Speaking Truth to Power: Great Oakland Public Schools Is as Anti-Democratic as ALEC
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Speaking Truth to Power: Great Oakland Public Schools Is as Anti-Democratic as ALEC « Classroom Struggle
Speaking Truth to Power: Great Oakland Public Schools Is as Anti-Democratic as ALEC « Classroom Struggle:
Ed Notes Online: Juan Gonzalez Moderates: Brian Jones, Pedro Noguera, Shael Polakow-Suransky, Diane Zavala: Dec. 10, 6PM
Ed Notes Online: Juan Gonzalez Moderates: Brian Jones, Pedro Noguera, Shael Polakow-Suransky, Diane Zavala: Dec. 10, 6PM:
Juan Gonzalez Moderates: Brian Jones, Pedro Noguera, Shael Polakow-Suransky, Diane Zavala: Dec. 10, 6PM
Change the Stakes Sponsors: High Stakes Testing: Helping or Hurting Education?
You know that Change the Stakes, which began life as the testing committee of GEM, is my favorite of all the groups I currently work with, partly because of how productive the people involved in it are.
This should be one exciting event. MORE's Brian Jones and Diane Zavala (Reps CTS here) facing off with Noguera and Shael.
Oh, the conflict: A hearing over Eva invasion at Washington Irving HS at the same time though there is a rally at WI at 4:30. So I may make it to that first. But how could I miss filming Eva's video crew. To go or not to go, that is the question.
You know that Change the Stakes, which began life as the testing committee of GEM, is my favorite of all the groups I currently work with, partly because of how productive the people involved in it are.
This should be one exciting event. MORE's Brian Jones and Diane Zavala (Reps CTS here) facing off with Noguera and Shael.
Oh, the conflict: A hearing over Eva invasion at Washington Irving HS at the same time though there is a rally at WI at 4:30. So I may make it to that first. But how could I miss filming Eva's video crew. To go or not to go, that is the question.
What: Panel discussion and community forum on the impact of high stakes testing on curriculum, instruction, and learning
When: Monday, December 10th, 6:00 - 8:30 PM (see flyer for details)
Where: The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center 3940 BROADWAY @ 165 STREET (A/C/1 trains to 168th Street station)
Panelists: Brian Jones, Dr. Pedro Noguera, Senior Deputy Chancellor Shael Polakow-Suransky (additional panelist TBA)
Sponsored by: Change the Stakes, The Shabazz Center, The Harlem/Washington Heights Education Film Screening & Discussion Series (Total Equity Now, Community League of the Heights, and the A.M.E. Zion Church on the Hill), and the Office of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
Please RSVP via email to changethestakes@gmail.com or by joining the Facebook event** Spanish language translation will be available **
Please join us on Monday for an exciting discussion and share the info with others. Thanks, and have a wonderful weekend!
Mother Crusader: For Laura Waters, Newark Charters Have A Certain... Special... Something...
Mother Crusader: For Laura Waters, Newark Charters Have A Certain... Special... Something...:
Once again, Laura Waters demonstrates that facts, or even common sense, mean very little in the world of reform.
I've written a couple of posts already about the CREDO study. I've written about the questionable conclusions drawn by the authors of the study, and how their ties to the reform world may explain how they came to such conclusions. Bruce Baker has dissected the Newark Effect demonstrated in the study not once, but twice. Julia Sass Rubin of Save Our Schools New Jersey has asked some very pertinent questions of the authors of the study.
But leave it to Ms. Waters to just come to her own conclusions, based on... well, based on nothing but her own reformy fantasies.
For Laura Waters, Newark Charters Have A Certain... Special... Something...
Once again, Laura Waters demonstrates that facts, or even common sense, mean very little in the world of reform.
I've written a couple of posts already about the CREDO study. I've written about the questionable conclusions drawn by the authors of the study, and how their ties to the reform world may explain how they came to such conclusions. Bruce Baker has dissected the Newark Effect demonstrated in the study not once, but twice. Julia Sass Rubin of Save Our Schools New Jersey has asked some very pertinent questions of the authors of the study.
But leave it to Ms. Waters to just come to her own conclusions, based on... well, based on nothing but her own reformy fantasies.
Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Week 12 2012
Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Week 12 2012:
Hmm, where to start? How about with writing! I’ve been doing a bit with that getting ready for an all day training on Monday on Common Core (more on that later). Here are some things that I’ve been doing lately:
Week 12 2012
- Having students work with questions they themselves have generated;
- Having students work on single paragraph writing around an organizational pattern to guide their analysis;
- Having students return to the same topics, and same text to dig in deeper.
