Big Education Ape: Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 3-25-13 AM Posts #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

Monday, March 25, 2013

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 3-25-13 AM Posts #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS

Laid-off Sacramento City teachers win partial court victory - Education - The Sacramento Bee

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 minutes ago

Laid-off Sacramento City teachers win partial court victory - Education - The Sacramento Bee: Laid-off Sacramento City teachers win partial court victory - Sacramento Bee Laid-off Sacramento City teachers win partial court victory lkalb@sacbee.com PUBLISHED SATURDAY, MAR. 16, 2013 Scores of laid-off Sacramento teachers who sued last year complaining that their school district ignored seniority-based job protections won a partial victory Friday in Sacramento Superior Court. Judge Allen Sumner, in a case closely watched by educators and advocacy groups across the state, concluded... more »

Daily Kos: Diane Ravitch calls it "the most brilliant post of the day"

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 27 minutes ago

Daily Kos: Diane Ravitch calls it "the most brilliant post of the day": Diane Ravitch calls it "the most brilliant post of the day" by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] As she puts it in this brief post at her blog: In a blinding flash of insight, he sees the pattern on the rug of the corporate reform movement. She is referring to A Confederacy of Reformers by the brilliant Louisiana blogger Crazy Catfish. Trust me, he really nails the corporate "reform" movement in education in this post.Here is the conclusion: What I am seeing... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-25-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 27 minutes ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Should the Common Core Standards Have Been Field Tested? by dianerav Marc Tucker and others scoffed when I said that the Common Core standards should have been field tested in a few districts and states before they were imposed on the 46 states. No one knows whether they will improve achievement. No one knows if they will widen or narrow the gaps between different groups. No one knows if the awkward mapping makes sense. No one knows if he standards are developm... more »

The Gap No One Wants to Talk About – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 39 minutes ago

The Gap No One Wants to Talk About – @ the chalk face: The Gap No One Wants to Talk About by plthomasedd The achievement gap is misleading because it keeps the focus on all the wrong things. That gap is simply a metric for a root cause gap—the inequity gap. But even more troubling is that addressing the achievement gap or simply allowing the term itself to be a default fact is ultimately a tremendous distraction that serves the privileged. The gap no one wants to talk about is the ever-widening wealth gap in the U.S. Consider a typical (and, again, distracting) claim: But the top ... more »

Rand Paul pushes federal school vouchers

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 39 minutes ago

Rand Paul pushes federal school vouchers: Rand Paul pushes federal school vouchers Posted by Valerie Strauss on March 25, 2013 at 10:00 am 0 Comments More [image: Sen. Rand Paul (By Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)] Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). (By Reuters/Kevin Lamarque) Sen. Rand Paul, a rising star in the Republican Party, is pushing for a federal voucher program that sounds similar to one advanced by Mitt Romney when he was running for president. Paul, from Kentucky, co-sponsored an amendment to Senate budget legislation with Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Republican from Tennessee who was once secre... more »

Bring Your Own Tech to School… and Become a Hacker! | toteachornototeach

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 44 minutes ago

Bring Your Own Tech to School… and Become a Hacker! | toteachornototeach: Bring Your Own Tech to School… and Become a Hacker! by aristotlethewise *Bring Your Own Tech to School… and Become a Hacker!* by John Pavley Getting a new computer is quite a traumatic experience for me. On my personal Mac Mini (vintage 2009) I have all my favorite apps installed and all my folders and files just where I like them. I have all my accounts, system settings, network settings, and fonts customized and optimized. It took me weeks of trial and error to get it set up so I can focus on thinking and p... more »

Modern School: Youth Poverty At An All-Time High

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 44 minutes ago

Modern School: Youth Poverty At An All-Time High: Youth Poverty At An All-Time High by Michael Dunn Empty Pockets (Image by barbaranixon from Flickr) A new report from the Washington DC-based Urban Institute indicates that the overall percentage of wealth of those in their 20s and 30s has been dropping steadily and is now at its lowest level since records have been kept, the WSWS reports. The study, “Lost Generation? Wealth Building Among Young Americans,” found that young people aged 29-37 saw a 21% decline in their accrued wealth over the past few decades, while those who are 74... more »

UPDATE: Tony at the Red Line Tap + Every Chicago public school is my school. | Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 48 minutes ago

