Will Public Schools in Michigan Survive?
The ideologues who have always wanted to privatize public education are now running the state of Michigan. In the past, we called them right-wing extremists; now they are called “reformers.” They plan to dissolve all district boundaries and to push through funding changes to disestablish public schools.
Governor Rick Snyder has a catchy phrase for eliminating public education: any time, any place, any way, any pace. Or, here’s the money, spend it where you want. Trust the marketplace.
Nancy Flanagan explains here.
Governor Rick Snyder has a catchy phrase for eliminating public education: any time, any place, any way, any pace. Or, here’s the money, spend it where you want. Trust the marketplace.
Nancy Flanagan explains here.
Tennessee Governor Plans a Statewide Voucher Program
Governor Haslam of Tennessee has been studying the voucher issue and intends to bring forward a proposal.
He doesn’t want to limit vouchers to any particular jurisdiction but to make them available statewide.
He is working closely with his state Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman, TFA alum, to craft his voucher plan.
Vouchers will be called “opportunity scholarships,” because Republicans understand that the public doesn’t like
He doesn’t want to limit vouchers to any particular jurisdiction but to make them available statewide.
He is working closely with his state Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman, TFA alum, to craft his voucher plan.
Vouchers will be called “opportunity scholarships,” because Republicans understand that the public doesn’t like
Michigan Superintendent Demands Halt to Privatization
Superintendent Rob Glass, who oversees the affluent district of Bloomfield Hills in Michigan, has written a powerful letter, denouncing the rapid privatization that is being foisted on the state’s public schools.
Please read his letter for a description of what the Republican governor and legislature have planned in a lame duck session.
If the legislation were called a plan to replace and privatize the public schools of Michigan, it would at least be
Please read his letter for a description of what the Republican governor and legislature have planned in a lame duck session.
If the legislation were called a plan to replace and privatize the public schools of Michigan, it would at least be
What Is the True Cost of RTTT Teacher Evaluation Plans?
Newsday on Long Island ran an article about the exorbitant cost of new teacher evaluation programs mandated by the state to comply with its Race to theTop grant.
The editorial board of the newspaper opined in favor of the unproven, heavy-handed plans to judge teachers and principals by student scores.
The superintendent of the Southold, Long Island, schools wrote a wise response to the editorial:
The editorial board of the newspaper opined in favor of the unproven, heavy-handed plans to judge teachers and principals by student scores.
The superintendent of the Southold, Long Island, schools wrote a wise response to the editorial:
Jersey Jazzman and a Generation of Mendacity
Jersey Jazzman has his plate full just trying to keep up with the nonsense and prevarication now tumbling from the mouths of reformers. . In this post, he corrects a self-proclaimed member of “the new majority,” who wrote in the Washington Post that young teachers are just itching to be judged by the test scores of their students.
He belongs to a Gates-funded group of young teachers who glory in the idea that teachers with less than 10 years experience are “the new majority.” Gates drops a million or more on groups like this who push the unions to endorse Gates’ ideas.
He belongs to a Gates-funded group of young teachers who glory in the idea that teachers with less than 10 years experience are “the new majority.” Gates drops a million or more on groups like this who push the unions to endorse Gates’ ideas.
A Problem with the Longer School Day
Earlier I posted about the Ford Foundation’s plan to extend the school day for thousands of students.
This seems to be modeled on charter schools staffed by young college graduates who are unmarried and can work nine-hour days, then do their class preparation in the evening. They burn out after two or three years and move on, to be replaced by other fresh-faced youngsters.
But this teacher has a problem. She has children too, and she asks:
And what about the needs of working teachers? When do I get to be a mom and help and be with my OWN
This seems to be modeled on charter schools staffed by young college graduates who are unmarried and can work nine-hour days, then do their class preparation in the evening. They burn out after two or three years and move on, to be replaced by other fresh-faced youngsters.
But this teacher has a problem. She has children too, and she asks:
And what about the needs of working teachers? When do I get to be a mom and help and be with my OWN
Is There a Severe Shortage of Math and Science Teachers in Massachusetts?
EduShyster is at it again. She continues to ask questions that elude the Boston Globe and other media in Massachusetts. Like, why do certain charters in the nation’s highest performing state get visas to import all their teachers from other nations, such as Turkey? Are there really no teachers of math, science or even English in the state? What gives?
Reader Calls Out NY Daily News for Charter Spin
One regular reader gets very annoyed when he sees the local media telling fibs.
He is a truth squad all by himself.
One of the favorite fibs is tat charters get better results with exactly the same kinds of students.
Here is what constant reader wrote in response:
It has finally happened! Education reformers have reached the heights of absurdity in their defense of charter
He is a truth squad all by himself.
One of the favorite fibs is tat charters get better results with exactly the same kinds of students.
Here is what constant reader wrote in response:
It has finally happened! Education reformers have reached the heights of absurdity in their defense of charter
Reader Calls Out NY Daily News for Charter Spin: UPDATE
One regular reader gets very annoyed when he sees the local media telling fibs.
He is a truth squad all by himself.
One of the favorite fibs is that charters get better results with exactly the same kinds of students.
That is what the NY Daily News wrote today.
Here is what constant reader wrote in response:
It has finally happened! Education
He is a truth squad all by himself.
One of the favorite fibs is that charters get better results with exactly the same kinds of students.
That is what the NY Daily News wrote today.
Here is what constant reader wrote in response:
It has finally happened! Education
Longer School Day For 20,000 Students
Larry Ferlazzo comments on the big new idea of the Ford Foundation: longer school days to get higher test scores.
The research isn’t strong on this, and teachers don’t like the idea (according to the Gates-Scholastic survey of 2012 and the recent TeachPlus survey called “Great Expectations”), but anything goes.
At least, there are no carrots and sticks. That’s good.
The research isn’t strong on this, and teachers don’t like the idea (according to the Gates-Scholastic survey of 2012 and the recent TeachPlus survey called “Great Expectations”), but anything goes.
At least, there are no carrots and sticks. That’s good.
Gates Assists Jindal “Reforms”
The Jindal reforms of 2012 are among the most hostile to teachers of any legislation passed in recent years. Under the terms of the law, every teacher’s job hinges on student test scores, which count for 50% of the teacher’s evaluation.
As readers of this blog know, the Jindal reforms are hostile not only to teachers but to public education, in that more than half the students in the state are eligible for vouchers, and dozens if not hundreds of charters will open, draining resources from public education.
As readers of this blog know, the Jindal reforms are hostile not only to teachers but to public education, in that more than half the students in the state are eligible for vouchers, and dozens if not hundreds of charters will open, draining resources from public education.
Diane in the Evening 12-3-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: How to Speak Out Against Race to the Top by dianerav Parents and teachers have organized a telephone campaign to register their objections to the Race to the Top program, which has led to more testing and more school closings and more disruptions for students and teachers. Here is the campaign message: *Contact the White House weekly at 202-456-1111 * *Message: Give all students the same education your girls are getting! Abandon Race to the Top and stop privatizing public schools.* *MONDAY* *1. Alabama* *2. Alaska* *3. Arizona* *4. Arkansas* *5. California... more »