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
Will Madigan’s pension bomb come to the floor tomorrow, Wednesday? Are the swords drawn? | Fred Klonsky
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago
Will Madigan’s pension bomb come to the floor tomorrow, Wednesday? Are the swords drawn? | Fred Klonsky: Will Madigan’s pension bomb come to the floor tomorrow, Wednesday? Are the swords drawn? by Fred Klonsky Popout. The *Urgent! Call Now!* emails are piling up in the in boxes. Madigan appears ready to bring his *nuclear option pension bill* to committee and then to the floor of the House. If he has the votes. Senate President Cullerton appears not willing to cooperate. Greg Hinz reports that the each are drawing swords. *Mr. Cullerton’s spokeswoman, Rikeesha Phelon, is out with a s... more »
Promising Whole Child Practices in Arizona — Whole Child Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago
Promising Whole Child Practices in Arizona — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Ember Conley]Promising Whole Child Practices in Arizona April 30, 2013 by Ember Conley Nestled between the Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Communities 30 miles south of Phoenix, Ariz., the city of Maricopa had a population of 1,060 in 2000, according to U.S. Census Data. In 2010, the population was 43,482. This exponential growth of more than 4,000 percent created new challenges and opportunities, including transitioning a small one-campus school district into a successful medium-sized dis... more »
Jersey Jazzman: Your Daily Debunk
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 minutes ago
Jersey Jazzman: Your Daily Debunk: Your Daily Debunk by Duke Just kill me: But there’s one set of facts that trumps all the other data: the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), otherwise known as the nation’s report card. The NAEP, which assesses “a representative sampling” of the nation’s fourth-, eighth- and 12th-graders, has four student achievement levels: “advanced” (for “superior performance”), “proficient” (for “solid academic performance”), “basic” (for “partial mastery”) and “below basic” (for below partial mastery). *We need all students to attain th... more »
Common Core Stakes Moratorium Proposed By Unions As National Standards Face Backlash
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Common Core Stakes Moratorium Proposed By Unions As National Standards Face Backlash: Common Core Stakes Moratorium Proposed By Unions As National Standards Face Backlash by Joy Resmovits Dennis Van Roekel, the president of the National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers union, came out in favor of a two-year moratorium on adverse consequences for schools and teachers that have been proposed in connection with the Common Core State Standards in an interview with The Huffington Post Tuesday. "If I had a magic wand, I would make a moratorium for two years," he sa... more »
NYC Educator: What Is Social Justice?
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
NYC Educator: What Is Social Justice?: What Is Social Justice? by NYC Educator I think MORE, if it wants to prominently label itself the "Social Justice Caucus," needs to clarify this. Perhaps they already have, and if someone will point out where, I'd be happy to acknowledge it on this page. The name seems to have frightened some people on my pal Chaz's blog, and it's drawn comments suggesting that MORE may take a public position on the Israeli-Palestinian controversy. Personally, I've seen no evidence they have, or will. A problem with that label, in my view, is that it fails to... more »
Diane in the Evening 4-30-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Don’t You Love the Providence Student Union? by dianerav The Providence Student Union delivered the First Annual State of the Student Address today, right before State Commissioner Denorah Gist gave her annual State of Education Address. ********************** Hello. Attached please find the materials from the Providence Student Union’s First Annual State of the Student Address, including a press release, a list of PSU’s policy recommendations, and a one-page document detailing PSU’s idea for assessment reform.... more »
The deception continues on the parent trigger… | Parents Across America
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
