Big Education Ape: Jul 23, 2012

Monday, July 23, 2012

by Jersey Jazzman

The Hudson Reporter is publishing more details about a "confidential" meeting between Jersey City councilman and mayoral candidate Stephen Fulop, members of the JC Board of Education, and ACTING NJ Education Commissioner Chris Cerf.Some background: Jersey City schools are under partial state control. Two days ago, the Reporter published the contents of an email Fulop send titled "Cerf meeting." Among those invited to the meeting were two members of the board of education; two members-elect; Shelley Skinner, later to become Deputy Director of B4K, the

A Letter About My View on the Common Core Learning Standards [Because "Shut Up" Isn't Clear Enough] | The Jose Vilson

A Letter About My View on the Common Core Learning Standards [Because "Shut Up" Isn't Clear Enough] | The Jose Vilson:

A Letter About My View on the Common Core Learning Standards [Because "Shut Up" Isn't Clear Enough]

by Jose

Dear Reader,
Frankly, this post shouldn’t matter.
I’m a classroom teacher first and foremost, and am often in situations where I can readily embody what most of my colleagues believe about education and the teachers’ role in education reform. It’s a privilege at times to rub elbows with union leaders, well-known activists, and other thought leaders and sharpen those elbows when their ideas go astray from my person beliefs. I have enough integrity that I can sit in the same room with someone with an opposing view without jumping across the table and threatening to choke the other person out. Or at least threatening to occupy their spaces on first breath.
All this to say that I don’t actually have an opinion on the Common Core Learning Standards, yet.
A year or two ago, I posted a couple of crosswalk documents from the New York State Math Standards to the

A new project, on childhood asthma - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

A new project, on childhood asthma - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools:

A new project, on childhood asthma

Monday, July 23rd, 2012 at 6:30 pm in No Comments

Every so often, reporters have the luxury of stepping back from the routine of our daily beats and consider ways of doing work that is more ambitious, wider-reaching — to learn about what we’re not covering, but should be, or, maybe, a fresh take on an issue we’ve been following closely.
For me, that’s happening this week. Photographer Alison Yin and I are teaming up on a project for the Oakland Tribune about childhood asthma and air quality. We’ll be at USC for the next few days with other journalists whose work is being supported by a National Health Journalism Fellowship.
The project, which the Tribune is also supporting, will explore the rising asthma rates among kids in the U.S. and its strong grip on parts of the Bay Area, particularly among African-American children. We want to look at the

TEACHER DECISION MAKING – PRE CRISIS VS THE PRESENT « Teachers Fight Back

TEACHER DECISION MAKING – PRE CRISIS VS THE PRESENT « Teachers Fight Back:

TEACHER DECISION MAKING – PRE CRISIS VS THE PRESENT

by alkleen

A friend asked me what I thought was the biggest difference between teaching forty years ago and teaching today. There are many, but none more so than the fact that today’s teachers are solely responsible for the success of every child and yet have virtually no say in how to achieve that success.
Years ago most teachers devised their own curriculum, (I taught for 15 years before I ever heard of a curriculum director). Teachers were responsible for implementing their own goals and for selecting their own textbooks. Teachers were responsible for implementing their own discipline plans in their classroom, we never had to follow a school wide discipline plan. Each teacher used their own motivational techniques based on the type of children they had in a given year. Teachers rarely “taught to the test” and achievement tests played only a mino

Miami-Dade Superintendent: “A Flawed Accountability System….That Needs Reform” | Scathing Purple Musings

Miami-Dade Superintendent: “A Flawed Accountability System….That Needs Reform” | Scathing Purple Musings:

Miami-Dade Superintendent: “A Flawed Accountability System….That Needs Reform”

by Bob Sikes

Influential Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools Alberto Carvalho ripped into Florida’s entire accoutability system in an afternoon press conference today. Miami Herald reporters Laura Insensee and Michael Vasquez were there:

State education administrators, who are in charge of grading schools and students, failed to follow their own formula.
In fact, they forgot part of it.
The error means 48 schools in South Florida will get higher, revised grades: 31 in Miami-Dade and

