Big Education Ape: Big Education Ape Nite Cap 2-11-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

Monday, February 11, 2013

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 2-11-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

James Baldwin said it best:

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."

A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP

CTU President Karen Lewis discusses school closings. #EDCHAT #EDREFORM

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 minutes ago

*CTU President Karen Lewis discusses school closings.* The Mayor's office and Board of Education have threatened to close up to one hundred of our neighborhood schools. CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett is expected to release the hit list within a week. Through the month of February, CPS held hearings underwritten by the Walton Family Foundation (Wal-Mart) to sell these school closings to the public. Concurrently, charter school profiteers have been pushing their message of replacing neighborhood schools with charters through the so-called "School Choice Week." The public did not buy wha... more »

Taking Time to Practice Democracy | The IDEA Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 27 minutes ago

Taking Time to Practice Democracy | The IDEA Blog: Taking Time to Practice Democracy by Sabrina Stevens in *Blog* * * * * * * *Are we ‘school-year’ wise, but lifetime foolish?* Immediately after finishing the first video chapter of “A Year at Mission Hill,” I went over to the school’s website and read their mission statement. I was first struck by just how beautiful it is; their care and dedication to “helping parents raise youngsters” for a democratic society is evident in every single line. But in thinking about how to make schools like this the rule rather than the exception, th... more »

Mother Crusader: Paterson Collegiate Charter School Application; The Man Behind The Plan, Part II

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 32 minutes ago

Mother Crusader: Paterson Collegiate Charter School Application; The Man Behind The Plan, Part II: Paterson Collegiate Charter School Application; The Man Behind The Plan, Part II by darciecima This is Part Two in a series about the Paterson Collegiate Charter School Application. Here's the link to Part I. In Part II we will look at the man behind the Paterson Collegiate Charter School Application; Steven F. Wilson. Steven F. Wilson, founder and president of Ascend Learning, is also a senior fellow at Education Sector, a Washington think tank, and formerly, the John F. Kenned... more »

What Obama should say about education in State of Union

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

What Obama should say about education in State of Union: What Obama should say about education in State of Union Posted by Valerie Strauss on February 11, 2013 at 3:30 pm - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - - - - [image: President Obama giving State of Union in 2012. (whitehouse.gov)] President Obama giving State of Union address in 2012. (whitehouse.gov) Bill Moyers asked experts in different policy areas to write what they would like to hear President Obama say in Tuesday’s State of the Union address (which you can ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This Week

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This Week: Seattle Schools This Week by Melissa Westbrook *Monday, Feb. 11th* Curriculum&Instruction Policy Committee Meeting from 4-5:30 p.m. Agenda *Tuesday, Feb. 12th* Special Education Advocacy &Advisory Council Meeting from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at JSCEE, 2nd floor, room 2700. The Open Forum & District updates portion of the meeting is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Levy election for Operations and BEX. State of the Union speech by President Obama at 6 p.m. *Wednesday, Feb. 13th* Executive Committee Meeting from 8:30-10:00 am. Agenda. ... more »

Pritchett: Scrap SCUSD Plan to Close Schools, Start Over - Rosemont, CA Patch

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Pritchett: Scrap SCUSD Plan to Close Schools, Start Over - Rosemont, CA Patch: Pritchett: Scrap SCUSD Plan to Close Schools, Start Over [image: Christina Pritchett.]Some students in Rosemont may see their elementary school close next year, but not if their school board member has anything to say about it. Christina Pritchett, a first-year trustee on the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education, says she's opposed to the district's plan to close 11 under-enrolled elementary schools, including James W. Marshall Elementary Schoolin Rosemont. "I'm wiling to make the h...more »

Welcome Idahoans for Local Education | Truth in American Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Welcome Idahoans for Local Education | Truth in American Education: Welcome Idahoans for Local Education by Shane Vander Hart [image: Final I4LE Logo] On behalf of Truth in American Education I’d like to welcome Idahoans for Local Education as one of our new participants. This is a new group started by Stephanie Zimmerman who has tirelessly fought against the Common Core in her state. Their stated mission is: …to preserve Idaho’s local educational sovereignty by keeping the decision making close to home, where parents can make a difference. We want to make sure that Idaho‘s educ... more »

Mass murderers in public schools profit charter branding via legislators: insanity | Reclaim Reform

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Mass murderers in public schools profit charter branding via legislators: insanity | Reclaim Reform: Mass murderers in public schools profit charter branding via legislators: insanity by kenpreviti [image: Gov Pat Quinn][image: shooting_drills]Create an image of public schools as hellholes of slaughtered children, of constant fear and terror, that is odious to parents and taxpayers. Frighten their children into privatized charter schools where parents can buy a brand that provides the illusion of safety that is “well worth the money” to “keep your children safe” from the bogeyman ... more »

