My visit to Philadelphia « Diane Ravitch's blog
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My visit to Philadelphia « Diane Ravitch's blog: Diane Ravitch WebsiteDiane Ravitch WebsiteMy visit to PhiladelphiabydianeravYesterday I went to Philadelphia to speak to the annual meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Before I left New York City, the local spokesperson for Parents Across American, Helen Gym, asked if I would meet with some journalists to talk about the “reform” plan just released the day before. She sent me a link to the plan, and as I read ... more »
RheeFirst! » Massive Teacher’s Rally Held at CT State Capitol–Rhee gets a mention
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RheeFirst! » Massive Teacher’s Rally Held at CT State Capitol–Rhee gets a mention: Massive Teacher’s Rally Held at CT State Capitol–Rhee gets a mentionbyadminThis first hand account was sent by Terry Winters of CT, who attended a massive teachers’ rally before the State Capitol yesterday. The State Senate President Pro Tem and other legislators spoke at the rally.“Connecticut teachers converged on the State Capitol to stand up for students and the teaching profession—emphasizing that lawmakers need a meaningful education reform ... more »
PAA Action News Parents Across America
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Parents Across America: Information and action for parents coming together to strengthen our public schools. Comments? Suggestions? Stories? E-mail usinfo@parentsacrossamerica.org.More atwww.parentsacrossamerica.org.Looking for regular updates on key education stories? Join the PAA News list. EmailPAAnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.comPAA Action NewsGO TONational Resolution on High-Stakes TestingPAA Action AlertJoin the Pineapple Rebellion! Sign theNational Resolution against High-Stakes Testing!PAA and our allies raised a powerful challenge to the testing industry this week. First, our ... more »
FairTest to Honor Diane Ravitch with the Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award | FairTest
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FairTest to Honor Diane Ravitch with the Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award | FairTest: FairTest to Honor Diane Ravitch with the Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award Submitted by fairtest on March 26, 2012 - 1:52pmabout us assessment FairTest in the News in house k-12national news whats newDate and Time:Tuesday, 5 June, 5:30-830 p.m.Place: Julia Richman Educational Complex, 317 East 67th St., New York CityDiane Ravitch is an internationally renowned and respected historian of education. Formerly a ...more »
The Corporate Tax Loophole...or "The Hole".
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The Corporate Tax Loophole...or "The Hole"...uses animation to highlight the importance of getting corporations to pay their fair share and the negative impact corporate tax loopholes have on students, public education, and the middle class. Make you voice heard. Sign the petition at: EdVotes.org/loopholes
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Another Black Eye for the District
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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Another Black Eye for the District: Another Black Eye for the DistrictbyMelissa WestbrookI knew about this investigation and the results. I had being holding off on raising the issue until next week out of courtesy to the superintendent search. The Times got the info anyway. (I don't have a total for the amount of money that is likely gone/missing but I think it is around $20-30K which is a great deal of money for Van Asselt.)From ... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Tough Choices or Wrong Choices
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Missouri Education Watchdog: Tough Choices or Wrong Choices: Tough Choices or Wrong ChoicesbyAnngie"The education system is merely a support for the political system we choose."- Vicky DavisIn 2007 the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) produced a report entitledTough Choices or Tough Times. In it, they outlined a view for the American education system as the supplier of workers for the 21st century in a global economy. From her blogChanneling Reality, Davis summarizes the the findings of the ... more »
Principal says many questions flawed on state standardized tests - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
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Principal says many questions flawed on state standardized tests - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Principal says many questions flawed on state standardized testsByValerie StraussThis is a letter that P.S. 321 Principal Elizabeth Phillips sent to John B. King Jr., the New York State education commissioner, about questions she has seen on this year’s standardized tests recently administered to students in various grades.Late last week King decided toinvalidate one set of questions on a reading test just given ... more »
New testing system could mean more time for instruction | The Salt Lake Tribune
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New testing system could mean more time for instruction | The Salt Lake Tribune: New testing system could mean more time for instructionSchools » Program tests literacy in early grades.By Lisa Schencker| The Salt Lake TribuneFirst Published Apr 24 2012 06:22 pm • Last Updated Apr 25 2012 11:07 amTeacher Heather Musser sat directly across from first-grader Benjamin Blake as he read a story about hats Tuesday.But she wasn’t just listening.PhotosJoin the DiscussionPost a CommentShe followed along on an iPad ... more »
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 »