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Two Democratic … « Diane Ravitch's blog
Two Democratic … « Diane Ravitch's blog: Two Democratic … by dianerav Two Democratic party groups in California have publicly protested the use of the word “Democrats” by the hedge-fund managers’ charter advocacy group Democrats for Education Reform. The Los Angeles Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of San Fernando Valley have complained that the Wall Street group–whose education policies are indistinguishable from those of the GOP–should cease and desist using the word “Democrats” in their name as it confuses voters. Here is the LA complaint: http://www.lacdp.org/wp-co... more »
John Walton: DFER Catalyst? « DFER Watch
John Walton: DFER Catalyst? « DFER Watch: [image: DFER Fake Democrats for Education Privatization (click on Picture)] JOHN WALTON: DFER CATALYST? Posted by ken libby on November 27, 2010 · 4 Comments John Walton: DFER catalyst? So says Whitney Tilson in an interview from his documentary, A Right Denied. Here is a snippet: [DFER was started] …with a few other friends that are involved with a couple other other charter schools, and they were money managers like me involved with a couple similarly high-performing charter schools, we finally decided to create a little guerilla movement ... more »
Owners and players. « Fred Klonsky
Owners and players. « Fred Klonsky: Owners and players. by Fred Klonsky Even as a kid I knew the difference between owners and players and the game. As a Dodger fan I loved Jackie Robinson. And I hated Walter O’Malley. As an adult I could swear allegiance to the Bulls and MJ while feeling nothing but contempt for Jerry Reinsdorf. So I have no problem with the Cubs and their players. Even though the new owners are scumbags. The story today is that the Ricketts family, owners of the Cubs, are million dollar funders of a super-PAC that is planning to launch a race-baiting campaign again... more »
Study: 7.5 million students miss a month of school each year – USATODAY.com
Study: 7.5 million students miss a month of school each year – USATODAY.com: Study: 7.5 million students miss a month of school each year By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY Updated 13h 39m ago - Comments - - - - - - Reprints & Permissions On any given day, about 90% of USA students come to school — pretty good as attendance goes. But scratch beneath the surface and you may find less flattering figures. - [image: New research suggests millions of students miss a month of school each year, raising the likelihood they'll fail academically and eventuall... more »
Alec Exposed in Wisconsin: The Hijacking of a State | Uppity Wisconsin
Alec Exposed in Wisconsin: The Hijacking of a State | Uppity Wisconsin: Alec Exposed in Wisconsin: The Hijacking of a State by Steve Hanson CMD Releases New Report“ALEC Exposed in Wisconsin: The Hijacking of a State” *Watchdog Groups Call for Attorney General Investigation of ALEC Lobbying Activities* MADISON -- Today, the Madison-based Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) released a new report that details the exclusive network of corporate lobbyists and special interest groups that influence the Wisconsin legislature through the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). “Th... more »
All Things Education: Ssshhhh! Testing in Progress
All Things Education: Ssshhhh! Testing in Progress: Ssshhhh! Testing in Progress by Rachel Levy *This is a guest post by a DCPS teacher who wishes to remain anonymous due to fears of reprisal by administrators.* "Ssshhhh! Testing in Progress" These signs hang on every classroom door and throughout the hallways of the elementary school where I teach. Bulletin boards throughout the building are plastered with test-taking tips, countdown to testing days, and even testing-themed poetry. Teachers are feverishly reviewing the pages and pages of rules, regulations, and routines that wi... more »
Indianapolis Charters Dumping Students « Diane Ravitch's blog
Indianapolis Charters Dumping Students « Diane Ravitch's blog: Indianapolis Charters Dumping Students by dianerav Sharon Higgins, a parent activist in Oakland, manages an important blog called “charter school scandals.” she collects articles from around the nation about the misdeeds of charter operators. That’s how I learned about the story below. I have heard from many public school principals about the practice of dumping low-performing students and keeping the tuition money. Don’t be surprised if Tony Bennett doesn’t turn a blind eye: “IPS superintendent calls for state investi... more »
LAUSD'S FINAL SOLUTION FOR EXPENSIVE HIGH SENIORITY TEACHERS - Perdaily.com
LAUSD'S FINAL SOLUTION FOR EXPENSIVE HIGH SENIORITY TEACHERS - Perdaily.com: LAUSD'S FINAL SOLUTION FOR EXPENSIVE HIGH SENIORITY TEACHERS by Leonard Isenberg [image: Targeted.jpg] *(Mensaje se repite en Español) (For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post) The biggest problem with bringing about change in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is that most people of good will find it impossible to believe that people running a school district could actually be so malevolent. In what now amounts to the hundreds of calls I have received fr...more »
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Lots of upcoming events in real school reform
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Lots of upcoming events in real school reform: Lots of upcoming events in real school reform by admin *Sunday, May 20, 5 to 7 pm @ Luther Memorial Church, 2500 W. Wilson.* PURE’s Wanda Hopkins will be featured on a panel, “Critically Thinking about Chicago Public Schools.” Also featured, members of the CTU, City Council, Raise Your Hand, Albany Park Neighborhood Council, and VOYCE; CPS Board members are also invited. “The notion of education reform is not a contentious issue for the vast majority of Chicago voters, as 82% con... more »
Education Research Report: The Importance of Being in School: A Report on Absenteeism in the Nation’s Public Schools
Education Research Report: The Importance of Being in School: A Report on Absenteeism in the Nation’s Public Schools: The Importance of Being in School: A Report on Absenteeism in the Nation’s Public Schools [image: Gs_banner_attendance_calculator_short] ATTENDANCE COUNTS! Just one day. That’s what we think when we skip school or pull our child out. It can’t really matter that much. But add up those one days and you get months of missed learning time. We’ve created a tool that allows you to chart the effect of missing school. Check it out, share it and read more about the issue.... more »
Hey, Over Here… I got this standardized test for yah… Cheap. - Wait, What?
