Friday, May 17, 2013

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 5-17-13 AM Posts #edreform #EDCHAT #P2



BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS



FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, May 17, 2013

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 minutes ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Gov. Brown, lawmakers still apart over details of school funding plan* Education Headlines *Friday, May 17, 2013* Claremont school district board passes recommendation to offer career technical education course despite oppositionThe Claremont Unified School District passed a recommendation Thursday to offer a career technical education course as an optional high school graduation requirement in lieu of visual and performing arts or world language course. Robert P. Taylor named new superintendent of Walnut Valley Unified School D... more »

Hypothetical (or not) exercise on inBloom, data, and student privacy – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 minutes ago
Hypothetical (or not) exercise on inBloom, data, and student privacy – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Hypothetical (or not) exercise on inBloom, data, and student privacy by Chalk Face, PhD Here’s a little thought experiment. Big Data advocates like inBloom are proposing to collect about 400 data points on every student in states that contract with this company. That’s a pretty long list. Presented as such, it may seem fairly innocuous. Your child’s school already has this information on file for the most part. All that needs to be done is to compile it from various documen... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Rahm's latest catch phrase: 'Balancing equity'

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 24 minutes ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Rahm's latest catch phrase: 'Balancing equity': Rahm's latest catch phrase: 'Balancing equity' by Mike Klonsky 'Some will pay less. Some will not.' That's balance. *"We balance those equities. Do it in a thoughtful and sensitive way...What comes with the office is, you've got to make the tough decisions that balance a lot of different equities and do what's best for the city and everybody involved...Our early retirees--we're giving them a runway until 2017 as we transition people to the health care exchanges that will offer them the opportunity to b... more »

Child mental health experts to speak out on school closings Parents United for Responsible Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 24 minutes ago
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Child mental health experts to speak out on school closings: Child mental health experts to speak out on school closings by admin [image: speakout]With the help of the wonderful CReATE members Diane Horwitz and Ann Aviles de Bradley, PURE is putting on a press conference next Tuesday, the day before the May 22 school closings vote, to present the concerns of child mental health experts about the negative impact of school closings on children. Here’s the press alert we just sent out: Press Alert May 17, 2013 *Contact:* - J... more »

Open Letter to Secretary Duncan from PAA Michigan affiliate leader | Parents Across America

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 34 minutes ago
Open Letter to Secretary Duncan from PAA Michigan affiliate leader | Parents Across America: Open Letter to Secretary Duncan from PAA Michigan affiliate leader by pureparents Submitted by Steven Norton, head of Michigan Parents for Schools, 05/07/2013 Sec. Duncan visited two schools in Detroit, one of them an EAA school, and the Perry Child Development Center in Ypsilanti. Our letter points out the conflict between the educational values Sec. Duncan has espoused, and which are the foundation of Perry’s High/Scope model, and the urgent direction of education policy in Michigan. ----... more »

The Malloy/Pryor Education Reform Consultant Full Employment Gravy Train - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
The Malloy/Pryor Education Reform Consultant Full Employment Gravy Train - Wait, What?: The Malloy/Pryor Education Reform Consultant Full Employment Gravy Train by jonpelto While it’s true that Malloy’s Commissioner of Education, Stefan Pryor, has failed to fill some of the most critically important administrative positions in his agency that actually serve Connecticut’s schools and children, such as a Bureau Chief for the Special Education Division, Pryor’s dedication to retaining corporate education reform consulting companies and corporate education consultants is impressive. ... more »

Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Do we have to choose between student voice and teacher voice?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Do we have to choose between student voice and teacher voice?: Do we have to choose between student voice and teacher voice? by noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen) ** ** *It turns out my support of student activist Jeff Bliss caused at least one teacher to announce on his blog that he wants to quit Tweeting and blogging. * * Friends bombarded me with the link, accompanied with comments like, “This is great. We don’t need someone like that representing our profession.” Or, “Wow. He must really be threatened by students being heard. I think that... more »