The deception continues on the parent trigger… | Parents Across America: The deception continues on the parent trigger… by pureparents This blog was written last night by PAA founding member Rita Solnet. Today’s news was huge – Rita, PAA and other parents and parent groups in Florida have defeated the parent trigger there. More on that later, But meanwhile, some valuable insight from Rita: Watching the Florida Senate debate the so-called Parent Empowerment bill, is like watching an episode of Truth or Dare. The bill’s sponsor, Senator Kelli Stargel (R)- Lakeland, clumsily danced ... more »
PSAT for 4-30-13, Part 1: Stop shopping at Walmart!!! Parents United for Responsible Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 4-30-13, Part 1: Stop shopping at Walmart!!!: PSAT for 4-30-13, Part 1: Stop shopping at Walmart!!! by admin Why would anyone who cares about public schools shop at Walmart? Really, folks. It’s your money. And when you shop at WalMart, your money goes to support: - *more charter schools:* $3.8 million in Chicago alone including $230,000 for UNO charter schools. - *more school closings:* $500,000 to pay for Chicago’s sham “public engagement” school closing hearings.[image: WalMartFrown] - *more astrotu... more »
It's All About the Leadership — Whole Child Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
It's All About the Leadership — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Kay Wejrowski]It’s All About the Leadership April 30, 2013 by Kay Wejrowski Recently, I dropped off more than one hundred certificates for our principal, Mat McRae, to sign for winners in our high school's March Into Reading challenge. For the contest, students could draw or paint a new cover for their favorite book; create a book out of metal, wood, clay, or the medium of their choice; or create a graphic design that promotes reading. When all the entries were in, we had nearly three hundred project... more »
May Day 2013: LA Schedule | OccupyWallSt.org
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
May Day 2013: LA Schedule | OccupyWallSt.org: May Day 2013: LA Schedule Posted 1 hour ago on April 30, 2013, 1:07 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt Tags: los angeles, may day [image: #MayDay] Schedule of Events:12:00pm: Long Beach Revolutionaries : Back in Actions @ Pershing Square 2:00pm: Occupy LA Meet @ Pershing Square 2:30pm: March to Olympic and Figueroa 3:00pm: Join with Occupy Fights Foreclosures to SHUT DOWN Wells Fargo 4:00pm: Join the SCIC march @ Broadway & Olympic to march for FULL legalization for all! 7:30pm OLA General Assembly @ Pershing Square Neighboring Occupations are also h... more »
UPDATE: Moales, Jr.’s financial empire collapsing? +Funny, I thought you said Malloy’s E and E Protection Comm was on an NU - Wait, What?
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
Funny, I thought you said Malloy’s Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner was on an NU - Wall Street Conference Call - Wait, What?: Is Bridgeport Board of Education Chairman Kenneth Moales, Jr.’s financial empire collapsing? by jonpelto *“I have the financial means to give my children the best. Why would I not give my children the best? … The best for my sons is at Fairfield Country Day,” said Moales, adding that he has 400 children from his church, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, in the public school because he doesn’t have the means to send them all to private school... more »
FairTest to honor Jonathan Kozol with Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award | FairTest
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
FairTest to honor Jonathan Kozol with Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award | FairTest: FairTest to honor Jonathan Kozol with Deborah W. Meier Hero in Education Award Submitted by fairtest on March 8, 2013 - 1:36pm - about us - k-12 - news - other - university - whats new *Date and Time:* Thursday May 9, 2013; 6:00 – 8:30 pm *Place:* Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts (please visit http://www.multiculturalartscenter.org for directions) In the passion of the civil rights movement of the1960s, Jonathan Kozol gave up... more »
UPDATE: PSAT for 4-30-13, Part 2: Sign this student’s petition! + School closings “another trauma,” say child mental health professionals Support PURE!
