Time to Speak Out and Act Up for Teachers and Public Schools « Diane Ravitch's blog

Time to Speak Out and Act Up for Teachers and Public Schools « Diane Ravitch's blog:

Time to Speak Out and Act Up for Teachers and Public Schools

by dianerav

Teachers and parents often ask me: What can I do? How can I stop the attacks on teachers, on their unions, on public schools?
Here is one way:
Tomorrow night there will be an event called “Teachers Rock” to promote a film that is anti-teacher, anti-union and anti-public schools.
Let the stars involved in “Teachers Rock” know that the film they are promoting is NOT pro-teacher. It is anti-

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Brizard says "it's practically settled". CTU says, "keep saving."

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Brizard says "it's practically settled". CTU says, "keep saving.":

Brizard says "it's practically settled". CTU says, "keep saving."

by Mike Klonsky

Teachers returned to work in Chicago schools without a contract. But CEO Brizard is telling everyone that the new contract is a sure bet. 

“I’m optimistic that we’re going to come to a resolution soon, hopefully before Labor Day,”’ Brizard said after ringing the school bell at Lindblom High School, 6130 S. Wolcott, one of the city’s elite selective-enrollment high schools. 

But many CTU members I've talked with seem to think otherwise. A post on the CTU blog urges members to keep on putting money away in preparation for a strike.

Despite the interim agreement, there are many open issues still on the negotiating table in which 

WEEKEND QUOTABLES

by Mike Klonsky

Thousands of union members and workers rallied in Philadelphia's Center City Saturday afternoon. While labor is obviously supporting Obama's candidacy, the rally hit at anti-union policies of both parties including the holding of the Democratic Convention in anti-union North Carolina.

Rick Smith, CWA activist

"This is much like the tea party started out to be, These are people who are tired of being screwed over." -- Daily Times

 AFL-CIO Pres, Richard Trumka 

"Anyone who says America can't afford retirement security, or health care, or decent pay for honest work, or great schools, or a postal service, or cops or firefighters and teachers and nurses, 

Teachers: Critical Questions to ask at Faculty Meetings this school year. Part One: Common Core « @ the chalk face

Teachers: Critical Questions to ask at Faculty Meetings this school year. Part One: Common Core « @ the chalk face:

Teachers: Critical Questions to ask at Faculty Meetings this school year. Part One: Common Core

Leave a comment

August 13, 2012 by Chris Cerrone

As teachers head back to their schools this fall, it is time for educators to ask questions at faculty meetings when presented with Common Core and Data-driven Instruction. Too often we educators sit back say nothing when new administrative goals and initiatives are thrown at us.  Veteran teachers will say we have been through this before and the new program’s time will pass.  I have witnessed this in my sixteen years in my suburban district.  Every time a new Curriculum Director is hired we forget about previous measures and reinvent the wheel again.  Many 

Parent Trigger And Why We Need To Talk [Let's Be A Solution] | The Jose Vilson

Parent Trigger And Why We Need To Talk [Let's Be A Solution] | The Jose Vilson:

Parent Trigger And Why We Need To Talk [Let's Be A Solution]

by Jose

I rarely get the opportunity to have my opinion come in direct conflict with an outstanding actress of any repute, so excuse me if I brag via quote today. The following excerpt was published in the independent media outlet In These Times, written by Josh Eidelson:

Vilson says he was particularly disappointed by Viola Davis’ participation, given The Help star’s past comments about wanting to elevate the voices of often-ignored domestic workers.
“You should also see the alignment between that and what’s going on with teachers,” says Vilson, “and the bad tone that’s being sent throughout the country.”
“I’m sorry,” Davis told the New York Times, “I just know if you don’t have a strong advocate for a child, they’re not going to make it.”
The New York Times reported that the trigger law portrayed in Won’t Back Down differs from its 

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-13-12 #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

Jersey Jazzman: "Teachers Rock 2012": 

An Insult To Teachers

UC files court brief supporting race-based admissions policy - latimes.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

UC files court brief supporting race-based admissions policy - latimes.com: UC files court brief supporting race-based admissions policy [image: UC files court brief supporting race-based admissions policy.] The University of California on Monday submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the use of race as a factor in college admissions. UC President Mark G. Yudof and the system’s 10 chancellors filed the “friend of the court” brief in support of the University of Texas at Austin, which admits applicants who rank in the top 10% of their high school class and uses race ... more »