Pew study of 12 districts finds that closed schools are most often reused as charters | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Pew study of 12 districts finds that closed schools are most often reused as charters | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Pew study of 12 districts finds that closed schools are most often reused as charters by Dale Mezzacappa More than 40 percent of shuttered school buildings in 12 cities were ultimately reused as charter schools, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts study of 12 big cities that have undergone substantial downsizing of their traditional districts. The reasons, according to the report: the buildings are most suited as schools, public policy that encourages charte... more »

Parents 4 Teachers to call for investigation of CPS school closing process Parents United for Responsible Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Parents 4 Teachers to call for investigation of CPS school closing process: Parents 4 Teachers to call for investigation of CPS school closing process by admin [image: SaveOurSchoolsChicago] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA ADVISORY CHICAGO—Parent and community groups will hold a news conference Tuesday to request an independent investigation of CPS plans to close up to 140 schools. The groups charge the CPS school closing process is fraught with misconduct and is misleading the public about the true motives behind the school clos... more »

Reimagining Public Education, One Story at a Time — Whole Child Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Reimagining Public Education, One Story at a Time — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Sam Chaltain]Reimagining Public Education, One Story at a Time February 11, 2013 by Sam Chaltain I know we're already six weeks into 2013, but think back to last year for a second: What were the most talked about education stories of 2012? I'm guessing your list looks something like this—Common Core. The Chicago Teacher Strike. Newtown. And what worries me is that no matter what other stories you recalled—from Michelle Rhee to the Dropout Crisis to Race to the Top—they're all likel... more »

Paul Vallas’ No Bid Contract with the Public Consulting Group - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Paul Vallas’ No Bid Contract with the Public Consulting Group - Wait, What?: Paul Vallas’ No Bid Contract with the Public Consulting Group by jonpelto It is a familiar tune. When Superintendent of Schools Paul Vallas arrived in Bridgeport, he quickly signed a series of no-bid contracts. One was with the Public Consulting Group (PCG), a company that he had done business with when he was the CEO of the Chicago School System and again when he was the CEO of the Philadelphia Schools. In fact, PCG even features the Chicago and Philadelphia projects on its website. Word of the contract ... more »

Report Card: Video: Kindergartener asks board not to close his school

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Report Card: Video: Kindergartener asks board not to close his school: Video: Kindergartener asks board not to close his school Six-year-old Gavin Whelan approached the podium with confidence, stepping onto a stool and leaning into the microphone at Thursday's school board meeting regarding school closures in the Sacramento City Unified School District. Whelan immediately won the hearts of the room, as you'll see in the video below that captures the last half of his speech. For his bravery, as well as his patience in waiting through three hours of prior public comment, Whelan earns... more »

UPDATE: Thousands Protest Chicago School Closures and Budget Lies Schools Matter: "Minimum" tech standards to give common core tests

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Schools Matter: "Minimum" tech standards to give common core tests: Thousands Protest Chicago School Closures and Budget Lies by Jim Horn February 8, from George Schmidt: Things are exploding here, with protests of more than 1,000 people against Chicago's school policies every night. We are only reporting some of them, and just about everyone leading them will need some rest this weekend. The CORE re-election campaign is holding the Second City benefit Sunday night, and that will provide everyone with some respite. In addition to the local protests against the latest round of prop... more »

Garfield High School MAP test boycott to be featured on Dan Rather Reports « Seattle Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Garfield High School MAP test boycott to be featured on Dan Rather Reports « Seattle Education: Garfield High School MAP test boycott to be featured on Dan Rather Reports by seattleducation2011 Garfield High School MAP test boycott to be featured on Dan Rather Reports [image: header_drr_070212] *Saying it’s a waste of time, teachers in Seattle are refusing to give standardized tests to high schoolers because the tests don’t effectively assess students and educators don’t want their evaluations tied to a faulty test. The move is receiving widespread support across the nation. Dan ... more »

Diane in the Evening 2-11-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: Gerald Coles Replies to Critics: Obama’s Second Term by dianerav I posted Gerald Coles’ predictions about President Obama’s second term. Many commenters responded. This is Coles’ response to those who raised questions: With respect to the suggestion that the “federal govt. should get out of the classroom entirely,” I think that’s a complicated issue, given, for example, the federal government’s role in ending LEGAL segregation of schools. While issues of curriculum and what should and should not be discussed in the classroom do caution against a A Reader... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Why Does Your School District Have to Take Orders from a Private Trade Organization?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Why Does Your School District Have to Take Orders from a Private Trade Organization?: Why Does Your School District Have to Take Orders from a Private Trade Organization? by stlgretchen The Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is "offering guidance" to school districts toward the implementation of Common Core standards. *Question: Why is a private organization telling local school districts how they must direct their educational delivery and what requirements they must meet?* From edweek.com: One of the tw... more »

