A Big Education Ape Nite Cap
Milwaukee’s Education Privatization Exlpained: What’s the Difference Between Public Schools, Voucher Schools and Charter Schools? « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Milwaukee’s Education Privatization Exlpained: What’s the Difference Between Public Schools, Voucher Schools and Charter Schools? by millerlf *What’s the Difference? Voucher schools, Charter schools, Milwaukee Public Schools* Published in May 2012 by the non-partisan Democracy and Education Research Group. Email: democracy.education.milwaukee@gmail.com *Overview*** In recent decades, there has been an expa... more »
Community-led meeting on District overhaul plans « City School Stories: Community-led meeting on District overhaul plans by fmurphy Notes from the Field Submitted by Ray Murphy on May 21, 2012 Dear friend, All of us want Philadelphia to be vibrant. Which is why the current debate over Philadelphia’s schools is so important to Bread & Roses Community Fund stakeholders. But it’s not easy keeping up with all of the details. Here is a *quick summary *of what’s going on: Next week, the School Reform Commission (SRC) will vote on a budget for the School District of Philadelphia which wil... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Change the Stakes demands full disclosure of testing program, including field tests in June: Change the Stakes demands full disclosure of testing program, including field tests in June by Leonie Haimson *Unbeknownst to most parents, the state is imposing yet another round of standardized testing in June. You can check to see what grade your child's elementary or middle school is field testing here. High schools are also field testing the Regents; more more information here and here.* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: changethestakes@gma... more »
Congress pulls plug on Pell Grants; thousands of students affected - San Jose Mercury News: Congress pulls plug on Pell Grants; thousands of students affected By Matt Krupnick mkrupnick@bayareanewsgroup.com © Copyright 2012, Bay Area News Group Posted: 05/20/2012 08:29:07 PM PDT Updated: 05/21/2012 04:06:17 PM PDT Click photo to enlarge Danielle Torno outside of Great America Theme Park Park in Santa Clara, Calif.... (Nhat V. Meyer) A mother of four who was laid off in 2008, Danielle Torno had planned on turning her life around next year with the help of a Cal State East Bay bus... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Comments on the applications of two more Success Charter schools: Comments on the applications of two more Success Charter schools by Leonie Haimson Dear SUNY board and SUNY Charter Institute: I urge you to reject the application of Success Academy to open two charter schools in District 2 on the following grounds: 1. *Attrition and push-out rates*: This charter chain has a very high student and teacher attrition rate, as referenced in news articles [http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2011/10/19/high-teacher-turnover-at-a-success-network-school] and its... more »
RheeFirst!: DC’s NCLB waiver bid stalled by Ed Dept. concerns admin at RheeFirst! - 2 minutes ago *The problems raised by the USDOE precedes Rhee's tenure. But she and her corporate reform agenda did nothing to fix them.* "It turns out that the U.S. Department of Education has quite a few issues with the District’s application for relief from No Child Left Behind. The problems start with two chronic concerns: The city’s poor record of handling and accounting for federal grants, and its difficulties staying in compliance with special education laws." DC students ranked last in the na... more »
Jim Newton: Democrats' spat over education reform - latimes.com: Newton: A split among DemocratsEspecially in California, the party is deeply divided on the question of how best to improve schools.By Jim Newton [image: DFER Fake Democrats for Education Privatization (click on Picture)] Gloria Romero is a Democrat. She was elected to the California Assembly as a Democrat and later to the state Senate. She served as Democratic leader of the Senate, the first woman to do so. Ben Austin is a Democrat too. He worked in the White House under President Clinton and was an ardent supporter... more »
