BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS
Schools Matter: Cut welfare if students get bad grades? We disagree.
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago
Schools Matter: Cut welfare if students get bad grades? We disagree.: Cut welfare if students get bad grades? We disagree. by skrashen State Sen. in Tennessee proposes cutting welfare payments to families with students with bad report card. We respond. Campfield proposal would hurt youths Published in Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville, TN, Feb 3,2013. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/feb/03/letters-feb-3-2013/ State Sen. Stacey Campfield's proposal to cut welfare payments for students with bad report cards is backwards. Poverty is the major cause of poor school performance. Pover... more »
The “Me” Curriculum at the DOE: Why we need to stop telling students “Narrative writing is all about me.” | Get Schooled
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 minutes ago
The “Me” Curriculum at the DOE: Why we need to stop telling students “Narrative writing is all about me.” | Get Schooled: The “Me” Curriculum at the DOE: Why we need to stop telling students “Narrative writing is all about me.” by Maureen Downey Dr. Mark Bauerlein [image: Dr. Mark Bauerlein]Here is a terrific guest column by *Emory University’s Mark Bauerlein*, author of the 2008 book “The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future.” This is a good piece for teachers to discuss. By Mark Bauerlein You couldn’t get much farther from t... more »
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, February 4, 2013
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 minutes ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: الشركات استيلاء التعليم العام *Just Like Michelle Rhee's* * Students first **Astroturf lobbying** **(only Better) * L.A. parent group applies lessons from Compton, Adelanto efforts to take over school Education Headlines *Monday, February 4, 2013* Smaller classes in Lodi Unified School District too expensive for nowCreating smaller class sizes is a much talked about idea among teachers in Lodi Unified School District, but district officials say it is too expensive at this time. California abandons algebra requirement for eighth-g... more »
Expelled Student Activist Wins $50K Court Judgment Against University President «
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 minutes ago
Expelled Student Activist Wins $50K Court Judgment Against University President «: Expelled Student Activist Wins $50K Court Judgment Against University President by Angus Johnston An environmental activist expelled from Georgia’s Validosta State University (VSU) has won a $50,000 award in a lawsuit against the university president who kicked him out of school in 2007. In a dramatic rebuke to President Ronald Zaccari, the federal jury that heard the case found Zaccari personally liable for violating Hayden Barnes’ due process rights. The case emerged from a dispute over a planne... more »
Big Surprise: Yet Another Ed Reform Turns Out to be Bogus | Mother Jones
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 minutes ago
Big Surprise: Yet Another Ed Reform Turns Out to be Bogus | Mother Jones: Big Surprise: Yet Another Ed Reform Turns Out to be Bogus —By Kevin Drum | Mon Jan. 28, 2013 8:55 AM PST 59 - - *WOW! Who Knew?* Do high schools with higher standards get better performance from their students? If you require everyone to take college prep classes, will more kids go to college? The San Jose school district has long been a poster child for this notion, but guess what? It turns out it was all a crock: San Jose Unified has quietly acknowledged that the district overstated its accompl... more »
UPDATE: Feb. 6 – National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP Test Boycott + More School Districts Suing States For Education Funding | NEA Today
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 46 minutes ago
More School Districts Suing States For Education Funding | NEA Today: Feb. 6 – National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP Test Boycott by twalker On Wednesday, February 6, educators, students, parents and supporters of public education nationwide will take action in support of Garfield High School teachers and all teachers in Seattle Public Schools refusing to administer the MAP test. Supporters can participate in actions to show support for this effort. Visit Scrap The MAP! for more information. More School Districts Suing States For Education Funding by twalker *By Tim Walke... more »
Christian Isaac- Good Riddance: 3 Small Steps for Mankind Student Voice
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 48 minutes ago
Student Voice: Christian Isaac- Good Riddance: 3 Small Steps for Mankind by admin “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education” ~ Albert Einstein ** Education is a simple virtue. Teachers teach, and we students learn. That is the envisioned goal of education, specifically public education; to give knowledge to individuals; and by this, give them power. Education’s mission in its existence is to enrich our minds, give us the steps necessary for both extrinsic and intrinsic advancement, and to give us the tools we need to complete the tasks of life that we want... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Running covert ops at City Hall and CPS