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-23-12 #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

In Victory for Corporatized Education, Federal Court Strikes Down Regulation of For-Profit Colleges

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 minutes ago

In Victory for Corporatized Education, Federal Court Strikes Down Regulation of For-Profit Colleges: In Victory for Corporatized Education, Federal Court Strikes Down Regulation of For-Profit CollegesMonday, 23 July 2012 00:00By Danny Weil, Truthout | News Analysis - 47 - font size [image: decrease font size] [image: increase font size] - Print - Email *Do you support Truthout's reporting and analysis? Click here to help fund it this week!* [image: Arne Duncan]US Education Secretary Arne Duncan. (Photo: Luke Sharrett / The New York Times)On Saturday, June 30, 201... more »

The Army Occupying America's Public Schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 32 minutes ago

The Army Occupying America's Public Schools: The Army Occupying America’s Public Schools By Mark Naison [image: michelle rhee The Army Occupying Americas Public Schools]When a nation is invaded by an occupying army, there are multiple responses from those whose communities have been occupied. Some resist openly, at great risk; some decide to collaborate; others grimly go about their business in sullen compliance; still others decide to feign compliance, but take their resistance underground. Such would be a good description of the varied resistance to the corporate takeover of Amer... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: TFA update on Dr. Royal's Speech

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: TFA update on Dr. Royal's Speech: TFA update on Dr. Royal's Speech by Melissa Westbrook First, I thought Dr. Royal's speech in Philadelphia to TFAers had been taken down at YouTube but apparently not. This inspired Trish Millines Dziko, noted educator and head of Technology Access Foundation and the TAF Academy in Tacoma, to weigh in. She, like Dr. Royal, is an outspoken advocate for children and public education. She is strong and fearless. Here's what she had to say in reference to Dr. Royal's speech: Pacific NW Education Reformers Pay Att... more »

Smart Kid Hates Group Work | Mr. Teachbad

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Smart Kid Hates Group Work | Mr. Teachbad: Smart Kid Hates Group Work FAKE EDUCATION NEWS –Queens, NY (The most ironic and perverse crime in education today) History teacher Derrick Barnes’ 12th grade class had just assembled into their work groups at Flushing High School in Queens, New York. After 10 minutes of frustration and futility, Tyrell Haynes, a student in Mr. Barnes’ class, delivered the following outburst (recorded on a students’ phone and transcribed below): “I know why I’m in this group. Because I’m the only one who does any work, right? *Tyrell, cou... more »

AFT Advocates Against a One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

AFT Advocates Against a One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Education: AFT Advocates Against a One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Education [image: AFT Advocates Against a One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Education] *Kenneth J. Bernstein is a National Board Certified retired school teacher and was name a 2010 Washington Post "Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher." He is nationally recognized for writing online on education and other issues, especially as teacherken on Daily Kos. * The AFT, led by its President Randi Weingarten, advocates vigorously on behalf of what it views as best for students in th... more »

After 18 months, Klein outlines plan for NewsCorp’s ed division | GothamSchools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

After 18 months, Klein outlines plan for NewsCorp’s ed division | GothamSchools: After 18 months, Klein outlines plan for NewsCorp’s ed division by Philissa Cramer A screenshot from Amplify's website The day Joel Klein resigned as New York City schools chancellor in November 2010, he said he would be joining Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation “to put [the company] in the burgeoning and dynamic education marketplace.” But after quickly acquiring people and companies, Klein decamped for a year to lead NewsCorp’s internal handling of its phone-hacking scandal. Just what, if anything,... more »

Class Status and Tests « Deborah Meier on Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Class Status and Tests « Deborah Meier on Education: Class Status and Tests by debmeier The Stephen Krashen dialogue in Sunday’s NY Times was good. Here is the link, though you may need to have purchased online access to the NY Times to view. If you have the paper itself the dialogue is in the Letters section of the Review section, it was on page two for me. Below is my letter–which didn’t make it in the NY Times. But never has the idea of innate meritocracy been more powerful–if you aren’t rich and famous it’s either a genetically inferior brain or perhaps laziness, poor value... more »