Cost concerns arise after Michigan Senate's vote to end teacher pensions | MLive.com: '[image: mlive.com] Cost concerns arise after Michigan Senate's vote to end teacher pensionsPublished: Friday, May 18, 2012, 6:30 AM Updated: Friday, May 18, 2012, 4:37 PM [image: David Eggert | deggert1@mlive.com] By *David Eggert | deggert1@mlive.com * [image: session.JPG]David Eggert | MLive.comMichigan senators gather Thursday before voting on pension reforms for public school employees. *Update: Unions: Moving school workers to 401(k)s would be cost prohibitive* LANSING, MI – Teachers hired ... more »
Justice in the Dharun Ravi/Tyler Clementi Case? « Student Activism: Justice in the Dharun Ravi/Tyler Clementi Case? by Angus Johnston Dharun Ravi was sentenced late this morning, to 30 days in jail, three years probation, community service, counseling, and a $10,000 fine. Is this justice? Many people are saying no. Compared to the ten years (or, depending on who you ask, several times that) which he could have received, it certainly seems light, and it’s left a lot of folks I respect quite angry. But I’m not sure I’m among them. Let me start by saying that I consider what Ravi did ... more »
From Isolation, to Collaboration, to Leadership « InterACT: From Isolation, to Collaboration, to Leadership by ACT Guest Blog Posts *This guest blog post comes to InterACT from **Cate Kruse Schroeder**, a bilingual-kindergarten teacher from San Jose, CA. A member of Accomplished California Teachers, Cate wrote this post by request, to detail her recent leadership in promoting National Board Certification in her district. (DBC) * On the wall at my district office hangs a plaque. My name is on it with the name of about 20 other teachers. In 2007, I worked hard to get my name on this... more »
Scholar critical of value added method speaking to LA teachers | 89.3 KPCC: Scholar critical of value added method speaking to LA teachers 9:13 a.m. | By Adolfo Guzman-Lopez 1 [image: scantron standardized test] timlewisnm/Flickr Creative Commons State education officials are worried about the hundreds of photos of standardized tests – sometimes with answers – that have begun to appear on social networking sites. A talk on whether to factor student test scores into teachers’ performance evaluations is taking place on Monday afternoon. L.A. Unified’s teachers union is sponsoring a t... more »
Schools Matter: Glen Ford: Corporate Assault on Public Education + Dr. Ravitch's Comments: Glen Ford: Corporate Assault on Public Education + Dr. Ravitch's Comments by Robert D. Skeels * rdsathene *Barack Obama has far exceeded George Bush in corporatization of education in the United States. — Glen Ford* Master dialectician Glen Ford's speech "Corporate Assault on Public Education" draws out all of the historical and material conditions that have created the current crop of African Americans who serve the most reactionary sectors of the corporate education cabal. His peerless voice...more »
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Real parental choice: new evidence from Arizona and Chicago: Real parental choice: new evidence from Arizona and Chicago by admin Last week, Parents Across America sent a letter to Congressional education leaders explaining to them (once again) that expanding charter schools and voucher programs is not the same as empowering parents. “Parent choice is not parent voice,” we wrote. A couple of news items from the past few days make clear what parents really want in public education – and it’s not vouchers or promoting disrespe... more »
Eli Broad: I am unreasonable - CBS News Video: Eli Broad: I am unreasonable May 11, 2012 7:26 AM Billionaire Eli Broad is known for using his money to make Los Angeles a cultural center. He's also using his money to help improve the U.S. education system, among other endeavors. He sat down with Charlie Rose and Gayle King to talk about his new book, "The Art of Being Unreasonable."