It’s feeling like the puzzle pieces are starting to come together in the writing my students are producing, and I’m pretty pleased.
The writing using an organizational pattern is going much better. The most recent assignment was for cause and effect. This was something that most students could not do at an acceptable level on the science
Bill Moyers: United States of Alec | www.kochwatch.org
Bill Moyers: United States of Alec | www.kochwatch.org:
Bill Moyers: United States of Alec
Popout
Moyers & Company presents "United States of ALEC," a report on the most influential corporate-funded political force most of America has never heard of -- ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. But behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge.
RAW Story: Fox News celebrates Michigan union busting as ‘Victory for Capitalism!’
CD at www.kochwatch.org - 5 minutes ago
*-By David Edwards* *December 7, 2012-* The Fox News morning show *Fox & Friends* on Friday declared that a law in Michigan that weakens unions was a “Victory for Capitalism!” On Thursday, the Republican-controlled state legislature in Michigan had quickly pushed through a new measure that would make the birthplace of the country’s labor movement a right-to-work state, crippling unions by prohibiting requirements that employees join or pay dues. “Yesterday, the legislature of both of houses passed a law making Michigan the 24th right to work state, bans mandatory union dues,” Fox... more »
Mother Jones: Koch-Backed Group Warns Chris Christie
CD at www.kochwatch.org - 48 minutes ago
*-By Andy Kroll* *November 9, 2012-* Conservatives are peeved at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a GOP favorite, for praising President Barack Obama response to Hurricane Sandy days before the election. Some right-wingers even blameChristie for boosting the president's prospects at the last minute. *(Christie hugged Obama! How could he?!)* Now, in the aftermath of the election, a powerhouse conservative outfit partly funded by the billionaire Koch Brothers is coming after Christie on another front, sharply questioning whether the governor will sell out conservatives in the latest ... more »
Bill Moyers: United States of Alec
CD at www.kochwatch.org - 48 minutes ago
Moyers & Company presents "United States of ALEC," a report on the most influential corporate-funded political force most of America has never heard of -- ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. But behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. Using interviews, documents, and field reporting, the episode explores ALEC’s s... more »
Take Police Officers Off the School Discipline Beat - NYTimes.com
Take Police Officers Off the School Discipline Beat - NYTimes.com:
Opinion: Take Police Officers Off the School Discipline Beat
Do police in city schools create more problems than they solve?
KENNETH screwed up. The 11th grader made a crude joke about the police officers in his Bronx high school — and an officer overheard.
Sam Kalda
“What did you say?” the officer demanded. “Say it again and I’m going to punch you in the [expletive] mouth.”
“You can’t [expletive] touch me,” said Kenneth, who has Asperger syndrome.
And so it began ...
The officer pulled out his nightstick, with one hand, grabbed Kenneth (whose name I’ve changed) by the throat with the other, and pushed him against the wall. Then he pinned the boy’s arms behind his back and pulled him, by the neck of his hoodie, down the fourth-floor hallway.
The officer, who said Kenneth pushed him, arrested Kenneth and drove him to the local precinct, where officers took his photo and his fingerprints, and detained him overnight in a locked cell.
Kenneth says he was not permitted to call his mother — or a lawyer — until much later in the day and it wasn’t until the next morning, when he was taken to court and charged
Guest blog. Cost shift is the acid test of independence for Southland Democrats. « Fred Klonsky
Guest blog. Cost shift is the acid test of independence for Southland Democrats. « Fred Klonsky:
The following commentary is from the Southland Star. It is written by my good friend and colleague, Jerry Mulvihill, a 5th grade teacher in my old school district. Jerry lives in Alsip, is a former school board member, public school and union activist and father of two students in Southland public schools.
Legislators have reconvened in Springfield to again attempt to fix the state’s spiraling budget deficit. Central to their focus will undoubtedly be a Madigan-led pension reform package.
Madigan (D-Chicago) has spelled out his recipe for pension reform often in the media, saying that it must include eliminating the “free lunch for local school districts.”
That refers to his proposed “cost-shift” plan, which would place responsibility for financing the Teachers’
Guest blog. Cost shift is the acid test of independence for Southland Democrats.
Legislators have reconvened in Springfield to again attempt to fix the state’s spiraling budget deficit. Central to their focus will undoubtedly be a Madigan-led pension reform package.
Madigan (D-Chicago) has spelled out his recipe for pension reform often in the media, saying that it must include eliminating the “free lunch for local school districts.”
