The Lion Sleeps Tonight | The Jose Vilson

The Lion Sleeps Tonight | The Jose Vilson:

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

by Jose

The only way to shock my son out of his crying spurts is to sing the first big note in “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” I hit the highest falsetto possible, then jump right into the first few notes of the melody. Naturally, I forget the majority of the verses of the song, but by then, he’s bubbly, feet kicking and eyes forming crescents in form with his smile.
Lately, I’ve been teaching my son how to roar.
No, really.
I thought of it after putting him in his rocking chair and noticing how he gravitated towards the lion. Without fail, 

Jersey Jazzman: B4K Ad Gets Tenure Wrong

Jersey Jazzman: B4K Ad Gets Tenure Wrong:

B4K Ad Gets Tenure Wrong

by Duke

You may have seen this ad on my blog:

Which is pretty funny when you remember this:

I don't control which ads come up, so maybe they can't control where their ads are placed. It's still pretty funny to me that they can place an ad on a blog Derrell Bradford has banned even mentioning on his Facebook page. Whatever...

Let's talk about the ad. "Make tenure a reward, not a guaranteed job for life."

SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: Non-Answers From Gideon Stein The Answer Man

SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: Non-Answers From Gideon Stein The Answer Man:

Non-Answers From Gideon Stein The Answer Man

by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher)

I met someone online a week or so ago. My Jewish parents would have been proud. He is a very wealthy man that fights for the rights of little boys and girls of color. Who is this man? He is Gideon Stein, board member of Success Charter Whatevers (click to see Gideon listed under "Our Leaders" and el presidente deFuture Is Now Schools. Thanks to his largesse the poverty stricken have a friend.

I met, or rather a started a tweet relationship with Gideon through mutual friend The Frustrated Teacher.Both TFT and myself have fun with Gideon as he 

Clear Creek TX school board resolution vs. high-stakes testing « Parents Across America

Clear Creek TX school board resolution vs. high-stakes testing « Parents Across America:

Clear Creek TX school board resolution vs. high-stakes testing

by leoniehaimson

Here is an excellent resolution that has been passed by Clear Creek School District, a large district near NASA,  as well as several other school boards in Texas.  It has been called “The shot heard around the county.” Why not around the country? If Texas school boards can pass this resolution, why shouldn’t all school boards in the nation adopt similar ones?

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CLEAR CREEK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
RESOLUTION CONCERNING HIGH STAKES, STANDARDIZED TESTING
OF TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF GALVESTON

WHEREAS, the over reliance on standardized, high stakes testing as the only assessment of learning that really matters in the state and federal accountability systems is strangling our public schools and undermining any chance that educators have to 

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 3-12 #soschat #EDReform

RheeFirst! » Interview: Rhee-placement claims ATL kid’s scores went up despite the cheating proves that they were learning

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RheeFirst! » Interview: Rhee-placement claims ATL kid’s scores went up despite the cheating proves that they were learning: Interview: Rhee-placemt claims ATL kid’s scores went up despite the cheating proves that they were learningbyadminRhee’s replacement, Kaya Henderson, states that no federal or DC investigator has contacted her about the suspicious scores. In the below Q A, she tells Turque that the scores in Atlanta went up despite the cheating, because it showed that the ATL kids were learning.Written by Bill ... more »

4LAKids - UTLA PREZ WEIGHS IN ON LAUSD BOARD MEASARES TO BEEF UP DISCIPLINE

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4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: UTLA PREZ WEIGHS IN ON LAUSD BOARD MEASARES TO BEEF UP DISCIPLINE: UTLA PREZ WEIGHS IN ON LAUSD BOARD MEASARES TO BEEF UP DISCIPLINEBYTAMI ABDOLLAH, KPCC PASS/FAIL BLOG |HTTP://BIT.LY/AZZCU2Grant Slater/KPCC: UTLA President Warren Fletcher12:44 p.m. :: The head of the teacher's union weighed in today ontwo L.A. Unified board resolutionsto beef up the district's employee discipline procedures that will be voted on at the board's Tuesday meeting.In a statement, UTLA President ... more »

PURE » LSC Rally still on – school closings lawsuit to be refiled

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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » LSC Rally still on – school closings lawsuit to be refiled: LSC Rally still on – school closings lawsuit to be refiledbyadminNews came out Friday afternoon that the Local School Council member lawsuit against Chicago Public Schools’ school closings actions was dismissed by Cook County Judge Michael Hyman, According tothis story in the Tribune, the judge sounded generally pretty sympathetic to the case, which was headed by KOCO’s Jitu Brown:In the ... more »

Blue Jersey:: Q. Are We Not Teachers? The Devolution of Education

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Blue Jersey:: Q. Are We Not Teachers? The Devolution of Education: Q. Are We Not Teachers? The Devolution of EducationbyA New Jersey Farmerpromoted by RosiCross-posted atA New Jersey FarmerWe seem to have come to a critical point in the education deform movement. No, that's not a typo: I don't mean reform, I mean deform, because the people who want to use unreliable and faulty data to evaluate teachers and deny educators their negotiated due process rights are not reformers and ... more »

Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » Pass the book, but which one?

