UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS
BEFORE NOON HONEST!
What Do NAEP Scores Mean?
Every once in a while, a new set of test scores is released by the National Assessment Governing Board, the federal agency that supervises the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Just a few days ago, the NAEP scores for science were released for 4th and 8th grades, and once again there was woe and gnashing of teeth in the land (http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/05/10/31naep_ep.h31.html?tkn=VPXFO3wzO2s%2Bbex2WwFqNNnCfYtzrpCNzSmA&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS1). The scores had improved, but not enough to satisfy the nay-sayers.
The media react with alarm every time the NAEP scores appear because only about one-third or so of students is rated “proficient.” This is supposed to be something akin to a national tragedy because presumably almost every child should be “proficient.” Remember, under No Child Left Behind, ALL students are supposed to be proficient in reading and math by the year 2014.
Since I served on NAGB for seven years, I can explain what the board’s “achievement levels” mean. There are four levels. At the top is “advanced.” Then comes “proficient.” Then “basic.” And last, “below basic.”
LAUSD'S STATIC MODEL OF PUBLIC EDUCATION FANS RACISM (VIDEO #8)
(Mensaje se repite en Español)
(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)Public education is a critically essential function in any society. But in a heterogeneous American culture it is even more imperative that we use public education to create unity and strength from our diversity. Failure to do so is clearly creating the adversity we are now experiencing, because public education is no longer recognized by those in power as essential to our continued well being.
When correctly implemented, public education in an American context not only gives our future citizens the intellectual tools and perspectives essential to be integrated into what must remain an ever evolving American society, it also incorporates the unique strengths and contributions of all our component cultures. G-d help us if the static definition of what will be valued in this country remains exclusively White Anglo-Saxon Protestant and male.
The longstanding failure to incorporate and productively integrate people of color and the poor in an America
On Leaked E-Mails and The Eventual Uproar [Where I Call Joel Klein a Pirate]
First, let me tell you how excited I was that the United Federation of Teachers FOILed Joel Klein’s e-mails from DOE. I’m much happier knowing that I wasn’t misjudging anything about him or his co-conspirators on any level. They really do come off like jerks, they really do spend ALL day on their Blackberries for no apparent reason, and they really do want to push the idea of charter schools to the detriment of actual public schools. I don’t mind a few charters here and there, but the corporatists crossed the line by making it the solution to the education’s ills (when they know it’s not).
Plus, if I can’t get the Pearson-created math statewide tests released, I should at least get a few uncomfortable giggles from Klein’s exchanges.
Having said that, I’m also surprised that some of my colleagues are shocked (SHOCKED) by the content of the e-mails. We knew that even the most professional of us exchange a few “motherfuckers” and “shits” when in the
The media react with alarm every time the NAEP scores appear because only about one-third or so of students is rated “proficient.” This is supposed to be something akin to a national tragedy because presumably almost every child should be “proficient.” Remember, under No Child Left Behind, ALL students are supposed to be proficient in reading and math by the year 2014.
Since I served on NAGB for seven years, I can explain what the board’s “achievement levels” mean. There are four levels. At the top is “advanced.” Then comes “proficient.” Then “basic.” And last, “below basic.”
LAUSD'S STATIC MODEL OF PUBLIC EDUCATION FANS RACISM (VIDEO #8)
(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)Public education is a critically essential function in any society. But in a heterogeneous American culture it is even more imperative that we use public education to create unity and strength from our diversity. Failure to do so is clearly creating the adversity we are now experiencing, because public education is no longer recognized by those in power as essential to our continued well being.
When correctly implemented, public education in an American context not only gives our future citizens the intellectual tools and perspectives essential to be integrated into what must remain an ever evolving American society, it also incorporates the unique strengths and contributions of all our component cultures. G-d help us if the static definition of what will be valued in this country remains exclusively White Anglo-Saxon Protestant and male.
