Some Inconvenient History for a Teach for America Alum, Jeb Bush and Parent Trigger Advocates | Scathing Purple Musings
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Some Inconvenient History for a Teach for America Alum, Jeb Bush and Parent Trigger Advocates | Scathing Purple Musings: Some Inconvenient History for a Teach for America Alum, Jeb Bush and Parent Trigger AdvocatesbyBob SikesMatt Minnickwasn’t alone in being less than forthcoming about who he was when he testified before the Florida Senate Budget Committee’sMarch 3rdhearing on SB 1718. An AFL-CIO lobbyist wasn’t either. The one-time Teach for America corps member turned legislative aid for Jeb Bush’s foundation tried to ... more »
New York Teacher Ratings Renew Evaluation Debate : NPR
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New York Teacher Ratings Renew Evaluation Debate : NPR: New York Teacher Ratings Renew Evaluation DebatebyBETH FERTIGHow do you measure who is an effective teacher?More states are wrestling with that question, now that the Obama administration is encouraging schools to evaluate teachers with a combination of student test scores and classroom observations.The question of whether teacher evaluations are reliable indicators for teacher effectiveness has long been controversial. But New York City reignited the debate when it rated thousands of teachers ... more »
"Let's get ready to rumble! Leaders of New Group Have an "Interest" in Education
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Gail Robinson: Leaders of New Group Have an "Interest" in Education: Leaders of New Group Have an "Interest" in Education Few people define themselves as being a member of a special interest. That term applies to the folks on the other side -- the people you disagree with. New Yorkers got more evidence of that this month with the formation ofStudentsFirstNY. In a nutshell, the group wants to preserve and extend the education policies of New York City Mayor Michael ... more »
Schools Matter: A promotional video about the organization that created the Parent Trigger
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Schools Matter: A promotional video about the organization that created the Parent Trigger: A promotional video about the organization that created the Parent TriggerbyRobert D. Skeels * rdsatheneThe Parent Trigger, or Parent Empowerment Law, was crafted by the fringe-right-wing group American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).Popout"I wrote the nation's first parent trigger law in California." —Sen. (Ret) Gloria J. RomeroMs. Romero really means is theAmerican Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) wrote the charter trigger lawand she put her name on it.This is ... more »
Rockford teachers settled. Now another big Illinois school district heading for a walkout? « Fred Klonsky
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Rockford teachers settled. Now another big Illinois school district heading for a walkout? « Fred Klonsky: Rockford teachers settled. Now another big Illinois school district heading for a walkout?byFred KlonskyTwo weeks ago it was Rockford. Teachers there hit the bricks for several days before reaching an agreement.Last week Elgin teachers rejected a dealworked out between the Elgin Education Association and the Elgin school district.In a echo of issues separating teachers and management in Chicago, one of the issues that resulted ... more »
Check out new reports to see if your state is considering ALEC bills! « Parents Across America
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Check out new reports to see if your state is considering ALEC bills! « Parents Across America: Check out new reports to see if your state is considering ALEC bills!byleoniehaimson Exchange Council, the secretive, right-wing group that produces and disseminates legislation in state houses throughout the nation.PAA wrote about ALECmore than a year ago, in March 2011, after being alerted by our eagle-eyed parent advocate/ legislative expert, Karen Miller of Texas.A few months later, a website calledALEC Exposedposted a massive ... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Should Freedom of Expression be Allowed in a Public High School if it Could Incite Violence?
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Missouri Education Watchdog: Should Freedom of Expression be Allowed in a Public High School if it Could Incite Violence?: Should Freedom of Expression be Allowed in a Public High School if it Could Incite Violence?bystlgretchenShould this shirt be banned from public school?Should wearing a shirt proclaiming "RIP" for a gunned down young man be allowed to be worn in an Omaha high school or banned?AsktheJudge.info writes:Did the t-shirt constitute “. . . a respectful display of their feelings for a ... more »
Engaging Parents In School… » “School Reformers” Steal PTA’s Name
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Engaging Parents In School… » “School Reformers” Steal PTA’s Name: “School Reformers” Steal PTA’s NamebyLarry FerlazzoI have a lot of issues with what some people do in the name of school reform — like stealing the PTA’s name.A group of hedge fund managers — I’m not kidding, that’swho’s on their board— started a New York City organization called… PTA Now. Here’s their flyer:Thanks toEd Wizefor the tip.It appears they might havejustchanged their name to “FTA” (Families Taking Action) because of ... more »
Guest Post: Tennessee Lawmakers Must Abolish School Corporal Punishment
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Guest Post: Tennessee Lawmakers Must Abolish School Corporal Punishment: Guest Post: Tennessee Lawmakers Must Abolish School Corporal PunishmentbycynthiaThis guest post comes to us from a staunch advocate in support of removing corporal punishment as an option for discipline under state education laws. Julie Worley is President ofTennesseans for Non-Violent School Discipline. Her full bio follows the op-ed._______________Tennesseans for Non-Violent School Discipline hosted a National Protest Against School Corporal Punishment of Students at the Tennessee State Capitol on Thursday, A... more »
Editorial: A parent trap for public education | StarTribune.com
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Editorial: A parent trap for public education | StarTribune.com: Editorial: A parent trap for public educationApril 13, 2012 - 7:03 PMGive parents more control over school operations, and student performance will improve. That's the false premise behind a legislative proposal for a "parent trigger'' law.Minnesota can do without it. There is little evidence that similar laws have worked elsewhere. And parents in Minnesota already have a number of ways to exert their influence when they're dissatisfied with their schools.Under the ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: How to Sell BEX IV?
