BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS
Politifact Finds Trujillo’s Parent Trigger Claim False | Scathing Purple Musings
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 minutes ago
Politifact Finds Trujillo’s Parent Trigger Claim False | Scathing Purple Musings: Politifact Finds Trujillo’s Parent Trigger Claim False by Bob Sikes It seems that a pattern is developing among Parent Trigger supporters: they can’t tell the truth. *Scathing Purple Musings *dispatched with the official talking points of Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Florida’s Future (FFF) here.*Politifact* addressed this claim that House sponsor Carlos Trujillo’s made during a March 18 hearing: “This legislation was drafted by President Obama’s top advisers. It was drafted by President Clinton’s top ad... more »
John Thompson: Garland and Carr Remind Us of the Perils of Segregation - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 28 minutes ago
John Thompson: Garland and Carr Remind Us of the Perils of Segregation - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: John Thompson: Garland and Carr Remind Us of the Perils of Segregation by Anthony Cody *Guest post by John Thompson.* * * * * * * One of the greatest flaws of the contemporary accountability-driven school reform movement is its lack of historical awareness. Two great books, Sarah Garland's *Divided We Fail*, and Sarah Carr's *Hope Against Hope*, offer a corrective. Garland's *Divided We Fail* recounts the rise and fall of school desegregation in Louisville. She reco... more »
Over 100 Arrested Protesting Mass School Closings In Chicago Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 58 minutes ago
Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: Over 100 Arrested Protesting Mass School Closings In Chicago Popout This is the start of a powerful movement that involves a partnership between Chicago parents, educators and students using nonviolent civil disobedience on a massive scale. This level of struggle- if sustained -can wrench power away from the Rahmbo Privateers and set an inspiring example for all of us around the country who are fighting to save, improve and democratize public education.
Do or die: Last chance for bills in the Legislature, including the controversial guns on campus effort | Get Schooled
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 58 minutes ago
Do or die: Last chance for bills in the Legislature, including the controversial guns on campus effort | Get Schooled: Do or die: Last chance for bills in the Legislature, including the controversial guns on campus effort by Maureen Downey [image: tb1605]If you have time today, tune in to watch the last gasp of the 2013 legislative session where guns on campus will be one of the top stories. Today marks the final day when bills either pass or die. The state’s universities are battling hard against a push to allow college students to carry guns on campus, and seem to have the state S... more »
“Bring Your Own Device” and the digital divide | Digital
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 58 minutes ago
“Bring Your Own Device” and the digital divide | Digital: “Bring Your Own Device” and the digital divide by Anya Kamenetz [image: "Bring Your Own Device" and the digital divide][image: 10926EADE1514CEE91B92712DDDAE725] It was at the South By Southwest Edu conference in Austin earlier this month that I first heard the term B.Y.O.D. or B.Y.O.T.--"Bring Your Own Device" or "Bring Your Own Technology." The idea is deceptively simple--instead of school districts spending money to outfit classrooms with the latest tablet or laptop, which will be outdated in six months, they will instead... more »
Modern School: Suspend Tests, Not Students
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Modern School: Suspend Tests, Not Students: Suspend Tests, Not Students by Michael Dunn California plans to suspend some of its standardized testing for certain grade levels while it develops new computerized exams for the Common Core Standards (CCS). The plan is projected to save the state $15 million, according to the Los Angeles Times. While the temporary suspension of tests will be a welcome respite for the minority of teachers and students affected by the plan, it will do nothing to improve education funding since the implementation of CCS is projected to cost well over $1 b... more »
Jersey Jazzman: The Selling Out of Camden's Schools: Part I
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Jersey Jazzman: The Selling Out of Camden's Schools: Part I: The Selling Out of Camden's Schools: Part I by Duke Now that the state has officially taken control of Camden's schools, what changes are we likely to see? What's in store for the city's children and their schools? The best place to find an answer may be right down the Delaware River. *A charter school made famous in Chester, PA is setting up shop in Camden (*all emphases in this post mine*):* Officials on Thursday announced a newly approved public charter school in North Camden, scheduled to begin serving up to 300 el... more »