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Classic Eli Broad: "Never let a crisis go to waste": Classic Eli Broad: "Never let a crisis go to waste" by Mike Klonsky Katrina aftermath *"Never let a serious crisis go to waste." *-- White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Nov. 2008. In a recent Edweek piece by a similar title, billionaire power-philanthropist Eli Broad resurrects this quote made infamous by Chicago's now autocratic mayor. It's become an operational phrase for "getting things done" by skirting the public will and abandoning democratic decision-making. For Broad and other dis... more »
STATEWIDE STUDENT UNION STARTS AT SANTA MONICA COLLEGE - Perdaily.com: STATEWIDE STUDENT UNION STARTS AT SANTA MONICA COLLEGE by Leonard Isenberg [image: Student Union.jpg] *(Mensaje se repite en Español) (For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post) Up until last Saturday apathy had been the greatest threat to being able to reform and hold accountable the highly coordinated attack on public education at all levels that is ceaselessly degrading the public education system. Last Saturday at Santa Monica College (SMC) we struck a blow for the good gu... more »
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Diane Ravitch on public school “national threat”: Diane Ravitch on public school “national threat” by admin If you take the time to read Diane Ravitch’s latest book review, “Do Our Public Schools Threaten National Security?” you will be rewarded with one of her best critical summaries of corporate reform propaganda. She recaps several generations of alarm-raising about public education, concluding, Somehow, despite the widely broadcast perception that educational achievement was declining, the United States continued to grow... more »
Rhee, Backed by Big Bucks, Vows Schools Overhaul: Rhee, Backed by Big Bucks, Vows Schools Overhaul By STEPHANIE SIMON, Reuters May 20, 2012 During her tumultuous three years at the head of the Washington D.C. public schools, Michelle Rhee set off a lot of fireworks. She's still doing it – on a national stage. Rhee has emerged as the leader of an unlikely coalition of politicians, philanthropists, financiers and entrepreneurs who believe the nation's $500 billion-a-year public education system needs a massive overhaul. She has vowed to raise $1 billion for her national advocacy grou... more »
Elaine Wynn: Take Holistic Approach to Curbing Dropouts - US News and World Report: Elaine Wynn: Take Holistic Approach to Curbing DropoutsHead of Communities In Schools, a nonprofit aiming to prevent high school dropouts, details its model. By MICHAEL MORELLA May 21, 2012 RSS Feed Print [image: Elaine Wynn is chairman of Communities in Schools, which is dedicated to preventing high school dropouts nationwide.] Elaine Wynn is chairman of Communities in Schools, which is dedicated to preventing high school dropouts nationwide. About 75 percent of high schoolstudents in the United Sta... more »
Book launch and panel discussion: Education and Capitalism | Seattle Education: Book launch and panel discussion: Education and Capitalism by seattleducation2011 Saturday, June 2, 4:00 PM University of Washington, Room 211 Smith Hall Featuring *Sarah Knopp:* Editor of *Education and Capitalism* and Los Angeles public school teacher *Jesse Hagopian:* Contributor to *Education and Capitalism* and Seattle public school teacher *RSVP* for this event at the Education and Capitalism Facebook page. “Education and Capitalism: Struggles for Learning and Liberation” has just been published by ... more »
Second Interim Status Report - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Reports Record Number of School Districts in Financial Jeopardy SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson warned today that 2.6 million California children now attend schools in districts that are in financial jeopardy—the highest number of financially troubled districts in state history. "This is the kind of record no one wants to set. Across California, parents, teachers, and administrators are increasingly wondering how to keep their schools' lights on, th... more »
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: UTLA Polemic: LINDA DARLING-HAMMOND AT THE COCOANUT GROVE TONIGHT - “The Fight for Equity and Justice in Public Education and the Urgent Need to Prevent VAM From Undermining It”: UTLA Polemic: LINDA DARLING-HAMMOND AT THE COCOANUT GROVE TONIGHT - “The Fight for Equity and Justice in Public Education and the Urgent Need to Prevent VAM From Undermining It” [image: image] MAY 21, 20125:30-7:30 p.m.Robert F. Kennedy Community School701 South Catalina StreetLos Angeles, CA 90005 Renowned educator and civil rights leader Linda Darling-Ham...more »