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 50 minutes ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Running covert ops at City Hall and CPS: Running covert ops at City Hall and CPS by Mike Klonsky Col. TyrellA desperate and seemingly dispirited *Barbara Byrd-Bennett*, faced with a bubbling community revolt, is now relying on a highly-paid retired Marine colonel with a staff of 40 to organize her *covert-ops* Chicago's mass school-closing fiasco. His name is *Tom Tyrell *and his preparation for this coming assault on the city's black and Latino communities is his "prisoner-exchange" work in Kosovo. Metaphors abound. No they didn't, you say? Yes they ... more »
Can We Trust Teachers To Successfully Manage Whole Schools? (Kim Farris-Berg) Part 1 | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 53 minutes ago
Can We Trust Teachers To Successfully Manage Whole Schools? (Kim Farris-Berg) Part 1 | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Can We Trust Teachers To Successfully Manage Whole Schools? (Kim Farris-Berg) Part 1 by larrycuban *Can we trust teachers with authority to manage whole schools? Would teachers even want the opportunity to manage schools? And, when they are in the position to manage schools, will it make any difference in student achievement? Kim Farris-Berg explores these questions in this three-part guest blog .* * Farris-Berg is a Senior Associate with Edu... more »
The Quick and the Ed » The Student Loan Problem is Worse than I Thought
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 56 minutes ago
The Quick and the Ed » The Student Loan Problem is Worse than I Thought: The Student Loan Problem is Worse than I Thought by Andrew Gillen Over at Zero Hedge, Tyler Durden highlights the findings of a new FICO report on student loans (available at the very bottom of his post). With all the news stories about the crushing weight of student loans, it would be hard to underestimate the magnitude of the problem. And yet that is precisely what I’ve done. I don’t put a lot of weight on anecdotes and extreme outliers, so while I thought the student debt problem was bad and getting wors... more »
Shanker Blog » Why Nobody Wins In The Education "Research Wars"
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 59 minutes ago
Shanker Blog » Why Nobody Wins In The Education "Research Wars": Why Nobody Wins In The Education “Research Wars” by Matthew Di Carlo In a recent post, Kevin Drum of *Mother Jones* discusses his growing skepticism about the research behind market-based education reform, and about the claims that supporters of these policies make. He cites a recent *Los Angeles Times* article, which discusses how, in 2000, the San Jose Unified School District in California instituted a so-called “high expectations” policy requiring all students to pass the courses necessary to attend state univers... more »
New on-line only charter school, Connections Academy, gobbles up New Mexico
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
New on-line only charter school, Connections Academy, gobbles up New Mexico: New online-only charter school, Connections Academy, gobbles up New Mexico state by Danny Weil This fall public school students across New Mexico could start getting their education completely online by the largest member of the text book cartel, Pearson, out of England. Pearson also recently bought the GED tests many students take in order to graduate from high school and are buttoning up their takeover of public education at alarming speed. Education Secretary Designate Hanna Skandera recently approve... more »
Alabama Pulls Out of PARCC and SBAC | Truth in American Education
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Alabama Pulls Out of PARCC and SBAC | Truth in American Education: Alabama Pulls Out of PARCC and SBAC by Shane Vander Hart Edweek reported late Friday that Alabama has pulled out of both testing consortia that it was involved in. In an email to EdWeek, the state’s assessment director, Gloria Turner, confirmed that Alabama has bowed out of both the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, orPARCC, and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. She said the department of education “has decided to go in another direction,” but didn’t offer any more detail. ... more »
Modern School: Sacramento to Shutter 11 Low Income Elementary Schools
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Modern School: Sacramento to Shutter 11 Low Income Elementary Schools: Sacramento to Shutter 11 Low Income Elementary Schools by Michael Dunn Huck/Konopacki Labor Cartoons Sacramento City Unified School District plans to close 11 elementary schools, primarily in low income neighborhoods around South Sacramento and the downtown area, the WSWS reports. With only 50 public elementary schools in the city, this amounts to closing one-fifth of the city’s elementary schools. The district’s rationale for closing the schools is that they are “underutilized,” operating at 40% of capacity. H... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLES by Mike Klonsky Daisy Rittgers, 105 year-old retired teacher depends on her 3% pension COLA to survive. (E. Jason Wambsgans) Daisy Rittgers *"Why should anybody take it away from me? Right's right, and wrong's wrong." *-- Chicago Tribune, "Pension reform could hit oldest retired teachers the hardest" Sun-Times Editorial *Crime grows like a weed from the ground up; cops and prosecutors can only lop off the ugly blooms. If we as a city are truly fed up with the killing, no longer able to look away, we must pour ou... more »