Afternoon News Break 7-23-12

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Jeb Bush’s Betrayal of Special Needs Kids AND Conservative Values in Florida’s NCLB Waiver by Bob Sikes Jeb Bush wanted Arne Duncan’s NCLB waiver for Florida even though Marco Rubio said Duncan didn’t have the authority to grant them. Standing alone, this is a stunning tidbit that’s gone unnoticed by the Florida media. But both are so 2011. Here we are today with the reality of what Bush wanted. *Education Week *reporter Nirvi Shah writes of the difficult spot Florida is in as a result as a result of the waiver: Florida education officials are taking steps to undo requirements that ... more »

Educator Musing: Parent Revolution's Bait and Switch Sleigh of Hand Worked

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Educator Musing: Parent Revolution's Bait and Switch Sleigh of Hand Worked: Parent Revolution's Bait and Switch Sleigh of Hand Worked by Educator Musing This group of parents would do anything rather than bring in an outside charter operator. Patrick DeTemple Organizing Director of Parent Revolution But we had rejected bringing in a charter. Melody Medrano (parent) Coordinator with Desert Trails Parent Union I've just received phone calls from reporters asking for reactions to Judge

Seven ways tests mislead us, and more « Deborah Meier on Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Seven ways tests mislead us, and more « Deborah Meier on Education: Seven ways tests mislead us, and more by debmeier In 1972 I spent considerable time interviewing individuals and groups of young children in order to learn more about how they went about solving test questions on standardized tests. My interest was spurred by the discovery that my fluent bookworm son did badly on a 3rd grade test, and that the students who left our cozy 4-room Pre-K to 3rd grade mini-program at PS 144 were scoring poorly in 3rd grade. I knew virtually nothing about tests until that experience. I ... more »

What is the “education reform” group Excel Bridgeport Inc. thinking? - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

What is the “education reform” group Excel Bridgeport Inc. thinking? - Wait, What?: What is the “education reform” group Excel Bridgeport Inc. thinking? by jonpelto Excel Bridgeport Inc. is back in the news and their activities remind us of a few unanswered questions that still must be addressed: Do they believe that they are above the law? Are they so ignorant that they don’t know the law? Or are they so naive that they think that even if they violate the law, no one will notice? Recently, Carmen L. Lopez, a retired Superior Court judge, raised a series of concerns about Excel ... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Glaring omission from DOE's presentation of latest survey results

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: Glaring omission from DOE's presentation of latest survey results: Glaring omission from DOE's presentation of latest survey results by Leonie Haimson 1. The DOE just released the results of the 2011-2012 Learning Environment Survey. For the fifth year in a row – since the survey was first given -- parents said that smaller classes were the change they would most like to see in their children’s schools, substantially topping the field of ten choices at 23 percent. (See the responses to question nine here or below.) *And yet for the first time since... more »

Corporate Takeover of Public Education Continues Unabated :: Fox&Hounds

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Parent Trigger Petition Wins in Court :: Fox&Hounds: Parent Trigger Petition Wins in Court [image: Ben Austin] By Ben Austin Executive Director, Parent Revolution Monday, July 23rd, 2012 History in the making happened last week when the Honorable Steve Malone in the San Bernardino Superior Court made a highly anticipated ruling on the Desert Trails Parent Union’s “Parent Trigger” petition to transform Desert Trails Elementary School. In his ruling, Judge Malone upheld the parent’s union petition, while overturning the Adelanto School District’s attempts to throw-out the petition o... more »

Schools Matter: News Flash: K-12, Inc. Cyberschools Are a Waste of Taxpayer Money and Miseducative

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Schools Matter: News Flash: K-12, Inc. Cyberschools Are a Waste of Taxpayer Money and Miseducative: News Flash: K-12, Inc. Cyberschools Are a Waste of Taxpayer Money and Miseducative by Jim Horn From NEPC: Reference Publication: Understanding and Improving Full-Time Virtual Schools *Contact:* William J. Mathis, (802) 383-0058, wmathis@sover.net Gary Miron, (269) 599-7965; garmiron@gmail.com URL for this press release: http://tinyurl.com/7s4lsds BOULDER, CO (July 18, 2012) -- A new report released today by the National Education Policy Center (NEPC) at the University of Colorado ... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, July 23, 2012