UPDATE: #data that matters… + #ASCDforum discussing #teacher #education – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

#ASCDforum discussing #teacher #education – @ the chalk face: [image: @TCF on Blog Talk Radio] Allow me to revisit the previous #SOTU on #education by Chalk Face, PhD [image: SOTU Wordle] Much, much ado about what the President will say about education in tomorrow’s SOTU address. The Answer Sheet has what SHOULD be said. But I’m revisiting a post I have up here from the previous SOTU speech. The image to the left is a Wordle graphic of the speech. Notice how, from the transcript, the word APPLAUSE is the most prominent one. That’s because, well, he didn’t really say much about anyt... more »

Lee Nave Jr. – Ain’t too Proud to Protest - Student Voice

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Student Voice: Lee Nave Jr. – Ain’t too Proud to Protest by admin The voices of Motown never sang such a wondrous tune as that of civil disobedience. Over a hundred students walked out of their Detroit, Michigan high school during early May of 2012. They wanted to send to their school board a clear message: “We need a voice in our school system”. The Detroit Public Schools were closing a high school within their district in order to cut cost. Students at Western International High School, a high school in a different area of Detroit, decided to retaliate by expressing their voice... more »

John Thompson: Are High Stakes Tests Here to Stay? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

John Thompson: Are High Stakes Tests Here to Stay? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: John Thompson: Are High Stakes Tests Here to Stay? by Anthony Cody *Guest post by John Thompson.* "High-stakes academic testing isn't going away," argues Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman in their New York Times Magazine article "Why Some Kids Handle Pressure while Others Fall Apart?" They describe a 5th grader's ordeal with standardized testing, "He got headaches and stomachaches. He would ask not to go to school." His pre-test anxiety "lasted a solid month before the test" and "'even af... more »

SI&A Cabinet Report – LAUSD petitions for sweeping relief from QEIA class size requirements + ADHD linked to family violence and parental depression

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: LAUSD petitions for sweeping relief from QEIA class size requirements *By Tom Chorneau* Monday, February 11, 2013 The Los Angeles Unified School District is set to bring applications forward next month seeking relief for 78 school sites from class-size restrictions required under a special state funding program. The waiver applications, which probably would not have attracted much attention a year ago, will instead test a policy of the California State Board of Education to provide districts leeway in setting student-teacher ratios even as an... more »

CTA Expanding Teacher Leadership « InterACT

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

CTA Expanding Teacher Leadership « InterACT: CTA Expanding Teacher Leadership by David B. Cohen Christal Watts, President of the Vallejo Educators Association, speaking at the Good Teaching Conference in San Jose. [image: Christal Watts, President of the Vallejo Educators Association, speaking at the Good Teaching Conference in San Jose, 2/8/13 (photo by the author)]I spent Friday at a pre-conference workshop for the Good Teaching Conference put on by the California Teachers Association, talking and working with teachers dedicated to improving our profession, and seeing our union a... more »

In Defense of Student Government «

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

In Defense of Student Government «: In Defense of Student Government by Angus Johnston Last month I wrote up some of my thoughts on one of the classic essays in American student activist history — Ray Glass’s “Are Student Governments Obsolete.” In that post I argued that there was a strange paradox lurking in Glass’s repudiation of the student government in favor of a voluntary student union organizing model, since Glass himself had helped to found one of the most important and effective statewide student associations the nation has ever seen — an organization that had student gov... more »

Groups vying to open Texas charter schools turned in similar proposals. How similar? See for yourself. | Education Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Groups vying to open Texas charter schools turned in similar proposals. How similar? See for yourself. | Education Blog: Groups vying to open Texas charter schools turned in similar proposals. How similar? See for yourself. By Holly Hacker/Reporter hhacker@dallasnews.com 8:44 am on February 11, 2013 | Permalink 0 1 0 As we reported Sunday, some nonprofit groups that want to start charter schools in Texas have turned in applications with identical or nearly identical passages. And the State Board of Education, which approves charters, has largely been okay with that. One now-former b... more »

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: OUTSIDE GROUPS TRYING TO INFLUENCE L.A. SCHOOL BOARD RACES. Eli Broad’s in for a quarter-of-a-million + smf’s 2¢