2012 Challenge Index rankings--why small schools rule - Class Struggle - The Washington Post: 2012 Challenge Index rankings--why small schools rule By Jay Mathews The little schools that dominate the top of The Washington Post’s 2012 high school rankings confirm an accelerating trend in American education: We are moving away from the something-for-everyone shopping mall campuses that were once a national model. Instead of big schools that offer football, auto shop and a wide choice of easy courses, the schools that lead the new national list are small magnets and charters that foc... more »
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Education Headlines* *Monday, May 21, 2012* Sierra Unified bond measure focus of heated debateA battle is brewing in eastern Fresno County over Sierra Unified School District's $5.2 million bond measure on the June 5 ballot that would be used to pay off debt on the district's newest school. The measure, which would have a 10-year term, will require 55% voter approval to pass. It's the district's fourth bond measure attempt in as many years. Office of Ed manager was fined, suspendedThe official in charge of a $270 million public ... more »
Education Research Report: School district inequities are barrier to quality education for New York City's poor, Black and Hispanic student: School district inequities are barrier to quality education for New York City's poor, Black and Hispanic student by Jonathan Kantrowitz In New York City public schools, a student’s educational outcomes and opportunity to learn are statistically more determined by where he or she lives than their abilities, according to a new report, A Rotting Apple: Education Redlining in New York City, released by the Schott Foundation for Public Education. ... more »
Houghton Mifflin files for bankruptcy protection | Books | The Seattle Times: Houghton Mifflin files for bankruptcy protection Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after reaching an agreement to eliminate $3.1 billion of its debt. The Associated Press RELATED - Sign up for our Books newsletter - Books RSS feed MOST POPULAR COMMENTS HIDE / SHOW COMMENTS No comments have been posted to this article. *Start the conversation >* BOSTON — Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection aft... more »
Hitting the Data Wall: Measurement-Centered Instruction takes hold in High Poverty Schools - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Hitting the Data Wall: Measurement-Centered Instruction takes hold in High Poverty Schools by Anthony Cody Follow me on Twitter at @AnthonyCody A newspaper report from Mobile, Alabama, describes the system clearly. Color-coded sticky notes on a wall in the "data room" at Mobile's Gilliard Elementary School bear the names of every pupil who is struggling in reading or math, has been absent too often, or has gotten into trouble for misbehaving. A... more »
Statistically Speaking, Florida.. I Don't Believe in Them! - MyEdNext: Statistically Speaking, Florida.. I Don't Believe in Them! - Posted by Rita M. Solnet on May 20, 2012 at 11:30pm - View Blog Florida's education statistics were front and center all week. As I prepare for my son's college graduation, I can't help but wonder how different his future would be had we lived by statistics. A '08 graduate of an outstanding public high school in Boca Raton, Jeff attended twelve years of Florida's public schools. He gained admission to some of the finest universities in o... more »
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS Modern School: Big Surprise: Schools Hiring Fewer Nurses, Librarians coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 minutes ago Modern School: Big Surprise: Schools Hiring Fewer Nurses, Librarians: Big Surprise: Schools Hiring Fewer Nurses, Librarians by Michael Dunn According to recent findings released last week by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), California is issuing fewer credentials for K-12 service positions like librarians, school nurses and administrators, and schools are hiring fewer service staff. Between the 2006-0... more »
Modern School: Big Surprise: Schools Hiring Fewer Nurses, Librarians: Big Surprise: Schools Hiring Fewer Nurses, Librarians by Michael Dunn According to recent findings released last week by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), California is issuing fewer credentials for K-12 service positions like librarians, school nurses and administrators, and schools are hiring fewer service staff. Between the 2006-07 and 2010-11 school years, CTC issued 11% fewer service credentials, while the number of people working in service positions dropped by 9%. The biggest declin... more »
A Significant Error That Policymakers Commit | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: A Significant Error That Policymakers Commit by larrycuban As a result of inhabiting a different world than teachers, policymakers make a consequential error. They and a cadre of influentials confuse teach* er* quality with teach*ing* quality, that is, the personal traits of teachers—dedicated, caring, gregarious, intellectually curious—produce student learning rather than the classroom and school settings. Both are important, of course, but policymakers and their influential camp f... more »
