Thursday, September 6, 2012

by Edit Barry

Thank you to Michael Corbin for bringing Jonathan Kozol’s voice to the pages of Urbanite:

A good society cannot be based on the accident of selectivity or philanthropic intervention. This holds true not just for these lucky kids who got into these unusually good boarding schools, but is also true of the kids making it to the very few slots that are available to one of these heavily promoted charter schools. We cheer for those kids that are success stories, but it is just not the way to run a school system in a democracy. There just will never be enough avenues of exit to compensate for the millions who are left behind.

Click the quote to read the piece in its entirety. Then get out and volunteer in a Baltimore City Public School.

Last Stand for Children First: When Chicago Teachers Strike, It's Time for Replacements

Last Stand for Children First: When Chicago Teachers Strike, It's Time for Replacements:

When Chicago Teachers Strike, It's Time for Replacements

by Last Stand for Children

One of my very favorite movies is The Replacements. This cinematic gem came out in 2000 and starred the great Keanu Reeves as quarterback Shane Falco who leads a rag tag team of replacement players when the regular players get greedy and go on strike. Like a veritable Island of Misfit Toys, the team is full of players with major issues that would keep a pro team from ordinarily considering them. The kicker smokes during games and has huge gambling debts, the wide receiver is fast and can't catch. The linemen are fat and speak with accent.

In the movie, they don't win the Super Bowl, they simply connect with the fans and win some games while the regular players are out on strike. When the strike ends, they even defeat a team using real players because

Analysis Probes the Shape of the Teacher-Salary Schedule - Teacher Beat - Education Week

Analysis Probes the Shape of the Teacher-Salary Schedule - Teacher Beat - Education Week:

Analysis Probes the Shape of the Teacher-Salary Schedule

By Stephen Sawchuk on September 6, 2012 10:27 PM

More school districts than previously thought are giving salary increases early on in a teacher's career, rather than the traditional "back-loaded" model, according to a new analysis of federal data published in Educational Policy.

The analysis adds to a generally thin and understudied research base on this aspect of teacher compensation, and its authors hope it will awaken additional interest in studying how the schedules impact the workforce and student achievement.

Teacher salary schedules, in general, reward teachers for longevity and for earning advanced credentials. Earlier studies of salary schedules in New York and North Carolina found heavily back-loaded salary schedules, meaning they tended to concentrate raises among veteran teachers, rather than those just beginning their careers.

A few years back, there was a brief period of policy interest in turning this pattern on its head, by "front-loading" salary schedules. Proponents argued it would better align compensation to

Schools Matter: More Tests Don't Make Children Better Prepared for Life or College

Schools Matter: More Tests Don't Make Children Better Prepared for Life or College:

More Tests Don't Make Children Better Prepared for Life or College

by Jim Horn

From the Chalkface, by Tim Slekar

September 6, 2012 by slekar

Today, in the Morning Call (A newspaper in the Lehigh Valley) an article ran detailing the roll out of the new Keystone exams that 11th graders will be required to take in Pennsylvania this academic year. Students will be required to take Keystones (High Stakes Standardized Tests) in Algebra, Literature, and Biology. Great. New tests to replace the old tests. And why has Pennsylvania

Students Last: Bloomberg Calms a Nervous Walcott

Students Last: Bloomberg Calms a Nervous Walcott:

Bloomberg Calms a Nervous Walcott

by Students Last

New York City - During a press conference marking the beginning of the school year for students, Mayor Bloomberg revealed, “As I was walking down the street with the Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott towards the cameras, he asked me to hold his hand. He was so nervous because of the first day." Although

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-6-12 #DNC2012 #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

Standing Up to Bullying: Refusing to be a "Victim" — Whole Child Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 minute ago

Standing Up to Bullying: Refusing to be a "Victim" — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Bob Sullo]Standing Up to Bullying: Refusing to be a “Victim” September 6, 2012 by Bob Sullo Note: The issue of bullying is serious and multifaceted. I am in no way suggesting that we don't intervene. I am in no way suggesting that we "blame the victim" and withhold necessary support. My goal in wring this piece is simply to make sure that our attempts to help don't result in exacerbating an already horrendous problem. A teacher in Florida wrote and asked me to address the issue ... more »

To those union leaders who seem at a loss as to how to extend support to the CTU. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