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » School closings “another trauma,” say child mental health professionals: PSAT for 4-30-13, Part 2: Sign this student’s petition! by admin [image: psat_logo]He has asked twice, very nicely, and he is right on target: Stop tying teacher evaluation to test scores! He’s Aaron Shafer, a senior at Miami University of Ohio, and his petition says, “Standardized tests are not a sound or fair way to evaluate teachers. The higher the stakes we give these tests, the more we will see test prep and test cheating, which goes against the po... more »
Two more schools join the Seattle MAP test boycott and USDOE study on the MAP test gives it a failing grade | Seattle Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Two more schools join the Seattle MAP test boycott and USDOE study on the MAP test gives it a failing grade | Seattle Education: Two more schools join the Seattle MAP test boycott and USDOE study on the MAP test gives it a failing grade by seattleducation2011 …and the Washington Education Association Assembly has voted to support the boycott. [image: ScrpThMAPCttnwea] Ingraham High School and Thornton Creek Elementary have joined the MAP test boycott which brings the number of schools opting out of the MAP test to seven. 30 teachers at Roosevelt High School have also joined ... more »
UPDATE: RFA: TUPE County Technical Assistance & Leadership Funds (CA Dept of Education)
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
RFA: TUPE County Technical Assistance & Leadership Funds (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces Winner of the 2013 Grazer Outstanding Achievement in Learning Award SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that the 2013 Grazer Outstanding Achievement in Learning (GOAL) award will be presented to the CHIME Institute's Schwarzenegger Community School, a K-8 public charter school in Woodland Hills. "We have a responsibility to provide all of our students in California with the education, support, and tools necessary...more »
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Tuesday, April 30, 2013
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: [image: California and other states in white haven't submitted a waiver application responding to federal requirements. The 34 states in blue have waivers; the states in green have applications under review.]*Fensterwald: Advocacy groups urge rejection of NCLB waiver for California districts* Education Headlines *Tuesday, April 30, 2013* New middle school to open in Carmel Valley in 2015In about two years, San Dieguito Union High School District officials plan to have a new middle school in Carmel Valley that will help reduce the... more »
UPDATE: Consumed by Advocacy in the Marketplace of Mendacity – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Consumed by Advocacy in the Marketplace of Mendacity – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Colorado Observer and Sunana Batra (@cold666pack) Censor Comments supportive of Teacher Brian White by Timothy D. Slekar Do you remember Brian White? You know…the teacher from Colorado that decided to fight back against corporate education reform. The teacher who spoke these words at his local school board meeting: Good evening. My name is Brian White. I’m a parent of two young children currently enrolled in Douglas County schools, a taxpayer, involved community [...] The Benefits (and... more »
New national goals set for teaching professionSI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: *New national goals set for teaching profession* *By Tom Chorneau* Wednesday, May 01, 2013 A blueprint for improving the teaching profession nationally calls for more emphasis on quality preparation programs, higher standards for entry into the profession and better compensation for both classroom educators and school administrators. Released by the U.S. Department of Education, the report represents collaboration between federal officials and a number of private school organizations including Council of Chief State School Officers, American ... more »
UPDATE: Luetkemeyer Letter Goes To Duncan + Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core to Teach Preschoolers/Kindergartners "Executive Function Skills"
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core to Teach Preschoolers/Kindergartners "Executive Function Skills": Luetkemeyer Letter Goes To Duncan With 34 Signatures by Anngie Congressman Luetkemeyer of Missouri District Three submitted his letter to US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan expressing concern over the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to circumvent Congress with major changes to education and student privacy policies. An excerpt reads: “Since the ESEA’s expiration, the Department of Education has moved forward with education policy reform without Congressional input....more »
Modern School: California, Poorest/Richest State in the Nation