The Real Purpose of Parenting | Maria Shriver | Home for Architects of Change
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
The Real Purpose of Parenting | Maria Shriver | Home for Architects of Change: TIPS FOR TRANSFORMATION The Real Purpose of Parenting By Dr. Philip B. Dembo As a child, I remember always thinking, “What was wrong with me?” I was born with scoliosis (curvature of the spine) with my head resting directly on my right shoulder. Although I felt the love and commitment from my parents, I also experienced what the stress of my curvature had on them. My parents did everything they could to help me “look” like everyone else, believing that would result in me feeling “like” everyone else. ... more »
We didn’t need a survey to tell us this
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
We didn’t need a survey to tell us this: We didn’t need a survey to tell us this Posted by Valerie Strauss on March 28, 2013 at 8:00 am 0 Comments More *[image: Colorful Chalk at Chalkboard]What do parents really want when itcomes to school reform? *Gregory Michie, a public school teacher in Chicago and senior research associate at the Center for Policy Studies and Social Justice at Concordia University Chicago, looks into the issue in Chicago, where tensions are high over the newly announced closing of 54 public schools. His latest book is “We Don’t Need Another Hero: Struggle, Ho... more »
'Why Do We Teach?' - Bridging Differences - Education Week
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
'Why Do We Teach?' - Bridging Differences - Education Week: 'Why Do We Teach?' by Deborah Meier *Today, the blog conversation between Deborah Meier and Eric "Rick" Hanushek concludes.* Dear Rick, Your last blog post reminded me of a childhood challenge my brother put to me. It went something like this: "Would you rather be rich or famous?" It would betray our childhood friendship to tell you what our answers were. But it has something to do with what we are arguing about. I was intrigued by your acknowledgement that you are dissatisfied with the kind of people who become teachers.... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-28-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Hype, Spin, and Deception: The Reform Narrative by dianerav Have you heard about the latest miracle school? Have you heard about the school that graduate all students regardless of zip codes? Want to learn more about their success? EduShyster explains it here. Camden, NJ, School Board Member: I Quit by dianerav After Governor Christie announced his intention to take control of the public schools of Camden, this school board member resigned in protest. The state... more »
“Five ways to get kids to want to read and write” | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
“Five ways to get kids to want to read and write” | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…: “Five ways to get kids to want to read and write” by Larry Ferlazzo Five ways to get kids to want to read and write is an excerpt from my book, Self-Driven Learning, that was published by the Washington Post this morning. There wasn’t room for the short introduction to the excerpt that I wrote, so I’ll publish it here instead: *Sir Ken Robinson has said:* *“Farmers and gardeners know you cannot make a plant grow….The plant grows itself. What you do is provide the conditions for growth. And gr... more »
The War Over Math and Reading | toteachornototeach
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
The War Over Math and Reading | toteachornototeach: The War Over Math and Reading by aristotlethewise *The War Over Math and Reading* by Dr. Anne Fausto-Sterling There is a simmering war (of words) about boys, girls, math, reading and why fewer women become scientists or technology experts. Sometimes, as with then-Harvard president Lawrence Summer’s 2005 remark that “there is reasonably strong evidence of taste differences [with regard to becoming engineers] between little girls and little boys that are not easy to attribute to socialization,” the war explodes onto the front pages... more »
Daily Kos: Charles Blow writes on the historic nature of the marriage equality cases
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Daily Kos: Charles Blow writes on the historic nature of the marriage equality cases: Charles Blow writes on the historic nature of the marriage equality cases by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) in his *New York Times* column today, titled History in Real Time. As is usual for Blow, i is a column well worth the read. He begins by writing Witnessing a historic moment is such an odd and exhilarating thing. It is hard to register the full scope of it because you are chest deep in it. He goes on to observe that regardless of how the Justices rule in the cases argued the past two days... more »
On the question of student privacy