The news from Lake Gonetowoe | AMPS

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

The news from Lake Gonetowoe | AMPS: The news from Lake Gonetowoe by Thomas J. Mertz On the agenda at tonight’s (08/13/2012) Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education Student Achievement and Performance Monitoring Committee meeting (5:00 PM, rm 103, Doyle Building) is a presentation on the first year Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) scores in MMSD. Explicitly and implicitly this presentation makes assumptions about test scores, cut scores, standards and achievement that are both wrong and dangerous, creating what I am calling the Lake Gonetowoe Effect, the invers... more »

Modern School: Chicago Teacher Strike Looming?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Modern School: Chicago Teacher Strike Looming?: Chicago Teacher Strike Looming? by Michael Dunn Huck/Konopacki Labor Cartoons Students begin classes Monday at the roughly one-third of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) that are on a year-round schedule. Meanwhile, Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) president Karen Lewis is saying that a resolution of contract negotiations before then is virtually impossible, the Chicago Sun Times reported on Friday. Lewis went on to say that they hadn’t even started talks on compensation because they have been focusing on the smaller items during their 41 barg... more »

Jersey Jazzman: "Teachers Rock 2012": An Insult To Teachers

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: "Teachers Rock 2012": An Insult To Teachers: "Teachers Rock 2012": An Insult To Teachers by Duke Tomorrow there will be a concert in Los Angeles called "Teachers Rock 2012." Portions will be broadcast on CBS this Friday. *The entire thing is an insult to teachers.* No one who cares at all about teachers should watch, and *we should all be demanding that the stars who have aligned themselves with this thing immediately pull out and disavow any connection to it.* Here's why: - "Teachers Rock 2012" is a promotional scheme for the upcoming anti-teacher movie, *Won't... more »

Walmart, Right-Wing Media Company Hold Star-Studded Benefit Promoting Education Reform Film - Working In These Times

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Walmart, Right-Wing Media Company Hold Star-Studded Benefit Promoting Education Reform Film - Working In These Times: Walmart, Right-Wing Media Company Hold Star-Studded Benefit Promoting Education Reform FilmBY JOSH EIDELSON Viola Davis, shown here with her SAG award for Outstanding Performance by an Female Actor in a Leading Performance for "The Help," will be appearing soon in anti-teachers union propaganda at a theater near you. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images) The world’s largest private-sector employer and the country’s most prominent conservative entertainment... more »

FAQ re “Won’t Back Down” and the Parent Trigger « Parents Across America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

FAQ re “Won’t Back Down” and the Parent Trigger « Parents Across America: FAQ re “Won’t Back Down” and the Parent Trigger by leoniehaimson *On Tuesday, August 14 a Concert called TEACHERS ROCK, presented by Walmart & promoting the movie “Won’t Back Down” will be held in LA: with appearances from Carrie Underwood, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Garner, Matthew Morrison, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, Usher, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and others. On Saturday, August 18 the concert will be aired on CBS.* *The movie itself, “Won’t Back Down,” will premiere September 28. This film already has sparked ... more »

Five Ways Privatization Degrades America | NationofChange

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Five Ways Privatization Degrades America | NationofChange: *Five Ways Privatization Degrades America* * * * * A grand delusion has been planted in the minds of Americans, that privately run systems are more efficient and less costly than those in the public sector. Most of the evidence points the other way. Private initiatives generally produce mediocre or substandard results while experiencing the usual travails of unregulated capitalism -- higher prices, limited services, and lower wages for all but a few 'entrepreneurs.' With perverse irony, the corruption and incompetence of ... more »

Your Feedback Wanted: Making ED Online More Mobile | ED.gov Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Your Feedback Wanted: Making ED Online More Mobile | ED.gov Blog: Your Feedback Wanted: Making ED Online More Mobile Posted on August 13, 2012 by Jill James Are you reading this on a smartphone right now? Would you be having a better reading experience if we offered a mobile-friendly version of the Homeroom Blog? The web managers at the Department of Education, including myself, know the number of smartphone and tablet owning Americans is on the rise. In the past 12 months the number of ED.gov visits on mobile devices increased by about 143%. [image: Digital Strategy Logo]Our tea... more »

This Week In Education: Thompson: Living in Dialogue with the Gates Foundation

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

This Week In Education: Thompson: Living in Dialogue with the Gates Foundation: Thompson: Living in Dialogue with the Gates Foundation by john thompson [image: VickiPhillips]Anthony Cody is hosting a dialogue with the Gates Foundation at *Living in Dialogue*. In the latest round, the Foundation’s Director of the College Ready Education, Vicki Phillips, says that “Education debates are often characterized wrongly as two warring camps: blame teachers for everything that's not working in our schools or defend all teachers at all costs.” Dr. Phillips also asserts, “But there's actua... more »

