BIG EDUCATION APE 2ND BANANA
Recap of Last Week's Best Post
EDMC's 'Art Institute' For-Profit College Forces Out Arts Professor for Refusing to Adopt E-Textbook | Dailycensored.com: EDMC’s ‘Art Institute’ For-Profit College Forces Out Arts Professor for Refusing to Adopt E-Textbook by Danny Weil Forget about academic freedom or even democratic decision making if you work for one of the for-profit gulags they call ‘universities’, or ‘institutes’ or ‘academies’. They are little more than low paid sweat shops where what gets produced are useless diplomas, not education, and the diplomas come at an exorbitant price. It should be noted that E... more »
To Survive, Some Catholic Schools Rebrand to Lure Wealthier Families - NYTimes.com: To Survive, a Catholic School Retools for a Wealthier MarketBy JENNY ANDERSONPublished: August 19, 2012 - FACEBOOK - TWITTER - GOOGLE+ - E-MAIL - SHARE - PRINT - SINGLE PAGE - REPRINTS - Catholic schools have been bleeding enrollment and money for years, and many have been forced to close. But some, like St. Stephen of Hungary, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, have found a way to thrive — attracting a more affluent clientele by offering services and classes more comm... more
Oakland special education teacher shuffle: Memo offers rationale, but no numbers - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: Oakland special education teacher shuffle: Memo offers rationale, but no numbers Thursday, August 23rd, 2012 at 9:56 am in No Comments Here’s the text from the memo the Oakland school district administration circulated yesterday with its rationale for the recent last-minute special education resource teacher reassignments. Deputy Superintendent Maria Santos told the school board that nine of the 26 teachers were reinstated to their origin... more »
Okla. valedictorian denied diploma over 'hell' in speech: Okla. valedictorian denied diploma over 'hell' in speech - Comments - - - - [image: E-mail] - [image: Print] - [image: Share] By Michael Winter, USA TODAY Updated 16h 41m ago CAPTION From Prague Public Schools An Oklahoma valedictorian is having a devil of a time receiving her high school diploma because of an ad-libbed "hell" in her graduation speech, KFOR-TV reports. Kaitlin Nootbaar, soon to be a college freshman on a full scholarship, was a straight-A, 4.0 student during her fours years at Pra... more »
English Learner Parental Waiver Notification Lette - Resources (CA Dept of Education): Querido Condado y los Superintendentes de Distrito: EXENCIONES DE LOS PADRES DE ESTUDIANTES DE INGLÉS El propósito de esta carta es para recordarle de las leyes y reglamentos que rigen la exención de los padres en lo que respecta a la instrucción para estudiantes de inglés (EL). *Código de Educación de* California *(EC)* Sección 305 requiere que, salvo por renuncia de los padres, todos los niños se colocan en las clases de lengua inglesa. ELs deben ser educados a través de la inmersión Inglés p... more »
Louisiana's Voucher Program Fails Disabled Students - New America Media: Louisiana's Voucher Program Fails Disabled Students[image: Louisiana's Voucher Program Fails Disabled Students] *Story* tools Comments AAAResize Print Share and Email New America Media, News Report, Zoe Sullivan, Posted: Aug 20, 2012 NEW ORLEANS, LA. -- Last April, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed a new voucher program considered to be the most sweeping in the country. For years, Louisiana's children have been scoring below their peers in other states on reading and math skills according to data from the ... more »
Teachers For Social Justice: Defend Chicago’s Social Justice High School (Sojo): Defend Chicago’s Social Justice High School (Sojo) by sarah-ji Sojo was “born out of struggle” in 2001 when 14 Little Village residents endured a 19- day hunger strike to fight for a new school in their neighborhood. In Fall 2005, Sojo and three other small schools opened in a new building on 31st and Kostner, serving Little Village and North Lawndale. Sojo is a neighborhood school built on the principles of the Hunger Strike: “truth and transparency, struggle and sacrifice, ownership and agency, and... more »
Schools Matter: Letter from NY Administrator, Carol Burris: Letter from NY Administrator, Carol Burris by Jim Horn Dear friends, Exciting things are beginning to happen. Parents realize that their children's test scores should not be used for reasons other than guiding learning. They also realize that because of other purposes, like APPR, their sons and daughters are sitting for more tests which are becoming longer and longer. The costs are enormous at a time of shrinking budgets, and student data is being collected at very detailed levels. Tax dollars and learning time are be... more »
