Take the Next Step, Governor Cuomo « Diane Ravitch's blog
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Take the Next Step, Governor Cuomo « Diane Ravitch's blog: Take the Next Step, Governor CuomobydianeravI read in the Daily News this morning that Governor Cuomo will oppose the public release of teacher ratings (http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/teachers/gov-andrew-cuomo-approve-making-teacher-evaluations-public-article-1.1067628#ixzz1t98iGb9q). I am glad he realizes that teachers’ evaluation should not be published for all to see, but I wish he had taken the next step, which is to shield such evaluations as part of every teacher’s personnel file. No member of the public has the ... more »
Good old Divisive Michelle Rhee Strikes again : Blocking preschool project funding doesn't put students first
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Editorial: Blocking preschool project funding doesn't put students first: Editorial: Blocking preschool project funding doesn't put students first When national school reform movement leader Michelle Rhee visited with Post-Dispatch editors and reporters last week, she told us that she never had met state Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield.Ms. Cunningham has been leading the school reform charge at the Missouri Capitol. Ms. Rhee's group,StudentsFirst, added some national heft, and money, to that debate when the organization set up a Missouri chapter. And ... more »
Don’t skip this step: Designing evaluations of teachers starts with trust | Thoughts on Public Education
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Don’t skip this step: Designing evaluations of teachers starts with trust | Thoughts on Public Education: Don’t skip this step: Designing evaluations of teachers starts with trust - by Merrill VargobyMerrill VargoWhere do teachers fit into the current landscape of education reform? The results of the recent Met Life poll should surprise no one: Teachers’ morale is at an all-time low. The causes are not hard to see, and include a combination of budget cuts and layoffs along with a ... more »
Phila. School District plan would dismantle central office, close schools - Philly.com
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Phila. School District plan would dismantle central office, close schools - Philly.com: Phila. School District plan would dismantle central office, close schoolsThe realities are ugly, leaders said Tuesday - the Philadelphia School District is nearly insolvent, lags behind most other urban districts in academics, and loses students to charters because parents believe it does not keep their children safe."What we do know through lots of history and evidence and practice is that the current structure doesn't work," School Reform Commission ... more »
A ‘simple fix’ for school curriculum (and it’s not Common Core) - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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A ‘simple fix’ for school curriculum (and it’s not Common Core) - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: A ‘simple fix’ for school curriculum (and it’s not Common Core)byValerie StraussThis waswritten byMarion Brady, veteran teacher, administrator, curriculum designer and author.By Marion BradyFor more than 20 years, in language as strong as the editors of mainstream media will allow, I’ve been slamming the stupidities of the education “reforms” dreamed up by amateur educators in Congress, state legislatures, and corporate offices.Read ... more »
The Innovative Educator: Suffering in Silence… Standardized testing from the view of an educator & parent
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The Innovative Educator: Suffering in Silence… Standardized testing from the view of an educator parent: Suffering in Silence… Standardized testing from the view of an educator parentbynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)Guest post byRenny Fong(TimeOutDad)As our children are undergoing the gruel of the high stakes standardized tests in New York, I can’t help but notice the silence. So many voices silenced. So many stories left unheard. Will all the time, money, and effort that has been spent on making the tests, preparing for ... more »
SVA Names For-Profit Schools with Revoked Charters - Student Veterans of America
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SVA Names For-Profit Schools with Revoked Charters - Student Veterans of America: SVA Names For-Profit Schools with Revoked Charters7 hours ago More Sharing ServicesShare|Share on facebookShare on bloggerShare on twitterShare on redditWASHINGTON, DC –Today, Student Veterans of America (SVA) published a list of 26 for-profit institutions whose SVA charters had been revoked. The removal of SVA chapters resulted from a routine, annual review of all chapters."SVA chapters must be established and led by student veterans. Student veteran organizations in development, ... more »
Form follows function. « Fred Klonsky
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Form follows function. « Fred Klonsky: Form follows function.byFred KlonskyChicago’s master architect, Louis Sullivan.As an art teacher with an admiration for good design I was won over early to the notion popularized by Chicago architect Louis Sullivan that form follows function.The shape of something should reveal and enhance its purpose.This morning the Washington Post’sValerie Strauss posts a columnon the debate over the length of the school day.A 2009 report by researchers at the School Redesign Network at Stanford University concludes ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Technology and Enoch