Corporate Reformers Love Lofty Goals « Diane Ravitch's blog: Corporate Reformers Love Lofty Goals by dianerav One of the favorite tactics of corporate reformers is to set lofty goals. We have learned over the past twenty years that you can’t have reform without goals. I remember back when No Child Left Behind was passed, and it included the goal (mandate, actually) that all students in grades 3-8 would be proficient by the year 2014. (By the way, if anyone wonders, I was not an architect of NCLB. I wasn’t involved at any point in writing it. That distinction goes to Sandy Kress, Ma... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLES by Mike Klonsky Rita SolnetRita Solnet, Parents Across America *“It’s kind of like a tsunami at this point — a movement underway. Primarily, we’re saying we know you wanted accountability, but the pendulum has swung too far. It’s gotten ridiculous where one test on one day determines everything for that one child. We are saying use the FCAT as a diagnostic tool — for what it’s meant to be used.”* -- Miami Herald Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/14/2799459/parents-sign-petition-against.html#stor...more »
Charter Schools Vs. Catholic Schools « Diane Ravitch's blog: Charter Schools Vs. Catholic Schools by dianerav Charter schools contribute directly to the collapse of Catholic schools in the inner city, according to new research by Abraham Lackman, a scholar in residence at the Albany Law School in New York. I have a pdf file for his findings, but don’t know how to turn it into an URL, so the best I can offer here is a summary of his findings in the New York Daily News: http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-22/news/31088718_1_charter-schools-catholic-schools-new-charter Lackman was... more »
Priorities. « Fred Klonsky: Priorities. by Fred Klonsky I posted a picture of Illinois State Police on Facebook yesterday. It provoked some passionate comments. One was from a cop, my friend and former neighbor, Abraham. Abraham did what you would expect most cops to do. He defended his buddies and his job. What my friend Abraham doesn’t say is whether he was on duty yesterday at the NATO protest. Or if he has traveled around the city these last few days like I have. I was in Grant Park yesterday. There were thousands of people who looked pretty much like people I have been with at... more »
The League of Student Workers launches its foray into politics and union organizing for students at Santa Monica College (SMC) | Dailycensored.com: The League of Student Workers launches its foray into politics and union organizing for students at Santa Monica College (SMC) by Danny Weil Thursday *May 24, 2012 at 11:15 AM* there will be a *General Assembly* for the *League of Student Workers at Santa Monica College. *I’ve been told the meeting is going to be pretty informal; the group is meeting to create a contact point for the *Student Workers*, introduce the committee members ... more »
Straight Up Conversation: New NSNO CEO Neerav Kingsland :: Frederick M. Hess: Straight Up Conversation: New NSNO CEO Neerav Kingsland *by Frederick M. Hess • May 21, 2012 at 8:13 am Cross-posted from Education Week* I recently had a chance to chat with Neerav Kingsland, recently named CEO of New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO). NSNO has been a pivotal player in New Orleans' post-Katrina reform landscape. A Tulane and Yale Law School alum, Neerav previously served as the chief strategy officer for NSNO. You may also recall him as a former guest star at RHSU. Neerav is taking the re... more »
LAO: No need to cut schools $5.5 billion | Thoughts on Public Education: LAO: No need to cut schools $5.5 billion - by John Fensterwald - Educated Guess by John Fensterwald - Educated Guess The Legislative Analyst’s Office is suggesting an alternative to the massive cut to K-12 schools and community colleges that Gov. Jerry Brown is proposing if his tax initiative fails in November. Instead of a real spending cut of $2.8 billion or $415 per K-12 student, districts and community colleges would be cut $1 billion or only $162 per K-12 student, under the LAO plan. The LAO detailed its... more »
A nation grows more diverse as many of its schools grow less | Get Schooled: A nation grows more diverse as many of its schools grow less by Maureen Downey [image: downeyart (Medium)] I have written a lot about the resurgence of segregated schools in the South, not by court order, but by housing choices. Despite the hopes of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, court-ordered school desegregation never led to full community integration. “Our nation, I fear, will be ill served by the court’s refusal to remedy separate and unequal education, for unless our children begin to lea... more »
