Los Angeles Community Fights to Block School Closing
Los Angeles Superintendent John Deasey plans to shut down Crenshaw High School, which has been making rapid strides with its school improvement plan.
The school community is fighting back.
Here is the exciting news: Community organizers from several cities (LA, Philly, New Orleans and others) are joining together to file a Civil Rights complaint against the US Department of Education around school closings.
If you are in LA, join parents and the community on January 14 and 15.
This email came from Alex Caputo Pearl, a teacher at
The school community is fighting back.
Here is the exciting news: Community organizers from several cities (LA, Philly, New Orleans and others) are joining together to file a Civil Rights complaint against the US Department of Education around school closings.
If you are in LA, join parents and the community on January 14 and 15.
This email came from Alex Caputo Pearl, a teacher at
Breaking News: Astonishing Exchange about PBS on Rhee
This is a remarkable exchange of correspondence about the PBS program “The Education of Michelle Rhee.”
Many readers on this blog thought the documentary was too favorable towards Rhee, recycling a lot of old footage in which she is shown as a courageous upstart who did it all “for the kids.” They thought it provided far too rosy a portrait of a woman who provided lessons in how NOT to be a leader, not only because she used pressure tactics to demand higher scores, but because she repeatedly showed herself to be heartless, callous
Many readers on this blog thought the documentary was too favorable towards Rhee, recycling a lot of old footage in which she is shown as a courageous upstart who did it all “for the kids.” They thought it provided far too rosy a portrait of a woman who provided lessons in how NOT to be a leader, not only because she used pressure tactics to demand higher scores, but because she repeatedly showed herself to be heartless, callous
Time to Divest?
A reader sent along a story that the California teachers’ pension fund, the second largest in the nation, has decided to divest from corporations that manufactures weapons.
That’s a good start. Now how about divesting in Walmart, which is the biggest retail outlet for assault weapons like the one used in the Newtown massacre? Another reason to divest in Walmart is that the Walton family is one of the biggest sponsors of vouchers and charters–all non-union–of course. Why should teachers invest in corporations that want to cut their pay, eliminate their job security, tie their profession to unreliable test scores,
That’s a good start. Now how about divesting in Walmart, which is the biggest retail outlet for assault weapons like the one used in the Newtown massacre? Another reason to divest in Walmart is that the Walton family is one of the biggest sponsors of vouchers and charters–all non-union–of course. Why should teachers invest in corporations that want to cut their pay, eliminate their job security, tie their profession to unreliable test scores,
Save Lives: Gun Control Now
A great editorial in the San Jose Mercury News:
What will it take? Sandy Hook massacre elicits strong opinions on changing gun laws
America faces a defining moment.
Twenty innocent children slaughtered. Six brave educators killed trying to save them. The immediate outcry has been unprecedented. But will anything change? Will America finally cast aside the unhinged ideas of the National Rifle Association and begin to place utterly obvious regulations on guns that can, over time, make it harder for madmen like Adam Lanza to wreak mayhem? And can prevent at least some of the 30,000 deaths
What will it take? Sandy Hook massacre elicits strong opinions on changing gun laws
America faces a defining moment.
Twenty innocent children slaughtered. Six brave educators killed trying to save them. The immediate outcry has been unprecedented. But will anything change? Will America finally cast aside the unhinged ideas of the National Rifle Association and begin to place utterly obvious regulations on guns that can, over time, make it harder for madmen like Adam Lanza to wreak mayhem? And can prevent at least some of the 30,000 deaths
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-13-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] How Can Parents Fight School Closings? by dianerav Jersey Jazzman explains what is now obvious: School closings have a disparate impact on children and communities of color. Community schools are closed, destabilizing the neighborhood. Charter schools open, which choose and reject those they want or don’t want. Most charters don’t want the kids with the greatest needs. A new parent group has formed in Newark, which has been a playground for the rich and famous, who move Kasich Pulls a Fast One by dianerav... more »