Secret Agreement Revealed Between New Jersey and Broad Foundation
The New Jersey Star-Ledger published news of a secret agreement that was leaked to the paper.
The state of New Jersey entered into an agreement with the Broad Foundation to meet the foundation’s demands; the money awarded to the state is available only so long as Governor Chris Christie remains in office.
This suggests that New Jersey has outsourced its education policy to the Los Angeles-based Broad Foundation. The foundation is known for its desire to control its grantees, but the idea of controlling a large northeastern state seems audacious indeed.
A crazy idea, but then the state’s Acting Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf is a graduate of the unaccredited Broad Superintendents Academy, as is Cami Anderson, the superintendent of the Newark public schools, as are a few other of the state’s superintendents.
Remember when we thought that the policies of the public schools were determined by the citizens of the district or the state?
The state of New Jersey entered into an agreement with the Broad Foundation to meet the foundation’s demands; the money awarded to the state is available only so long as Governor Chris Christie remains in office.
This suggests that New Jersey has outsourced its education policy to the Los Angeles-based Broad Foundation. The foundation is known for its desire to control its grantees, but the idea of controlling a large northeastern state seems audacious indeed.
A crazy idea, but then the state’s Acting Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf is a graduate of the unaccredited Broad Superintendents Academy, as is Cami Anderson, the superintendent of the Newark public schools, as are a few other of the state’s superintendents.
Remember when we thought that the policies of the public schools were determined by the citizens of the district or the state?
When Brookings Honored a Governor Who Supports Vouchers
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal gained a valuable national platform at the Brookings Institution in Washington, where he explained that vouchers were the path to excellent education for all.
Of course, he didn’t use the V word. Like all Republicans pushing a stealth agenda, he calls them “opportunity scholarships.”
Here is a
Of course, he didn’t use the V word. Like all Republicans pushing a stealth agenda, he calls them “opportunity scholarships.”
Here is a
A Brilliant and Disturbing Analysis of the Future of Teacher Education
Bruce Baker of Rutgers has taken it on himself to dissect the claims and plans of the “reformers” about teacher education.
The reformers hate traditional ed schools, even those connected to major flagship universities. They blame them for accepting bottom third students and then training them poorly.
Baker looks at the issues and examines the “cures” offered by the reformers, none of which will solve any of the problems that identify.
Baker pointed out in an earlier post (and repeats it here) that most of master’s degrees in education are now
The reformers hate traditional ed schools, even those connected to major flagship universities. They blame them for accepting bottom third students and then training them poorly.
Baker looks at the issues and examines the “cures” offered by the reformers, none of which will solve any of the problems that identify.
Baker pointed out in an earlier post (and repeats it here) that most of master’s degrees in education are now
Teacher: When I Dared to Ignore the Standards
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 students on a creative writing assignment with fewer parameters (read: no detailed rubric abiding strictly by the common core standards) than any of them are used to. It was initially confusing for some — as they are so used to being told
“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 students on a creative writing assignment with fewer parameters (read: no detailed rubric abiding strictly by the common core standards) than any of them are used to. It was initially confusing for some — as they are so used to being told
The Civil Rights Issue of Our Time
EduShyster here explicates the civil rights issue of our time.
She learned that the Feds were investigating the public schools of Fall River, Massachusetts, for their high suspension rate.
But, oh my, she discovered a group of schools with even higher suspension rates than Fall River.
Worse, these schools
She learned that the Feds were investigating the public schools of Fall River, Massachusetts, for their high suspension rate.
But, oh my, she discovered a group of schools with even higher suspension rates than Fall River.
Worse, these schools
Advice to David Coleman: Revise the Common Core Standards
Dear David,
I know you must be pleased that the Common Core standards have been adopted in 46 states.
And now as president of the College Board, you will be able to align the content of the SAT with the Common Core.
But David, the Common Core is becoming a laughing stock at the same time that it has become Official
I know you must be pleased that the Common Core standards have been adopted in 46 states.
And now as president of the College Board, you will be able to align the content of the SAT with the Common Core.
But David, the Common Core is becoming a laughing stock at the same time that it has become Official
Vouchers in Chile: Lessons Learned
Now that many Republican dominated states like Louisiana, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin are enacting vouchers, it is a good time to look at the experience of vouchers in Chile. The Pinochet military dictatorship became infatuated with free-market ideas and imposed vouchers in the early 1980s.
To learn about the Chilean experience with vouchers, I turned to one of Mexico’s best-known independent researchers, Eduardo Andere.
Eduardo Andere writes:
“I began doing research about Chile in 2005. I was most struck by the fact that Chile is the country, perhaps together with New Zealand, that initiated a long and deep stream of education policy reforms since the 1980s . In
To learn about the Chilean experience with vouchers, I turned to one of Mexico’s best-known independent researchers, Eduardo Andere.
Eduardo Andere writes:
“I began doing research about Chile in 2005. I was most struck by the fact that Chile is the country, perhaps together with New Zealand, that initiated a long and deep stream of education policy reforms since the 1980s . In
What is Governor Tom Corbett’s Record on Education?
As Pennsylvania gears up for the next gubernatorial election, Governor Corbett’s spokesperson says the governor is proud of his education record. He claims that he has raised state spending on education to its highest levels.
Not so fast.
This Pennsylvania
Not so fast.
This Pennsylvania
Who Was Behind Michigan “Right to Work” Law
This past week, Michigan became the 24th state to pass a Right to Work (for Less) bill.
Wherever did the legislation originate?
The Center for Media and Democracy knows: it was copied almost verbatim from ALEC model legislation to quash unions.
ALEC, if you did not know, is a secretive organization with 2,000 or so members who are state legislators. It is
Wherever did the legislation originate?
The Center for Media and Democracy knows: it was copied almost verbatim from ALEC model legislation to quash unions.
ALEC, if you did not know, is a secretive organization with 2,000 or so members who are state legislators. It is
Diane in the Evening 12-12-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: *Go Figure!* Tony Bennett Lands on his Feet in Florida by dianerav Tony Bennett, the defeated state superintendent from Indiana, has landed the job as state commissioner in Florida. Bennett is the hero to the rightwing “reform” sector, a champion of privatization, vouchers, charters, online for-profit schools, and the Common Core. His last action in Indiana was to lower standards for new trackers and Pennsylvania Should Veto Every Virtual Proposal by dianerav Pennsylvania has 16 online charter schools for K-12. They all get terrible results. Some are fo... more »