Every Chicago public school is my school. | Fred Klonsky: Tony at the Red Line Tap. by Fred Klonsky [image: tonyattheredline] “Richie Imperial Porter, Marty.” “Comin’ right up, Klonsky.” “Damn. Look who decided to drop by,” said Tony as I saddled up to the bar. “Why do we say *saddled up* when we sit at a bar,” I asked? “We don’t say that we saddled up to a table.” “Why are roads *closed*, but bridges are *out*,” asked Tony? “It’s not like my union president demanded to *saddle up* to the table for pension negotiations.” “That’s okay,” said Tony. “I try and stay away from tables anywa... more »

School shootings and lessons learned Page 1 of 3 | UTSanDiego.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 51 minutes ago

School shootings and lessons learned Page 1 of 3 | UTSanDiego.com: Krugman suggests Cyprus could be the start of something positive by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) which is the restriction of the free flow of capital across borders. In Hot Money Blues, his *New York Times*column this morning, he says one thing seems certain: for the time being, and probably for years to come, the island nation will have to maintain fairly draconian controls on the movement of capital in and out of the country. He further suggests that if shaped properly such a move might well have the support o... more »

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Murdoch wants FCC to change rules so he can grab L.A. Times

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 59 minutes ago

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Murdoch wants FCC to change rules so he can grab L.A. Times: Murdoch wants FCC to change rules so he can grab L.A. Times by Mike Klonsky Rupert Murdoch's criminal media empire could expand even more wildly in the U.S. if he's able to get the F.C.C. to get rid of some of its basic regulations. Murdoch's NewsCorp company is stepping up lobbying efforts revise a media ownership rule that would prevent the company from acquiring The L.A.Times and other newspapers in markets in which it already owns television stations. British billionaire Murdoch is... more »

Parent/Teacher Conferences–More Cartoons* | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Parent/Teacher Conferences–More Cartoons* | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Parent/Teacher Conferences–More Cartoons* by larrycuban If readers following this blog have not yet guessed it, I am a sucker for cartoons about school reform policies, classroom practice, and larger education issues. Cartoonists have the knack of getting to the basic point, albeit, with exaggeration, even caricature. Sometimes, they hit the bullseye and say what needs to be said even if it makes the reader wince. Getting the viewer to smile, maybe chuckle, and mutter: “how true” is the... more »

The Educated Reporter: Common Core State Standards and STEM: Raising the Bar for Student Learning

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

The Educated Reporter: Common Core State Standards and STEM: Raising the Bar for Student Learning: Common Core State Standards and STEM: Raising the Bar for Student Learning by Emily Richmond *EWA recently held a one-day seminar focused on STEM education at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. We invited some of the journalist attendees to contribute blog posts from the sessions. Today's entry is from **education reporter Erica Green of the Baltimore Sun. You can find additional resources from the seminar, including materials from many of the presenters, here.* The new C... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Bye-Bye Ben Chavis

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Jersey Jazzman: Bye-Bye Ben Chavis: Bye-Bye Ben Chavis by Duke Diane Ravitch reports the latest news about one of the darlings of the reformy, Ben Chavis: Politicians and pundits flicked to the school to sing its praises and to heap honor and recognition on Ben Chavis, its leader. Chavis flaunted his “no excuses” style and his disdain for liberal softies. His schools had some of the highest scores in the state so it was hard to argue with success. As the media took turns lionizing Chavis, they failed to notice that he had managed to lose the American Indians and to tilt the en... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Student Data Privacy Lawsuit Against DOEd. FERPA = Tracking from Cradle to Grave

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Student Data Privacy Lawsuit Against DOEd. FERPA = Tracking from Cradle to Grave: Student Data Privacy Lawsuit Against DOEd. FERPA = Tracking from Cradle to Grave by stlgretchen From Washington Post and *Lawsuit charges Ed Department with violating student privacy rights*: The U.S. Education Department is being sued by a nonprofit organization for promoting regulations that are alleged to undercut student privacy and parental consent. The rules allow third parties, including private companies and foundations promoting school reform, to get access to ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLES by Mike Klonsky Trumbull Elementary student Daqueeta Holland, 10, left, sobs as she and friend Dyanna Davis, 10, lament that they'll be separated next year when Trumbull closes. (Chicago Tribune)CTU Pres. Karen Lewis *“Performance has creeped back in the conversation. Every time you look up, they’ve changed the bar on what this is going to be about.”* -- Sun-Times Ald. Bob Fioretti *"I think they set them all up for failure. And then what they set up even worse was the communities and the parents and the faculties... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Democracy Dies In Camden

