School Closings in Chicago: Call in the Lawyers
Chicago’s Superintendent Barbara Byrd-Bennett knows better, but she is following orders. Just following orders.
The “independent panel” that she convened advised her to go full steam ahead.
Who will be hurt? African-American children, African-American families and communities.
Barbara, don’t do it.
Barbara, tell Rahm no.
Barbara, you know this is wrong.
Serve the children, not the corporations, hedge
The “independent panel” that she convened advised her to go full steam ahead.
Who will be hurt? African-American children, African-American families and communities.
Barbara, don’t do it.
Barbara, tell Rahm no.
Barbara, you know this is wrong.
Serve the children, not the corporations, hedge
Does Democracy Matter?
In school, when we study history and civics, we learn about the principles of democracy. We learn that government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” We learn about how important it is for citizens to be informed and to participate in decision-making because the government is their servant, not their master, and we choose our leaders to represent us, not to rue us.
Except for school reform. Now the fashion is to say that the needs are so urgent, that we can’t wait for discussion and debate. Decisions must be made now, without consultation, and they must be imposed without
Except for school reform. Now the fashion is to say that the needs are so urgent, that we can’t wait for discussion and debate. Decisions must be made now, without consultation, and they must be imposed without
Corporate Greed in Florida
Now here is an interesting debate topic: Who really controls the Florida legislature?
Jeb Bush or ALEC?
Or are they the same people with different organizational ties?
Read here to learn about ALEC’s role in Florida.
Recently, ALEC was about to pass a resolution condemning the Common Core standards, but Jeb intervened to stop it. He probably reminded them of the profits that corporations will make as the test scores plummet across the land in response to “tougher,” more “rigorous” standards.
Jeb Bush or ALEC?
Or are they the same people with different organizational ties?
Read here to learn about ALEC’s role in Florida.
Recently, ALEC was about to pass a resolution condemning the Common Core standards, but Jeb intervened to stop it. He probably reminded them of the profits that corporations will make as the test scores plummet across the land in response to “tougher,” more “rigorous” standards.
TeacherKen on The Network for Public Education
Ken Bernstein is one of the nation’s best education bloggers. He blogs frequently at The Daily Kos. He has wise in the ways of federal policies and politics. He also is a gifted teacher and a great person. One of the great rewards of writing my last book was that I met this great and generous man.
Today, Ken wrote a great article about the new Network for Public Education. He explains more about the
Today, Ken wrote a great article about the new Network for Public Education. He explains more about the
Students: Please Join Our Nation Campaign for Your Schools
This is a great suggestion for the Network for Public Education: we need students and student organizations to join with us!
If you are a student, please join us. If you are part of a student group, please join us!
This is where you can sign up: http://www.networkforpubliceducation.org/network-membership/
We need you.
“I’m sure you have many pressing priorities as a new organization, but I would strongly recommend that you devote considerable attention to actively engaging US high school students in the process of reversing the privatization of public education and ending the obsession with standardized testing.
“Students have intimate knowledge of what really works in the classroom and doesn’t. They have borne the brunt
If you are a student, please join us. If you are part of a student group, please join us!
This is where you can sign up: http://www.networkforpubliceducation.org/network-membership/
We need you.
“I’m sure you have many pressing priorities as a new organization, but I would strongly recommend that you devote considerable attention to actively engaging US high school students in the process of reversing the privatization of public education and ending the obsession with standardized testing.
“Students have intimate knowledge of what really works in the classroom and doesn’t. They have borne the brunt
Proof: Bill Gates Has No Idea about Schools–or Children
They say that if you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
When you have billions in technology, you start thinking that you hold the answer to all the world’s problems.
Bill Gates thinks he has the answer to education: standardized testing, data, and measurement, with lots of technology.
Does he know that every child is different?
Does he know that standardized tests are subject to random error, human error, measurement error, and other
When you have billions in technology, you start thinking that you hold the answer to all the world’s problems.
Bill Gates thinks he has the answer to education: standardized testing, data, and measurement, with lots of technology.
Does he know that every child is different?
Does he know that standardized tests are subject to random error, human error, measurement error, and other
Randi Weingarten Arrested in Philadelphia Protest
Randi Weingarten and other protestors were arrested and hauled off in handcuffs while demonstrating against school closings in Philadelphia. Neither the Mayor nor the School Reform Commission was willing to meet with Weingarten.
After her release from custody, said the article in the Huffington Post,
“Weingarten said she sees the school closure plan as siphoning money away from public schools, since the
After her release from custody, said the article in the Huffington Post,
“Weingarten said she sees the school closure plan as siphoning money away from public schools, since the
Bruce Baker: Where There Is a Con, Look for a CAN
In his inimitable style, combining wit and solid analysis, Bruce Baker dissects the latest “data-free drivel” from ConnCAN.
Baker responds to a report claiming that the state was helping low-performing, high-needs districts. Not true, says Baker.
And he has the evidence to back up his response.
The question: Why do the news media report “studies” by advocacy groups with an agenda without recognizing
Baker responds to a report claiming that the state was helping low-performing, high-needs districts. Not true, says Baker.
And he has the evidence to back up his response.
The question: Why do the news media report “studies” by advocacy groups with an agenda without recognizing
Why the Teachers in Strongville, Ohio, Are Striking
When I heard about Strongsville, I thought I was reading a children’s storybook about a wonderful, all-American city, a city where all the families are happy and have nice houses, and the children play in well-equipped playgrounds, and go to wonderful schools.
Think of it: Strongsville. It evokes Wheaties and Jack Armstrong, the all-American boy, the town where everything is just fine.
But then I got this letter from a teacher:
My name is Christina Potter and I have taught in the Strongsville City Schools in Strongsville, Ohio for the last
Think of it: Strongsville. It evokes Wheaties and Jack Armstrong, the all-American boy, the town where everything is just fine.
But then I got this letter from a teacher:
My name is Christina Potter and I have taught in the Strongsville City Schools in Strongsville, Ohio for the last
Diane in the Evening 3-7-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: THE NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION (CLICK PICTURE) [image: The Network for Public Education (click picture)] WE ARE MANY. THERE IS POWER IN OUR NUMBERS. TOGETHER, WE WILL SAVE OUR SCHOOLS. THE NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION CPS Plans to Close Schools, Increase Class Sizes by dianerav I just received a press release from the Chicago Teachers Union, alerting the public that CPS plans to close schools and to increase class sizes. To call this “reform” is outrageous. The children in Chicago needs smaller classes, not... more »