That refers to his proposed “cost-shift” plan, which would place responsibility for financing the Teachers’
How To Recover From A Classroom Train Wreck…. | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…
How To Recover From A Classroom Train Wreck…. | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…:
Photo Credit: Trey Ratcliff via Compfight
I wouldn’t want to teach at any other school than where I’m teaching now, and I think the same goes for the vast majority of our faculty. And I think the same percentage of our students wouldn’t want to be attending any other school either. Since we’re in Program Improvement, every year we need to provide forms to our students where they and their families can request an assignment to another school, and typically students look at me like I’m a bit crazy and many say something like, “Why would I want to go somewhere else?”
That being said, as the biggest inner-city school in Sacramento, we are not immune from the challenges facing our students, their families, and our neighborhood. They sometimes get brought to the surface by the pressures of holidays, and that was certainly the case this week.
Most of our counselors, administrators, and school monitors have been busy the past few days dealing with dispute resolutions. We’ve had a number of fights, and lunch was cut short one day in an effort to head-off the potential of escalating violence.
On that particular day when things were tough school-wide, student behavior in one of my “double-block” classes
How To Recover From A Classroom Train Wreck….
Photo Credit: Trey Ratcliff via CompfightI wouldn’t want to teach at any other school than where I’m teaching now, and I think the same goes for the vast majority of our faculty. And I think the same percentage of our students wouldn’t want to be attending any other school either. Since we’re in Program Improvement, every year we need to provide forms to our students where they and their families can request an assignment to another school, and typically students look at me like I’m a bit crazy and many say something like, “Why would I want to go somewhere else?”
That being said, as the biggest inner-city school in Sacramento, we are not immune from the challenges facing our students, their families, and our neighborhood. They sometimes get brought to the surface by the pressures of holidays, and that was certainly the case this week.
Most of our counselors, administrators, and school monitors have been busy the past few days dealing with dispute resolutions. We’ve had a number of fights, and lunch was cut short one day in an effort to head-off the potential of escalating violence.
On that particular day when things were tough school-wide, student behavior in one of my “double-block” classes
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 12-8-12 #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
15+ family members and employees of a New York tug boat towing and ferry boat company give to Malloy PAC - Wait, What?
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago
15+ family members and employees of a New York tug boat towing and ferry boat company give to Malloy PAC - Wait, What?: 15+ family members and employees of a New York tug boat towing and ferry boat company give to Malloy PAC by jonpelto At least 15 family members and employees of a company that financially benefits from Connecticut public policy is one of the biggest donors to Malloy’s Political Action Committee, according to an article written by investigative reporter Jon Lender, and that will run in tomorrow (Sunday’s) Hartford Courant. Wait, What? readers are already familiar... more »
Boys and Girls HS vs DOE - Report from Public Meeting 12/4/12 6 Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 minutes ago
Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: *Boys and Girls HS vs DOE - * *Report from Public Meeting 12/4/12 6* * Principal Gassaway with Boys & Girls Students* Approximately 450 parents, students, educators and community leaders attended the December 4 meeting at Boys and Girls High School in Bedford Stuyvesant to respond to the DOE’s “Report to the Community on the Performance of Boys and Girls High School” and its proposal concerning the future of the school. Brooklyn HS Superintendent Karen Watt...more »
The in box. Getting the word out about Springfield rally. « Fred Klonsky
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 minutes ago
The in box. Getting the word out about Springfield rally. « Fred Klonsky: The in box. Getting the word out about Springfield rally. by Fred Klonsky All IEA Retired Members served by the IEA Skokie Office will be receiving postcards early next week – please see attached. Please call the Skokie Office (847-329-7756) to reserve a spot on the bus, and invite family, friends, former colleagues, etc. IEA membership is not required – the bus, donuts/coffee, and lunch are donated by the IEA for all attendees. Also attached is information from Fred Klonsky’s Blog < http://preaprez.wordpre... more »
The Happy Good Time Emotion Response Place and School Part V: The Playroom Edition.southbronxschool.com
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 minutes ago
http://www.southbronxschool.com: The Happy Good Time Emotion Response Place and School Part V: The Playroom Edition by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher) Oh, there is fun to be had every day at The Happy Good Time Emotion Response Place and School, but only if you seek it. The Happy Good Time Emotion Response Place and School has turned into nothing more than a playroom. A place where students, those students that disrupt their classes, throw chairs, run through the halls, punch and kick teachers are punished by being able to finger paint play with dolls, and have ice cream parti... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Grover Whitehurst's big pay day, testifying class size doesn't matter
