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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Mid Day Posts 4-25 #edreform #soschat


National Resolution against High-Stakes Testing « Parents Across America

National Resolution against High-Stakes Testing « Parents Across America: National Resolution against High-Stakes Testingbyleoniehaimson The following resolution is modeled on a resolution passed by405 Texas school boardsasof April 25, 2012. It was written by Parents Across America, in collaboration with theAdvancement Project;Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund;FairTest;Forum for Education and Democracy;MecklenburgACTS;Deborah Meier;NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.;National Education Association;New York Performance Standards Consortium; Tracy Novick;Paren... more »

After controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troubles - NY Daily News

After controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troubles - NY Daily News: EducationAfter controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troublesSome students had seen the story that the question was based onBYRACHEL MONAHAN/ NEW YORK DAILY NEWSTuesday, April 24, 2012, 10:18 PMPHOTO BY APTuber troubles on city schools test.Move over pineapple -- the yam talked, too.The state’s fourth-grade reading test included an African ...more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Your Most Valuable Asset? It's Not Gold.

Missouri Education Watchdog: Your Most Valuable Asset? It's Not Gold.: Your Most Valuable Asset? It's Not Gold.byAnngieHilary Rosen's comment about Ann Romney never holding a job, completely discounting the years she has invested in raising her children, may have actually shed some light on the left's tactic. Though Ms. Rosen's comments caused them some temporary backlash, they were in fact consistent with the left's official message about children. They are a mere inconvenience to a woman's primary purpose, holding a ...more »

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee and StudentsFirst creates persistent problems in public education

Michelle Rhee and StudentsFirst tackle persistent problems in public education: Michelle Rhee and StudentsFirst tackle persistent problems in public educationByAlexis Garrett Stodghill8:04 AM on 04/25/2012 Michelle Rheereceived national attention after becoming the chancellor of Washington, DC public schools in 2007. Experiences as a public school teacher before founding an organization that placed teachers in classrooms informed the policies implemented during her term. Rhee's decisions to closely tie standardized test scores to teacher compensation and shut down underperforming sc... more »

White House Council on Women and Girls: A Focus on Girls and STEM

A panel of trailblazing women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields share their experiences and encourage young women to follow in their footsteps -- or blaze a trail of their own. April 24, 2012

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team:Wednesday, April 25, 2012Move to cut sign language classes at Paso Robles High puts teens in a bindHaving studied sign language since fifth grade, Marina Perry planned to one day become an interpreter for the deaf. But then she learned that Paso Robles High School planned to eliminate its American Sign Language program.Monrovia Unified's concerns about Internet service provider prompt reviewWorried that federal funds may be in jeopardy, school district officials are reviewing their ... more »

Pearson, ALEC and the Brave New World: BOYCOTT NOW | United Opt Out National

Pearson, ALEC and the Brave New World: BOYCOTT NOW | United Opt Out National: Pearson, ALEC and the Brave New World: BOYCOTT NOWbyadmin Dear Supporters of Public Education,A great deal of much-needed attention has been given recently to the role that ALEC has played in dismantling our democratic rights in favor of corporate profit. The institution of public education has not escaped the interest of ALEC. In fact, ALEC has taken a seat at the head of the educational table, ... more »

RIGHT AGAIN! Heritage Puts Out Memo Highlighting Common Core Issues | Truth in American Education

Heritage Puts Out Memo Highlighting Common Core Issues | Truth in American Education: Heritage Puts Out Memo Highlighting Common Core IssuesbyJames BellHeritage held a panel and put out amemoon exiting the Common Core. It was a great panel featuring Jim Stergios from the Pioneer Institute, Williamson Evers of the Hoover Institute, Kent Talbert, former acting secretary at the US Department of Education, and Theodore Rebarber of AccountabilityWorks. As always, Heritage resources are succinct and useful. Watching the hour-longpanelis also rewarding:When ... more »

Byrne Creek Secondary: A Collaborative Community Opportunity — Whole Child Education

Byrne Creek Secondary: A Collaborative Community Opportunity — Whole Child Education: Byrne Creek Secondary: A Collaborative Community OpportunitybyASCD Whole Child BloggersPost submitted by Mike Greenway and Lynn ArcherByrne Creek Secondary Schoolopened its doors to students for the first time in September 2005. The school was planned and built to solve an overcrowding problem in the south part of Burnaby. Planning and opening any new school has challenges; Byrne Creek was faced with additional problems. The community had the highest number ... more »

Shutting Down Public Voice on Charters | Edwize

Shutting Down Public Voice on Charters | Edwize: Shutting Down Public Voice on ChartersbyChristina CollinsAsoriginally envisioned, charter schools were supposed to be a way of empowering communities to have a stronger voice in decision-making at their local schools — with community leaders, parents, and teachers on the boards and decisions being made in ways that gave stakeholders direct access rather than layers of bureaucracy.In New York, however, the expansion and oversight of the state’s charter sector seems to be moving ... more »

The plan: Travesty or opportunity? | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

