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Friday, April 20, 2012

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 420 #soschat #EDReform


Reports raise concerns about stability of principal corps in Philly schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Reports raise concerns about stability of principal corps in Philly schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Reports raise concerns about stability of principal corps in Philly schoolsbySamantha Byleson Apr 20 2012 Posted inLatest newsCOMMENTS (0)PRINTEMAILWith the Districtrethinking the role of autonomy in curriculum, ACTION United and Education Voters of Pennsylvania released separate reports this week on principal turnover and principal leadership.ACTION United’s report“Revolving Doors: Findings from Philadelphia’s Highest-Poverty Schools” is the first in a series of reports... more »

Rick Scott Yields to JD Alexander, Signs Polytechnic Bill and Does the Friday Afternoon Flee | Scathing Purple Musings

Rick Scott Yields to JD Alexander, Signs Polytechnic Bill and Does the Friday Afternoon Flee | Scathing Purple Musings: Rick Scott Yields to JD Alexander, Signs Polytechnic Bill and Does the Friday Afternoon FleebyBob SikesFrom Kim Wilmath of theTampa Bay Times:In a year when the state’s current 11 universities’ budgets are being cut by hundreds of millions of dollars, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a bill creating Florida Polytechnic out of the University of South Florida’s branch campus in ... more »

‘Pineapple’ test question scrapped for media attenion | GothamSchools

‘Pineapple’ test question scrapped for media attenion | GothamSchools: ‘Pineapple’ test question scrapped for media attenionbyGeoff DeckerState education officials said this afternoon that they’re tossing out six questions related to the now-famous “Hare and the Pineapple” passage that appeared this week on the state’s eighth grade English exams.In a statement, Commissioner John King said that due to the “ambiguous nature of the test questions” from the passage, students wouldn’t be penalized – or awarded – points on the final scoring ... more »

tomhayden.com - Peace Exchange Bulletin - NATO Occupies Chicago, Key Moment for Afghanistan

tomhayden.com - Peace Exchange Bulletin - NATO Occupies Chicago, Key Moment forAfghanistan:NATO Occupies Chicago, Key Moment for AfghanistanTom HaydenatPeace Exchange Bulletin-3 minutes agoPeace movements in every country are raising their voices against the war in Afghanistan in advance of the May 18-20 NATO summit in Chicago. American combat veterans are expected to throw their medals at NATO officials, just as John Kerry and many others did as a heroic gesture in the final stage of Vietnam. Some will converge on ... more »

Don’t Let Any “Education Reform” Compromise Sweep the Illegal Activities and Arrogance Under the Rug - Wait, What?

Don’t Let Any “Education Reform” Compromise Sweep the Illegal Activities and Arrogance Under the Rug - Wait, What?: Don’t Let Any “Education Reform” Compromise Sweep the Illegal Activities and Arrogance Under the RugbyjonpeltoVarious Connecticut news outlets are reporting that Governor Malloy is proposing to compromise on his “Education Reform” bill in the hopes of having a “deal” by the end of the weekend.Finding common group on strengthening Connecticut’s education system is certainly welcome news, but the Connecticut General Assembly has ... more »

Shuang Wen School inquiry reveals deep “dishonest behavior” | GothamSchools

Shuang Wen School inquiry reveals deep “dishonest behavior” | GothamSchools:Shuang Wen School inquiry reveals deep “dishonest behavior”byPhilissa CramerA parent stands in front of the Cherry Street entrance to the Lower East Side's Shuang Wen elementary school.A sprawling investigation into the leadership of a controversial dual-language school in Chinatown concluded that the school’s principal had falsified attendance data and accepted money from a non-profit hired to administer after school language lessons.The Department of Education will move to fire Ling Ling Chou, ... more »

YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID « Teachers Fight Back

YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID « Teachers Fight Back:YOU CAN’T FIX STUPIDbyalkleenTeachers, principals, administrators, aides, and any adult associated with a school. How many times do I have to tell you? DO NOT E.MAIL, TEXT, TWEET, TOOT, SHOW A FILM,A VIDEO, MAKE A PHONE CALL, POST SOMETHING ON FACEBOOK OR COMMUNICATE TO ANYONE IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN WHAT WOULD BE PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS. DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY FORM OF HUMOR, JOKE, SARCASM, LIGHTHEARTED MOMENT, OR ANYTHING THAT DEVIATES FROM THE PROFESSIONAL ... more »