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
NYC Public School Parents: Grover Whitehurst's big pay day, testifying class size doesn't matter: Grover Whitehurst's big pay day, testifying class size doesn't matter by Leonie Haimson The State of Texas is being sued for inadequate school funding; with over $5 billion cut from school budgets last year alone, leading to unprecedented increases in class sizes. About two-thirds of the school districts in Texas— serving three-quarters of the state’s public school students — are plaintiffs. What’s particularly tragic is that Texas was the first state in the country to systematical... more »
Do Schools Kill Creativity? | toteachornototeach
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Do Schools Kill Creativity? | toteachornototeach: Do Schools Kill Creativity? by aristotlethewise *Do Schools Kill Creativity? * [image: schools-kill-creativity] by Ken Robinson I’ve spoken twice at TED. The first time was in 2006. TED was a very different event then. It was a private conference for about 1,200 people. After the event, the talks were packaged in a box set of DVDs and sent just to the attendees. I gave a talk called “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” A few months later, Chris Anderson, the curator of TED, called to say they were planning to put a few talks on their websit... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Great Moments in Reformy Tantrum Throwing
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Jersey Jazzman: Great Moments in Reformy Tantrum Throwing: Great Moments in Reformy Tantrum Throwing by Duke Diane Ravitch points us to a story about yet another reformy "school leader" who can't get the job done; consequently, throws a tantrum: A Franklin County school superintendent vented publicly this week about the slow pace of reforms he wants to see at one of the largest public high schools in the area, Bellows Free Academy-St. Albans. Robert Rosane, superintendent of the Franklin Central Supervisory Union, blasted faculty and administration for blocking innovationin an ema... more »
Top Content this Week - 12-8-12 The Educator's PLN
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Top Content this Week - The Educator's PLN: 1[image: How to Ignite Passion in Your Students: 8 Ways Educators Can Foster Passion-Based Learning]How to Ignite Passion in Your Students: 8 Ways Educators Can Foster Passion-Based Learning Added by Tess Pajaron on October 12, 2012 2[image: World Languages activities]World Languages activities Posted by Gérard Gatoux on November 29, 2012 3[image: Language Learners]Language Learners Added by Jessica Owens on October 19, 2009 4[image: Our Changing Schools]Our Changing Schools Added by Alyson Thorp on September 7, 2012 5[image: Again; Relevanc...more »
Cannibalizing the system Parents United for Responsible Education
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Cannibalizing the system: Cannibalizing the system by admin From today’s Tribune: Chicago Public Schools said Friday it plans to add four more charter schools to the nine charters previously approved for the coming year, which quickly became fuel for critics of the district’s plans to close many neighborhood schools. “It simply makes their argument, ‘We have to close schools,’ sound ridiculous,” said Julie Woestehoff, executive director of Parents United for Responsible Education. “It would be one thing
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee wins over a critic
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee wins over a critic: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee wins over a critic Posted by Valerie Strauss on December 8, 2012 at 1:12 pm - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - Share: - - - More » In October, a former teacher and education activist named Greg Harris was tapped as director of StudentsFirst Ohio, part of former D.C. public schools chancellor Michelle Rhee’s national anti-union education advocacy organization. But not long before that, he had been decidedly anti-Rhee, publicly at... more »
Ed Notes Online: The cycle of profiteering and privatizing
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: The cycle of profiteering and privatizing: The cycle of profiteering and privatizing by ed notes online *We know everything about your child* From Robert Rendo*:* First the deformers, Pearson et al for example, push for self interested legislation, they help write the wording of the law even though they themselves are not educators, then they over test the kids, then the tax system prevents any of their profits from trickling down to schools and teachers for better resources, then they push for starving the schools of funding from government, then when the school ... more »
Saturday coffee and the Pension Reform Revolt « Fred Klonsky
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
Saturday coffee. « Fred Klonsky: Saturday coffee. by Fred Klonsky [image: img_2807] *Chicago teachers marched past Marshall High School during the strike.* Anne and I took two cars to Peets this morning. After my latte and bagel I headed off to Marshall High School on Chicago’s west side. The CTU and other community and parent groups are meeting all day today to talk about the next steps. They are calling it an education summit. There are issues of funding, curriculum, school closings and charters. And, of course, an elected school board. The summit began in the beautiful auditoriu... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: District Announces New Appointments
