Washington.If Rahm thought he was going to roll over Chicago teachers, he must have the City confused with his more effete hometown of Wilmette.Votes of strike support have spread from two high schools at the beginning of the week to 150 ... more »

Modern School: Gay Student Punished For Supporting Gay Marriage

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

Modern School: Gay Student Punished For Supporting Gay Marriage: Gay Student Punished For Supporting Gay MarriagebyMichael DunnGay Marriage Legalized in DC; Oral Roberts Drops Dead(Mike Licht,NotionsCapital.com)A student at Fullerton Union High School, near Los Angeles, who was taking part in their “Mr. Fullerton” competition, was asked by the judges what he hoped for in the future. When he replied that he hoped to find a partner and get married if gay marriage were legal, his assistant principal pulled him off ... more »

NBC’s Education Nation dog and pony show hits the road next week – why not join them? « Parents Across America

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

NBC’s Education Nation dog and pony show hits the road next week – why not join them? « Parents Across America: NBC’s Education Nation dog and pony show hits the road next week – why not join them?bypureparentsFrom NBC’s publicist:EDUCATION NATION ON-THE-ROAD COMES TO DENVERNBC News brings an education “power week” to Denver starting April 12th with a series of education-focused events and programmingNEW YORK, NY— April 5, 2012— In an effort to continue the national conversation sparked with its ... more »

Vets group suspends campus chapters at for-profits - Boston.com

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Vets group suspends campus chapters at for-profits - Boston.com: Vets group suspends campus chapters at for-profitsBy Justin PopeAP Education Writer/April 5, 2012E-mail|Print|Comments (0)Text size–+00ShareThisNewA leading student veterans group is suspending chapters at 40 for-profit colleges, saying it's concerned they've been set up by the colleges as shell organizations to help them appeal to veteran students who carry lucrative government tuition benefits.The schools may be creating what are essentially fake SVA chapters to help them qualify for lists of "military friendly" ... more »

Why Michelle Rhee's Education 'Brand' Failed in D.C. - Natalie Hopkinson - Politics - The Atlantic

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

Why Michelle Rhee's Education 'Brand' Failed in D.C. - Natalie Hopkinson - Politics - The Atlantic: Why Michelle Rhee's Education 'Brand' Failed in D.C.SEP 15 2010, 12:16 PM ET113The urban education reform movement just got a much-needed reality check as D.C. Democratic primary voters fired Mayor Adrian Fenty, and effectively along with him one of the movement's biggestsuperstars, District schools chief Michelle Rhee. Chancellor Rhee was as akey, polarizing figure in Fenty's reelection campaign, which ended when he was defeated ... more »

RheeFirst! » Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s DC record: highest per pupil spending ever but poorest student achievement gains among all cities tested

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

RheeFirst! » Rhee’s DC record: highest per pupil spending ever but poorest student achievement gains among all cities tested: Rhee’s DC record: highest per pupil spending ever but poorest student achievement gains among all cities testedbyadminUnder her watch, Rhee resorted to smoke and mirrors toclaim budgetary constraints. Attorney Mary Levy, fiscal analyst of education budgets and frequent expert witness in DC Council hearings, sent thefollowing fiscal table showing DCPS 07-11 funding and spending.Levy writes: “Per student spending from all funding ... more »

Schools Matter: Krash Course #5: Reform We Need

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 12 hours ago

Schools Matter: Krash Course #5: Reform We Need: Krash Course #5: Reform We NeedbyP. L. ThomasEach time I publish or post a critique of the education reform insanity coming from the Corporate Reformers, I receive badgering responses asking what I would do instead. So here is a list of Reform We Need:• Secretary of Education Arne Duncan needs to resign, and apologize for his inexpert leadership and harm done to public education.• Federal and state policies must address the lives ... more »

My Island View Pizza, Wine, and Vasectomies

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 12 hours ago

My Island View: Pizza, Wine, and VasectomiesbytomwhitbyWhat is not to love about a zone of comfort; it is a comfy cocoon. It is a pleasurable place that is safe, sound, and satisfying. It is a place where alliterative adjectives may abound with abandon. Comfort zones are safe havens where residents of those zones need not do anything that would in any way slow the flow of comfort. Comfort zones exist in our personal lives as well as our professional lives.My ... more »

