Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Mid Day Posts 4-3-12 #edreform #soschat

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

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 35 minutes ago

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

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 35 minutes ago

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

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 35 minutes ago

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

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 35 minutes ago

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

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 35 minutes ago

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 »

Misconceptions and Realities about Teacher and Principal Evaluation - ParentAdvocates.org

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 35 minutes ago

Parent Advocates - ParentAdvocates.org: Misconceptions and Realities about Teacher and Principal EvaluationAn open letter of concern to Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emanuel from Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education (CReATE)Press Conference - Remarks by Kevin Kumashiro, Isabel Nuñez, David Stovall, Therese Quinn, Erica Meiners and Julie WoestehoffLINKMarch 26, 2012Misconceptions and Realities about Teacher and Principal EvaluationAn Open Letter of Concernto Mayor Rahm Emanuel,Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard,and the Chicago School BoardRegarding Ch...more »

Common Core: Nobody said it was going to be easy - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 35 minutes ago

Common Core: Nobody said it was going to be easy - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Common Core: Nobody said it was going to be easyValerie StraussatThe Answer Sheet-1 hour agoI recently ran a post by a teacher, Jeremiah Chaffee, about one maddening experience he had working with a lesson connected to the Common Core State Standards. You can read his report here. Stephanie Day, director of teaching and learning at the Friendship Public Charter School in Washington ... more »

Pension Call Tuesday. « Fred Klonsky

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 35 minutes ago

Pension Call Tuesday. « Fred Klonsky: Pension Call Tuesday.byFred KlonskyThe seats are starting to fill up on the PREA bus to Springfield on May 2nd. Our schedule is to meet with Park Ridge Senator Dan Kotowski. Those of us who live in other legislative districts will also fan out to meet with their home legislators. Then we will picnic on the IEA headquarter’s lawn.IEA Vice-president Kathi Griffith has been very helpful in making arrangements.This week’s reported comments by TRS Executive ... more »

Engaging Parents In School… - “Lack Of Responsibility In Parent Trigger Laws”

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Engaging Parents In School… - “Lack Of Responsibility In Parent Trigger Laws”: A Bright Future for Family and Community Engagement?”Larry FerlazzoatEngaging Parents In School...-6 hours agoA Bright Future for Family and Community Engagement? is a good post from Learning First. It’s a report on a Webinar I’ve previously posted about….“Lack Of Responsibility In Parent Trigger Laws”Larry FerlazzoatEngaging Parents In School...-8 hours agoPaul Bruno has written a thoughtful piece over at This Week In Education titled Lack of Responsibility In Parent ... more »

LAUSD: TEACHING DOWN INSTEAD OF RAISING THE BAR (LAUSD: ENSEÑANZA hacia abajo en vez de subir el listón) - Perdaily.com

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 11 hours ago

LAUSD: TEACHING DOWN INSTEAD OF RAISING THE BAR (LAUSD: ENSEÑANZA hacia abajo en vez de subir el listón) - Perdaily.com: LAUSD: TEACHING DOWN INSTEAD OF RAISING THE BAR (LAUSD: ENSEÑANZA hacia abajo en vez de subir el listón)byLeonard Isenberg(Mensaje se repite en Español)On average it is an undisputed fact that African American and Latino students at LAUSD fail to achieve to their potential. Taking cognizance of this reality should not get one labeled as a racist, but it does, since ... more »

The in box. Who does TRS Executive Director Dick Ingram speak for? « Fred Klonsky

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 11 hours ago

The in box. Who does TRS Executive Director Dick Ingram speak for? « Fred Klonsky: The in box. Who does TRS Executive Director Dick Ingram speak for?byFred KlonskyRichard IngramThe story that you see below appeared in the Springfield State Journal-Register this morning. When the executive director of an public body speaks, especially on a substantive issue, it is a logical assumption that he is speaking not just for himself but for the board that he represents. Director Ingram’s remarks having ... more »

Broadie Class of 2011 Dallas ISD board names Mike Miles lone superintendent finalist | Dallas ISD Blog | dallasnews.com