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: Democracy Dies In Camden: Democracy Dies In Camden by Duke And so it finally comes to this: *Gov. Christie plans to announce Monday that he is taking the extraordinary step of putting the educational and fiscal management of the Camden School District under state control*, The Inquirer has learned. As part of the takeover of what the state considers the worst-performing district in New Jersey, Christie will appoint a new superintendent and leadership team, shifting the school board to an advisory role, according to administration officials briefed on the plan. ... more »

“The Corner Office” for Schools: Teamwork, Fun, and Getting Stuff Done | InterACT

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

“The Corner Office” for Schools: Teamwork, Fun, and Getting Stuff Done | InterACT: “The Corner Office” for Schools: Teamwork, Fun, and Getting Stuff Done by David B. Cohen [image: Promoting Quality Teaching: New Approaches To Compensation and Career Pathways] Here’s another post based on “The Corner Office” feature in Business section of the Sunday New York Times. This weekly interview with business leaders provides insights into the philosophies and practices of successful individuals in various industries. I always find it interesting to see what people in other fields are sayi... more »

Last Stand for Children First: We're giving CPS a "B+" on School Action Plans

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Last Stand for Children First: We're giving CPS a "B+" on School Action Plans: We're giving CPS a "B+" on School Action Plans by Last Stand for Children With *CPSmaking the courageous decision to close 54 schools *- we wanted to dig in, look at the schools, and see if the outcomes were in line with the position we announced last fall calling for CPS to abuse students this year and get it out of their system. Below is our press release on our position. We think the plan merits a "B+". Bottom line, while CPS is heading in the right direction, there is always room for improvement an... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Will Common Core Allow Pearson to Dictate Curriculum?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Will Common Core Allow Pearson to Dictate Curriculum?: Will Common Core Allow Pearson to Dictate Curriculum? by stlgretchen From Alan Singer in Huffington Post, *Cuomo, Common Core and Pearson-for-Profit: * If it has its way, Pearson will soon be determining what gets taught in schools across the United States with little or no parental or educational oversight. Pearson standardized exams will assess how well teachers implement Pearson instruction modules and Pearson's common core standards, but not what students really learn or whether students... more »

Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: Nancy Flanagan is an education writer and consultant focusing on teacher leadership. She spent 30 years in a K-12 music classroom in Hartland, Mich, and was named Michigan Teacher of the Year in 1993. She is National Board-certified, and a member of the Teacher Leaders Network. She welcomes feedback on her sharp-eyed perspectives on the inconsistencies and inspirations, the incomprehensible, immoral and imaginative, in American education. She is a digital organizer for IDEA(Institute for Democratic Education in America). You can f... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools News

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools News: Precursor to Seattle Schools DOE Investigation by Melissa Westbrook From Ed Week comes this story of a district in Mississippi and the measures they must take for their disciplinary measures for all students. This may end up being what Seattle Schools is told they must do. *Among other things outlined in a consent decree signed Thursday between the district and the DOJ:* - *The district cannot use suspension, alternative school settings, or expulsion for minor misbehavior and has to limit these types of consequences a... more »

Why my grandson, 4, won’t be taking a gifted ed test - Class Struggle - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

Why my grandson, 4, won’t be taking a gifted ed test - Class Struggle - The Washington Post: Why my grandson, 4, won’t be taking a gifted ed test By Jay Mathews My eldest grandson, Ben Mathews, just turned four. According to the New York Times, that is a perilous age in that big city. Many four year olds are toiling through exercises designed by their parents and tutoring companies to prepare for kindergarten gifted program entrance tests. It gets worse. Adults are fighting over the very nature of those exams. Should they, as they do now, measure how much academic preparation pre... more »

UFT on School Governance: the second (and stranger) of two debates | JD2718

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

UFT on School Governance: the second (and stranger) of two debates | JD2718: UFT on School Governance: the second (and stranger) of two debates by jd2718 Last Monday, at the UFT Exec Board, I rose to speak against the recommendations on school governance. They were approved by that body, seventy or so to 3. I posted about the meeting (click here for account), and promised to write up my notes (click here for the write up). On Wednesday the recommendations, now approved by the Exec Board, were introduced to the Delegate Assembly. There any chance of debate was obscured by a terti... more »