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: OUTSIDE GROUPS TRYING TO INFLUENCE L.A. SCHOOL BOARD RACES. Eli Broad’s in for a quarter-of-a-million + smf’s 2¢: OUTSIDE GROUPS TRYING TO INFLUENCE L.A. SCHOOL BOARD RACES. Eli Broad’s in for a quarter-of-a-million + smf’s 2¢ The Coalition for School Reform has raised more than $1.5 million, mostly from a small group of wealthy donors who helped fund past campaigns. Separate campaigns are being paid for by unions. BY HOWARD BLUME, LOS ANGELES TIMES | HTTP://LAT.MS/126QBK0[image: Eli Broad gives to school reform group] Education and ar... more »

Robert Scott’s Testimony on the Common Core | Truth in American Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Robert Scott’s Testimony on the Common Core | Truth in American Education: Robert Scott’s Testimony on the Common Core by Shane Vander Hart Robert Scott, former Texas Commissioner of Education, gave testimony before the Georgia General Assembly Joint Meeting of the House and Senate Education Committees. Below is the video: Part 1: Popout Part 2: Gates, Not the States, Driving Education Policy? by Shane Vander Hart Further evidence that the Common Core is special-interest driven and led, not state-led. Joy Pullman writing for the Heartland Institute’s School Reform News pointed o... more »

Modern School: With Friends Like These: Twisted Lefty Support for Drones and the CIA

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Modern School: With Friends Like These: Twisted Lefty Support for Drones and the CIA: With Friends Like These: Twisted Lefty Support for Drones and the CIA by Michael Dunn As Congress prepared to grill John Brennan, Obama’s appointment to lead the CIA, protesters from Code Pink and other organizations lined up outside in preparation to protest the hearings. As they waited, Code Pink cofounder, Medea Benjamin, was interviewed by KPFA’s Brian Edwards Tiekert (Thursday, 2/7/13, KPFA’s “Up Front”). In the interview, Benjamin listed numerous perfectly good reasons why Brennan should b...more »

New Orleans “Recovery District” a Dismal Failure « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

New Orleans “Recovery District” a Dismal Failure « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: New Orleans “Recovery District” a Dismal Failure by millerlf [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991]*Damaging Communities Now!* Post by Diane Ravitch 2/10/13 Bobby Jindal went to Virginia to boast of the miraculous transformation of education in Louisiana, all attributable to the magic of replacing public schools with privately managed, deregulated charters. This is an oft-told tale, repeated again and again by advocates of privatization in both political parties and e... more »

Shanker Blog » Why Did Florida Schools' Grades Improve Dramatically Between 1999 and 2005?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Shanker Blog » Why Did Florida Schools' Grades Improve Dramatically Between 1999 and 2005?: Why Did Florida Schools’ Grades Improve Dramatically Between 1999 and 2005? by Matthew Di Carlo Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush was in Virginia last week, helping push for a new law that would install an “A-F” grading system for all public schools in the commonwealth, similar to a system that has existed in Florida for well over a decade. In making his case, Governor Bush put forth an argument about the Florida system that he and his supporters use frequently. He said that, right after th... more »

Joy Resmovits: Bobby Jindal Shills For Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's Education Reforms; Warriors Vs. Worriors: Ed Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Joy Resmovits: Bobby Jindal Shills For Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's Education Reforms; Warriors Vs. Worriors: Ed Today: Bobby Jindal Shills For Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's Education Reforms; Warriors Vs. Worriors: Ed Today by Joy Resmovits *Huffington Post Education Reporter* *McDonnell Gets By With A Little Help From His Friend* As Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) continued his push for education reforms in Virginia, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) stopped by for a little nudge in the right direction, reports the Associated Press. "Jindal was in Richmond for U.S. House Majority Leader ... more »

Louisiana Educator: A Special Message to School Principals

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Louisiana Educator: A Special Message to School Principals: A Special Message to School Principals by Michael Deshotels I have been spending a lot of time visiting schools and meeting with principals lately. I have concluded that school principals are really caught in the middle of Louisiana's school reform movement and are often being unfairly blamed for and expected to cure all of the perceived educational ills of society right now or else! State authorities are dictating that school principals and their faculties bring up their school performance scores every year even though ... more »

MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-11-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] New Orleans Reform Group: Choice Falls Short by dianerav As we all know, New Orleans has been presented as a national model of school reform: eliminate public schools, open lots of charters staffed by inexperienced young teachers, watch for miraculous results. But now a major promoter of the all-charter model–the Cowen Institute at Tulane University– has released a The Fleecing of Public Education by dianerav This is a guest post by Peter DeWitt on a topic that should concern us all. We lack the infrastru... more »

UPDATE: The pension fight at street level + Stop closing Chicago public schools + John Dillon. Repesentative Sosnowski’s constitutional amendment. Say it ain’t so, Joe. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

