Indiana Debates Dropping Out of Common Core
Friends and foes of the Common Core standards packed a meeting room in Indiana to discuss its future.
This issue creates strange alliances. The new state superintendent Glenda Ritz opposes them. So does the Tea Party. But other hard-right conservatives like former superintendent Tony Bennett and Jeb Bush are strong advocates for CC.
Mike Petrilli of the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute urged the legislators to stay the course because
This issue creates strange alliances. The new state superintendent Glenda Ritz opposes them. So does the Tea Party. But other hard-right conservatives like former superintendent Tony Bennett and Jeb Bush are strong advocates for CC.
Mike Petrilli of the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute urged the legislators to stay the course because
A Rhee Puzzle
With PBS preparing a documentary about her and investigators looking at the cheating scandal, Michelle Rhee hired a well-known criminal defense attorney.
Jersey Jazzman wonders why.
Jersey Jazzman wonders why.
The Mess in NYC
This is a statement by Leonie Haimson, founder of Class Size Matters in NYC and a founder of Parents Across America on the collapse of negotiations over a teacher evaluation deal between the city and union:
If the Governor goes ahead with punishing NYC children for the mayor’s failures by subtracting $250 million from state aid, it will be terribly unfair. Yet there is little doubt that most parents will blame Bloomberg for this latest fiasco, as the just-released Quinnipiac poll shows that NYC voters trust the UFT by 53 to 35 percent over the mayor. And 63 percent of those polled believe that the mayor should share power, compared to only 13 percent
If the Governor goes ahead with punishing NYC children for the mayor’s failures by subtracting $250 million from state aid, it will be terribly unfair. Yet there is little doubt that most parents will blame Bloomberg for this latest fiasco, as the just-released Quinnipiac poll shows that NYC voters trust the UFT by 53 to 35 percent over the mayor. And 63 percent of those polled believe that the mayor should share power, compared to only 13 percent
Will a Bar Exam Improve the Teaching Profession?
Randi Weingarten proposed a national bar exam for future teachers, and it stirred quite a reaction. Most worrisome is that the idea appeals to certain figures in the public eye who are known for making negative comments about teachers.
Some on this blog complained that Randi was echoing the corporate reformers’ complaint that teachers are the problem and must be blamed for the achievement gap, low scores, and every other issue.
But I’m inclined to agree with Randi that the profession needs higher entry standards or it will never get the
Some on this blog complained that Randi was echoing the corporate reformers’ complaint that teachers are the problem and must be blamed for the achievement gap, low scores, and every other issue.
But I’m inclined to agree with Randi that the profession needs higher entry standards or it will never get the
AFT Endorses Garfield Teachers’ Test Boycott
AFT Stands with Garfield High School Teachers
Washington—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued this message of support to Seattle’s Garfield High School teachers standing up against the use of high-stakes testing.
Dear Garfield High School Teachers:
Thank you. Thank you for taking a courageous stand against the fixation on high-stakes testing and its harmful impact on our ability to give our students the high-quality public education they deserve.
Your actions have propelled the national conversation on the impact of high-stakes testing. Every educator
Washington—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued this message of support to Seattle’s Garfield High School teachers standing up against the use of high-stakes testing.
Dear Garfield High School Teachers:
Thank you. Thank you for taking a courageous stand against the fixation on high-stakes testing and its harmful impact on our ability to give our students the high-quality public education they deserve.
Your actions have propelled the national conversation on the impact of high-stakes testing. Every educator
Who Torpedoed NYC Teacher Evaluation Deal?
Leonie Haimson, head of Class Size Matters in New York City, explains why the teacher evaluation pact failed.
How StudentsFirst Puts Students Last
The National Opportunity to Learn Campaign has one of the very best critiques of Michelle Rhee’s report card for the states. The states doing the least for children get the highest scores. The states enacting policies that ignore the needs of children do best by her logic.
In the 990 form for StudentsFirst, it says the organization defends the interests of children.
The National Opportunity to Learn Campaign says it does not.
In the 990 form for StudentsFirst, it says the organization defends the interests of children.
The National Opportunity to Learn Campaign says it does not.
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-18-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Walmart Made the Bushmaster the Most Popular Assault Weapon in US by dianerav Think of it. The biggest retail store in the US and maybe the world sells the weapon of choice for mass murderers, the Bushmaster AR-15. This was the weapon used to kill a dozen people in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. It was the weapon used to murder 20 children and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut. And it is easy to buy one at your local Walmart. Walmart may be the biggest gun shop in the nation. All that money gets ... more »