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
On the question of student privacy: On the question of student privacy Posted by Valerie Strauss on March 28, 2013 at 4:00 am 0 Comments More [image: data]Earlier this month I wrote a post about a lawsuit against the U.S. Education Department that charges the agency with promoting regulations that undercut student privacy and parental consent. The suit was filed some time ago by the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center over 2011 regulations involving the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as FERPA, a law that is supposed to protect the privacy of stude... more »
Chicago Citizens Say Save Our Public Community Schools
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Chicago Citizens Say Save Our Public Community Schools: Chicago Citizens Say Save Our Public Community Schools by Server Chicago Citizens Say Save Our Public Community Schools *Photographs by and Courtesy of Bob George* *More Pictures* Chicago Citizens Say Save Our Public Community Schools:
Missouri Education Watchdog: Teachers Union Opposes Common Core
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Teachers Union Opposes Common Core: Teachers Union Opposes Common Core by stlgretchen A New York state teachers union comes out against Common Core State (sic) standards and has started an online petition. From * Growing Concerns About Common Core:* “It’s a setup for failure,” said John Pavone of the Rochester Teachers Association. Teachers are worried they will be evaluated based on a curriculum that was rolled out this year. “They’re going to blame me if the kids can’t pass the test and the kids can’t pass the test. It’s set up in such a way that ... more »
A Parent Dilemma That Won’t Go Away: Toddlers Using Technology | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
A Parent Dilemma That Won’t Go Away: Toddlers Using Technology | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: A Parent Dilemma That Won’t Go Away: Toddlers Using Technology by larrycuban Ads show infants and toddlers finger-swiping smartphones and tablets. [image: images]Parents, as usual are caught in the middle. A recent article by Hannah Rosin–a Mom herself–looks into the dilemma facing parents. Called “The Touch-Screen Generation,” Rosin explores the choices that largely educated, middle and upper-middle class parents face when it comes to deciding whether their infants... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The thing about autocrats...
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The thing about autocrats...: The thing about autocrats... by Mike Klonsky *"The time for negotiations is over."* -- Rahm Emanuel *A few minutes later, in front of City Hall, janitors, lunch ladies, teachers, parents, clergy and union officials interlocked arms and sat down in neat rows in the northbound lanes of LaSalle Street. "Save our schools," they chanted. -- WBEZ* Shades of *Hosni Mubarak* and *Dick Cheney.* The one thing autocrats and political bosses world-wide have in common -- they don't give a rat's ass about what the 99% think. Their ... more »
TIME For Kids sez: “Hey 3rd Graders! Get Ready for the Future!” – @ the chalk face
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
TIME For Kids sez: “Hey 3rd Graders! Get Ready for the Future!” – @ the chalk face: TIME For Kids sez: “Hey 3rd Graders! Get Ready for the Future!” by Kris Nielsen [image: Free space goggles with every test!]Third graders in New York (and probably elsewhere) were treated to a very special edition of TIME For Kids today. The cover says it all! Free space goggles with every test! That’s right! You will soon be taking tests on computers and tablets! Inside, we learn that our friends Education Week are grading our states. Which has nothing to do with the kids.
The Parallel Postulate and an unfortunate Pedagogical Shortcut | JD2718
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
The Parallel Postulate and an unfortunate Pedagogical Shortcut | JD2718: The Parallel Postulate and an unfortunate Pedagogical Shortcut by jd2718 the text goofs, big, and two freshmen are able to do what the book says cannot be done I teach very little Geometry. It is my least favorite high school course*. But I am teaching Geometry this term. Two sections. Advanced freshmen, who took Algebra in the Fall. I do lots of “reasoning” preparation before we get to points, lines, planes, postulates, and proof… So here we are, in March, delayed start (delayed by choice), following our te... more »
Ruiz Raises 'Severe Concerns' About Administration's Teacher Evaluation Program - NJ Spotlight
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Ruiz Raises 'Severe Concerns' About Administration's Teacher Evaluation Program - NJ Spotlight: Ruiz Raises 'Severe Concerns' About Administration's Teacher Evaluation Program Chief architect of tenure reform cautions against putting too much importance, too soon, on student performance on state tests print | email | share By John Mooney, March 28, 2013 in Education |Post a Comment Credit: NJ Senate Democrats Sen. Teresa Ruiz As the Christie administration’s new regulations for teacher evaluation near a critical juncture, the prime author of the landmark tenure reform law behind t... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Michelle Rhee Book Failure Watch: Final Update