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: North Coast Education Headlines *Monday, July 23, 2012* Major changes in math, English instruction coming soonTeachers and school administrators across the country -- including thousands in Kern County -- are gearing up for massive changes in the classroom designed to improve math and English instruction. Wright school district reinstates laid-off teachersThe Wright School District Friday reinstated nine teaching positions it cut earlier this month, marking a dramatic turnaround in labor negotiations that had been declared at impas...more »

Say Goodbye to 'Weekly Reader' - Business - The Atlantic Wire

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Say Goodbye to 'Weekly Reader' - Business - The Atlantic Wire: Say Goodbye to 'Weekly Reader' by Alexander Abad-Santos Scholastic has owned *Weekly Reader*, a magazine aimed at children and what can only be described as a grammar school must-read, for about six months and today they've announced that they're shutting the 110-year-old publication down. "Like all papers, *Weekly Reader *was struggling with changes roiling the print world and was under pressure to develop digital editions. Along with school budget cutbacks, those challenges were compounded by ownership turmoil that le... more »

It’s still true: The future tends to happen first in California | EdSource Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

It’s still true: The future tends to happen first in California | EdSource Today: It’s still true: The future tends to happen first in California ** July 22nd, 2012 | Add a Comment | By Merrill Vargo Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on google_plusone More Sharing Services [image: Merrill Vargo] Merrill Vargo It often seems as if the rest of the nation – and certainly education policymakers in Washington – wants to avert its eyes from California. Many of the large national foundations have stopped or curtailed their investments here, and the federal government see... more »

No late night phone calls this time, Senator Kotowski. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

No late night phone calls this time, Senator Kotowski. « Fred Klonsky: No late night phone calls this time, Senator Kotowski. by Fred Klonsky *Last May, Park Ridge Democratic Senator Dan Kotowski meets with District 64 teachers and promises to protect pensions.* I have previously shared the story of a late Friday night phone call from Senator Dan Kotowski who attacked me for publishing a post saying he had voted for last year’s pension cutting bill, HB512. I had published no such story. Teachers at one of our schools had found a list of senators who had voted for HB512 when it was a... more »

Another Failure of Florida’s Charter School Taxpayer Oversight | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Another Failure of Florida’s Charter School Taxpayer Oversight | Scathing Purple Musings: Another Failure of Florida’s Charter School Taxpayer Oversight by Bob Sikes A link from *StateImpact‘s John O’Connor finds a **Fort Myers News-Press *story which details that a Lee County charter school provided grossly inaccurate numbers of students enrolled in OJT. Writes reporter Ashley A. Smith: An audit of Coronado High School found there was no documentation to show 465 students participated in an on-the-job course. The school could provide documentation of 13 students in the course. T... more »

Equity-based Reform: Moving Beyond Accountability | Dailycensored.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Equity-based Reform: Moving Beyond Accountability | Dailycensored.com: Equity-based Reform: Moving Beyond Accountability by P.L. Thomas Partisan political discourse—the language of campaigning and advocating for policy—is trapped in the power and allure of cliche and cultural myths. Even those leaders we might designate as the best or right type of leaders are trapped in a disturbing truism about the power of their messages: “more often than not, the less sophisticated story remains entrenched—the unschooled mind triumphs,” Howard Gardner explains. Gardner has identified that the... more »

Video: ALEC’s plot to raid our schools through virtual learning « Parents Across America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Video: ALEC’s plot to raid our schools through virtual learning « Parents Across America: Video: ALEC’s plot to raid our schools through virtual learning by leoniehaimson Parents Across America was one of the first organizations to shine a light on the nefarious activities of ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council which promotes privatization of our schools, through charters, vouchers, and online learning. See the new video below, starring Karran Harper Royal, one of PAA’s founders, about how ALEC is pushing substandard virtual learning in state legislatures throughout t... more »