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 11 hours ago

Dallas ISD board names Mike Miles lone superintendent finalist | Dallas ISD Blog | dallasnews.com: MIKE MILESThe Broad Superintendents Academy Class of 2011SuperintendentHarrison School District, Colorado“Educating at-risk students is the most important work of our time. Public education needs more than incremental reform; it needs a transformation. As a life-long public servant, I hope to continue to provide the vision, leadership, and tough decision making required to transform our school systems.”Mike Miles currently serves as superintendent of the Harrison School ... more »

Educator Excellence Task Force - Initiatives & Programs (CA Dept of Education)

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Educator Excellence Task Force - Initiatives Programs (CA Dept of Education): Educator Excellence Task ForceState Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has appointed an Educator Excellence Task Force to focus on the Educator Quality element of A Blueprint for Great Schools. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has appointed an Educator Excellence Task Force to focus on the Educator Quality element of the Blueprint for Great Schools (released in August 2011) and designed to strengthen California’s teacher corps.The task ... more »

Support PURE! » What’s next? Evaluating pediatricians based on patient “growth”?

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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » What’s next? Evaluating pediatricians based on patient “growth”?: What’s next? Evaluating pediatricians based on patient “growth”?byadminJudging pediatricians on the changes in the height and weight of their young patients as measured at their annual physicals from one year to the next makes just as much sense as using student “growth” on annual standardized reading and math tests to evaluate teachers.But that’s just what the Chicago Public Schoolswill be doingbeginning this fall, ... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Arne Duncan's Education Reform = Doublespeak Nonsense

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Missouri Education Watchdog: Arne Duncan's Education Reform = Doublespeak Nonsense: Arne Duncan's Education Reform = Doublespeak NonsensebystlgretchenFollowing yesterday's April Fool's posting comes a tongue in cheek, yet serious post on the education reforms set forth by Arne Duncan and the DOEd and how they impact education. The author sets forth a much different scenario than does Arne Duncan. While he states this reform is America's blueprint for educational success, this is not the belief of the blog writer; she believes ... more »

Check Out Parents Across America - You Will Be Glad You Did!

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Parents Across America: Austin Independent School District Battles On for Charter IDEA In-District against the Will of Parents and the CommunityLorie BarzanoatParents Across America-15 hours agoBy Lorie Barzano Co-Chair of CoalitionSAUS (Strengthen Austin Urban Schools) A parent led group representing inner-city public schools working to ensure accessible, quality Public Education for all children and healthy, thriving Public Schools in Austin’s urban core In a special meeting on December 19, 2011, over the loud, repeated protests of thousands of parents and ... more »

Arne Duncan on school reforms: 'What will your next excuse be if you have enough money?' | MLive.com

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Arne Duncan on school reforms: 'What will your next excuse be if you have enough money?' | MLive.com: Arne Duncan on school reforms: 'What will your next excuse be if you have enough money?'Published: Monday, April 02, 2012, 8:30 AMByDave Murray | dmurray@mlive.comFollow14ShareEmailPrintAP Photo/Ed AndrieskiU.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan speaks during a town hall meeting on reform in Denver in February. Duncan served as Chicago Public Schools superintendent before being tapped by President Obama.RELATED:Experts: Performance, politics keep districts from using ... more »

Next step in education reform could be schools grading parents - Providence special education | Examiner.com

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Next step in education reform could be schools grading parents - Providence special education | Examiner.com: Next step in education reform could be schools grading parentsAdd a commentMaria BucchinoVideo:Florida teachers to grade parentsEducation reform has focused on grading teachers and schools based on students' performance. It seems that schools are fed up with taking all the blame and have been stating that parents should be graded. The goal seems to be parent involvement, but this may not be the best ...more »

ED Celebrates National Financial Literacy Month | ED.gov Blog

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ED Celebrates National Financial Literacy Month | ED.gov Blog: ED Celebrates National Financial Literacy MonthPosted onApril 2, 2012byGuest BloggerFinancial literacy plays an important role in promoting the financial health and stability of individuals, families, and our national economy. The economic crisis has highlighted how essential it is to have information, education, and tools to help people make informed financial decisions.In honor of National Financial Literacy Month, experts from federal and state agencies and nonprofit, educational, and private sector organizations will... more »