Hey, Over Here… I got this standardized test for yah… Cheap. - Wait, What?: Hey, Over Here… I got this standardized test for yah… Cheap. by jonpelto Three weeks ago came the news that Bridgeport Superintendent Paul Vallas and the corporate reformers who are busy “turning around” the Bridgeport School System decided to add another round of standardized tests to finish up the school year (even though the state-wide Connecticut Mastery Tests just took place only a few weeks ago.) See Wait What? More Standardized Testing, Hooray! Vallas’s Chief Administrative Officer informed Bridg... more »
From the National Academy of Sciences, a year ago this month, Current Test-Based Incentive Programs Have Not Consistently Raised Student Achievement in U.S | Seattle Education
From the National Academy of Sciences, a year ago this month, Current Test-Based Incentive Programs Have Not Consistently Raised Student Achievement in U.S | Seattle Education: From the National Academy of Sciences, a year ago this month, Current Test-Based Incentive Programs Have Not Consistently Raised Student Achievement in U.S by seattleducation2011 *One year ago, the National Academies provided a report regarding the focus of standardized testing and its effects or lack thereof on our educational system. Unfortunately the Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and his corporat... more »
May 17, 1954 | Supreme Court Declares School Segregation Unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education - NYTimes.com
May 17, 1954 | Supreme Court Declares School Segregation Unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education - NYTimes.com: May 17, 1954 | Supreme Court Declares School Segregation Unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of EducationBy THE LEARNING NETWORK Thomas J. O’Halloran/Library of Congress U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph CollectionIn Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, the NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall successfully argued that school segregation was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Historic Headlines Learn about key events in histor... more »
The Students Success Task Force the focus of May 12th conference on the privatization of California Community Colleges: Students discuss strategies to form a California State Wide Union of Students | Dailycensored.com
The Students Success Task Force the focus of May 12th conference on the privatization of California Community Colleges: Students discuss strategies to form a California State Wide Union of Students | Dailycensored.com: ' The Students Success Task Force the focus of May 12th conference on the privatization of California Community Colleges: Students discuss strategies to form a California State Wide Union of Students Posted by: Danny Weil Posted date: *May 17, 2012* In: *Business, Education* | comment : 0 Comments If you are not familiar with the proposal coming out of the state gov... more »
Lucas Frerichs: Davis City Council Candidate Profile - Davis, CA Patch
Lucas Frerichs: Davis City Council Candidate Profile - Davis, CA Patch: Lucas Frerichs: Davis City Council Candidate Profile Lucas Frerichs is running for Davis City Council. Here's some information about Frerichs and his campaign. (Check back for updates). - By Patch Staff - Email the author - May 4, 2012 Email Print Comment Upload Photos and Videos *Davis Patch asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire to give readers information about his or her background. Read about other candidates here.* *Where do you work and what is your title? *I have worked for t... more »
The in box. Pension rallies scheduled for today and tomorrow. « Fred Klonsky
The in box. Pension rallies scheduled for today and tomorrow. « Fred Klonsky: The in box. Pension rallies scheduled for today and tomorrow. by Fred Klonsky *ORLAND PARK – Pension Rally* *Please join the troops!!!* *Meet at: REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES KREZWICK’S DISTRICT (McCarthy’s Replacement)* *What: Rally Supporting Teachers and Public Employees* *When: Friday, May 18th from 4-6PM* * **Where: Representative Krezwick’s District Office ** (8951 West 151st Street, Orland Park, IL 60462)* * **Why: Rep. Charles Krezwick says he is supporting the Democratic Leadership’s Positi... more »
Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 5-17 AM Posts #soschat #edreform
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS If You Fail Just Lower The Standard | Truth in American Education coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 minutes ago If You Fail Just Lower The Standard | Truth in American Education: If You Fail Just Lower The Standard by Shane Vander Hart [image: test-pencil-240-g-3642457]What a great example given to us by the Florida Board of Education if you fail to meet your standard, then just lower it! The Board of Education decided in an emergency meeting Tuesday to lower the passing grade on the writing portion of Florida’s standardized test after pr... more »