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: Michelle Rhee Book Failure Watch: Final Update: Michelle Rhee Book Failure Watch: Final Update by Duke This, ladies and gentlemen, will be my final update on the sales of Michelle Rhee's reformy screed, *Radical*, which was released on February 5, 2013. I tracked the book's sales on Amazon over the past several weeks; let's relive the memories together, shall we? 2/24/13: 3/3/13: 3/10/13: (*Ooo, a bounce back! Thank Bill Maher for that!*) And now, today, 3/27/13: Forget about the Top 100; *Radical isn't even in the Top 10,000*. *The Daily Show*, *This Week*, C... more »
Former-TFAers-Gone-LDOE-Leaders: Incompetence at a Premium | deutsch29
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Former-TFAers-Gone-LDOE-Leaders: Incompetence at a Premium | deutsch29: Former-TFAers-Gone-LDOE-Leaders: Incompetence at a Premium by deutsch29 If only I could turn back the clock, discard much of my legitimately earned formal education and resulting experience, and qualify as one of those young, “talented,” “true” reformers John White is so fond of hiring at LDOE, I might just have that six-figure, bestowed salary many former TFAers (Teach for America alumni) aregroomed to believe is a birthright. Indeed, TFA “talent” is making a killing all over the country: They raid public sch... more »
In Chicago, Dozens Arrested As They Protest School Closures : The Two-Way : NPR
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
In Chicago, Dozens Arrested As They Protest School Closures : The Two-Way : NPR: In Chicago, Dozens Arrested As They Protest School Closures Chicago announced it would close 53 elementary schools to mitigate a $1 billion budget deficit. The protesters were demanding that the city walk back that plan. [image: A Chicago police officer takes several protesters into custody on Wednesday, during an act of civil disobedience during a march and demonstration of opponents to a plan to close 54 Chicago Public Schools.]A Chicago police officer takes several protesters into custody on Wednes... more »
Vote For Julie Cavanagh and the MORE Slate in UFT Elections.southbronxschool.com
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
http://www.southbronxschool.com: Vote For Julie Cavanagh and the MORE Slate in UFT Elections by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher) It is getting to be that time of the year. On April 3, the ballots will be mailed to all UFT members for the UFT elections in which we will decide whether or not to keep Michael Mulgrew as UFT president and Unity in control. We here at SBSB, myself and The Crack Team, endorse the entire MORE (Movement of Rank and File Educators) slate and Julie Cavanagh as president. This endorsement does not come just because yours truly is on the ballot for executi... more »
Daily Kos: A point that should have been raised in DOMA arguments today
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
Daily Kos: A point that should have been raised in DOMA arguments today: A point that should have been raised in DOMA arguments today by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) My set-up is from this Washington Post story on the oral arguments: Paul D. Clement, representing Republican House leaders who are defending the law, said Congress was not discriminating but simply staying out of experiments by the states on same-sex marriage.The law does not punish states that allow such unions, he said, but simply lets the federal government decide how it wants to allocate its benefits. Remember t... more »
Schools Matter: Dr. Jon Saphier and the Lie That Keeps on Paying Off for His Company
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago
Schools Matter: Dr. Jon Saphier and the Lie That Keeps on Paying Off for His Company: Dr. Jon Saphier and the Lie That Keeps on Paying Off for His Company by Jim Horn Massachusetts is just one state that has approved Jon Saphier as a licensed vendor to peddle his "Research for Better Teaching" (RBT) to teachers and school leaders across the state. Saphier's consultants, in fact, are in action tomorrow in at the RBT Conference Center in Acton, MA. Big bucks. At the tap root of Saphier's expensive advice is a very old and withered lie that Saphier keeps alive, told so often by Sa... more »
Chicago! March 27th, 2013. | Fred Klonsky
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago
Chicago! March 27th, 2013. | Fred Klonsky: Chicago! March 27th, 2013. by Fred Klonsky [image: IMG_0145][image: IMG_0146][image: IMG_0147] See more pictures Chicago! March 27th, 2013. | Fred Klonsky:
Modern School: Is The Ed Tech Bubble Ready to Burst?
