BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS
Shanker Blog » Rethinking Affirmative Action
Shanker Blog » Rethinking Affirmative Action: Rethinking Affirmative Action by Esther Quintero President Kennedy first introduced the term "affirmative action." Affirmative action has been defined as “voluntary and mandatory efforts undertaken by federal, state, and local governments, private employers and schools to combat discrimination, foster fair hiring and advancement of qualified individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity and gender; and to promote equal opportunity in education and employment for all.” It is also a highly controversial policy, with few fans and many d... more »
How Does Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee Sleep at Night? « Diane Ravitch's blog
How Does Rhee Sleep at Night? « Diane Ravitch's blog: How Does Rhee Sleep at Night? dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog The latest report on Michelle Rhee shows her collecting millions of dollars from Wall Street financiers, assorted billionaires, and mega-foundations, all to redesign American education as she sees fit. www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-education-rheebre84e1oa-20120515,0,7834441.story She has become a convenient vessel for the most rightwing governors who want to dismantle public education and reduce the teaching profession to at-will employees. How can sh... more »
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, May 16, 2012
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education Headlines *Wednesday, May 16, 2012* Crowd rallies against Desert Sands Unified teacher layoffsTeachers, parents and students rallied at Desert Sands Unified School District's board room Tuesday in support of laid-off teachers. About 250 people joined the rally, many wearing pink “Save our Schools — Save our Students” T-shirts in honor of the 71 teachers who received final layoff notices, also called pink slips. Clovis West principal leaving for Santa Barbara The Fresno BeeBen Drati, Clovis West High School's principa... more »
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee targeting schools, backed by big bucks - chicagotribune.com
Activist targeting schools, backed by big bucks - chicagotribune.com: Activist targeting schools, backed by big bucks (Reuters) - During her tumultuous three years at the head of the Washington D.C. public schools, Michelle Rhee set off a lot of fireworks. She's still doing it - on a national stage. Rhee has emerged as the leader of an unlikely coalition of politicians, philanthropists, financiers and entrepreneurs who believe the nation's $500 billion-a-year public education system needs a massive overhaul. She has vowed to raise $1 billion for her national advocacy group, Stude... more »
New GASB User Guide to School Districts’ Finances GASB: Governmental Accounting Standards Board
GASB: Governmental Accounting Standards Board: *New GASB User Guide to School Districts’ Finances* *Helps Taxpayers Find Answers to Many Questions* *Norwalk, CT, **May 16, 2012*—How can taxpayers follow how their money is being spent on public education? What is the difference between a school district’s budget and its financial statements? How can you determine if your school district’s financial health is improving or declining? What assets does your school district own, and how much does it owe?**** Taxpayers can learn the answers to those questions—and many others—in a new, ea... more »
How Romney Should Grade Obama on Education :: Frederick M. Hess
How Romney Should Grade Obama on Education :: Frederick M. Hess: How Romney Should Grade Obama on Education *by Frederick M. Hess • May 16, 2012 at 8:51 am Cross-posted from Education Week* Given concerns about the economy, jobs, and health care, education policy isn't likely to be a make-or-break issue in November's presidential election. But it matters a great deal, nonetheless. As was the case for George W. Bush in 2000 and Barack Obama in 2008, Mitt Romney's stance on education will powerfully color how Americans view his broader domestic agenda. Romney's been largely silent on... more »
Life in Rahm’s Chicago. The CTU is kicking his ass. « Fred Klonsky
Life in Rahm’s Chicago. The CTU is kicking his ass. « Fred Klonsky: Life in Rahm’s Chicago. The CTU is kicking his ass. by Fred Klonsky Rahm is basically a north shore rich kid. So, he can be forgiven if he doesn’t yet understand that Chicago is a union town. In the latest Tribune poll that compares Rahm’s support with that of the Chicago Teachers Union, Rahm gets beaten. Bad. 92% of CPS parents support a pay raise for teachers. And of all Chicagoans, only 17% support the Mayor over the CTU on the question of who do you support for improving Chicago schools.
