Big $$$ to Convince Bridgeport Voters to Abandon Democracy
Connecticut blogger and political insider Jonathan Pelto broke the story:
Corporate reformers and privatizers have poured record amounts of campaign cash into Bridgeport, Connecticut, to persuade voters to turn control over their schools to the mayor.
One of the big givers was NYC Mayor Bloomberg, who gave $25,000 to help Mayor Finch gain control over the
Corporate reformers and privatizers have poured record amounts of campaign cash into Bridgeport, Connecticut, to persuade voters to turn control over their schools to the mayor.
One of the big givers was NYC Mayor Bloomberg, who gave $25,000 to help Mayor Finch gain control over the
NYC Marathon Cancelled
Responding to growing outrage, Mayor Bloomberg reluctantly canceled the annual marathon scheduled for Sunday.
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have no power, heat or water.
First responders are still recovering bodies of victims.
The city is not ready to celebrate.
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have no power, heat or water.
First responders are still recovering bodies of victims.
The city is not ready to celebrate.
What Can We Learn from PISA?
Pat Buoncristiani raises interesting questions about what can be learned from PISA.
Some nations see the international tests as a giant race, and their leaders all want to be number 1. This leads to more and more testing, but not the kind of thoughtful education policies that prepare young people to live in the world. There are no jobs that require bubbling-in skills.
If we could forget the horse race, we might learn what top-performing nations do and sort through it.
Pat is alarmed that New York State is blowing away $32 million on testing. How do you think she would feel about Texas spending nearly $500 million for the same testing?
Some nations see the international tests as a giant race, and their leaders all want to be number 1. This leads to more and more testing, but not the kind of thoughtful education policies that prepare young people to live in the world. There are no jobs that require bubbling-in skills.
If we could forget the horse race, we might learn what top-performing nations do and sort through it.
Pat is alarmed that New York State is blowing away $32 million on testing. How do you think she would feel about Texas spending nearly $500 million for the same testing?
This Is What the Public Library Does in a Crisis
I recently met Tony Marx, the president of the New York Public Library (and former President of Amherst College).
As you know, New York City is in the midst of a terrible crisis following Hurricane Sandy. Hundreds of thousands of people are without heat, hot water, electricity, or food.
Guess where many are finding refuge?
I received the following email from Tony Marx just minutes ago:
“I am here at Mid-Manhattan [a major branch library] which like 61 branches is open for second day despite
As you know, New York City is in the midst of a terrible crisis following Hurricane Sandy. Hundreds of thousands of people are without heat, hot water, electricity, or food.
Guess where many are finding refuge?
I received the following email from Tony Marx just minutes ago:
“I am here at Mid-Manhattan [a major branch library] which like 61 branches is open for second day despite
NYC’s Disrespect for Its Teachers and Principals
A reader in NYC writes:
Diane,
People in Staten Island, which is the borough with the greatest loss of life, is getting very little assistance compared to lower Manhattan. Some areas are not getting food or water. Those people are desperate. When Bloomberg said yesterday that temps in the low 50s is not cold, I wanted to slap him through the TV since this is the same man who had a window-sized air conditioner installed in his SUV so the interior can remain cool during the summer when it’s parked outside City Hall. But the marathon will go on. I suppose if people from
Diane,
People in Staten Island, which is the borough with the greatest loss of life, is getting very little assistance compared to lower Manhattan. Some areas are not getting food or water. Those people are desperate. When Bloomberg said yesterday that temps in the low 50s is not cold, I wanted to slap him through the TV since this is the same man who had a window-sized air conditioner installed in his SUV so the interior can remain cool during the summer when it’s parked outside City Hall. But the marathon will go on. I suppose if people from