James Baldwin said it best:
"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."
A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP
SBE Agenda for September 2012 - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)
SBE Agenda for September 2012 - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education): SBE Agenda for September 2012Agenda for the California State Board of Education (SBE) meeting on September 13, 2012. [image: Advisory Commission on Special Education Button] [image: State Board of Education Button] Watch the live webcasts of the State Board of Education (SBE) or the Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE) by clicking either of the buttons above. ------------------------------ State Board Members Michael W. Kirst, President Trish Williams, Vice President Carl Cohn Bruce Holad... more »
CST scores rise, but achievement gaps persist | EdSource Today
CST scores rise, but achievement gaps persist | EdSource Today: CST scores rise, but achievement gaps persist ** August 31st, 2012 | Add a Comment | By Susan Frey Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on google_plusone More Sharing Services Student performance on California’s achievement tests, known as the STAR program, continues to improve — in almost every subject at almost every grade level by every ethnicity — despite recent cutbacks to education funding, according to 2012 STAR test results released by the California Department of Education today. But a substanti... more »
Hooray! The CT Mastery Test Report arrived today and my kid isn’t stupid! - Wait, What?
Hooray! The CT Mastery Test Report arrived today and my kid isn’t stupid! - Wait, What?: Hooray! The CT Mastery Test Report arrived today and my kid isn’t stupid! by jonpelto If you heard the sound of cheering in the distance a little while ago, it was because today’s U. S. Mail included an envelope with my child’s Connecticut Mastery Test Student Report (fourth generation version.) As a parent, one of the greatest moments is when you learn that your child isn’t stupid and my kid’s CMT report delivered that message…more or less. Turns out the child is “Advanced” in reading and at “... more »
Schools Matter: Jane Watson: "Doublethink" is alive and well
Schools Matter: Jane Watson: "Doublethink" is alive and well: Jane Watson: "Doublethink" is alive and well by skrashen Sent to Yakima Herald-Republic (WA) for "Saturday Soapbox" By Jane Watson August 31, 2012 “Doublethink” is alive and well. In 1948, George Orwell wrote 1984. “Big Brother is Watching You” was born. So was “doublethink,” the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously and accepting both of them. TVs watch YOU. Language is paradoxical. Less is more. War is Peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. The organization Stand For Child... more »
RheeFirst! » StudentsFirst Objects to Student Protest
RheeFirst! » StudentsFirst Objects to Student Protest: StudentsFirst Objects to Student Protest by admin Written by Diane Ravitch. Read the entire post here. “*Here is a video of students protesting against StudentsFirst because it supports:* *1) charter schools (which in NYC do not accept a fair share of ELLs)* *2) high-stakes testing* *3) an anti-immigrant Georgia state legislator* *The response of StudentsFirst: It claimed the students are just pawns of the teachers’ union, obviously not intelligent enough to be part of a discussion of education issues that matter.* *But note that... more »
Brizard report card not so hot Parents United for Responsible Education
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Brizard report card not so hot: Brizard report card not so hot by admin I don’t know what was a bigger surprise – that a Chicago Board actually evaluated a CEO or that the Tribune reported on it. To the best of my knowledge, no one ever evaluated Paul Vallas, Arne Duncan or any of the rest of them. In fact, most did not even have a contract, certainly not one like Brizard’s with an end date. And yet there was the report, and it wasn’t too good: - The board gave Brizard low marks for the way he communicates and runs the... more »
Labor Day Blast from the Past: Samuel Gompers on Public Education | AMPS
Labor Day Blast from the Past: Samuel Gompers on Public Education | AMPS: Labor Day Blast from the Past: Samuel Gompers on Public Education by Thomas J. Mertz *The New York Times*, September 4, 1910. Click image for pdf. For the Chicago Teacher’s Union: Elaine Purkey – “One Day More” (click to listen and download) Excerpts from a speech given to the 1916 Convention of the National Education Association, “The Public Schools and the Working Man,” (full speech linked). Gompers was folloed by John Dewey on the program! From the introduction: On the schools, the la