A Little Test for Test Junkies (and Time Traveling with Vonnegut) – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
A Little Test for Test Junkies (and Time Traveling with Vonnegut) – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: A Little Test for Test Junkies (and Time Traveling with Vonnegut) by plthomasedd f you are a proponent of testing, please take the following test: 1) Do you think public education is currently fulfilling its purpose in the U.S.? *[If you answer "No," please continue.]* 2) Did you know that public schools began to depend heavily on testing in the early 2oth century? *[If you answer "Yes," please continue.]* 3) Did you know public schools have focused on high-stakes testing as p... more »

If tweeting is an art, Weingarten is no Picasso. She’s barely a George W. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
If tweeting is an art, Weingarten is no Picasso. She’s barely a George W. | Fred Klonsky: If tweeting is an art, Weingarten is no Picasso. She’s barely a George W. by Fred Klonsky [image: george-bush-paintings-dogs] *“Tweeting is an art.” Randi is to Twitter as George W is to painting. * The trouble all began when American Federation of Teachers President issued a statement in support of the We Are One/Cullerton bill. The bill, SB2404 is Senate President Cullerton’s attempt to circumvent the pension protection provision of the Illinois Constitution. NEA President Dennis Van Roekel a... more »

Modern School: Greece Outlaws Teachers Strike

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Modern School: Greece Outlaws Teachers Strike: Greece Outlaws Teachers Strike by Michael Dunn The Greek government has outlawed a teachers strike set to begin on May 17. The government signed a civil mobilization order banning the strike, something that previously had only been used in times of national emergencies, according the WSWS. This is the first time the tactic has been used preemptively before a strike has even started. Workers who violate the order are subject to being fired, arrested and jailed. Since the imposition of austerity in 2008, the Greek government has relied ... more »

Gov. Corbett Taps William Harner as New Education Secretary | PoliticsPA

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Gov. Corbett Taps William Harner as New Education Secretary | PoliticsPA: Gov. Corbett Taps William Harner as New Education Secretary *Written by Kevin Horne, Contributing Writer* * * * Broad Superintendents Academy 2005* [image: william-harner-0eb25d23c4ec5b46] Governor Corbett confirmed yesterday what the Philadelphia Inquirer reported last week — Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis is on his way out. Tomalis will leave his post on May 31 to become Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education, per a press release from the governor’s office, making the same salary that he did i... more »

There Is Much to Get Right—or Wrong—About the Common Core | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
There Is Much to Get Right—or Wrong—About the Common Core | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: There Is Much to Get Right—or Wrong—About the Common Core by American Federation of Teachers *By Marla Ucelli-Kashyap, Assistant to the President for Educational Issues, **American Federation of Teachers**(AFT)* Last month, AFT president, Randi Weingarten called for a moratorium on the stakes associated with Common Core-aligned assessments. Let me be clear, the AFT has long been a supporter of higher common standards and expectations for all students, regardless of ZIP co... more »

MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-17-13 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: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] PBS in Houston: Watch the Faces of the Students by dianerav A reader from Houston suggests that we watch the PBS documentary on Houston’s Apollo program and watch the faces of the students: He writes: To see how many kids react to an overemphasis on testing, watch Dropout Nation. PBS Frontline’s Dropout Nation series featured HISD and its Apollo Program in its September broadcast. While there are some good Rothstein: Advice to Future Teachers by dianerav Ri... more »

Money contines to pours, unevenly, into LA Unified school board race | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Money contines to pours, unevenly, into LA Unified school board race | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: Money contines to pours, unevenly, into LA Unified school board race by Adolfo Guzman-Lopez *District 6 School Board Candidate, Antonio Sanchez is a political newcomer who studied urban planning and worked for Antonio Villaraigosa.; Credit: Rebecca Hill/KPCC* As she walked onto a rally in front of the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters on Tuesday, Monica Ratliff was greeted as a minor celebrity. Hundreds of union workers were applying pressure on the school board to spend... more »

Daily Kos: 59 years ago today

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Daily Kos: 59 years ago today: 59 years ago today by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) the Supreme Court of the United States UNANIMOUSLY issued two important decisions about public schools. The better known is Brown v. Board of Education, in which in his opinion Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote to separate them from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone. . . . Segregation of white and colored children in pub... more »