To those union leaders who seem at a loss as to how to extend support to the CTU. « Fred Klonsky: To those union leaders who seem at a loss as to how to extend support to the CTU. by Fred Klonsky [image: @CTULocal1 members march for "student needs, not corporate greed!] To those union leaders who seem befuddled as to how to extend support to the Chicago Teachers Union, perhaps they can copy this. Sort of use it as a template. *AFT Statement in Support of Chicago Teachers Union**WASHINGTON—Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten in support of the Chicago Teachers Union.* *“Yes... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Rahm giddy in Charlotte as strike nears

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Rahm giddy in Charlotte as strike nears: Rahm giddy in Charlotte as strike nears by Mike Klonsky As the strike deadline draws near, I'm taken with image of Rahm Emanuel, last night, still in Charlotte,giggling like a little boy in front of the TV cameras and clapping wildly as his patron Clinton lectures the eager crowd.. For a moment I thought he was going to pee himself. Meanwhile back home, the CTU was not impressed. The union upped the ante yesterday, filing a charge with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board accusing CPS, among other th... more »

K.J.’s dark money machine - Bites - Opinions - September 6, 2012 - Sacramento News & Review

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

K.J.’s dark money machine - Bites - Opinions - September 6, 2012 - Sacramento News & Review: K.J.’s dark money machine Turns out, the mayor has his own lobbying group Read 1 reader submitted comment This article was published on 09.06.12. *If you managed to choke down SN&R’s 5,000-word report* on Mayor Kevin Johnson’s nonprofit network a couple weeks back, there’s more where that came from. Plenty more. First, a quick clarification. In that story, “*K.J. Inc.*” (SN&R Feature Story, August 16), we reported that Mayor Johnson was funneling his *leftover campaign money* into one of... more »

The Coalition for Better Education: Colorado | United Opt Out National

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

The Coalition for Better Education: Colorado | United Opt Out National: The Coalition for Better Education: Colorado from United Opt Out National by admin United Opt Out National just received the following report from Don Perl, President of the Coalition for Better Education in Colorado: *Yesterday I signed a contract with CBS Outdoor advertising for two billboards to go up after the first week of January 2013 and to run for a month. The billboards will once again alert parents that they have the right to exempt their children from the fraud of TCAP testing (formerly CSAP). One ... more »

Teaching Another 180 | The Jose Vilson

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Teaching Another 180 | The Jose Vilson: Teaching Another 180 by Jose *Last night:* Honestly, I’m nervous again. I know the routines, too. Sleep tight. Groom well. Come in with a tie. Introduce myself and the class I’m teaching. Announce names. Give out contact cards. Discuss the syllabus. Hope you don’t have a lot of time left over at the end. Leave without too much fanfare. Yet, I can never shake the first day feeling. I’m not scared of the kids. I just hope I can do right by them. They’ve had a whole summer to forget the process of schooling, and the routines I’ll establish throug... more »

Teachers unions differ on approach to controversial education film - The Hill - covering Congress, Politics, Political Campaigns and Capitol Hill | TheHill.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Teachers unions differ on approach to controversial education film - The Hill - covering Congress, Politics, Political Campaigns and Capitol Hill | TheHill.com: Teachers unions differ on approach to controversial education film By Kevin Bogardus - 09/05/12 06:41 PM ET CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The leaders of the country’s two largest teachers unions are taking different tacks when it comes to a controversial film set to be released later this month. “Won’t Back Down,” which is expected to get a wide release on Sept. 28, has angered teachers union members for its depiction of a teachers... more »

UPDATE: Diane in the Afternoon - Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: NBC Sponsors Parent Trigger Movie by dianerav Last year I was invited to participate in NBC’s Education Nation. I had a head-to-head discussion with Geoffrey Canada. This year, I received an invitation to sit in the audience. Now as a perk, I have been invited to a special screening of the parent trigger movie and its world premiere. Imagine all those private school parents and Wall Street titans sitting about and feeling sorry for the children trapped in those dreadful public schools. So, I was doing this thought experiment, now that the elites are so excit... more »

Connecticut: The State of Modern Capitalism: - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Connecticut: The State of Modern Capitalism: - Wait, What?: Connecticut: The State of Modern Capitalism: by jonpelto The concept that Connecticut taxpayers need to pay the world’s biggest hedge fund $115 million dollars to stay in Connecticut is, understandably, a hard thing to truly understand. They managed to pay their CEO $3.9 * billion* last year and we have to cough up $115, or they’ll move? But of course, Bridgewater is not the only private corporation that taxpayers are subsidizing. In fact, while cuts are being made to vital services, more and more companies are demanding w... more »