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: District Announces New Appointments: District Announces New Appointments by Melissa Westbrook From SPS Communications (bold mine): After six months as your Superintendent, it has been a pleasure to get to know our schools, staff, students and families. I know this has been a time of change, and I am looking forward to solidifying our team to ensure we are all working together in the best interest of our students. Today I am pleased to announce several appointments in our District. I will also be providing you with some additional information regard... more »
In Albuquerque, A Charter School that Recruits Drop-Outs? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
In Albuquerque, A Charter School that Recruits Drop-Outs? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: In Albuquerque, A Charter School that Recruits Drop-Outs? by Anthony Cody Last month I visited ACE Leadership High School, a charter school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. What I saw there challenged some of my thinking about this sector. [image: ACE1.jpg] As regular readers know, I have been critical of efforts to expand charter schools, which are often in competition with regular public schools for students and funding. I have cited reasons of fairness, because some charter school... more »
10 truisms of capitalism from the mouths of robber barons » peoplesworld
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
10 truisms of capitalism from the mouths of robber barons » peoplesworld: 10 truisms of capitalism from the mouths of robber barons - Print - Email to a Friend [image: assets/Uploads/_resampled/CroppedImage6060-NormanMarkowitz.jpg] by: NORMAN MARKOWITZ november 13 2008 tags: capitalism, economy, labor, worker rights, history The callousness and greed of today’s bankers, financiers and corporate CEOs calls to mind the 19th century robber barons. Here’s a relevant sample of classic statements made by some of the worst U.S. capitalists in history. 1. “We are not in business f... more »
10 Things to Know About What Happened in Michigan On Thursday « Main Street
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
10 Things to Know About What Happened in Michigan On Thursday « Main Street: 10 Things to Know About What Happened in Michigan On Thursday *Photo by @PeterKlein77 on Twitter* *1.) The Michigan House and Senate yesterday passed so-called “right to work” bills.*“Right to work” laws effectively defund the ability of workers to have a voice at their workplace. In 23 other states, these laws have lowered wages, weakened benefits, raised the poverty rate, and led to increased workplace injuries and deaths. The House passed one such bill and the Senate passed two. *2.) Republican le... more »
Joel Klein’s Edu-Cojones | EduShyster
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Joel Klein’s Edu-Cojones | EduShyster: Joel Klein’s Edu-Cojones by edushyster2012 Today we raise our collective wine boxes to a man who has the biggest, boldest *edu-cojones* in the business. Reader: meet Joel Klein, former NYC schools Chancellor turned edu-preneur—and most definitely turning a profit. When last we encountered Mr. Klein he’d just finished sounding the alarm bell about the greatest national security threat our country faces: our union-stifled public schools. But there is good news, reader. Joel Klein has now figured out the solution to the national security threat o... more »
Pass / Fail : California sees fewer teachers as enrollment trends up | 89.3 KPCC
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Pass / Fail : California sees fewer teachers as enrollment trends up | 89.3 KPCC: California sees fewer teachers as enrollment trends up by Christina Hoag / AP [image: Challenger School]*A student at Christa McAuliffe High School in Challenger probation camp listens to a teacher lecture about math. “The kids are beginning to see that somebody really cares about their environment, and they’re taking better care of it themselves,” said L.A. County Office of Education Superintendent Arturo Delgado. Credit: Tami Abdollah/KPCC* Years of pink slips have taken a toll on California's teach... more »
Tampa Bay Times: SB 736 Teacher “Evaluations Earn Failing Grade” | Scathing Purple Musings
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Tampa Bay Times: SB 736 Teacher “Evaluations Earn Failing Grade” | Scathing Purple Musings: Tampa Bay Times: SB 736 Teacher “Evaluations Earn Failing Grade” by Bob Sikes From the editors of the *Tampa Bay Times*: It was obvious to Florida public school teachers six weeks ago that the state’s new system for evaluating them uses imperfect data that makes the evaluations of dubious value. Now a statewide snapshot of results should make that clear to everyone else. The state Board of Education and legislative leaders need to fix the evaluation system that is the foundation for movin... more »
Jersey Jazzman: What You Need To Know About the NJ Charter School Study
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: What You Need To Know About the NJ Charter School Study: What You Need To Know About the NJ Charter School Study by Duke *Cross-Posted from Blue Jersey* Much ink has been spilled in the last two weeks over the release of the NJ charter schools report, published by Stanford University's Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO). Below is an index of commentary on the report. I encourage you to read as much as you can, but let me summarize it here: - The report shows that the "benefits" of charters are almost all concentrated in Newark. *Charters in the oth... more »
Jersey Jazzman: KIPP: The New "Old Boys Network"