Diane in the Afternoon Deja Vu for This Miracle Charter School « Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Deja Vu for This Miracle Charter School « Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Time to Play. Here is Why. by dianerav Stephanie, a reader, sent this short video. Please stop and watch it. The point is about how important play is. It happens that play matters for little children, but it matters for adolescents and for adults. When we rob our children of play, we rob them of their childhood. When we rob adolescents and adults of play time, we rob them of time for laughter, time for creativity, and time Saving School Districts Is Not a Full-time ... more »

Voucher schools exempt from Louisiana's new curriculum | The Town Talk | thetowntalk.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Voucher schools exempt from Louisiana's new curriculum | The Town Talk | thetowntalk.com: Voucher schools exempt from Louisiana's new curriculum [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991] BATON ROUGE -- Students enrolled in Louisiana public schools this year will have a tougher curriculum and have to meet higher standards to make the grades they need to advance to the next level. But students who have transferred to private and parochial schools through the new statewide voucher program won't have to comply with the tougher standards. The state is moving to the Com... more »

Debunking Gates | Truth in American Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Debunking Gates | Truth in American Education: Debunking Gates by Shane Vander Hart [image: 220px-Bill_Gates_World_Economic_Forum_2007]Jay P. Greene offers a post that documents a pattern of Bill Gates & company abusing the idea of “research” and “evidence” to support their policy preferences which which includes the Common Core. An excerpt: In education reform debates it is far too common to hear someone say “the evidence shows” something that is just their preferred policy that is not supported by research at all. People confuse what makes good sense and is good politics with w... more »

Oakland Liberates Shuttered Library | OccupyWallSt.org

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Oakland Liberates Shuttered Library | OccupyWallSt.org: Oakland Liberates Shuttered Library by OccupyWallSt [image: A small group of activists in front of the library with banner reading Biblioteca Popular Victor Martinez People's Library] *Where:* 1449 Miller Ave, Oakland CA *More info:* Biblioteca Popular Victor Martinez on Facebook | @bibliotecapopul, #peopleslibrary The building unveiled today as the Victor Martinez Community Library was part of a Carnegie Foundation endowment of four libraries given to the city of Oakland between 1916 and 1918. Oakland’s librarian at the time, C... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, August 13, 2012

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Its Hot in California* Education Headlines *Monday, August 13, 2012* East Bay school bans social media in student campaignsAlthough technology is king on campuses these days, student government campaigns at Heritage High are strictly old-school. Leading up to this week's election of freshman class officers, candidates put up all the usual posters and handed out fliers around the Brentwood campus, but one communications tool was missing: social media. No Twitter. No Facebook. No Instagram. Baldwin Park Unified celebrates completi... more »

Jersey Jazzman: For Christie, EVERYTHING Is Political

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: For Christie, EVERYTHING Is Political: For Christie, EVERYTHING Is Political by Duke *Cross-posted from Blue Jersey.* * * Why does Chris Christie do anything and everything? *For political advantage *. Here's a great example: The NJ Senate and Assembly unanimously passed the teacher tenure reform bill, TEACHNJ, on June 25, 2012. All through July, I and other education watchers wondered when he would get around to signing the bill. He kept hemming and hawing, saying he was "considering" it, even though his own party passed it unanimously. What was the hold up? Then ... more »

Education Olympics: How Does the U.S. Rank? | PBS NewsHour

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Education Olympics: How Does the U.S. Rank? | PBS NewsHour: Education Olympics: How Does the U.S. Rank? BY: NEWS DESK The United States left the 2012 London Olympics with 104 medals in tow. But how do we stack up against the world when it comes to education? According to this infograph by Certification Map, the U.S. -- which leads in gold medal count -- is ranked seventh in high school graduation rates, trailing countries like Germany, Japan and Great Britain. *Click to enlarge this graphic by Certification Map.* Fourth to last place was not always the case, reports American Graduate... more »

Paul Vallas’ new corporate partnership signs $18 million deal with Indianapolis School System - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Paul Vallas’ new corporate partnership signs $18 million deal with Indianapolis School System - Wait, What?: Paul Vallas’ new corporate partnership signs $18 million deal with Indianapolis School System by jonpelto With the First Day of school only weeks away; new administrators throughout the school system, including three brand new principals at Bridgeport’s three main high schools, and lots and lots of unfinished business, Paul Vallas and “The Vallas Turnaround System” have signed a three-year, $6 million dollar a year, deal with the Indianapolis School System. The pattern is... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Befuddled Thinking On Teachers Unions