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Modern School: California, Poorest/Richest State in the Nation: California, Poorest/Richest State in the Nation by Michael Dunn California currently has more than 600,000 millionaires and 85 billionaires in the Forbes 400 list, far more than any other state in the nation. At the same time, California is now the poorest state in the nation, with the highest percentage of residents living at or below the poverty level. According to the Census Bureau, 23.5% (8.7 million Californians) are living in poverty. Florida is number 2 at 19.5%. These numbers reflect a revision in how the C... more »
Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center: Postcard from the World's Fair in Pairs -- Circa 1899 A Futuristic Image of Learning "At School in the Year 2000' Image Source via Wikimedia Commons Best of the Ed Blogs *Best of the Ed Blogs* features a frequently updated selection of interesting and insightful blog posts on education policy. The views expressed by the bloggers on our blog roll are thoughtful, original, and entirely their own. We hope you make *Best of the Ed Blogs* your first stop for concise takes on today's most important education topics. Rebirth of th... more »
Are we rushing Common Core without field testing it? | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Are we rushing Common Core without field testing it? | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Get Schooled: Are we rushing Common Core without field testing it? There is a surge of late in criticisms of the Common Core State Standards, which most states, including Georgia, are in the process of incorporating into their classrooms. On one hand, *there is a political backlash against the standards*, which, while conceived at a state level, are now being recast as a plot by the Obama administration to wrest education from local control. Most of those complaints are partisan and have little... more »
UPDATE: AFT’s Weingarten urges moratorium on high stakes linked to new standardized tests
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
AFT’s Weingarten urges moratorium on high stakes linked to new standardized tests: AFT’s Weingarten urges moratorium on high stakes linked to new standardized tests Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 30, 2013 at 10:07 am [image: randi] Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, Tuesday called for a moratorium on the consequences of high-stakes testing because new standardized assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards are unfairly being given to students before teachers have ha... more »
The Gorilla Speaks: It’s time to Change the Conversation | GoingPublic
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
The Gorilla Speaks: It’s time to Change the Conversation | GoingPublic: The Gorilla Speaks: It’s time to Change the Conversation by Nancy Letts Nancy’s article for the Huffington Post is trending: It’s time we stopped talking about the failure of teachers and their unions. Instead of pitting public schools against charters and vouchers, we’ve all got to take an unvarnished look at the gorilla in the room: poverty. We must change the conversation. It’s not that spending money on education is a bad investment; it’s where and how that money is spent that’s the problem. The sorry fact i... more »
Reformers Creating a Usable Past: Myths and Realities | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Reformers Creating a Usable Past: Myths and Realities | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Reformers Creating a Usable Past: Myths and Realities by larrycuban Consider the following: *Progressive school reformers praise the 19th century one-room school for multi-age grouping, students helping one another learn their lessons, and close connections between school and community; conservative school reformers see the same one-room school house as a place where order and discipline ruled the day and students learned basic skills. *Technology-driven reformers describe ... more »
UPDATE: Tuesday Open Thread + Seattle Schools Community Forum: Public Review of Native Education Program Grant Application Tomorrow
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Public Review of Native Education Program Grant Application Tomorrow: Further thoughts on Highly Capable Policy by Charlie Mas My thinking about the proposed Highly Capable policy 2190 has evolved. At first I just wanted the Board to fix the obvious flaws in the policy. Clarify the "school-age" language and the language about "individual learning rates and styles", remove the superfluous second paragraph that isn't specific to highly capable students, and change the third paragraph so it requires the superintendent to submit a grant application rath... more »
Cracks in the Common Core Coalition: On the Right, Left, and Now in the Center, Too - Dana Goldstein
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Cracks in the Common Core Coalition: On the Right, Left, and Now in the Center, Too - Dana Goldstein: Cracks in the Common Core Coalition: On the Right, Left, and Now in the Center, Too by Dana Goldstein In a speech in New York this morning, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten called for a moratorium on high stakes attached to Common Core assessments. A survey of AFT members found that most believe they have not received adequate professional development or instructional materials aligned to the new standards. Weingarten said tests like the ones rolled out... more »
