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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

TIME FOR LIE DETECTOR TESTS « Teachers Fight Back

TIME FOR LIE DETECTOR TESTS « Teachers Fight Back:

TIME FOR LIE DETECTOR TESTS

I had another dream. (I’ve been dreaming a lot lately). I dreamt that I ruled the U.S. as a dictator with unlimited powers. I had my military police round up every person in the country who has been bashing teacher unions. I rounded up all the people who said that teacher unions are partly responsible for the current “education crisis”. I detained any person who bashed the union concept of tenure and who insisted that collective bargaining for public employees was a gross evil. I snared all the people who blamed teacher unions for protecting large amounts of incompetent teachers. In short, I arrested anyone who had negative things to say about teacher unions.

I arrested all these people in order to prove a point. I was determined to prove that the majority of union bashing people were ones who simply wanted to do away with all unions no matter who or what they represented. I wanted to show that these people were not really concerned about an “education crisis” and about improving our public schools. I was out to prove that the majority of these people had the hidden motive of destroying public sector unions simply because they have always been opposed to unions and they were using the current

Sh*t TFA'ers Say


This video was actually produced internally at Teach For America for cheap yuks. Apparently, they're proud of their superficial, jargon-y gloss on the problems of inner-city poverty and education.

Grumpy Educators: Value Added Measurement: Wanted Professional Palm Reader

Grumpy Educators: Value Added Measurement: Wanted Professional Palm Reader:


Value Added Measurement: Wanted Professional Palm Reader

Want to bet on a horse? Put your trust in a bookie whose job it is to predict winners after studying potential to win based on breeding, training, and standings in recent races. Want to invest in the stockmarket? Put your trust in a stockbroker whose job it is to predict companies that show signs of being a good investment, with potential growth, and a stable financial structure.


Want to know how a child's school achievement. Put your trust in an algorithm, a formula which will predict how much progress the student should make based on a complicated equation of 10 factors, but do not ask how it works. Florida determined that socio-economics would not be included as one of the 10

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 2-21 #soschat #ReclaimingReform


Teacher Contracts, Evaluation Policies, and Termination « PWC Education Reform Blog

Teacher Contracts, Evaluation Policies, and Termination « PWC Education Reform Blog:Teacher Contracts, Evaluation Policies, and TerminationFebruary 21, 2012 — pwceducationreformThe VA General Assembly is considering a number of bills that affect education. One is HB576, which deals with teacher contracts, evaluation policies, and reasons for terminating a teacher, among other things.Current LawCurrently teachers are hired for what is called a continuing contract after they’ve completed their probationary period. A continuing contract runs for 5 years and specifies step and grade ...more »

“The School for Workers survived McCarthyism. It may not survive Walker.” « Fred Klonsky

“The School for Workers survived McCarthyism. It may not survive Walker.” « Fred Klonsky:“The School for Workers survived McCarthyism. It may not survive Walker.”by Fred KlonskyThe School for Workers was established in 1925 as an extension program of the University of Wisconsin at Madison.They had planned an art exhibit of posters and other political art created during the past year of labor struggle in Wisconsin.Wisconsin Republicans wouldn’t hear of it.The Progressive:The University of Wisconsin’s School for Workers was planning on ... more »

Daily Kos: A few things I do not understand

Daily Kos: A few things I do not understand:A few things I do not understandby rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)How does lowering the minimum wage in Greece do anything to improve the economy of the nation? Does lowering the income of those barely making it in any way contribute to stimulating the economy, or is it merely to increase profits of those already benefiting from wages that are insufficient?Why is the Obama administration taking $6 million dollars from the funding of NAEP - ... more »

Schools Matter: Perfect Hour for Parents, Ed Students, and Teachers During Black History Month

Schools Matter: Perfect Hour for Parents, Ed Students, and Teachers During Black History Month:Perfect Hour for Parents, Ed Students, and Teachers During Black History Monthby Jim HornStill Separate, Still Unequal: Racism, Class and the Attack on Public EducationWith Brian Jones Public education is under an unprecedented attack. The powerful people who want to privatize our schools are using many different means: charter schools, mayoral control, high stakes standardized testing, school closures, merit pay and attacking teacher unions are all a ... more »

League of Education Voters to Apologize to Rainier Beach High School | Seattle Education

League of Education Voters to Apologize to Rainier Beach High School | Seattle Education:League of Education Voters to Apologize to Rainier Beach High Schoolby seattleducation2011The LEV flyer with notations by Rainier Beach High SchoolTo follow is a statement that was issued by the Rainier Beach PTSA this afternoon:On Monday, Feb 20, 2012, a few parents from Rainier Beach High School (RBHS) and South Shore Middle

