Why Are Walton Billionaires So Interested in Los Angeles Schools?
The big school board race is this week in Los Angeles, and we know that the billionaires have lined up behind their slate. We know that Eli Broad wants to own his hometown’s school board and Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tossed $1million into the race to help the same candidates that Eli wants.
What is less well known is that one of the biggest founders of school choice–AKA, privatization–is the Walton family of Arkansas. Sure, the natural connection between Arkansas and Los Angeles might escape you, as it does me. But consider this, from an article written on Huffington Post by Peter Dreier of Occidental College:
In 2006, one member of the family gave $250,000 to a statewide initiative for universal preschool education.
What is less well known is that one of the biggest founders of school choice–AKA, privatization–is the Walton family of Arkansas. Sure, the natural connection between Arkansas and Los Angeles might escape you, as it does me. But consider this, from an article written on Huffington Post by Peter Dreier of Occidental College:
In 2006, one member of the family gave $250,000 to a statewide initiative for universal preschool education.
NY Superintendent: Where Is the Outrage?
Here is a superintendent who is willing to raise his voice to demand that the Governor and Legislature fund New York state’s public schools. These days, there is so much fear in education, so many educators intimidated by get-tough, know-nothing politicians, that it is refreshing to encounter a superintendent who is willing to speak truth to power.
Superintendent Jeff Rabey wonders why citizens are willing to demonstrate for gun rights but not for their children’s schools. He writes:
Is it just me or do we have our priorities mixed up?
In response to the NY SAFE Act, “Angry demonstrators, at least 1,000 of them traveling from Erie County on 14
Superintendent Jeff Rabey wonders why citizens are willing to demonstrate for gun rights but not for their children’s schools. He writes:
Is it just me or do we have our priorities mixed up?
In response to the NY SAFE Act, “Angry demonstrators, at least 1,000 of them traveling from Erie County on 14
A Review of the Latest Gates’ MET Study
Jesse Rothstein, one of our premier economists and an experienced analyst of teacher evaluation studies,reviewed the latest MET study.
MET (Measures of Effective Teaching) is the Gates Foundation’s premier effort to show that someone has finally figured out a formula to measure teacher quality.
Rothstein says that the MET study did not succeed at its stated task.
Here is the summary:
The Gates Foundation’s Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) project was a multi-year study of thousands of teachers in six school districts that concluded in January 2013. This review addresses two of the final MET
MET (Measures of Effective Teaching) is the Gates Foundation’s premier effort to show that someone has finally figured out a formula to measure teacher quality.
Rothstein says that the MET study did not succeed at its stated task.
Here is the summary:
The Gates Foundation’s Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) project was a multi-year study of thousands of teachers in six school districts that concluded in January 2013. This review addresses two of the final MET
Teachers Must Produce 100% or Fail
A letter from a teacher in Las Vegas:
“Today at my school we were handed a 5 page back to back document that explained, somewhat, how we teachers are going to be evaluated. Every paragraph started with “All students.” Really? All students? I live in Las Vegas which continuously becomes more crime ridden as the recession looms on. And I am going to be graded by not how the majority of my students are doing, no all. That means 100 percent. Seriously, I’ve never seen any document that has to do with teaching and getting kids on track say 100 % of the kids in class have to pass. There is always some sort of break down of what is considered a passing score. But no, not for teachers we are
“Today at my school we were handed a 5 page back to back document that explained, somewhat, how we teachers are going to be evaluated. Every paragraph started with “All students.” Really? All students? I live in Las Vegas which continuously becomes more crime ridden as the recession looms on. And I am going to be graded by not how the majority of my students are doing, no all. That means 100 percent. Seriously, I’ve never seen any document that has to do with teaching and getting kids on track say 100 % of the kids in class have to pass. There is always some sort of break down of what is considered a passing score. But no, not for teachers we are
Why Puttering Matters
Diana Senechal is a woman of many talents, as you know if you read her recent book The Republic of Noise.She believes in contemplation, solitude, and puttering. She believes that in the quiet moments of her life, we do our best thinking and find our best selves.
This is her explanation of why puttering matters to her.
This is her explanation of why puttering matters to her.
Time for Action!
Maureen Reedy, tireless crusader for public education in Indiana and the surrounding states of Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan, is launching an action program. These states are hotspots of the radical attacks on public education. Please join her!
Time For Action Update…
Hello Friends and Patriots for Public Education,
Parents Across America, Public Schools Across America and NEIFPE (Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education) are joining together for the first 4 state regional planning meeting for Preserving Public Education on
Time For Action Update…
Hello Friends and Patriots for Public Education,
Parents Across America, Public Schools Across America and NEIFPE (Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education) are joining together for the first 4 state regional planning meeting for Preserving Public Education on
Jindal and White: Artful Dodgers?
Last fall, a state court in Louisiana ruled that it was unconstitutional for the state to pay for vouchers by taking dollars from the Minimum Foundation Program. The state constitution says the money is for public schools only. Judge Tim Kelley, a Republican, ruled that private and religious schools are not “public schools.” He wrote: ““While the Court does not dispute the serious nature of these proceedings nor the impact and potential effects on Louisiana’s educational systems, vital public dollars raised and allocated for public schools through the MFP
Diane in the Evening 3-1-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Will You Say This to Your School Board? by dianerav John Stoffel went to his school board in Indiana and delivered this message. Would you do the same in your district? Stoffel said: A little over two months ago, tragedy unfolded at Sandy Hook Elementary. By the next school day, my school had safeguarded every reasonable security measure. Today, our district is still hammering out policy to best What Mayor Bloomberg Wants More Than Anything in the Schools by dianerav Mayor Bloomberg believes that having a h... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 3-2-13 #SOSCHAT
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