UPDATE: teachers on strike + Tell Speaker Madigan on Friday: You must talk to the unions to find real pension solutions. « Fred Klonsky
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Tell Speaker Madigan on Friday: You must talk to the unions to find real pension solutions. « Fred Klonsky: Tell Speaker Madigan on Friday: You must talk to the unions to find real pension solutions. by Fred Klonsky [image: bilde] There is no question that Michael Madigan is a rich and powerful man. He is Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party. He is Speaker of that motley bunch we call members of the Illinois House. But does he have the power to ignore the leaders of the state’s public employee unions when talking about our West Chicago District 33 teachers on strike. by Fred Kl... more »
Ed Notes Online: Arne Duncan Gets Push-Back on Closing Schools
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: Arne Duncan Gets Push-Back on Closing Schools: Arne Duncan Gets Push-Back on Closing Schools by ed notes online JAISAL NOOR: PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS AND STUDENTS FROM 18 CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHERED IN WASHINGTON, DC THIS WEEK TO DEMAND A NATIONWIDE MORATORIUM ON SCHOOL CLOSINGS. FEDERAL PROGRAMS LIKE RACE TO THE TOP OFFERED FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO CITIES AND STATES FOR RADICALLY CHANGING THEIR SCHOOLS, INCLUDING FIRING STAFF AND SHUTTING SCHOOLS DOWN. WHILE THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TOUTED THE COMPETITIVE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM AS A WAY TO IMPROVE EDUCA... more »
“What Is the Matter, My Lord?” – @ the chalk face
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
“What Is the Matter, My Lord?” – @ the chalk face: “What Is the Matter, My Lord?” by plthomasedd The virtual connectedness of the Internet era—through the magic of blogs, online publications, Twitter, and other social media—I often find myself in discussions by email, Twitter, or online discussions with advocates for and leaders in the corporate education reform movement, what I have labeled “No Excuses” Reform. A disturbing aspect of that reform movement is that an inverse correlation exists between expertise/experience and power/influence in education: Those with the most power... more »
3 Websites for High School Teachers to Try in 2013 - High School Notes (usnews.com)
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
3 Websites for High School Teachers to Try in 2013 - High School Notes (usnews.com): 3 Websites for High School Teachers to Try in 2013 By KELSEY SHEEHY February 4, 2013 RSS Feed Print [image: Teachers can tap into free Web resources to incorporate tech into their lessons.] Teachers can tap into free Web resources to incorporate tech into their lessons. Technology continues to make inroads into high school classrooms via bring-your-own device initiatives, 1:1 proposals that put a tablet or laptop in front of every student, and blended learning models that mix online courses with in... more »
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee: ‘Probably’ Shouldn’t Have Fired School Principal on National TV - ABC News
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee: ‘Probably’ Shouldn’t Have Fired School Principal on National TV - ABC News: * Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee**: ‘Probably’ Shouldn’t Have Fired School Principal on National TV* During her three years as Washington D.C. public schools chancellor, Michelle Rhee raised eyebrows with her tough-love approach to fixing a failing school system. And when I sat down with Rhee on “This Week,” the controversial education reformer made no apologies for her rough-and-tumble philosophy. “My style is very deliberative and very focused on doing what’s righ... more »
Joy Resmovits: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Regrets, School Voucher Fight: Ed Today
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Joy Resmovits: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Regrets, School Voucher Fight: Ed Today: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Regrets, School Voucher Fight: Ed Today Posted: 02/04/2013 8:06 am *Rhee-grets, She Has A Few?* Former Washington, D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee is out with a new memoir this week (called "Radical"), and she's making the talk show rounds to promote it. Yesterday, she told George Stephanopolous on "This Week" that maybe she shouldn't have fired that principal on TV. "My style is very deliberative and very focused on doing what's right for kids... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-4-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Good News: Maine Democrats Slow Down GOP Push for Cyber Charter by dianerav Maine Democrats insist on a more careful review of the evidence about the track record of cyber charters before allowing K12 to open one in their state. Governor Paul LePage is furious! He wants a K12 cyber charter to draw students and funding away from public schools and he sees no point in reviewing the evidence. Meanwhile, Maine legislators are aware that K12 has gotten dismal results in other states. And they probably How Du... more »