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago
Modern School: Is The Ed Tech Bubble Ready to Burst?: Is The Ed Tech Bubble Ready to Burst? by Michael Dunn For anyone who still believes the Ed Deform movement is entirely motivated by compassionate individuals who just want what’s best for our children, a recent article on the burgeoning Ed Tech Bubble posted on Geekwire.com ought to set them straight. The push to get more technology into the classroom started almost immediately with the advent of inexpensive personal computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with high tech magnet schools sprouting up in many districts. I ev... more »
Ed Notes Online: UPDATE - Video: IS 49 SI Asst Principal Illegally Stops and Frisks Student
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: UPDATE - Video: IS 49 SI Asst Principal Illegally Stops and Frisks Student: UPDATE - Video: IS 49 SI Asst Principal Illegally Stops and Frisks Student by ed notes online See new info below. This info was sent to OSI and they did nothing. When a video about a teacher is out there they pull the teacher and try to fire them. See what was sent to OSI. And where is the press on this double standard? How long will the DOE protect the administrators at this school? *http://youtu.be/UR0-MKVZeiA* sent OSI and SCI and they did nothing. From teachers to osi: Other Allega... more »
Comply or be Punished – @ the chalk face
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago
Comply or be Punished – @ the chalk face: Comply or be Punished by Chris Cerrone As we inch closer towards spring, most states are heading into the traditional state assessment season. This means OPT OUT time is coming soon as well. In New York the ELA and math state exams start April 16 and run until May 1st. Recently a great deal of facebook chatter has developed over a memo from the NYSED Office of State Assessment that basically states that all students in grades 3-8 must be tested in ELA and math. The facebook opt out group for New York had a good number people asking quest... more »
Schools Matter: Haslam and Insurance Execs Hold 150,000 Poor Tennesseans Hostage
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago
Schools Matter: Haslam and Insurance Execs Hold 150,000 Poor Tennesseans Hostage: Haslam and Insurance Execs Hold 150,000 Poor Tennesseans Hostage by Jim Horn At stake for the greedy bastards who made and control Bill Haslam? A billion dollars in Medicaid that these corporate socialists want to turn into private insurance premiums, rather than offering the poorest Tennesseeans healthcare under the state TennCare program. From the * News-Sentinel*: NASHVILLE — Gov. Bill Haslam told the General Assembly today that he is rejecting an expansion of Medicaid for now because the feder... more »
CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR AGE AND DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LAUSD - Perdaily.com
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago
CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR AGE AND DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LAUSD - Perdaily.com: CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR AGE AND DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LAUSD by Leonard Isenberg [image: Class Action.jpg] *If you would like to get involved in something that Superintendent John Deasy, and LAUSD cannot ignore with impunity, do yourself and your colleagues a favor and fill out the form below.* * * *Last night I had a meeting with a lawyer who is connected to one of the biggest law firms in L.A. They are very interested in going after LAUSD for age and maybe even disability discrim... more »
CPS School Closings Protest: 150 Arrests After Thousands Jam Loop Streets - DNAinfo.com Chicago
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago
CPS School Closings Protest: 150 Arrests After Thousands Jam Loop Streets - DNAinfo.com Chicago: CPS School Closings Protest: 150 Arrests After Thousands Jam Loop Streets Updated 2 mins ago Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130327/loop/cps-school-closings-protestors-plan-for-150-arrests#ixzz2OmeuLHpu [image: CPS School Closing Protest][image: CPS School Closing Protest][image: CPS School Closing Protest] CHICAGO — Thousands of demonstrators poured into Daley Plaza Wednesday afternoon to protest the proposed closings of 54 CPS schools, and about 150 were arrested when ... more »
What Has the Gates Foundation Brought to Memphis? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
What Has the Gates Foundation Brought to Memphis? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: What Has the Gates Foundation Brought to Memphis? by Anthony Cody Yesterday I voiced concerns about Randi Weingarten's decision to co-sign an article on teacher evaluation with Vicki Phillips of the Gates Foundation. The reason I am so concerned is because we are now more than a decade into Gates-sponsored education reform, and the substance of the change they are driving is profoundly destructive. We can remain in dialogue with them, but we cannot get anywhere by smoothing over core... more »
The problem with New Jersey’s takeover of Camden schools
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