The plan: Travesty or opportunity? | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: The plan: Travesty or opportunity?byDale Mezzacappaon Apr 24 2012 Posted inLatest newsCOMMENTS (2)PRINTEMAILIt is a new day, a bold experiment, an opportunity for innovation.Or, it is a travesty, the end of public education as we know it, a cynical right-wing ploy.Not to mention a new twist on the decision a decade ago, for whichthe District has little to show, to turn over schools to education management organizations.Sixty-four closed school buildings. ... more »

Remarks by the President to College Reporters | The White House

Remarks by the President to College Reporters | The White House: Remarks by the President to College ReportersbyThe White House4:05 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hey, everybody. Thanks for being on the call. And first of all, let me apologize if the connection sounds fuzzy. As was just mentioned, I’m joining you guys on Air Force One. I’m just leaving North Carolina; I was at UNC-Chapel Hill. Now I’m on my way to the University of Colorado at Boulder. And tomorrow ... more »

Teacher evaluations — and surveys of students and colleagues - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

Teacher evaluations — and surveys of students and colleagues - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: Teacher evaluations — and surveys of students and colleaguesBy Katy MurphyTuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 8:49 am inteachers.Dave Orphal, a teacher at Skyline High School in Oakland, is writing a series of blog posts for The Education Report about revamping teacher evaluations — including a pilot program that two middle schools are using this year. Orphal serves as a veteran ... more »

Student Loans: Interest Rate Bill By George Miller Would Cut Tax Loopholes To Keep Rate Down For A Year

Student Loans: Interest Rate Bill By George Miller Would Cut Tax Loopholes To Keep Rate Down For A Year: Student Loans: Interest Rate Bill By George Miller Would Cut Tax Loopholes To Keep Rate Down For A YearbyJoy Resmovits As President Barack Obama makes his way across the country to slam animpending increase infederal student loan-interest rates, a group of congressional Democrats is announcing plans to introduce a legislative fix.Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Education ...more »

Jack Hassard: Creationism Creeps Into Louisiana and Tennessee Science Classrooms - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Jack Hassard: Creationism Creeps Into Louisiana and Tennessee Science Classrooms - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Anthony CodyAnthony Cody spent 24 years working in Oakland schools, 18 of them as a science teacher at a high needs middle school. He is National Board certified, and now leads workshops with teachers focused on Project Based Learning. With education at a crossroads, he invites you to join him in a dialogue on education reform and teaching for change and deep ... more »

WI Teacher: Students aren’t being fed due to Budget Cuts | Defend Wisconsin

WI Teacher: Students aren’t being fed due to Budget Cuts | Defend Wisconsin: WI Teacher: Students aren’t being fed due to Budget CutsbyItayPopoutVideobyWIVoicesTV.Meg Farrington (29-year veteran teacher from Somerset, WI) explains how some students are struggling with hunger in school and how teachers have “stepped up to the plate” to bridge the gap and fill the need in the community. Farrington said “because of Governor Walker’s cuts” at the state level, consequences in policy choices are playing themselves out in ... more »

Schools Matter: National Resolution on High Stakes Testing #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT

Schools Matter: National Resolution on High Stakes Testing: National Resolution on High Stakes TestingbyJudy RabinThis Resolution calls on federal and state policymakers to reduce standardized test mandates and, instead, base school accountability on multiple forms of measurement.To end the abuse and misuse of high stakes testingSign on to this Resolution:WHEREAS,our nation's future well-being relies on a high-quality public education system that prepares all students for college, careers, citizenship and lifelong learning, and strengthens the nation's social and economic well-being... more »

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: MUD BARON PLANTS WHAT HE PREACHES

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: MUD BARON PLANTS WHAT HE PREACHES: MUD BARON PLANTS WHAT HE PREACHESBY MARY MACVEAN, LOS ANGELES TIMES …BUT FROM THE KANSAS CITY STAR!|HTTP://BIT.LY/JMBHVETue, Apr. 24, 2012 07:05 AM -- LOS ANGELES :: It's not easy to keep pace with the youth gardening evangelist Mud Baron - in the real world or the virtual one.To keep up, you need to relentlessly advocate for schoolyard gardens full of food and flowers. You need ... more »

All Things Education: Housing Policy & Educational Opportunity: Some Notes

All Things Education: Housing Policy Educational Opportunity: Some Notes: Housing Policy Educational Opportunity: Some NotesbyRachel LevyToday I had the pleasure of being a panelist in Richmond atHOME's (Housing Opportunities Made Equal)Blogger Luncheon on Housing Opportunity. Besides being treated to a tasty lunch ( free parking!) I got to listen to and partake in interesting conversations about Richmond Metro Area housing, public and mass transportation, families, parenting, entrepreneurship, politics, democratic process and institutions, social media, real estate, communities, an...more »

Florida’s Education Commissioner Scoffs at Widespread Opposition to Testing | Scathing Purple Musings

Florida’s Education Commissioner Scoffs at Widespread Opposition to Testing | Scathing Purple Musings: Florida’s Education Commissioner Scoffs at Widespread Opposition to TestingbyBob Sikes With the number of parents organizing opposition to high-stakes testing mushrooming across the nation, Florida’s education commissionershrugged:“I don’t pretend anxiety doesn’t exist. … I don’t make a value judgment on whether we have too many tests, because the question I have is, compared to what? But what I will say is that there are through rule things ... more »

Bruce Springsteen’s Appeal to Conscience « InterACT

Bruce Springsteen’s Appeal to Conscience « InterACT: Bruce Springsteen’s Appeal to ConsciencebyDavid B. CohenBruce Springsteen (image by GabboT, used by permission, via Flickr)Tonight, I’ll be among the thousands of fans attending the Bruce Springsteen show at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. As often happens before I go to a concert, I’ve been listening to the latest release, familiarizing myself with the new stuff and getting psyched up to sing along and enjoy the show.Springsteen’s new album,Wrecking Ball, opens with ... more »

RheeFirst! » When Pineapplegate meets Erasuregate why, call it a “DC miracle!”

