BIG EDUCATION APE 2ND BANANA
RECAP OF LAST WEEK'S BEST POST
MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-1-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] My News for 2013 by dianerav Faithful readers of the blog may recall that I started a new book last June. I am pleased to announce that it will be published next fall by Knopf, the finest publishing house in the United States. The title is under wraps for now. If you have been reading the blog, you know what it’s about. EduShyster’s Predictions for 2013 by dianerav EduShyster, that merry prankster of edu-reform offers her predictions for the New Year. She says 2013 will be the year of the edupreneur. This is... more »
DFER: BRAGGING ABOUT STEALING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
[image: DFER Fake Democrats for Education Privatization (click on Picture)] IT IS A RULE: YOU CAN'T BE AGAINST PEOPLE AND FOR CORPORATIONS AND CALL YOURSELF A DEMOCRAT...EVER! In 2012, we worked with some amazing privatizers nationwide to: *-- Elect* more than 100 reform-friendly candidates to office, including 22 of 30 priority races on our "hot list." *-- Lead* the successful WA state ballot initiative which allows for the creation of charter schools. *-- Lead* the historic, bi-partisan push to reform teacher tenure policies in NJ *-- Lead* the coalition to compel school distric... more »
Education Reform: Teachers Have Always Been at the Forefront | VIVA Teachers
Education Reform: Teachers Have Always Been at the Forefront | VIVA Teachers: Education Reform: Teachers Have Always Been at the Forefront By Mary Cathryn Ricker I was intrigued by Jay Mathews’ Washington Post column that proclaims “Teachers leaning in favor of reforms.” I do appreciate that he points out he has never once written about unions hindering reform, even if he back-hands the compliment with*“**that is not the same as saying the unions have worked hard to make all teachers more successful in the classroom.”* That is where I part very good company with him. I appreciate t... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Add Another One to the No on Charters Column
ADD ANOTHER ONE TO THE NO ON CHARTERS COLUMN
Last night, the 43rd LD Democrats passed a resolution against charter schools. It passed overwhelmingly with just a couple of nays.
The 43rd, the district that Michelle Buetow and I both live in, is the district that Speaker Frank Chopp, Senator Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen represent. I'm sure the leadership in the 43rd will let them know about passage of this resolution. I do hope they will take into consideration in these last weeks of the legislative
The 43rd, the district that Michelle Buetow and I both live in, is the district that Speaker Frank Chopp, Senator Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen represent. I'm sure the leadership in the 43rd will let them know about passage of this resolution. I do hope they will take into consideration in these last weeks of the legislative
The power of school music programs: Students come for the music and stay for the math | Get Schooled
The power of school music programs: Students come for the music and stay for the math | Get Schooled: The power of school music programs: Students come for the music and stay for the math by Maureen Downey Melissa Walker, a professional jazz vocalist and president and founder of Jazz House Kids in Montclair, N.J., and Peter Smagorinsky, Distinguished Research Professor of English Education at the University of Georgia, joined forces to write a piece on the benefits of music education. Here is their essay: By Melissa Walker and Peter Smagorinsky Public schools, in general, have be... more »
I Love The Smell Of Test Prep In The Morning | Gary Rubinstein's Blog
I Love The Smell Of Test Prep In The Morning | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: I Love The Smell Of Test Prep In The Morning by Gary Rubinstein "What kind of training?" "Diversity training, Sir!" Teach For America recently launched a new initiative to recruit military veterans to become TFA teachers. With the catchy slogan “You Served For America Now Teach For America,” this campaign has gotten attention in various news sources like The Huffington Post. Just the way college students do TFA as a way to do something ‘good’ before going on to their eventual profession — or even, for some, bec... more »
UPDATE: The inbox. More breaking pension news. « Fred Klonsky
The inbox. More breaking pension news. « Fred Klonsky: The inbox. From Capitolfax as of 6:30 Friday night. by Fred Klonsky This from Rich Miller’s CapitolFax: This just in…Friday, Jan 4, 2013 * From Rep. Elaine Nekritz’s spokesperson… Rep. Elaine Nekritz filed House Amendment No. 9 today to Senate Bill 1673. It exactly mirrors the language of House Bill 6258, which she and other members had filed a few weeks ago. She filed it to this Senate Bill that’s in the House because the clock has expired on the ability for House Bill 6258 to pass both chambers by Jan. 9. It appears Senate Bi... more »
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst Group Loses Top Democrats, Hires New President
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst Group Loses Top Democrats, Hires New President: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst Group Loses Top Democrats, Hires New President by Joy Resmovits Michelle Rhee, the fiery former Washington, D.C.,school chancellor, has danced a tricky tango since starting her national advocacy and lobbying group, StudentsFirst, in December 2010. Rhee purported to be the face of a bipartisan movement to "transform education," while simultaneously battling Democratic teachers unions and appearing chummy in photo ops with conservat... more »
News Release 13-2 - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)
News Release 13-2 - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): First Participants Selected for New Pilot Program Linking Academics and Career Readiness SACRAMENTO—Twenty participants throughout California will be the first to take part in a new state program designed to help students graduate from high school prepared to succeed in careers and college, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today. Legislation (AB 790) by former Assembly Member Warren Furutani approved last year called for the establishment of these Linked Learning pilot programs. The participant... more »
Blame the Teachers, Part (3) « PWC Education Reform Blog
Blame the Teachers, Part (3) « PWC Education Reform Blog: Blame the Teachers, Part (3) by pwceducationreform Blame the teachers. That’s the advice from PWCS for anyone with concerns about the Math program. I think PWCS is wrong. I don’t think our teachers are at fault for the problems that continue in our elementary level math program. I don’t think our elementary level teachers have the autonomy the school division says they do because they have to teach to the test. Not the SOLs, the CFAs. *Teaching to the CFA* Staff asserted that retired PWCS teachers developed the end-of-uni... more »
