Big Education Ape: Big Education Ape Nite Cap 3-28-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 3-28-13 #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

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Sun-Times editorial calls the union, 'bomb throwers'

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 minutes ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Sun-Times editorial calls the union, 'bomb throwers': Sun-Times editorial calls the union, 'bomb throwers' by Mike Klonsky A funny thing happened to me this morning. I read the Sun-Times. The editorial page that is. What's funny about a S-T editorial, you ask? Well, the title for one thing -- *'CTU, don’t burn down the house'.* But the really funny thing was that the editorial is essentially in agreement with the teachers union in its critique of the announced 54 school closings over the next few months. So why have they resorted to such offensive me... more »

UPDATE: NOTES FROM DIANE + A Report from Chicago | The Network For Public Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

A Report from Chicago | The Network For Public Education: NOTES FROM DIANE – MARCH 29, 2013 by admin [image: Diane Ravitch President]Diane Ravitch President Dear Friends and Allies, The major issue of the day is the rapid increase in school closings in cities across the nation. The latest and most outrageous example is the decision of the Chicago Public Schools to close 54 public schools and displace some 30,000 students. This is unprecedented in American history. This is the bitter fruit of No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top. As alarming as the Chicago action is, what is eve... more »

SPECIAL Mid Day Banana Break 3-28-13 #soschat #edreform

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

*Big Education Ape - Mid Day Banana Break* * * *CORPORATE ED REFORM* Update on parent trigger proposal in Texas by pureparents From PAA Houston member Karen Miller: This morning the Senate Ed Comm did pass the parent trigger bill, SB 1263 with some amendments, one, by bill sponsor Sen Taylor would require the school to be defined as low performing for three years rather than two. Sen Lucio was concerned about governing body of open enrollment charter school cannot coerce, bribe or induce a parent to sign a petition for the parent trigger. Intent is to assure this is grassroots pare... more »

The Best-Case Scenario — Whole Child Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

The Best-Case Scenario — Whole Child Education THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Klea Scharberg]The Best-Case Scenario March 28, 2013 by Klea Scharberg As demonstrated by the tragic events of not only the last few months in Connecticut, Georgia, and California, but also the last 10 years across the nation, school safety is a complicated issue with no single or simple solution. We have read, listened to, and participated in discussions on how to keep our schools safe and secure. From our homes, faculty rooms, school board meetings, and the halls of Congress, we are all moving from shock to... more »

NYC Public School Parents: The pushback begins: my response to inBloom's attorney

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: The pushback begins: my response to inBloom's attorney: The pushback begins: my response to inBloom's attorney by Leonie Haimson The pushback and spin begins. See the WaPost oped today, On the question of student privacy by Steve Winnick, the attorney for InBloom, the Gates-funded corporation that is collecting, storing and sharing the confidential student data from nine states, including NY, *MA, LA, CO, IL, NC, GA, DE, and KY. More states may get added on over time as Gates offers states & districts cash to participate. (See ourfact sheet here.)* ... more »

It is now time to name names in the so-called #progressive media. Join me, will you? #p2 #u1 #FU – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

It is now time to name names in the so-called #progressive media. Join me, will you? #p2 #u1 #FU – @ the chalk face: It is now time to name names in the so-called #progressive media. Join me, will you? #p2 #u1 #FU by Chalk Face, PhD Over the last few days, perhaps longer, I have been engaged in a comprehensive media onslaught of emails and tweets to members of the national media, both in front of and behind the camera. I have sent them this press release for the rather unique UOO Occupy 2.0 event next week and, over time, links to various stories and interviews here, most recent... more »

Schools Matter: The Fight in Chicago to Stop Mass School Closings: Model for the Nation

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Schools Matter: The Fight in Chicago to Stop Mass School Closings: Model for the Nation: The Fight in Chicago to Stop Mass School Closings: Model for the Nation by Jim Horn From SubstanceNews:Thousands march, 127 arrested in massive March 27 Chicago Loop protests against school closings, Emanuel dictatorship George N. Schmidt - March 28, 2013 More than 3,000 teachers, parents, students and other citizens rallies and marched against school closings in Chicago on March 27, 2013, and 129 were arrested during civil disobedience to protest the largest number of public school closings in... more »