John Dillon. Repesentative Sosnowski’s constitutional amendment. Say it ain’t so, Joe. « Fred Klonsky: The pension fight at street level. by Fred Klonsky The leadership of the *We Are One* coalition of Illinois public employee unions is holding their pension summit with legislative leaders today. It is scheduled for 1PM in Burr Ridge. The Governor says he will drop by. State Democratic Party Chairman who happens to be House Speaker Michael Madigan told We Are One to drop dead. Meeting with the legislative leaders is the right thing for the unions to do. The legislative leaders are t... more »

Teachers Rock in School: But what about out of School? – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Teachers Rock in School: But what about out of School? – @ the chalk face: Teachers Rock in School: But what about out of School? by Timothy D. Slekar [image: pov1][image: pov2]At this point you’re probably aware of my dissatisfaction with Jon Stewart and his tepid interview with the “radical” Michelle Rhee. OK I’m moving on–from Jon–not Rhee. I want to go back to one of the statements that she made in the interview. However, if you have the stomach to do so and follow Ms. Rhee, you know she makes this statement regularly: The research is very clear. That of all the in school fac... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLES by Mike Klonsky Diane Ravitch *The embargo seems as antique as the now ancient slogans.The sooner the embargo is lifted, the sooner there will be normal relations between our countries.* -- My vacation in Cuba Wendy Lecker, Connecticut Adocate *It is time for both parents and taxpayers to wake up. Millions upon millions of our hard-earned tax *

A teacher evaluation session out of ‘Star Wars’

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

A teacher evaluation session out of ‘Star Wars’: A teacher evaluation session out of ‘Star Wars’ Posted by Valerie Strauss on February 11, 2013 at 4:00 am - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - Share: - - - More » [image: yoda]Think “Star Wars.” That’s how award-winning Principal Carol Burris of South Side High School in New York frames her newest post on Year Two of New York’s controversial educator evaluation system. Burris has for more than a year chronicled on this blog (here and here and here, for example) the imple... more »

Legislation Alert: Student Assessment Bill 5587, Online Learning Bills HB 1431 and HB 1423 « Seattle Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Legislation Alert: Student Assessment Bill 5587, Online Learning Bills HB 1431 and HB 1423 « Seattle Education: Legislation Alert: Student Assessment Bill 5587, Online Learning Bills HB 1431 and HB 1423 by seattleducation2011 [image: alert-icon-red-md] *SENATE BILL 5587 *regarding student assessment (testing, as in high stakes testing) was introduced by Mercer Island Republican Tom Litzow who was backed during his campaign by Stand for Children. The bill will receive a public hearing on Wednesday, February 13 at 1:30 p.m. by the Senate committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education ... more »

Is a High-Stakes Testing Moratorium Possible in Florida? | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Is a High-Stakes Testing Moratorium Possible in Florida? | Scathing Purple Musings: Is a High-Stakes Testing Moratorium Possible in Florida? by Bob Sikes *F*or such an idea to be taken seriously, the voice had to belong to someone of significance. It does. Powerful Senate President Don Gaetz hasn’t been backing off his statement that there’s danger that Florida’s entire accountability system could implode. Now this is an interview with the editors of the *Panama City News Herald*: Having Gaetz — who’s hardly a squish on education reform — on board should persuade the rest of Cap... more »

UPDATE: The Vote for the Levies + Seattle Schools Community Forum: Music Teachers - The Grammys Appreciate You

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Music Teachers - The Grammys Appreciate You: The Vote for the Levies by Melissa Westbrook That deadline for that vote is now a little more than 36 hours away. Frankly, I doubt there are that many undecided votes out there. (I think no matter the outcome, the voting patterns will be interesting to watch as they may be an early warning for the Board elections in November.) No matter the vote, we do need to pull together as a district. The unity of purpose of parents is just as important as it is for the Board or district staff. Parents and comm... more »

Districts to seek NCLB waiver whether or not they’re invited | EdSource Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Districts to seek NCLB waiver whether or not they’re invited | EdSource Today: Districts to seek NCLB waiver whether or not they’re invited ** February 10th, 2013 | Add a Comment | By Kathryn Baron Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on print More Sharing Services A collaborative of California school districts known as the California Office to Reform Education, or CORE, plans to move forward with its application for a waiver from the most severe provisions of No Child Left Behind by the end of the month, the next deadline for states to apply. CORE intends to procee... more »

Daily Kos: How the US is NOT number 1:

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Daily Kos: How the US is NOT number 1:: How the US is NOT number 1: by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) The United States is one of only three countries that do not mandate paid parental leave out of 177 nations, according to researchers at McGill and Harvard universities. The other two are Papua New Guinea and Swaziland. That is from an article today's *Washington Post* titled Landmark family leave law doesn’t help millions of workers.By the way, officially I am not covered, because I did not have 1250 hours in at my current school before Leaves on the Current found out about her ca... more »