Diane in the Evening 1-4-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: Jersey Jazzman on the Democratic Defections from Rhee Camp by dianerav It seems that Jersey Jazzman and I read Joy Resmovit’s article at the same moment and posted in tandem. Readers might want to know what he thought about the changing of he guard at StudentsFirst. Rhee Loses Top Democratic Staffers by dianerav Joy Resmovits at Huffington Post has a revealing story about how top staff at Michelle Rhee’s StudentsFirst have abandoned the ship. No one went on the record to explain the exodus but it is hard to see how any Democrat could be part of a campaign... more »
UPDATE: Schools Matter: SCAM ALERT: Coleman as Perpetual Huckster
Schools Matter: SCAM ALERT: Coleman as Perpetual Huckster: SCAM ALERT: Coleman as Perpetual Huckster by P. L. Thomas There's an allegory that is popular among lawyers called the allegory of the river. [1] In this allegory, people find themselves near a river and confronted with a stream of babies floating helplessly by in the current. Many begin frantically to wade into the rushing water, saving as many babies as possible. Then one walks away. The others are stunned and ask why this one person is abandoning the mission to rescue the babies floating down the river. The one walki... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-4-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] As Detroit Public Schools Shrink, Proportion of Special Ed Kids Soar by dianerav http://www.freep.com/article/20121224/NEWS01/312240091/As-Detroit-Public-Schools-rolls-fall-proportion-of-special-needs-students-on-rise?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage School Board Showdown in Los Angeles by dianerav Steve Zimmer is an alumnus of Teach for America. He is not your typical TFA-er. He was elected to the Los Angeles Unified school board in 2009, after seventeen years as a public school teacher. He will be ... more »
Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 1-3-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
*Nite Cap UPDATE**UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* Educators, politicians have stark reaction to Gov. Jerry Brown school funding revamp by By Barbara Jones and Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writers School districts that have long struggled to educate large numbers of poor students or English learners could see a massive influx of cash under a new funding formula expected to be unveiled next week by Gov. LA school police still ticketing thousands of young students Susan Ferriss Tami Abdollah/KPCC L.A. city councilman Tony Cardenas and L.A. Unified board member Monica Garcia join students pr... more »
Illinois teachers jam Capitol for pension rights. « Notes From The We Are One Rally
Illinois teachers jam Capitol for pension rights. « Fred Klonsky: Illinois teachers jam Capitol for pension rights. by Fred Klonsky [image: Park Ridge Education Association.] [image: IMG_0002] [image: Tough getting everybody in.] [image: IMG_0006] [image: IMG_0007] [image: IMG_0008] [image: IMG_0011] [image: IMG_0013] [image: IMG_0014] [image: IEA President Cinda Klickna.] [image: IMG_0019] Notes From The We Are One Rally by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) Ok enough of Elaine Nekritz already! *Take, Ye, These Workers' Pensions*Except to say that I completely forgot there's a stat... more »
Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)
Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Congratulates California's 2013 Schools to Watch - Taking Center Stage Model Middle Schools SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that 12 high-performing California middle schools have been newly designated as model middle grades schools in the Schools to Watch™−Taking Center Stage (STW−TCS) program. Another nine high-performing California schools will also retain their model middle grades schools status under the same program. "... more »
The Ethical Core of Common Core — Whole Child Education
The Ethical Core of Common Core — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Paula Mirk]The Ethical Core of Common Core January 3, 2013 by Paula Mirk Both the whole child approach and the Common Core State Standards "compel school instructional staff to develop and deliver effective, engaging instruction reflective of individual student needs and strengths." That's what we all want for our students, and we should expect nothing less. But the standards are undergirded by an "ethical core," and all educators should keep in mind that our ultimate purpose in teaching—indeed in ... more »
Melinda Gates Leaves Post Board After Report Criticizes Kaplan - DiversityInc
Melinda Gates Leaves Post Board After Report Criticizes Kaplan - DiversityInc: Melinda Gates Leaves Post Board After Report Criticizes Kaplan - Share this: - Print - Email - Facebook - LinkedIn - Twitter - **Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and wife of Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates, has resigned from The Washington Post Co.’s board of directors. Her resignation comes shortly after the release of a highly critical report, funded partly by her foundation, which likened for-profit colleges to subprime-mortgage lenders, targeting low-income and tradition... more »
Ed Notes Online: E4E Mauled in Chapter Election by ICE Candidate and at Raging Horse
Ed Notes Online: E4E Mauled in Chapter Election by ICE Candidate and at Raging Horse: E4E Mauled in Chapter Election by ICE Candidate and at Raging Horse Here is an E4E story Gotham won't report. I forgot to tell you the story of how one of the most extreme ICEers -- a guy who makes me look like a pussycat and even scares me -- a 23 year hard-bitten militant anti-Unity candidate --- defeated an E4Eer in a chapter election in a small high school in the Bronx this past fall, an indication of the outrage of so many teachers. When I heard the news I said, "Holy shit," at the idea that ... more »
School Board Report – January 2, 2013 « PWC Education Reform Blog
School Board Report – January 2, 2013 « PWC Education Reform Blog: School Board Report – January 2, 2013 by pwceducationreform School Board Report for January 2, 2013 The meeting began at 7:18 PM. All members were present. *Organizational Meeting* The big event of the night was the appointment of the Woodbridge representative to the school board. Steve Keen was nominated as approved in a 6 – 1 vote as the Woodbridge representative. Ms. Jessie (Occoquan) voted against Mr Keen. Congratulations to Mr Keen! Dr Otaigbe was nominated and unanimously approved as Vice Chairman of the S... more »