On Rape [Where An Educator Stands] | The Jose Vilson: On Rape [Where An Educator Stands] by Jose I will confirm first and foremost that I do know women who have been raped, momentarily dispossessed from their bodies by a sexually deviant aggressor. As a listener, I can’t sit there and try to empathize because “I understand” is completely false. I don’t. I’ve never had that happen to me. While the act of rape isn’t limited to women, it overwhelmingly happens to them, and, as such, I’ve never been asked by society to become an expert in how to prevent such a heinous act. That’s part ... more »
Teachers For Social Justice: Chicago Teachers Stand UP!: Chicago Teachers Stand UP! by sarah-ji After 17 years of the tyranny of high stakes tests, business-managers running the schools, school closings, disinvestment in neighborhood public schools and turning them over to private operators, teachers have had enough. The 30,000 members of the Chicago Teachers Union are standing up to the bankers and corporate interests who are dismantling public education and destroying teaching and learning. The city that has been the birthplace of corporate “reform” is now the epicenter of the fi... more »
Teachers For Social Justice: Teacher Activist Groups Network Stands with CTU: Teacher Activist Groups Network Stands with CTU by sarah-ji A Message From Teacher Activist Groups (TAG) *A National Network (including TSJ) * Dear Educators and Allies, Chicago has been the focus of corporate school “reform,” but Chicago is now the epicenter of the push back against it. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), along with parent and community allies is leading the fight, with the possibility of going on strike. In support, Teacher Activist Groups (TAG) invites you to join our campaign, Solidar... more »
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Before * *After* Education Headlines *Thursday, August 23, 2012* Charter school for Fresno's Lowell community soughtA group of community leaders and educators have proposed a new charter school to serve children in Fresno's Lowell neighborhood. The Kepler Neighborhood School would focus on community building in the troubled neighborhood, which loosely runs between Belmont Avenue and Divisadero Street and has long been plagued by poverty. Anaheim high school cancels events found to be demeaningAfter complaints, "Seniores" and "Señ... more »
Three ed reforms parents should worry about most - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: [image: Answer Sheet] Three ed reforms parents should worry about most By Valerie Strauss This w*as written by Carol Burris, the principal of South Side High School in Rockville Centre, New York. Carol is the co-author and Harry is an active supporter of the New York Principals letter of concern regarding the evaluation of teachers by student scores. Over 1,500 New York principals and more than 5,400 teachers, parents, professors, administrators and citizens have signed the letter which c... more »
Douglas County School Board may ask voters to break teachers union tie - The Denver Post: Douglas County School Board may ask voters to break teachers union tie POSTED: 08/23/2012 12:01:00 AM MDT UPDATED: 08/23/2012 12:40:45 AM MDT *By Ryan Parker* *The Denver Post* The Douglas County School Board may ask voters to end its collective-bargaining agreement with the teachers union and permanently break other ties between district and union. During a Tuesday night board meeting, members discussed three potential questions for the November general-election ballot that union officials... more »
Breaking: CTU House of Delegates meeting this PM. « Fred Klonsky: Breaking: CTU House of Delegates meeting this PM. by Fred Klonsky *Members of the Chicago Teachers Union arriving at Lane Tech for a possible 10-day strike notification vote. They signed off for picket signs as they entered the meeting.* The Chicago Teachers Union’s largest governing body, the House of Delegates, is meeting at this moment (5PM CDT) at Lane Technical High School on the city’s north side. WBEZ is reporting that teachers in red CTU t-shirts have been arriving for a while. No press are allowed in the mee... more »
Everything You've Heard About Failing Schools Is Wrong | Mother Jones: Everything You've Heard About Failing Schools Is Wrong Attendance: up. Dropout rates: plummeting. College acceptance: through the roof. My mind-blowing year inside a "low-performing" school. —By Kristina Rizga | September/October 2012 Issue 15 - - *[image: Illustration by Jon Krause]Illustration by Jon Krause"SPEEK EENGLISH, TACO," THE GIRL* with the giant backpack yelled when Maria asked where to find a bathroom. The backpack giggled as it bounced down the hall. It had been hours since Maria began looki... more »
Cheryl Chow calls life in closet a 'waste' - Seattle News - MyNorthwest.com: Cheryl Chow calls life in closet a 'waste' Comments (12) | Print | E-mail By Josh Kerns MyNorthwest.com Reporter [image: cheryl_chow.jpg] Former Seattle City Councilmember Cheryl Chow recently disclosed her sexuality after learning she has terminal brain cancer. (Photo courtesy Cheryl Chow) zoom listenListen: Life spent in closet called "waste" Former Seattle City Council and School Board member Cheryl Chow is dying of cancer and coming out of the closet. ------------------------------ Cheryl Chow ha... more »