Straight Up Conversation: SAP Honcho Jason Zimba :: Frederick M. Hess

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Straight Up Conversation: SAP Honcho Jason Zimba :: Frederick M. Hess: Straight Up Conversation: SAP Honcho Jason Zimba *by Frederick M. Hess • Feb 11, 2013 at 7:04 am Cross-posted from Education Week* Print Send RSS [image: Share] Share You didn't think the ferment around Common Core could keep building? Hah! Prepare for several more years of increasing wackiness. In the middle of it all is Jazon Zimba, founding principal of Student Achievement Partners (SAP) and the man who continued to lead SAP after David Coleman went off to head up the College Board. SAP is a major player in ... more »

The Educated Reporter: Senate Discusses NCLB Waivers: What's Next For Federal Education Policy?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

The Educated Reporter: Senate Discusses NCLB Waivers: What's Next For Federal Education Policy?: Senate Discusses NCLB Waivers: What's Next For Federal Education Policy? by Emily Richmond If you're looking for background on the important Senate hearing on the NCLB waivers, and what might be next for education reform efforts at the federal level, start with Motoko Rich's news analysis for the New York Times. It's a solid primer on the backbone of the waivers, the controversy, and the criticism. Then jump over to Education Week's Politics K-12 blog. I can't say enough about the th... more »

NYC Educator: UFT Leadership: Those With Conscience Need Not Apply

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

NYC Educator: UFT Leadership: Those With Conscience Need Not Apply: UFT Leadership: Those With Conscience Need Not Apply by NYC Educator It's very discouraging to read of the UFT endorsement of Rory Lancman for City Council. There are some very basic things we should demand before offering our endorsement of any candidate. High on the list would be an opposition to closing schools. It was heartbreaking to see Jamaica High School condemned to closure based on false statistics, and there's no defense whatsoever for union support of those who helped it happen. Worse, even the veneer o... more »

Edu$hysters of the Week: Tim Quinn of Michigan (and the Broad Foundation, of course) « Seattle Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Edu$hysters of the Week: Tim Quinn of Michigan (and the Broad Foundation, of course) « Seattle Education: Edu$hysters of the Week: Tim Quinn of Michigan (and the Broad Foundation, of course) by seattleducation2011 This is part 2 in a series on what’s going on in the great state of Michigan. What’s happening in Utica, MI happened in Seattle and just might happen in your neck of the woods if it hasn’t already. To read Part 1, go to Introducing the Edu$hysters of the week and they all hail from the great state of Michigan. [image: money7] *Part 2:* *Edu$hyster of the Week: Tim Quinn o... more »

LAUSD - District 2 Board Candidate's Forum - Perdaily.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

LAUSD - District 2 Board Candidate's Forum - Perdaily.com: LAUSD - District 2 Board Candidate's Forum by Leonard Isenberg [image: LAUSD Board.jpg] *LAUSD** -** District 2 **Candidate's Forum* *Monday, February 11, 2013* *6**:00-**8**:00pm** at** **El Sereno Senior Citizen's Center*** *4818 Klamath Pl., Los Angeles, 90032 * *EDUCATION CAN'T WAIT: Meet the candidates for the March 5, 2013 election and hear them share their views.* For the future of our children & their schools: Please ask questions + voice your concerns 教育不能等待表达您关注的问题满足候选人 2013 年 2 月 11 日 6 ... more »

All Education Matters: Round Five: Restoring Bankruptcy Protection Rights To Student Loan Borrowers (HR 432)

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

All Education Matters: Round Five: Restoring Bankruptcy Protection Rights To Student Loan Borrowers (HR 432): Round Five: Restoring Bankruptcy Protection Rights To Student Loan Borrowers (HR 432) by Cryn Johannsen Last Wednesday, HR 432, which would allow private loans to be discharged in bankruptcy, was introduced by Congressmen Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.). This is the fifth time that that this type of legislation has been presented for passage. As most of my readers are aware, I am in full favor in restoring bankruptcy protection rights to borrowers with pri... more »

Cornel West on the "shameless silence" of progressives about Obama and education reform - C-SPAN Video Library

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Cornel West on the "shameless silence" of progressives about Obama and education reform - C-SPAN Video Library: CORNEL WEST ON THE "SHAMELESS SILENCE" OF PROGRESSIVES ABOUT OBAMA AND EDUCATION REFORMClipped from:Tavis Smiley Presents Poverty in America Jan 17, 2013 "PUBLIC EDUCATION IS PREDICATED ON THE NOTION YOU ARE FOCUSED ON OTHER KIDS -- YOU HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT ALL CHILDREN....NOT ANY LONGER -- ALL THIS PRIVATIZING PROFIT OBSESSION, THIS PREOCCUPATION WITH THIS SHORT-TERM GAIN AS OPPOSED TO LONG-TERM INTEGRITY, IS BEING PUSHED TO THE SIDE." 3 minutes, 42 seconds | 6 view... more »