The problem with New Jersey’s takeover of Camden schools: The problem with New Jersey’s takeover of Camden schools Posted by Valerie Strauss on March 27, 2013 at 4:38 pm [image: Gov. Chris Christie (By Lucas Jackson / Reuters)] Gov. Chris Christie (Lucas Jackson — Reuters) Something had to be done for the 16,000 kids in Camden’s very low-achieving public schools, but there are big questions about whether the takeover by the state government of New Jersey will do much to help. After all, the state has in the past few decades taken over three other ailing public school districts, and t... more »
Rahm Lies to Privatize Daily Kos: Chicago Public School Closings to Cost Taxpayers $1 Billion
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Daily Kos: Chicago Public School Closings to Cost Taxpayers $1 Billion: Chicago Public School Closings to Cost Taxpayers $1 Billion byTristero 312Follow - - - 10 Comments / 10 New Mass closings of public schools by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Board of Education will cost Chicago Public Schools (CPS) nearly $1 billion, according to Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) analysis of the CPS FY2013 budget, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) data and Board of Education reports. CPS has claimed a “utilization crisis” and $1 billion budget deficit to justify adversely aff... more »
Diane in the Evening 3-27-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Photos from Chicago Protests by dianerav Fred Klonsky has an excellent assortment of photos from the Chicago protest today against school closings. Parents, students, and teachers will not go quietly. And they should not. Bad Bill Alert in Texas! by dianerav Raise Your Hand Texas ACTION ALERT Bad Bill Alert! Your Action Is Needed TODAY! March 27, 2013 Let the Senate Education Committee Know You Oppose SB 1263! SB 1263 by Senator Larry Taylor is the “Parent Trigger” bill. The “Parent Trigger” Is About Destroying Pub... more »
Destroying Public Education in Chicago - DailyCensored.com - Breaking Censored News, World, Independent, Liberal News
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Destroying Public Education in Chicago - DailyCensored.com - Breaking Censored News, World, Independent, Liberal News: Destroying Public Education in Chicago by Stephen Lendman It’s on the chopping block for elimination. It’s happening nationwide. Chicago perhaps reflects the epicenter of what’s wrong. Mayor Rahm Emanuel spent years waging war on progressive politics. He’s a former investment banker. He’s a corporate predator turned politician. He’s an unindicted war criminal. He belongs in prison, not City Hall. He’s Obama’s former White House Chief of Staff. Becoming Chicago’s ... more »
Mike Klonsky...: Al Jazeera, Inside Story on Chicago School Closings
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Mike Klonsky...: Al Jazeera, Inside Story on Chicago School Closings: Al Jazeera, Inside Story on Chicago School Closings by Mike Klonsky PopoutMarch 26, 2013
Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core Adoption/Implementation. "This is the Hotel California that Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortia Built"
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core Adoption/Implementation. "This is the Hotel California that Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortia Built": Common Core Adoption/Implementation. "This is the Hotel California that Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortia Built" by stlgretchen Private trade organizations NGA/CCSSO say:* This is the house that we built via our specifications that you have to pay for and live in.* *Just call it the "Hotel California"* Think of Common Core standards and adoption this way. States can check in but they can never leave. (At least not without the ap... more »
Daily Kos: A Baby Boomer on Social Security
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Daily Kos: A Baby Boomer on Social Security: A Baby Boomer on Social Security by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) I was born in May of 1946, in the first year of the generation that became known as the Baby Boomers, the last of whose members were born in 1964. Thus the last three American Presidents have been members of our generation, Clinton and the younger Bush, like me, on the leading edge, and Obama, born in 1961, near its tail. In June I will attend my 50th high school reunion, Mamaroneck High School class of 1963. I was one of the younger members, with most of my classmate... more »
Education: The Invisible Profession | the becoming radical
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
Education: The Invisible Profession | the becoming radical: Education: The Invisible Profession Posted on March 27, 2013 by plthomasedd “I am an invisible man,” announces the unnamed narrator of Ralph Ellison’s*Invisible Man*, adding: I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me….When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, of figments of their imaginations—indeed, everything and anything except me….That invisibility to which I refer occurs because of a peculiar disposition of the eyes of those with whom I come in contact….you often doubt ... more »
UPDATE: Courant focuses attention on Malloy’s nominee for State Board of Education - Wait, What?