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: Befuddled Thinking On Teachers Unions: Befuddled Thinking On Teachers Unions by Duke Usually, I like Bob Braun of the *Star-Ledger*. He did some stellar work on Education Commissioner Chris Cerf'ssecret deals and shifting stories right after Cerf took office. He's called Governor Chris Christie out on much of his teacher-bashing nonsense. Braun also got Chris Cerf to admit that student characteristics were an important part of "successful" charter schools' achievements (an inconvenient truth Cerf tries to ignore whenever he can). So it's a shame to see Braun take... more »

Teachers Beyond the Law: How Teachers Changed Their World | The Official Blog of Oscar Weil

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Teachers Beyond the Law: How Teachers Changed Their World | The Official Blog of Oscar Weil: Teachers Beyond the Law: How Teachers Changed Their World Posted on June 5, 2012 The beginning chapter of Teachers beyond the Law: *Chapter 1* *The Long Beginning* I waited in the Cook County, Illinois, courtroom with Norman Swenson, President of the Cook County College Teachers Union, Local 1600, and other leaders of the union for the proceedings to begin. Swenson was in serious danger because he had violated a judge’s injunction during a strike four years earlier, an action for which he h... more »

Small Change | California Father

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Small Change | California Father: Small Change by California Father Hi, all, welcome back to school. Was watching an old favorite of mine, François Truffaut’s *Small Change*, and was reminded at the end of a sometimes joyous, sometimes trying summer with my son, of what I consider childhood’s essential truths. They are expressed here so eloquently by Jean-François Stévenin, an *instituteur*(teacher)* *in Theirs, France, as he explains to a group of his students what will likely happen to one of their classmates, Julien, who has been removed from his home because of his mother’s a... more »

Study: Kids slimmer in states with limits on school snacking | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Study: Kids slimmer in states with limits on school snacking | Get Schooled: Study: Kids slimmer in states with limits on school snacking by Maureen Downey [image: A new study suggests a link between limits on school snacking and weight gain in students. (AP Images.)]A new study suggests a link between limits on school snacking and weight gain in students. (AP Images.) A new study may tip the balance in the debate over whether stricter school nutrition and vending machine policies can play a role in combating the growing childhood obesity problem in this country. The study found tha... more »

Louisiana Educator: Welcome Back, Louisiana Public School Teachers

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Louisiana Educator: Welcome Back, Louisiana Public School Teachers: Welcome Back, Louisiana Public School Teachers by Michael Deshotels Louisiana teachers beginning the 2012-13 school year will face the greatest challenges in the history of our public education system. Teachers this year will be expected to do much more with much less and to do their jobs under the constant threat of humiliation and dismissal by a blatantly unfair evaluation system. This new system guarantees that at least 10% of the teachers who are rated by the new value-added system *must*be found to be “ineff... more »

Learning Online? Let the Buyer Beware - Lily's Blackboard | Lily's Blackboard

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Learning Online? Let the Buyer Beware - Lily's Blackboard | Lily's Blackboard: [image: Lily's Blackboard Rotating Header Image] Learning Online? Let the Buyer Beware Aug 13th, 2012 by Lily. I’m often asked how I feel about the disgraceful conduct of on-line universities in the news these days. Who isn’t appalled by the evidence and testimony given at recent Senate investigations that show for-profit on-line universities talking trusting students into programs that are frauds? Who isn’t disgusted by institutions that convince hopeful, often low-income students that an investment in... more »

Shanker Blog » Literacy For Life: The Role Of Career And Technical Education In Reading Proficiency

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Shanker Blog » Literacy For Life: The Role Of Career And Technical Education In Reading Proficiency: Literacy For Life: The Role Of Career And Technical Education In Reading Proficiency by Randall Garton It is well established that a student’s reading proficiency level in elementary school is a good predictor of high school graduation success. The lower the reading level, the more likely it is that the student will not graduate on time. Against this background, it is sobering that many U.S. students reach high school without the reading and comprehension skills they need. Accordi... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Is this Teacher's Response the Main Reason Parents Home School?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Is this Teacher's Response the Main Reason Parents Home School?: Is this Teacher's Response the Main Reason Parents Home School? by stlgretchen ...Or do they? From Diane Ravitch's blog, *Do Parents Always Know What is Best?**.* The State Commissioner of Education John White memorably said in defense of school vouchers: *“To me, it’s a moral outrage that the government would say, ‘We know what’s best for your child,’” *White said.*“Who are we to tell parents we know better?” * Ravitch printed a teacher's response to the superintendent's statement:* * ... more »