Morning UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-3-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Tough Choices: TFA or Goldman Sachs or McKinsey? by dianerav Today the New York Times ran an admiring article about Teach for America. I almost missed it because it was in the business section. The young people interviewed intend to move on to six-figure jobs on Wall Street after they put in their two years in the classroom. Some say they are making quite a financial sacrifice by deferring their entry into their “real” career. The comments are almost as interesting as the article. In Search of One Brave Sup... more »
NYC Educator: The Inconvenient Truth About Bad Teachers
NYC Educator: The Inconvenient Truth About Bad Teachers: The Inconvenient Truth About Bad Teachers by NYC Educator *by Recovering ATR * Mayor Bloomberg is very, very intent on firing bad teachers. He seems equally intent on firing good teachers, but let's just give him the benefit of the doubt and say that some of the teachers that he wants to fire are indeed very bad teachers. We all know he puts children first. And I have no doubt that there are some really bad teachers in New York City. I have no doubt of this because I was once the victim of one of the worst teachers to ever s... more »
Education Reform: Teachers Have Always Been at the Forefront | VIVA Teachers
Education Reform: Teachers Have Always Been at the Forefront | VIVA Teachers: Education Reform: Teachers Have Always Been at the Forefront By Mary Cathryn Ricker I was intrigued by Jay Mathews’ Washington Post column that proclaims “Teachers leaning in favor of reforms.” I do appreciate that he points out he has never once written about unions hindering reform, even if he back-hands the compliment with*“**that is not the same as saying the unions have worked hard to make all teachers more successful in the classroom.”* That is where I part very good company with him. I appreciate t... more »
Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 1-2-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
*Nite Cap UPDATE**UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* It's Official: Charters are NOT Public Schools by Duke The National Labor Relations Board gives its verdict: charter schools are NOT public schools! *Teachers at a Chicago charter school are now subject to private-sector labor laws, rather than state laws governing public workers.* The move could impact how public schools are run down the road. The ruling, made by the National Labor Relations Board last month, *said the Chicago Math and Science Academy is a “private entity” and therefore covered under the federal law * My Intervi... more »
Common Core, Whole Child, Teacher Leadership, & Action Research: A Perfect Storm? — Whole Child Education
Common Core, Whole Child, Teacher Leadership, & Action Research: A Perfect Storm? — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Craig Mertler]Common Core, Whole Child, Teacher Leadership, & Action Research: A Perfect Storm? January 2, 2013 by Craig Mertler My sense is that most educators are viewing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as another inconvenience, yet another requirement to be met in our classrooms. However, I would argue that the CCSS presents us with an incredibly unique set of opportunities, if we choose to embrace them as a collective "opportunity." Know... more »
Five Questions to Ask about the Common Core* by YongZhao - Education in the Age of Globalization
Education in the Age of Globalization » Blog Archive » Five Questions to Ask about the Common Core*: Five Questions to Ask about the Common Core* by YongZhao If you are reading this, you know the world didn’t end in 2012. But the world of American education may end in 2014, when the Common Core is scheduled to march into thousands of schools in the United States and end a “chaotic, fragmented, unequal, obsolete, and failing” system that has accompanied the rise of a nation with the largest economy, most scientific discoveries and technological inventions, best universities, and... more »
UPDATE: Seattle Schools Community Forum: WEA to Fight-1240 In Court
Seattle Schools Community Forum: WEA to Fight-1240 In Court: WEA to Fight-1240 In Court by Melissa Westbrook *But the WEA DID NOT!* I have received word that the WEA Board of Directors has decided to fight I-1240 in court. From their statement: *“Though our candidates won, we are disappointed that corporate interests with their $11 million were able to pass the charter school initiative. Looking forward, your board of directors has decided to fund a legal challenge against the new charters law and, as we did with McCleary, are seeking partners and developing an approach and time... more »
Diane in the Evening 1-2-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: Jonathan Pelto Reports: Has CNN Dropped Dr. Steve Perry? by dianerav According to Connecticut blogger Jonathan Pelto, CNN has severed its relationship with Dr. Steve Perry. Dr. Perry became best known for his putdown of teaches and unions, as well as his claims about his own miraculous achievements as director of a magnet school in Hartford. Pelto does a good job deconstructing those claims. Jersey Jazzman deconstructed his claims last year in multiple posts. See here. And here. And here. Could it be that CNN executives read Jersey Jazzman? When Students Lo... more »
UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, January 2, 2013
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Brown plans extensive changes for school funding in 2013* Education Headlines *Wednesday, January 2, 2013* School uses laptops to enable learningABLE Charter doesn't use textbooks. It's an all-digital high school that uses an online curriculum and Web-based research tools in all of its courses. 3 more indicted in South Bay corruption probeA probe into corruption among South Bay school leaders has widened to include another district, with indictments against three additional officials. Calif. school named after bandido ignites debat... more »
Congress Pushing College Students Over Fiscal Cliff | toteachornototeach
Congress Pushing College Students Over Fiscal Cliff | toteachornototeach: Congress Pushing College Students Over Fiscal Cliff by aristotlethewise *Congress Pushing College Students Over Fiscal Cliff * [image: 121119035415_fiscal-cliff,-money] by Sheila SimonThe clock is ticking as we approach the “fiscal cliff,” and it is important to understand how falling over the cliff will hurt college students — and Illinois’ future job prospects. If Congress fails to act in the coming hours on President Obama’s plan, student aid experts predict middle- and low-income students will pay about $5,... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Break's over...