Diane in the Evening 3-24-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: *To infinity ... and beyond!* When Democracy Died in Camden, NJ by dianerav Jersey Jazzman reports that Governor Christie has decided to take control of the Camden school district. Camden is the fourth school district in the state to be taken over. Paterson, Newark, and Jersey City are already controlled by the state. JJ writes: *“Let’s be clear: Paterson has been under state control for 24 years, Jersey City for 22 years, and Newark for 18 * NYC Parents and Students Mobilizing for Real Reform by dianerav As the m... more »

#edweek pushing the #commoncore on parents – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

#edweek pushing the #commoncore on parents – @ the chalk face: #edweek pushing the #commoncore on parents by Timothy D. Slekar [image: @TCF on Blog Talk Radio] If you’re bored please go here. EdWeek needs our help. They want us to explain to “parents” why we need the Common Core. This is what I posted. *Re: Teaching Parents About the Common Core* Really? Now EdWeek is trying to dupe parents into the disaster of the coming Common Core. Parents, WAKE UP! The Common Core is nothing more than a package of surveillance gadgets designed to track your child’s constant movement and ... more »

Let’s Re-Learn How to Read for the Common Core | toteachornototeach

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Let’s Re-Learn How to Read for the Common Core | toteachornototeach: Let’s Re-Learn How to Read for the Common Core by aristotlethewise *Let’s Re-Learn How to Read for the Common Core* by Stephen Chiger It’s about time I said I was sorry to Professor Smith. One of my most vivid college memories is of him rebuking my modern drama class for our lazy reading of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. Why did no one notice, let alone try to analyze, the symbolism of Nora dancing the tarantella? I felt terrible, and as Smith pushed us, I realized why he was so flustered: Ibsen had selected detail... more »

Public School Money, Creationism, Evolution, and Schneider | deutsch29

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Public School Money, Creationism, Evolution, and Schneider | deutsch29: Public School Money, Creationism, Evolution, and Schneider by deutsch29 Over the past year, I have read a number of articles regarding the use of public funds to support schools that are teaching creationism and not evolution. In all of my reading on the topic, I have not read any articles offering a perspective similar to my own. Therefore, I have decided to weigh in on the subject. In order for readers to properly consider my perspective, I must first offer insight into the influences that have shaped my t... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Spotlight on Aki Kurose

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Spotlight on Aki Kurose: Spotlight on Aki Kurose by Charlie Mas [image: aki-kurose] The Alliance for Education, by giving Mia Williams the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence, has put a spotlight on Aki Kurose. Let's take a look. Aki Kurose was in Step 5 of No Child Left Behind when Ms Williams was installed as the principal there for the 2008-2009 school year. In Step 5 schools are supposed to either be closed (then re-invented and re-opened) or be "transformed". This transformation must include, at a minimum, the replacement of the principal. ... more »

School closings are child abuse on a massive scale. | Reclaim Reform

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

School closings are child abuse on a massive scale. | Reclaim Reform: School closings are child abuse on a massive scale. by kenpreviti [image: Broad School Closing]Why should you be involved? What can you do?School closings are child abuse on a massive scale. Replacing a few of the public schools or building new schools with public funds paid to private for-profit charters includes fraud, corruption and graft. This process is not a “private/public partnership”; it is a plutocratic takeover and true redistribution of wealth. *“There’s a time when the operation of the machine become... more »

Debt Strangles the 99% | OccupyWallSt.org

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Debt Strangles the 99% | OccupyWallSt.org: Debt Strangles the 99% by OccupyWallSt 76% of Americans are in debt. 15% are being pursued by one or more debt collectors. 22% of Americans are too impoverished to qualify for credit. That forces them into informal debt like payday loans or worse, which generateinterest rates of up to 500%. So add that together and we have the 99%. [image: 62% of bankruptcies] Strike Debt and the Rolling Jubilee believe that no one should have to go into debt to cover basic human rights like health care, education, and housing. One in seven Americans is be... more »

Challenge is not only opening good charter schools, but closing bad ones. A new national discussion begins. | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Challenge is not only opening good charter schools, but closing bad ones. A new national discussion begins. | Get Schooled: Challenge is not only opening good charter schools, but closing bad ones. A new national discussion begins. by Maureen Downey Mike Ritter/AJC [image: Mike Ritter/AJC]While Georgia seeks ways to open more high-performing charter schools, other parts of the country are engaging in a different challenge: How to close under-performing ones. The House passed a parent trigger bill that would have allowed parents in even top-rated schools to petition their school boar... more »