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Yong Zhao » Blog Archive » Pass the book, but which one?: Pass the book, but which one?byYongZhaoPass the book, but which one?To be globally competitive, we should all begin to use chopsticks because chopsticks produce better education outcomes as measured by the international gold standard of education the OECD’s PISA, which tests 15 year olds in math, reading, and sciences, and TIMSS, which assess 9-10 and 13-14 year olds math and science abilities. The top five performers in the ... more »

The Frustrated Teacher: @Jillsmo: I Am A Feminist (TFT Is Too!)

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The Frustrated Teacher: @Jillsmo: I Am A Feminist (TFT Is Too!): @Jillsmo: I Am A Feminist (TFT Is Too!)I am a feministI am a woman, but I am not a victim.Society may think that I need its protection, but society is wrong. I don't need your lawsprotecting my vanity; protecting my womanhood. I can protect myself.Your well crafted, media tested talking points do not speak for me; I can speak for myself.I am responsible for the choices that I make ... more »

Free Webinar: Creating Communities of Support for Implementing the Common Core State Standards — Whole Child Education

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Free Webinar: Creating Communities of Support for Implementing the Common Core State Standards — Whole Child Education: Free Webinar: Creating Communities of Support for Implementing the Common Core State StandardsbyKlea ScharbergYou don't have to implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) alone! District, school, and classroom personnel can collaborate and create communities of support toward successful implementation. JoinASCD Author Judy Carras she discusses how to create the communities and shares specific protocols and processes that attendees can use immediately.Tuesday,...more »

A Dinner « Bill Ayers

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A Dinner « Bill Ayers: A DinnerbybillayersIn December, 2011 a tiny but wondrous Chicago program of the Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) launched an on-line auction to raise needed cash for its public programming. The Public Square was celebrating its Tenth Anniversary, and Bernardine and I had been on its Advisory Board from the start. We kicked in what money we could, and we donated two items to the auction: choice seats at a Cubs game and an afternoon at beautiful ...more »

Democurmudgeon: Just as Republicans are expanding charter schools nationwide, charters are cutting costs just to survive.

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Democurmudgeon: Just as Republicans are expanding charter schools nationwide, charters are cutting costs just to survive.: Just as Republicans are expanding charter schools nationwide, charters are cutting costs just to survive.byDemocurmudgeonCuts to education not only affect public schools, but charterand voucher schools. With tighter state budgets, and continued ideologicalslashing of education budgets, schools will have no choice but seek out thecheapest route to survive as a business, no matter how it fails our children.If this sounds absolutely outrageous, and not ... more »

Teachers’ lounge: Chicago techs get their jobs back and back pay. « Fred Klonsky

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Teachers’ lounge: Chicago techs get their jobs back and back pay. « Fred Klonsky: Teachers’ lounge: Chicago techs get their jobs back and back pay.byFred Klonsky(Pictured abovefrom left) CTU PRSP Field Specialist Anthony Lopez, Technicians Shelia Lott, Technician Darnitia Ciscero, CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey, Technician Tangela Burton, Technician Gloria Prince, Technician Robert Faulkner, Technician Edna Johnson, PRSP Field Specialist Anita Burks, CTU President Karen GJ Lewis, CTU Financial Secretary Kristine Mayle, Technician Cheryl Jolly-Hansford, CTU PRSP Field Staff Coordin... more »

Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 13 hours ago

teacher/poet/musician glen brown: Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension OffsetThe Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) “was enacted as part of the 1983 Social Security Refinancing Act, designed to shore up the financing of the Social Security Trust Fund. That Act was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan” (Mass Retirees).“The Windfall Elimination Provision primarily affects [a public employee who has] earned a pension in any job where [he or she] did not pay Social Security taxes and also worked in other ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Sunday Music Blogging