NYC Educator: No Reality Needed Here

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

NYC Educator: No Reality Needed Here: No Reality Needed Here by NYC Educator Rupert Murdoch's money-losing rag, the New York Post, has run yet another illuminating editorial about teacher evaluation, this time criticizing Governor Andrew Cuomo. Let's put aside the fact that VAM, as a part of evaluation, has no scientific validity. Let's forget about the stories of excellent teachers being rated poorly, or wild year-to-year variations with the same teachers. Let's not even discuss the notion that students themselves bear no responsibility for their own test scores, good, bad or oth... more »

Dialogue with the Gates Foundation: Can Schools Defeat Poverty by Ignoring It? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Dialogue with the Gates Foundation: Can Schools Defeat Poverty by Ignoring It? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Dialogue with the Gates Foundation: Can Schools Defeat Poverty by Ignoring It? by Anthony Cody [image: OakHomicides.jpg] Follow me on Twitter at @AnthonyCody This post is the third round of a five-part exchange with the Gates Foundation. This time I get to go first, and our topic is this: *What is the role of education reform in relation to the problem of family poverty? What is the best way to achieve greater equity in educational and life prospects for c... more »

UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 8-13-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] When Will Public Schools in Texas Close Down? by dianerav The new AYP figures are just out in Texas, and only 44% of the schools in the state made adequate yearly progress. Next year it will be a lot worse. By the rules set out in the NCLB law, the schools that can’t make it in a five-year frame will have to do something dramatic: They can turn into a charter school. They can fire all or most of the staff. They can be taken over by a private management firm. They can be taken over by the About Race to the Top ... more »

Ryan's VP Nod: What's It Mean for Education? :: Frederick M. Hess

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Ryan's VP Nod: What's It Mean for Education? :: Frederick M. Hess: Ryan's VP Nod: What's It Mean for Education?*by Frederick M. Hess • Aug 13, 2012 at 8:29 am* *Cross-posted from Education Week* On Saturday, Mitt Romney announced Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate. Ryan, chair of the House Budget Committee, has been perhaps the leading voice among House Republicans pushing for a smaller, more disciplined federal government. What's Romney's choice mean for education? First, let's keep in mind that the importance of VP picks is always overrated. That said, the Ryan s... more »

Court backs union, sends LAUSD layoffs case back to judge | EdSource Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Court backs union, sends LAUSD layoffs case back to judge | EdSource Today: Court backs union, sends LAUSD layoffs case back to judge ** August 12th, 2012 | 2 Comments | By John Fensterwald Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on google_plusone More Sharing Services Handing United Teachers Los Angeles a significant procedural victory, a state appeals court has overturned a landmark ruling challenging the contractual rights of teachers in Los Angeles Unified. In 2010, Superior Court Judge William Highberger ruled that massive layoffs of teachers with limited or no seni... more »

Education in the Age of Globalization » Blog Archive » Is Education a National Security Issue: A Critique of the Rice-Klein Report

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Education in the Age of Globalization » Blog Archive » Is Education a National Security Issue: A Critique of the Rice-Klein Report: Is Education a National Security Issue: A Critique of the Rice-Klein Report by YongZhao In March the Council of Foreign Relations released the report of a task force chaired by former head of New York City Public schools and now a News Corp. executive vice president and close advisor to the media giant’s chairman and chief executive, Rupert Murdoch and former secretary of state Condoleeza Rice. The report *U.S. Education Reform and National Security *m... more »

Students Last: "No Teachers Will Be Hurt"

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Students Last: "No Teachers Will Be Hurt": "No Teachers Will Be Hurt" by Students Last This story updates an older one entitled, "Stoning Teachers Raises Some Eyebrows" *WARNING: THIS STORY IS SATIRE. IT IS NOT REAL. IT IS NOT TRUE. SOME OF YOUR COMMENTS HAVE LED US TO BELIEVE YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS.* August 12, 2012 9:00am EST "Who would have thought that a concert that was supposed to honor teachers could engender so much controversy?" With these words, a sheepish Les Moonves, CBS President and CEO, began apologizing for his network's support of a concert at which attendees... more »

Skipping High School Can Lead to Fines, Jail for Parents - High School Notes (usnews.com)