NYC Public School Parents: Results of survey from 8000 parents about impact of this year's state tests
NYC Public School Parents: Results of survey from 8000 parents about impact of this year's state tests: Results of survey from 8000 parents about impact of this year's state tests by Leonie Haimson Over the course of two weeks, 8000 parents across the state responded to a survey developed by New York principals regarding their children’s experiences with the recent state 3-8 Assessments in ELA and mathematics. The parent survey was conducted bywww.newyorkprincipals.org The purpose of the survey was to find out more about the effects of these exams. Teachers and principals of 3-8... more »
Daily Kos: Thank the unions
Daily Kos: Thank the unions: Thank the unions by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) I will shortly leave for work as a classroom teacher. I have protection from arbitrary firing - because I am in a union I am not forced into downward competition for compensation - because I am in a union I have paid holidays and paid leave - because I am in a union I still have a defined benefit pension - because I am in a union If you have any of those things, or any of these - 8 hours or less work per day - workplace safety rules - 5 day work week - paid overtime or compensatory time off or any of man... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Alvarez & Marsal to the Rescue dianerav at Diane Ravitch's blog - 5 minutes ago I learned yesterday that the Colorado Department of Education has hired the ubiquitous firm Alvarez & Marsal to investigate a cheating scandal in Denver (http://www.ednewscolorado.org/2012/05/15/38261-state-investigating-two-denver-schools). Alvarez & Marsal has no experience in investigating cheating scandals. The firm is a business consulting firm in New York City. It was hired a few weeks ago to investigate [...] Who Is Rea... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: News from Chicago's War Zone
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: News from Chicago's War Zone: News from Chicago's War Zone by Mike Klonsky The mayor has created a war zone in Chicago. By bringing the NATO war makers into town, bringing in federal troops and police from across the country to patrol the city's downtown and neighborhoods, Rahm Emanuel has lit a fuse that will inevitably explode. Protesters are already being jailed and clashes between protesters and Bridgeport (Daley's old neighborhood and power base) residents. I think that's what he wants so he can offer
Schools Matter: Not quite what I was trying to say: Comments about the Common Core Standards and Tests
Schools Matter: Not quite what I was trying to say: Comments about the Common Core Standards and Tests: Not quite what I was trying to say: Comments about the Common Core Standards and Tests by skrashen Not quite what I was trying to say: Comments about the Common Core Standards and Tests Stephen Krashen I was quoted in an article in the NY Times about David Coleman’s appointment as head of the College Board. I had sent the reporter written statements and a few of my short articles before the interview, but like most reporters, she preferred the oral interview. Coleman is “an arch... more »
FairTest Calls for Independent Audit of FCAT, Pearson | Scathing Purple Musings
FairTest Calls for Independent Audit of FCAT, Pearson | Scathing Purple Musings: FairTest Calls for Independent Audit of FCAT, Pearson by Bob Sikes From the *Bradenton Times*: BRADENTON – Based on a history of grading errors, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing has called for an independent audit and investigation of Pearson, the company that designed and graded the state’s 2012 FCAT exams. “Pearson has a troubling history of testing errors, the worst in an unregulated, irresponsible industry,” said FairTest Public Education Director Bob Schaeffer, a Southwest Florida re... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Is Education Going to Divide the Dems?
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Is Education Going to Divide the Dems?: Is Education Going to Divide the Dems? by Melissa Westbrook As you may recall, earlier this year there was some rancor among Washington State Democrats when Nick Hanauer, a businessman and philanthropist, released an e-mail he had written about his unhappiness with the Washington State Democratic party (and elected officials) over its public education stance. It set off a firestorm because, and although many of us have at least one issue we don't agree with our party's stand on, rarely does such a high-pr... more »
NYC Educator: Bad, or Worse? You Decide
NYC Educator: Bad, or Worse? You Decide: Bad, or Worse? You Decide by NYC Educator Chancellor Walcott is always thinking of us. That's why, during Teacher Appreciation Week, he issued this statement as part of the Principals' Weekly: *I believe the best way I can show my appreciation is to support you actively in our critical work, and that’s why I’m pleased to share the 2012-13 citywide instructional expectations with you.* Thanks, Chancellor. Words can barely express how much I appreciate your sharing your list of demands with us. I've no doubt they'll be equally effective as ... more »
Thinking about “Corporate Reform”–Part 2 | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
Thinking about “Corporate Reform”–Part 2 | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Thinking about “Corporate Reform”–Part 2 by larrycuban *Positive Outcomes from Three Decades of Economic-driven School Reforms* 1. *Hastened shift from defining school effectiveness as the level of resources that go into schooling children and youth to an exclusive concentration on outcomes.* Since the late-19th century, policymakers judged the quality of schools and their effectiveness by how much money was spent per-student, the credentials teachers possessed, the worth of ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Perth Amboy Follies Update
Jersey Jazzman: Perth Amboy Follies Update: Perth Amboy Follies Update by Duke The saga of anti-tenure-for-teachers-but-pro-due-process-for-herself Janine Caffrey and the BOE of Perth Amboy continues. When last we left, Caffrey had been reinstated as the superintendent by ACTING NJDOE Commissioner Cerf, despite the board's vote to remove her. And Cerf has retained the right to act as the final arbiter in this matter, despite the fact that it's clear the board doesn't want her. Now, it appears that the teachers would also like her to pack her bags. From the local union's website:... more »
Geaux Teacher!: MYTHS!
Geaux Teacher!: MYTHS!: MYTHS! by noreply@blogger.com (Lee Barrios, M.Ed., NBCT) This was a quick response I made to an article today in *The Advocate* - Baton Rouge newspaper. One of the myths we're addressing in our efforts to inform the public about the ALEC reform agenda and my stance on working with our local unions. http://theadvocate.com/news/2832484-123/teachers-leader-assails-jindal-laws *ABayouBoy *- Much of the "failure" of our public schools has been orchestrated beginning with NCLB (No Child Left Behind federal legislation) - actually before, but this law sealed the ... more »
A sudden school closure in Oakland - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools
A sudden school closure in Oakland - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: A sudden school closure in Oakland Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 at 5:10 pm in 2 Comments » *photo by Kristopher Skinner/Bay Area News Group* All year long, people have been complaining about the Oakland school board’s decision to close five elementary schools — and how they did it. Almost everyone who goes through a school closure must suffer to some degree, regardless of the process or the timing. But as I reported the story I wrote today about the closure of Civicorps Elementary School, a... more »
Big Education Ape Nite Cap UPDATE 5-15-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
*UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* * * * * * * Channeling L. Ron Hubbard, The Latest in Ed Deform by Michael Dunn Illustration by Edd Cartier for Hubbard's story "Fear" Fox News is not normally one to criticize education reform, not unless a religious cult is profiting from it. In this case, Washington, D.C. schools has approved Applied Scholastics International (ASI) to provide Supplemental Educational Services (SES) to failing schools— * * “normal stuff” by G Bitch A pastor at the church the family attended described it as “normal stuff.” “I think he was punching some walls or somethin... more »