We Are One labor coalition responds to Quinn’s pension proposal. “Insensitive and irresponsible.” « Fred Klonsky

We Are One labor coalition responds to Quinn’s pension proposal. “Insensitive and irresponsible.” « Fred Klonsky:We Are One labor coalition responds to Quinn’s pension proposal. “Insensitive and irresponsible.”byFred KlonskyWE ARE ONE ILLINOIS STATEMENT ON PENSIONSResponding to Gov. Pat Quinn’s news conference on pensions held Friday, April 20, Illinois AFL-CIO president Michael Carrigan issued this statement for the We Are OneIllinois coalition of unions that represent public employees:“The unions representing public employees are committed to working with Gov. Quinn and the ... more »

The Pineapple Story Tests Us: Have Test Publishers become Unquestionable Authorities? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

The Pineapple Story Tests Us: Have Test Publishers become Unquestionable Authorities? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: The Pineapple Story Tests Us: Have Test Publishers become Unquestionable Authorities?byAnthony CodyFollow me onTwitter at @AnthonyCodyThe New York Daily News has perhaps inadvertentlyshed some lighton why teachers might be hesitant to have a large portion of their evaluations based on standardized test scores. In a rare moment of transparency, one of the 8th grade reading comprehension questions has been published, and ... more »

solidaridad: Parents Across America Action Alert: Help fight ALEC!

solidaridad: Parents Across America Action Alert: Help fight ALEC!: Parents Across America Action Alert: Help fight ALEC!byRobert D. Skeels * rdsatheneHelp fight ALEC! You may have been reading about the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) lately because this group wrote the controversial Florida "Stand Your Ground" law involved in the Trayvon Martin case. They were also behind the union-busting and voter ID laws in Wisconsin.ALEC is a secretive business-backed group that writes conservative legislation and then spreads it rapidly across ... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: A Win For the Victim Of Bullying But No Real Solutions to Bullying Coming From Policy Makers

Missouri Education Watchdog: A Win For the Victim Of Bullying But No Real Solutions to Bullying Coming From Policy Makers: A Win For the Victim Of Bullying But No Real Solutions to Bullying Coming From Policy MakersbyAnngieThis week's lawsuit settlement by the Ramsey Board of Education, paying former student Sawyer Rosenstein $42. million, while not a legal admission of "a violation of any law or duty owed to the Plaintiffs,” (from the official RBE statement), is certainly an indication of ... more »

LAUSD, John Deasy - Perdaily.com

LAUSD, John Deasy - Perdaily.com: LAUSD: THE DEVIL AND JOHN DEASY BY MARK HEMPHILLbyLeonard Isenberg(Mensaje se repite en Español)(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)No, this is neither a parity nor a satire based on Steven Vincent Benet's, The Devil and Daniel Webster. In that story, the Devil met his match. Rather it's about how John Deasy managed to turn his own little witch hunt into a full blown reign of terror. ... more »

RheeFirst! » Rhee (& George Bush) to speak at meeting of most cynical group of edu for-profiteers ever assembled

RheeFirst! » Rhee ( George Bush) to speak at meeting of most cynical group of edu for-profiteers ever assembled: Rhee ( George Bush) to speak at meeting of most cynical group of edu for-profiteers ever assembledbyadminWritten by David Halperin for the Republic Report. Read theentire post here.“Republic Report previously reported that former PresidentGeorge W. Bushwill be speaking at theannual meetingofAPSCU, the leading association of for-profit colleges, on June 22 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. For-profit colleges ... more »

Scams and Frauds (Plus George W. Bush and Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee) At Upcoming Subprime College Conference in Vegas

Scams and Frauds (Plus George W. Bush and Michelle Rhee) At Upcoming Subprime College Conference in Vegas: Scams and Frauds (Plus George W. Bush and Michelle Rhee) At Upcoming Subprime College Conference in VegasByDavid Halperinposted Apr 20th 2012 at 2:12PM Michelle Rhee will join George W. Bush as a speaker at the annual for-profit colleges meeting in Las Vegas.Republic Report previously reported that former PresidentGeorge W. Bushwill be speaking at theannual meetingofAPSCU, the leading association of for-profit colleges, on June ... more »