Aurora and Autism. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Aurora and Autism. « Fred Klonsky: Aurora and Autism. by Fred Klonsky This morning I got an email from a colleague of mine at the school I just retired from. *Fred, * * * *I am furious about this! Incredibly harmful coming from a dad of a child with Asbergers. I wrote to NBC immediately and said he should be fired finally! We work so hard to fight people’s misconceptions about people with special needs and then this buffoon states this on his show! The full quote is incredible….* Some background here: In the three decades that I taught I had many kids with autism in my cla... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Tony Bennett on Common Core: "This administration has an insatiable appetite for federal overreach"

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Tony Bennett on Common Core: "This administration has an insatiable appetite for federal overreach": Tony Bennett on Common Core: "This administration has an insatiable appetite for federal overreach" by stlgretchen Why is this superintendent supporting federal overreach in education? Here is an article from Truth in American Education to share with Missouri legislators or your respective state legislators if your state adopted Common Core standards. The following quotes are from one of the strongest proponents of Common Core letting the "cat out of t... more »

Bag the Junk! | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Bag the Junk! | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Bag the Junk! by NEA Health Information Network *By Lisa Creighton, NEA HIN Senior Program Coordinator* Many of you may have heard about some big changes coming this fall to the school lunch and breakfast programs. As a result of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated the nutrition standards for school meals for the first time in fifteen years. The result? In cafeterias nationwide, students will be served more fruits, vegetables and whole gr... more »

Hearings | Education & the Workforce Committee

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Hearings | Education & the Workforce Committee: *TOMORROW: Subcommittee to Examine Alternative Teacher Certification Programs* *WASHINGTON, D.C. – *On* Tuesday, July 24 at 10:00 a.m.*, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, chaired by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), will hold a hearing entitled, “*Education Reforms: Discussing the Value of Alternative Teacher Certification Programs*.” The hearing will take place in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Studies have consistently shown teacher quality to be one of the most influential f... more »

Dialogue with the Gates Foundation: How do we Build the Teaching Profession? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Dialogue with the Gates Foundation: How do we Build the Teaching Profession? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Dialogue with the Gates Foundation: How do we Build the Teaching Profession? by Anthony Cody *Post #1 of 5 in this dialogue.* Follow me on Twitter at @AnthonyCody Two weeks ago I traveled to Seattle and spent most of the day meeting with leaders of the Gates Foundation, discussing their work around education reform. I have been critical of the impact their agenda has had, but they expressed an interest in opening up a dialogue. This blog post will be the firs... more »

Secretary Duncan, White House, Smithsonian Officials to Celebrate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Anniversary | U.S. Department of Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Secretary Duncan, White House, Smithsonian Officials to Celebrate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Anniversary | U.S. Department of Education: Secretary Duncan, White House, Smithsonian Officials to Celebrate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Anniversary JULY 23, 2012 *Contact: * Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov Education Secretary Arne Duncan, along with officials from White House and the Smithsonian Institution will join high-school student leaders from New York and Washington D.C., today for a series of events celebrating the 48th anniversary of Titl... more »

Tony at the Red Line Tap. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Tony at the Red Line Tap. « Fred Klonsky: Tony at the Red Line Tap. by Fred Klonsky “If this global warming keeps up I’m gonna start charging you rent for that stool,” Tony said to me as I grabbed the one next to him. “Christ, Tony. It’s another three digit day.” I nodded to Marty. “Bring me something *artisanal*,” I said. “An Old Style okay?” she said. “As long as it’s cold. Perfect.” “Topic?” Tony said. “No. Nothing. I’m heading downtown Wednesday morning for a rally at CPS. Supporting the teachers Which side are you on? by Fred Klonsky In box. Health care isn’t free now for reti... more »

