Big Education Ape: Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 12-13-12 AM Posts #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS

Bad Segregation vs. Okay Segregation - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 minutes ago

Bad Segregation vs. Okay Segregation - Wait, What?: Bad Segregation vs. Okay Segregation by jonpelto Remember when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke out so eloquently against the scourge of “BAD” segregation, while clearly delineating the line between “BAD” segregation and OKAY segregation? You know, it was back on June 23, 1963, in the Great March on Detroit… King was speaking to a crowd of more than 25,000 people at Cobo Hall in Detroit. King explained that unlike OKAY segregation, BAD “Segregation is a cancer in the body politic, which must be removed before our democratic health... more »

Daily Kos: Preaching for (Teach for) America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago

Daily Kos: Preaching for (Teach for) America: Preaching for (Teach for) America by rss@dailykos.com (plthomasEdD) What do the following have in common? • Three high-quality teachers in a row can increase student achievement and even life-long earning. [1] • Teachers are the single-most important factor in student learning. [2] • U.S. students sit in the middle of the pack in international rankings of standardized test scores. [3] • On average, TFA corps members stay in the classroom for eight years. • Santa Claus. [4] The answer: All of the above are widely believed, based in some ke... more »

How Disrespect Hurts Kids - Bridging Differences - Education Week

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 minutes ago

How Disrespect Hurts Kids - Bridging Differences - Education Week: How Disrespect Hurts Kids by Deborah Meier Dear Pedro, Picking up from your words Tuesday: The argument ought not to be about the influence of schools vs. society. I think we agree about this. Schools are part of the society that both creates and sustains poverty and racism. Although I think test scores are the last place in the world where we're likely to capture positive change in either school or society, that does not mean that the hours young people spend in school every day have no impact. When I first began... more »

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: The Board Meeting of Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012: DEASY UNDONE?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 minutes ago

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: The Board Meeting of Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012: DEASY UNDONE?: The Board Meeting of Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012: DEASY UNDONE? *[image: 2cents smf]smf:* It began with Board Vice-president Tamar Galatzan inexplicably in the chair even though President Garcia was present. Eventually Ms. Garcia took the chair back after moments characterized below as “controversial”, “a shouting match” and “name calling” – with the words “raucous” and “angry” sprinkled throughout . When last seen Garcia was angrily bouncing a green rubber ball on the dais – as the... more »

Campus Cop Fired After Student Tapes Dorm Search Showdown « Student Activism

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 minutes ago

Campus Cop Fired After Student Tapes Dorm Search Showdown « Student Activism: Campus Cop Fired After Student Tapes Dorm Search Showdown by Angus Johnston On Saturday night two campus cops were sent to the dorm room of Graham Gaddis, a first-year student at the University of Kentucky, responding to a report that he’d been seen pouring liquor out of the room’s window. While the cops waited, Gaddis set up a video camera, turned it on, and pointed it at the door. In the video that follows, Gaddis can be seen denying the allegations against him, then refusing the cops entry, then refu... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Show Me Institute Showing Signs of Getting It

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 minutes ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Show Me Institute Showing Signs of Getting It: Show Me Institute Showing Signs of Getting It by Anngie James Shul, Show Me's newest Education Policy Analyst, had conversations with teachers on both sides of the state and discovered that they were not happy with the Common Core Standards being rolled out across the state. (read articlehere) Both were unhappy about the relentless testing associated with the standards, and that part hasn't even fully come into play yet. At a recent Rockwood District public meeting Chief Financial Officer Tim Rooney report... more »

Part two of Glen Brown’s message to Representative Elaine Nekritz and the 20 other sponsors of HB6258. A contract is a contact. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 46 minutes ago

Part two of Glen Brown’s message to Representative Elaine Nekritz and the 20 other sponsors of HB6258. A contract is a contact. « Fred Klonsky: Part two of Glen Brown’s message to Representative Elaine Nekritz and the 20 other sponsors of HB6258. A contract is a contact. by Fred Klonsky [image: img_2685] By Glen Brown *Illinois Pension Reform Is Without Legal and Moral Justification* * *By legal definition, a contract is “an agreement creating obligations enforceable by law… The law provides remedies if a promise is breached or recognizes the performance of a promise as a duty. Cont... more »