How Do We Foster Excellence? - Bridging Differences - Education Week
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
How Do We Foster Excellence? - Bridging Differences - Education Week: How Do We Foster Excellence? by Deborah Meier *Elliott Witney files his last entry for Bridging Differences today. Deborah will respond on Thursday, and a new co-blogger will join her next week.* Dear Deb, As we close our exchange, I want to express gratitude for this opportunity. I've never done anything like this before, and I deeply appreciate your asking me to join this discussion. It has been particularly interesting and exciting to discover how much we agree on. I also want to thank Emily Gasoi for introd... more »
Weingarten calling for moratorium on Common Core stakes | GothamSchools
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Weingarten calling for moratorium on Common Core stakes | GothamSchools: Weingarten calling for moratorium on Common Core stakes by Philissa Cramer After dropping hints in interviews and public appearances for weeks, AFT President Randi Weingarten is formally weighing in on the backlash to the Common Core standards today by calling for a moratorium on consequences attached to Common Core test scores. Weingarten is making the proposal right now in a speech to business and civic leaders at the Association for a Better New York, a pit stop for public figures with new ideas to float. ... more »
MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-30-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Randi Calls for a Moratorium on High Stakes for Common Core Tests by dianerav This morning I went to hear Randi Weingarten speak to a major group of business and civic leaders in New York City. Present also were the state’s education leaders, including Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch as well as College Board President (and Common Core architect) David Coleman. Randi praised the Common Core as the most important innovation in education in our generation, but w... more »
Deasy's 30 Percent Teacher Evaluation Victory: UTLA's Capitulation and its Consequences By John Fernandez - Perdaily.com
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Deasy's 30 Percent Teacher Evaluation Victory: UTLA's Capitulation and its Consequences By John Fernandez - Perdaily.com: Deasy's 30 Percent Teacher Evaluation Victory: UTLA's Capitulation and its Consequences By John Fernandez by Leonard Isenberg [image: Dr. John Fernandez.jpg] (Mensaje se repite en Español) *Coward: A man in whom the instinct of self-preservation acts normally.*--Sultana Zoraya On January 19, 2013, teachers in the LAUSD approved a comprehensive evaluation system that will include student school wide test data and a host of other measurements, such as attendance... more »
UPDATE: Morrison’s bullsh*t pension proposal. + The in box. “Teachers are tired of losing.” | Fred Klonsky
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
The in box. “Teachers are tired of losing.” | Fred Klonsky: Tony at the Red Line Tap. by Fred Klonsky [image: tonyattheredline] “Hey, Klonsky. What can I get you?” said Marty. “I have a taste for a* Tokyo Black.”* “I’m on it,” replied my favorite bar tender. “You’re looking unusually happy this evening,” offered Tony, who appeared not-at-all interested in the Bulls and Nets game that was flickering on the Red Line’s flat screen. “Just got word that I was elected in a state-wide vote of union retirees to be a delegate to the union’s national Illinois Representative Tom Morrison’s bu... more »
UPDATE: PARENT TRIGGER DEFEATED IN FLA SENATE! + New Revelations in Stargel-Rhee Parent Trigger Petition; Scathing Purple Musings
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
New Revelations in Stargel-Rhee Parent Trigger Petition; Senate Vote Today | Scathing Purple Musings: PARENT TRIGGER DEFEATED IN FLA SENATE! by Bob Sikes From Kathleen McGrory in* The Buzz:* The bill, sponsored by Sen. *Kelli Stargel*, would have let parents demand sweeping changes at failing public schools, including having the school transformed into a charter school.It had been watered down by an amendment from Sen. *David Simmons*, R-Altamonte Springs, that would have allowed school boards to reject parent petitions. Most observers thought the Simmons amendement would have gi... more »
The Grand Accountability Scam – Kill the RSD | Crazy Crawfish's Blog
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
The Grand Accountability Scam – Kill the RSD | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: The Grand Accountability Scam – Kill the RSD by crazycrawfish [image: certified 100% horse free (recipe now features poor students.)] certified 100% horse free (recipe now features poor students.) John White and Bobby Jindal have mixed two smart sounding messages in a way designed to punish people for being poor. It sounds good when you say, “poverty is not an excuse for poor performance.” It sounds good when “we refuse to allow poverty to be an excuse for poor performance.” Who could disagree with such uplifting... more »
‘Who allowed these big boys to go and play in education? Now the moms have to clean it up’
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