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: How to Sell BEX IV?: How to Sell BEX IV?byMelissa WestbrookThe Times has two stories about levies/bonds that make me wonder how the district, via the Schools First group who does the levy/bond campaigns, is going to sell BEX IV.The firststoryis a round-up of Eastside capital bonds on the ballot Tuesday.Mercer Island wants to renovate ALL its schools - 3 elementaries, 1 middle and upgrades at their only high school. Interestingly, opponents think they should build ... more »
Why Rick Scott Has to Veto JD Alexander’s USF Poly Split | Scathing Purple Musings
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Why Rick Scott Has to Veto JD Alexander’s USF Poly Split | Scathing Purple Musings: Why Rick Scott Has to Veto JD Alexander’s USF Poly SplitbyBob SikesWhile its doubtful Rick Scott cares even a little bit what the editors of theTampa Bay Timesthink, they may be onto the reason why Florida’s governor will have to veto the bill which will make USF Poly an independent institution. As CEO of a major hospital chain he wouldn’t have dreamed of doing something ... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Mid Day Posts 4-14 #edreform #soschat
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Don’t Drink the Water | Dissident VoiceBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-5 minutes agoDon’t Drink the Water | Dissident Voice: byDavid MacarayDon’t Drink the WaterOne of the biggest con games going on right now is the sustained attack on the U.S. public school system. It’s being orchestrated by predatory entrepreneurs (disguised as “concerned citizens” and “education reformers”) hoping to persuade the parents of school-age children that the only way their kids are going to get a decent education is ... more »
Modern School: Land of the Free, Home of the Ch*ckenshit?
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Modern School: Land of the Free, Home of the Chickenshit?: Land of the Free, Home of the Chickenshit?byMichael DunnMiami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended for five games for saying he idolized Fidel Castro, theNew York Timesreported this week. He said he respected Castro for his ability to endure, despite numerous attempts on his life. In previous interviews, he said he did not admire Castro’s philosophy, but the man himself.Guillen has also gotten in trouble in the past for making ... more »
Happy Birthday John Holt – “Patron Saint” of Unschooling | Lefty Parent
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Happy Birthday John Holt – “Patron Saint” of Unschooling | Lefty Parent: Happy Birthday John Holt – “Patron Saint” of UnschoolingbyCooper ZaleJohn Caldwell Holt was born on April 14, 1923, part of the “GI Generation” and interestingly the same year as my mom and my partner Sally’s parents, plus the same place (New York City) as her parents. There is just the briefest reference to his young life in hisWikipedia biography, but somehow he developed a profound humanist critique of ... more »
The Campaign to Privatize the World | Common Dreams
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The Campaign to Privatize the World | Common Dreams: The Campaign to Privatize the WorldbyDavid MacarayOne of the biggest con games going on at the moment is the sustained attack on the U.S. public school system. It’s being perpetrated by predatory entrepreneurs (disguised as “concerned citizens” and “education reformers”) hoping to persuade the parents of school-age children that the only way their kids are going to get a decent education is by paying for something that they can already get ... more »
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee - either believes she is above the law on simply doesn't care
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- Wait, What?: Do They Actually Think They Are Above The Law? (why yes, yes they do)The 2012 “Education Reformers” – They bully, they’re arrogant and they appear to believe that the law applies to others but not them.As Michelle Rhee and the other out-of-state “Education Reformers” pour into Connecticut to join their allies in the effort to Governor Malloy’s ill-conceived “Education Reform” bill you’d think they’d recognize the importance of following Connecticut’s laws.But apparently these “Education Reformers” either believe ... more »
Don’t Drink the Water | Dissident Voice
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Don’t Drink the Water | Dissident Voice: byDavid MacarayDon’t Drink the WaterOne of the biggest con games going on right now is the sustained attack on the U.S. public school system. It’s being orchestrated by predatory entrepreneurs (disguised as “concerned citizens” and “education reformers”) hoping to persuade the parents of school-age children that the only way their kids are going to get a decent education is by paying for something that they can already get for free. You might say ... more »
Academic Journals and Corporate Interests: Reed Elsevier and ALEC | PSC CUNY