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
Courant focuses attention on Malloy’s nominee for State Board of Education - Wait, What?: OMG! Good thing our Education Commissioner is a lawyer and not an educator… by jonpelto *Otherwise known as, “What do you mean we can’t get paid for work provided after our contract end date has occurred, but you promised!”* Today’s “*MUST READ*” news article comes via CTNewsjunkie and is entitled “*Lawsuit: State Still Owes About $235,000 to Education Reform Consultants”* As Christine Stuart explains; “Three education consulting firms sued the state this week claiming the Department of Educa... more »
SBE allows higher student/teacher ratio for online charter schools SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: *SBE allows higher student/teacher ratio for online charter schools* *By Kimberly Beltran* Wednesday, March 27, 2013 California’s State Board of Education approved waiver requests this month increasing the pupil-to-teacher ratio for independent study students at several online charter schools. The actions, said board members, are consistent with the many routine waiver approvals traditional public schools have received allowing for increased class sizes since the onset of the state’s fiscal crisis. “With the steadily decreasing per pupil rates... more »
UPDATE: SB 5242 - Just Say No Seattle Schools Community Forum: Odds and Ends
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Odds and Ends: SB 5242 - Just Say No by Melissa Westbrook You'd think that our state legislators would have their hands full trying to figure out how to fully fund education per the McCleary ruling. Apparently not. We have the "give every school a letter grade" bill and now we have SB 5242. It's short and to the point and I agree with the WEA on this one - it's nothing but a distraction and gives principals too much power. (It also ties the hands of school boards because they have to follow this directive in all collective bargaining agreements.... more »
Schools Matter: Resistance to High Stakes Testing Blossoming
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
Schools Matter: Resistance to High Stakes Testing Blossoming: Resistance to High Stakes Testing Blossoming by Jim Horn Compilation by Bob Schaeffer at FairTest: Parents Agree: Standardized Tests Should Not Have This Much Power http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/03/22/parents-agree-standardized-tests-should-not-have-power High-Stakes Testing is the new "March Madness" http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-opinion/ci_22859295/their-view-educational-testing-new-march-madness Arizona House Votes to End Grad Test; Governor Likely to Sign Bill http://azstarnet.com/news/local/education/p... more »
Do School Districts Matter? | Brookings Institution
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
Do School Districts Matter? | Brookings Institution: Do School Districts Matter? By: Grover J. "Russ" Whitehurst, Matthew M. Chingos and Michael R. Gallaher - Email - - - Share - inShare - StumbleUpon - Print * * * * *EXECUTIVE SUMMARY* School districts occupy center stage in education reform in the U.S. They manage nearly all public funding and are frequently the locus of federal and state reform initiatives, e.g., instituting meaningful teacher evaluation systems. The most charismatic leaders over the last decade, people such as Michelle Rhee and Joel Kl... more »
L.A. Now Live: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee takes on teachers' unions - latimes.com
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
L.A. Now Live: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee takes on teachers' unions - latimes.com: L.A. Now Live: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee takes on teachers' unions - [image: print] - Comments 0 - Email Share 6 - By Joseph Serna March 27, 2013, 8:25 a.m. Former District of Columbia schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee has partnered with Republicans and Democrats to challenge teacher union power and use student test scores in union negotiations. Join us at 9 a.m. as we discuss Rhee's policies and effect on educators in California and beyond with Tim... more »
UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, March 27, 2013
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: [image: Stop Closing Schools] Education Headlines *Wednesday, March 27, 2013* California schools chief Tom Torlakson to deliver annual address in LawndaleState Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson will deliver his annual "State of the State of California Education" address Thursday at the Centinela Valley Center for the Arts auditorium in Lawndale. Grover Heights Elementary School teachers opt out of district training programTeachers at one elementary school in the Lucia Mar Unified School District have voted to ... more »
Student Voice: Situational? Optional? Or Essential?