Resolution on Montgomery/Weprin Bill to Modify the PEP « JD2718
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Resolution on Montgomery/Weprin Bill to Modify the PEP « JD2718: Resolution on Montgomery/Weprin Bill to Modify the PEP by jd2718 *I motivated the following resolution at the January 22 UFT Exec Board. Three Unity members rose to speak against it (cutting short the work of the UFT committee on School Governance was the strongest of three weak reasons. Claiming that we only get one chance to get it right was another – this is our third chance, guys.). Strike while the iron is hot, I say. Every day that the mayor’s dictatorial powers go unchallenged is an affront to students, teach... more »
Something is wrong in Maryland
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Something is wrong in Maryland: Something is wrong in Maryland Posted by Valerie Strauss on February 4, 2013 at 4:00 am - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - Share: - - - More » [image: maryland map]For years, Maryland has been known for its excellent public schools. That doesn’t mean they are all of equal quality, but the state has been ranked No. 1 for five straight years byEducation Week, which, if you put any stock in rankings, is the best on this subject because of the multiple indicators it considers. And for year... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Fifth Grade Traditional Math Problem vs Common Core Math Problem.
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Fifth Grade Traditional Math Problem vs Common Core Math Problem.: Fifth Grade Traditional Math Problem vs Common Core Math Problem. by stlgretchen 2 + 2 = 4 is not a good enough answer in Common Core. Students will not get full credit unless they *analyze, evaluate and create.* Diane Ravitch featured an article comparing a traditional math problem to a common core math problem. She writes: The New York State United Teachers urged the state education department to slow down the rush
E-mails Link Bush Foundation, Corporations and Education Officials
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
E-mails Link Bush Foundation, Corporations and Education Officials: E-mails Link Bush Foundation, Corporations and Education Officials by Server E-mails Link Bush Foundation, Corporations and Education OfficialsOriginally Published on January 30, 2013. By Valerie Strauss. *The Answer Sheet. Washington Post.* A nonprofit group released thousands of e-mails today and said they show how a foundation begun by Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and national education reform leader, is working with public officials in states to write education laws that could benefit some of its corpo... more »
Bill would allow charging commercial properties a bigger parcel tax | EdSource Today
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Bill would allow charging commercial properties a bigger parcel tax | EdSource Today: Bill would allow charging commercial properties a bigger parcel tax ** February 3rd, 2013 | Add a Comment | By John Fensterwald Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on print More Sharing Services A newly elected assemblymember has introduced a bill that could make parcel taxes more attractive to school districts by allowing them to impose different tax rates on residential and commercial properties. The bill, AB 59, by Assemblymember Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, would nullify a state Appe... more »
The Eagle Has Landed | Gary Rubinstein's Blog
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
The Eagle Has Landed | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: The Eagle Has Landed by Gary Rubinstein On October 15th, 2012 Bill and Melinda Gates visited Eagle Valley High School in the Eagle County school district in Colorado. Eagle County, in which ski mecca Vail is located, is a demographically unusual place with almost exactly 50% white students and 50% Hispanic students. Many of the Hispanic students have parents who work in the various ski lodges and resorts. As the Gates’s only visit one school a year, this one was surely carefully chosen. Three months later the school is mentioned by... more »
SI&A Cabinet Report – Slower population growth means teacher shortage likely averted
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: *Slower population growth means teacher shortage likely averted* *By Tom Chorneau* Monday, February 04, 2013 New population estimates released last week by the governor’s Department of Finance may give relief to planners worried about a potential teacher shortage, as a modest increase in school age children by 2020 was set to collide with mass retirements of educators in the coming decade. Although challenges remain for ensuring California classrooms will have highly qualified teachers in the future, the revised population estimates show Ca... more »
Ed Notes Online: MORE Educator Book Club! Starts With Ravitch Book Feb 12th, Join us!