President Obama, Dr. Jill Biden to Honor Teachers of the Year | The White House

President Obama, Dr. Jill Biden to Honor Teachers of the Year | The White House: President Obama, Dr. Jill Biden to Honor Teachers of the Year WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, President Obama will honor the 2012 National Teacher of the Year and finalists, thanking them for their hard work and dedication each and every day in the classroom. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will also attend the event. The President believes that the education of our children is critical ... more »

Career Education Plan From Obama Administration Unlikely To Bear Fruit For A Year Or More

Career Education Plan From Obama Administration Unlikely To Bear Fruit For A Year Or More: Career Education Plan From Obama Administration Unlikely To Bear Fruit For A Year Or MorebyJoy Resmovits U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan traveled to a community college in the middle of Iowa to announce Thursday what he called a "transformation" of vocational education."The Perkins program must be transformed if it is to live up to its potential to prepare every youth and adult to participate ... more »

The LegiSchool Project - Center for California Studies at Sacramento State - Leadership begins here.

The LegiSchool Project - Center for California Studies at Sacramento State - Leadership begins here.: The LegiSchool ProjectIn a democratic society an important purpose of schools is the preparation of students for their involvement in civic life. Today it is more important than ever that students leaving high school have a basic understanding of public issues and have the ability to participate fully in the political process. In order to do this they must be able to think critically, exercise ... more »

Talking pineapple question on state exam stumps ... everyone! - NY Daily News

Talking pineapple question on state exam stumps ... everyone! - NY Daily News: Talking pineapple question on state exam stumps ... everyone! Students, teachers, principals - no one has any idea what the deal isComments (35)BYBEN CHAPMANANDRACHEL MONAHAN/ NEW YORK DAILY NEWSALEX CAO/GETTY IMAGESDo you need ears of corn to hear a talking pineapple? Maybe testing company Pearson has the answer.TAKEOUR POLLWas the question about a talking pineapple absurd?Yes, it was ridiculousNo, it was fineStudents across the state are still ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: No Experience Necessary

Jersey Jazzman: No Experience Necessary: No Experience NecessarybyDukeWe have many highly qualified, experienced, and very successful superintendents in New Jersey. But when it's time to get informed opinions about our school system, we often pass them by for by for folks who are... well (to put in kindly),somewhat less experienced:The governor also wants to change the way enrollment is counted. Students are now counted on Oct 15. The governor wants to base funding on average daily attendance, which he says ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Dare the council stand up to autocrat Rahm?

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Dare the council stand up to autocrat Rahm?: Dare the council stand up to autocrat Rahm?byMike Klonsky"We've debated this long enough. I'm not in the position of analysis. I'm in the position of getting things done."--Rahm to his councilScientists have discovered signs of life in Chicago's city council. The discovery comes as a shock to our autocrat mayor (and to me) who thought he had already crushed or bought off the last flicker of democratic impulse ... more »

SACRAMENTO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE: Reich, Beyond Outrage

SACRAMENTO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE: Reich, Beyond Outrage: Reich, Beyond OutrageThe Daily Show with Jon StewartGet More:Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor Satire Blog,The Daily Show on FacebookPOSTED BYDUANE CAMPBELLAT9:12 PMEMAIL THISBLOGTHIS!SHARE TO TWITTERSHARE TO FACEBOOK

Creighton supporters stave off charter conversion - for now | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Creighton supporters stave off charter conversion - for now | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Creighton supporters stave off charter conversion - for nowbyBenjamin Heroldon Apr 19 2012 Posted inLatest news By Benjamin Heroldfor the Notebook and WHYY/NewsworksResponding to passionate support from parents, community members, and teachers foran “outside-the-box” planto keep Thomas Creighton Elementary under District control, the School Reform Commission decided on Thursday evening to delay a planned vote to convert Creighton into a Renaissance charter.“I agree with my colleagues ... more »

Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson nails it

Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson nails it: Eugene Robinson nails itbyrss@dailykos.com (teacherken)in his Friday column for the Washington Post. TitledRepublican rhetoric over the topit totally demolishes the false equivalence some try to offer to avoid confronting how awful some of what spews from the mouths of Republicans and their supporters actually is.He begins very bluntly:Not all overheated political rhetoric is alike. Delusional right-wing crazy talk — the kind of ranting we’ve heard recently from washed-up rock star Ted Nugent and Tea ... more »

Testing the Teachers - NYTimes.com

Testing the Teachers - NYTimes.com: Testing the TeachersByDAVID BROOKSPublished: April 19, 2012FACEBOOKTWITTERGOOGLE+EMAILSHAREPRINTREPRINTSThere’s an atmosphere of grand fragility hanging over America’s colleges. The grandeur comes from the surging application rates, the international renown, the fancy new dining and athletic facilities. The fragility comes from the fact that colleges are charging more money, but it’s not clear how much actual benefit they are providing.Josh Haner/The New York TimesDavid BrooksGo to Columnist Page »Go to David Brooks’s Blog »The ConversationDavid B... more »

Friday Finds | Inside Higher Ed

Friday Finds | Inside Higher Ed: Friday FindsbyDean DadBlog:Confessions of a Community College DeanIf you haven’t seen thisinterview with Jane Wellman,it’s well worth a read. She’s an expert on the drivers of college costs, and she was the founding director of the Delta Cost Project. (She’s also funny as hell in a sardonic, I’ve-had-toothaches-scarier-than-you way.) She makes several points that I wish we could all just stipulate before having any more conversations about college costs: that every new dollar of ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: More calls for civility

Seattle Schools Community Forum: More calls for civility: More calls for civilitybyCharlie Mas Here's an interesting trend: calls for civility in the discussion of education issues in Seattle.They are coming from a variety of sources.Here'sone from Alison Krupnickthat I read in Crosscut. Yeah, Crosscut, where the editor referred to the two newly elected board members as "insurgents" and refuse to interview them as candidates.Here'sone from Robin Lakeof the Center for Reinventing Public Education that appeared on the EdWeek blog.Here'sone from ... more »

The Innovative Educator: Tell Bully Principal How You Feel

The Innovative Educator: Tell Bully Principal How You Feel: Tell Bully Principal How You Feelbynoreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)This week in theOpt Out of Testing - New Yorkgroup (there's a group for each state)one parent shared the response of her school's principal in regards to opting out of tests. As you'll note in the email below the principal not only disregards this parent's decision to do what is best for her child, but he threatens to contact child protective services. Why on ... more »

Daily Kos: Why I Teach - Educators Share Their Stories

Daily Kos: Why I Teach - Educators Share Their Stories: Why I Teach - Educators Share Their Storiesbyrss@dailykos.com (teacherken)is a new endeavor by John Merrow of Learning Matters, who covers education for the News Hour, to highlight teachers.You can see the entire serieshere.So far there have been four post:Esther Wojcicki of Palo Alto High schoolNancy Gardner, Mooresville (NC) High SchoolJessica Hahn, Explore Charter School in NYand someone who began his post like this: I chose to teach so I could ... more »

Palm Beach School Board Blasts FCAT; Is Texas-Style Opposition Next? | Scathing Purple Musings

Palm Beach School Board Blasts FCAT; Is Texas-Style Opposition Next? | Scathing Purple Musings: Palm Beach School Board Blasts FCAT; Is Texas-Style Opposition Next?byBob SikesSmall wonder Florida republican legislators want to end salaries of school board members. They can’t have high-profile opposition to the one thing they cannot go without to drive their privatization agenda. Last night, members of the Palm Beach county school board let everyone know that they didn’t care for FCAT and didn’t like the effect it ... more »

Hartford Courant Editorial Sticks to “Don’t Confuse me with the Facts” Approach. by jonpelto- Wait, What?

- Wait, What?: Hartford Courant Editorial Sticks to “Don’t Confuse me with the Facts” Approach.byjonpeltoNo matter how much the downsizing and corporatization of the Hartford Courant undermines the image it once had, I will never stop believing that it the Courant is OUR newspaper and, as such, has earned the right to continue to be known as Connecticut’s “paper of record.”That’s why I find it so painful, frustrating and sad when they write editorials that lack an underpinning of facts. ... more »