Lafayette School. Evidence of a failing, underutilized school in Chicago. | Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Lafayette School. Evidence of a failing, underutilized school in Chicago. | Fred Klonsky: Lafayette School. Evidence of a failing, underutilized school in Chicago. by Fred Klonsky PopoutH/T: Last Stand for Children First. Lafayette School is just one of 54 schools that the Chicago Public Schools are planning to close. Lafayette’s Illinois School Report Card shows just what a colossal failure it is. With 98% of the student population living in poverty, should they really be earning the upright bass? Why not teach these students instruments that they could play on street corners a... more »

Jersey Jazzman: How ONE Question on ONE Test Can Cost You Your Job

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: How ONE Question on ONE Test Can Cost You Your Job: How ONE Question on ONE Test Can Cost You Your Job by Duke Last week, I pointed out a big math failure in the proposed New Jersey teacher evaluation system, AchieveNJ: Slide 14 (annotations mine): Slide 20: OK, wait a minute... Slide 14 says my students' Student Growth Percentiles, or SGPs, will be calculated on a scale of 1 to 99. We've already established that my evaluation will use the Median SGP for my class, even though that is potentially a hugely distorted metric (see NJDOE Math Fail #1 for more). Bu... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core Discussion Board for Parents

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core Discussion Board for Parents: Common Core Discussion Board for Parents by stlgretchen Parents and taxpayers, here's your chance to have your voice heard about the standards/assessments to be taught to your children via Common Core. From Education Week Teacher and *Teaching Parents about the Common Core:* For the *Education Week Teacher* story package on "Common Core Instructional Opportunities,” we spoke with teachers, curriculum specialists, and principals about what the new standards mean for teaching. One group of stakeholders we did n... more »

N&O’s Ned Barnett on Diane Ravitch « The Progressive Pulse

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

N&O’s Ned Barnett on Diane Ravitch « The Progressive Pulse: N&O’s Ned Barnett on Diane Ravitch [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Post on March 24, 2013 by Rob SchofieldNo Comments In case you missed last week’s NC Policy Watch luncheon with Diane Ravitch, you can still watch it by clicking here. You can also read Ned Barnett’s column in this morning’s edition of Raleigh’s *News & Observer* in which the veteran journalist summarizes the hard truths Ravitch spelled out as she dismantled the “reform” plans of North Carolina’s Senate leader Phil Berger. On Tuesday,... more »

Thinking About Schools: Value-SUBTRACTED Measures

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Thinking About Schools: Value-SUBTRACTED Measures: Value-SUBTRACTED Measures Subtract: a) to eliminate, reduce, terminate, cut, or other action which reduces value or ability to succeed. In an era where "Value-Added Measures" (along with excessive testing and teacher labeling) are all the rage, what about Value-Subtracted Measures which force action we know are bad for kids and learning and can in no way counter the noble efforts and success of those adding value to learning? I read with interest (and because of the pictures our son sent) about the U.S.A. World Cup prelimina... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: I feel Rahm's pain

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: I feel Rahm's pain: I feel Rahm's pain by Mike Klonsky Try this Mr. MayorThe mayor says closing 54 schools and displacing 30,000 students has been "very difficult" for him. *Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Saturday said the “difficult” decision to close 54 Chicago elementary schools was not a matter officials took lightly.There is a lot of anguish and I understand that and I appreciate it,” said Emanuel, who appeared to have windburn from his Utah skiing trip.* -- Sun-Times My first thought upon hearing about the mayor's discomfort over the school closings de... more »

The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: Still Seeing High Numbers for African American Male Student Suspensions By Serena Valdez Friday, March 15th, 2013 at 10:36 am in Uncategorized 20 Comments » At Wednesday night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Tony Smith and a small panel, including two principals, presented the Balanced Scorecard Accountability Report. The topic: suspensions. One major focus of the report is to work toward reducing suspension rates overall, but specifically with African American male students. In the 2011-12 school year, African A... more »

Chicago Board of Education Plans to Shut Down 54 Schools, Move 30,000 Students | PBS NewsHour | March 22, 2013 | PBS