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: MORE Educator Book Club! Starts With Ravitch Book Feb 12th, Join us!: MORE Educator Book Club! Starts With Ravitch Book Feb 12th, Join us! by ed notes online MOREs are certainly busy bees and not just interested in union politics. Diane Ravitch's book is first up in the MORE book club and rumors are she will be (unconfirmed) at Julie's place for the discussion. Her place is not that big so RSVP if interested. I have a course that night so can't make it and besides don't want to take up someone else's spot. MORE is proud to sponsor this opportunity to read and lear... more »
Schools as Community Centers – @ the chalk face
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Schools as Community Centers – @ the chalk face: Schools as Community Centers by Kris Nielsen My friend, Dr. Mark Naison, wrote a beautiful piece a while ago about his vision for education, which he graciously allowed me to reprint. I loved his idea of schools as community centers. I wanted to talk to about that for a minute: I’ve worked in schools that began using their personnel and resources to offer community programs and assistance–in effect, becoming the community center of the neighborhoods in which they serve. One fantastic example is Leslie Middle School in Salem, Or... more »
Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Death of Dr. Arlene Ackerman | U.S. Department of Education
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Death of Dr. Arlene Ackerman | U.S. Department of Education: Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Death of Dr. Arlene Ackerman FEBRUARY 3, 2013 *America's educators have lost a leader, and I have lost a friend and mentor. Whether in Philadelphia, San Francisco, or Washington, Arlene Ackerman cared deeply about America's urban schools and students. As a young superintendent in Chicago, I looked up to Arlene and learned a lot from her tenacity, courage and commitment to children.*
School turnarounds prompt community backlash - SFGate
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
School turnarounds prompt community backlash - SFGate: School turnarounds prompt community backlashBy CHRISTINA HOAG, Associated PressUpdated 1:04 pm, Sunday, February 3, 2013 [image: In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, parents, teachers and students of Crenshaw High School protest outside the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters to try to stop the conversion of the school to a magnet program in Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. A backlash against drastic school reforms is growing across the nation. Photo: Damian Dovarganes] In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 1... more »
Student Unions of Portland Opt Out Campaign Press Conference: February 6th | United Opt Out National
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
Student Unions of Portland Opt Out Campaign Press Conference: February 6th | United Opt Out National: Student Unions of Portland Opt Out Campaign Press Conference: February 6th by admin *Student Unions of Portland state:* Come support the Student Unions of Portland at our press conference about the opt-out campaign! All over Portland Public Schools students will be opting out of taking their standardized OAKS tests. The Student Unions of Portland are encouraging students to opt-out to send a greater message about how standardized tests are an inaccurate representation of student k... more »
DC Kids Speak UP!
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago
*Published on Dec 6, 2012* Thurgood Marshall Elementary School students in Washington, D.C. speak up against proposed school closing. Way to stand up for yourselves, Journey (3rd grade) and Marquis (2nd grade)!!
HBO Gets honest for 3 minutes....mostly. | MyFDL
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago
HBO Gets honest for 3 minutes....mostly. | MyFDL: [image: User Picture]HBO Gets honest for 3 minutes….mostly.By: cmaukonen Saturday February 2, 2013 7:44 pm [image: Tweet]Tweet [image: digg] [image: stumbleupon] This 3 minute clip has been getting some play on the Internet. I don’t know how many people have shared it on YouTube and FB but it has been quite a few. The opening of the new series NEWSROOM, though not having cable I will not be able to see just how honest it will remain. Most series have at least 3 minutes worth watching. Now I do have to disagree to a small extent ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Two new proposals to revamp mayoral control; about time!