If You Fail Just Lower The Standard | Truth in American Education
If You Fail Just Lower The Standard | Truth in American Education: If You Fail Just Lower The Standard by Shane Vander Hart [image: test-pencil-240-g-3642457]What a great example given to us by the Florida Board of Education if you fail to meet your standard, then just lower it! The Board of Education decided in an emergency meeting Tuesday to lower the passing grade on the writing portion of Florida’s standardized test after preliminary results showed a drastic drop in student passing scores. The results indicated only about a third of students would pass this year’s tougher Flori... more »
Geaux Teacher!: STRAIGHT UP - a lucid moment from Rick Hess
Geaux Teacher!: STRAIGHT UP - a lucid moment from Rick Hess: STRAIGHT UP - a lucid moment from Rick Hess by noreply@blogger.com (Lee Barrios, M.Ed., NBCT) As I have said before when citing a blog by Rick Hess, I don't often agree with him, but this posting today was more than a moment of cogency regarding school choice. I could spend (and our policymakers *SHOULD* spend) quality time studying, developing, and critiquing Hess's points to find ways to implement strategies that would benefit and protect everyone's right and ability to take ownership of *REAL CHOICE* and at the same ... more »
Modern School: California Judge Rules in Favor of Seniority
Modern School: California Judge Rules in Favor of Seniority: California Judge Rules in Favor of Seniority by Michael Dunn The current wave of Ed Deform is breathtaking for the diversity and quantity of ill-conceived and destructive demands being made by its proponents. Despite the fact that these reforms contribute to the demoralization of teachers and potential flight from the profession at a time of teacher shortages, while also deteriorating safety and learning conditions for students, it seems like legislators and the courts are perfectly content to support and promote the madn... more »
The PowerPoint Slides That Were Too Hot for TED - Restoration Roundtable
The PowerPoint Slides That Were Too Hot for TED - Restoration Roundtable: The PowerPoint Slides That Were Too Hot for TED By *National Journal News Desk* May 16, 2012 | 5:14 PM - - - - - 4 The idea--that the rich should pay more taxes to close the income inequality gap-- that TEDorganizers recently decided was too controversial to spread is being shared anyway. Here's a look at venture capitalist Nick Hanauer's slides from the talk that was deemed to controversial to share: (*RELATED:* Read the Speech That's Too Hot for TED) TED 2012 More Slides Final1
The Danger of Mindlessness - Bridging Differences - Education Week
The Danger of Mindlessness - Bridging Differences - Education Week: The Danger of Mindlessness by Deborah Meier Dear Diane, Sixty year ago, as a student at the University of Chicago, I met a wonderful man named Chick (Ernest) Callenbach. He moved westward and I moved eastward, and we gradually lost touch. Last month he died, and left behind some words that touched me deeply: (See May 6, 2012, on TomDispatch.com) "To all brothers and sisters who hold the dream in their hearts of a future world in which humans and all other beings live in harmony and mutual support—a world of sust... more »
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, May 17, 2012
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education Headlines *Thursday, May 17, 2012* District Attorney's Office reviews case of teacher accused of abuseThe Orange County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case of an Orange teacher accused of physically abusing special-education students, officials said Tuesday. Twin Rivers school board candidate has criminal recordTwin Rivers Unified School District school board candidate John Berchielli has a lengthy criminal record, including felony convictions for child endangerment, setting booby traps, marijuana cultivation... more »
An Open Letter from Former Stand for Children Activists About a Ballot Measure | Seattle Education
An Open Letter from Former Stand for Children Activists About a Ballot Measure | Seattle Education: An Open Letter from Former Stand for Children Activists About a Ballot Measure by seattleducation2011 *If only the Stand for Children folks in our state had such convictions.* *The following is an open letter from former Stand for Children members in Massachusetts.* As parents, teachers, and community members, we are Massachusetts grassroots activists for education. We read bills, testify at hearings, write letters to the editor, pore over budgets, speak at town meetings, make pho... more »
Arizona Republican Introduces Bill That Would Make The Lives Of Teachers A Living Hell | Addicting Info