The in box. “I have two regrets about my early teaching career.” « Fred Klonsky
The in box. “I have two regrets about my early teaching career.” « Fred Klonsky: The in box. “I have two regrets about my early teaching career.” by Fred Klonsky *Fred,* *I have two regrets about my early teaching career. The first is that I crossed a picket line during the CTU strike in 1980. I was employed as an FTB (full time basis sub) in my first job out of college. I wasn’t yet a Union member, but I should NEVER have crossed that line. CPS hadn’t paid us for at least two pay periods, right before the holiday season. I wanted to keep my job, so I crossed and helped the admini... more »
Quinn. The most anti-labor Illinois Governor. Ever. « Fred Klonsky
Quinn. The most anti-labor Illinois Governor. Ever. « Fred Klonsky: Quinn. The most anti-labor Illinois Governor. Ever. by Fred Klonsky *Angry union members chase Governor Quinn out of the State Fair grounds.* I got some written equivalents to a raised eyebrow when I referred to Pat Quinn as the most anti-labor Governor since World War II in a recent post. Did I overstate the matter? Not according to AFSCME, which sent this email out to its members: *AFSCME members in state government have never faced an Administration so totally indifferent to its responsibility to provide vital ser... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Maybe I should quit
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Maybe I should quit: Maybe I should quit by Charlie Mas I have been an education activist for over eleven years. Over those years I have devoted thousands and thousands of hours to efforts to get Seattle Public Schools to fulfill its commitments. I have never asked the District to do anything more than what the District promised to do. I have worked for community engagement, for transparency, and, more than anything else, for the District to keep its commitments to students and families. I have worked really hard at it for a really long time, and... more »
Leaked Document Shows Michelle Rhee Working With Connecticut Astroturf Group To Push ALEC’s “Parent Trigger” | Dailycensored.com
Leaked Document Shows Michelle Rhee Working With Connecticut Astroturf Group To Push ALEC’s “Parent Trigger” | Dailycensored.com: Leaked Document Shows Michelle Rhee Working With Connecticut Astroturf Group To Push ALEC’s “Parent Trigger” by Danny Weil Next month, the film *Won’t Back Down* will be released in theaters nationwide. This drama starring Maggie Gylenhall and Viola Davis — and backed by Walmart and the right-wing Anschutz Film Group — promotes the “parent trigger,” an American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) idea that would make it easier for schools to be turn... more »
Texas Parent Says: Count Me Out of State Testing « Diane Ravitch's blog
Texas Parent Says: Count Me Out of State Testing « Diane Ravitch's blog: Texas Parent Says: Count Me Out of State Testing by dianerav This letter is posted on Facebook. The parent sent it to me: *Dear (school principal),* *This letter is to respectfully inform you of the decision my husband and I have made to opt our children out of the 3rd grade STAAR tests on Apr. 24 and 25 and the make-up tests on Apr. 26 and 27. We understand it is Austin ISD’s position that “by law there is no opt out for students” and that even though the test will not count towards school ratings this year, ... more »
Tony at the Red Line Tap. « Fred Klonsky
Tony at the Red Line Tap. « Fred Klonsky: Tony at the Red Line Tap. by Fred Klonsky “Don’t sit on that stool,” Tony said. “Don’t you see that my pal Clint Eastwood is sitting there?” “Funny. But I can’t believe that you have watched the Republican Convention.” “Are you kidding? I make Marty turn it on every night. It’s the most entertaining thing on TV. Except for watching
White House Honors Parents as Champions of Change | ED.gov Blog
White House Honors Parents as Champions of Change | ED.gov Blog: White House Honors Parents as Champions of Change Posted on August 31, 2012 by Cameron Brenchley In a recent speech, Secretary Duncan noted that parents understand better than anyone how important it is that schools prepare students for success in life—not just with academic knowledge, but with the skills needed to succeed in jobs and to be an active participant in society. [image: Champions of Change logo]Parents and guardians are key to student achievement, which is why the White House recently recognized the importa... more »