Californians Prioritize School Counselors Over School Police, Two to One | K-12 News Network

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Californians Prioritize School Counselors Over School Police, Two to One | K-12 News Network: Californians Prioritize School Counselors Over School Police, Two to One by admin A recent survey from the California Endowment asked parents of school-aged children and other voters in the state what school safety measures were most important to them, and they overwhelmingly chose a school counselor or psychologist in every school as opposed to an armed officer or other security personnel. The LA Times reported additionally that When asked whether hiring a school counselor or a police o... more »

Teaching Rachel Lloyd’s Girls Like Us on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children « Feminist Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Teaching Rachel Lloyd’s Girls Like Us on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children « Feminist Teacher: Teaching Rachel Lloyd’s Girls Like Us on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children by feministteacher [image: My student, Genevieve, interviews Rachel Lloyd, founder and director of GEMS, about her memoir Girls Like Us at our 2011 annual GEMS assembly (photo courtesy, Laura Hahn).] My student, Genevieve, interviews Rachel Lloyd, founder and director of GEMS, about her memoir Girls Like Us at our annual GEMS assembly (photo courtesy, Laura Hahn). In the spring of 2009, ... more »

Sorry, Rahm – “negotiations” are not over Parents United for Responsible Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Sorry, Rahm – “negotiations” are not over: Sorry, Rahm – “negotiations” are not over by admin Mayor Emanuel may want to believe that “the time for negotiation” on school closings is over, but the community has a different plan. As CTU President Karen Lewis told the crowd of thousands yesterday at the school closing rally, “It’s not over until you say it’s over.” Lots of people took much better photos than mine, but I just wanted to point out that we took over the streets outside the Federal Building, the State of Illinois Bui... more »

Parent speaks truth to Texas legislature | Parents Across America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Parent speaks truth to Texas legislature | Parents Across America: Parent speaks truth to Texas legislature by pureparents TX Senate Education Committee Hearing Public Testimony of Lorie Barzano, March 26, 2013 Good afternoon, Committee members, guests. My name is Lorie Barzano, a public school parent, taxpayer and Chair of the Coalition to Strengthen Austin Urban Schools, a local affiliate of Parents Across America. We are a parent led group committed to quality, accessible Public Education for all children. I come here today as a parent to speak on behalf of countless parents wh... more »

Emanuel says 25% of Chicago students can't be helped, according to CTU president - Chicago Conservative | Examiner.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Emanuel says 25% of Chicago students can't be helped, according to CTU president - Chicago Conservative | Examiner.com: Emanuel says 25% of Chicago students can't be helped, according to CTU president - CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS - FEBRUARY 28, 2012 - BY: SCOTT PAULSON - Subscribe [image: Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis says Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel basically has no educational hopes for 25% of Chicago children to learn anything] Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis says Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel basically has no educational hopes for 25% of Chicago... more »

Alternative Education Reform: Among the Invisible and “Preferably Unheard” | the becoming radical

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Alternative Education Reform: Among the Invisible and “Preferably Unheard” | the becoming radical: Alternative Education Reform: Among the Invisible and “Preferably Unheard” Posted on March 28, 2013 by plthomasedd Educators as workers in a profession rendered invisible and “preferably unheard”are increasingly being demonized, marginalized, and challenged as defenders of the status quo and anti-reformers. The Sisyphean hell of being a teacher includes having almost no autonomy or power in educational policy but receiving the brunt of the blame when the outcomes of those policies do ... more »

Diane in the Evening 3-28-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: NOTES FROM DIANE – MARCH 29, 2013 by admin Diane Ravitch President Dear Friends and Allies, [image: Diane Ravitch President]The major issue of the day is the rapid increase in school closings in cities across the nation. The latest and most outrageous example is the decision of the Chicago Public Schools to close 54 public schools and displace some 30,000 students. This is unprecedented in American history. This is the bitter fruit of No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top. As alarming as the Chicago action i... more »