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
NYC Public School Parents: Two new proposals to revamp mayoral control; about time!: Two new proposals to revamp mayoral control; about time! by Leonie Haimson State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery on steps of City Hall todayState Senator Velmanette Montgomery of Brooklyn and Assemblymember David Weprin of Queens announced they were introducing a new bill that would end mayoral control, by taking away his supermajority on the Board of Education, now called Panel for Educational Policy. The Board would continue to have 13 members: five appointed by the borough presidents, all public s... more »
The Weekly Update: Cyber buck$, high stake$ testing and charter school$. It’s all about the children, right? « Seattle Education
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
The Weekly Update: Cyber buck$, high stake$ testing and charter school$. It’s all about the children, right? « Seattle Education: The Weekly Update: Cyber buck$, high stake$ testing and charter school$. It’s all about the children, right? by seattleducation2011 *The Weekly Update for the News and Views You Might Have Missed* [image: cartoon] Some of our state representatives are not asleep at the wheel. On Friday I posted information regarding two bills that are up for public hearings this coming week. That same day three of our representatives questioned the motives of the legislat... more »
Peg with Pen: Listen up Mainstream Media. Teachers Know How to Assess.
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
Peg with Pen: Listen up Mainstream Media. Teachers Know How to Assess.: Listen up Mainstream Media. Teachers Know How to Assess. by Peggy [image: Corporate Media = Corporate Lies] We do not need better tests. We do not need teachers to grade Pearson's tests. We do not need any of these tests. And we do not need an alternative - the alternative is what we once did and can still do - real learning assessed through portfolio, project, performance and more. Teacher friends, we must make sure this message is clear - teachers know how to assess - mainstream media via the corporations ... more »
Kimble's Corner: How Groundhog Day Saved Christianity
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
Kimble's Corner: How Groundhog Day Saved Christianity: How Groundhog Day Saved Christianity by Representative Kimble Like many people this season I enjoyed the heartwarming story of how Christianity’s message was spread using the Christmas Carrol *The Twelve Days of Christmas*. There are a lot of seemingly secular holidays and traditions in our society that have a Christian tradition behind them. In the middle ages Christians throughout Europe were persecuted and in many countries the teaching of Christian doctrine was forbidden. The Christians of the time being men and women ... more »
No Struggle, No Progress — Leading Educators Support Teacher Test Boycott
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago
No Struggle, No Progress — Leading Educators Support Teacher Test Boycott: Leading Educators Support Teacher Test Boycott *JANUARY 21, 2013* *LEADING EDUCATORS SUPPORT TEACHER TEST BOYCOTT* In a public statement released today, more than sixty educators and researchers [UPDATE: now more than 250], including some of the most well-respected figures in the field of education, pledged support for the boycott of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test initiated by the teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle, calling the action a “blow against the overuse and misuse of standard... more »
One Washington School District Is Trying to Copyright Homework - National - The Atlantic Wire
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago
One Washington School District Is Trying to Copyright Homework - National - The Atlantic Wire: One Washington School District Is Trying to Copyright Homework by Connor Simpson One school district in Washington is looking to put a copyright on everything created by their employees or students, which means they would own new lesson plans, an app created in a computer science class, or even just your everyday homework. The *Washington Post*'s Ovetta Wiggins reports Prince George’s County Board of Education is raising eyebrows for their proposed new policy. As it stands, the policy ... more »
Diane in the Evening 2-3-13 Diane Ravitch's blog
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: Who Cut Arts Education in Los Angeles? by dianerav A reader writes: Shakedown Artists A number of billboards have gone up recently in LAUSD board member and candidate for re-election, Monica Garcis’s district two months before school board elections. They read, ‘ Dream Big – Arts education fuels creative thinking’ and include a picture of a thirteen year old Monica Garcia. This billboard was funded by LA Fund (lafund.org), a non-profit group founded in 2011 by her political allies LAUSD Superintendent and former Deputy Director of Education for the Bill ... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: The Similarities Between CSCOPE and Common Core
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: The Similarities Between CSCOPE and Common Core: The Similarities Between CSCOPE and Common Core by stlgretchen Does CSCOPE sound like Common Core? What is CScope? From the home page: *CSCOPE is a customizable, online curriculum management system aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). CSCOPE's high quality curriculum, assesment, and instructional components assist schools in meeting the high standard of rigor and relevance required in the TEKS and STAAR assessments.* CSCOPE has come under intense scrutiny from Texas legislato... more »