Ed Waivers, Junk Rating Systems & Misplaced Blame: Case 1 – New York State « School Finance 101
Ed Waivers, Junk Rating Systems & Misplaced Blame: Case 1 – New York State « School Finance 101: Ed Waivers, Junk Rating Systems & Misplaced Blame: Case 1 – New York State by schoolfinance101 I hope over the next several months to compile a series of posts where I look at what states have done to achieve their executive granted waivers from federal legislation. Yeah… let’s be clear here, that all of this starts with an executive decision to ignore outright, undermine intentionally and explicitly, federal legislation. Yeah… that legislation may have some significant issues. It migh... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: The Enduring Myth of College Degree Protection
Missouri Education Watchdog: The Enduring Myth of College Degree Protection: The Enduring Myth of College Degree Protection by Anngie If you just got through paying for the first semester of college, you may not want to read this article. The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce published a study last week that broke down the impact of a college degree on future employment. The conclusion: Those with a bachelors degree show some advantage over those with just a high school diploma, but most of the job gains are found with those who have advanced degrees. The Atlantic ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: More Chris Matthews Foolishness On Education
Jersey Jazzman: More Chris Matthews Foolishness On Education: More Chris Matthews Foolishness On Education by Duke Last night, Chris "Tweety" Matthews (it's what his staff calls him) made a series of riduculous statements about education during MSNBC's coverage of the Republican convention. Here's the video (it's not embeddable, so I can show it here). I urge you to watch the entire thing, because - despite Matthews's embarrassing performance - I actually find it highly encouraging. But before I say why, let me finish debunking Matthews. I've already dealt with his cluelessness ... more »
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, August 31, 2012
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: MCGRATH FAMILY FARM Camarillo, CA Education Headlines *Friday, August 31, 2012* Long Beach USD budget cuts eliminate security officers from middle school campusesWith the start of the new school year on Wednesday, middle school students will no longer have campus security officers (CSOs) like Big Mike on school grounds. As part of a round of budget cuts in July, the LBUSD eliminated CSOs at all of its middle schools, cutting about 20 positions. More Lodi schools behind locked fencesMore and more elementary schools in Lodi Unified... more »
Debate rages on voucher program | NewsChief.com
Debate rages on voucher program | NewsChief.com: Debate rages on voucher program By JOEL MATHIS & BEN BOYCHUK redblueamerica.com Published: Monday, August 13, 2012 at 7:01 a.m.Last Modified: Monday, August 13, 2012 at 7:01 a.m. Will Louisiana's voucher program help or hinder education? School reformers have seized the initiative in Louisiana, with a new law that offers vouchers to more than half the state's public school students - vouchers that let them use public funds to attend private, religious schools. Critics say the plan is bad for both religious freedom and public educatio... more »
“Missionary Zeal”: The Miseducation of “Other People’s Children” | Dailycensored.com
“Missionary Zeal”: The Miseducation of “Other People’s Children” | Dailycensored.com: “Missionary Zeal”: The Miseducation of “Other People’s Children” by P.L. Thomas The education reform debate is fueled by a seemingly endless and even fruitless point-counterpoint among the corporate reformers—typically advocates for and from the Gates Foundation (GF), Teach for America (TFA), and charter chains such as Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP)—and educators/scholars of education. Since the political and public machines have embraced the corporate reformers, GF, TFA, and KIPP have acquire... more »
Class Size: “Getting Mighty Crowded” | AMPS
Class Size: “Getting Mighty Crowded” | AMPS: Class Size: “Getting Mighty Crowded” by Thomas J. Mertz Video from the 2006 MMSD school referendum campaign. Below is a slightly edited version of an email that I sent last night to the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education. Subject: Class Size To: board@madison.k12.wi.us Date: Thursday, August 30, 2012, 7:58 PM I’m just back from the open house and thought you should know that 5th grade class sizes at
Are You Kidding? Vallas’ standardized testing obsession means 3 rounds of tests plus CMTs. - Wait, What?