The Educated Reporter: Teacher Pension Plans: The $325 Billion Problem

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 48 minutes ago

The Educated Reporter: Teacher Pension Plans: The $325 Billion Problem: Teacher Pension Plans: The $325 Billion Problem by Emily Richmond The National Council on Teacher Quality contends in a new report that teacher pensions represent nearly $325 billion in unfunded liabilities for states, and that a massive overhaul of the public benefits system is required. While Congress debates sequestration and the fiscal cliff, NCTQ warns that there's a sizeable financial hit looming ahead for states, as well. "The thing we can't underscore enough is that the pension crisis is real," said ... more »

Common-Core Implementation Lags in California, Report Argues - State EdWatch - Education Week

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 57 minutes ago

Common-Core Implementation Lags in California, Report Argues - State EdWatch - Education Week: Common-Core Implementation Lags in California, Report Argues by Andrew Ujifusa Implementation of the Common Core State Standards in California is falling behind in contrast to other states, and policymakers must be more aggressive than they have been since the state adopted the standards in English/language arts and math more than two years ago, a new report from a California education policy group argues. While some districts in California are attempting to fill the gap left by the sta... more »

Hite releases school closing plan | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Hite releases school closing plan | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Hite releases school closing planby thenotebook on Dec 13 2012 Posted in Latest news Superintendent William Hite early this morning announced his school closing planin an email to District personnel. The 12-page document identifies 44 schools that will be either closed or relocated to new buildings; 37 facilities will be shuttered. Full details of the plan are expected to be announced at a 2 p.m. press conference. The final list of closing recommendations includes some schools that were not on a list obtained... more »

Big Picture Saved My Life. Really. « Cooperative Catalyst

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Big Picture Saved My Life. Really. « Cooperative Catalyst: Big Picture Saved My Life. Really. by nflanagan *Publishing this story on behalf of John Dubie, a senior in the Big Picture program in Burlington, VT. John is also a stand-up comedian (catch his act in various locales around Vermont) and an organizer for IDEA. This is his autobiography.* For as long as I can remember I was the kid in class who was never expected to succeed. Whatever the opposite of an honors student was, that was me. I was the Dishonor student throughout elementary, middle, and high school. My earliest memo... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-13-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Teacher: When I Dared to Ignore the Standards by dianerav A teacher writes: “I went to the Thinking in the Deep End blog, as you suggested, and returned to your site resisting the urge to cry. As a recent arrival to the teaching field — as a creative writer/poet and journalist who did so at the ripe age of 48, that is — I am utterly distressed at the test-centric atmosphere of the urban high school where I teach Language Arts. The again, I feel like a giddy young rebel, as I recently decided to guide my st... more »

City charter system smells of insider trading cronyism « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

City charter system smells of insider trading cronyism « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: City charter system smells of insider trading cronyism by millerlf *By Dominique Paul Noth* *Editor, Labor Press Posted December 13, 2012* *Marva Herndon (right) upset about greased wheels trickery in city charter approval also advocates for playwgrounds at voucher schools, a campaign that last summer brought support from now state senator Nikiya Harris.* *By Dominique Paul Noth* *Editor, Labor Press Posted December 13, 2012* Charter schools are public schools funded by state taxes. ... more »

How do U.S. Students Compare with their Peers around the World? | toteachornototeach

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

How do U.S. Students Compare with their Peers around the World? | toteachornototeach: How do U.S. Students Compare with their Peers around the World? by aristotlethewise How do U.S. Students Compare with their Peers around the World? [image: 5-Its-a-Small-World-Slideshow] by Arne Duncan New international assessments of student performance in reading, math, and science provide both encouraging news about American students’ progress and some sobering cautionary notes. The encouraging news is that U.S. fourth grade students have made significant progress in reading and mathematics in th... more »

Ed Notes Online: Nightmare on 8 Mile Road After Randi Negotiated Worst Contract in History

