BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS
Mario Savio. Berkeley. December 2, 1964. « Student Activism
Mario Savio. Berkeley. December 2, 1964. « Student Activism: Mario Savio. Berkeley. December 2, 1964. by Angus Johnston Mario Savio. Because Mario Savio.
The Perils Associated With Standardization | Connected Principals
The Perils Associated With Standardization | Connected Principals: The Perils Associated With Standardization by Eric Sheninger Image credit: http://www.noodle.org/noodlings/k-12/decoding-standardized-test-scores This summer I have made a commitment to reading more and have chosen books that I think will help me become a better leader. A few weeks ago I finished Drive by Daniel Pink and am now halfway through withLinchpin by Seth Godin. I highly recommend both of these book at any educators who is interested about the science behind motivation or overcoming resistance to become a... more »
Top Bush Policy Wonk Continues to Blame Florida Districts for Testing | Scathing Purple Musings
Top Bush Policy Wonk Continues to Blame Florida Districts for Testing | Scathing Purple Musings: Top Bush Policy Wonk Continues to Blame Florida Districts for Testing by Bob Sikes *Ocala Star-Banner *editor Brad Rogers bought Patricia Levesque’s spin that the number of tests that some districts impose is the fault of the districts. Patricia Levesque’s career has paralleled the rise of FCAT. In the 1990s she was a staff member for the Florida House Education Committee when, during Gov. Lawton Chiles’ administration, the notion of testing to ensure accountability first emerged. Ov... more »
Why Budget Cuts Matter « Diane Ravitch's blog
Why Budget Cuts Matter « Diane Ravitch's blog: Why Budget Cuts Matter by dianerav A reader explains precisely how four straight years of budget cuts have hurt his school and limited the education of its students. As regular readers of this blog know, I do not usually print the names of commenters because teachers typically worry about reprisals, and in most cases, I don’t know the name of the person who posted the comment. But this writer signed his comment, so I’m posting his name. There has been 4 straight years of budget cuts (called austerity on the world stage) at my school... more »
Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky
Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky: Sunday links. by Fred Klonsky *Diane Ravitch at the AFT Convention in Detroit. Photo credit: Kenzo Shibata * * * *John Dillon’s vocabulary of the week*: “Put a flea in your ear,” or the return of HB1447. *Roger Sanders wants you to come* to the SOS meeting in DC next weekend. *I know I’m going to get math teachers mad*, but I say no. “Is Algebra Necessary?” *Romney would support Israel bombing Iran* and “blames” Obama for the Arab Spring. He should go back to Reform Springfield: Are retirees living “too long?” Dem legislator repeats GOP talking points... more »
Open letter to Gov. Christie: Shame on you | The Asbury Park Press NJ | APP.com
Open letter to Gov. Christie: Shame on you | The Asbury Park Press NJ | APP.com: Open letter to Gov. Christie: Shame on you Dear Gov. Christie, It is absolutely outrageous that you have remained silent for months on what the state might do to help fix Lakewood’s dysfunctional public school system, after choosing to visit a controversial private school there Thursday. How could you? How could you have driven right past the Oak Street public elementary school — one of several troubled public schools in Lakewood, which are 90 percent minority — on your way to the private School for ... more »
History of Pension Plans
History of Pension Plans: History of Pension Plans [image: grant-parents] The earliest private pension plans in the United States were those of the American Express Company in 1875 and of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1880. During the next 50 years approximately 400 plans were established - mostly in railroad, banking, and public-utility firms. Pension development in manufacturing was slower, since this was still a young industry with relatively few aged employees. Insurers entered the pension business with the issuance of the first group annuity contract by the Metropolitan L... more »
Study: The problem with principal training and how to fix it - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
Study: The problem with principal training and how to fix it - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Study: The problem with principal training and how to fix it by Valerie Strauss This *was written by Will Miller, president of The Wallace Foundation, which works to improve education and enrichment for disadvantaged children.* By Will Miller Leadership is a critical issue in every profession. In professions where lives are on the line – from medicine to the military – the rigorous processes for selecting, training and mentoring of doctors and officers shows how seriously the d... more »
Reform Springfield. “The other foe is the GA itself, where no one has the courage to do what almost every other sensible state in the union has already done.” « Fred Klonsky
Reform Springfield. “The other foe is the GA itself, where no one has the courage to do what almost every other sensible state in the union has already done.” « Fred Klonsky: Reform Springfield. “The other foe is the GA itself, where no one has the courage to do what almost every other sensible state in the union has already done.” by Fred Klonsky From Glen Brown: Pension Issues (a letter from Senator Linda Holmes and response from John Dillon). *Dear John,* *Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the ongoing pension debate in Springfield. This is a serious pr... more »
Why the School Marketplace Fails « Diane Ravitch's blog