Moms booted from Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s film screening during Democratic Convention | The Raw Story

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Moms booted from Michelle Rhee’s film screening during Democratic Convention | The Raw Story: Moms booted from Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s film screening during Democratic Convention By David Edwards Thursday, September 6, 2012 14:05 EDT [image: Print] Share on facebookShare on redditShare on diggShare on twitterShare on farkShare on stumbleupon0 [image: North Carolina education activists Pam Grundy and Carol Sawyer (Peter Wong)] Topics: Democratic National Convention ♦ Michelle Rhee ♦ Pam Grundy Two Democratic moms who oppose the privation of schools say that security ... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Welcome back to a new school year, & please fill out our 2 minute class size survey!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: Welcome back to a new school year, & please fill out our 2 minute class size survey!: Welcome back to a new school year, & please fill out our 2 minute class size survey! by Leonie Haimson Welcome back to a new school year. I hope your child is settled in a good school, with a reasonable class size, but I fear for too many, this will not be the case. - Here is our updated fact sheet on class size in NYC schools, including the union class size limits, the goals that DOE originally promised to achieve by this year, and what you can do if your ... more »

El Estudiante | United Opt Out National

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

El Estudiante | United Opt Out National: El Estudiante by admin The image titled “El Estudiante” (The student) is the first in a series of paintings that takes on a radical perspective on the game known as “Loteria” (Lottery). A popular culture Iconic game in Latin America, like BINGO (rather than numbers), reflects numbered cultural icons from everyday life; myths, social class, fruit, animals and music. The Radical Loteria series will reflect modern popular culture icons and individuals associated with the struggle for social and politica... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Duncan -- the less said the better

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Duncan -- the less said the better: Duncan -- the less said the better by Mike Klonsky Popout Many of last night's speakers at the DNC were over the top. Arne Duncan wasn't. I actually missed his speech. I was too busy teaching my class of future teachers. From what I heard, Duncan's ratings were pretty low and there was hardly a mention of his speech, or of education issues at the DNC, in this morning's news. I had to watch the video of Duncan's speech this morning on WSJ's website. *Duncan: "Education is about jobs." * What? Really? Leaving aside...more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, September 6, 2012

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education Headlines *Thursday, September 6, 2012* Tehachapi approves Abernathy charter school, with conditionsA petition to establish a charter school named for one of the most powerful Republican political operatives in Kern County has been given the green light by the Tehachapi Unified School District. District OKs $2.1 million for 15 busesLodi Unified School District trustees authorized a $2.1 million purchase of 15 new special-education school buses Tuesday night. California law requires schools to roll out new grade level, t... more »

K-12 is missing in action at the Democratic National Convention. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

K-12 is missing in action at the Democratic National Convention. « Fred Klonsky: K-12 is missing in action at the Democratic National Convention. by Fred Klonsky If you were watching the convention, even the gavel to gavel coverage on CSPAN, you would be hard pressed to hear anything that referred to the last four years of education policy coming out of the Department of Education. Or plans for the next four years. The Wahington Post’s Valerie Strauss compares the 2008 Democratic Party platform with the 2012 version. The tiny section that speaks to K-12 public schools drops any ref... more »

This Week In Education: Charts: Not Just Crisis States Cutting Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

This Week In Education: Charts: Not Just Crisis States Cutting Education: Charts: Not Just Crisis States Cutting Education This chart from the CBPP via Wonkblog (Back-to-school budget cuts) shows most states have cut education funding over the past five years -- including ones you might not expect Oregon (13pct), Virginia (10pct) Colorado (9pct), and Ohio (8pct).

