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

Schools Matter: Krash Course #5: Reform We Need

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 5 minutes 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) - 5 minutes 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

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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) - 5 minutes 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

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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

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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 »

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Hmm, that’s one way to look at it…

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Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Hmm, that’s one way to look at it…: Hmm, that’s one way to look at it…“All too often, supporters and opponents of charter schools claim that bad charter schools don’t close,” said Jeanne Allen, president of The Center for Education Reform. “The truth is charter schools that don’t measure up are closing at a rate of 15 percent. Regrettably, the same can’t be said for traditional public schools.”– from Charter School Closure Rate ... more »

Democurmudgeon: K12 Inc. Virtual Charter Schools sued for "deceptive recruiting" and passing students with poor or nonexistent performance."

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Democurmudgeon: K12 Inc. Virtual Charter Schools sued for "deceptive recruiting" and passing students with poor or nonexistent performance.": K12 Inc. Virtual Charter Schools sued for "deceptive recruiting" and passing students with poor or nonexistent performance."Scott Walker wants to expand virtual and vouchersschools, both parallel educational systems that under perform and undermine public schools. This shocking lawsuit against the biggest virtual school, K12, exposes what I've been saying all along; for profit schools are after the money and will destroy public ... more »

Who Are These People So Concerned With Education Reform? - Jonathan Kantrowitz - Connecticut News

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 15 hours ago

Who Are These People So Concerned With Education Reform? - Jonathan Kantrowitz - Connecticut News: Jonathan KantrowitzPolitical activist, health nutAbout Jonathan KantrowitzWho Are These People So Concerned With Education Reform?April 4, 2012 at 10:43 pm byJonathan KantrowitzLet’s start withConnCAN,Here’s their Board Of Directors:Board of DirectorsBrian Olson, ChairCo-Founder, Viking Global InvestorsChairman, Civic BuildersAndy BoasPrincipal, Carl Marks Management, LLCDirector, Bridgeport Public Education FundSarah GreenhillFormer Vice President of Finance, Ultimate Software GroupWi... more »

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee Comes To New York Uninvited

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SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: Michelle Rhee Comes To New York Uninvited: Michelle Rhee Comes To New York Uninvitedbynoreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher)Did you hear that? You hear nothing correct? Don't be too sure, for that is the sound of the groundswell of support inviting Michelle Rhee and her minions with Students First as they bogart their way here into NY.It is true, sad, but it is true. In today'sNew York Times,MichelleRheeFirst, that grassroots organization heard the imagined pleas of parents all through this ... more »

The Duke - Jersey Jazzman

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 15 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: More "What Research?!"DukeatJersey Jazzman-1 hour agoAs I've moaned before, I hate it when anyone says "research shows..." and then refuses to cite the research. I mean, I *really* hate it: Teachers are the No. 1 in-school factor affecting student success. Research says a highly effective teacher can help students achieve as much as an additional year's worth of academic gains over one school year compared with a less effective teacher. [...] Research shows that there are both outstanding ... more »

Early Literacy:The Key to Unlocking Illiteracy? « Diary of a Public School Teacher!

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Early Literacy:The Key to Unlocking Illiteracy? « Diary of a Public School Teacher!: Early Literacy:The Key to Unlocking Illiteracy?byOldschoolteachEarly Literacy:The Key to UnlockingIlliteracy?Posted April 4, 2012 by Oldschoolteach inBlogging about Education,Education Blog,Elementary Education Blog. Tagged:early literacy,Education,importance of early literacy,Literacy,reading aloud,Ready for Kindergarten. Leave a CommentAs I mentioned in an earlier post, every Tuesday, I head over to the day care center across the street from my school. I am a member ofRead Aloud DE. What do I do? ...more »

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

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 15 hours ago

This Week In Education: Quotes: "I Don't Live In Other Nations"Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-18 minutes agoThis Week In Education: Quotes: "I Don't Live In Other Nations": Quotes: "I Don't Live In Other Nations"byAlexander RussoRavitch: Interesting that top-performing and most equitable nations in world do not have vouchers or charters.Fuller: I don't live in other nations I live here I believe we need choice for poor families. If this is Diane u used to believe it too.Exchange between ... more »

School districts pass resolutions against TEACHNJ Act - NorthJersey.com

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School districts pass resolutions against TEACHNJ Act - NorthJersey.com: School districts pass resolutions against TEACHNJ ActWEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012, 6:46 PMBY KAREN KLEIMANNMANAGING EDITORTOWN JOURNALPAGES:1234DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE|PRINT|E-MAILSchool districts in the Town Journal area have officially voiced their opposition to a proposed Senate bill that would remove school boards and superintendents from personnel decisions by establishing a school improvement panel in its place.The proposed S-1455 bill, sponsored by Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark), would look to adopt different tea... more »

The Best Resources To Remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s Death (& Life) | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 15 hours ago

The Best Resources To Remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s Death ( Life) | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…: The Best Resources To Remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s Death ( Life)byLarry FerlazzoOn this day in 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated.I thought I’d bring together a few related resources, and will add more.You might also be interested inThe Best Websites For Learning About Martin Luther King.Here are my choices for The Best Resources To Remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s ... more »

Hoping to please parents, school introduces real-time polling | GothamSchools

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 15 hours ago

Hoping to please parents, school introduces real-time polling | GothamSchools: Hoping to please parents, school introduces real-time pollingbyJessica CampbellThe results of the Department of Education’s learning environment surveys, due tomorrow, aren’t likely to go public until June. ButCatina Venning, the executive director of Fahari Academy Charter School, doesn’t want to wait. Since the start of the year, she has been polling Fahari’s families monthly about their satisfaction and tweaking the school’s practice in response.She launched the polls after Fahari scored ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: More "What Research?!"

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 15 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: More "What Research?!": More "What Research?!"byDukeAs I've moaned before, I hate it when anyone says "research shows..." and then refuses to cite the research.I mean,Ireallyhate it:Teachers are the No. 1 in-school factor affecting student success. Research says a highly effective teacher can help students achieve as much as an additional year's worth of academic gains over one school year compared with a less effective teacher.[...]Research shows that there are both outstanding teachers and ineffective teachers across all levels ... more »