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: KIPP: The New "Old Boys Network": KIPP: The New "Old Boys Network" by Duke If America is really going to be a meritocracy, admissions into elite colleges has to be blind to socio-economic status. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, gifted students from poor families often don't attend the most selective universities. Part of this seems to that the high achievers who don't have money engage in different patterns of behavior when applying to colleges than the high achievers who do. But there's also the "old boys network." While we regularly hear stories about th... more »
Chip Mosher: Teachers’ bleak landscape | Las Vegas CityLife
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Chip Mosher: Teachers’ bleak landscape | Las Vegas CityLife: Chip Mosher: Teachers’ bleak landscape [image: (no description)
] (no description) 1 When I was 16, in October 1963, a week after my best friend in high school murdered his abusive father and then put the shotgun into his own mouth and pulled the trigger, I had a dream. I dreamt President Kennedy had been shot by a rifle, and wounded, in the backyard of the White House. A month later, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, by a rifle. As they did to the cursed Cassandra in Greek mythology, snakes seemingly have licked m... more »
] (no description) 1 When I was 16, in October 1963, a week after my best friend in high school murdered his abusive father and then put the shotgun into his own mouth and pulled the trigger, I had a dream. I dreamt President Kennedy had been shot by a rifle, and wounded, in the backyard of the White House. A month later, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, by a rifle. As they did to the cursed Cassandra in Greek mythology, snakes seemingly have licked m... more »
NAACP Unveils Plan to Fix the Education Achievement Gap
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
NAACP Unveils Plan to Fix the Education Achievement Gap: Yet Another Plan to Fix the Education Gap?The NAACP unveils one, and here's what sets it apart. Plus, we spoke with the U.S. education chief. - By: Sheryl Huggins Salomon | Posted: December 8, 2012 at 12:36 AM From left: Alma Powell, Arne Duncan, Benjamin Jealous (Sheryl Huggins Salomon) (*The Root*) -- On Wednesday the NAACP released a plan for ensuring that all children, including those who are black, brown or poor, can achieve their full potential in education. *Oh, no, not another report about inequity by a civil ... more »
Quote of the Day « Student Activism
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Quote of the Day « Student Activism: Quote of the Day by Angus Johnston “When people talk about “the sixties,” what they are thinking of is about two years. You know, 1968, 1969, roughly. A little bit before, a little bit later. And it’s true that student activism today is not like those two years. But, on the whole, I think it’s grown since the 1960s. So, take the feminist and the environmental movements. I mean, they’re from the seventies. Take the International Solidarity Movement — that’s from the eighties. Take the Global Justice Movement, which just had another huge meetin... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-8-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Vermont Superintendent Orders Staff to Innovate by dianerav The superintendent of schools in Franklin County, Vermont, “blasted” the faculty and administration of the high school for resisting innovation. He demanded a faster pace of change because the school is not making progress towards the NCLB goal of 100% proficiency, The school’s proficiency rates are about the same as the state average. EduShyster: The Solution to Our National Security Crisis by dianerav Here it is, folks. When your nation is in th... more »
University of California introduces a modern logo - ContraCostaTimes.com
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
University of California introduces a modern logo - ContraCostaTimes.com: University of California introduces a modern logo By Katy Murphy Oakland Tribune Posted: 12/07/2012 12:06:33 PM PST Updated: 12/07/2012 05:11:02 PM PST The old logo, left, and the new After 144 years with the same old Victorian seal, the University of California has decided to go mod. The university's original logo -- with its open book, 1868 date stamp and "Let there be light" script -- will still be in circulation, appearing on president's letters and official university documents. But marketing material... more »
Daily Kos: Another Saturday morning - I am still learning about myself
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Daily Kos: Another Saturday morning - I am still learning about myself: Another Saturday morning - I am still learning about myself by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) It is Saturday morning. I am back in a classroom. It is my normal practice to offer a reflection. It will as usual be a combination of personal reflection and observation on a larger scale. I invite you to continue reading. This was my 2nd complete week, my 3rd overall, in my new school/classroom. By now I know all of my students by name even when they are not in the classroom. I am starting to get a very good sense of... more »
Ed Notes Online: Eva Steals DOE Lights Charges Co-Loco Blog
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: Eva Steals DOE Lights Charges Co-Loco Blog: Eva Steals DOE Lights Too Charges Co-Loco Blog by ed notes online *The weekend before school opened this September, the charter school laid out $400,000 for a haz-mat team to install all new lights in their classrooms. The lights installed in Success were all taken from storage where they were stored, scheduled to be installed in other schools over the coming months.* The 400G number seems high, even for Eva. But since tax money is paying part of the freight, why not? Eva will soon be bigger than the defense budget. I... more »