Important endorsements for Monica Ratliff for LAUSD Board of Education – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Important endorsements for Monica Ratliff for LAUSD Board of Education – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Important endorsements for Monica Ratliff for LAUSD Board of Education MAY 17, 2013 BY RDSATHENE LEAVE A COMMENT Professor Diane Ravitch — Monica Ratliff for Los Angeles School Board [image: Professor Diane Ravitch endorses Monica Ratliff for LAUSD]There is a big race in Los Angeles on May 21. It is a run-off that will determine who controls the board. There are two candidates. One–Monica Ratliff–is a working classroom teacher, the other worked on the staff of corporate-fri... more »

Education Research Report: CDC issues first comprehensive report on children’s mental health in the United States

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Education Research Report: CDC issues first comprehensive report on children’s mental health in the United States: CDC issues first comprehensive report on children’s mental health in the United States by Jonathan Kantrowitz Children’s mental disorders affect boys and girls of all ages, ethnic/racial backgrounds, and regions of the United States. Previous studies estimate up to 1 in 5 children have mental disorder and a new CDC MMWR Supplement finds that millions of American children live with depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, Tourette syndrome or a host of ot... more »

NYC Educator: Principal Sappenbottom and the Workshop Model

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
NYC Educator: Principal Sappenbottom and the Workshop Model: Principal Sappenbottom and the Workshop Model by NYC Educator *by special guest blogger Curious Teacher * Assistant Principal Sappenbottom got a promotion: she was now Principal Sappenbottom. She got a raise, she got a bigger, more private office, and now she really could exercise her prerogative to do nothing as all she had to do was close the door and say she was in a meeting. She was the principal. Who was going to bother her? The students? They didn't even know who she was. Principal Sappenbottom attended a Principal... more »

IEA leaders are asking members to buy a pig in a poke. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
IEA leaders are asking members to buy a pig in a poke. | Fred Klonsky: IEA leaders are asking members to buy a pig in a poke. by Fred Klonsky [image: June6_2005MMM] Fred: I was at a recent gathering of a number of retired teaching colleagues who have been retired for a few years under the state’s Early Retirement Option (ERO). They haven’t yet received their retroactive COLA because they aren’t the magic age of 61. We were wondering what impact either proposed bills (SB1 or SB2404) will have on their earned COLA? What is very troubling for these people is that if their COLAs are st... more »

The revolution is here

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
The revolution is here: The revolution is here By Valerie Strauss, Published: May 17, 2013 at 4:00 amE-mail the writer 6 Comments More [image: boycott]I’ve written a lot about growing resistance to high-stakes standardized testing and other corporate-driven school reforms. In the following piece, the argument is made that the revolution against the reform movement is here. It was written by Jeff Bryant, an Associate Fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future and the owner of a marketing and communications consultancy. It serves numerous organizations including Human Rights Watch, ... more »

The Global Search for Education – Is the AP Worth It? | toteachornototeach

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
The Global Search for Education – Is the AP Worth It? | toteachornototeach: The Global Search for Education – Is the AP Worth It? by aristotlethewise The Global Search for Education – Is the AP Worth It? by C. M. Rubin The College Board has long claimed its gold standard AP Program can help students succeed in college, narrow the achievement gap and level the playing field for traditionally under-served high schools and students. The program has had its share of controversy since its inception in 1955 and subsequent substantial growth, particularly in the last two decades. Some hav... more »

State bill seeks to reduce school suspensions for defiance | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
State bill seeks to reduce school suspensions for defiance | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: State bill seeks to reduce school suspensions for defiance by KPCC Staff *A view of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Two bills under consideration seek to reform how schools and police punish misbehaving students.; Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images* The Los Angeles Unified school district isn't the only government body seeking to reduce the number of student suspensions. The Center for Public Integrity reported in a story today that a bill working its way through the California legisl... more »