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Jersey Jazzman: Sunday Music Blogging: Sunday Music BloggingbyDukeIn an effort to not be such a snarky old bastard all the time, let's try to do a little music blogging every Sunday, shall we?I'm just finishing a big band piece for a high school. A lot of times, when I write something, I think, "I want to do this piece I like, but recomposed my way." Like about 10,000 artists have said, "Good composers borrow; great composers steal."I may not be ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Lawsuit over Creative Approach Schools Needs Help

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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Lawsuit over Creative Approach Schools Needs Help: Lawsuit over Creative Approach Schools Needs HelpbyMelissa WestbrookDistrict watchdog Chris Jackins came forward at a recent Board meeting to say that he believed (and a lawyer looking at the RCW concurred) that the MOU between the district and the SEA is illegal.He has found a number of appellants to sign onto a lawsuit to challenge the legality of the MOU.But, that lawsuit needs money to start down this road. ... more »

Be Like Me: Just Write Five Different Blog Starters and Don’t Hit Publish | The Jose Vilson

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Be Like Me: Just Write Five Different Blog Starters and Don’t Hit Publish | The Jose Vilson: Be Like Me: Just Write Five Different Blog Starters and Don’t Hit PublishbyJoseSometime after Monday, I thought I’d have the hang of this blogging thing again. I was fairly confident that I could crank out some really good topics for my blog, and possibly a few tweets related to these extensive pieces. I would carve out my usual 8pm to 10pm schedule for ... more »

Georgia Charter School Decision Could Set National Precedent | Fox News

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 13 hours ago

Georgia Charter School Decision Could Set National Precedent | Fox News: Georgia charter school decision could set national precedentByElizabeth PrannPublished March 11, 2012| FoxNews.comPrintEmailShareCommentsinShare8The Georgia Legislature is hotly debating a bill that would allow the state to cover the costs of charter schools even if local school boards reject them, setting up a case that could set national precedent on educational reform.The legislation to amend the state constitution would allow the Peach State to create its own parallel K-12 system ... more »

Georgia Charter School Decision Could Set National Precedent | Fox News

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Georgia Charter School Decision Could Set National Precedent | Fox News: Georgia charter school decision could set national precedentByElizabeth PrannPublished March 11, 2012| FoxNews.comPrintEmailShareCommentsinShare8The Georgia Legislature is hotly debating a bill that would allow the state to cover the costs of charter schools even if local school boards reject them, setting up a case that could set national precedent on educational reform.The legislation to amend the state constitution would allow the Peach State to create its own parallel K-12 system ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 3-11 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 13 hours ago

6 Ways to Get Ready for the May 1st GENERAL STRIKE | OccupyWallSt.org #soschat #owsBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-8 minutes ago6 Ways to Get Ready for the May 1st GENERAL STRIKE | OccupyWallSt.org: 6 Ways to Get Ready for the May 1st GENERAL STRIKEPosted 5 hours ago on March 11, 2012, 7:57 a.m. EST byOccupyWallStYesterday, 60,000 marched on Madison to mark the one-year anniversary of the passage of Governor Scott Walker's drastic dismantling of collective bargaining rights for ... more »

School Tech Connect: On Vouchers and Charters in Illinois

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School Tech Connect: On Vouchers and Charters in IllinoisOn Vouchers and Charters in Illinoisbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim)It's so difficult to pin down state legislators on the issues I care about before an election. I hear a lot about things that on are my stove but not on the front burners.Fortunately, there's IVI-IPO.As I mentioned today on the Twitters, I saw a mailing today here in the 14th Legislative District of the great state of Illinois. It pointed out that one of the ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Preuss School/UCSD - Not the Charter You Might Think

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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Preuss School/UCSD - Not the Charter You Might Think: Preuss School/UCSD - Not the Charter You Might ThinkbyMelissa WestbrookI was in San Diego recently and took the opportunity to visit a charter school. I may have my own opinions on charter schools but it is always valuable to keep gathering information and insights.Preuss/UCSD, a 6-12 school, sits on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. Their building is on land donated by the University ... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Come to Lobby day; parents must have a voice when it comes to school closings & co-locations!