Saving Poor Kids from Failing Schools? « Diane Ravitch's blog: Saving Poor Kids from Failing Schools? by dianerav Several people sent me a video of Glen Ford of the Black Agenda Report skewering Corey Booker, the mayor of Newark, and Howard Fuller of Black Alliance for Educational Options as sell-outs for a rightwing agenda. See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdPACwRgw04 I must say there was nothing in the video that surprised me. Back in the late 1990s, when I was involved in three different conservative organizations, there was a concerted effort to find and promote bl... more »
“Tutoring Doesn’t Work” (According to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan) - Wait, What?: “Tutoring Doesn’t Work” (According to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan) by jonpelto No really, that’s what Secretary of Education said and while he doesn’t have any real education or teaching experience, he did go to Harvard (for sociology) so he must know these things. As a result of this news, I spent Sunday afternoon writing a letter of concern to the Mansfield Board of Education. You see, the Mansfield Middle School Parent’s Association Newsletter just arrived. It leads with a pict... more »
The Innovative Educator: It's wrong to group kids by date of manufacture: It's wrong to group kids by date of manufacture by noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen) *Guest post by Teresa McCloskey* * * * * While at the park today with the kids, I saw a classmate of Mason's, coincidentally also named Mason and also in as much trouble with authorities as my own Mason. Mason & Mason F. started kindergarten at the same time. Their date of manufacture is obviously comparable. They are both currently in 7th grade. But Mason F. now stands nearly 2 feet taller than my Mason. He's filling o... more »
Why college-for-everybody is a sham: Ravitch - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: [image: Answer Sheet] Why college-for-everybody is a sham: Ravitch by Valerie Strauss This *was written by education historian Diane Ravitch . She is a research professor at New York University and author of numerous books, including the best-selling “The Death and Life of the Great American School System,” a critique of the flaws in the modern school reform movement. This piece appeared on her blog.* Read full article >> Test scores plummet — so Florida drops passing grade by Valerie Strauss... more »
Schools Matter: NYC Parents Infuriated Over "Valueless" Test: NYC Parents Infuriated Over "Valueless" Test by Judy Rabin There's a lot of talk of VAM (value added measures) these days as the new tool and solution to closing the achievement gap. VAM is popular with corporate ed deformers because it's now obvious the ones being used over the past decade under NCLB used to declare students, teachers and schools failures, have actually been a huge failure. Unfortunately for the architects of this brilliant education policy, the economic crisis is causing the entire testing craziness... more »
Two More Florida Districts Poised to Join National Resolution on High Stakes Testing | Scathing Purple Musings: Two More Florida Districts Poised to Join National Resolution on High Stakes Testing by Bob Sikes From *TCPalm*: More Florida and Treasure Coast school boards could join a growing nationwide campaign against an “over-reliance” on high-stakes standardized tests like the FCAT. Almost a week before state officials warned more rigorous grading on the writing portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test triggered a steep decline in scores, the St. Lucie County Scho... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Having the Bully Pulpit Doesn't Mean You Get to be a Bully.: Having the Bully Pulpit Doesn't Mean You Get to be a Bully. by stlgretchen Shouldn't bullying constitute teacher termination? "It’s illegal to disrespect the president, a North Carolina high school teacher told a student in an audiotape that turned up on YouTube". This story about a teacher bullying a student is going viral. You can find write ups on this story here andhere and here and here and here. This social studies teacher should be fired...not only for her bullying tactics, but al... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Some Kids (and Teachers) MUST Fail: Some Kids (and Teachers) MUST Fail by Duke Those of us fighting back against reforminess have made a tactical mistake: we don't talk about the grading of standardized tests nearly enough. And Todd Farley has a ton of material for us; here he is on the latest debacle in Florida: he writing portion of this year's FCAT plummeted so precipitously that the abilities of Florida's student writers aren't even being called into question. The validity of the scoring statistics are. While I don't want to say "I told you so" regarding the ... more »