PSAT for 2-21-12: Do something! Parents United for Responsible Education

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 2-21-12: Do something!:PSAT for 2-21-12: Do something!by adminAnger and action are cranked up to 11 on the volume control in preparation for tomorrow’s Chicago Board of Education vote on school closures and turnarounds.Overnight camp outs.School occupation.Marches. Press conferences. Releasing new reports. Noble critiques. Call-ins.You name it, folks in Chicago have done it – and mostly in the last week!Enough already?Nah.Let’s crank it up a little more. So, for Public ... more »

Schools Matter: Reconsidering testing in Texas

Schools Matter: Reconsidering testing in Texas:Reconsidering testing in Texasby skrashenReconsidering testing: Some fundamentalsSent to the Austin-American Statesman, Feb 21, 2012A year's delay to reconsider the role of testing is a very good idea (“It’s smart to step back on STARR,” Feb 20).I hope that those assigned to study this issue will look at the evidence showing that increased testing does not result in increased achievement, the evidence showing that teacher evaluation of high school students (grades) is a better predictor ... more »

Santorum’s children went to a cyber charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Santorum’s children went to a cyber charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:Santorum’s children went to a cyber charter schoolby Valerie StraussRepublican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has said some pretty provocative things about public education on the campaign trail recently, declaring that it is not the job of government to educate children but rather the responsibility of parents.Read full article

RheeFirst! » Michelle Rhee makes no apologies for firing a principal on camera

RheeFirst! » Michelle Rhee makes no apologies for firing a principal on camera:Michelle Rhee makes no apologies for firing a principal on cameraby adminIn a February 2012 interview, Michelle Rhee makes no apologies for firing a principal on camera. Her only regret is that it damaged her image of caring for people. Read her chilling response for yourself.Q. Is there anything you’d take back — perhaps your firing of a principal in front of PBS cameras?A. [I would take it ... more »

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » New report: LSCs and democracy outperform turnarounds

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » New report: LSCs and democracy outperform turnarounds:New report: LSCs and democracy outperform turnaroundsby adminOn the eve of a potentially catastrophic Board of Education vote to turnaround ten more Chicago schools, the school reform research group Designs for Change has released a report showing that school turnarounds are not worth the extra expense, and that the unheralded reforms brought about under the authority of parent-led, democratically-elected local school councils have been far ... more »

OCCUPY EDUCATION - I Occupy Education by helping to bring communities...

OCCUPY EDUCATION - I Occupy Education by helping to bring communities...:I Occupy Education by helping to bring communities together...I Occupy Education by helping to bring communities together through helping us understand our similarities rather than only focusing on our differences! I work in an environment where not all of my ideals mesh with the standards of the company, but I see HOPE and I SPEAK POWER to that HOPE, and I BELIEVE I am transforming community education every day!!! I ... more »

Self Fulfilling Prophecy!(Gloom and Doom) « Diary of a Public School Teacher!

Self Fulfilling Prophecy!(Gloom and Doom) « Diary of a Public School Teacher!:Self Fulfilling Prophecy!(Gloom and Doom)by OldschoolteachSelf Fulfilling Prophecy!(Gloom and Doom)Posted February 20, 2012 by Oldschoolteach in Education Issues, Student Issues, Teacher issues. Tagged:educators, K through 12, raising our expectations in the classroom, rigor in the classroom, self fulfilling prophecy,teacher expectations of students. Leave a CommentI remember when I was in college a LONG time ago, we learned about the self-fulfilling prophecy. I don’t recall the professor who taught it, ... more »

Daily Kos: I weep for America

Daily Kos: I weep for America:I weep for Americaby rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)that someone like Rick Santorum could be seriously considered as a Presidential candidate by a major political party demonstrates that we are not the most advanced nation.But it is more than that.As attacks continue on teachers and on public institutions, as we continue in the direction of privatizing the commons, as we still cannot provide full medical coverage for all here regardless of their income, wealth, or immigration status, I ... more »

Grumpy Educators: California: Bringing Parent Opposition and Resistance Out of the Shadows

Grumpy Educators: California: Bringing Parent Opposition and Resistance Out of the Shadows:California: Bringing Parent Opposition and Resistance Out of the Shadowsby SandraSan Diego parents oppose state mandated assessment and invoke parent rights. They publish their letter to the school and publish their letter. February 16, 2012Bill KowbaSuperintendent of SchoolsSan Diego Unified School District4100 Normal Street, Room 2219San Diego, CA 92103Dear Mr. Kowba,Please accept this letter as our request to excuse our daughter, Ruby, from participation in standardized