Are You Kidding? Vallas’ standardized testing obsession means 3 rounds of tests plus CMTs. - Wait, What?: Are You Kidding? Vallas’ standardized testing obsession means 3 rounds of tests plus CMTs. by jonpelto Forget about the concept that our schools need to devote more time to learning; Paul Vallas, “education reformer extraordinaire,” and Bridgeport’s, $229,000, part-time, interim superintendent of schools, has announced an unprecedented standardized testing assault on Bridgeport’s students and their teachers. In an announcement yesterday, Team Vallas informed administrators tha... more »
Schools Matter: "Who else would title it?": Scripting Students to Death
Schools Matter: "Who else would title it?": Scripting Students to Death: "Who else would title it?": Scripting Students to Death by P. L. Thomas While it may seem to be little more than semantics to argue about whether teachers are the most important factor in student learning or teachers are the most important *in-school* factor in student learning, there is now little room to debate that how teachers are being mandated to treat students is inexcusable. The rise of "no excuses" assumptions and practices are creating charter and public schools that provide for"other people's child... more »
Award-Winning Programs Demonstrate Excellence in Summer Learning — Whole Child Education
Award-Winning Programs Demonstrate Excellence in Summer Learning — Whole Child Education: [image: ASCD Whole Child Bloggers]Award-Winning Programs Demonstrate Excellence in Summer Learning August 30, 2012 by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers *Post submitted by Gary Huggins, chief executive officer of whole child partner National Summer Learning Association* Research has shown that every year, most youth lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in math skills. Low-income youth lose over two months in reading skills. Called the "summer slide," this loss of academic skills disproporti... more »
Modern School: Wayne State to End Tenure, Other Universities to Follow?
Modern School: Wayne State to End Tenure, Other Universities to Follow?: Wayne State to End Tenure, Other Universities to Follow? by Michael Dunn Wayne State University in Detroit has proposed a new contract that would make it the first research university in the U.S. to abolish tenure, according to a recent article in Labor Notes. Other public universities are likely to follow suit (or attempt to) in order to cut labor costs as they grapple with years of declining revenue. The proposed contract would effectively remove peer review and give administrators more power to get rid of ... more »
What’s Behind the Harvard Cheating Scandal? « Student Activism
What’s Behind the Harvard Cheating Scandal? « Student Activism: What’s Behind the Harvard Cheating Scandal? by Angus Johnston Harvard University announced yesterday that it is investigating more than a hundred students in a single section of an introductory Poli Sci course on suspicion of cheating on an open-book final exam. When the news broke I tweeted my suspicion that the structure of the final might have contributed to the temptation to cheat, and a new article in the Harvard Crimson appears to confirm my suspicion. The final exam in professor Matthew Platt’s “Introduction to... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Media's take on CTU strike
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Media's take on CTU strike: Media's take on CTU strike "Enough is enough. We're done." Edweek *CTU President Karen Lewis has become something of a hero to teachers who are frustrated with recent policy directives such as evaluations and pay based partly on student test-score growth, turnarounds based on school closures, and charter conversions. Some of those teachers believe that the national teachers' unions have been too willing to compromise with management and other powerful interests on these issues. *-- Stephen Sawchuk CBS News *As the clock... more »
NYC Educator: GOP Convention Best Obama Ad Money Could Buy
NYC Educator: GOP Convention Best Obama Ad Money Could Buy: GOP Convention Best Obama Ad Money Could Buy by NYC Educator I've been tuning in and out of the convention for the past three nights. It's really mind-blowing how much these people hate teachers. Of course, they'll say we don't hate teachers. We only hate the unions. The teachers are fine, but those magical elves and wood-nymphs in the union really get on our nerves. They trotted out people who don't fit into the Leave it to Beaver world, the world that never was which they long to get back to. They conveniently forget th... more »
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee Talks Education At RNC | WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee Talks Education At RNC | WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee Talks Education At RNC Former D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee was in attendance at the Republican National Convention. During her time in the District, her work to reform D.C. schools was considered controversial, and in many cases divisive. But at the RNC in Tampa, she was preaching unity. Rhee says the Republican and Democratic parties have more similarities than differences when it comes to education. For example, she says both presi... more »