Geaux Teacher!: SOUTHEAST LA. HOSPITAL CLOSURE - THE STARTLING TRUTH

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Geaux Teacher!: SOUTHEAST LA. HOSPITAL CLOSURE - THE STARTLING TRUTH: SOUTHEAST LA. HOSPITAL CLOSURE - THE STARTLING TRUTH by noreply@blogger.com (Lee Barrios, M.Ed., NBCT) I received this open letter being circulated statewide and written by Dr. Mordecai Potash. Some attachments are included at the end of the letter but several others were sent as documents with no URL. They constitute documents that support the questions that this letter poses and were made available to the press. I will continue to report information and responses as I receive them. Louisiana can no longer sta... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLES by Mike Klonsky ** Jesse SharkeyCTU's Jesse Sharkey As the threat of a teachers strike looms larger in Chicago, the result of Rahm's unwillingness to bargain seriously over job security and longer school day, Sharkey says: *“There’s still some more runway left where we can land this plane.”* Sharkey says a key to unlocking the stalemate is the hiring back of "effective veteran teachers" who currently are being replaced with lower-paid teachers who are just starting out, many of them TFAers. *“We know that teacher... more »

Barbara Miner on “Why are Playgrounds Even Controversial?” « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Barbara Miner on “Why are Playgrounds Even Controversial?” « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Barbara Miner on “Why are Playgrounds Even Controversial?” by millerlf *Do children deserve playgrounds? Why is this even controversial?* By Barbara Miner July 22, 2012 View from the Heartland Barbara Miner’s blog is part of MJS’s Purple Wisconsin project. Miner is an award-winning journalist and photographer. It’s a sad day in Milwaukee when we are forced to debate whether young children deserve playgrounds at their school. Unfortunately, it’s another example of the deeply “se... more »

On Rollerball and Brave New World « Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

On Rollerball and Brave New World « Diane Ravitch's blog: On Rollerball and Brave New World by dianerav In response to a post about Bill Gates’ prediction about the future of American education, a reader writes: “Corporate society takes care of everything. And all it asks of anyone, all it’s ever asked of anyone ever, is not to interfere with management decisions.” – Rollerball (1975)I didn’t see “Rollerball” when the film was released in 1975. It is a dystopian film about the distant future in 2018. It is not so distant anymore. Dystopian films and novels are warnings, not predic... more »

Schooling in the Ownership Society: New video exposes ALEC's ed task force

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Schooling in the Ownership Society: New video exposes ALEC's ed task force: New video exposes ALEC's ed task force by Mike Klonsky Popout Here's a great tool you can use in meetings and classrooms to educate about ALEC's role in privatizing public schools, curriculum and testing. The video has a good critique of cyber-schools, the Virtual Schools Act currently being pushed in several states by ALEC, and companies like, K12 Inc. which are making millions in profits even while being currently under federal investigation.

Shanker Blog » The Unfortunate Truth About This Year's NYC Charter School Test Results

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Shanker Blog » The Unfortunate Truth About This Year's NYC Charter School Test Results: The Unfortunate Truth About This Year’s NYC Charter School Test Results by Matthew Di Carlo There have now been several stories in the New York news media about New York City’s charter schools’ “gains” on this year’s state tests (see here, here, here, here and here). All of them trumpeted the 3-7 percentage point increase in proficiency among the city’s charter students, compared with the 2-3 point increase among their counterparts in regular public schools. The consensus: Charters performed f... more »

Daily Kos: “I call 6,000 rounds of ammunition running low,” he said.

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Daily Kos: “I call 6,000 rounds of ammunition running low,” he said.: “I call 6,000 rounds of ammunition running low,” he said. by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) That is a line from this New York Times story on the amount of ammunition the Aurora shooter had been able to obtain. I was a Marine. While I never saw combat, many of those with whom I served did. None of them were ever issued anything close to that amount of ammunition, even in a combat situation. Yes, those operating M-60 Machine guns or their equivalent, whether in infantry or on helicopters, had lots of rounds. But not ... more »