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Nightmare on 8 Mile Road After Randi Negotiated Worst Contract in History: Nightmare on 8 Mile Road After Randi Negotiated Worst Contract in History by ed notes online *Detroit Public Schools consultants are creating phony negative evaluations of experienced teachers in a “monstrous plot” to fire anyone making too much money and destroy the teacher’s union, according to Superintendent Dr. John Telford. “Some of the stories would make you cry,” Telford said Wednesday on the Charlie Langton Talk Radio 1270 show.* Remember that "great" contract hailed as "ground brea... more »

Engaging Parents In School… » Quasi-Interesting Survey On Parents Volunteering In Schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Engaging Parents In School… » Quasi-Interesting Survey On Parents Volunteering In Schools: Quasi-Interesting Survey On Parents Volunteering In Schools by Larry Ferlazzo The Corporation for National and Community Service in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship has just released the results of a survey of parent volunteering in schools. I learned about it from the Hartford Courant, which is where this graphic was originally published. You can also learn more about the study here.

Board games - News - Local Stories - December 13, 2012 - Sacramento News & Review

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Board games - News - Local Stories - December 13, 2012 - Sacramento News & Review: Board games Activists, teachers call school board's replacement-pick side step undemocratic, push for special election By Cosmo Garvin cosmog@newsreview.com This article was published on 12.13.12. *Related stories:* Dial M, not for money Sacramento charter commission looks to be less a distraction than Allen Warren’s campaign finances.SN&R, 10.11.12. Race to the wha? New districts, and mayoral meddling, shake up Sacramento school board elections. SN&R, 09.09.10. Sacramento City Unified School ... more »

Fiscal cliff talks: One lousy civics lesson for students

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Fiscal cliff talks: One lousy civics lesson for students: Fiscal cliff talks: One lousy civics lesson for students Posted by Valerie Strauss on December 13, 2012 at 6:00 am - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - Share: - - - More » (Charles Dharapak – AP) The parties to the “fiscal cliff” negotiations — namely Congress and the Obama administration — have presented U.S. students with one lousy lesson in civics while violating the principles of cooperative learning and failing to follow good work/study habits. One or bot... more »

Parents, Teachers Put Scott, Board of Ed and Bennett On Notice | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Parents, Teachers Put Scott, Board of Ed and Bennett On Notice | Scathing Purple Musings: Parents, Teachers Put Scott, Board of Ed and Bennett On Notice by Bob Sikes The state’s established parent groups – including the PTA – began signaling the day before Tony Bennett’s appointment as Florida’s new education commissioner that the BOE’s selection of candidates promised to be so divisive that it would assign them as the spiraling out of control status quoers.. They did it anyway. Blind to the realities of what Florida’s collapsing multiple accountability system actually means,... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Smith-Blum New School Board President

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Smith-Blum New School Board President: Smith-Blum New School Board President by Melissa Westbrook : From: Office of Public Affairs Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 7:04 PM Subject: School Board elects new officers Seattle School Board elects new officers The Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors on Wednesday night elected the following new officers for the 2013 calendar year: Kay Smith-Blum – President Betty Patu – Vice President Sharon Peaslee– Member at Large Smith-Blum was elected by a 4-3 vote, with Directors Betty Patu, Sharon Peasle... more »

Why a privatized GED will fail students Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: Why a privatized GED will fail students Monty Vyse reports on the fallout from the takeover of GED testing by for-profit Pearson Education--and what it will mean thousands trying to take the exam each year. December 11, 2012-- socialistworker.org SINCE THE 1940s, adult learners who have left high school without a diploma have had the option of taking the General Educational Development (GED) test. Nearly 700,000 people took the GED test in 2011--about half are Black or Latino [1]. Test-takers come disproportionally ... more »

Nonprofits seek influence with political giving | California Watch

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Nonprofits seek influence with political giving | California Watch: Nonprofits seek influence with political giving Amy Julia Harris 401kcalculator.org/Flickr As executive director of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, Scott Staub raises money to give to the city’s libraries. In his spare time, he raises money to give to politicians. Staub heads a political action committee that is attempting to increase the political clout of the nonprofit sector in federal elections. Most of the committee’s members are affiliated with charitable organizations. “We want to be a politic... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The corporate big boys have already OK'ed the deal