Paul Ryan and the ‘scary’ future of public education in America - The Root DC Live - The Washington Post
Paul Ryan and the ‘scary’ future of public education in America - The Root DC Live - The Washington Post: Paul Ryan and the ‘scary’ future of public education in America By Ann-Marie Adams There’s something about Paul Ryan that scares the bejeezus out of some black people. A recent NBC/Wall Street poll confirmed zero percent black support for Mitt Romney and his vice presidential pick (A Washington Ryan speaks in Tampa on Aug. 29. (Toni L. Sandys - THE WASHINGTON POST)Post poll found that 4 percent of registered African Americans would vote for the GOP ticket). Romney was already s... more »
Morning UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 8-31-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Oops! StudentsFirst Honors Anti-Immigrant Legislator by dianerav According to Laura Clawon of the Daily Kos, StudentsFirst selected a Georgia legislator as its “reformer of the year.” Unfortunately this gentleman is known as vehemently opposed to immigration, and StudentsFirst is now facing protests from immigrant groups. At some point, people will figure out that Michelle Rhee claims to be a Democrat, but she is known among A Sure Cure for Low Test Scores: More Testing by dianerav Jonathan Pelto reports t... more »
Mitt Romney Disagrees With Himself On Education In Republican Convention Speech
Mitt Romney Disagrees With Himself On Education In Republican Convention Speech: Mitt Romney Disagrees With Himself On Education In Republican Convention Speech by Joy Resmovits One of the more awkward moments of Mitt Romney's speech Thursday night at the Republican National Convention came during the newly minted presidential candidate's question-and-answer session with the audience. The audience followed Romney's script -- at least according to the campaign's version of the candidate's prepared text -- during the first two questions of the exchange: "Does the America we want b... more »
Brizard to be Rahm’s fall guy. CPS CEO to exit after a settlement is reached. « Fred Klonsky
Brizard to be Rahm’s fall guy. CPS CEO to exit after a settlement is reached. « Fred Klonsky: Brizard to be Rahm’s fall guy. CPS CEO to exit after a settlement is reached. by Fred Klonsky As I reported a few weeks ago, CPS CEO JC Brizard appears to be on his way out. Rahm is looking for a fall guy for the mess he created. Brizard will be the one.The Chicago Tribune reports this morning. Two high-ranking education sources said Emanuel is unhappy with how Brizard executed the mayor’s signature education proposal for a longer school day and year. In addition, the Emanuel administrat... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: A Crossroads for PTA
Seattle Schools Community Forum: A Crossroads for PTA: A Crossroads for PTA by Melissa Westbrook [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991] PTA used to be the wholesome, all-American group. Parents and teachers united in schools across the country to create better communities of learning and fellowship for children and adults. Now, I don't know what is happening. First, the National PTA just revised its rules on charter schools. It's astonishing and also troubling. While their previous policy supported the idea of charters as long as they had parent engagement... more »
Jeb Bush: How shopping for milk is like choosing a school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
Jeb Bush: How shopping for milk is like choosing a school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: [image: Answer Sheet] Jeb Bush: How shopping for milk is like choosing a school By Valerie Strauss Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said pretty much what you’d expect him to say about education reform at the GOP convention — schools are failing and teachers unions are bad — but you might not have expected (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)this as his pitch for school choice: Everywhere in our lives, we get the chance to choose. Go down any supermarket aisle - you’ll find an incredibl... more »
Timmy and the Blue Whale Party.southbronxschool.com
http://www.southbronxschool.com: Timmy and the Blue Whale Party by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher) Let's go back in time. Back in the fall of 1985 I was a student at one of SUNY's finer institutions of learning. I was 21 at the time and the floor of my dorm was all guys. So one can imagine the debauchery and alcohol consumption was pretty nice. I remember the first night well on that floor. We had a party in Henry and Abdul's room. Nothing much, just beer and about 20 guests. The only problem was, that at the time if you were serving alcohol in your room, the rule was there ... more »
All Education Matters: Romney's Republican Nomination Speech: Student Loans Will Be HOT Topic This Election Season