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Technology and Enoch: Technology and EnochbyMelissa WestbrookParent Cecilia McCormick, who is active in Special Ed issues, took it on herself to do some research on Superintendent Enoch's district and gathered info on their technology use Here an e-mail she sent to the Seattle School Board:I would like to share with you information provided by SRVUSD PTA yesterday. Given the costs of scaling up our district's use of technology and its ever-evolving nature, I'm sure you would ... more »
Deion Sanders and his charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Deion Sanders and his charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Deion Sanders and his charter schoolByValerie StraussStuff you can’t make up: Deion Sanders, who has been cited for misdemeanor simple assault in connection with a domestic disturbance that resulted in the arrest of his estranged wife, is opening a public charter school in Texas. And at that school he wants to film a reality show about the way he coaches the football team.Most school officials do ... more »
Daily Kos: RESOLUTION ON HIGH-STAKES TESTING
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Daily Kos: RESOLUTION ON HIGH-STAKES TESTING: RESOLUTION ON HIGH-STAKES TESTINGbyrss@dailykos.com (teacherken)This resolution is modeled on the resolution passed by more than more than 360 Texas school boards as of April 23, 2012. It was written by Advancement 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; Parents Across America; Parents United for Responsible E... more »
Putting faces on the pension fight. A letter to Quinn. « Fred Klonsky
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Putting faces on the pension fight. A letter to Quinn. « Fred Klonsky: Putting faces on the pension fight. A letter toQuinn.APRIL 25, 2012tags:pension formula,teachers retirement systemH/T: Tim FurmanFrom:Wyman on Media, New Place LifeGovernor Pat QuinnOffice of the Governor207 State HouseSpringfield, Illinois 62706Dear Governor Quinn:I watched your press conference last Friday where you announced sweeping pension changes for active Illinois teachers. These changes will hurt my family, and I object to them strenuously. My daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Mike ... more »
Schools Matter: Jim McIntyre Sending $4,000,000 in Public Funds to Pearson for Testing & "Erasure Analysis"
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Schools Matter: Jim McIntyre Sending $4,000,000 in Public Funds to Pearson for Testing "Erasure Analysis": Jim McIntyre Sending $4,000,000 in Public Funds to Pearson for Testing "Erasure Analysis"byJim HornHow many billions of dollars has all the damaging and unethical high stakes testing of children cost states and the Federal government over the past 25 years? Not nearly as much a Pearson, CBT/McGraw-Hill, and SAS are planning for in the coming generation of year-round testing in every subject, as they plan ... more »
Evaluate Me, Please « teach from the heart
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Evaluate Me, Please « teach from the heart: Evaluate Me,PleaseI’ve said it before; I’ve never taught a perfect lesson. After each one I step back and look to see what I can do to make it better. My lesson plans are full of notes. Things that don’t work get tossed. Things get tweaked. Resources get added. Information is growing too quickly to do the same thing over and over.When I was working toward National Board Certification, I was a little ... more »
National Resolution on High-Stakes Testing #PINEAPPLEGATE #PINEAPPLEREBELLION
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National Resolution on High-Stakes Testing:National Resolution on High-Stakes TestingThis resolution is modeled on the resolution passed bymore than 360 Texas school boardsas of April 23, 2012. It was written byAdvancement 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;Parents Across America;Parents United for Responsible Education - Chicago;Diane Ravitch;Race to Nowhere... more »
Geaux Teacher!: What New Orleans Learned from Philadelphia
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Geaux Teacher!: What New Orleans Learned from Philadelphia: CAN WE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION?VisitFollow The Bill Louisiana!to join a live conversation on the home page, while you watch a live video ofthe current legislative proceedings in another window.What New Orleans Learned from PhiladelphiaCheck out the post referenced above (click on the title). Here's an excerpt:"We’re tired of the ridiculous labeling of schools as high-performing and low-performing. The label mentality assumes schools are in permanent stasis rather than in varying stages of ... more »
Best Questions: Supportive Education Communities — Whole Child Education
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Best Questions: Supportive Education Communities — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG Best Questions: Supportive Education CommunitiesApril 25, 2012 byMolly McCloskeyDespite the rumors, school improvement is hard. It's not about a single passionate leader. It's not about "fixing" teachers and teaching or parents and parenting. It's not about poverty. It's not about money. And it's not about standards. It's about all of them. And more.In this column, I'll take on the real deal of school improvement—for all schools, not ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Perth Amboy: Center of the Reformy Universe?