Polling the Common Core State Standards | Truth in American Education: Polling the Common Core State Standards by Shane Vander Hart Phi Delta Kappa International teamed up with Gallup to poll the public attitudes toward public schools. They polled 1,002 Americans who are 18-years of age and older. This year they asked specific questions about the Common Core State Standards. They introduce this section of the polling data: Attempts to create national education standards in the U.S. has stalled until the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Off... more »
The Big Business of Charter Schools — MUST READ | K-12 News Network: The Big Business of Charter Schools — MUST READ by admin Don’t take it from me. Meet David Brain, an investor who also owns commercial real estate, movie theatre chains, and other businesses. He talks baldly to CNBC about what a great deal it is to have taxpayer dollars subsidize your investment. As highlighted in Valerie Strauss’ Answer Sheet, at the Washington Post: If you are wondering why you should add charter schools to your investment portfolios, here’s David Brain, head of a major investment concern calle... more »
It’s really about the principals - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: It’s really about the principalsBy Valerie Strauss This *was written by Ed Fuller, associate professor in the Education Leadership Department at Penn State University. He is also the director of the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy Analysis as well as the associate director for policy of the University Council for Educational Administration. This first appeared on the blog of the Albert Shanker Institute.* By Ed Fuller “No one knows who I am,” exclaimed a senior in a high-poverty, predominantly mi... more »
Parent Trigger District Heading Back to Court « Diane Ravitch's blog: Parent Trigger District Heading Back to Court by dianerav *Rightwing website attacks Diane for post- they Lost * The only school in the nation ever to vote to invoke the state “parent trigger” law is in Adelanto, California. Parent Revolution, the organization funded by Gates, Walton and Broad to promote the trigger has been funding the fight in Adelanto. It helped dissident parents form a union, organize a petition drive, collect signatures, and push for a charter school. When the school board resisted the idea o... more »
Nas, Lil’ Wayne, and Adolf Hitler: A Rap and Education Memo | The Jose Vilson: Nas, Lil’ Wayne, and Adolf Hitler: A Rap and Education Memo by Jose The latest news that may signal a sea change for hip-hop is that Nas, one of the most prolific and legendary artists in rap, may have asked for help with a few concepts in his album *N*gger*, or, as a few people have described it, had ghostwriters. The term “ghostwriting” has been reserved for guys like Dr. Dre and Diddy (Puff Daddy), those who would prefer to just let an unknown rapper write rhymes for them while they make executive d... more »
‘Won’t Back Down’: Realities the movie ignores - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: ‘Won’t Back Down’: Realities the movie ignores By Valerie Strauss * Rita Solnet "Won’t Back Down"* Though the film “Won’t Back Down,” starring Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal, is not being released in theaters until the end of September, its backers are already drumming up support for it and its subject: the controversial “parent trigger” laws that have passed in a few states and are being considered by many others. Screenings are being shown and a huge concert was staged and then broadcast ... more »
Man who armed Black Panthers was FBI informant, records show | California Watch
Jersey Jazzman: Policy Based on FICTIONAL Movies: Policy Based on FICTIONAL Movies by Duke This is so ridiculous, I had to post from the road. Frank Bruni of the *NY Times* apparently thinks we should make education policy based on *fictional * movies: “Our very best teachers ought to be treated much, much better than they are today,” said Joe Williams, the executive director of Democrats for Education Reform. “But in order to get there, we need to be able to say out loud that some teachers are better than others.” That’s precis
Missouri Education Watchdog: A Teacher who knows what Common Core Means to the Teaching Profession: A Teacher who knows what Common Core Means to the Teaching Profession by stlgretchen There is an interesting discussion on Hotair.com regarding teacher tenure. There are some interesting comments specifically about tenure but the conversation expanded on how the real problems in education are much deeper and wider than just teacher tenure. Read the full article and thread here. ********************************************************* All I want to do is teach. And I wish peopl...more »