For-profit standardized testing industry can't be trusted - Tampa Bay Times: For-profit standardized testing industry can't be trusted By Todd Farley, Special to the Times In Print: Sunday, May 20, 2012 Facebook 547 Email Share 611 Story ToolsPrint this storyPurchase reprintsContact the editorEmail Newsletters ------------------------------ The scores for the writing portion of this year's FCAT plummeted so precipitously that the abilities of Florida's student writers aren't even being called into question. The validity of the scoring statistics are. While I don't want to say "I to... more »
NYC Educator: File Letter: File Letter by NYC Educator Dear Ms. Walker: On May 15th, we met in my office with you and your representative, UFT chapter leader Mr. Rosenboom. We discussed the fact that, despite Common Core standards, you persist in teaching literature in your English class. As we discussed, Common Core standards mandate that no more than 25% fiction be taught in the classroom. As we discussed, you taught several novels, including*The Grapes of Wrath, The Kite Runner* and *The Joy Luck Club*. You also taught several Shakespeare plays, though these were not included... more »
Drip to the Top: Arne Duncan authorizes new ways to increase test scores | Dailycensored.com: Drip to the Top: Arne Duncan authorizes new ways to increase test scores Posted by: Danny Weil Posted date: *May 21, 2012* In: *Daily Journal (Opinion), Education* | comment : 0 Comments *Published on May 15, 2012 by * iamcompucomp In order to stay competitive with the Chinese, who are now using I.V. drips of amino acids to raise test scores, Arnie Duncan has launched the “Drip to the Top” for junior I.V. Leaguers. It’s a wild ride in America on “goof balls” but with the population under ... more »
Schools Matter: Why Corporate Media is Ignoring Public School Closings: Why Corporate Media is Ignoring Public School Closings by Judy Rabin [image: Corporate Media = Corporate Lies] *Where will those children find an education? Where will the teachers find work? Almost certainly in an explosion of private sector “charter schools,” where the quality of education -- from the curriculum to books to the food served at lunch -- will be sacrificed to the lowest bidder, and teachers’ salaries and benefits will be sacrificed to the profits of the new private owners, who will also eat up m... more »
Lifting the Cap and Political Activity « DFER Watch: LIFTING THE CAP AND POLITICAL ACTIVITY Posted by ken libby on May 21, 2012 · Leave a Comment Earlier this year, ERN submitted a Form 990 from the year 2010 noting “political expenditures.” The updated Form 990 noted ERN would file a Form 4720, but that form was not included. However, a more recent Form 990 including the Form 4720 is now available here. Quickly, here is what the IRS website says about 501c3 organizations and political activity : Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely ... more »
WE NEED TO BE RESISTERS, NOT COLLABORATORS « Teachers Fight Back: WE NEED TO BE RESISTERS, NOT COLLABORATORS by alkleen Every public school teacher needs to ask themselves the following question: Have I done enough to help fight the pension injustice and the teacher bashing and scapegoating that has been going on over the last several years? What have you done? When the topic comes up among you and your neighbors do you speak out and defend teachers? Have you made your anger known to your legislators? Have you made others aware of the injustices? Have you written in to the news...more »
The growing fascism in America and the pushback | Seattle Education: The growing fascism in America and the pushback by seattleducation2011 Even though this blog is about education it is also about the right that I have to share my views and opinions as well as information that might not be too comfortable for some people to have acknowledged publicly, but nonetheless I am able to write freely without concern of censorship or someone breaking down my door and arresting me. This is America. Right? When I read the following article, I felt it was time to post what I have seen as an ... more »
Do Our Public Schools Threaten National Security? by Diane Ravitch | The New York Review of Books: Do Our Public Schools Threaten National Security? Diane Ravitch *US Education Reform and National Security* ** by Joel I. Klein Condoleezza Rice, and others. Council on Foreign Relations, 103 pp., available at www.cfr.org [image: ravitch_1-060712.jpg] Simpson Kalisher Syracuse, New York, 1971; detail of a photograph by Simpson Kalisher from his recent book *The Alienated Photographer*. It is published by Two Penny Press, with an intro... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Using the "Negative" Trick: Using the "Negative" Trick by Melissa Westbrook I wanted to follow-up on Charlie's thread about negativism(so skip this if you are not interested but please don't bother to comment that...you're not interested). I've heard this rap before about me or Charlie or the blog. As you can see, we are not likely to change much. We are guided by our own experiences, both as parents in the district and as activists. We are just a lot more clear-eyed and maybe jaded than most of you. That's important to understand. We've bee... more »