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The corporate big boys have already OK'ed the deal: The corporate big boys have already OK'ed the deal by Mike Klonsky Honeywell CEO David Cote OK's the dealWhy am I so sure that the deal has already been done on the so-called *fiscal cliff*? Because, according to this report in the NYT, the big boys have already given Obama and Boehner to increase taxes on the wealthiest 4% of Americans in exchange for cuts in so-called entitlements, ie. medicare benefits and social sec. By the big boys, I mean the real power in the country, including CEOs of Goldma... more »

Blue Jersey:: Alternate Route to Undermining Teaching

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Blue Jersey:: Alternate Route to Undermining Teaching: Alternate Route to Undermining Teachingby: A New Jersey Farmer*Sun Dec 09, 2012 at 08:55:17 PM EST* *Diary rescue. Don't know why this wasn't frontpaged the day it was posted. It's good. - Rosi**Cross-posted at A New Jersey Farmer* It's not enough that the Christie Administration has bashed teachers as union mules and the source of New Jersey's fiscal ills. It's not enough that the governor has promoted private partnerships with public schools to avoid paying the state's fair share of education aid to school districts in need of... more »

“Bennett Choice Good for Board of Ed, Not Kids” | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

“Bennett Choice Good for Board of Ed, Not Kids” | Scathing Purple Musings: “Bennett Choice Good for Board of Ed, Not Kids” by Bob Sikes I’m taking myself out of the business of predicting what Rick Scott will do. I predicted he’d say no to JD Alexander on his Poly Tech university and was wrong. I had hoped Scott would stand up to Jeb Bush on Tony Bennett, but he didn’t. Looks like Florida has another dangerous education ideologue in the governor’s mansion who will appear to be reasonable. He’s not, and the man he made no attempt to stop from being our next education commissioner... more »

Jersey Jazzman: International Test Score Freak Out!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: International Test Score Freak Out!: International Test Score Freak Out! by Duke [image: Black Ibis Tarot-Au-Go-Go (gif,animated gif,black and white,freaking out,too much,funny,comment response,subtitled,subtitles)] It's like a reflex: international test scores come out, and reformy types like RiShawn Biddle instantly start bashing our horrible schools and stupid students: 65 The average score gap between the average American fourth-grader and a Singapore peer on the 2011Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, which along with PISA and PIRLS, are th... more »

Race to the Top: Mixed Reactions in the Bay Area « InterACT

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Race to the Top: Mixed Reactions in the Bay Area « InterACT: Race to the Top: Mixed Reactions in the Bay Area by David B. Cohen Today’s education news includes the announcement of Race to the Top grant recipients, with this round of grants going to districts instead of states. California had three winning districts, as EdSource Today reports: Three California school districts are among 16 winners in the latest round of the federal Race to the Top funding competition. The relatively small districts beat out several of the state’s largest districts, which didn’t even make it into t... more »

Report: Nearly all of Newark's most disadvantaged students attend failing schools | NJ.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Report: Nearly all of Newark's most disadvantaged students attend failing schools | NJ.com: *Report: Nearly all of Newark's most disadvantaged students attend failing schools*[image: booker-anderson.JPG]Mayor Cory Booker and Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson, together in an October photo. Jennifer Brown/The Star-Ledger * * NEWARK — A report released today by Newark Public Schools details an alarming finding — nearly all of Newark's most disadvantaged elementary and middle school students attend failing schools. The report, commissioned by the district and prepared by consulting c... more »

Evaluations earn an 'F' - Editorials - The News Herald

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Evaluations earn an 'F' - Editorials - The News Herald: Evaluations earn an 'F' Published: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 08:00 AM. The children of fictional Lake Wobegon from Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion” were said to be “above average.” The same can be said of Florida’s public school teachers — if the state’s new evaluation system is to be believed. It isn’t. Credit the Florida Education Association for being consistent. Union officials and members didn’t moderate their opposition to the system even after the first round of results released last week showed that... more »

Modern School: Detroit Wild Cat Strike Shuts Down 2 School Districts

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Modern School: Detroit Wild Cat Strike Shuts Down 2 School Districts: Detroit Wild Cat Strike Shuts Down 2 School Districts by Michael Dunn They say Michigan’s new Right to Work (RTW) law is now a done deal. That didn’t stop thousands of teachers and other union members from taking the day off to protest at the state capital this week. In Detroit, so many teachers called in sick that two school districts, (Taylor Public Schools and Warren Consolidated Schools), were closed for the day, according toDetroit News. Detroit Public Schools (DPS) remained open, though Detroit Federation... more »

“Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Excellent!” | EduShyster

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

“Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Excellent!” | EduShyster: “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Excellent!” by edushyster2012 *Teach for America has raised nearly $1 billion in the last five years to build a pipeline of excellence into the education rephorm movement.* “Don’t hate me because I’m excellent…” Today’s $1 billion question: how much excellence does $1 billion buy? The answer is *muchos, muchos*excellence—if you happen to be Teach for America. $1 billion is roughly the amount that TFA has managed to raise in the past five years, earning it a spot on Forbes list of the 200 largest US chari... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Advanced Learning

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Advanced Learning: Advanced Learning by Melissa Westbrook This thread is for any and all thoughts, concerns, gripes about Advanced Learning. I'm doing this in hopes that people at both ends of the "spectrum" will* QUIT *highjacking other threads with their opinions/gripes about Advanced Learning. And FYI, Advanced Learning is NOT the major issue in our capacity management problems. You are welcome to ask anyone at district headquarters working on capacity management that question. (I will also ask that unless you have definite proof - an e-mai... more »

Former Enron trader and Obama funder is behind public pension privatization. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Former Enron trader and Obama funder is behind public pension privatization. « Fred Klonsky: Former Enron trader and Obama funder is behind public pension privatization. by Fred Klonsky [image: MI-BS985_RHODEl_G_20121211194740] *Former Enron trader and hedge fund manager John Arnold.* The Wall Street Journal is reporting that John Arnold, former trader for scandal ridden Enron energy company as well as a major backer of President Obama, is a major backer of the campaign to privatize public employee pensions. After making a huge fortune as a hedge fund manager, he and his wife have n... more »

Common Core Shouldn’t Offer Classes In Ambiguity | Truth in American Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Common Core Shouldn’t Offer Classes In Ambiguity | Truth in American Education: Common Core Shouldn’t Offer Classes In Ambiguity by Shane Vander Hart Diane Ravitch opines that David Coleman shouldn’t be surprised by the confusion related to the Common Core ELA Standards guidance on how much informational text should be used compared to fiction. The problem is that, no matter what Coleman may say, publishers and districts believe the standards call for more informational text and less literature and fiction. That is why the only way the sniping will end is if he makes a speech at ... more »

Milwaukee: Does City Hall Have A Clue About What’s Going On At Its Charters Schools? « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

Milwaukee: Does City Hall Have A Clue About What’s Going On At Its Charters Schools? « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Milwaukee: Does City Hall Have A Clue About What’s Going On At Its Charters Schools? by millerlf [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991] By Barbara Miner Dec. 12, 2012 *View From the Heartland* blog It seemed like a simple idea: follow up on a recent media report about the rise in “independent” charter schools in Milwaukee and get specific lists of such charters overseen by the City of Milwaukee, by the University of Wisconsin-Milwau... more »

Another important facilities update from Jackie Leavy Parents United for Responsible Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Another important facilities update from Jackie Leavy: Another important facilities update from Jackie Leavy by admin Dear Supporters of Great Public Schools for ALL STUDENTS: Jackie L here, with some important updates and developments: WHO’s TELLING THE TRUTH? If you’re skeptical of CPS’ “facts,” you’ve just been vindicated by the data-driven reporting of Chicago’s Public Radio journalists! WBEZ’s “TRUTH SQUAD” reported on December 11th that: “Chicago school officials and the head of an independent Commission on School Uti... more »

D.C. releases results of nation’s first-ever standardized test on health and sex ed - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

D.C. releases results of nation’s first-ever standardized test on health and sex ed - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post: [image: D.C. Schools Insider] D.C. releases results of nation’s first-ever standardized test on health and sex ed By Emma Brown Fifth- and eighth graders in the District are pretty well-versed in emotional-health issues but have a lot to learn about the human body, according to results from the city’s (and the nation’s) first-ever standardized test on health, physical education and sex ed. High school students, meanwhile, correctly answered an average o... more »