‘Who allowed these big boys to go and play in education? Now the moms have to clean it up’: ‘Who allowed these big boys to go and play in education? Now the moms have to clean it up’ Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 30, 2013 at 5:00 am 0 Comments More [image: texas]What started with eight women from Austin and suburban Houston is now a movement that spread across Texas and is challenging the standardized testing regime in the Lone Star State. The group started by these moms, Texas Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessments, is leading the charge in support of a bill in the Tex... more »
What Do the Tests Test? | toteachornototeach
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
What Do the Tests Test? | toteachornototeach: What Do the Tests Test? by aristotlethewise What Do the Tests Test? by Alan SingerMy eight-year-old grandchildren, Sadia and Gideon, seem to have survived the third grade ELA and Math tests without being scarred for life. From their perspective, it was “Much Ado About Nothing,” and they were more concerned about the start of the little league baseball season in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. For me, the bigger questions remain the value of these tests in the education of children, especially the impact they have on what gets taught (curricu... more »
#StopCommonCore Twitter Rally Part Deux | Truth in American Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
#StopCommonCore Twitter Rally Part Deux | Truth in American Education: #StopCommonCore Twitter Rally Part Deux by truthed Parent Led Reform (@parentledreform) is graciously hosting our 2nd #StopCommonCore Twitter Rally. Our follow-up rally is this Thursday, May 2nd at 9:00p (EDT)/8:00p (CDT). The #StopCommonCore Twitter Rally is a collaborative project in partnership with Truth In American Education(@TruthinAmEd), and designed to share the research diligently collected by parents and citizens concerned about the government’s push for national common standards in education. This... more »
Jersey Jazzman: StudentsFirst-B4K & Fulop: A Hustle in Jersey City
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: StudentsFirst-B4K & Fulop: A Hustle in Jersey City: StudentsFirst-B4K & Fulop: A Hustle in Jersey City by Duke *When I'm Mayor of Jersey City, I'll be a great friend to teachers! Really, I swear!* One sure sign of a hustler is that he denies the obvious truth while telling you it's your own eyes that are lying. Take, for example, the leap that StudentsFirst's "partner" in New Jersey, Better Education for Kids (B4K), ismaking into Jersey City politics: An advocate of teacher tenure and schools reform, *Better Education for New Jersey’s Kids, Inc. has intensified ef... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Arne and Karen Duncan's Secret Log
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Arne and Karen Duncan's Secret Log: Arne and Karen Duncan's Secret Log by Mike Klonsky Duncan & Daley used the city's elite schools as patronage.During *Arne Duncan's* reign as *Mayor Daley's*hand-picked schools CEO, he kept a "secret log" to manage requests by clout-heavy political donors and VIPs, to get many of their otherwise unqualified kids into the city's elite "public" schools. Although the log itself, (requests coming directly from Duncan appear as “AD” on the log. Petitions from *Duncan’s wife, Karen* appear as “KD” on the log) was only rec... more »
Advocacy groups urge rejection of NCLB waiver for California districts | EdSource Today
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Advocacy groups urge rejection of NCLB waiver for California districts | EdSource Today: Advocacy groups urge rejection of NCLB waiver for California districts ** April 29th, 2013 | Add a Comment | By John Fensterwald Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on print More Sharing Services Seven advocacy and civil rights organizations, led by Washington-based The Education Trust, have called on Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to deny nine California districts a waiver from the No Child Left Behind law, saying any deviation from a statewide waiver “would be the wrong pa... more »
Positive school climate boosts test scores, study says | EdSource Today
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Positive school climate boosts test scores, study says | EdSource Today: Positive school climate boosts test scores, study says ** April 29th, 2013 | Add a Comment | By Jane Meredith Adams Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on print More Sharing Services [image: CA Schools that Beat the Odds] A partial list of California schools that researchers identified as performing better than similar schools. Click on the image to see the list of all 40 schools. It’s the million-dollar question or, given the size of the California education budget, the $50-billion-dollar quest... more »
Teachers at 2 more Seattle schools join MAP test boycott | Local News | The Seattle Times