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: PARENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE “SUPERINTENDENT’S DISTRICT”

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: PARENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE “SUPERINTENDENT’S DISTRICT”: PARENT & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE “SUPERINTENDENT’S DISTRICT” BY SMF[image: image]6 September 2012 :: In the redesign/restructuring/reform/*slicing+dicing*/whatever of LAUSD into four five Educational Service Centers (*as opposed to eight Local Districts with numbers - or thirteen with letters; or Clusters, Areas, Zones, Regions or Administrative Zones*) authority and accountability have been further divided between - *Instructional* - *Operations,** and* -...more »

Charter Schools Increase New Bonds Most Since 2007: Muni Credit - Businessweek

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Charter Schools Increase New Bonds Most Since 2007: Muni Credit - Businessweek: Charter Schools Increase New Bonds Most Since 2007: Muni Credit U.S. charter schools are issuing municipal debt at the fastest pace since 2007 as enrollment grows, national networks expand and the lowest yields in a generation spur construction and refinancing. The independent public schools operate without many of the rules governing traditional institutions in exchange for more accountability for student achievement. They have sold about $580 million of munis this year through August, the most sinc... more »

Prison Spending Affecting Higher Education in California: Report | NBC Bay Area

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Prison Spending Affecting Higher Education in California: Report | NBC Bay Area: Prison Spending Affecting Higher Education in California: Report By Stephanie Chuang| Thursday, Sep 6, 2012 | Updated 6:44 AM PDT View Comments ( 0 ) | Email | Print [image: Prison Spending Affecting Higher Ed.: Report] AP California spent $592 million on corrections in 1980, according to a report. That spending has jumped to $9.2 billion in 2011. California is spending 1,370 percent more money on prisons today compared to 1980 levels. NBC Bay Area got the first look at a report from Los Altos-based, ... more »

THE REAL COST OF PURPOSEFULLY FAILED PUBLIC EDUCATION AT LAUSD - Perdaily.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

THE REAL COST OF PURPOSEFULLY FAILED PUBLIC EDUCATION AT LAUSD - Perdaily.com: THE REAL COST OF PURPOSEFULLY FAILED PUBLIC EDUCATION AT LAUSD by Leonard Isenberg [image: Angela Davis.jpg] *(Mensaje se repite en Español) (For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)* *One problem that most progressive intellectuals seem incapable of understanding or factoring into their analysis of the decline and fall of the American Empire is that predominantly poor and/or minority filled public schools have been failing for so long now that there "graduates" no ... more »

HechingerEd Blog | From the convention: Obama sees education as “investment,” not expense

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

HechingerEd Blog | From the convention: Obama sees education as “investment,” not expense: From the convention: Obama sees education as “investment,” not expense by Sarah Butrymowicz Former President Bill Clinton praised President Barack Obama’s support of community colleges and student loan reforms Wednesday night, in a stirring speech that took on Republican attacks of Obama while praising the president’s record. 2012 Democratic National Convention (Photo by Sarah Butrymowicz) Clinton highlighted the president’s policy that allows students to pay back loans based on income after g... more »

UPDATE: A New Phase for the Quebec Student Uprising « Student Activism

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

A New Phase for the Quebec Student Uprising « Student Activism: A New Phase for the Quebec Student Uprising by Angus Johnston Tuesday’s provincial election was a pretty good day for the Quebec student movement. The Parti Québécois, which had opposed the Liberal government’s tuition hikes and its anti-demonstration Loi 78, won a clear, though not overwhelming, victory at the polls. Though they fell far short of winning majority control of the provincial legislature, their party leader — in a post-election call to the head of one of Quebec’s student unions — promised to reverse the ... more »

Daily Kos: 55% of Millennials Tend to Identify with the Democratic Party

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Daily Kos: 55% of Millennials Tend to Identify with the Democratic Party: 55% of Millennials Tend to Identify with the Democratic Party by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) according to THe Pew Research Center. Yet another sign of the demographic bombs awaiting Republicans, along with the browning of America, and the increasing tolerance of gays being open and fully included in society. Look at the graphs. The only generation in which the Republicans have an advantage is the Silents, and that only by 4%, 48-44. Yes, the peak for Dems among Millenials, 62%, was in 2008 with the exciteme... more »

Schools Matter: Bloggers Beware: The Online Bedbugs Want to Hitch a Ride

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Schools Matter: Bloggers Beware: The Online Bedbugs Want to Hitch a Ride: Bloggers Beware: The Online Bedbugs Want to Hitch a Ride by Jim Horn The fat bedbugs that run the online diploma mill business are unrelenting. They write lengthy friendly comments to blog posts, and just underneath some of the verbiage, they attach their swollen transparent red blood-filled carcasses in hopes that some unsuspecting reader will take their links home. That is how their blood-sucking infestations spread, and once victims have given them an opening, it is too late. Another trick they use on b... more »

MomsRising Blog Standing Together For Real Food In Schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