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Break's over...: Break's over... by Mike Klonsky As I head out the door this cold Chicago morning, free from fear of the *fiscal cliff*, why does that old "Break's over -- Everyone back on their heads" joke keep popping into my head? Obama was the big winner over the T-Party *fiscal-cliff * ferrets. It's a tiny taste of what happens when the message is framed as the 99% vs. the 1%. Thanks Occupy! But we the people remained largely as spectators to the grand deal and as a result, the deal falls short on making up for the revenue lost due to the Bush t... more »
School Tech Connect: Get To Aurora. Then Get To Springfield
School Tech Connect: Get To Aurora. Then Get To Springfield: Get To Aurora. Then Get To Springfield by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) It's going to be a busy couple of days... These are things you should be attending, if you live in Illinois and you're a teacher: Jobs For Justice Town Hall (Pension Discussion) *Town Hall Pension Forum When: Wednesday January 2nd, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: East Aurora High School (Auditorium) 500 Tomcat Ln., Aurora, IL 60505 Ample parking–enter through Door 5* * *This event will feature the long-awaited reunion of pension-buster Elaine Nekritz and l... more »
Peg with Pen: Children are NOT Numbers: National Opt Out Day, January 7th
Peg with Pen: Children are NOT Numbers: National Opt Out Day, January 7th: Children are NOT Numbers: National Opt Out Day, January 7th by Peggy Teachers, as you plan how to resist corporate education reform and rebuild public schools on National Opt Out Day (Jan.7th) - or any day for that matter - here is one way to do it - *do not allow others to refer to children based on their test scores*. Children cannot be called "UnSats" or "Partials" or any other label attached to a number. It is beyond disrespectful and allows teachers to become removed from the actions they are taking, t... more »
Twelve lessons we learned from New York City’s schools in 2012 | GothamSchools
Twelve lessons we learned from New York City’s schools in 2012 | GothamSchools: Twelve lessons we learned from New York City’s schools in 2012 by Philissa Cramer 2-12 Jan. 1, 2012, dawned just as 2013 will tomorrow: with the city at odds with the UFT over teacher evaluations, under the threat of a bus strike, and in the process of closing down dozens of schools. But just because the city’s education news sometimes seems like it’s on a loop doesn’t mean we can’t learn from it. Here are a dozen of the lessons we took away from the city’s schools this year:** *1. The Department of E... more »
Parent Trigger Brings Division Among the Same Parents Who Won in California | Scathing Purple Musings
Parent Trigger Brings Division Among the Same Parents Who Won in California | Scathing Purple Musings: Parent Trigger Brings Division Among the Same Parents Who Won in California by Bob Sikes Several Florida republican lawmakers went to the mat for Parent Trigger last March and it’s widely predicted it will be back this year. Jeb Bush has vowed that it will. Existing in only a handful of states, Parent Trigger has been successfully used just once. After ripping a community apart, it appears that there’s division among the parents who won their Parent Trigger effort in Adelanto, C... more »
UPDATE: Top posts of 2012 + They said what? @ the chalk face internet radio. « @ the chalk face
They said what? @ the chalk face internet radio. « @ the chalk face: They said what? @ the chalk face internet radio.Leave a comment January 1, 2013 by Timothy D. Slekar [image: at-the-chalk-face] *@ the chalk face internet radio 12/30/12. * *Educated Educators talking Education!* Interview with Ms. Katie Osgood. http://mskatiesramblings.blogspot.com/2012/12/make-no-mistake-corporate-ed-reform-is.html We discuss EduShyster’s miracle: Twin Cities’ Venture Academy. http://edushyster.com/?p=1653 And Utah teaches teachers to “lock and load” for free! http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/... more »
UPDATE: Jersey Jazzman: Joel Klein: As Excellent As He Says He Is? Part I
Jersey Jazzman: Joel Klein: As Excellent As He Says He Is? Part I: Joel Klein: As Excellent As He Says He Is? Part I by Duke I and many others spent a good deal of time last year documenting the real legacy of Michelle Rhee. This is important work: Rhee occupies an outsized place in the current debate about education "reform," largely based on claims of her own success, both as a teacher and as Chancellor of Washington, D.C.'s schools. Thanks to the close scrutiny of Gary Brandenburg, Bob Somerby, Matt DiCarlo , Dana Goldstein, Diane Ravitch,*USA Today*, and others, we now know th... more »
Editorial: Real hurdle to education reform is poverty - Chicago Sun-Times