Last Stand for Children First: Bidding War Begins for Chinese Educator

Last Stand for Children First: Bidding War Begins for Chinese Educator:Bidding War Begins for Chinese Educatorby Last Stand for ChildrenIn Gao Bin's, previous job as assistant director at Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (Foxconn), he oversaw a complex in Longhua, Shenzhen, where hundreds of thousands of workers includes 15 factories,[worker dormitories, a swimming pool, a fire brigade, its own television network (Foxconn TV),and a downtown complete with a grocery store, bank, restaurants, bookstore, and hospital. Now, he's coming to America ... more »

Schools Matter: Become the Lesson You Want Your Children to Learn: Stand Up, Opt Out

Schools Matter: Become the Lesson You Want Your Children to Learn: Stand Up, Opt Out:Become the Lesson You Want Your Children to Learn: Stand Up, Opt Outby Jim HornTo stop the madness, we must stop the madness. There is too much money involved to think that the testing industrial complex will suddenly acknowledge their crimes against children and decide to call it a day. Join Aaryn and Sam Belfer--write your school superintendent and rescue your children from the pressure cooker. ... more »

School Tech Connect: Save Our Schools

School Tech Connect: Save Our Schools:Save Our Schoolsby noreply@blogger.com (Tim) I was unable to stay for the protest going on over at the mayor's house tonight, but I did spend some time with the protestors gathering at Lakeview High School. Weird how everyone there knew the issues, could identify with a specific school, and didn't have to be paid by a corrupt Rahm insider.I was looking through my camera for a shot that sort of encapsulated the moment, and I've ... more »

A Parent Opts Out in California | United Opt Out National

A Parent Opts Out in California | United Opt Out National: A PARENT OPTS OUT IN CALIFORNIAThis post was first shared at www.aarynbelfer.com .February 16, 2012Bill KowbaSuperintendent of SchoolsSan Diego Unified School District4100 Normal Street, Room 2219San Diego, CA 92103Dear Mr. Kowba,Please accept this letter as our request to excuse our daughter, Ruby, from participation in standardized achievement testing as is allowed in §60615 of the California Education Code. This request includes the state mandated assessments of the California Standardized ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 2-20 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform

Assemblymember Dickinson Introduces Public Employee’s Bill of Rights - Assemblymember Roger Dickinson Representing the 9th California Assembly District - AD09Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-2 minutes agoAssemblymember Dickinson Introduces Public Employee’s Bill of Rights - Assemblymember Roger Dickinson Representing the 9th California Assembly District - AD09:Assemblymember Dickinson Introduces Public Employee’s Bill of RightsSacramento – Today, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) introduced Assembly Bill 1655. The bill would enact the Public Employee’s Bill o... more »

How ideas like the Parent Trigger fall in and out of favor « Parents Across America

How ideas like the Parent Trigger fall in and out of favor « Parents Across America:How ideas like the Parent Trigger fall in and out of favorby CarolineSFBy Caroline Grannan, San FranciscoParents Across America Founding MemberThere are times when we see public opinion or the tone of media coverage shifting noticeably. I blogged about such a shift earlier today, when I posted about a Los Angeles Times article that focused on how a Parent Trigger campaign is ripping a disadvantage ... more »

School Tech Connect: The Crane Deal

School Tech Connect: The Crane Deal:

The Crane Deal

Very mixed feelings about the apparent deal to keep Crane as a neighborhood high school. The one thing I know for sure is that I have faith in the Crane Coalition's judgment.

I guess my questions are these: is it still a neighborhood school for kids who aren't interested in health careers? If I'm a poet or an astronomer, will those doors still be open to me? And what does it mean to be focused on health careers in the age of the Common Core Standards? Isn't a great deal of the curriculum already set by David Coleman? If I'm a health-careers high school, am I still going to be measured morning, noon, and night on every microgain or loss on reading and math scores?

The other question I always ask is this: if they turned New Trier into a health career high school, how would that

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Smartest Guy in the Room

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Smartest Guy in the Room:

The Smartest Guy in the Room

Over at Publicola, the jousting goes on. Firing back at the letter that WEA President, Mary Lindquist, wrote yesterday, Knight-in-Shining Armor, Nick Hanauer writes a long reply.

What is somewhat funny is he agrees with her on all the reasons why a "lifelong Democrat and committed progressive" shouldn't want Rob McKenna as governor. But then he says that "McKenna is on the right track and we are not." Keep in mind, McKenna is not on the ed reform train - he looks like he could be the engineer. Vouchers, anyone?