Shanker Blog » Greetings From Due Diligence, New Jersey

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Shanker Blog » Greetings From Due Diligence, New Jersey: Greetings From Due Diligence, New Jersey by Matthew Di Carlo Earlier this week, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced that the state will assume control over Camden City School District. Camden will be the fourth NJ district to undergo takeover, though this is the first time that the state will be removing control from an elected local school board, which will now serve in an advisory role (and have three additional members appointed by the Governor). Over the next few weeks, NJ officials will choose a new superinten... more »

Silence from Finch as his campaign treasurer embarrasses himself and his allies - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Silence from Finch as his campaign treasurer embarrasses himself and his allies - Wait, What?: Silence from Finch as his campaign treasurer embarrasses himself and his allies from Wait, What? by jonpelto The fact that Mayor Finch hasn’t spoken out against Kenneth Moales is almost as disturbing as Moales’ behavior. As reported in the Wait, What? post, *And in Bridgeport, the winner is Finch’s Campaign Treasurer, Kenneth Moales, Jr.*, earlier this week the five Democratic Board of Education members loyal to Mayor Bill Finch elected Reverend Kenneth Moales Jr. as the new chair of th... more »

The Value and Necessity for Collaborative Partnerships Student Voice

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Student Voice: The Value and Necessity for Collaborative Partnerships by Student Voice Toolkit Organizer How often do we hear phrases such as, *a working partnership* or *a team-orientated approach*, but the implications of these into practice are frequently equivocal? While I believe one may understand the significant value of initiating and sustaining partnerships with colleagues, the implementation of these ideals can be challenging. I urge one to consider how they perceive the values and corresponding practices that promote *Collaborative Partnerships*. Below are some chara... more »

National School Board group seeks curbs on U.S. Ed Secretary SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: *National School Board group seeks curbs on U.S. Ed Secretary* *By Tom Chorneau* Thursday, March 28, 2013 The National School Boards Association and its 90,000 members are sponsoring legislation aimed at curbing the authority of the U.S. Secretary of Education – an outgrowth likely stemming from the group’s chilly relationship with the Obama administration during the president’s first term. HR 1386 by Congressmen Aaron Schock, R-Illinois and Patrick Meehan, R-Pennsylvania would prohibit the U.S. Department of Education from adopting any ne... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, March 28, 2013

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education Headlines *Thursday, March 28, 2013* Buyouts for teachers already retired The San Diego Unified School District has expanded its offer of $25,000 buyouts to hundreds of veteran educators - including two dozen who already are retired. Yucaipa school board hires Fontana superintendentThe Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District board has voted unanimously to offer Fontana Superintendent Cali Olsen-Binks its top job. School staffers pack Tam district board meeting amid labor disputeMembers of a school staffers union...more »

UPDATE: Most Disturbing + Seattle Schools Community Forum: Assessment Taskforce Update

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Assessment Taskforce Update: Most Disturbing by Charlie Mas I am deeply disturbed by Seattle Times editorials regarding education. It's not because the Times Editorial Board, and Lynne Varner in particular, doesn't share my perspective. I'm okay with that; I have a lot of good relationships with people who disagree with me. I am disturbed by the disingenuous, thoughtless, or deceitful tone of Seattle Times editorials about education which create contradictions. The Times often calls for additional education services, such as summer school, or pr... more »

NYC Educator: Students First and Governor 1%--Perfect Together

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

NYC Educator: Students First and Governor 1%--Perfect Together: Students First and Governor 1%--Perfect Together by NYC Educator A new piece at Gotham Schools makes plain what was already obvious to many--there's precious little difference between stone-cold opportunist Andrew Cuomo and the GOP. Otherwise, why would he take a "principled stand" to kill the millionaire tax, while ripping off city children to the tune of a quarter billion dollars? And why would anyone need to sue the state torestore over 5 billion in aid promised to poor schools? There are a few interesting points th... more »

Caught on tape: School officials laughing as they talked about hiding millions of dollars | KDVR.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Caught on tape: School officials laughing as they talked about hiding millions of dollars | KDVR.com: Caught on tape: School officials laughing as they talked about hiding millions of dollars Posted on: 8:48 pm, March 27, 2013, by Josh Bernstein, *updated on: 10:09pm, March 27, 2013* * * * * * * * * * * * * (KDVR) — Hours of secretly recorded conversations obtained exclusively by FOX31 Denver News indicate school officials in the Adams 12 Five Star School District may have been intentionally hiding tens of millions of dollars in retirement benefit payments from the public. “We did ... more »