If I could buy a Super Bowl ad… – @ the chalk face
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
If I could buy a Super Bowl ad… – @ the chalk face: If I could buy a Super Bowl ad… by Chris Cerrone *If I could buy a Super Bowl ad* I would hire Matt Damon to describe the importance of public education and the harm of high-stakes testing. *If I could buy a Super Bowl ad* I would ask Jon Stewart to use his gift of humor and biting sarcasm to point out how the current state of education reform is a bipartisan disaster.** ***If I could buy a Super Bowl ad *I would inquire if Steven Colbert would use his satire to publicize the irony of rank amateurs making education policy in the U... more »
Change the dynamic | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Change the dynamic | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Change the dynamic by thenotebook Common sense dictates that the School District should be looking for opportunities to close crumbling schools that are half-empty and underperforming. In a cash-starved system with a shrinking population and aging facilities, we can’t afford not to. Officials acknowledge that closing schools is painful but say that once we get through it, we’ll all be better off with a streamlined system – and the District will be poised to improve its fortunes. Unfortunately, reality does not match that ... more »
National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP Test Boycott
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP Test Boycott: National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP Test Boycott by Server SOS Supports the National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP Test Boycott National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP Test Boycott:*Originally Posted on February 2, 2013* *- MEDIA ADVISORY –* *“We demand quality assessment!”* *Wear Red on Wed for Ed! Scrap the MAP!* **Join the event on Facebook!** *Supporters will hold meetings, press conferences, rallies, take photos, and wear red to show support* *Contact:* scrapthemap@yahoo.com *For more info, visit:*... more »
NYC Educator: It's Election Season
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
NYC Educator: It's Election Season: It's Election Season by NYC Educator The UFT is getting ready to hold elections. The big mystery, supposedly, is who will win? Will it be Unity/ New Action, or upstart MORE? Well, it's not such a big mystery that no one has ever defeated Unity except Mike Shulman, or that Unity now co-sponsors him and New Action for a few seats on the UFT Executive Board. Nor is it a mystery that the overwhelming majority of chapter leaders are committed to support Unity/ New Action. What I'd like to see is a discussion of issues rather than personalities and st... more »
Pearson Looked for Test Graders on Texas Craigslist | Scathing Purple Musings
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
Pearson Looked for Test Graders on Texas Craigslist | Scathing Purple Musings: Pearson Looked for Test Graders on Texas Craigslist by Bob Sikes You just can’t make this stuff up. By now, many Texans are familiar with the backlash against the over-testing of our students in public schools. Most of this backlash has focused on the amount of tests being given and the amount of time, energy and resources being spent on “teaching to the test” as opposed to our students mastering and retaining the information. Another issue has just surfaced that has caused significant concern about ... more »
UPDATE:Quote of the Decade - Jersey Jazzman: Michelle Rhee Can't Possibly Be This Stupid, Can She?
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: Michelle Rhee Can't Possibly Be This Stupid, Can She?: Michelle Rhee Can't Possibly Be This Stupid, Can She? by Duke Oh, my sweet, sweet lord: *You offered thousands of dollars to teachers and principals who brought up their schools’ test scores. Did you ever consider that it would encourage some to cheat? * Teachers have integrity. And if money was the motivating factor, they wouldn’t be in education. *Michelle, if money isn't a motivating factor for teachers, why would you * * * Quote of the Decade by Duke I would so love to hear Bill Gates try to answer this:... more »
National School Choice Week Finally OVER! CHOOSE REAL AMERICAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS! #EDREform #REALEDREform
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
National School Choice Week Finally OVER! CHOOSE REAL AMERICAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS! REAL ED Reform Highway to Hell - A Salute to National School Choice Week *Got Choice? Ubetcha! * [image: National School Choice Week] *National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) Group: 1 in 5 charter schools not doing well enough to stay open* A group that oversees more than half of the nation's 5,600 charter schools said as many as one in five U.S. charter schools should be shut down because of poor academic performance. *http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019784379_charters... more »
Louisiana Educator: Another Stupid Education Study
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