All Education Matters: Romney's Republican Nomination Speech: Student Loans Will Be HOT Topic This Election Season: Romney's Republican Nomination Speech: Student Loans Will Be HOT Topic This Election Season by Cryn Johannsen [image: Mitt Romney makes funny joke about how Tampa will be under water in a century] This evening, Romney accepted the Republican nomination for President in Tampa, Florida. One thing is certain from reviewing pieces of his speech: student loans are going to be a *huge *issue this election season. At one point Romney said, "Every new college graduate thoug... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Chris Matthews: A Fool On Education
Jersey Jazzman: Chris Matthews: A Fool On Education: Chris Matthews: A Fool On Education by Duke Tonight, Chris Matthews revealed himself to be a total ignoramus on education. So much nonsense came out of his big, yellow head that I can't address it all in one post. But I won't be able to sleep tonight until I get this first thing on the record (no embeddable video yet; watch here): *"It is an amazing challenge down here in Florida, Rachel. I've never seen such diversity. The classroom I was in had 200 kids from all over the world: South Asia, Latin America, everywhere. An amazing... more »
John Prine : Grandpa Was A Carpenter
John Prine Grandpa Was A Carpenter Lyrics Songwriters: PRINE, JOHN Grandpa wore his suit to dinner Nearly every day No particular reason He just dressed that way Brown necktie and a matching vest And both his wingtip shoes He built a closet on our back porch And put a penny in a burned out fuse. Chorus: Grandpa was a carpenter He built houses stores and banks Chain smoked camel cigarettes And hammered nails in planks He was level on the level And shaved even every door And voted for eisenhower 'cause lincoln won the war. [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/john+prine/grandpa+was+... more »
筷子的所有 Chopsticks for all « Deborah Meier on Education
Chopsticks for all « Deborah Meier on Education: Chopsticks for all筷子的所有 by debmeier From Mike Klonsky’s Small Talk log.It’s great. Spread it around. Quotable Yong ZhaoPosted: 30 Aug 2012 03:39 PM PDT [image: Yong+Zhao.jpg] Chopsticks *To be globally competitive, we should all begin to use chopsticks because chopsticks produce better education outcomes as measured by the international gold standard of education the OECD’s PISA, which tests 15 year olds in math, reading, and sciences, and TIMSS, which assess 9-10 and 13-14 year olds math and science abilities. The top five performers... more »
Jeb Bush’s ed speech at GOP convention — text - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post
Jeb Bush’s ed speech at GOP convention — text - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: [image: Answer Sheet] Jeb Bush’s ed speech at GOP convention — text By Valerie Strauss Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush addressed the Republican Convention on Thursday night, giving a speech about education reform that is likely to fuel talk that he could be Mitt Romney’s education secretary should Jeb Bush speaks at GOP convention with teacher Sean Duffy, left, and Frantz Placide, who attended Florida schools. (Scott Eells/BLOOMBERG)Romney win the presidential election. Here's the speech by Bush ...more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: RFID Chips in Students and Longitudinal Data Systems...Is this Tracking Really "For the Kids"?
Missouri Education Watchdog: RFID Chips in Students and Longitudinal Data Systems...Is this Tracking Really "For the Kids"?: RFID Chips in Students and Longitudinal Data Systems...Is this Tracking Really "For the Kids"? by stlgretchen Your child's new school picture? All is not well for a Texas school's plan to track students via RFID chips...the same chips used to track cattle. From WND: A rebellion is developing in Texas against a plan by a school district in San Antonio that would monitor the exact location and activities of all students at all times through RFID chips they a... more »
Jersey Jazzman: "No Excuses": Race, Class, & Education
Jersey Jazzman: "No Excuses": Race, Class, & Education: "No Excuses": Race, Class, & Education by Duke Last night, Condoleezza Rice stood in front of the Republican National Convention and declared that education was the "civil rights issue of our day." Diane Ravitch points out that it never occurs to these people that * poverty*should be the real civil rights issue, as poverty is the best predictor of school performance, health, longevity, happiness, and so on. I'd add that we should also consider that *"civil rights"* might be the civil rights issue of our time, what with the ma... more »
Solidarity forever. « Fred Klonsky
Solidarity forever. « Fred Klonsky: Solidarity forever. by Fred Klonsky I hope every retired teacher who reads this blog, IEA, IFT or unaffiliated, will join me on the picket lines in support of the Chicago Teachers Union on Monday, September 10th. Solidarity forever! Pete Seeger – H/T Jennifer. Popout [image: Parents Stand With CTU (CLICK ON PICTURE)] [image: @CTULocal1 members march for "student needs, not corporate greed!]