Editorial: Real hurdle to education reform is poverty - Chicago Sun-Times: Editorial: Real hurdle to education reform is poverty Editorials December 31, 2012 9:54AM 0 0 Share 41 1 [image: Chicago Teachers UniPresident Karen Lewis addresses City Club Chicago during luncheMaggiano's Banquets Chicago Ill. Tuesday November 20 2012. | Andrew] Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis addresses the City Club of Chicago during a luncheon at Maggiano's Banquets in Chicago, Ill., on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~Sun-Times Media There is nothing easy about trying to boost a... more »
Big Education Ape Wildly Achieving Cohort Award
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Big Education Ape Wildly Achieving Cohort Award
My Gift to you during this holiday season and nearly everyday is the voices of people who love public education. Most of the people are fighting to keep education Public and Free. I follow these people for news, ideas and inspiration. There are others but these guys are working it everyday to fight privatization of our Public Schools and for a free and great education for all kids. They are truly American Heroes.
Daily Kos: Please read Eugene Robinson: Stop the gun madness
Daily Kos: Please read Eugene Robinson: Stop the gun madness: Please read Eugene Robinson: Stop the gun madness from Daily Kos by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) Georgia has featured Robinson's *Washington Post* column in the pundit round- up, which is good. It is not enough. Everyone should read it. Consider: In 2010, guns took the lives of 31,076 Americans. Most of the deaths were suicides; a few were accidental. About a third of them — 11,078 — were homicides. That’s almost twice the number of Americans who have been killed in a decade of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.In Britain... more »
The power of school music programs: Students come for the music and stay for the math | Get Schooled
The power of school music programs: Students come for the music and stay for the math | Get Schooled: The power of school music programs: Students come for the music and stay for the math by Maureen Downey Melissa Walker, a professional jazz vocalist and president and founder of Jazz House Kids in Montclair, N.J., and Peter Smagorinsky, Distinguished Research Professor of English Education at the University of Georgia, joined forces to write a piece on the benefits of music education. Here is their essay: By Melissa Walker and Peter Smagorinsky Public schools, in general, have be... more »
MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-1-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] My News for 2013 by dianerav Faithful readers of the blog may recall that I started a new book last June. I am pleased to announce that it will be published next fall by Knopf, the finest publishing house in the United States. The title is under wraps for now. If you have been reading the blog, you know what it’s about. EduShyster’s Predictions for 2013 by dianerav EduShyster, that merry prankster of edu-reform offers her predictions for the New Year. She says 2013 will be the year of the edupreneur. This is... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: New Year's resolution: Ban the term, 'fiscal cliff'
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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: New Year's resolution: Ban the term, 'fiscal cliff': New Year's resolution: Ban the term, 'fiscal cliff' by Mike Klonsky *"No matter what happens, let’s agree never again to call anything a 'fiscal cliff.''* -- Gail Collins Here's where I was at as we headed into 2012. I'm still there as we head into 2013. Last year on New Year's eve, Obama was busy signing a $662 billion Defense Bill, while at the same time,complaining about certain provisions that supposedly regulated the "detention, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists." The ne... more »
I love you Seattle. Happy New Year! | Seattle Education
I love you Seattle. Happy New Year! | Seattle Education: I love you Seattle. Happy New Year! by seattleducation2011 Well, I did it… my very first video. This one, my love song for Seattle. There was so much more that I wanted to show but it couldn’t fit in one video. Happy New Year Seattle. Dora Taylor
HAPPY NEW YEAR - All You Need is Love
[image: animated gifs of new year] Love, Love, Love. Love, Love, Love. Love, Love, Love. There's nothing you can do that can't be done. Nothing you can sing that can't be sung. Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game. It's easy. Nothing you can make that can't be made. No one you can save that can't be saved. Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time. It's easy. All you need is love. All you need is love. All you need is love, love. Love is all you need. All you need is love. All you need is love. All you need is love, love. Love is all you need. ... more »
Wisconsin 2012. Blue cheddar memories. : blue cheddar