Why the School Marketplace Fails « Diane Ravitch's blog: Why the School Marketplace Fails by dianerav A reader responded to a post about Michigan with the following comment. I perked up because I was reminded of something I heard on CNN recently. Fareed Zakaria was interviewing Steven Rattner about hedge funds, equity investors, and outsourcing. Zakaria asked why so many capital investors end up sending jobs overseas, and Rattner answered very concisely. He said, and I paraphrase, “in a global economy, capital always seeks to lower costs. In a competitive marketplace, if you can’t... more »
Personalization and Responsibility | Connected Principals
Personalization and Responsibility | Connected Principals: Personalization and Responsibility July 29, 2012 By David Truss [image: Andy Hargreaves 'The 4th Way' - Pyramid by David Truss] George Siemens wrote the Duplication theory of educational value about higher education, but I am going to share a quote from this with a couple adaptations for K-12 public education: *“Let me posit a duplication theory of education value: if something can be duplicated with limited costs, it can’t serve as a value point for [public education]. Content is easily duplicated and has no value. What i... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-29-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] How Budget Cuts Hurt Real Children by dianerav Joy Resmovits of the *Huffington Pos*t is quickly becoming established as among the very best education journalists in the nation. She is thoughtful, clear, and gathers the facts judiciously. In this article, she shows the immense damage done to children by budget cuts. Budget cuts invariably mean laying off teachers, since teachers’ salaries are A Different Perspective from England by dianerav A reader in the U.K. points out that education issues in the U.S. a... more »
Daily Kos: Sunday morning reflection
Daily Kos: Sunday morning reflection: Sunday morning reflection by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) Since I left the classroom, I have not been doing my Saturday morning reflections. I have posted little here. But I have been reflecting, observing, thinking, reflecting more. One week ago we were finishing up dental triage in Wise Virginia, for the 13th Annual Remote Area Medical and Missions of Mercy free medical and dental event. That Friday we triaged more than 800 patients. We have now lived for several years under the Affordable Care Act yet still the needs persist. Remember... more »
A Public Agency with a Double Standard: The State Department of Education - Wait, What?
A Public Agency with a Double Standard: The State Department of Education - Wait, What?: A Public Agency with a Double Standard: The State Department of Education by jonpelto *Connecticut’s Department of Education uses one standard for judging charter schools and a very different standard when it comes to the public schools in Connecticut’s 169 towns.* And considering the Connecticut Commissioner of Education’s close relationship with Achievement First, Inc., the large charter school management company that owns 20 schools in Connecticut and New York, the standard for charter sch... more »
All Education Matters: Higher Ed Watch: "New Financial Aid Shopping Sheet Standardizes Award Letters—But Will Anyone Use It?"
All Education Matters: Higher Ed Watch: "New Financial Aid Shopping Sheet Standardizes Award Letters—But Will Anyone Use It?": Higher Ed Watch: "New Financial Aid Shopping Sheet Standardizes Award Letters—But Will Anyone Use It?" by Cryn Johannsen Rachel Fishman recently wrote an *article* at Higher Ed Watch about the new financial aid shopping sheet that the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) are now offering to prospective students. The resource will enable students to decipher financial aid letters sent to them once they have been admitt... more »
This could be huge: Embedded flaw in high stakes test renders it useless in Texas | Seattle Education
This could be huge: Embedded flaw in high stakes test renders it useless in Texas | Seattle Education: This could be huge: Embedded flaw in high stakes test renders it useless in Texas by seattleducation2011 *They say that everything grows big in Texas and I must say that this could go into that category.* From the New York Times, A Serious Design Flaw Is Suspected in State Tests: The students’ improved grasp of mathematical concepts stunned Walter Stroup, the University of Texas at Austin professor behind the program. But at the end of the year, students’ scores had increased onl... more »
School Tech Connect: Diane Ravitch In Detroit
School Tech Connect: Diane Ravitch In Detroit: Diane Ravitch In Detroit Diane Ravitch at AFT in Detroit. I'm some kind of weirdo. When I was a kid, Al Shanker was one of my true personal heroes. I read every column he ever wrote. Then, when I was a young teacher, Jonathan Kozol was my guiding light. Now Diane Ravitch is having her turn at bat. She's an amazing, inspiring person, and when I'm too tired to write about these issues or to go gather signatures on a petition, I remind myself that Diane Ravitch has probably accomplished more on a Monday morning than I have by Friday af... more »
Diane Ravitch speaks truth to power - AFT - A Union of Professionals
AFT - A Union of Professionals - Diane Ravitch speaks truth to power: Diane Ravitch speaks truth to power Introduced by AFT president Randi Weingarten as "the epitome of speaking truth to power," education scholar and activist Diane Ravitch hit all the right notes July 28 at the AFT convention, speaking against policymakers who blame teachers for school conditions beyond their control, and sharply criticizing education cuts that threaten public schools. [image: Diane Ravitch] Watch video: Diane Ravitch addresses delegates at the AFT Convention. In a speech punctuated by frequent ap... more »
AFT Convention 2012 - AFT Video Gallery
AFT - A Union of Professionals - AFT Video Gallery: AFT Video Gallery [image: Convention] Read the latest digital edition of *AFTerwords*, the daily summary of the AFT's convention proceedings. Watch the day's featured video. [image: AFTERwords Friday] [image: Diane Ravitch] Diane Ravitch addresses delegates at the AFT Convention. Watch all convention videos here.