NYC Educator: God Bless You, Ms. Weingarten

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

NYC Educator: God Bless You, Ms. Weingarten: God Bless You, Ms. Weingarten by NYC Educator This page has had a harsh word or two for AFT President Randi Weingarten, particularly back when she was UFT President. But we come here today to praise her? Why? Well, yesterday, she said something that startled me. I like being startled sometimes. * Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.5 million-member American Federation of Teachers, praised L.A. Supt. John Deasy and union President Warren Fletcher for agreeing to use a rich mix of data to evaluate teacher effectiveness rather than what s... more »

Statement on pending school closings | Parents United for Public Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Statement on pending school closings | Parents United for Public Education: Statement on pending school closings Posted on December 12, 2012 by PARENTSUNITEDPHILALeave a comment [image: (Photo: NewsWorks)] (Photo: NewsWorks) *In anticipation of tomorrow’s announcement of dozens of school closings, Parents United for Public Education posted this statement. We will be attending the PCAPS rally at the School District, 440 N. Broad Street, tomorrow at 4 p.m. The District will announce the school closings list at a 2 p.m. press conference.* *[image: parents_united5.gif]* *Parents United s... more »

Hoover Institution Education Experts Identify News Hits and Misses in 2012 Education Coverage - Yahoo! Finance

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Hoover Institution Education Experts Identify News Hits and Misses in 2012 Education Coverage - Yahoo! Finance: Hoover Institution Education Experts Identify News Hits and Misses in 2012 Education Coverage[image: Business Wire]*Press Release*: Hoover Institution – 2 hours 19 minutes ago - Email - - - - - Print [image: Corporate Media = Corporate Lies] STANFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- After a close analysis of education coverage in the general news media during 2012, the Hoover Institution’s Koret Task Force on K–12 Education today released its list of th... more »

No Excuses for Zero Tolerance: Ageism and the Reformist Utopia « Cooperative Catalyst

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

No Excuses for Zero Tolerance: Ageism and the Reformist Utopia « Cooperative Catalyst: No Excuses for Zero Tolerance: Ageism and the Reformist Utopia by Jabreel Chisley Acting as an extension in purview to Zero Tolerance measures, No Excuses is model under the reformist movement that emphasizes academic essentialism and ageist authoritarianism by operating off the general premise that youth in inner city communities have dismal educational systems because they are enthralled in a culture that cultivates “excuses.” Schools who adopt this ideology aim to stray away from “coddling” ... more »

Diane in the Evening 12-12-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: *Go Figure!* Teacher Ratings: Charters say “No, Thanks!” by dianerav Students for Education Reform and StudentsFirst have brought pressure on the New York City teachers’ union to agree to a deal withe the state to rate teachers by their students’ test scores. But what these groups have overlooked is that the Michael Winerip Slips In an Education Column by dianerav I used to wait with great anticipation every Sunday night to read Michael Winerip’s education column. They were always informative and on the cutting edge of important issues. But a few months ago... more »

Parents challenge Crenshaw High shake-up - latimes.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Parents challenge Crenshaw High shake-up - latimes.com: Parents challenge Crenshaw High shake-up Los Angeles school district officials received a frequently skeptical and occasionally hostile reception Tuesday night when they met with parents and others to explain their plans to restructure low-performing Crenshaw High School. More than 150 community members and others were packed into the school library to hear about how the current school would be closed next summer and reopened in the form of three magnet schools. Under the new format, the Leimert Park campus would retain its ... more »

TFA says 8 Year Claim is an Estimate, "Not Really Appropriate for Publicizing" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

TFA says 8 Year Claim is an Estimate, "Not Really Appropriate for Publicizing" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: TFA says 8 Year Claim is an Estimate, "Not Really Appropriate for Publicizing" by Anthony Cody HUH? "Not Really Appropriate for Publicizing" WTF I am afraid I am a bit bothered by the dance we are being led on this week by Teach For America. First, in an interview on the Huffington Post, TFA founder and CEO Wendy Kopp states, unequivocally, the following: "On average, our corps members stay in the classroom for eight years." I asked in my blog post of two d... more »

There is no mistaking who the enemy is in Michigan. But Democratic Party actions in Illinois undercut their expressions of concern. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