Wisconsin 2012. Blue cheddar memories. : blue cheddar: Wisconsin 2012. Blue cheddar memories. by bluecheddar Wisconsin politics from the last two years may be like childbirth for you: necessary for life but please – spare the details. If you’re not too squeamish to reflect on the highlights and lowlights, then welcome to a very non-comprehensive retrospective on the dirt kicked up by GOP, Koch, and Walker Incorporated and kicked back by the hearty citizens of Wisconsin. There’s no shortage of political drama in the dairy state, and thankfully, there’s now an overabundance of blog... more »
Top Five Moments on Teaching High School Feminism in 2012 « Feminist Teacher
Top Five Moments on Teaching High School Feminism in 2012 « Feminist Teacher: Top Five Moments on Teaching High School Feminism in 2012 by feministteacher [image: My national television debut on the Melissa Harris-Perry Show (photo credit: Cheryl Coward).] My national television debut on the Melissa Harris-Perry Show (photo credit: Cheryl Coward). *2012 was a fantastic year for me as a feminist teacher, activist, and blogger. Take a look at my top five moments this year. * 1. Appeared on the Melissa Harris-Perry Show to talk about teaching women’s studies to high school stude... more »
Diane in the Evening 12-31-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog Noa Rosinplotz Speaks for Herself! by dianerav Earlier today, I published an essay about testing (“The Voice of a Data-Point”) by a sixth-grade student, Noa Rosinplotz. Her story was so thoughtful and well-written that some commenters could not believe it was written by a sixth grade student. I emailed Noa and asked her to read the comments and respond. This is what she wrote: “This is Noa, original writer of the letter. I’m responding to all the comments that I’m not actually in sixth grade or that someone else wrote my letter for me. While my mom did read w... more »
DFER: BRAGGING ABOUT STEALING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
[image: DFER Fake Democrats for Education Privatization (click on Picture)] IT IS A RULE: YOU CAN'T BE AGAINST PEOPLE AND FOR CORPORATIONS AND CALL YOURSELF A DEMOCRAT...EVER! In 2012, we worked with some amazing privatizers nationwide to: *-- Elect* more than 100 reform-friendly candidates to office, including 22 of 30 priority races on our "hot list." *-- Lead* the successful WA state ballot initiative which allows for the creation of charter schools. *-- Lead* the historic, bi-partisan push to reform teacher tenure policies in NJ *-- Lead* the coalition to compel school distric... more »
Education stories that resonated in 2012 — and will matter in 2013
Education stories that resonated in 2012 — and will matter in 2013: *Education stories that resonated in 2012 — and will matter in 2013* Posted by Valerie Strauss on December 31, 2012 at 1:18 pm - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - Share: - - - More » An undated photo of a shadowy shape that some people say is the Loch Ness monster. (AP) Here’s a baker’s dozen of posts, in no particular order, that generated great interest among readers and help tell the story of public education in 2012. Many of the subjects are cer... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: End of 2012 - Wrap-up and Hopes and Predictions for 2013
Seattle Schools Community Forum: End of 2012 - Wrap-up and Hopes and Predictions for 2013: End of 2012 - Wrap-up and Hopes and Predictions for 2013 by Melissa Westbrook A rosy glow this morning across the horizon - maybe a good sign for things to come. It was a HUGE year for public education - in Seattle, Washington State and the US. For whatever reason, public education has become a huge issue. Whether it's trying to break unions (in Wisconsin) or the push for more on-line learning opportunities (whether at school or at home), politicians had a lot to say this year. Are we f... more »
Education Research Report
Education Research Report: Education Research Report: *THIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT* * * Teenagers Without Internet Access at Home Are Educationally Disadvantaged Jonathan Kantrowitz at Education Research Report - 14 minutes ago A major in-depth study examining how teenagers in the UK are using the internet and other mobile devices says the benefits of using such technologies far outweigh any perceived risks. The findings are based on a large-scale study of more than 1,000 randomly selected households in the UK, coupled with regular face-to-face interviews with more than 200 ... more »
2012: A Year in Review - Higher Education
2012: A Year in Review - Higher Education: 2012: A Year in Review by cmaadmin [image: 2012]2012 was a tumultuous year in terms of higher education. When historians review 2012 for its noteworthy moments, events and milestones, they will find the year was a trying one for the American higher education system, despite its being able to educate and enlighten thousands in search of more choices and preparation for adult self-sufficiency. Many academicians and students worked for and celebrated the re-election of President Barack Obama to a second term. Obama’s re-election helped ensure ... more »
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Dear Standardized Testing...