MomsRising Blog: Cool for School – Taming the Lunchbox Diana Donlon at MomsRising Blog - 7 minutes ago Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I used to bring my lunch to school. Invariably tucked inside my “Peanuts” lunchbox was a sandwich, a few carrot sticks, a piece of fruit, and a couple of home-made cookies, usually oatmeal. Although I loved oatmeal cookies, I’d been seduced by TV commercials and would covet [...] Standing Together For Real Food In Schools Food Revolution Team at MomsRising Blog - 7 minutes ago As students head back to school this year, many of them are also headi... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Pay Attention When Checking Out at JCPenny

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Pay Attention When Checking Out at JCPenny: Pay Attention When Checking Out at JCPenny by Anngie We've all heard it a hundred times. You go to check out at the store and the cashier asks if you would like to add some small amount to your total to help support XYZ charity. The small amount usually entices most people to say, "Sure." The charity gets some money, the store gets to brag about its charitable donation and you have an easy way to feel good about something for the day. Its a win-win-win. This month, JCPenny is going to ask you to support a char... more »

Schools Matter: Orlando Sentinel reporter responds to a letter I submitted about Pre-K testing but that wasn’t published. I answer back.

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Schools Matter: Orlando Sentinel reporter responds to a letter I submitted about Pre-K testing but that wasn’t published. I answer back.: Orlando Sentinel reporter responds to a letter I submitted about Pre-K testing but that wasn’t published. I answer back. by skrashen On the Orlando Sentinel Education blog, Sentinel reporter Leslie Postal responded to a letter to the editor of the Sentinel that I submitted but that wasn’t published, at least not yet. Her post is below and also at: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_education_edblog/2012/09/fls-new-pre-k-test-set-to-debut-amid-... more »

Morning UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-6-12 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] NJ Plans to Punish High-Poverty, High-Minority Schools by dianerav New Jersey has announced the schools that are targeted for aggressive intervention. It will not surprise readers of this blog to learn that most of these schools serve children of color and children of poverty. Many, most or all of these schools will be closed. If Governor Christie has his way, many new charters will open to replace public schools. According to the Education Law Center of New Jersey: In early April, NJDOE released the list of... more »

Bill Clinton’s ‘big ideas’ for education - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Bill Clinton’s ‘big ideas’ for education - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: The real wall of separation in public schools by Valerie Strauss Contentious battles about school prayer and how much religion should be a factor in what students learn in school are heating up across the country. These are important discussions, and here’s what’s going on in a post written by Adam Laats, who teaches in the Graduate School of Education at Binghamton University in Binghamton, N.Y., where he is an assistant professor of history and director of the university’s Center for the Teachin... more »

Daily Kos: Charles Blow: "The Defiant Ones"

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Daily Kos: Charles Blow: "The Defiant Ones": Charles Blow: "The Defiant Ones" by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) [image: U.S. President Barack Obama waves with former President Bill Clinton after Mr. Clinton's speech to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday.] If viewers thought Democrats might tuck in their tails and run away from the president’s record, they were mistaken. The speakers gave full-throated, bare-fanged defenses of Barack Obama — rattling off hours of his accomplishments — and they used that record to draw a stark distinction ... more »

Prop 38 sponsor says ed initiative will upset polls | EdSource Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Prop 38 sponsor says ed initiative will upset polls | EdSource Today: Prop 38 sponsor says ed initiative will upset polls ** September 6th, 2012 | Add a Comment | By Kathy Baron and John Fensterwald Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on google_plusone More Sharing Services **Confident that Californians will tax themselves to send more money to their local schools, Molly Munger is preparing for “a big air war” – extensive TV advertising to persuade voters to pass*Proposition 38*. The Los Angeles attorney is bankrolling the “other” education initiative, one that would... more »

NYC Educator: Am I Real? Or Am I ATR?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

NYC Educator: Am I Real? Or Am I ATR?: Am I Real? Or Am I ATR? by NYC Educator * By special guest blogger Suddenly ATR* I showed up to my assigned school Monday. I walked into the main office, introduced myself, and explained that I was assigned to the school for a month as an ATR. The secretary nodded, and I tentatively asked what I'd be teaching. (I knew I'd be subbing in some capacity, but I still expected to be in a classroom.) "Teaching?" she said, horrified. "You're an ATR, you don't get classes." Ok then. What was I supposed to do? "Well every day you show up at quarter ... more »

