Latest News and Comment from Education

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

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For-Profit Charter Chains Pour Money into Florida State Senate Races

Coach Sikes, our reliable Florida informant, describes how that state’s for-profit charter chains are pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into four key races for the state senate.
This past spring, the state senate deadlocked on a 20-20 vote and did not pass a parent trigger law supported by


Why Is K12 Online Corp. Advertising on Kansas TV?

David Reber is a teacher in Kansas who happens to be a terrific writer.
His articles are always insightful.
This one is about the relentless advertising campaign in Kansas of the online giant K12.
As the privatization movement gathers steam, as equity investors launch their latest scheme to extract profits 

Who Is Funding “Teachers Rock” and “Won’t Back Down”?

The money behind the “parent trigger” movie comes from the rightwing.
It’s a shame to see mainstream movie stars and musicians fooled into thinking this movie “honors” teachers.
The parent trigger is a transparent attempt to fool parents into seizing control of their public school and handing it 


Will Your District Race to the Top?

Arne Duncan wants your district to compete for his millions. If you win the money, he will judge whether your superintendent and school board are doing a good job.
Who made him superintendent of education for the United States? Did he never learn about federalism? Did he miss that course?
If Romney is elected, his secretary of education will hold a Bigger Race to the Top contest and give points and




Why So Much Test Prep? Ask Gates Foundation.

According to this story in Philadelphia’s Notebook, the Gates Foundation has been generously funding a teacher-training program tailored to test prep.
Philadelphia schools need higher scores, so the Philadelphia Great Schools Compact wants more, please, of




Please Watch CNN Newsroom, Saturday August 18 10-11 AM

Many people have asked me what time I will be interviewed on CNN on Saturday.
I will be interviewed by Randi Kaye, who interviewed Michelle Rhee on same program.
Saturday August 18, 10-11 am.
I will do my best to present the facts and to rebut the misinformation that has been disseminated to the public about the work of our nation’s teachers and schools.


About that “Teachers Rock” Concert

A reader asks a reasonable question about the concert in Los Angeles tonight celebrating a film that disparages teachers, public schools, and unions:
Here’s another thought.  You could also contact the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the American Federation of Musicians to express your opinion about this situation.  It does seem a little odd that professionals in these unions would take part in a production that is sponsored and promoted by private parties intent on disparaging professionals in a different union.  Just saying.


Anthony Cody Challenges the Gates Foundation

Anthony Cody has worked for nearly two decades in the Oakland public schools. He knows what poverty does to children. He knows what hunger and violence do to their lives. He thinks the Gates Foundation should stop pretending that it can end poverty by putting “a great teacher” in every classroom. How will that feed children? How will it end the violence to which so many are exposed? How will it change the terrible conditions in which so many live?
In this post, Anthony Cody brings the facts to light that never figure in the Gates’ plans. Let’s hope that the


The Most Perceptive Article of the Year: UPDATE!

Every once in a while, I read something that rings as true as a perfectly pitched bell or a fine piece of crystal.
Every once in a while, a clear-headed thinker assembles all the pieces of what is happening around us and puts it all together into a sensible and compelling analysis.
Here is that article that did it for me today.
This is a keeper.
It demonstrates, in persuasive detail, why the federal policy framework is failing and will continue to fail.
Why firing half the staff of low performing schools does not produce high performing schools and may make it


Educators Push Back Against Rhee’s Insulting Ad

Two different videos made by educators to satirize Michelle Rhee’s insulting Olympics ad, the one that ridicules America, teachers, students, obesity and gays.
Here is one. It is hilarious.
Here is the other.  This creative video is from “the Chalkface,” where smart and funny educators use radio and


Jim Horn’s Top 10 Reasons Why 1% Like Urban Charters

Jim Horn has an illuminating blog called “SchoolsMatter.”
In this post, he puzzles over why hedge fund managers and assorted billionaires are so devoted to urban charter schools, particularly in light of repeated studies that show that these schools don’t get better results than public schools.
Here is his list of the top ten reasons that the super-wealthy–the 1%–adore urban charter schools.
Do you agree?


How Would You Answer This Question?

A reader writes for our help.
I would say to these students: No one can promise you will land a job, not in this or any other field, but I can promise you that teaching is the most exciting, rewarding, and important job you will ever have. It will change your life, and you all have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of your students.
What would you say to them?
I wrote to the celebrities [who are in "Teachers Rock"], and I hope all our messages make a difference. I have a 


Time to Speak Out and Act Up for Teachers and Public Schools

Teachers and parents often ask me: What can I do? How can I stop the attacks on teachers, on their unions, on public schools?
Here is one way:
Tomorrow night there will be an event called “Teachers Rock” to promote a film that is anti-teacher, anti-union and anti-public schools.
Let the stars involved in “Teachers Rock” know that the film they are promoting is NOT pro-teacher. It is anti-public education.
It celebrates the failed parent trigger, the idea that parents should “seize control” of their public school and hand it over to a charter corporation.
It is funded by the same pro-privatization billionaire that produced “Waiting for Superman.”
Here is some helpful advice from blogger Jersey Jszzman about how to contact the stars.