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Dear Standardized Testing...: Dear Standardized Testing... by Lisa M Dear Standardized Testing... [image: Standardized Testing] By lbe36s | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon Dear Standardized Testing, I hate you. Yes, I know I wasn't raised that way. My Mom told me that hate was a strong word, and that I shouldn't use it. But there is no other word strong enough for the way I feel about you. Why, you ask? You are only doing your job, you say? You hold teachers accountable? Make sure that they are doing their jobs well? Not allowing u... more »
Teachers Don't Suck !: A New Approach to Classroom Discipline
Teachers Don't Suck !: A New Approach to Classroom Discipline: A New Approach to Classroom Discipline
Diane in the Evening 12-30-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: Time for Action by dianerav In response to Katie Osgood’s post, “A Message to Reformers,” Maureen Reedy wrote the following: “Katie, Diane and Friends, I am loving your article Katie, it is right on in every way. No more! No MORE!!! NO MORE!!!! I have contacted Ed Schultz, a production company in California, Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow who teaches at Ohio State, state senator and superintendents in Michigan, I have a panel ready to go with the media when we get someone to pick up the ball and run with it. I have been in touch with Paren... more »
First Focus: Will Congress push America's kids over the cliff? - California's Children
First Focus: Will Congress push America's kids over the cliff? - California's Children: First Focus: Will Congress push America's kids over the cliff? [image: Fiscal cliff affect on kids chart]*December 27, 2012: First Focus*, a Washington, D.C.-based, bipartisan advocacy nonprofit dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions, released its analysis just last week on how the "fiscal cliff" -- also known as "sequestration" -- would affect specifically affect children in the U.S. At left is the graph, breaking out the specific cuts, total... more »
School House to White House Some of the Presidents attended neighborhood public schools, and some of them learned in rural classrooms
School House to White House: School House to White House: The Education of the Presidents - - Larger Version - First-grader Richard Nixon sits at the end of the first row. (Nixon Library) Our modern Presidents received educations and participated in school activities in ways as diverse as their backgrounds and their political philosophies. Some of the Presidents attended neighborhood public schools, and some of them learned in rural classrooms; others studied under tutors and attended prestigious private schools. Many of the Presidents participated in extracurricular a... more »
The Sunday Mail. « Fred Klonsky
The Sunday Mail. « Fred Klonsky: The Sunday Mail. by Fred Klonsky [image: 65145_10151196300791130_1690152841_n] *Close the School of the Americas.* Remembering Don Cornelius. In 1973 we would roll up the carpet at Dennis and Roberta’s Garfield Boulevard apartment on the South Side and dance to *Love Train.* *New Jersey’s Governor Christie started his rule attacking teachers.* It’s a gateway drug. *Poor kids don’t need Art and Music education.* *What?* *An online petition for an elected school board in Chicago*, the only Illinois school system that doesn’t have one. Sign it. Pass it o... more »
How’s your honeycomb? Collecting pollen and making honey #professionallearning | Connected Principals
How’s your honeycomb? Collecting pollen and making honey #professionallearning | Connected Principals: How’s your honeycomb? Collecting pollen and making honey #professionallearning by Bo Adams Many – maybe all – schools send teachers to conferences. This practice seems important (otherwise, why do we do it, right?). It’s like collecting pollen for the hive. Curious, ambitious teachers venture out to conferences – ASCD, Learning Forward, NAIS, EduCon, SXSWedu, Solution Tree, etc. – to learn and grow. To collect pollen for the hive. How does your school work to transform that coll... more »
MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-30-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Do Poor Kids Need Art and Music Education? by dianerav This is one of the most important posts you will read this year–or next. The Rocketship charter chain hopes to be the mass-produced model for poor kids in America. It intends someday to enroll one million children. Jersey Jazzman takes a close look at John Merrow’s PBS episode about Rocketship charters. . The children in these charters get no music or art. None. The leaders of Rocketship don’t see this as a problem. In their view, poor kids need basic skill... more »
Reforming Businesses, Reforming Schools: Outsourcing as a Fad | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
Reforming Businesses, Reforming Schools: Outsourcing as a Fad | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Reforming Businesses, Reforming Schools: Outsourcing as a Fad by larrycuban [image: images-2] Readers over a certain age may recall reforms that cascaded through corporations in each decade since the 1960s. They might recall “zero-based budgeting,” “management by objectives,” “restructuring,” “management by walking about,” and “Quality Circles.” Sure, I could name more but that is enough. Opinion leaders beat the drums for each one as they rapidly spread through * ... more »
Schools Matter: Continuing skirmishes with CCSS cheerleaders on Diane Ravitch's blog
Schools Matter: Continuing skirmishes with CCSS cheerleaders on Diane Ravitch's blog: Continuing skirmishes with CCSS cheerleaders on Diane Ravitch's blog by Robert D. Skeels * rdsathene *"There is no evidence that standards and tests improve school achievement. The money budgeted for standards and tests to enforce the standards should be used to protect children from the effects of poverty." — Professor Stephen Krashen* [image: Common Core State Standards (CCSS) means profits for corporations and reduced critical thinking skills for working class people]The following is my edited ... more »
Pass / Fail : California official says law setting federal education standards is 'null and defunct' | 89.3 KPCC
Pass / Fail : California official says law setting federal education standards is 'null and defunct' | 89.3 KPCC: California official says law setting federal education standards is 'null and defunct' by Adolfo Guzman-Lopez *Duh!* One of California’s top education officials said the federal No Child Left Behind law is no longer credible or legitimate because too many states have been given a waiver. “They have already disowned the program in terms of the U.S. Department of Education by the secretary already declaring it null and defunct in effect in 33 states," said Michael Kirst... more »