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Skipping High School Can Lead to Fines, Jail for Parents - High School Notes (usnews.com): Skipping High School Can Lead to Fines, Jail for Parents By KELSEY SHEEHY August 13, 2012 RSS Feed Print [image: Teens could lose their license for skipping school, while their parents could face fines and jail time.] Teens could lose their license for skipping school, while their parents could face fines and jail time. Parents of students atAdrian High School inMichigan will face stiffer penalties if their teen skips school this year. The city's commissioners approved an ordinance last week t... more »

Eight problems with Common Core Standards - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Eight problems with Common Core Standards - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: Eight problems with Common Core Standards By Valerie Strauss This *was written by Marion Brady, veteran teacher, administrator, curriculum designer and author.* By Marion Brady E.D. Hirsch, Jr.’s book, “Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know,” was published March 1, 1987. So it was probably in March of that year when, sitting at a dining room table in an apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, my host — a Third grade teachers learn how to teach common core mathematics in Tennessee. (M... more »

It Really Doesn’t Matter Who Is Named Next Florida Ed Commish | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

It Really Doesn’t Matter Who Is Named Next Florida Ed Commish | Scathing Purple Musings: It Really Doesn’t Matter Who Is Named Next Florida Ed Commish by Bob Sikes Gerard Robinson found out real fast that he wasn’t needed for policy. Someone else does that. Writes retired school administrator and current chair of Florida School Choice Parent Advisory Council, Bill Person, in the*Tampa Tribune*: I found your recent editorial concerning the possibility of Hillsborough County School Superintendent MaryEllen Elia serving as our new state commissioner of education most informative an... more »

Teachers are only part of the student learning equation | Dangerously Irrelevant

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Teachers are only part of the student learning equation | Dangerously Irrelevant: Teachers are only part of the student learning equation by dr.scott.mcleod@gmail.com (Scott McLeod) Here’s a slightly-modified version of a comment I left over at *The Des Moines Register* regarding teachers’ impacts on student learning outcomes… Sure, what happens in the classroom matters. But peer-reviewed research shows over and over again that between 2/3 and 4/5 of student achievement is based on non-school factors. Schools only contribute about 20% to 33% to students’ overall learning outcomes. I... more »

UPDATE: I support the Chicago Teachers Union. Post widely. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

I support the Chicago Teachers Union. Post widely. « Fred Klonsky: The in box. Jonah Edelman invited to ASCD? from Fred Klonsky's blog by Fred Klonsky There are questions about this invitation. Wonder if they will video tape it? ASCD Presenter BioJonah EdelmanIt was the civil rights movement, combined with a life-changing volunteer experience teaching a bilingual 1st grader how to read, that inspired Jonah Edelman to commit his life to public service. Son of Marian Wright Edelman, he comes by it naturally, but he has earned his own accolades for his visionary work as one of our n... more »

The Educated Reporter: Race To The Top: School Districts Will Compete For $400 Million

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

The Educated Reporter: Race To The Top: School Districts Will Compete For $400 Million: Race To The Top: School Districts Will Compete For $400 Million by Emily Richmond The U.S. Department of Education sent out a rare Sunday press release yesterday to announce the next phase of the Race To The Top Grant program is underway, with individual school districts now able to apply directly for a share of $400 million in federal grants. As the Politics K-12 blog reports, the rules have been heavily revised since the draft was first put out for public comment back in May, and more than ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Banda To Hold Family And Community Meetings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Banda To Hold Family And Community Meetings: Banda To Hold Family And Community Meetings by Melissa Westbrook From the Seattle Council PTSA (co-presidents this year, Lauren McGuire and Rita Sheckler): *Seattle Public Schools is partnering with the Seattle Council PTSA to hold five family and community meetings this fall with Superintendent Banda. We invite you to come and meet Superintendent Banda, and hear his vision for Seattle Public Schools. * *Central: September 17*, 6-7:30pm at Mercer Middle School, 1600 S Columbian Way, Seattle, 98108 *S... more »

Lucy Calkins and Her Teacher's College Cult of Failure.southbronxschool.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

http://www.southbronxschool.com: Lucy Calkins and Her Teacher's College Cult of Failure by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher) Would you feed someone that has high cholesterol, or heart problems KFC's Double Down (bacon, cheese, sauce, between two pieces of chicken), mashed potatoes w/gravy, and a mashed potato bowl? No. Would you throw someone who is drowning a cinder block instead of a life preserver? No. So why is it that in chronically poverty stricken areas of NYC, where students come into kindergarten lagging so far behind, where each day it is a struggle to learn, where t... more »