A warning to college profs from a high school teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

A warning to college profs from a high school teacher: A warning to college profs from a high school teacher Posted by Valerie Strauss on February 9, 2013 at 12:00 pm - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - Share: - - - More » [image: warning]For more than a decade now we have heard that the high-stakes testing obsession in K-12 education that began with the enactment of No Child Left Behind 11 years ago has resulted in high school graduates who don’t think as analytically or as broadly as they should because so much emph... more »

Black History Month: Billie Holiday-Strange fruit- HD

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

*Black History Month: Billie Holiday-Strange fruit* Billie Holiday Strange Fruit Lyrics * Songwriters: FROST,DAMON/PHIRI,AARON / Southern trees bear a strange fruit, Blood on the leaves and blood at the root, Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze, Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees. Pastoral scene of the gallant south, The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth, Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh, Then the sudden smell of burning flesh. Here is fruit for the crows to pluck, For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck, For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop, Here is... more »

Common Core math blues + The emotional violence of the accountability regime: part one – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Common Core math blues – @ the chalk face: [image: @TCF on Blog Talk Radio] Common Core math blues by Chris Cerrone So parents, have you noticed that your children’s math homework is much more difficult this year? Are you having problems helping your child? Welcome to Common Core math. This new education reform is permeating our children’s classrooms and the result is not pretty. 44 States and D.C. have signed on to the Common Core Standards, many for the opportunity to get the Race to the Top bribes, err, grants. Ask any veteran teacher: there have been many educational movemen... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Times Just Can't Stop

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Times Just Can't Stop: The Times Just Can't Stop by Melissa Westbrook [image: Corporate Media = Corporate Lies] Honestly, I just don't get the Times. So now they have trotted out an op-ed against BOTH levies (and, gotten the name of the pro-levy supporter, Greg Wong -not Wang - wrong to boot). It's yet another person who is late to this party of "accountability" and yet this guy even casts a bigger swath. And he's a public school parent who wants* both* levies to fail. I understand his unhappiness but failing the Operations levy won't chang... more »

Engaging Parents In School… » This Week’s #PTchat On Twitter

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Engaging Parents In School… » This Week’s #PTchat On Twitter: This Week’s #PTchat On Twitter by Larry Ferlazzo Guest Post by Joe Mazza When: Wed., 2/13/13 – 9PM EDT/6PST Image credit: http://edtechvision.org/ Oftentimes parents don’t ask questions about supporting academic initiatives in our schools because we haven’t provided them enough information on the who, what, when, where, how. It’s up to teachers and leaders to go the extra mile to engage them and show them how to support our work in the classroom. During this week’s Parent-Teacher Chat (#ptchat) on Twitter, we’ll creat... more »

Black History Month Not Universally Supported - Higher Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Black History Month Not Universally Supported - Higher Education: Black History Month Not Universally Supported by cmaadmin Shukree Tilghman is among those calling for an end to Black History Month. One scene in a CBS “60 Minutes” profile of Morgan Freeman that was broadcast several years ago garnered a lot of attention. [image: End BHM]“Black History Month you find …?” the interviewer Mike Wallace began. “Ridiculous,” said Freeman. “You going to relegate my history to a month?” Then the veteran actor turned the tables on his interviewer: “Which month is White History Month?” “I’m Jew... more »

For Immediate Release: Occupy the U.S. Dept. of Ed. 2.0 | United Opt Out National

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

For Immediate Release: Occupy the U.S. Dept. of Ed. 2.0 | United Opt Out National: For Immediate Release: Occupy the U.S. Dept. of Ed. 2.0 by admin Contact: United Opt Out National FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Email: unitedoptoutnational@gmail.com Website: http://unitedoptout.com OCCUPY THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 2.0 The Battle for Public Schools Administrators of the public education advocacy group UNITED OPT OUT NATIONAL are hosting the second annual event on the grounds of the US Department of Education in Washington, DC on April 4-7, 2013. We ask all of ... more »

Overcoming arrogance and obstruction – one story at a time | Reclaim Reform

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Overcoming arrogance and obstruction – one story at a time | Reclaim Reform: Overcoming arrogance and obstruction – one story at a time by kenpreviti [image: Chicago CPS attitude]What does it take to overcome arrogant responses and obstructions when all we want is justice for our public schools, students, teachers and retirees with their pensions. Here is just one story and commentary of educational courage published in the Answer Sheet of the Washington Post. HERE. Excerpt: Sam’s story also teaches us that we must stand together. While