Arizona Republican Introduces Bill That Would Make The Lives Of Teachers A Living Hell | Addicting Info: Arizona Republican Introduces Bill That Would Make The Lives Of Teachers A Living Hell February 13, 2012 By Stephen D. Foster Jr. Five GOP Senators in Arizona have introduced a bill in Arizona that would make the lives of teachers and professors a living hell inside and outside of school. Senator Al Melvin, Senator Andy Biggs, Senator Don Shooter, Senator Lori Klein, and Senator Steve Smith are the sponsors of SB 1467, which would prohibit teachers from engaging in “speech or co...more »
What teachers don’t need (but are getting anyway) - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
What teachers don’t need (but are getting anyway) - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: What teachers don’t need (but are getting anyway) by Valerie Strauss This *was written by Paul Thomas, an associate professor of education at Furman University in South Carolina. A version of this first appeared on dailykos.com.* By Paul Thomas Just days ago, I completed my 28th year as a teacher — 18 as a high school teacher of English followed by 10 years as a professor of education. Read full article >> The (college) kids are alright by Valerie Strauss This *was written by Stephen Whitt... more »
Full-scale assault on tenure, dismissal laws | Thoughts on Public Education
Full-scale assault on tenure, dismissal laws | Thoughts on Public Education: Full-scale assault on tenure, dismissal laws - by John Fensterwald - Educated Guess by John Fensterwald - Educated Guess A nonprofit founded by a Silicon Valley entrepreneur has filed a sweeping, high-stakes lawsuit challenging state teacher protection laws. A victory would overturn a tenure, dismissal, and layoff system that critics blame for the hiring and retention of ineffective teachers. A loss in court could produce bad case law, impeding more targeted efforts to [...] Busting out of traditional n... more »
Sanctimonious Scolding Isn't a Great Strategy for Promoting School Choice :: Frederick M. Hess
Sanctimonious Scolding Isn't a Great Strategy for Promoting School Choice :: Frederick M. Hess: Sanctimonious Scolding Isn't a Great Strategy for Promoting School Choice The other day, the Fordham Institute's Adam Emerson attacked Louisiana's Zachary school district for having the temerity to not participate in the state's new voucher program. After expressing initial interest, Zachary opted not to partake. The voucher program, championed by Governor Bobby Jindal, would allow students who attend Louisiana public schools earning a C, D, or F on the state's accountability system to ... more »
Is Miami-Dade Next to Endorse the National Resolution on High Stakes Testing? | Scathing Purple Musings
Is Miami-Dade Next to Endorse the National Resolution on High Stakes Testing? | Scathing Purple Musings: Is Miami-Dade Next to Endorse the National Resolution on High Stakes Testing? by Bob Sikes The state’s most recognized superintendent was clearly mad yesterday. Alberto Carvalho, a man who carefully chooses his words said some interesting things at the Miami-Dade school board meeting yesterday about this week’s FCAT nightmare. From *Miami Herald *columnist Fred Grimm: “What we saw yesterday , we predicted,” Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho told his school board Wednes...more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Happenings and Good News in SPS
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Happenings and Good News in SPS: Happenings and Good News in SPS by Melissa Westbrook *Lowell Elementary Chess Team wins 24th Place at National Elementary Chess Championship* **This event was held May 11-13th in Nashville Tennessee. Lowell was the only team with just two players (they could have had up to four). Jan Buzek, 4th grade, placed 47th out of 284 players and Marcell Szabo, 5th grade, was co-National Champion in the K-5 section.** * * * Note: *these blurbs were either submitted or the work of SPS Communications. I did not write any co... more »
NYC Educator: What Real People Think about State Exams
NYC Educator: What Real People Think about State Exams: What Real People Think about State Exams by Miss Eyre In my experience, at least, teachers can run in somewhat isolated social circles; i.e. many of our friends and relatives are also teachers. But I have the great fortune to be married to a real person non-teacher, Mr. Eyre, who nevertheless possesses a great deal of forbearance when it comes to my willingness to discuss the absurdities of my profession. A few days ago, we were listening to WNYC covering the scoring of the state ELA and math exams, and we had this conversati... more »
A Worrisome Tradeoff of the School Choice Movement
A Worrisome Tradeoff of the School Choice Movement: A Worrisome Tradeoff of the School Choice Movement by Sarah Rosenberg Source: http://photography-business-tips.com The New York Times’ most emailed articles list typically does not include the most hard-hitting journalism. Instead, the list features pet stories about Ivy League graduates forced to wait tables or, this week, parents paying for their middle-aged daughters to freeze their eggs as grandparent insurance. Monday morning’s list, however, had an important story that examines a tradeoff posed by the charter school movemen... more »
