Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts #edreform #ows

The $4700 teacher. Some comments on the $2.5 million study. « Fred Klonsky

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The $4700 teacher. Some comments on the $2.5 million study. « Fred Klonsky:The $4700 teacher. Some comments on the $2.5 million study.by Fred KlonskyWhen the NY Times wrote a story yesterday on the 20 year study by some Harvard and Columbia University economists on the worth of a value-added teacher here were some comments to the Times:I teach 12th grade. My student score high on college entrance exams. I wish I would take credit, but I know that their 11h ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Report from last night's hearing on the closing of Crane High School

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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Report from last night's hearing on the closing of Crane High School:Report from last night's hearing on the closing of Crane High Schoolby Mike KlonskyHearing on Chicago school closing. (M. Ritter)I couldn't make it to the hearing at Malcolm X College last night. So I asked Martin Ritter to send Small Talk a report. Here it is. -- M.K.Unreal event tonight.Donald Fraynd was the MC and Jesse Ruiz of the Board was present. Around 200 rental ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts #ows #edreform

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The Best Posts On The Gates’ Funded Measures Of Effective Teaching Report | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-2 hours agoThe Best Posts On The Gates’ Funded Measures Of Effective Teaching Report | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…:The Best Posts On The Gates’ Funded Measures Of Effective Teaching Reportby Larry FerlazzoThe Gates’ funded Measures Of Effective Teaching released their latest studies today. There have been a few posts about it, and I’m sure ...more »

Was Hugo Schwyzer’s Confession Embellished? « Student Activism

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Was Hugo Schwyzer’s Confession Embellished? « Student Activism:Was Hugo Schwyzer’s Confession Embellished?by Angus JohnstonEarly last year, women’s studies professor Hugo Schwyzer disclosed on his blog that he had attempted to murder an ex-girlfriend in the course of a 1998 suicide attempt. That admission first attracted broad attention a few weeks ago, and has since sparked considerable controversy regarding Schwyzer’s position in the feministmovement.In his 2011 account, Schwyzer said that he called a friend to warn her of his plans before ... more »

Latino student struggles challenge Conn. reformers - Boston.com

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Latino student struggles challenge Conn. reformers - Boston.com:Latino student struggles challenge Conn. reformersIn this Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 photo, bilingual teacher Millie Vera, left, hugs parent Blanca Salas at the end of a parent-teacher conference for Salas' daughter Lizbeth at Windham Center School in Windham, Conn. Connecticut's investment in teaching of English as a second language declined steadily over the last decade despite a 50 percent increase in the Latino population. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)By Michael MeliaAssociated Press / January 7, ... more »

Will 'National Opt Out Day' Spark a Testing Backlash? - Education - GOOD

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Will 'National Opt Out Day' Spark a Testing Backlash? - Education - GOOD:Will 'National Opt Out Day' Spark a Testing Backlash?by Liz DwyerCan a grassroots movement "end the reign of fear and terror promoted by the high-stakes testing agenda"? That’s the hope of today’s National Opt Out Day, an effort organized by United Opt Out, a group seeking to eliminate standardized tests from public education.The day of action is strategically timed one day before the 10th anniversary of No Child ... more »

Shackles! « Cooperative Catalyst

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Shackles! « Cooperative Catalyst:Shackles!by @DrJackKingKids in America, by and far, have no choice but to go to school; it is COMPULSORY. While there, they have no choice but to have adults TEACH them every thing they need to know … that’s on the TEST. The kids quickly lose interest and find themselves wishing they were somewhere else, anywhere but here. So they leave for the afternoon. After all, there’s got to be something to learn somewhere.It’s all too soon before ...more »

beautiful school libraries from colleges and robin hood - my sidewalk chalk blog - nyc school help

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beautiful school libraries from colleges and robin hood - my sidewalk chalk blog - nyc school help:beautiful school libraries from colleges and robin hoodby joyceI can't stop thinking about the photos of libraries that I saw on FlavorwiresMost Beautiful College Libraries in the World. I want the slideshow on my desktop. I want to send them to all 9th graders to encourage them to aspire to the life of the mind. I want to send them to all first year ... more »

Saturday coffee. « Fred Klonsky

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Saturday coffee. « Fred Klonsky:Saturday coffee.by Fred KlonskySaturday’s coffee was at a small inn about twenty minutes east of Madison, Wisconsin.Anne and I decided to get away for a few days before I head back to work on Monday. When we made these plans we expected it would be a snowy weekend. But we arrived yesterday afternoon to 55 degree temperatures and a sunny sky this morning.We’ve been to Madison several times. Usually with a purpose. We would come to ... more »

The Best Posts On The Gates’ Funded Measures Of Effective Teaching Report | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…