First book with transgender theme makes it on CA schools reading list Education | 89.3 KPCC

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Education | 89.3 KPCC: Education [image: First Female Unrestricted Line Officers Qualify In Submarines] U.S. Navy/Getty Images Obama signs law that reinstates tuition assistanceMARY PLUMMER MARCH 27, 01:41 PM President Barack Obama has signed the spending bill that reinstates the military's tuition assistance program into law, but troops remain without the benefit. Comments (1) First book with transgender theme makes it on CA schools reading listADOLFO GUZMAN-LOPEZ Author Cris Beam was inspired by her time as a volunteer at a school for gay and transgender kids. [image: Monica Garc... more »

UPDATE: Scary reading in charter school bill +Former TFAer: Teach For America didn’t prepare me for troubled kids

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Former TFAer: Teach For America didn’t prepare me for troubled kids: Scary reading in charter school bill by Valerie Strauss [image: nc]A bill in the North Carolina Senate is highly revealing about how much concern its Republican sponsors really have for accountability in education. Short answer: apparently none. Longer answer: A bill titled “NC Public Charter School Board,” introduced by two Republicans, calls for a new board to approve and oversee charters. The State Board of Education would no longer have the job of overseeing charter schools, and charter school applicants wo... more »

Why I Will Occupy the Department of Education…Again | emPower magazine

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Why I Will Occupy the Department of Education…Again | emPower magazine: Why I Will Occupy the Department of Education…AgainWritten by Denisha Jones inShare Photo credit: Pete Rosos This year will mark the second anniversary of Occupy the Department of Education (Occupy the DOEd). April 4-7 teachers, parents, students, and educators will gather in front of the U.S. Department of Education to protest what we feel is an unethical and dangerous corporate education reform movement. Last year, I participated in Occupy the DOEd and although the turnout was small, the energy was high. For f... more »

New Tools for Student Loan Borrowers | ED.gov Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

New Tools for Student Loan Borrowers | ED.gov Blog: New Tools for Student Loan Borrowers Posted on March 27, 2013 by Kelsey Donohue [image: Federal Student Aid image] Spring is here, college finals are looming, commencement speakers are being announced, and before long, a new group of college graduates will need to start thinking about paying back their student loans. Earlier this week, the Department of Education announced new tools that will help recent college grads better understand their loan debt and stay on track in repayment. These two new features include a Complete Counsel... more »

UPDATE: Hesitancy to Change on HS Graduation Requirments Say About Bush Foundations? + Politifact Finds Trujillo’s Parent Trigger Claim False | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Politifact Finds Trujillo’s Parent Trigger Claim False | Scathing Purple Musings: What Does Hesitancy to Change on HS Graduation Requirments Say About Bush Foundations? by Bob Sikes Patricia Levesque was against bipartisan support for changing Florida’s high school graduation requirements before she was for it. Writes Mary McGrory in the *Tampa Bay Times:* Earlier this month, Patricia Levesque, executive director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, tried to dissuade a House panel from dropping geometry from the graduation requirements. She urged lawmakers not to lower the st... more »

John Thompson: Garland and Carr Remind Us of the Perils of Segregation - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours 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 - 10 hours 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 - 10 hours 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 - 10 hours 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 - 10 hours 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 - 10 hours 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 - 11 hours 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 - 12 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 - 12 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 - 12 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] An Insider Reveals What Happens in Cyber Charter Schools by dianerav I have written many posts about the scam and sham of cyber charters. They are highly profitable for their owners and investors, but study after study shows that they provide a poor education. Whatever their value for adults, whatever the value of an online course for a rural student, the cyber charters are a pitiful substitute for a real school with real teachers and real students and real hum... more »

“Five ways to get kids to want to read and write” | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 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 - 12 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 - 12 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 - 12 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 - 12 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 - 12 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 - 12 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 - 12 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 - 20 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 - 20 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 - 21 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 - 21 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 - 21 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 - 22 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 - 22 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 - 23 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 - 23 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 - 23 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 - 1 day 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 - 1 day 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 - 1 day 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 »