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Chicago Board of Education Plans to Shut Down 54 Schools, Move 30,000 Students | PBS NewsHour | March 22, 2013 | PBS: Chicago Board of Education Plans to Shut Down 54 Schools, Move 30,000 Students *SUMMARY* The Chicago Board of Education plans to close 54 schools, citing a $1 billion deficit and under-enrollment. Critics say this move will disrupt communities and put kids in danger. For both sides of the debate, Jeffrey Brown talks with Board vice president Jesse Ruiz and Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union. 5 Comments and 26 Reactions Listen: MP3 Transcript *JEFFR... more »

Disaster Capitalism, Chicago-style | Jacobin

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Disaster Capitalism, Chicago-style | Jacobin: *Disaster Capitalism, Chicago-style* by Kenzo Shibata [image: (seantmcgill / flickr)] (seantmcgill / flickr) In public policy circles, crises are called “focusing events” — bringing to light a particular failing in government policy. They require government agencies to switch rapidly into crisis mode to implement solutions. Creating the crisis itself is more novel. The right-wing, free market vision of University of Chicago economist Milton Friedman informed the blueprint for the rapid privatization of municipal services throughout t... more »

Sunday read. | Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Sunday read. | Fred Klonsky: Sunday read. by Fred Klonsky [image: 207500_10151556212103454_405334183_n] *Photo credit: Sarah Jane Rhee/loveandstrugglephotos.com.* *Be sure to join us for cocktails and conversation with Karen Lewis at Weegee’s Lounge* in Logan Square on April 11th. Anne and I are part of the host committee. All proceeds go to the Caucus of Rank and File Educators in the CTU. I’ll be the one in the orange sweater. And be sure to be at the Daley Center at 4PM on Wednesday. *Chicago teachers*: “We will put our bodies on the line to fight school closings” *The Chicago Tr... more »

The Opt Out Update: More parents around the country are opting their students out of high stakes testing and the issue of student privacy rights is front and center | Seattle Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

The Opt Out Update: More parents around the country are opting their students out of high stakes testing and the issue of student privacy rights is front and center | Seattle Education: The Opt Out Update: More parents around the country are opting their students out of high stakes testing and the issue of student privacy rights is front and center by seattleducation2011 [image: test2] First, we’ll begin with why parents are opting their children out of high stakes testing. *Blind, severely disabled boy forced to take standardized test* *Rick called me a few days ago. He had, he sa... more »

What Happened to the FLDOE’s Investigation of K12 Inc? | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

What Happened to the FLDOE’s Investigation of K12 Inc? | Scathing Purple Musings: What Happened to the FLDOE’s Investigation of K12 Inc? by Bob Sikes What Will Happen to FLDOE Investigation of K12 Inc When Tony Bennett Arrives? | Scathing Purple Musings A top financial backer of Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education, K12 Inc got into hot water with investors for inflating their claims about student success. Earlier this month, the corporation settled with share-holders. From Sean Cavanagh in *Education Week:* The for-profit education provider K12 Inc. has reached a te... more »

Last Stand for Children First: Mister Emanuel's Opus

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Last Stand for Children First: Mister Emanuel's Opus: Mister Emanuel's Opus by Last Stand for Children Mister Emanuel's Opus If you've ever seen Mr. Holland's Opus, you will remember the amazing moment at the end of the movie when many of Mr. Holland's former students reunite to play the symphony he wrote, but never got to really do much with because he was too busy teaching his students and helping them in their lives. I can only imagine when these Lafayette School students become adults and reunite to thank Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for closing their school and providing them... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-24-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Mayor Emanuel Returns from His Skiing Trip in Utah by dianerav Mayor Rahm Emanuel, fresh from his skiing trip in Utah, and showing a bit of windburn on his face, held a press conference to explain that it was a “difficult” decision to close 54 public schools and disrupt the lives of 30,000 children. Mayor Emanuel’s children will not be affected, fortunately. They attend the elite University of Chicago Lab School, where President Obama and Secretary Duncan sent ... more »

#reformshaming, the #commoncore edition – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