The longstanding failure to incorporate and productively integrate people of color and the poor in an America
On Leaked E-Mails and The Eventual Uproar [Where I Call Joel Klein a Pirate]
First, let me tell you how excited I was that the United Federation of Teachers FOILed Joel Klein’s e-mails from DOE. I’m much happier knowing that I wasn’t misjudging anything about him or his co-conspirators on any level. They really do come off like jerks, they really do spend ALL day on their Blackberries for no apparent reason, and they really do want to push the idea of charter schools to the detriment of actual public schools. I don’t mind a few charters here and there, but the corporatists crossed the line by making it the solution to the education’s ills (when they know it’s not).
Plus, if I can’t get the Pearson-created math statewide tests released, I should at least get a few uncomfortable giggles from Klein’s exchanges.
Having said that, I’m also surprised that some of my colleagues are shocked (SHOCKED) by the content of the e-mails. We knew that even the most professional of us exchange a few “motherfuckers” and “shits” when in the
Seattle Times shows lack of principles
In an editorial posted this morning, Seattle Public Schools needs to engage parents on future school-bus plans, The Seattle Times demonstrates their utter lack of principles.
The Times writes:
"Steeply increasing costs for an already tight budget force choices between cuts to transportation or to the classroom, unless the Seattle School Board can shape a more streamlined, efficient bus system.What is interesting about this, of course, is that the Times thinks this is a job for the Board. The Times expects the Board to "shape a more streamlined, efficient bus system". Really? That's not a policy task. That's not
"The board will have to do better than it has done so far. A hastily put-together proposal suggested trimming costs by changing school start times and nearly doubling some bus-ride times."
New Component of Texas Accountability System: FASTLE
Fiscal Accountability System for Texas Legislation in Education (FASTLE)
I wrote this in response to Representative Aycock’s request for ideas on improving the accountability system. Unfortunately, he chose not to publish this suggestion. Perhaps he thought I was not serious (I am) or that it would never pass the Legislature (he is correct).I think reasonable people believe individuals should not be held accountable in the workplace unless the person was provided adequate resources and support to meet her/his expectations. I also think most reasonable people would agree that schools and districts should not be held accountable unless they are provided the necessary resources and support to meet the expectations that under gird the accountability system.
Expectation #1: Allocate enough money per pupil to ALL districts in an amount sufficient to meet the expectations set forth by the legislature.
This would be determined through adequacy studies conducted by a panel of five nationally recognized experts.
Hopefully by now you have heard of ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, a private membership group that works behind closed doors to craft legislation. The killing of Trayvon Martin brought the Stand Your Ground Law and its ties to ALEC under the public microscope. In the wake of public demands to seek justice for Travyon, ALEC was exposed as being responsible for the now controversial Stand Your Ground Law along with other voter suppression bills being enacted across the country. No longer being able to hide behind their cloak of anonymity, supporters of ALEC have been pressured to pull their support. Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and other corporations have publicly withdrawn their support for ALEC under pressure from public interest groups like Color of Change and Campus Progress. But so far all we have heard is how ALEC is behind voter suppression laws and Stand Your Ground. Have you heard that ALEC spends a considerable amount of time trying to dismantle public schools and privatize the entire system?
To be clear ALEC is not your typical lobbying group. While most states have laws that require elected officials to spend their
Petrilli Misses the Point
Reading Michael Petrilli’s inane post for Education Next I had to roll my eyes… it was titled, “Common Core critics want ALEC to tell states what to do.” I think Mr. Petrilli has missed the point of the resolution offered by American Principles Project, the Goldwater Institute and Washington Policy Center. The resolution which ALEC delayed voting on reads:
The State Board of Education may not adopt, and the State Department of Education may not implement, the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Any actions taken to adopt or implement the Common Core State Standards as of the effective date of this section are void ab initio. Neither this nor any other statewide education
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 5-13-12 Mothers Day #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
James Baldwin said it best:
"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."
A Big Education Ape Nite Cap