Marco Rubio’s Flip-Flop on Education | Scathing Purple Musings
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Marco Rubio’s Flip-Flop on Education | Scathing Purple Musings: Marco Rubio’s Flip-Flop on Education by Bob Sikes The republican establishment in Washington and every state capital talks education policy in an echo chamber. Bobby Jindal’s now struck down state-wide voucher bill was seen as a righteous holy crusade. Mitt Romney ran on vouchers. Jeb Bush made a gushing case for them in Tampa at the convention. Now, GOP standard-bearer Marco Rubio is talking the talk. In a recent speech to the Jack Kemp Foundation, Rubio pitched federal tax credit scholarships. From Jeff Solochek ... more »
Lessons Learned from a Career as Practitioner and Scholar | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Lessons Learned from a Career as Practitioner and Scholar | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Lessons Learned from a Career as Practitioner and Scholar by larrycuban [image: images-5] As a high school history teacher for 14 years, as an administrator for five years, a district superintendent for seven years, and, finally a university professor for a quarter-century, I have worked in organizations my entire professional life. Here are some lessons I have learned about working in schools, districts, and higher education. I learned (and, yes, re-learned again and ... more »
“We see what we are looking for” « InterACT
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
“We see what we are looking for” « InterACT: “We see what we are looking for” by David B. Cohen In yesterday’s L.A. Times, Sandy Banks has a column detailing a visit to Jordan High School. [On] Wednesday, state schools Supt. Tom Torlakson visited the school with certificates announcing its improvement. Jordan’s 93-point jump on the state’s academic performance index was the biggest of any urban high school in California this year. That’s why Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa showed up after working “56 hours straight” on trade missions and labor deals. “No way I’d miss this,” he said. H... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Why The Left Doesn't Want Common Core Rescinded
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Why The Left Doesn't Want Common Core Rescinded: Why The Left Doesn't Want Common Core Rescinded by stlgretchen Agenda driven curriculum courtesy of Common Core? A previous post explained why Republicans don't want Common Core standards rescinded: Common Core standards (written by private companies) have mandated this enormous data retrieval. *The mandates have created a niche for private companies to compel states to spend money on these systems. The states have to provide the data; the private companies are delighted to supply this need. * THIS ... more »
Schools Matter: No Other Uncommon Truths
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Schools Matter: No Other Uncommon Truths: No Other Uncommon Truths by Storm I have been thinking about a recent NYT Magazine piece on the "immortal" jellyfish and the science of researching the mechanisms by which this organism "reverses" the inevitable. I've posted a couple of things elsewhere (here and here and here) but what struck me as useful and interesting for this blog was that the piece opened with *The Epic of Gilgamesh*. Gilgamesh: What exists materially of the two-thirds-divine Gilgamesh? Nothing. A name (sometimes spelled with a "B") and a story...words. Sure ... more »
"Common" vs. "Choice" - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
"Common" vs. "Choice" - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: "Common" vs. "Choice" by Nancy Flanagan It's been an interesting couple of days. Yesterday, the Michigan legislature, House and Senate both, passed bills imposing Right to Work on one of labor's flagship states. And this morning, I was guest commentator on a radio broadcast on my local NPR station, Interlochen Public Radio, discussing another trick Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has up his sleeve: making Michigan (already a educational choice-friendly state) a "super-choice" state. You can access the re-br... more »
Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center: Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center: Best of the Ed Blogs Best of the Ed Blogs *Best of the Ed Blogs* features a frequently updated selection of interesting and insightful blog posts on education policy. The views expressed by the bloggers on our blog roll are thoughtful, original, and entirely their own. We hope you make *Best of the Ed Blogs* your first stop for concise takes on today's most important education topics. Joel Klein: Shameless Best of the Ed Blogs Jersey Jazzman December 7, 2012 un·der·uti... more »
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 12-8-12
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
*4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:* *4LAKIDS - SOME OF THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T FIT* CALIFORNIA EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS SCORE FIFTH FROM BOTTOM IN NATIONAL VOCABULARY TESTS smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 7 hours ago By Sharon Noguchi, San Jose Mercury News | http://bit.ly/VSd0nU 12/06/2012 :: California ranks fifth-lowest in the nation in students' vocabulary -- a critical part of reading, according to results of national standardized tests released Thursday. smf: In the chart at the right the blue at the top/red at the bottom trending is interesting –... more »