Alert! New ed reform talking point, speak of Washington State:

We may be headed in the right direction, but we aren’t in the right lane.

and


It is not classroom teachers who are afraid of change and innovation—it is their union.

But, clearly the union is backed by its members so the union IS the teachers.

Then Hanauer what so many do "I'm not a teacher but..." and regales us with his vast work experience which means run schools like businesses and all will be well. Nope. (Although I will say they should be well-managed

Big Education Ape: 2-21-12 PM Santorum and Satan EDition #soschat #p2

Big Education Ape: PARENTS CAN!:
Big Education Ape: PARENTS CAN!

Published by Coopmike48 – 7 news spotters today

Kristof Shills, Loveless Scrutinizes :: Frederick M. Hess

frederickhess.org - by Frederick M. Hess • Feb 21, 2012 at 9:17 amCross-posted from Education Weekhttp://www.frederickhess.org/2012/02/kristof-shills-loveless-scrutinizesLast week offered a classic illustration of e...

DianeRavitch

CT News Junkie | OP-ED

ctnewsjunkie.com - by Sarah Darer Littman and Susan Bigelow | Feb 21, 2012 5:30am(0) Comments | Log in to Post a Comment Posted to: Education, Opinion, Editorial Board Experienced teachers produce higher student test...

DianeRavitch

Rush Limbaugh on Santorum and Satan - Mackenzie Weinger

politico.com - Rush Limbaugh said on his radio show Tuesday that Rick Santorum will have to explain his warning that “Satan has his sights on the United States of America.”“It’s part of the predictable attempt to...

fklonsky

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leoniehaimson Eva: “Whenever I propose a charter school, the community says they wd be happy to have us somewhere else" Wonder why? http://t.co/9HWpHwp12 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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Teachers Get R-E-S-P-E-C-T

ed.gov - Today, we are formally launching Project RESPECT.RESPECT is an acronym that stands for Recognizing Educational Success, Professional Excellence and Collaborative Teaching. I've always believed that...

DianeRavitch

Making teachers more accountable - Schools

buffalonews.com - Plenty of questions are circulating about the teacher-evaluation agreement that state officials and New York State United Teachers announced last week. Here are some of the answers so far regarding...

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@ THE CHALK FACE | WTDY Talk Radio 1670

wtdy.com - Introducing ... At The Chalk Face. Educated educators taking education. SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9am. Educated Educators Taking Education. A new one hour talk show dedicated to educ...

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Paul Babeu Is 'Going To Have To Work Through' Scandal

huffingtonpost.com - Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio distanced himself from fellow sheriff Paul Babeu, who was outed as gay last week and accused of threatening his ex-boyfriend with deportation.Arpaio, "America's toughest ...

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Deserted by Democrats. « Fred Klonsky

preaprez.wordpress.com - The crowd of hundreds walked silently up Mayor Emanuel’s street on Chicago’s north side late yesterday afternoon. It was not like any march I had been on before. No megaphones. No chanting of “The ...

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School Tech Connect: Save Our Schools

schooltechconnect.com - I was unable to stay for the protest going on over at the mayor's house tonight, but I did spend some time with the protestors gathering at Lakeview High School. Weird how everyone there knew the i...

tbfurman

Youthcomm Story: How the Other Half Lives

youthcomm.org - I read on the front page of today’s New York Times that the poor are dropping further behind the rich in school. I grew up in Brownsville, a very poor neighborhood in Brooklyn. I didn’t know what k...

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In Reality and Film, a Battle for Schools

nytimes.com - LOS ANGELES — On Tuesday officials in Adelanto, a California desert town, are set to consider whether parents there can be the first to take over a failing public school under a new state law that ...

mikeklonsky

In Reality and Film, a Battle for Schools

nytimes.com - LOS ANGELES — On Tuesday officials in Adelanto, a California desert town, are set to consider whether parents there can be the first to take over a failing public school under a new state law that ...

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Is There Arsenic in My Baby Formula? « MomsRising Blog

momsrising.org - by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff Executive Director/CEO Healthy Child Healthy Worldwww.healthychild.org Last week’s findings of arsenic in organic brown rice syrup may be even more frightening to parents ...

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In Reality and Film, a Battle for Schools

nytimes.com - LOS ANGELES — On Tuesday officials in Adelanto, a California desert town, are set to consider whether parents there can be the first to take over a failing public school under a new state law that ...

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Florida Set for New Cut in Spending on Colleges

nytimes.com - MIAMI — Florida lawmakers contend that education is essential to high-wage jobs in the state, but the Legislature is again expected to slash millions of dollars from the budget for higher education...

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