Diane Ravitch at the 2012 AFT Convention “You will win” - @DianeRavitch Chicago Teachers Union #soschat #edchat #edreform
Chicago Teachers Union, Diane Ravitch at the 2012 AFT Convention “You...: *Diane Ravitch at the 2012 AFT Convention* *“You will win” - @DianeRavitch*
NSA Congress, 1966 « Student Activism
NSA Congress, 1966 « Student Activism: NSA Congress, 1966 by Angus Johnston *Today is the second day of the 2012 National Student Congress of the United States Student Association. In this excerpt from my dissertation I describe the 1966 Congress of USSA’s predecessor the United States National Student Association, a meeting that took place in a watershed moment in American student history.* • • • NSA’s health improved substantially in 1965-66 — attendance at the 1965 Congress had been among the lowest in NSA history, but in 1966 it rose above 250 schools. In th... more »
The in box. “Senator Cullerton. Have the common decency not to condescend to tell teachers who’s been let off the hook.” « Fred Klonsky
The in box. “Senator Cullerton. Have the common decency not to condescend to tell teachers who’s been let off the hook.” « Fred Klonsky: The in box. “Senator Cullerton. Have the common decency not to condescend to tell teachers who’s been let off the hook.” by Fred Klonsky *Dear Senator Cullerton-* *We can talk about who’s been letting who off the hook when it takes Springfield legislators like yourself at least 35 years of service to earn your full pension benefit. Unlike Springfield legislators, this has always been the practice for teachers.* *We can talk about who is letting w... more »
End Teach to the Test: Bad for Students and Their Teachers — the Latest Condemnation from the American Federation of Teachers | K-12 News Network
End Teach to the Test: Bad for Students and Their Teachers — the Latest Condemnation from the American Federation of Teachers | K-12 News Network: End Teach to the Test: Bad for Students and Their Teachers — the Latest Condemnation from the American Federation of Teachers by admin [image: Randi Weingarten Aft President Roy Roberts] Is there a light at the end of the teach-to-the-test tunnel? A quirky pineapple that grabbed news headlines in the spring of 2012 may have marked a turning point in how much stock is given to a standardized test’s ability to accurately measure what chi... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Why Does Anyone Listen To Joel Klein?