Ramblings About Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee « Cooperative Catalyst

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Ramblings About Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee « Cooperative Catalyst: Ramblings About Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee by robinclane Just finished watching Jon Stewart’s interview with Michelle Rhee. She mostly focused on specific policies she highlights in her new book — teacher evaluation, “accountability,” school closings, etc. — that many of us progressive educators can agree are anti-student as well as anti-teacher. But beyond all of that, there are two things I haven’t heard much discussion about that I’d like to bring up about Rhee and the premise from which she func... more »

I have some concerns about the #studentvoice in #edreform – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

I have some concerns about the #studentvoice in #edreform – @ the chalk face: I have some concerns about the #studentvoice in #edreform by Chalk Face, PhD I will keep this brief. I have other things to do. But I have some concerns that I feel like I need to air to see if I’ve got this correct or if anyone else is feeling it too. Right now, groups on numerous sides of the education reform debate are finally asking students to speak out. There’s a bunch of different student-organized clubs or groups that advocate for education-specific causes. That’s excellent. We can’t complain if ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Apparently, I'm Not the Only One

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Apparently, I'm Not the Only One: Apparently, I'm Not the Only One by Melissa Westbrook In the continuing saga over opposing the BEX because of the interim plan vote, I have seen some new e-mails. One interesting item to note is that *BOTH the Eckstein PTA as well as the Seattle Council PTSA support both levies. * It would seem Eckstein's elected parent leadership is for the BEX. And, if the Seattle Council PTSA had serious issues with either levy, you'd think they would have brought them up. One PTA president (who will remain nameless) asked Ms... more »

School Tech Connect: The View From Sunday

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

School Tech Connect: The View From Sunday: The View From Sunday by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) Man, the gloom hanging over Chicago today was intense. Anyway, Rogers Park Neighbors For Public Schools is on the march, growing so fast I can hardly keep up with it. At the end of today's meeting I realized we had organizational activities every night this week, which means my dogs will be very, very unhappy by Friday night. On a positive note, I've learned enough about computers over the past two years that I managed to repair my own MacBook Pro, which if you'll remember, I dro... more »

Our Book Club: A Brief History of Neoliberalism by David Harvey | United Opt Out National

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Our Book Club: A Brief History of Neoliberalism by David Harvey | United Opt Out National: Our Book Club: A Brief History of Neoliberalism by David Harvey by admin United Opt Out National began an online book club approximately two months ago and it appears that it is here to stay; we’d like to invite everyone to join us. Our meeting time is on Sunday at 4 p.m. EST on our Occupy the DOE in DC page. Next week we will finish the final chapter of The Future of Our Schools: Teachers Unions and Social Justice by Lois Weiner and we will begin by reading the introduction of A Brief Hist... more »

Help Has Arrived!: Banishing NCLB’s Narrow Paradigm | Cloaking Inequity

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Help Has Arrived!: Banishing NCLB’s Narrow Paradigm | Cloaking Inequity: Help Has Arrived!: Banishing NCLB’s Narrow Paradigm [image: Screen Shot 2013-01-31 at 1.12.14 PM] How can we banish NCLB’s top-down and narrow paradigm? Here is how you do it… Accountability should foster collective community goals. In education, there are many measures of student success from school entry through graduation and beyond. Here are Community-Based Accountability Executive Summary and Key Features. Please forward and circulate widely. These are living documents and will be revised as feedback and ... more »

Webinar: Teacher Jesse Hagopian of Garfield High School- How it can happen at your school « Seattle Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Webinar: Teacher Jesse Hagopian of Garfield High School- How it can happen at your school « Seattle Education: Webinar: Teacher Jesse Hagopian of Garfield High School- How it can happen at your school by seattleducation2011 [image: scrap the map2] *A webinar with Garfield High School Teacher Jesse Hagopian* A free webinar featuring Jesse Hagopian, Garfield teacher and alumnus, as he discusses the background and current state of the fight to Scrap The Map. Today at 5pm PST. You must register via email to receive an invitation to the webinar: Write to garfieldteacherswebinar@gmail.com... more »

Daily Kos: Sacramento School District Rushing to Close 1/5 of its Elementary Schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Daily Kos: Sacramento School District Rushing to Close 1/5 of its Elementary Schools: SUN FEB 10, 2013 AT 09:03 AM PST Sacramento School District Rushing to Close 1/5 of its Elementary Schools byERTBenFollow - - - 7 Comments / 7 New On January 16th, the Sacramento City Unified School District announced that it was planning to close 11 elementary schools - 1/5 of the total elementary schools in the entire district. This came as a shock to many, since city voters had just overwhelmingly passed Measures Q and R, providing $414 million in bonds to fund repairs and... more »