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The Best Posts On The Gates’ Funded Measures Of Effective Teaching Report | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…:The Best Posts On The Gates’ Funded Measures Of Effective Teaching Reportby Larry FerlazzoThe Gates’ funded Measures Of Effective Teaching released their latest studies today. There have been a few posts about it, and I’m sure there will be many more. I thought I’d get a hard start on collecting them in one “The Best…” list.Here are my picks for The Best ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: One Study Does Not a Policy Make

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Jersey Jazzman: One Study Does Not a Policy Make:One Study Does Not a Policy Makeby DukeAnd so it begins: one working paper comes out - a study that hasn't even been published yet in an academic journal - and we're supposed drop all the previous high-quality research about the unreliability of using test scores to evaluate teachers and embrace Value-Added Modeling (VAM).Well, at least that's what Star-Ledger columnist Tom Moran says:But the teachers union, and many obedient Democrats in the ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts #edreform #ows

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Gates Foundation study paints bleak picture of teaching quality | GothamSchoolsBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-1 hour agoGates Foundation study paints bleak picture of teaching quality | GothamSchools:Gates Foundation study paints bleak picture of teaching qualityby Elizabeth GreenThe study measured teachers against the criteria in Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Effective Teaching rubric, which is used in New York as a tool for observing teachers. Teachers scored better at classroom management than they did on measures of higher-order instructional challenges, ... more »

Why I Am A Liberal | Addicting Info

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Why I Am A Liberal | Addicting Info:Why I Am A Liberalby Justin "Filthy Liberal Scum" RosarioWhy I Am A LiberalJanuary 6, 2012By Justin "Filthy Liberal Scum" Rosario“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” ~ Greek proverbI saw this posted on a reader’s page (thanks, Rita!) and I realized it perfectly summed up why I am a Liberal. Conservatives like to paint liberals as lazy, greedy people intent on ... more »

School Tech Connect: I'm With Michelle On This One

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School Tech Connect: I'm With Michelle On This One:I'm With Michelle On This Oneby noreply@blogger.com (Tim)I was going to skip this story about Michelle Obama until I realized it's pretty much the story of how she can't stand Rahm Emanuel.The first lady never confronted the advisers directly — that was not her way — but they found out about her displeasure from the president. “She feels as if our rudder isn’t set right,” Mr. Obama confided, according to aides. Rahm ...more »

“The message is to fire people sooner rather than later” | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…

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“The message is to fire people sooner rather than later” | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…:“The message is to fire people sooner rather than later”by Larry FerlazzoThe headline for this post is from a researcher quoted in today’s front page article in The New York Times headlined Big Study Links Good Teachers to Lasting Gain.Here are some quotes from this ringing endorsement of using value-added measures to evaluate teachers:Replacing a poor teacher with an average one would raise a ... more »

Sticks, carrots, and familiar policies in state’s NCLB waiver plan | GothamSchools

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Sticks, carrots, and familiar policies in state’s NCLB waiver plan | GothamSchools:Sticks, carrots, and familiar policies in state’s NCLB waiver planby Geoff DeckerNew York will get new terms for high- and low-performing schools — and new ways to define good and bad performance — under a proposed accountability plan designed to replace the requirements of No Child Left Behind.The proposal, which was released in draft form late today and will be discussed by the Board of Regents on Monday, is ... more »

Here We Go Again « InterACT

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Here We Go Again « InterACT:Here We Go Againby David B. CohenBig news today in education policy and research – or was it?The Gates Foundation-funded Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) project continues to update its research findings, and continues to argue that standardized tests and value-added measurement would be useful in teacher evaluations. (Washington Post article).A study by Harvard and Columbia researchers uses value-added measures to quantify the effects of good teaching in various outcomes for students, well into adulthood. ... more »

Gates Foundation study paints bleak picture of teaching quality | GothamSchools

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Gates Foundation study paints bleak picture of teaching quality | GothamSchools:Gates Foundation study paints bleak picture of teaching qualityby Elizabeth GreenThe study measured teachers against the criteria in Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Effective Teaching rubric, which is used in New York as a tool for observing teachers. Teachers scored better at classroom management than they did on measures of higher-order instructional challenges, such as asking productive questions.A historic look inside the nation’s classrooms, including some in New York City, painted ... more »

The guy closes libraries. What a shmuck. « Fred Klonsky

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The guy closes libraries. What a shmuck. « Fred Klonsky:The guy closes libraries. What a shmuck.by Fred KlonskyFresh from his video appearance promoting yahoo Kyle Olson and Islamophobe Juan William’s Anti-public Schools Week, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel went back to work and closed down Chicago’s libraries. Or at least closed them on Mondays.Remember, it was just a month or so ago he got into it with the Chicago Teachers Union over longer school days.Get it? More hours in school. Fewer ... more »

#edreform A YEAR IN REVIEW: Mayor Bloomberg Cathy Black

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Save the Date: ON JAN. 17, JOIN UTLA FOR A SPECIAL EVENT WITH EDUCATION EXPERT DIANE RAVITCH

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Save the Date: ON JAN. 17, JOIN UTLA FOR A SPECIAL EVENT WITH EDUCATION EXPERT DIANE RAVITCH:

Save the Date: ON JAN. 17, JOIN UTLA FOR A SPECIAL EVENT WITH EDUCATION EXPERT DIANE RAVITCH

Renowned author Diane Ravitch is taking part in a three-city speaking tour in California. Dr. Ravitch will speak to UTLA and community members on January 17 at 5:00 pm. Don't miss out!