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Student Voice: Student Voice: Situational? Optional? Or Essential? by Editor Admin The Huffington Post will be promoting various Student Voice articles prior to the *Student Voice Live! *summit on April 13th. The following is from *Clement Coulston*: At the beginning of our existence, we grew quickly through the stages of maturity until we became the people we are today. During early development we acquire understanding of the freedoms, choices, and rules that structure how our society functions, through hands-on exploration, curiosity and questioning, and a desire to model behavi... more »
Chicago Public Schools Memo Instructs on How to Handle Civil Disobedience Against School Closings | The Dissenter
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Chicago Public Schools Memo Instructs on How to Handle Civil Disobedience Against School Closings | The Dissenter: Chicago Public Schools Memo Instructs on How to Handle Civil Disobedience Against School Closings by Kevin Gosztola Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) currently intend to close fifty-four schools before the year is over. This means Chicago is likely to have the largest number of school closures in any city in America this year. Students and parents from Lafayette School protest school closing (Creative Commons-licensed Photo by chicagopublicmedia) Presi... more »
All Things Education: Mend, Don't End, the Easing of the War on Drugs
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
All Things Education: Mend, Don't End, the Easing of the War on Drugs: Mend, Don't End, the Easing of the War on Drugs by Rachel Levy *Blogger's note:* *This is the fourth (and final) in a series of posts that I wrote in February of 2012 as part of a writing fellowship application. See the introduction to this series here. The War on Drugs (and my objections to it--it's been an abject policy failure) are always on my mind, though recent coverage of marijuana legalization/decriminalization efforts (yes, I know they're not the same thing) across the country and particularly in Colo... more »
Common Core Assessments Must Be Used to Guide – Not Punish – Teachers, Says Eskelsen | NEA Today
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Common Core Assessments Must Be Used to Guide – Not Punish – Teachers, Says Eskelsen | NEA Today: Common Core Assessments Must Be Used to Guide – Not Punish – Teachers, Says Eskelsen by twalker *By Tim Walker* The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are scheduled to be in place by fall of 2014, and the enormous changes they’ll bring to every classroom will be felt just as efforts to overhaul teacher evaluations systems pick up steam. Is it any wonder that educators have what National Education Association Vice President Lily Eskelsen calls not a “love/hate” relationship with the Co... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Camden Takeover: So, Now What?
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Jersey Jazzman: Camden Takeover: So, Now What?: Camden Takeover: So, Now What? by Duke So, the state is taking over Camden's schools. Because "*for too long the public school system in Camden has failed its children.*" OK... *What's the plan?* What is the state going to do that cannot be done under a local school board that was already appointed by the mayor and monitored closely by the state? Looking at the intervention plan, it seems that the state has no other proposals right now other than... taking over the district. Over and over, the plan finds fault with the Camden City ... more »
NYC Educator: Smaller Class Sizes or Increased Pay?
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
NYC Educator: Smaller Class Sizes or Increased Pay?: Smaller Class Sizes or Increased Pay? by NYC Educator There's a lot of talk from demagogues like Arne Duncan and Mike Bloomberg about values. While many of us, parents and teachers, demand smaller class sizes, Duncan will say things about teacher quality being more important, echoing the AFT's partner, Bill Gates. Bloomberg, whose mayoral control we've supported twice for reasons that elude me utterly, gets up and says he'd rather fire half of working teachers and 70 kids in a class. Class sizes in NYC have remained static since ... more »
MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-27-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Mississippi Retreats from Public Education, Back to the Dark Ages by dianerav In Mississippi, the speaker of the House of Representatives announced that he was appointing a proponent of charter schools to the state board of education that oversees public education. The nominee was home-schooled. Is Mississippi moving boldly forward into a world without public schools or dumbly backward into a world that predates the establishment of public education? Should H... more »
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