Louisiana Educator: Another Stupid Education Study: Another Stupid Education Study by Michael Deshotels Will Sentell, education reporter for the Baton Rouge Advocate has found another excuse to bash experienced teachers because of their suspicion of the new Value Added teacher evaluation systems. His article todayreports on a so called “study” conducted by a group called TEACH +PLUS. This study which consists of an unscientific survey of public school teachers' opinions about the importance and desirability of using student standardized testing as a major component of school and ... more »
After losing out on Race to the Top funds, DISD’s Miles says he needs more state money for reforms | Education Blog
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
After losing out on Race to the Top funds, DISD’s Miles says he needs more state money for reforms | Education Blog: After losing out on Race to the Top funds, DISD’s Miles says he needs more state money for reforms 0 0 comments (0) By Matthew Haag mhaag@dallasnews.com 11:40 am on February 3, 2013 | Permalink During Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles’ first six months on the job, he exerted great effort in securing federal funds to jumpstart his education reform plans for two school feeder groups. He wants to take Pinkston High School and Lincoln High School and the campuses th... more »
Florence student suspended over picture of gun
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Florence student suspended over picture of gun: Florence student suspended over picture of gun - Video - Photo [image: gun_20130201154345_JPG] Posted: 02/01/2013 - [image: By: Corey Rangel] By: Corey Rangel FLORENCE, AZ - A high school student in Florence said he has been suspended because of a picture of a gun. Daniel McClaine Jr., a freshman at Poston Butte High School, said he saved the picture as his desktop background on his school-issued computer. A teacher noticed it and turned him in. The picture shows an AK-47 on top of a flag. McClaine said the school initi... more »
Daily Kos: Why Daily Kos is much more than a political site
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Daily Kos: Why Daily Kos is much more than a political site: Why Daily Kos is much more than a political site by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) dedicated to electing more and better Democrats It is clearly a community. It is a place to which members turn to share with one another, both their joys and their tribulations. It is a site where we offer one another support, advice, prayers and even love. It is for many a place to which they turn to open their hearts and souls. This has been very clear in the various quilt projects done by Sara R. It is been very evident in the pass week, ... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Charter Schools: The New NCAA Farm System?
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: Charter Schools: The New NCAA Farm System?: Charter Schools: The New NCAA Farm System? by Duke To me, one of the more interesting aspects of the charter school "movement" is how professional athletes have become involved. Tennis great Andre Agassi jumped in with little apparent regard for the educational outcomes of charters - he's all about the financials. Football star Deion Sanders's Prime Prep Academy has been in the news with accusations about the school's safety and academic records. Prime Prep was also cited for recruiting violations for its football and ba... more »
UPDATE: Irene Pappas’ phony tax bill + a real pension solution + The Sunday Mail. « Fred Klonsky
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
The Sunday Mail. « Fred Klonsky: The in box. Irene Pappas’ phony tax bill. by Fred Klonsky Property tax payers in Cook County received their tax bills this past week. Tax Collector Irene Pappas chose to include data allegedly about public pension costs on the bill. *Hi Fred,* *After seeing her terrible interview on WTTW the other night and the self serving nature of her new disclosure law I looked into it and have found that most of what the school Districts are reporting to Pappas are not related to TRS but are IMRF debt. * *The TRS debt is not a debt of the school district bu... more »
National revolt against MAP Standardized Testing takes shape as Hartford expands MAP Standardized testing…. - Wait, What?
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
National revolt against MAP Standardized Testing takes shape as Hartford expands MAP Standardized testing…. - Wait, What?: National revolt against MAP Standardized Testing takes shape as Hartford expands MAP Standardized testing…. by jonpelto Earlier this month, teachers at Seattle’s Garfield High School announced that they would be boycotting the (Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test system. The also released a letter explaining why. The teachers wrote, “…MAP test is not good for our students, nor is it an appropriate or useful tool in measuring progress…It produces specio... more »
Ed Notes Online: Sign the Petition: UFT and NYC DOE: Share the Details of the Teacher Evaluation Agreement
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Ed Notes Online: Sign the Petition: UFT and NYC DOE: Share the Details of the Teacher Evaluation Agreement: Sign the Petition: UFT and NYC DOE: Share the Details of the Teacher Evaluation Agreement by ed notes online *A new teacher evaluation needs to be fair and be a source of support to the classroom. Share the MOU.* [image: UFT and NYC DOE: Share the details of the Teacher Evaluation Agreement proposed] Petitioning UFT/DOE Share the details of the Teacher Evaluation Agreement being proposed ------------------------------ On January 17, 2013 United Federation of Teachers Preside... more »
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