School Tech Connect: The Charter Emmys
School Tech Connect: The Charter Emmys: The Charter Emmys by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) The charter Emmys are coming up. I'm concerned that the field of candidates for one of the awards might be quite small. *Next to the Broad Prize the Charter School Emmy is most * *coveted prize in all of Reformdumb* The charters have produced nothing in terms of innovation. What they've done is re-created a very rigid, old fashioned model, without the bothersome kids, at least in the big chains. The focus is on standing in a straight I Sense An Actual Problem by noreply@blogger.com (Ti... more »
Schooling in the Ownership Society: The right-wing school privatization movement tries to change its image
Schooling in the Ownership Society: The right-wing school privatization movement tries to change its image: The right-wing school privatization movement tries to change its image by Mike Klonsky In June 1995, the economist Milton Friedman wrote an article for the Washington Post promoting the use of public education funds for private schools as a way to transfer the nation’s public school systems to the private sector. "Vouchers," he wrote, "are not an end in themselves; they are a means to make a transition from a government to a market system." Rachel Tabachnick, a researcher and... more »
School Tech Connect: Our New National Religion
School Tech Connect: Our New National Religion: Our New National Religion by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) This fantasy is now accepted as fact: Numerous studies over the past two decades conclude that student performance in school is tied more closely to teacher effectiveness than to any other factor. Good teachers produce good students, regardless of class size or length of school day or socio-economic background of the child. Moreover, students who must endure ineffective teachers may never catch up academically. Then when you call them on it, they burble and framble back... more »
Spellings Slams Waivers, Race to the Top - Politics K-12 - Education Week
Spellings Slams Waivers, Race to the Top - Politics K-12 - Education Week: [image: Politics K-12] Spellings Slams Waivers, Race to the Top by Alyson Klein *Tampa, Fla.* More than a decade ago, Margaret Spellings was a driving force in getting the overwhelmingly bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act over the finish line. But in an interview, she told me she wants to see the civil rights and business coalition that came together to pass the law "power up as we did before. ... I think we have to revive it," she said. "We need to get the genie back in the bottle," she added on the last ... more »
Modern School: Global Education Strike
Modern School: Global Education Strike: Global Education Strike by Michael Dunn The International Student Movement is calling for global education strikes on October 18th and November 14-21 to protest education privatization schemes and the corporatization of public education. They want the teachers to join their movement and are asking teachers to check out their website and plan solidarity actions for these dates. Some of their demands are tangible and achievable—like increasing education budgets, decreasing student debt and slowing or halting the giveaway of public education r... more »
Breaking: Chicago strike date set: Monday, September 10th. « Fred Klonsky
Breaking: Chicago strike date set: Monday, September 10th. « Fred Klonsky: Breaking: Chicago strike date set: Monday, September 10th. by Fred Klonsky *On Wednesday, a standing-room-only House of Delegates, representing schools & citywide educators across the city set a potential start date of Monday, September 10, 2012, for a strike of more than 26,000 teachers, clinicians and paraprofessionals.* *The resolution reads:* *RESOLVED that the House of Delegates shall set a strike date of September 10, 2012.* *The strike is necessary to achieve a labor contract with acceptable wages, be...more »
Cutting back on those charitable donations. « Fred Klonsky
Cutting back on those charitable donations. « Fred Klonsky: Cutting back on those charitable donations. by Fred Klonsky *This might make the Art Institute Lions roar.* I’ve been hearing this a lot lately. It came up again the other night when I spoke to a group of 80 retirees at the Wilmette Public Library. We’re not giving charitable donations to certain organizations anymore. With the threatened cuts in our pensions and with our promised state pension our main retirement source of income. Well. Something’s got to give. The gift some gave to the Art Institute. Or the Chicago Symphony.... more »
The Truth About Healthy Food (and Kids and Schools) - Lily's Blackboard | Lily's Blackboard
The Truth About Healthy Food (and Kids and Schools) - Lily's Blackboard | Lily's Blackboard: [image: Lily's Blackboard Rotating Header Image] The Truth About Healthy Food (and Kids and Schools) Aug 30th, 2012 by Lily. First, let me just say, that I’m not advocating lying to children. I’m not proposing that moms and dads make up silly lies and tell tall tales just to get kids to eat healthier. *I am absolutely not saying that*. Lying to your children is wrong. And you get caught. I did. Because my (then) four year old, Jeremy, had a sweet tooth, and I got tired of fighting with him a... more »
5 Ways to Help Your Child Prevent Bullying this School Year | ED.gov Blog
5 Ways to Help Your Child Prevent Bullying this School Year | ED.gov Blog: 5 Ways to Help Your Child Prevent Bullying this School Year Posted on August 30, 2012 by Deborah Temkin As children head back to the classroom, now is great time for parents and guardians to talk with your kids about bullying. Here are five tips to help you your child prevent bullying and to help them deal with bullying: [image: Back to School Logo]1) *Establish lines of communication and talk for at least 15 minutes a day.* Bullying can be difficult for parents to talk about, but it is important that chil... more »
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