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Teachers at 2 more Seattle schools join MAP test boycott | Local News | The Seattle Times: Teachers at 2 more Seattle schools join MAP test boycott More teachers in Seattle Public Schools have joined the protest against the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. By Linda Shaw Seattle Times education reporter MOST POPULAR COMMENTS HIDE / SHOW COMMENTS "Above avg pay"? Really, do you know anything? Teachers are among the most... (April 29, 2013, by flyingfish747) MORE I read this whole article and I still do not see why the teachers are so upset about... (April 29, 2013, by themost... more »
Walton foundation gives $8 million to StudentsFirst - latimes.com
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Walton foundation gives $8 million to StudentsFirst - latimes.com: Walton foundation gives $8 million to StudentsFirst by By Howard Blume Failed D.C. schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee's education advocacy efforts got a boost Tuesday with an $8-million grant from the Walton Family Foundation. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / January31, 2013) By Howard Blume April 30, 2013, 3:00 a.m. A foundation associated with the Wal-Mart family fortune has expanded its support for the education advocacy group run by former District of Columbia schools chancellor Michelle Rhee. The Walton F... more »
Bill seeks to limit school police in discipline matters | California Watch
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Bill seeks to limit school police in discipline matters | California Watch: Bill seeks to limit school police in discipline matters by Ben Wieder Susan Ferriss and Ben Wieder Vanessa Romo/KPCC.org Students protest last year in Los Angeles against school police tickets issued heavily at middle schools, low-income schools. As the national debate grows louder over deploying police in schools, the largest state in the union – California – is considering a bill that would require schools to set “clear guidelines” defining the role of school police and limit their involvement in discipli... more »
The Senate Deception Continues on Parent Trigger - MyEdNext
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago
The Senate Deception Continues on Parent Trigger - MyEdNext: The Senate Deception Continues on Parent Trigger Watching the Florida Senate debate the so-called Parent Empowerment bill, is like watching an episode of Truth or Dare. The bill's sponsor, Senator Kelli Stargel (R)- Lakeland, clumsily danced around answers to pertinent questions, like, *"Why is a parent trigger even needed in Florida?"* or, *"Who supports parent trigger in Florida."* I'm tired of the non answers, the wrong answers, and frankly, the lies presented with gusto such as the fabricated parent group with t... more »
The NFL Draft Has Lots To Teach Administrators [Edutopia] | The Jose Vilson
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
The NFL Draft Has Lots To Teach Administrators [Edutopia] | The Jose Vilson: The NFL Draft Has Lots To Teach Administrators [Edutopia] by Jose Vilson [image: Tyrann Mathieu at the NFL Scouting Combine] Tyrann Mathieu at the NFL Scouting Combine Here’s my recent article comparing the way the NFL recruits players in their scouting combine to what public education currently does. Stats and Equations vs. the Team as an EcosystemTrying to develop equations for player effectiveness doesn’t always work well. ESPN tried to develop its own quarterback equation, but found it wasn’t that simp... more »
Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 4-29-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
*Nite Cap UPDATE* *UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* ** *CORPORATE ED REFORM* TOMORROW: Support Whittier School's Battle to Keep LSC-Selected Principal Zoila Garcia by Mike Klonsky Meeting Tuesday, April 30th, 3 PM at Whittier School On April 4, 2013, the principal at Whittier Elementary School in Pilsen, was removed by the Pilsen/Little Village Network Chief Stephen Zrike and reassigned temporarily to work from home. Principal Zoila Garcia had been at Whittier for 9 years and her contract was renewed by the Whittier Local School Council last year. Faculty was informed of the de... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Yes, the Cracks are Showing in Ed Reform
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Yes, the Cracks are Showing in Ed Reform: Yes, the Cracks are Showing in Ed Reform by Melissa Westbrook I have my own threads to write on the large and visible cracks in ed reform that are showing. But in brief: - TFA? There is now a group of ex-TFA that have organized to get TFA to go away. It's not just a few people, it's now a whole group. - Common Core? There's another big story of states starting to back away. One reason is something I have said would come and that's the day that conservatives realize that local control goes ... more »
Opening Statement, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan--Release of NIEER's "The State of Preschool 2012" Yearbook | U.S. Department of Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Opening Statement, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan--Release of NIEER's "The State of Preschool 2012" Yearbook | U.S. Department of Education: Opening Statement, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan--Release of NIEER's "The State of Preschool 2012" Yearbook APRIL 29, 2013 *Contact: * Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov [image: View Full Report PDF]Full Report (PDF) Go to 2012 Yearbook Homepage Secretary Sebelius has been a great advocate for children and a fantastic partner with ED in our work together on early learning. I can't thank her enough for stepping u... more »