Help Your Kids with Their Homework With These Tips - Hispanically Speaking News: [image: Help Your Kids with Their Homework With These Tips] Help Your Kids with Their Homework With These Tips There are many things you can do to help your kids start the school year on the right track, like replacing an old backpack or getting them the school supplies they need. But there’s something more meaningful you can do that may not cost money: help them with their homework. Students who do their homework consistently tend to have better grades. It’s not always easy to get them to do their ho... more »
Charter school group's chief blamed for 2010 cheating scandal | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education: [image: Home] Charter school group's chief blamed for 2010 cheating scandal by admin [image: John Allen] Two separate investigations into the cheating scandal blamed Crescendo's founder and chief executive, John Allen, who was driven, as one official said, by a desire to be “better, better, better, best." (Brian van der Brug, Los Angeles Times /March 4, 2011) By HOWARD BLUME - Los Angeles Times - Published: Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 From: SacBee.com LOS ANGELES -- The ... more »
“Bullying Is Student Voice” (Guest Post by Adam Fletcher) « Cooperative Catalyst: “Bullying Is Student Voice” (Guest Post by Adam Fletcher) by dloitz In a lot of educators’ minds, “student voice” only happens when adults direct learners to share their thoughts in ways that are acceptable in schools. Whether embedded in the curriculum, listened to through adult-led student forums, or guided in carefully moderated websites, student voice is often painted as the cuddly, friendly, and convenient precursor to “student engagement.” However, after more than a decad
Holy cow! A newspaper tells the truth about state pensions. Stop the presses! « Fred Klonsky: Illinois taxes a housekeeper at the Hyatt Hotel at the same rate it taxes Penny Pritzker who owns the hotel. Want to know why the state can’t fund its pensions? by Fred Klonsky Holy cow! A newspaper tells the truth about state pensions. Stop the presses! by Fred Klonsky Most robbery victims would sympathize with other people about to be held up, but right-wing media and wrong-headed legislators have created scapegoats to cover their own failures. Bill Fletcher, Jr., author of “They... more »
Charter-school issue a drain on public education | Jay Bookman: Charter-school issue a drain on public education 1:38 pm August 19, 2012, by Jay [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991] *Note: This post contains material published here earlier. It is posted here as the electronic version of my Sunday AJC column.* *“The provision of an adequate public education for the citizens shall be a primary obligation of the State of Georgia. Public education for the citizens prior to the college or post-secondary level shall be free and shall be provided for by taxation.”* —... more »
The Future of Public Schools in Arizona? « Diane Ravitch's blog: The Future of Public Schools in Arizona? by dianerav Robin Hiller of Tucson’s Voices for Education writes that while it is true that charters in Arizona represent 25% of all schools in the state, they enroll only 9% of the state’s children. The 25% number is misleading, because we have charters that have 17 students and public high schools that have 3,000. In 2008, Arizona had 1,480 ‘traditional’ K-12 and 477 charter schools. But according to the Arizona Dept of Ed and reports from each county’s superintendent’s off... more »
Truth about Policymakers? | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Truth about Policymakers? by larrycuban *I read Rick Hess’s books and blog. He is clear, crisp, and provocative in his positions. A former social studies teacher and professor, he is Resident Scholar and Director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. He frequently comments on parental choice, educational philanthropy, accountability, teacher unions, and scads of other hot topics in the federal, state, and district policy arena.* *Recently, he wrote two posts on his Educa... more »
Educator Musing: Parent Revolution Robbing School District: Parent Revolution Robbing School District by Educator Musing 'Trigger' parents sue Adelanto School District http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/adelanto-33801-sue-trigger.html Parent Revolution backed an expensive lawsuit against the Adelanto School District to impose a charter the parents claim to not want. Now Gabe Rose of Parent Revolution is consulting with attorneys to do it again. This small school district may not be able to stand against the big league juggernaut funded by wealthy foundations. This is so wrong... more »