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Academic Journals and Corporate Interests: Reed Elsevier and ALEC | PSC CUNY: Academic Journals and Corporate Interests: Reed Elsevier and ALECBy Peter Hogness and Jake BlumgartPrinter-friendly versionShare this postWhat do prestigious scientific journals likeCellandThe Lancethave to do with privatizing public services, union-busting, or cutting corporate taxes?The publishing company that owns these journals, Reed Elsevier, has supported all of these goals through its contributions to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).ALEC is a corporate-funded, politically conservati... more »
LAUSD Superintendent Deasy gets some advice - latimes.com
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LAUSD Superintendent Deasy gets some advice - latimes.com: Plenty of advice for L.A. Unified's bossTeachers, substitutes and the columnist offer some words of wisdom for Supt. John Deasy regarding a classroom confrontation with a sub who was following the regular instructor's lesson plan.18Share2212next| single pageL.A. Unified Supt. John Deasy's classroom dust-up with a substitute teacher has produced an outpouring of responses and advice.(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times/October3, 2011)By Sandy BanksApril 14, 2012Any day now, I expect to see a ... more »
The “Reform” of NOLA Public Schools: Headline Edition 1/3/06 to 3/22/06 | The G Bitch Spot
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The “Reform” of NOLA Public Schools: Headline Edition 1/3/06 to 3/22/06 | The G Bitch Spot: The “Reform” of NOLA Public Schools: Headline Edition 1/3/06 to 3/22/06byG BitchSeePart I.______La. won’t run N.O. schools by itself: BESE to start taking nonprofits’ proposals. (New Orleans)Times-Picayune. 1/3/06.NewsBank. Web.Later this month the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will begin accepting proposals from nonprofit organizations, including universities, interested in running any of the schools the Legislature in November voted to place under state ... more »
The Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington Post
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The Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington Post: Top 5 factors to weigh when picking a college (by May 1st deadline)Valerie StraussatThe Answer Sheet-5 hours agoThis was* written by Danielle Moss Lee, president and chief executive officer of the Harlem Educational Activities Fund. The fund is a supplemental education and youth leadership nonprofit that turns high-potential but underserved New York City public school students into high-achieving college graduates.* Read full article ... more »
What\'s a Mom Worth? Check Out Annual Salary Here - Hispanically Speaking News
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What\'s a Mom Worth? Check Out Annual Salary Here - Hispanically Speaking News: Mexican Presidential Candidates Put on the Spot by Video Asking Why They’re RunningHispanically Speaking News Global Feed-22 minutes ago[image: Mexican Presidential Candidates Put on the Spot by Video Asking Why They’re Running] A video in which children ask Mexico’s 2012 presidential hopefuls whether they really want to change the country or are just seeking the office for its own sake has already topped 2.7 million views on ... more »
How One Principal Recruited Role Models to Motivate His Black Male Students - Education - GOOD
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How One Principal Recruited Role Models to Motivate His Black Male Students - Education - GOOD: How One Principal Recruited Role Models to Motivate His Black Male StudentsbyBaruti KafeleThere are plenty of challenges in public schools, but the greatest crisis we face in education today is that of black male learners: The national high school graduation rate for black males is ashocking 47 percent.Although that national rate is extremely low, when it is disaggregated by large school districts, the statistics ... more »
This Week's Education Research Report
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Education Research Report: Cyberbullying and bullying are not the sameJonathan KantrowitzatEducation Research Report-5 minutes agoΩh University of British Columbia research comparing traditional bullying with cyberbullying finds that the dynamics of online bullying are different, suggesting that anti-bullying programs need specific interventions to target online aggression. "There are currently many programs aimed at reducing bullying in schools and I think there is an assumption that these programs deal with cyberbullying as well," says Jennifer Shapka, an associate professor in th... more »
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 4-13 #soschat #EDReform
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Summer Matters - Partnership for Children and YouthBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-37 minutes agoSummer Matters - Partnership for Children and Youth: STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TOM TORLAKSON TO LAUNCH 2012 SUMMER MATTERS CAMPAIGNSuperintendent Torlakson to Announce Statewide Initiative to Bolster Summertime LearningMedia VIP EventTuesday, April 17 – 12:30pm / San Francisco City Hall San Francisco, CA –OnTuesday, April 17,State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson will kick off “Summer Matters 2012” — a statewide campaign to expand ... more »