How Do New Teacher Evaluation and Pay Models Affect Students? - Dana Goldstein

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago

How Do New Teacher Evaluation and Pay Models Affect Students? - Dana Goldstein: How Do New Teacher Evaluation and Pay Models Affect Students?byDana GoldsteinThe Fordham Institute is a Washington education policy think tank that supports market-driven reforms. It has publisheda paperlauding the teacher pay system in Harrison District 2, which is one of the most unusual in the country: The Colorado Springs district has abolished seniority and education-based raises entirely, and now pays teachers exclusively according to how much they ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Diane Speaks

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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Diane Speaks: Diane SpeaksbyMelissa WestbrookI just wanted to put forth some of what Diane Ravitch talked about in her recent appearance here in Seattle at the elementary/middle school principals convention.She opened by pointing to the Chehalis Caribbean band who had been entertaining the crowd beautifully as people filtered into the room. To big applause she asked, "Where does that show up on a test?"She pointed out thatnonation whose K-12 students are performing well are usinganyof the ... more »

Shanker Blog » Still In Residence: Arts Education In U.S. Public Schools

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Shanker Blog » Still In Residence: Arts Education In U.S. Public Schools: Still In Residence: Arts Education In U.S. Public SchoolsbyMatthew Di CarloThere is a somewhat common argument in education circles that the focus on math and reading tests in No Child Left Behind has had the unintended consequence of generating a concurrent deemphasis on other subjects. This includes science and history, of course, but among the most frequently-mentioned presumed victims of this trend are art and music.A newreportby the ... more »

Diane Ravitch: Mississippi Charter schools a bad idea » Archive » Meridian Star

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago

Mississippi Charter schools a bad idea » Archive » Meridian Star: Mississippi Charter schools a bad ideaDiane RavitchSpecial to the StarJACKSON — Mississippi is on the brink of passing legislation to permit privately-managed charter schools to open. This is a bad idea. Charter schools have been in existence for twenty years, and grand claims are made for them, but don’t believe the hype.I live in New York City, where our mayor has opened over 100 charter schools. As they expand, ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: War On Teachers=War On Women, Jersey Style

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Jersey Jazzman: War On Teachers=War On Women, Jersey Style: War On Teachers=War On Women, Jersey StylebyDukeJosh Hennepoints out how Governor Christie seems to have a problem with women:March is Women’s History Month. Unfortunately, it’s worth noting that Gov. Chris Christie’s own public history with women — through both word and deed — is pockmarked with marginalization, mockery and even malice.It’s been this way right from the start. In 2010, with the stroke of a pen, Gov. Christie eliminated a $7.4 ... more »

Divisive Right Wing Rhee Attacks Minnesota Teachers

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MN Progressive Project:: StudentsFirst Attacks Minnesota Teachers: StudentsFirst Attacks Minnesota Teachersby:dan.burnsMon Apr 02, 2012 at 09:36:41 AM CDTLast week I got two items in the mail from something called "StudentsFirst." Here's one side of one of them:Don't those young'ns look thrilled, to be learning (and, presumably, crushing standardized tests) the StudentsFirst way!More below the fold.dan.burns::StudentsFirst Attacks Minnesota TeachersThe purpose of the mailings, was to try to get me to encourage Governor Dayton to signH.F. 1870,which would allegedly "reform" teacher t... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: World Autism Awareness Day

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Seattle Schools Community Forum: World Autism Awareness Day: World Autism Awareness DaybyMelissa WestbrookToday is the fifth annual World Autism Awareness Day. The theme this year, from Autism Speaks, isLight It Up Bluewith landmarks like the Empire State Building going blue tonight. This starts a month of awareness events to shine a light on the issues around autism. World autism Awareness Day was started in 2007 by the United Nations General Assembly.It is estimated that 1 in every 88 children in ... more »