There is no mistaking who the enemy is in Michigan. But Democratic Party actions in Illinois undercut their expressions of concern. « Fred Klonsky: There is no mistaking who the enemy is in Michigan. But Democratic Party actions in Illinois undercut their expressions of concern. by Fred Klonsky [image: th] On a stop in Michigan earlier this week President Obama, commenting on the Michigan Tea Party Republicans plans to pass a bill outlawing the union shop, said,* “We should do everything we can to keep creating good middle-class jobs that help folks rebuild security for their fami... more »

LAUSD board narrowly OKs new parent policy at low-income schools - LA Daily News

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

LAUSD board narrowly OKs new parent policy at low-income schools - LA Daily News: LAUSD board narrowly OKs new parent policy at low-income schools By Barbara Jones barbara.jones@dailynews.com 818-713-3710 twitter.com/LADNSchools Staff Writer Posted: 12/12/2012 09:34:53 AM PST Updated: 12/12/2012 09:40:49 AM PST A long-simmering controversy about which parents can have a voice at Los Angeles Unified's low-income schools erupted Tuesday, with boisterous critics accusing a district administrator of bullying and discriminatory tactics. The agenda item seemed fairly routine - upd... more »

How Tuition Hurts Colleges « Student Activism

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

How Tuition Hurts Colleges « Student Activism: How Tuition Hurts Colleges by Angus Johnston Felix Salmon wrote a really worthwhile piece [http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2012/12/05/occupy-cooper-union/] during the Free Cooper Union occupation discussing — among other things — exactly how Cooper Union’s academic reputation and since-forever no-tuition policy are intertwined: *Cooper has a lot of adjuncts and a very small tenured faculty, and if you ask anybody associated with the school how it keeps its quality high, they’ll tell you that it’s a function of the enormous poo... more »

Stateline - State Implementation of Common Core Standards Has Some Nervous

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Stateline - State Implementation of Common Core Standards Has Some Nervous: States Nervous About New Common Core School Standards By Ben Wieder, Staff Writer In Kentucky this year, the percentage of elementary and middle-school students who rated “proficient” or better on statewide math and reading tests declined by about a third. Kentucky high schoolers also experienced a double-digit percentage point decline in both subjects. Those results may sound dismal, but they were better than state education officials had expected. Kentucky is the first state to tie its tests to the new... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Thoughtful Op-Ed on Charters in WA State

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Thoughtful Op-Ed on Charters in WA State: Thoughtful Op-Ed on Charters in WA State by Melissa Westbrook A.G. Rud, the dean of the College of Education at Washington State University, and Ken Zeichner, professor of Teacher Education at UW, have written a quiet op-ed reviewing the most important ideas in enacting charters in Washington State. They express the concern, based on fact, that some of the more successful charter models have a "stripped down" curriculum that focuses on the basics but has little else for a well-rounded student. *A lean cu... more »

Failed Indiana Superintendent Tony Bennett is Florida’s new education commissioner | redefinED

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Failed Indiana Superintendent Tony Bennett is Florida’s new education commissioner | redefinED: Failed Indiana Superintendent Tony Bennett is Florida’s new education commissioner He’s in. Tony Bennett, the hard-charging Hoosier with a rock-star rep, is the new face of Florida’s school system and its full-throttle reforms. As expected, the Florida Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday morning to select Bennett, the former state superintendent in Indiana, over two finalists with lower profiles. In doing so, they opted to give a new and bigger stage to a former science teach... more »

Shanker Blog » Egypt's Islamist Government Reaches For Control Of The Unions

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Shanker Blog » Egypt's Islamist Government Reaches For Control Of The Unions: Egypt’s Islamist Government Reaches For Control Of The Unions by Heba F. El-Shazli *Really Dick?* *Our guest author today is Heba F. El-Shazli. Currently a visiting professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Democracy and Civil Society, Prof. El-Shazli has 25 years of international experience in political and economic development, including democracy promotion programs and support for independent trade unions. She has worked with trade unions, political parties, and leaders throughout the Middle... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, December 12, 2012

