Democrats Outraged in Alabama as GOP Passes Tax Credit Bill
Democrats were in a state of fury in Alabama as the legislature swiftly passed a bill to give tax credits to corporations and individuals so that students in “failing schools” can attend private schools with public money.
“Republicans heralded it as a historic day for education and life-altering for children stuck in poorly performing schools. But tempers boiled over as Democrats called the maneuver “sleaziness” and a “bait and switch.”"
On the other side of the aisle:
Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, as she was leaving the House chamber threw her hands over her head and
“Republicans heralded it as a historic day for education and life-altering for children stuck in poorly performing schools. But tempers boiled over as Democrats called the maneuver “sleaziness” and a “bait and switch.”"
On the other side of the aisle:
Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, as she was leaving the House chamber threw her hands over her head and
A Teacher Writes New Book about the Corporate Reform Movement
One of the readers of this blog, experienced teacher Brian Ford, has written a new book. It seems to encapsulate the major themes of today’s privatization movement.
Respect for Teachers and the Rhetoric Gap:
How Research on Teaching and Schools is
Laying the Ground for New Business Models in Education
(A New Economy Story about the State of the Union)
Author: Brian Ford
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Summary of Book
For the last 30 years we have been in the midst of a paradox. In the discourse on education reform, national attention in the US has focused on how to improve the education system as a means to keep the US from slipping in international economic competition. It the end we may have actually done the opposite – made the US less competitive economically, with a system that has gotten worse at its core, in its philosophical tenets
Respect for Teachers and the Rhetoric Gap:
How Research on Teaching and Schools is
Laying the Ground for New Business Models in Education
(A New Economy Story about the State of the Union)
Author: Brian Ford
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Summary of Book
For the last 30 years we have been in the midst of a paradox. In the discourse on education reform, national attention in the US has focused on how to improve the education system as a means to keep the US from slipping in international economic competition. It the end we may have actually done the opposite – made the US less competitive economically, with a system that has gotten worse at its core, in its philosophical tenets
Who Owns This School?
A charter school in Sarasota, Florida, is in court over a simple question: who owns the school?
The for-profit corporation Imagine Schools says it owns the school. The board of the charter fired Imagine and says the board owns the school.
The board didn’t like paying Imagine nearly $1 million a year for its services.
Charter operators around the nation will watch to find out: Who owns this school?
The for-profit corporation Imagine Schools says it owns the school. The board of the charter fired Imagine and says the board owns the school.
The board didn’t like paying Imagine nearly $1 million a year for its services.
Charter operators around the nation will watch to find out: Who owns this school?
A Brief Video Explains Why VAM in Louisiana is a Sham
This video was created by Herbert Bassett.
Herb Bassett is a Louisiana music teacher who also holds a math minor. His principal asked him in October to investigate Louisiana’s school performance scores. Since then, Herb has also done work to explain and expose Louisiana’s value added modeling (VAM),
The teacher evaluation model in Louisiana is based overwhelmingly on student test scores. A single year rating of Ineffective can get a teacher fired.
This is wrong. Those imposing this punitive and inaccurate approach should be held accountable for their errors and for demoralizing the state’s teachers.
Herb Bassett is a Louisiana music teacher who also holds a math minor. His principal asked him in October to investigate Louisiana’s school performance scores. Since then, Herb has also done work to explain and expose Louisiana’s value added modeling (VAM),
The teacher evaluation model in Louisiana is based overwhelmingly on student test scores. A single year rating of Ineffective can get a teacher fired.
This is wrong. Those imposing this punitive and inaccurate approach should be held accountable for their errors and for demoralizing the state’s teachers.
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-28-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] How Do You Fight Back Without Getting Fired? by dianerav This reader asks the question of the day, which is the title of this post. If you are doing a job you want to do but are required to do what you know is wrong, what do you do? One answer: join with others who agree with you. Find others teachers who feel the same. Join with parents. Alone you are powerless and vulnerable. Learn about any organized opposition to educational malpractice in your community, re... more »