#reformshaming, the #commoncore edition – @ the chalk face: [image: @TCF on Blog Talk Radio] #reformshaming, the #commoncore edition by Chalk Face, PhD [image: #reformshaming, the #commoncore edition] Mr. David Coleman At the Chalk Face’s #edreform #marchmadness, Round Two Chalk Face, PhD at @ the chalk face - 35 minutes ago Some predictable results, and a few upsets. We now have Round Two: The Erroneous Eight. Gates defeats 16 seed Broad, no surprise there, for the Donor Division. ALEC and USDE emerge victorious for “Good” Government. No surprise that Pearson and Achieve would ma... more »

The in box. “My fellow teachers and I have hired a bus for the 27th. My dad said he would have my bail money.” | Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

The in box. “My fellow teachers and I have hired a bus for the 27th. My dad said he would have my bail money.” | Fred Klonsky: The in box. “My fellow teachers and I have hired a bus for the 27th. My dad said he would have my bail money.” by Fred Klonsky I had to escape the noise and head to my community of the just in Three Oaks MI.Phoning my 82 year old dad to explain what a “turn around” means and how I am out of a job.47 year card carrying member of the masonry union.His work ethic and union protection provided for me and his five children.A personal email from Karen Lewis to r... more »

Daily Kos: Leaves on the Current - the recovery continues

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Daily Kos: Leaves on the Current - the recovery continues: Leaves on the Current - the recovery continues by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) [image: photo (30)] It will be 8 weeks this evening since we got the news about my wife's cancer. Tomorrow evening will be the end of the 2nd 2-week cycle of chemotherapy, with another treatment-free week about to occur. It seems a good point at which to reflect on where we are, and where we hope we are heading. Most of all, the past two days mark a major achievement. My wife is by training a cultural historian. Since before I met her, she h... more »

Watch out! Tribune, Joyce Foundation team up to push school privatization Parents United for Responsible Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Watch out! Tribune, Joyce Foundation team up to push school privatization: Watch out! Tribune, Joyce Foundation team up to push school privatization by admin [image: Newspaper Salesman 1flip]The Chicago Tribune published some pre-digested results of a new public education survey they carried out with support from the Joyce Foundation. Shockingly, the poll results,* according to the Tribune*, suggest that most people approve of the Tribune’s positions on teacher accountability and school privatization. Here’s what my look at t... more »

Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Skip high school. Go straight to college. Here’s how!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Skip high school. Go straight to college. Here’s how!: Skip high school. Go straight to college. Here’s how! by noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen) *By Rylie VanOrsdol * ** *In my fourteen years of life, I have been public schooled, online schooled, charter schooled, private schooled, Montessori schooled, and homeschooled. I’ve skipped a grade and completed a grade in three months online. After all the learning options I have experienced, what I have found is that the traditional path was unable to meet my needs. * * * *A recent adventure was c... more »

Schools Matter: Feeding the College-to-Poorhouse Pipeline

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Schools Matter: Feeding the College-to-Poorhouse Pipeline: Feeding the College-to-Poorhouse Pipeline by Jim Horn Bill Gates and his plutocratic pals of the Billionaire Boys Club have successfully planted and nurtured the self-serving myth there is a huge talent shortage among American workers. This myth has been fed, of course, by corporations looking to drive down wages by creating an oversupply of college graduates, and it has been promulgated by the college industry, both for profit and non-profit. With an oversupply of applicants at brick and mortar schools, those fine inst... more »

Superintendent in Don Gaetz’ District Critical of Parent Trigger | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Superintendent in Don Gaetz’ District Critical of Parent Trigger | Scathing Purple Musings: Superintendent in Don Gaetz’ District Critical of Parent Trigger by Bob Sikes I’ve always wondered whether Sen. Don Gaetz, the school board member and school superintendent had a different take on Parent Trigger than Don Gaetz, the politician. We will never know, but the school’s superintendent from one of the county’s he represents makes no bones about his opposition. *Panama City News Herald *reporter Matthew Beaton talked to Bay County Schools Superintendent Bill Husfeldt: Bay District... more »

Is It the Standards Fault that They Worry Me? | Cooperative Catalyst

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Is It the Standards Fault that They Worry Me? | Cooperative Catalyst: Is It the Standards Fault that They Worry Me? by Pernille Ripp “..but this is what I teach my college students…” My mother, who is an English professor, is looking at the new 5th grade common core standards. I shake my head, sigh, and realize that I now have another mountain to climb when it comes to making school relevant, engaging, and exciting for students. I have been hesistant to blog about the Common Core Standards, after all, this is my first year truly dealing with them and the prescribed curriculum ... more »