Elizabeth Catlett. The power of the image. « Fred Klonsky

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 12 hours ago

Elizabeth Catlett. The power of the image. « Fred Klonsky: Elizabeth Catlett. The power of the image.byFred KlonskyAs a kid in the 50s and 60s, I could walk into any home of my parents’ friends, politically progressive and more often than not Jewish, and see two framed prints on their walls. Of course, my parents had them as well.One was by the African-American artist, Charles White. The other was by the African-American artist Elizabeth Catlett.White’s was a lithograph of a ... more »

For they are not doing what they can’t yet do « Cooperative Catalyst

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For they are not doing what they can’t yet do « Cooperative Catalyst: For they are not doing what they can’t yet dobyChad SansingDon't read on me by cIn mulling overthe school to prison pipelineandthe cosmetic differences between grouping and tracking, I’ve found myself asking the same questions over and over again:Is there a link between early-childhood placement in a reading remediation program or scripted learning environment and eventual incarceration? (Don’t click if you hate Elseiver.) Even if there is ... more »

A last, desperate plea for Iowa legislators to not retain 3rd graders | Dangerously Irrelevant

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 12 hours ago

A last, desperate plea for Iowa legislators to not retain 3rd graders | Dangerously Irrelevant: A last, desperate plea for Iowa legislators to not retain 3rd gradersbydr.scott.mcleod@gmail.com (Scott McLeod)Dear Iowa legislators,I am pleading with you to not pass an education reform law that includes retention of 3rd graders.4+ decades of unanimous peer-reviewed research studies show that retention of elementary students results in short-term academic gains thatdisappear completelyin later school years. What you get for that now-you-see-it, now-you-don't test score bump ... more »

Opting out of the testing madness, why and how | Seattle Education

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Opting out of the testing madness, why and how | Seattle Education: Opting out of the testing madness, why and howbyseattleducation2011For the “why” of opting out of the testing madness that has taken hold of our school districts, a great article to start with isTesting Our Limitsby Melissa Bollow Tempel in the latest issue of Rethinking Schools. To follow is an excerpt:I walked away from the rest of my class and over to the three computers in the corner of ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Creative Approach Schools

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 12 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Creative Approach Schools: Creative Approach SchoolsbyCharlie MasThere was a meeting Tuesday afternoon to answer questions about Creative Approach Schools. The meeting, led by Phil Brockman, Executive Director of Schools for the Northeast Region, went through the timeline, process, and rules for Creative Approach Schools.It was a second meeting, following an introductory meeting for principals. This meeting was for principals to return with their school teams to learn more. A number of schools were well represented, including ... more »

The in box. Richard Ingram must go. « Fred Klonsky

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The in box. Richard Ingram must go. « Fred Klonsky: The in box. Richard Ingram must go.byFred KlonskyAs retired teachers, we urge you to fire Mr. Ingram immediately. As executive director, Mr. Ingram’s duty is not only to protect the interests of TRS and its members, but also to defend the Illinois Constitution. Some think it is only the job of the Supreme Court to defend the Constitution. They are wrong. It is also the obligation of the governor, the ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Living Large at the NJ DOE

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 12 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: Living Large at the NJ DOE: Living Large at the NJ DOEbyDukeChris Christie tells us over and over,“We cannot spend money we don’t have.” Well, apparently, New Jersey can somehow find money to pay education consultants big bucks.Last week,ACTING Commissioner Chris Cerfof the NJ DOE had to explain to the legislature how the state could afford some hefty consulting fees:In documents provided to the OLS in its budget review, the department disclosed consultants on the Cerf’s school funding ... more »

Louisiana Educator: Governor's Education "Deform" Passes Senate

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Louisiana Educator: Governor's Education "Deform" Passes Senate: Governor's Education "Deform" Passes SenatebyMichael DeshotelsClick on this link to read the Times Picayune articleabout HB 974.HB 974 passed the Louisiana Senate Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 23-16. I will report the names of the Senators voting for and against the bill in my next post. The bill must now go back to the House floor for a vote because several amendments were added on the Senate floor. If the House approves ... more »