Beyond the parent trigger hype and propaganda: just the facts « Parents Across America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Beyond the parent trigger hype and propaganda: just the facts « Parents Across America: Beyond the parent trigger hype and propaganda: just the facts by CarolineSF Facts about the parent trigger *Researched by Caroline Grannan, San Francisco* *Parents Across America founding member* 1. There have been no successful parent triggers anywhere.i 2. Two parent triggers have been attempted, both in Southern California.i 3. The organization that created the parent trigger, Parent Revolution, organized both of those parent trigger campaigns. 4.Parent Revolution has been inaccurately describ... more »

A Paul Ryan Budget for Illinois? Be in Springfield Friday morning at 10:30 to say, “Keep your promises to state retiree pensions.” « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

A Paul Ryan Budget for Illinois? Be in Springfield Friday morning at 10:30 to say, “Keep your promises to state retiree pensions.” « Fred Klonsky: A Paul Ryan Budget for Illinois? Be in Springfield Friday morning at 10:30 to say, “Keep your promises to state retiree pensions.” by Fred Klonsky *Democrats attack the Paul Ryan Budget. Then propose one for Illinois.* How ironic. Now that Romney has picked Paul Ryan as his enabler, the Democrats are making much of the *Paul Ryan Budget *which proposes deep cuts, if not elimination, to Medicare. *But Democrats in Springfield want to do th... more »

Bill would force creation of standards for transitional kindergarten SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Bill would force creation of standards for transitional kindergarten *By Kimberly Beltran* Friday, August 10, 2012 Even as hundreds of California schools prepare to launch transitional kindergarten for the first time this year, a bill awaiting a Senate vote would create standards for what and how the program’s not-quite 5-year olds should be taught. AB 1853 by Democratic Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla of Martinez creates a plan for developing teaching standards for the program and for issuing a “recognition of study in transitional kindergarten” to holders of multiple subject teachin... more »

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: "Humiliation is Not a Classroom Management Technique!"

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: "Humiliation is Not a Classroom Management Technique!": "Humiliation is Not a Classroom Management Technique!" by Lisa M *I am offline until Friday, so I am posting some of my older blog posts from my Wordpress account.* My youngest son is no angel, not in any way, shape, or form. He had been getting in "trouble" since preschool. I would go to pick him up and he would wave and grin from the timeout area. He didn't know any better, he was just one of those kids that was always up and about. Back then, if you were that kid, you ended up in time... more »

The Paradoxical Logic of School Turnarounds: A Catch-22 (Tina Trujillo) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

The Paradoxical Logic of School Turnarounds: A Catch-22 (Tina Trujillo) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: The Paradoxical Logic of School Turnarounds: A Catch-22 (Tina Trujillo) by larrycuban *TINA TRUJILLO is an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley. She earned a Ph.D. in education from the University of California at Los Angeles and an M.A. in education from the University of Colorado Boulder. This commentary appeared in**Teachers College Record** on June 14, 2012. Sources cited here are listed in ... more »

Jay Matthews Slams D.C. Cheating Investigation « Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Jay Matthews Slams D.C. Cheating Investigation « Diane Ravitch's blog: Jay Matthews Slams D.C. Cheating Investigation by dianerav [image: Class Struggle] Jay Matthews does not believe the investigation of the DC cheating scandal is credible. The DC Inspector General concluded that nothing much happened. He confined his investigation to one school only. He didn’t investigate any other schools. Matthews writes: *Now we know who did it. D.C. Inspector General Charles J. Willoughby has concluded his 16-month probe of cheating on the D.C. schools’ annual tests by saying that kids, no... more »

Among Michelle Rhee’s Florida Endorsements – Democrat Representative Ron Saunders | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Among Michelle Rhee’s Florida Endorsements – Democrat Representative Ron Saunders | Scathing Purple Musings: Among Michelle Rhee’s Florida Endorsements – Democrat Representative Ron Saunders by Bob Sikes Nestled among the predictable list of charter school friendly – or owners in three cases – is one democrat, Rep, Ron Saunders from Key West, who faces a tough primary Tuesday against Dwight Bullard. To privatization hacks like Rhee, Saunders represents the lesser of two evils. Gushes Rhee’s StudentsFirst website about Saunders: Rep. Saunders has served House District 120 for 12 ... more »

THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: High school retention: Oakland's charter schools vs. OUSD schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: High school retention: Oakland's charter schools vs. OUSD schools: High school retention: Oakland's charter schools vs. OUSD schools by The Perimeter Primate Are the privately-operated charter high schools in Oakland doing a better job than Oakland Unified School District's high schools with holding onto their freshman students until the twelfth grade? One way to explore the answer is by comparing the enrollment at Grade 9 with that of Grade 12 at the different schools using figures posted by the California Department of Education’s DataQuest. This was done ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This Week

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This Week: Seattle Schools This Week by Melissa Westbrook As summer is slowly winding down (but not temperature-wise - yay!), the number of District meetings is slowly ramping up. *Monday, August 13th* Curriculum&Instruction Meeting from 4-6 p.m. This is quite the folksy agenda as practically everyone is IDed by their first name. I'm thinking this isn't a final agenda as there are number of scratch-outs. There are a number of policies to be discussed including Ensuring *Educational Equity, Advanced Learning, Definition of a Hig... more »

Dear Carmelo Anthony, Because It’s That Necessary [From a Knicks Fan] | The Jose Vilson

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Dear Carmelo Anthony, Because It’s That Necessary [From a Knicks Fan] | The Jose Vilson: Dear Carmelo Anthony, Because It’s That Necessary [From a Knicks Fan] by Jose Dear Carmelo Anthony, Let’s start out with the easy stuff. Congratulations on another gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London. You impressed us with your usual array of offensive weapons, specifically the hot 3-point shooting. At some points, it really seemed like you flicked the ball off your fingers and it would still go in. You seem to thrive in international play, impressing the world in the 2006 World Champio... more »

Last Minute RPOF and Charter School Cash Coming in to Defeat Dade Republican Libby Perez in Primary Race | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Last Minute RPOF and Charter School Cash Coming in to Defeat Dade Republican Libby Perez in Primary Race | Scathing Purple Musings: Last Minute RPOF and Charter School Cash Coming in to Defeat Dade Republican Libby Perez in Primary Race by Bob Sikes It’s clear that for-profit charter schools are putting last-minute cash into the campaign coffers of chosen candidates. Another case in point is republican Libby Perez in her bid to win Tuesday’s race against incumbent Rep. Jeanette Nunez. Have the powers even chosen sides? On the surface, it would appear so as evidenced by the Repub... more »

STUDENTS CONVERGE AT OBAMA OFFICE TO RECLAIM VOICE Student Power Convergence 2012 #HereUsNow @StudentPower12 #ows

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Student Power Convergence 2012: *EMAIL: **info@studentpower2012.org* *WHAT: Press Conference to Reclaim Voice* *WHEN: Monday, August 13th at 1:00PM EST* *WHERE: 1570 N. High St., Suite C10 Columbus, OH* ** *STUDENTS CONVERGE AT OBAMA OFFICE TO RECLAIM VOICE* * * * * ** COLUMBUS, Ohio – Students from across the United States are gathering this week at Ohio State University for the National Student Power Convergence 2012, mobilizing for a new wave of student organizing and action. Against the backdrop of the upcoming elections, discontent among students is rising. We are aware that ne... more »

LAUSD - REED VS. UTLA OVERTURNED ON TECHNICALITY - WILL UTLA NOW FINALLY MAKE ITS STRONGEST ARGUMENT? - Perdaily.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

LAUSD - REED VS. UTLA OVERTURNED ON TECHNICALITY - WILL UTLA NOW FINALLY MAKE ITS STRONGEST ARGUMENT? - Perdaily.com: LAUSD - REED VS. UTLA OVERTURNED ON TECHNICALITY - WILL UTLA NOW FINALLY MAKE ITS STRONGEST ARGUMENT? by Leonard Isenberg [image: Cleavon Little.jpg] (Mensaje se repite en Español) (For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post) In a split decision, 2 out of 3 justices of the California 2nd District Court of Appeal reversed Reed vs. United Teachers Los Angeles solely on a technical aspect of the case, while not addressing the lower cour... more »

Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 8-11-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 8-4-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 7-28-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 7-21-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 7-14-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 7-7-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post
Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-30-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-23-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-16-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-9-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 6-2-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-12-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-11-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-10-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-9-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-8-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-7-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-6-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-5-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-4-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-3-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-2-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-1-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-31-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-30-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-29-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-28-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-27-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-26-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-25-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-24-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-23-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-22-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-21-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-20-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-19-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-18-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-17-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-16-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-15-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-14-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-13-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-12-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-11-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-10-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-9-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-7-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-6-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-5-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-4-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-3-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-2-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-1-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2