RheeFirst! » When Pineapplegate meets Erasuregate why, call it a “DC miracle!”: When Pineapplegate meets Erasuregate why, call it a “DC miracle!”byadminDated but highly relevant to the text fixation of corporate reformers like RheeWritten by Laura Clawson for the DailyKos. Read theentire article here.“Data from 2009 and 2010 show that scores dropped at most schools the year after they were flagged for excessive erasures, raising questions about whether heightened security curbed abuses,” and results were flat in 2011, after Rhee ...more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Cuts in Salem-Keier District by Husk

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Cuts in Salem-Keier District by Husk: Cuts in Salem-Keier District by HuskbyMelissa WestbrookNews from the Statesman-Journal in mid-April in Oregon (via one of our readers). I would link to the story but you can't unless you pay.Here's the lead storyline:All library and media jobs at Salem-Keizer elementary and middle schools would be cut under a proposal by Superintendent Sandy Husk. The 48 library and media instructors were notified Thursday of the plan, part of the district's ... more »

Old superintendents. « Fred Klonsky

Old superintendents. « Fred Klonsky: Old superintendents.byFred KlonskyI got a call yesterday from Dr. Fred.About ten years ago and for about ten years before that he was our district’s superintendent.In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a great fan of administrators.But every once in a while one comes along that makes me think twice.Dr. Fred called to apologize for missing my retirement party (write me for details about time and place). He retired and is living out west now. He ... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Letter to SUNY board about Success Academy's proposed increase in management fees

NYC Public School Parents: Letter to SUNY board about Success Academy's proposed increase in management fees: Letter to SUNY board about Success Academy's proposed increase in management feesbyLeonie HaimsonEva Moskowitz credit: NY PostUPDATE: Just heard that today, the SUNY committee tabled the proposed hike in fees.April 24, 2012Dear Chairman McCall, SUNY board of trustees and members of the SUNY charter committee:I hope you have seen Juan Gonzalez’ article in today’s Daily News; “Public kept in dark about sweet deals for ... more »

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 Hike | The White House: Educating Our Way to an Economy Built to Last:Stopping the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike986,494 Hispanic students would be affected In 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 President has worked tirelessly ... more »

Why we Oppose Nato by Bernardine Dohrn/Bill Ayers « Bill Ayers

Why we Oppose Nato by Bernardine Dohrn/Bill Ayers « Bill Ayers: Why we Oppose Nato by Bernardine Dohrn/Bill Ayersbybillayers The day after the 9/11 attacks the Bush administration took dozens of extreme, transformative actions, including invoking Article 5, the right to collective self-defense, of NATO’s founding charter—a first in NATO’s 50-year history.This marked the fateful expansion of NATO’s mission into new geographical regions (such as Afghanistan) and novel functions, such as the initiation and rationalization of the use of pre-emptive ... more »

Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » My article in Solutions magazine: Reforming Chinese Education: What China Is Trying to Learn from America

Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » My article in Solutions magazine: Reforming Chinese Education: What China Is Trying to Learn from America: My article in Solutions magazine: Reforming Chinese Education: What China Is Trying to Learn from AmericabyYongZhaoThe Solutions magazine (print version volume 2, issue 2, page 38-43) published my article about China’s education reform in April. Below is the abstract. The entire article is online at:Reforming Chinese Education.When Shanghai, China, was awarded the number one spot for educational achievement ... more »

NYC Public School Parents: More errors on the Pearson's NYS math exams this week

NYC Public School Parents: More errors on the Pearson's NYS math exams this week: More errors on the Pearson's NYS math exams this weekbyLeonie HaimsonGiven reports today of more errors in this week's 4thgrade and 8thgrade NYS math exams (see below), added tothe absurd passage and questions on the 8thgrade ELA exam, now known as Pineapplegate, we say three strikes and you’re out. Pearson should be made to forfeit their $32 million contract. If our children make errors on these ... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: The Black Box of Computerized Assessments - Does Anyone Know What's Really In There?

Missouri Education Watchdog: The Black Box of Computerized Assessments - Does Anyone Know What's Really In There?: The Black Box of Computerized Assessments - Does Anyone Know What's Really In There?byAnngieThere's an old saying about the inmates running the asylum that comes to mind with this story from a science educator in Florida who looked into the science portion of Florida's standardized assessment. Robert Krampf was developing some science test prep questions for 5th graders preparing to take that state's ... more »