NY State PTA President Testifies on Role of Families in Education Reform
NY State PTA President Testifies on Role of Families in Education Reform: NY State PTA President Testifies on Role of Families in Education Reform Dr. Maria Fletcher, president of the New York State PTA, will testify this morning at the US. House of Representatives Education and the Workforce Committee — Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. The hearing, titled "Exploring State Success in Expanding Parent and Student Options," will focus on the role of parents in education reform. Research shows a direct link between family engagement and student ac... more »
Education Report: Chronic Absenteeism Undermines Over 5 Million Students
Education Report: Chronic Absenteeism Undermines Over 5 Million Students: Education Report: Chronic Absenteeism Undermines Over 5 Million Students by Joy Resmovits Danet Robaina-Cline, an attendance counselor at Chaparral High, considers her school lucky. Like other schools in Las Vegas, a city reeling from the worst ravages of the foreclosure crisis, Chaparral serves impoverished children. They live in foster care or homeless shelters. They must watch over their younger siblings or move several times a year. But because Chaparral is in the middle of a well-funded turnaround proc... more »
GERM in Brazil « Diane Ravitch's blog
GERM in Brazil « Diane Ravitch's blog: "Global Education Reform Movement" GERM in Brazil by dianerav In his recent book Finnish Lessons, Pasi Sahlberg talks about the spread of GERM (the Global Education Reform Movement), the devout belief in testing, accountability, competition, choice, and privatization. One reason for the contagious nature of GERM is that it is boosted by an unparalleled public relations campaign. This campaign makes dramatic claims about successes, test score gains, improvements of all kinds. If one has the opportunity to look closely at these claims, they disa... more »
Sacramento City Unified enacts worst-case-scenario budget cuts - Education - The Sacramento Bee
Sacramento City Unified enacts worst-case-scenario budget cuts - Education - The Sacramento Bee: Sacramento City Unified enacts worst-case-scenario budget cuts Share By Diana Lambert dlambert@sacbee.com Published: Thursday, May. 17, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 1B Fifteen months ago, Sacramento City Unified School District approved a worst-case-scenario budget that called for laying off 355 full-time teachers, principals, counselors and librarians, and cutting off sports, band, cheerleading, choir and drama. By June 1, 2011, however, the district got a reprieve because state income tax r...more »
Is an 'Occupy Teach For America' Movement Brewing? - Education - GOOD
Is an 'Occupy Teach For America' Movement Brewing? - Education - GOOD: Is an 'Occupy Teach For America' Movement Brewing? by Liz Dwyer [image: occupy.tfa] Influential New York City educator Gary Rubinstein has long been critical of Teach for America, the organization that brought him into the classroom 21 years ago. In a blog post last fall, he argued that people should no longer sign up to join the organization. Now, he's asking TFA teachers and alumni to take action against what he calls "the corporate reform movement for which TFA is the poster child." "Now you’ve experienced how... more »
Did the UC Just Take a Major Step Toward Privatization? - Davis, CA Patch
Did the UC Just Take a Major Step Toward Privatization? - Davis, CA Patch: Did the UC Just Take a Major Step Toward Privatization? [image: Gov. Jerry Brown]Shortly after Gov. Jerry Brown presented his latest budget proposals, which he says will slash $8.3 billion from government spending to close a $15.7 billion deficit, UC faculty delivered a bold response. The Council for UC Faculty Associations is an umbrella association that binds the faculty associations on each UC Campus. They posted the following on their website the day after Brown's announcement. Some have suggested that th... more »
Big Education Ape Nite Cap UPDATE 5-16-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
*UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* Citizens of the World charter: parent choice or segregation? by Leonie Haimson *Both nationally and locally,charter schools have been found to lead to more segregation**in our public schools. The following is by Brooke Parker, one of the founders of **Williamsburg and Greenpoint Parents for Our Public Schools (WAGPOPS)**, about a new charter chain that has applied to SUNY start in her district. Instructions on how to send in your comments to the SUNY Board of Trustees are **below; the deadline for public comments is May 21.* On the eve of the anniver... more »
