Now wait, who is that grassroots group Students for Education Reform? - Wait, What?
Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 32 minutes ago
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 »