Teachers For Social Justice: CTU Strike Support: What You Can Do

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Teachers For Social Justice: CTU Strike Support: What You Can Do: CTU Strike Support: What You Can Do by sarah-ji [image: Parents Stand With CTU (CLICK ON PICTURE)] The Chicago Teachers Union is in a fight for a fair contract, job security, and the resources to give students a better school day. This is a strategic fight for public education in Chicago and nationally. Rahm is counting on pitting parents and community members against teachers, and the corporate media is pumping out the anti-union message. We have to counter it with grassroots power. *TSJ IS ORGANIZING STRIKE SUPP... more »

National immigration policy, local high school students - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

National immigration policy, local high school students - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: National immigration policy, local high school students By Katy Murphy Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 at 5:46 pm in Uncategorized. [image: DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS SESION] *photo by Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group* A story in the Oakland Tribune by my colleague Matt O’Brien examined how the federal “deferred action for childhood arrivals” immigration policy might provide an added inspiration to some students to graduate from high school and go to colleg... more »

NJ Spotlight | Interactive Map: What NJ Public School Teachers Earn

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

NJ Spotlight | Interactive Map: What NJ Public School Teachers Earn: Interactive Map: What NJ Public School Teachers Earn Across the state, teacher's pay offers a patchwork of possibilities, but tax caps and a sluggish economy are keeping raises tight print | email | share By Colleen O'Dea, September 6, 2012 in Education |1 Comment Map data ©2012 Google - Terms of Use Report a map error Map Satellite The average New Jersey public school teacher earned $67,412 last year, an increase of less than 1 percent over the prior year. Related Links Average Teacher's Salary -- Elementary Distri... more »

HechingerEd Blog | From the convention: Michelle Rhee on how Obama — or Romney — should change education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

HechingerEd Blog | From the convention: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee on how Obama — or Romney — should change education: From the convention: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee on how Obama — or Romney — should change education by Sarah Butrymowicz Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee, thinks that Democrats have entered a new phase in their relationship with teachers unions. And she thinks a push by Republicans for local control of education is unquestionably wrong. Michelle Rhee A political – and often controversial – figure since she started as chancellor in 2007, Rhee will ... more »

Chicago Public Schools teachers: Monday strike date still on - Chicago Sun-Times

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Chicago Public Schools teachers: Monday strike date still on - Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago Public Schools teachers: Monday strike date still on BY ROSALIND ROSSI AND STEFANO ESPOSITO Staff Reporters September 5, 2012 4:34PM - Reprints - - - 15 - - - [image: Story Image] Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, talks to reporters Thursday after Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates unanimously agreed to strike starting Sept 10. August 30 2012. I Scott Stewart~Sun-Times Updated: September 6, 2012 2:23AM Chicago Public Schools officials freshen... more »

Assessing Charter Schools: Follow the Money | California Progress Report

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Assessing Charter Schools: Follow the Money | California Progress Report: Assessing Charter Schools: Follow the Money by callen *By Mark Naison* Unlike some of my friends and political comrades, I am not against charter schools as a matter of principle. However, I am acutely aware that the charter school movement has been used by the nation’s financial elite as a strategy to weaken public schools, undermine teachers unions, divide parents in working class communities against one another, and in all to many cases, build careers or make profits. The following are some common sense cat... more »

School Tech Connect: Hang Out With Rita Solnet!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

School Tech Connect: Hang Out With Rita Solnet!: Hang Out With Rita Solnet! by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) So much good stuff coming up. I see Jonathan Kozol is coming to town on the 27th. Also, the good folks at SOS are hosting a webinar with the unbelievably fabulous Rita Solnet on September 7. I hope to make it to both. I'm just going to post the email I received about this event below. Evidently there's a movie out there, and evidently it's about how some parents use a "trigger" law to convert an evil public school into a charter. The propaganda against the great America... more »

Arne Duncan's DNC Speech Focuses On Ryan Budget, But Not Class Size

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Arne Duncan's DNC Speech Focuses On Ryan Budget, But Not Class Size: Arne Duncan's DNC Speech Focuses On Ryan Budget, But Not Class Size by Joy Resmovits When addressing the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan appealed to the crowd not in his official capacity, but "as a parent with two young children who attend a wonderful public school." "No one has more at stake in this election than our kids, and that is why we need to re-elect President Obama!" Duncan said, before stressing that the quality of America's schools speaks... more »

The sad, sad school district Michelle Obama mentioned - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