Education firm linked to Fattah's son lays off all its teachers, administrators

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Education firm linked to Fattah's son lays off all its teachers, administrators: Education firm linked to Fattah's son lays off all its teachers, administrators By Martha Woodall Inquirer Staff Writer [image: Chaka Fattah Jr.] Chaka Fattah Jr. 1 of 2 View images Post a comment ALSO ON PHILLY.COM Disciplinary school gets mixed reviews PHILLY.COM's TOP FIVE PICKS PSU to learn NCAA's sanctions today With little fanfare, Penn State removes Paterno statue Water-main break forces evacuations What more do we have to give to end 'stop-snitching' culture? School firm's layoffs s... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH - 7-23-12 - Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] A Glimmer of Hope in Philadelphia? by dianerav Thanks to the reader who sent the link to this editorial in the *Philadelpia Inquirer*. The editorial warns that charter schools are no panacea; that many of them are no better than the public schools they replace; that opening charters does nothing for the vast majority left behind in public schools for which there is no plan at all. Opening escape hatches that skim off the most motivated kids solves no problems. Most children will be left behind. Remember the... more »

Suburbs and charter schools: More room for innovation | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Suburbs and charter schools: More room for innovation | Get Schooled: Suburbs and charter schools: More room for innovation by Maureen Downey *Interesting post by Fordham Institute’s Michael J. Petrilli* on why charter schools ought to be viable options in leafy, affluent suburbs with great schools. Petrilli says pro charter school forces typically focus on throwing a lifeline to poor kids in failing urban schools rather than their accelerated peers in the suburbs. But he says charter schools could have a strong role in the super zip codes such as Scarsdale, Bethesda or McLean, wh... more »

The Innovative Educator: 5 majors to discuss with teens thinking about college

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

The Innovative Educator: 5 majors to discuss with teens thinking about college: 5 majors to discuss with teens thinking about college by noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen) While the new common core standards call for all students to be college and career ready, the narrowed, one-size-fits-all initiative gives little attention to customizing coursework to a student’s unique talents, interests or abilities. As a result, like me, many young people are left with a diploma in one hand, and in the other hand scratching their head, unsure of exactly what course of study they want to pursu... more »

The Innovative Educator: 5 majors to discuss with teens thinking about college

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Khan Academy: The hype and the reality - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

Khan Academy: The hype and the reality - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Khan Academy: The hype and the reality By Valerie Strauss This* was written by Karim Kai Ani, a former middle school teacher and math coach, and the founder of Mathalicious, which is rewriting the middle school math curriculum around real-world topics.* By Karim Kai Ani In a new profile in Time magazine, Sal Khan, founder of the popular Khan Academy, explains how he prepares for each of his video lessons. He doesn’t use a script. In fact, he admits, “I don’t know what I’m going to say half the time.” D... more »

Fists of Freedom: An Olympic Story Not Taught in Schools - Education - GOOD

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

Fists of Freedom: An Olympic Story Not Taught in Schools - Education - GOOD: Fists of Freedom: An Olympic Story Not Taught in Schools by Dave Zirin [image: black.power] It's been almost 44 years since Tommie Smith and John Carlos took the medal stand following the 200-meter dash at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and created what must be considered the most enduring, riveting image in the history of either sports or protest. But while the image has stood the test of time, the struggle that led to that moment has been cast aside. When mentioned at all in U.S. history textbooks, th... more »

Private school scores fall as public schools see rise | The Journal Gazette

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

Vouchers vary test outcomes | The Journal Gazette: The Journal Gazette Published: July 23, 2012 3:00 a.m. Vouchers vary test outcomesPrivate school scores fall as public schools see rise Niki Kelly | The Journal Gazette INDIANAPOLIS – Private schools that accepted voucher students saw their ISTEP passing rates dip this year at the same time public school scores rose slightly, a Journal Gazette analysis shows. About 71 percent of Indiana’s public school students passed both the English and math portion of the ISTEP+ in 2012, up from 70 percent last year. The scores mark an 8 percent ... more »

STOP LAUSD DELAY TACTICS - BECOME A COMMISSION ON PROFESSION COMPETENCE PANEL MEMBER - Perdaily.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

STOP LAUSD DELAY TACTICS - BECOME A COMMISSION ON PROFESSION COMPETENCE PANEL MEMBER - Perdaily.com: STOP LAUSD DELAY TACTICS - BECOME A COMMISSION ON PROFESSION COMPETENCE PANEL MEMBER by Leonard Isenberg [image: Three Judges.jpg] *(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post) **If you would like to take an active part in ending the witch hunt against the removal of hundreds of teachers without due process of law, then you might consider becoming a panel member for the Commission of Professional Competence (CPC) to stop the stalling that is starvin... more »