This Week's Education Research Report 12-8-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Education Research Report: *THIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT* * * FIT KIDS FINISH FIRST IN THE CLASSROOM Jonathan Kantrowitz at Education Research Report - 1 day ago Fit kids aren’t only first picked for kickball. New research from Michigan State University shows middle school students in the best physical shape outscore their classmates on standardized tests and take home better report cards. Published in the *Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness*, it’s the first study linking children’s fitness to both improved scores on objective tests and better grades, which rel... more »
State appointed administrator of Inglewood school district steps down - latimes.com
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
State appointed administrator of Inglewood school district steps down - latimes.com: State appointed administrator of Inglewood school district steps down December 7, 2012 | 5:20 pm [image: increase text size][image: decrease text size] 3 0 [image: 1102914_me_1015_inglewood_3] Kent Taylor, the state administrator in charge of the financially troubled Inglewood School District, resigned from the position Friday after the Department of Education learned of a tentative agreement he made with the local teachers union without approval from the state. Taylor’s resignation comes months a... more »
DeWitt Clinton – early engagement « JD2718
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
DeWitt Clinton – early engagement « JD2718: DeWitt Clinton – early engagement by jd2718 [image: DeWitt Clinton High School] Thursday the Department of Education dragged itself (two representatives) to Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx – to plan the closure of DeWitt Clinton HS. Of course, this is early engagement – they did not announce their intent. But we knew. We all knew. Early in the week I thought – and most of Clinton thought – that this would be the joint hearing, the spectacle at which a Deputy Superintendent would listen – or pretend to listen – and then announce the closure.... more »
Schools Matter: Robert D. Skeels' Talk at Association of Raza Educators on December 6, 2012
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Schools Matter: Robert D. Skeels' Talk at Association of Raza Educators on December 6, 2012: Robert D. Skeels' Talk at Association of Raza Educators on December 6, 2012 by Robert D. Skeels * rdsathene LAUSD District 2 candidate Robert D. Skeels speaking, and the following roundtable discussion at the December 6, 2012 meeting of the Association of Raza Educators Los Angeles. The topic was 'Reclaiming Education is a Human Right during this era of Neoliberalism.' The talk was in preparation for the anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, celebrated on the December 10... more »
NYC Public School Parents: With hubbub over teacher evaluation deadline, city escapes scrutiny for missing C4E deadline by months
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
NYC Public School Parents: With hubbub over teacher evaluation deadline, city escapes scrutiny for missing C4E deadline by months: With hubbub over teacher evaluation deadline, city escapes scrutiny for missing C4E deadline by months *January 17, 2013* by Leonie Haimson There has been much public furor over the coming deadline for a new teacher evaluation system in NYC that will be based at least in part on student test scores. Though supporters like Commissioner King and Merryl Tischsay a new system is necessary to have a more objective basis for teacher evaluation, experts like... more »
Board Members Aim to ‘Cuff Supt? - LA School Report
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Board Members Aim to ‘Cuff Supt? - LA School Report: Board Members Aim to ‘Cuff Supt? by Samantha Oltman Board Member Richard Vladovic A controversial item on the LAUSD School Board agenda this week proposes drastically limiting LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy’s ability to seek funding for the district by applying for public or private grants. The resolution, initiated by School Board Members Richard Vladovic, Bennett Kayser, and Marguerite LaMotte, aims to give the school board veto power over grant applications made by the school superintendent in amounts over $750,000. According ... more »
Key state arguments in school finance case undermined by state witness | Education Blog
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Key state arguments in school finance case undermined by state witness | Education Blog: Key state arguments in school finance case undermined by state witness 0 0 comments (0) By Terrence Stutz/Reporter tstutz@dallasnews.com 3:52 pm on December 7, 2012 | Permalink The first expert witness called by the state in the school finance trial in Austin – paid more than $75,000 for his testimony – praised the performance of public schools at current funding levels this week, but also called into question two of the major talking points raised by state attorneys in defending the funding ... more »
Mother Crusader: Is CREDO "Part Of The Bandwagon?"
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Mother Crusader: Is CREDO "Part Of The Bandwagon?": Is CREDO "Part Of The Bandwagon?" by darciecima At Wednesday's State Board of Education meeting CREDO researchers presented the findings of their study, Charter School Performance in New Jersey. Commissioner Cerf introduced them by saying he was "nervous" to have CREDO perform the analysis of New Jersey's charter schools. He claimed CREDO was "not part of the bandwagon" and made a point to say that the national CREDO study is often cited by charter opponents. In an opinion piece today in NJ Spotlight Julia Sass Rubin asks fo... more »
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