The sad, sad school district Michelle Obama mentioned - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: [image: Answer Sheet] The sad, sad school district Michelle Obama mentioned by Valerie Strauss Early in her triumphant speech at the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama spoke about “the very best of the American spirit” and (Charlie Neibergall/AP)praised a school district but did not mention it by name. That district is Chester Upland in Pennsylvania, and, unfortunately, it is in the direst of straits. School reform efforts — including opening charter schools — have done no... more »

Jersey Jazzman: What The Kids Are Listening To:

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: What The Kids Are Listening To:: What The Kids Are Listening To: by Duke No, I am not kidding; look at the hit count on YouTube: Popout One of the reasons I love teaching is that it keeps you young. I know way before my friends do what their kids are checking out. The flip side to that is, every once in a while, the students put something into my brain that will not leave, no matter how hard I try... *Hey.... sexy lady!*

In Chicago. Don’t miss an evening with Jonathan Kozol. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

In Chicago. Don’t miss an evening with Jonathan Kozol. « Fred Klonsky: In Chicago. Don’t miss an evening with Jonathan Kozol. by Fred Klonsky Activist author Jonathan Kozol will speak in Chicago – the epicenter the corporate-style “education reform” storm – on September 27 about his new book *Fire in the Ashes: Twenty-Five Years Among the Poorest Children in America.* Kozol argues that there is a profound connection between urban poverty, racism and educational neglect. Today, he says, the public schools and teachers who serve children in poverty are under attack. Kozol, author of ... more »

Pain Management: Grading: Part I | Mr. Teachbad

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Pain Management: Grading: Part I | Mr. Teachbad: Pain Management: Grading: Part I by teachbad *A few months back I asked people to take the one question* Teacher Annoyance Survey. *The purpose was to see which of the three unavoidable annoyances of teaching is most bothersome to most of you. The vote was split almost exactly into thirds between 1) Tedium and Predictability, 2) Bell and Chain, and 3) No Career Path.* *Here is part one of Tedium: Grading.* However one deals with the daily homework side of grading, there still await the tests, quizzes, projects and pap... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Thanks to SOS

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Thanks to SOS: Thanks to SOS by Mike Klonsky Kudos to Save Our Schools (SOS). They just wrote a check for $1,000 to the CTU Solidarity Fund. BTW, for those organizations or individuals who want to follow SOS' lead on this or top them, CTU's Michael Harrington tells me you can mail your checks to: CTU Solidarity Fund 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60654 Also, those planning on attending *Jonathan Kozol's *Chicago lecture on Sept. 27th, you can get your free tickets at the CTU website to guarantee yourself a seat. The event should ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Teaching & Learning Needs Help Soon

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Teaching & Learning Needs Help Soon: Teaching & Learning Needs Help Soon by Melissa Westbrook In the category of "fix this and soon", comes news of who is heading T&L until a new person is hired. Marni Campbell might be okay but I have never had much faith in Mr. Tolley (a MGJ holdover). They need to get someone good and qualified and stat. From SPS: Dear Seattle Public Schools staff, I am pleased to announce an interim leadership plan while we conduct a national search for an Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning and Executive Dir... more »

One Size Does Not Fit All: A Student’s Assessment of School « NIKHIL GOYAL

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

BOOK « NIKHIL GOYAL: One Size Does Not Fit All: A Student’s Assessment of School launches September 5, 2012 by the Alternative Education Resource Organization on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. *Foreword by author of the bestselling book, Wikinomics, Don Tapscott* *Description:* Every nine seconds, a student drops out of school. Why? For a majority, school was not relevant to them. The education system isn’t broken — it’s doing exactly what it was intended to do so — create compliant cogs in machines. It’s outdated. It’s dangerous. And it’s suppressing millions of children around the co... more »

Authenticity and Party Politics « Student Activism

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Authenticity and Party Politics « Student Activism: Authenticity and Party Politics by Angus Johnston The primary purpose of the political convention of a presidential candidate’s political party is to advance that candidate’s chances of winning the November election. This is hardly a counter-intuitive proposition, but it bears repeating occasionally, particularly in the face of complaints like those offered by Gawker editor Hamilton Nolan today. Nolan is offended. He’s offended by the (ostensible) fact that Michelle Obama sometimes affects a stutter she doesn’t naturally possess, a... more »

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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Analysis Probes the Shape of the Teacher-Salary Schedule

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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