NYC Educator: How Do You Get Teachers to Clap for Bill Gates?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

NYC Educator: How Do You Get Teachers to Clap for Bill Gates?: How Do You Get Teachers to Clap for Bill Gates? by NYC Educator At the last AFT Convention, incredibly, Bill Gates was the keynote. Personally, I was horrified. Here is this man who's doing everything his billions will permit to eviscerate our profession, and we're inviting him in to tell us about it. Why on earth would anyone want to do that? I have no idea. I I do know a little about how you get New York teachers to clap, though. It's largely because each and every UFT member at the convention is a member of the Unit... more »

The Educated Reporter: Student Loan Crisis Needs Congressional Intervention: Consumer Protection Bureau

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

The Educated Reporter: Student Loan Crisis Needs Congressional Intervention: Consumer Protection Bureau: Student Loan Crisis Needs Congressional Intervention: Consumer Protection Bureau by Emily Richmond Not surprisingly, the repercussions of the nation's student loan debt crisis continue to grow. A new consumer protection agency, in a report to Congress and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, compared private loans to the subprime mortgages which contributed to the housing bubble and the disastrous fallout when it burst. (For a first-rate overview of the newly created Cons... more »

NJ Spotlight | Fine Print: Charter School Performance Framework

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

NJ Spotlight | Fine Print: Charter School Performance Framework: Fine Print: Charter School Performance Framework The rules and regulations for the charter schools, specifically the nine newest [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991] print | email | share By John Mooney, July 23, 2012 in Energy & Environment |Post a Comment *What it is:* The state Department of Education last week released a 23-page checklist for all new charter covering academic, financial and other operations. The framework sets standards on everything from how well students must fare on state... more »

Chicago Teachers – Canaries In The American Coalmine | OurFuture.org

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Chicago Teachers – Canaries In The American Coalmine | OurFuture.org: Chicago Teachers – Canaries In The American Coalmine by Jeff Bryant When a leading conservative pundit compliments a labor union leader for getting something right, it's usually worth noticing. That's exactly what happened recently when *The Washington Post's* conservative op-ed columnist *George Will*praised Karen Lewis, the head of the Chicago Teachers Union, and its members for being "not all wrong" to pick a fight with Chicago mayor Rham Emanuel. Will pointed out that Emanuel is forcing tough new "accountabil... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: News Round-Up

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: News Round-Up: News Round-Up by Melissa Westbrook In the ever-continuing line of "is there nothing *Michelle Rhee* won't say to get her way", comes this latest videofrom her group, Students First. It's a play on the Olympics (by the way, Michelle, you might want to watch that usage because the REAL Olympics is highly territorial about the use of the word). It's a cheap shot video that has earned her a lot of criticism. There are rumblings coming out of Chicago, which may have a teachers strike, that *TFA* is going to roll in with 5,000 TFAers. ... more »

In box. Health care isn’t free now for retired teachers. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

In box. Health care isn’t free now for retired teachers. « Fred Klonsky: In box. Health care isn’t free now for retired teachers. by Fred Klonsky *Fred:* *I think another area of clarification when explaining to others our pension benefits, is that a large number of state pensioners who were part of AFSCME, etc. do get free health care, we’re not part of that group. My neighbors and friends have no idea the difference between AFSCME, TRS, SERS, etc. and the pension benefits for each system/group. My neighbors think I’m pulling the wool over their eyes when I tell them we’re not par... more »

Remarks by the President After Hospital Visit | The White House

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Remarks by the President After Hospital Visit | The White House: Remarks by the President After Hospital Visit University of Colorado Hospital Aurora, Colorado 6:40 P.M. MDT THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. I want to begin by just thanking all the state, local, and federal officials who have responded magnificently to this tragedy. Governor Hickenlooper, who has already been dealing with a range of natural disasters here in the state, has been an extraordinary example of strength. The Mayor, who has only been on the job seven months, and obviously has responde... more »

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Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, July 23, 2012

James Baldwin said it best:

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."

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