Jersey Jazzman: Why Does Anyone Listen To Joel Klein?: Why Does Anyone Listen To Joel Klein? by Duke Joel Klein just won't shut up, will he? During the eight years I served as chancellor of New York City's public schools, the naysayers and the apologists for the status quo kept telling me "we'll never fix education in America until we fix poverty." I always thought they had it backward, that "we'll never fix poverty until we fix education." Let me be clear. Poverty matters: Its debilitating psychological and physical effects often make it much harder to successfully educate kids... more »
Stop the 'Special Education Placement' bill!! Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública
Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: Stop the 'Special Education Placement' bill!!: Stop the 'Special Education Placement' bill!! by Black Educator *The Racist Power of Ten: * * East Ramapo, NY School Board Bumrush* Popout*Veto S7722!!* This bill would destroy East Ramapo!The NY State Senate sent the 'Special Education Placement' bill to the Governor on Friday. He could sign it any day now, so there is no time to waste. Please reach out to all your contacts right now! E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or any other way you know. Let's stop this unfunded mandat... more »
One Parent’s Polite Response – #Rheediculous – Money Over Children ? #TryAgainRhee « Continuing Change
One Parent’s Polite Response – #Rheediculous – Money Over Children ? #TryAgainRhee « Continuing Change: One Parent’s Polite Response – #Rheediculous – Money Over Children ? #TryAgainRhee by gatorbonbc *A few days ago, many parents here in Florida received an email from a representative of Michelle Rhee’s organization, ‘Students First. The person who wrote the email is Catherine Robinson. Apparently, she works for the organization ran by Michelle Rhee. **(I refuse to link to Rhee’s Student First website – but you may google ‘Students First’ to find the web address. It is easy to f... more »
Get a Black Belt in Common Core Curriculum Implementation!? | Dailycensored.com
Get a Black Belt in Common Core Curriculum Implementation!? | Dailycensored.com: Get a Black Belt in Common Core Curriculum Implementation! by Susan Ohanian Proving once again that current education policy and programs have made satire nearly impossible, The Common Core Institute brings us the notion of black belt certification for teacher leaders. These people bill themselves as a “leading provider of professional development, coaching, and training services for schools.” They invite educators to join them for a full day of “formative data, data-driven decision making and scho... more »
Contacting the Congress: A Citizen's Congressional Directory
Contacting the Congress: A Citizen's Congressional Directory: (Please note that while we are grateful to our advertisers for allowing us to pay for our server, bandwidth, and data costs, we play no role in the selection of the advertisements shown above. They are chosen by Google.) [image: Contacting the Congress] *Latest Update to Contact Information:* July 09, 2012 Your Congress Committees Leadership Schedule Power Search Other Branches Downloads About Us What's New Online Directory for the 112th Congress *¿Quiere ponerse en contacto con miembros del Congreso en Español?* *Contactin... more »
AFT's Share My Lesson: Thumbs Up! | K-12 News Network
AFT's Share My Lesson: Thumbs Up! | K-12 News Network: AFT’s Share My Lesson: Thumbs Up! by admin [image: Convention] The American Federation of Teacher’s free/open-source archive of lesson plans and other teacher resources wisely uses the web to disintermediate textbook publishers and keep teachers at the forefront of designing and shaping classes tailored to their students’ needs. Share My Lesson was unveiled just recently, and is already available to teachers as they prepare for the 2012-2013 school year. When parents complain of a “one-size-fits-all” education for their kids,... more »
Louisiana Educator: How to Create Failing Schools and Privatize Education!
Louisiana Educator: How to Create Failing Schools and Privatize Education!: How to Create Failing Schools and Privatize Education! by Michael Deshotels Our Governor and the news media have done a great job of creating “the failing schools of Louisiana”. This creation was a brilliant plan for the privatization of our k-12 school system. Once the government and the media announce that approximately 40% of our children in Louisiana are attending failing schools, it is an easy step to convince the public that something must be done! Any reform is good because at least it is not the st... more »
AFT Delegates Take Stand on Standardized Testing - Teacher Beat - Education Week
AFT Delegates Take Stand on Standardized Testing - Teacher Beat - Education Week: AFT Delegates Take Stand on Standardized Testing by Stephen Sawchuk Stephen Sawchuk *Detroit* Delegates to the American Federation of Teachers approved a resolution on standardized testing that, among other things, calls for a "proper balance" in the use of assessments and says that tests should be used to provide information to "help students, teachers, and schools improve, not sanction and undermine them." "We have really struggled with the testing scheme, No Child Left Behind, and our response ... more »
Community Learning Partnership - Syd Beane
*See what Syd Bean has to say about the future of community organizing.*
Saturday coffee. 7-28-12 « Fred Klonsky
Saturday coffee. « Fred Klonsky: Saturday coffee. Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 7 minutes ago Photo credit: Sarah-Ji Fotógrafa In a post earlier this week about the AFT convention in Detroit I suggested that one difference between it and the NEA RA was that no resolution in support of the CTU coming from the AFT was needed or was necessary. Maybe not. But they’re going to get to vote on [...] Uncle Kenny and selective blindness. Reform Springfield. Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 18 hours ago Fred, Why is it that those in Springfield can see “no other way” to fix the pension issue U... more »
Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 7-28-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 7-21-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 7-14-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 7-7-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post
Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-30-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-23-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-16-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-9-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-2-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post
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