Georgia high school holds first integrated prom Brown v. Board of Education May 17, 1954
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Georgia high school holds first integrated prom: Georgia high school holds first integrated prom - Brown v. Board of Education May 17, 1954 Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 29, 2013 at 5:41 pm [image: Students from Wilcox County High School who are fighting to have an integrated prom. (Screengrab from a video by WSAV)] Students from Wilcox County High School who pushed for their school’s first integrated prom. (Screengrab from a video by WSAV) They did it. A small group of students in Georgia staged their high school’s first integrated prom, breaking a long-time tradition of tw... more »
Florida Parents Don't Let the Sunshine Melt Your AstroTurf +
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
*Florida Parents Don't Let the Sunshine Melt Your AstroTurf * Sunshine Parents - Sneak Peak from Sunshine Parents on Vimeo. [image: Sunshine Parents] Sunshine Parents - Sneak Peak from Sunshine Parents PLUS 6 days ago NOT YET RATED Sunshine Parents is about parents speaking out in support for Parent Empowerment legislation. This is a sneak peak. For the full 30min mini documentary please go to - vimeo.com/64156006 Parents want to be sure their sons and daughters are getting the very best educational opportunities, regardless of their circumstance. The voices of all families s... more »
Florida Parents Don't Let the Sunshine Melt Your AstroTurf
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Sunshine Parents - Sneak Peak on Vimeo: *Florida Parents Don't Let the Sunshine Melt Your AstroTurf * Sunshine Parents - Sneak Peak from Sunshine Parents on Vimeo. [image: Sunshine Parents] Sunshine Parents - Sneak Peak from Sunshine Parents PLUS 6 days ago NOT YET RATED Sunshine Parents is about parents speaking out in support for Parent Empowerment legislation. This is a sneak peak. For the full 30min mini documentary please go to - vimeo.com/64156006 Parents want to be sure their sons and daughters are getting the very best educational opportunities, regardless of their cir... more »
The gap between school reform rhetoric and reality in 3 cities
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
The gap between school reform rhetoric and reality in 3 cities: The gap between school reform rhetoric and reality in 3 cities Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 29, 2013 at 4:00 pm 1 Comments More [image: (MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images)] (MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images) A new report looks at the results of school reform in three major cities and finds that reformers’ claims about success don’t exactly match reality. Here’s a piece on it by Elaine Weiss, the national coordinator for the Broader Bolder Approach to Education. This appeared on The Nation’s website. By Elaine Weiss ... more »
NYC Educator: How Do We Engage the Apathetic 75%?
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
NYC Educator: How Do We Engage the Apathetic 75%?: How Do We Engage the Apathetic 75%? by NYC Educator It's humiliating that 52% of the union vote came from retirees. That we cannot muster more than one of four working teachers to take an interest in who runs our union is on us too. Retirees are certainly important, and I hope to become one someday. Retirees should be represented, and are, with their own chapter. Should the union have a Florida office? If we've got a huge percentage of retirees in Florida, why not? But here's a fact--retirees have different interests than working ... more »
Bye-Bye STAR Hello State Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress for the 21st Century Vote on AB 484 Wed. 5-1-13
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
*Bye-Bye STAR * * Hello State Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress for the 21st Century * *Vote on AB 484 Wed. 5-1-13* * *** * * *Time is short before the vote Wednesday 5-1-13* *. Send a letter to members of the committee today and tell them what you think....* * * *CA Assembly Education Committee * Assemblyman Das Williams Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen Assemblywoman Nora Campos Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian Assemblyman Rocky Chavez Assemblywoman Shirley Weber *The Bill* *AB 484* *Title:* Pupil Assessments: Measurement of Performance/Progress... more »
Diane in the Evening 4-29-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: The NY Times Editorial Endorsing Common Core by dianerav Several readers asked me to comment on the New York Times editorial endorsing the Common Core. I held off because there didn’t seem to be anything to say other than that the Times’ editorial board is repeating what they were told by promoters of the Common Core. The Common Core has serious problems, and there is no evidence that the Times gave any thought to those problems. It really does matter that no one knows how these standards will work in practice. No... more »