Why Do We Need to Play? (My #rechat Reflection) « Cooperative Catalyst
Why Do We Need to Play? (My #rechat Reflection) « Cooperative Catalyst: Why Do We Need to Play? (My #rechat Reflection) by John T. Spencer The kids are in the backyard blowing bubbles. The canister reads Miracle Bubbles and it seems, at first, like hyperbole. Joel pulls out the wand and creates a floating orb. Brenna jumps up and pops the first one in delight. Micah pulls out a wand (a fitting word for the magic that happens) and asks if blowing it slower will make the bubbles bigger or smaller. This leads to a test of small and large bubbles and eventually an impromptu game happens... more »
Keeping and Growing Great Teachers: 12 Lessons - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Keeping and Growing Great Teachers: 12 Lessons - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Keeping and Growing Great Teachers: 12 Lessons by Anthony Cody Last week, Teaching Ahead here featured a discussion focused on "Teaching's Revolving Door." Here are some thoughts, based on my experience working to retain science teachers in a high poverty district. I think it was the Greek philosopher Heraclitus who said "nothing is permanent but change." He seems to have been secretly put in charge of school reform in the US for the past decade. But as research has emerged documenting t... more »
Florida’s “School Grades Remain a Function of Politics, Not Academics” | Scathing Purple Musings
Florida’s “School Grades Remain a Function of Politics, Not Academics” | Scathing Purple Musings: Florida’s “School Grades Remain a Function of Politics, Not Academics” by Bob Sikes One can never expect *Palm Beach Post *editorialist Jac Versteeg to hold back in his ire for Florida education policies. This morning was no exception. In his sights were Florida’s school grades: Florida’s high school grades for last year are out, and they show… what? For an alleged accountability system, the state-assigned grades show very little. The state Department of Education warned that parents... more »
NYC Public School Parents: The real issues behind the looming bus strike by Sara Catalinotto of PIST
NYC Public School Parents: The real issues behind the looming bus strike by Sara Catalinotto of PIST: The real issues behind the looming bus strike by Sara Catalinotto of PIST by Leonie Haimson *The Chancellor has warned of a possible school bus strike shortly after students return from the Xmas vacation. The issues are not obvious to most parents; here is an explanation by **Sara Catalinotto of Parents to ImproveSchool Transportation [PIST]. She adds:* *1) Next step in bidding on our kids' buses for next year is Thurs. Jan 3 at 1:00 p.m. at 30-30 Thomson Ave, LIC (next door to... more »
Coop Connections and #RECHAT « Cooperative Catalyst
Coop Connections and #RECHAT « Cooperative Catalyst: Coop Connections and #RECHAT by Paula White All of us here can speak to someone else here who has made a difference in our lives, I think. That goes for everyone–readers, writers, thinkers, all….This is a great place to share, to learn to think together and grow as catalysts for each other and others not here. John T Spencer is one of those people for me…so much of what he writes is simply astounding and astute…and as he works to rethink education, he involves people in as many ways as he can. Last Saturday I discovered the Twi... more »
solidaridad: January Candidate Forum
solidaridad: January Candidate Forum: January Candidate Forum January LAUSD District 2 Candidate Forum [image: Robert D. Skeels, a Social Justice Schoolboard Candidate]
Top Content this Week - 12-29-12 The Educator's PLN
Top Content this Week - The Educator's PLN: 1[image: Best Natual and Animal Science Apps for Elementary School Kids]Best Natual and Animal Science Apps for Elementary School Kids Added by iGameMom on December 25, 2012 2[image: ALFIE KOHN: "From a Culture of 'Performance' to a Culture of 'Learning'" | #PSP2012 (via @CurtisCFEE)]ALFIE KOHN: "From a Culture of 'Performance' to a Culture of 'Learning'" | #PSP2012 (via @CurtisCFEE) Added by Thomas Whitby on December 28, 2012 3[image: The Tyranny of Homework: 20 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Assign Homework Over The Holidays]The Tyranny of H... more »
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 12-29-12
*4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:* *4LAKIDS - SOME OF THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T FIT* KPFK - Politics or Pedagogy: Recap of Broadcasts about Charter Schools – Today @ 11AM smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 47 minutes ago KPFK 90.7 FM | kpfk.org Politics or pedagogy? EDUCATION REPORT with John Cromshow Saturday, December 29, 2012 11:00 AM Smiley and West w/education issues commentary by John Cromshow (following hosts" introduction) TOPIC: 2012 Broadcasts About Charters GARCETTI URGES EFFORT TO SAVE AVIATION MECHANICS SCHOOL smf at 4LAKids - so... more »
This Week's Education Research Report 12-29-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Education Research Report: *THIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT* * * Socioeconomic risk and oral reading ability in first grade predicts growth of reading and math achievement in Grades 3 through 8 Jonathan Kantrowitz at Education Research Report - 1 week ago This investigation tested the importance of early academic achievement for later achievement trajectories among 18,011 students grouped by level of socioeconomic risk. Students considered to be at highest risk were those who experienced homelessness or high residential mobility (HHM). HHM students were compared with students... more »
School Tech Connect: The Discovery of the Age
School Tech Connect: The Discovery of the Age: The Discovery of the Age by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) You know what? I can't get this bizarre Common Core conversation video posted on TuttleSVC out of my head. Scroll down the post and watch it; it doesn't take long. If you have half a brain, or if you've taught English for more than five minutes, you'll be mesmerized. Basically it's a group of people who appear to have never dealt with a group of actual teenagers talking about something that doesn't exist in nature; that is to say, Tier I words and Tier II words. And then the... more »