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Jersey Jazzman: Perth Amboy: Center of the Reformy Universe?: Perth Amboy: Center of the Reformy Universe?byDukeAnd the saga of Perth Amboy gets even stranger...When we last checked in on the City By the (Raritan) Bay,a nasty fight was brewingbetween schools superintendent Dr. Janine Caffrey and the PABOE. The board has charged Caffrey - not even a year into her term - with several offenses,including"...failing to meet with school principals, misrepresenting the facts at board meetings, dividing contracts to sidestep the ... more »
Student Loan Reform Fight Broader For Obama Than Interest Rate Debate
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Student Loan Reform Fight Broader For Obama Than Interest Rate Debate: Student Loan Reform Fight Broader For Obama Than Interest Rate DebatebyJoy Resmovits WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, congressional Democratsannounced plansto introduce legislation that would extend the current low interest rates on government-subsidized student loans, responding to the major public relations push from President Barack Obama. But while the issue has ginned up cable news chatter and drawn attention to a host of grassroots student debt relief efforts, it is a ... more »
Remarks by the President on College Affordability | The White House
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Remarks by the President on College Affordability | The White House: Remarks by the President on College AffordabilitybyThe White HouseUniversity of IowaIowa City, Iowa1:28 P.M. CDTTHE PRESIDENT: Hello, Hawkeyes! (Applause.) It is good to be back in Iowa! (Applause.) Can folks please give it up for Blake for that outstanding introduction? (Applause.) And I want to thank the University of Iowa Pep Band for firing everybody up. (Applause.)There is some good hospitality here, and I should know. I spent a ... more »
RheeFirst! » Poll: New Yorkers want an education policy different from Bloomberg’s (Rejects Rhee and her NY astroturf claims)
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RheeFirst! » Poll: New Yorkers want an education policy different from Bloomberg’s (Rejects Rhee and her NY astroturf claims): Poll: New Yorkers want an education policy different from Bloomberg’s (Rejects Rhee and her NY astroturf claims)byadminWritten by Azi Paybarah for Capital New York. Read theentire article here.“An NY1-Marist pollof New Yorkers showed a majority want the next mayor to make changes in education. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who abolished the old, unbeloved model of school governance to achieve mayoral control of ...more »
NYC Public School Parents: Please endorse and ask your CEC to approve the National Resolution against High-stakes Testing
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NYC Public School Parents: Please endorse and ask your CEC to approve the National Resolution against High-stakes Testing: Please endorse and ask your CEC to approve the National Resolution against High-stakes TestingbyLeonie HaimsonThe following resolution is modeled on a resolution that as of April 25 had been approved by405 Texas school boards, Palm Beach County in Florida, and Community Education Council in D 30 in Queens.It was written byParents Across America, in collaboration with theAdvancement Project;Asian American Legal Defense and ... more »
Its Begun…..Palm Beach School Board Votes to Adopt the National Resolution that Opposes High Stakes Testing | Scathing Purple Musings
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Its Begun…..Palm Beach School Board Votes to Adopt the National Resolution that Opposes High Stakes Testing | Scathing Purple Musings: Its Begun…..Palm Beach School Board Votes to Adopt the National Resolution that Opposes High Stakes TestingbyBob SikesTesting is Not Teaching- PBC citizens united to make a difference have announced on their Facebook page that the Palm Beach School Board has adopted theNational Resolution on High Stakes Testing.The resolution brings unprecedented bipartisan spirit. Joining the NAACP and NEA – traditional supporters ... more »
Effort afoot to restore art in California schools | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education
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Effort afoot to restore art in California schools | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education: Effort afoot to restore art in California schoolsbyadmin Jill Tucker -SFGate.com- Monday, April 23, 2012As it turns out, business leaders hiring the workforce of tomorrow don't want applicants who are really good at filling in bubbles on standardized tests.Creativity is key, more than 1,500 executives said in a 2010 survey.Yet California, like many states, long ago deemed creative arts a luxury, one that few ... more »
Democurmudgeon: Walker's Tools for Schools Programs Scraps System for "Anything Goes."
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Democurmudgeon: Walker's Tools for Schools Programs Scraps System for "Anything Goes.": Walker's Tools for Schools Programs Scraps System for "Anything Goes."byDemocurmudgeonI thought schools were doing great now? They are I guess, thanks to Scott Walker. They've been deregulated.Public schools no longer consult with, or serve the public, parents are finding out. And teaching models have been swept in the trash bin for cost saving ideas that restructure public education in a way that holds the bottom line. And every year ... more »
Teaching Channel: Videos, Lesson Plans and Other Resources for Teachers
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Teaching Channel: Videos, Lesson Plans and Other Resources for Teachers: View Giveaway Prize DetailsFor Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7th-11th, 2012 we’re celebrating with a5 Days, 5 Ways Giveawayto say thank you for all your hard work. We’re giving away more than 200 thank you gifts throughout the week, leading up to our Friday Grand Thank You!All You Have To Do Is Complete Your ProfileYou will be automatically entered in the giveaway if your Teaching Channel profile is complete and you ... more »