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education Headlines *Wednesday, December 12, 2012* Alisal school district names school after outlawTiburcio Vasquez, born in Monterey on April 10, 1835, and hung for a conviction of murder on March 19, 1875, will be memorialized for his contribution and life in early California by adding his name to the list of schools in the community. Monterey Peninsula USD Superintendent Marilyn Shepherd to retire after school yearMarilyn Shepherd has announced her intention to retire as superintendent of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School... more »

The Washington Teacher: Brightwood Protest and Pushback to DC Public Schools Closings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

The Washington Teacher: Brightwood Protest and Pushback to DC Public Schools Closings: Brightwood Protest and Pushback to DC Public Schools Closings by noreply@blogger.com (Candi Peterson) *By Candi Peterson* The last in a series of educational town hall meetings was held last week at the Brightwood education campus to hear from stakeholders re DC Public Schools consolidation plan to lose 20 public schools. Activist Nathan Harrington, a Congress Heights DC resident blew into the meeting talking over Chancellor Kaya Henderson creating a dramatic start to the meeting and appeared ... more »

APS watchdog delves into charter school chain with history of problems. Yet, APS board considers renewal. | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

APS watchdog delves into charter school chain with history of problems. Yet, APS board considers renewal. | Get Schooled: APS watchdog delves into charter school chain with history of problems. Yet, APS board considers renewal. by Maureen Downey You’ve probably heard the expression that there are two things you don’t want to see being made: Sausages and laws. As a longtime reporter, I’ve often been surprised at how elected officials approve legislation or make critical decisions with very little information or with a complete disregard for the facts. I once sat a three-hour meeting ... more »

UPDATE: To Representative Elaine Nekritz and the other sponsors of HB6258. Glen Brown in two parts. Today: The law protects our pensions. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

To Representative Elaine Nekritz and the other sponsors of HB6258. Glen Brown in two parts. Today: The law protects our pensions. « Fred Klonsky: John Dillon. Let’s hope our leaders don’t take the bait. by Fred Klonsky [image: img_2678] John Dillon: Ellen Schultz warns in *Retirement Heist*, offering options is a ploy used in the private sector quite successfully. “To enhance their chances at success, some companies started to use a strategy…creeping take-aways.“ This involves taking small steps – increase premiums a small amount, or perhaps start charging premiums in the future... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Who Benefits From Data Collection?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Who Benefits From Data Collection?: Who Benefits From Data Collection? by Anngie *"These datasets have been gathered from various agencies to provide detailed information on the state of education on all levels, from cradle to career and beyond.** - Education Data Community**" * You are your digital footprint. Almost a year ago the White House released a fact sheet UNLOCKING THE POWER OF EDUCATION DATA FOR ALL AMERICANS. The three page document contains the commitments of various partners to collect data on every student in America and make it as easy ... more »

Are we preparing students for life? « My Island View

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Are we preparing students for life? « My Island View: Are we preparing students for life? by tomwhitby We are preparing our students for life. I hear so many educators use this sentence when asked, what is the purpose of education? Many years ago I believed that to be true as well. Maybe many generation s back it may have been true. In consideration of all that I observe, even with some great innovation, and a whole bunch of technology integration that is taking place in so many schools across the country, I don’t believe “preparing our students for life” is the focus or goal of... more »

The Price of Uniformity :: Frederick M. Hess

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

The Price of Uniformity :: Frederick M. Hess: The Price of Uniformity *by Frederick M. Hess • Dec 12, 2012 at 8:44 am Cross-posted from Education Week* * * There was a timely conversation yesterday in *New York Times*'s "Room for Debate" about whether it makes sense for standards and funding to vary by state. (You can find it here.) The *NYT'*s query was: "The Common Core State Standards, adopted by the overwhelming majority of states and supported by the Obama administration, have worried liberals who question their quality and conservatives who fear they erode states' traditiona... more »

MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-12-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] When Silence is Not Golden by dianerav EduShyster gets amazing tips. This is a description of the typical day of a child in a new “no-excuses” school. She answers questions with a programmed response. She walks in silence. She does exactly what she is told. The teacher speaks in scripted language. The child obeys. What did this child do to Will John Dewey High School Survive? by dianerav Gail Robinson writes about education in New York City. This post is about the fate of John Dewey High School in Brooklyn... more »

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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 12-13-12 AM Posts #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2