FROM UTLA WEBSITE | HTTP://BIT.LY/ZQ0CGC

On Tuesday, January 17, join UTLA at 5 pm for an event with renowned author and education expert Diane Ravitch.

Dr. Ravitch’s expertise on testing, value added systems and education in general is invaluable to us as educators. Copies of her most recent book “The Death and Life of the Great American School System” will be available for purchase at the event.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 17 at 5 pm (Arrive early)
LOCATION: Immanuel Presbyterian Church (3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles) map
PARKING: Free parking in the structure behind the the UTLA bldg (off Berendo St)
FLYER: Download

- Diane Ravitch Event (Jan. 17, 2012) RSVP

Click here for details and to RSVP

If you want to read any more information about Diane Ravitch, go her website at:
http://www.dianeravitch.com/vita.html

Ron Paul vs The Turner Diaries: The Toughest Quiz You’ll Take Today « Student Activism

Ron Paul vs The Turner Diaries: The Toughest Quiz You’ll Take Today « Student Activism:

Ron Paul vs The Turner Diaries: The Toughest Quiz You’ll Take Today

by Angus Johnston

Ron Paul’s various publications from the 1980s and 1990s have gotten a lot of attention recently, due to various bigoted statements that appeared in their pages. But it’s not until you sit down and read the originals at length, as I’ve done over the last few days, that the full scope of their ugliness becomes apparent.

The worldview of the Ron Paul newsletters is the worldview of the late 20th century American rightwing fringe — not merely racist, but paranoid, conspiracist, sexist, anti-Jewish. It is, in short, the worldview of The Turner Diaries, the apocalyptic novel that inspired Timothy McVeigh’s 1995 attack on the federal building in Oklahoma City.

The Turner Diaries, a bizarre fantasy of race war, white supremacist revolution, and nuclear holocaust, is far

Peg with Pen: Reflections on National Opt Out Day

Peg with Pen: Reflections on National Opt Out Day:

Reflections on National Opt Out Day

by Peggy

I was proud to be in Denver today. I love the educators inthis state.There were quite a few at National Opt Out Day. During my last few years ofteaching while I supported teachers, there was nothing more amazing then to getto peek in to another Colorado teacher’s classroom. These teachers aresmart. They are creative. They are funny – you have to be to juggle 30or more kids every day. They can be bold. And they have heart. When youget to spend time in a teacher’s classroom, you can feel that heart. I felt that heart again today as wegathered for National Opt Out Day. Imiss it. There’s a lot of sadness thatcomes with fighting corporate education reform. There is the personal sadness in knowing that my teaching daysare

The Seattle Public School Brand and Charter Schools | Seattle Education

The Seattle Public School Brand and Charter Schools | Seattle Education:

The Seattle Public School Brand and Charter Schools

by seattleducation2011

This was written by a Parents Across America, Seattle member:

‘Reform’ is a positive word in the American vocabulary, but in educational circles since No Child Left Behind, it has been a sheepskin clothing the proverbial wolf. It has meant, by and large, the agenda of business interests, mega foundations, and their surrogates to remake the American education system in their corporate image. But those of us concerned about pushing back against such reform have been at a disadvantage because we are too easily framed as “anti” reform, and as such complacent and obstructionist. So this statement of values is an attempt to provide a counter-frame that articulates a positive, proactive agenda—what we’re for—but in such a way to make clear the principles that govern why we are against what we are against.

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) has a very serious and well-deserved image or branding problem, and its new board has the responsibility to fix it. A brand is shaped in public perception by two primary factors. First, its

The $4700 teacher. Some comments on the $2.5 million study. « Fred Klonsky

The $4700 teacher. Some comments on the $2.5 million study. « Fred Klonsky:

The $4700 teacher. Some comments on the $2.5 million study.

by Fred Klonsky

When the NY Times wrote a story yesterday on the 20 year study by some Harvard and Columbia University economists on the worth of a value-added teacher here were some comments to the Times:

I teach 12th grade. My student score high on college entrance exams. I wish I would take credit, but I know that their 11h grade teacher is the one who taught them how to write an “on demand” essay like the entrance exams require. I teach them research and argumentative writing. If we are giving out bonuses, who deserves the credit, me or my colleague? And really, who cares? – Mary

So when a great and relatively high-ranked teacher inspires students to become teachers themselves, it has the