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 19 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: Come to Lobby day; parents must have a voice when it comes to school closings co-locations!: Come to Lobby day; parents must have a voice when it comes to school closings co-locations!byLeonie HaimsonLast week, the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council, along with Class Size Matters, endorsed four legislative proposals:On the state budget, to eliminate the Governor's proposed $250 million in competitive grants and re-allocate those funds so thatNYC schools receive more of their fair share;Restore thedistrict structure ... more »

What is Underground Education? The How’s, Why’s, and What-Nots #education #SOSchat #revolution « Cooperative Catalyst

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 19 hours ago

What is Underground Education? The How’s, Why’s, and What-Nots #education #SOSchat #revolution « Cooperative Catalyst: What is Underground Education? The How’s, Why’s, and What-Nots #education #SOSchat#revolutionPOSTED BYEDUCATEDTODEATH⋅MARCH 11, 2012 ⋅LEAVE A COMMENTFILED UNDEREDUCATION,LEARNING,REVOLUTION,TEACHING,UNDERGROUNDOriginally posted ateducatedtodeath.com.@educatedtodeathUnderground Education is revolutionary, but does not aim to teach or incite external revolution; rather, it aims to nudge minds awake. Underground education begins the moment you see something that needs ... more »

Charter Schools USA's John Hage: Infecting Jeb Ed at Every Level In Indy

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Charter Schools USA's John Hage: Infecting Jeb Ed at Every Level In Indy: Corporate Foxes in the IN DOE Henhouse: The Chain School Gospel of Jeb Bush, John Hage and WalMartBush Bag Man John HageBush Bag Man John HageWhen the Indiana Charter School Board recentlyapprovedtwo new Charter Schools USA schools to open in Indianapolis, the corporate school honeymoon was on. The East Indianapolis Charter Academy and the South Indianapolis Charter Academy, Charter Schools USA claimed, would be “feeder schools” for ... more »

Last Stand for Children First: Getting Parent Voices Heard in Education Debate

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Last Stand for Children First: Getting Parent Voices Heard in Education Debate: Getting Parent Voices Heard in Education DebatebyLast Stand for ChildrenOne of the biggest challenges of the education reform movement is to get parent voices heard. Parents are important stakeholders in the discussion about how to improve education, but too often their voices are suppressed by the adults in the system. Partnering with education reformers is one of the very best ways for parents to get their voices heard. ... more »

PUBLIC WORKER PENSIONS – THE SOURCE OF ALL TROUBLE « Teachers Fight Back

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PUBLIC WORKER PENSIONS – THE SOURCE OF ALL TROUBLE « Teachers Fight Back: PUBLIC WORKER PENSIONS – THE SOURCE OF ALL TROUBLEbyalkleenI was surprised to see a Chicago Tribune editorial that was calling for a solution to the incredibly large caseloads of workers at the Department of Children and Family services. The editorial made a lot of sense, supported the workers, expressed how important the problem was, and seemed like a sincere effort to right a terrible wrong. Then I ... more »

Unschooling in the Art of Social Transformation | Lefty Parent

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Unschooling in the Art of Social Transformation | Lefty Parent: Unschooling in the Art of Social TransformationMarch 11th, 2012 at 13:48It is my continuing effort to promote the concept of “unschooling”, the mostly unsung method of human development that often gets short shrift compared to more formal modes and venues for education. Wikipedia defines “unschooling” as a term coined in the 1970s by radical educator John Holt, representing…A range of educational philosophies and practices centered on allowing children to learn ...more »

“You Can’t Learn if You Don’t Play…” « Cooperative Catalyst

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“You Can’t Learn if You Don’t Play…” « Cooperative Catalyst: “You Can’t Learn if You Don’t Play…”bypamelamoranTheNew Republicarticle, “Why Children Must Play: what the US can learn from Finland about ed reform,” captures a critical difference between attitudes in the United States and Finland about using play to power up learning. Samuel Abrams defines a key difference in how we approach education – a focus on children at work as learning in the United States vs. seeing the nature of ... more »

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Ken Griffin speaks. State employee pensions, the Koch brothers, education and being Rahm’s Pal. « Fred Klonsky

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 19 hours ago

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Ken Griffin speaks. State employee pensions, the Koch brothers, education and being Rahm’s Pal. « Fred Klonsky: Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Ken Griffin speaks. State employee pensions, the Koch brothers, education and being Rahm’s Pal.byFred KlonskyIn a rare interview, Ken Griffin, who the Tribune describes as a billionaire investor,founder and chief executive of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, arguably is this city’s only Wall Street titan,came clean with the Trib. He is a major funder of right-wing ... more »

Schools Matter: Protect children from the effects of poverty: Response to Paul Peterson

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Schools Matter: Protect children from the effects of poverty: Response to Paul Peterson: Protect children from the effects of poverty: Response to Paul PetersonbyskrashenProtect children from the effects of povertySent to the New York Daily News, March 11, 2012Paul Peterson says we should “Fix public schools before child poverty,” (March 11), arguing that low parental income is the not cause of low school performance. But Peterson agrees with the massive research showing that factors associated with poverty are related to ... more »