Education Coalition of Latino Policymakers Address Needs of Latino Students with Congress | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Education Coalition of Latino Policymakers Address Needs of Latino Students with Congress | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com: Education Coalition of Latino Policymakers Address Needs of Latino Students with Congress [image: Education Coalition of Latino Policymakers Address Needs of Latino Students with Congress]Latino public officials from across the country, representing more than 13.6 million Latino students (ages 5-21) currently enrolled in American schools, will gather in the nation’s capital next week to discuss the impact of sequestration and strategies for improving Latino stu... more »

solidaridad: Robert D. Skeels' official endorsement of Monica Ratliff for LAUSD Board of Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
solidaridad: Robert D. Skeels' official endorsement of Monica Ratliff for LAUSD Board of Education: Robert D. Skeels' official endorsement of Monica Ratliff for LAUSD Board of Education by Robert D. Skeels * rdsathene Posted on Monica Ratliff's campaign site on Thursday, April 25, 2013 ------------------------------ [image: Monica Ratliff for LAUSD Board of Education]At a time when the fate of public education hangs in the balance, the urgency of electing Monica Ratliff cannot be overstated. Ms. Ratliff left a lucrative law career in order to become an educator at a school that stra... more »

Surgery | Reclaim Reform

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago
Surgery | Reclaim Reform: Surgery by kenpreviti “Well, we didn’t quite get everything with the initial surgery. From what I saw, more radical surgery is necessary. As soon as possible. I’m sure you want to survive and live a long life.” [image: surgery 1]The concerned look and sincere tone coming from the surgeon belied the greedy glint in the eye of his mind. After all, this is what he is paid for, and he is paid very, very well. He knew that his personal observations would add great credibility to the procedure. Some of the survivors of past surgeries had even thanked him; the n... more »

LAUSD'S BOARD'S A MODEST PROPOSAL TO FURTHER DISMANTLE WHAT'S LEFT OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINE - Perdaily.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago
LAUSD'S BOARD'S A MODEST PROPOSAL TO FURTHER DISMANTLE WHAT'S LEFT OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINE - Perdaily.com: LAUSD'S BOARD'S A MODEST PROPOSAL TO FURTHER DISMANTLE WHAT'S LEFT OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINE by Leonard Isenberg [image: Willful Defiance.jpg] (Mensaje se repite en Español) *One of the main reasons approximately 50% of initially idealistic teachers quit the profession within 5 years of starting is their complete and utter failure to receive reasonable discipline support from administration in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). While there was a time when LAUSD administ... more »

S.897: Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
S.897: Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress: *S.897 - Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act* All Education Matters: Huffington Post: Obama Student Loan Policy Reaping $51 Billion Profit - This is not news . . . mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago All Education Matters: Huffington Post: Obama Student Loan Policy Reaping $51 Billion Profit - This is not news . . .: Huffington Post: Obama Student Loan Policy Reaping $51 Billion Profit - This is not news . . . by Cryn Johannsen Nevertheless, I am glad to see that pieces from this article are be... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Latest "Chiefs For Change" Fail: Skandera in NM

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: Latest "Chiefs For Change" Fail: Skandera in NM: Latest "Chiefs For Change" Fail: Skandera in NM by Duke *I always told the boys: "Don't waste your beautiful mind with pesky details like the law!"* Jeb! Bush's "Chiefs For Change" are a group of state-level education chiefs that few educators, administrators, parents or public officials seem to like or trust. The reaction to their autocratic, reformy ways is a pretty good barometer of how the corporate reform movement is being received. Thus, a new series here at the Jazzman: *"Chiefs For Change" Fail*. Let's begin... more »

NPE News Briefs ← from The Network for Public Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago
NPE News Briefs ← from The Network for Public Education: *NPE News Briefs* 1 2 3 4 5 6 … 112 Next » Sea to Shining Sea | Yinzercation MAY 16 2013 Did you know that we organized Sunday’s Rolling Rally here in Pittsburgh to coincide with public education actions all over the United States? Starting tomorrow with an information picket line and student walkout in Philadelphia and running for six straight days there will be major actions in cities from coast to coast. Local organizers designed ... read more → **Activism · Parent Issues · Pennsylvania · Student Issues · Teacher Issues... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: If this is the 'civil rights issue of our time,' who's who?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: If this is the 'civil rights issue of our time,' who's who?: If this is the 'civil rights issue of our time,' who's who? by Mike Klonsky In this Oct. 15, 1957 file photo, seven of nine black students walk onto the campus of Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., with a National Guard officer as an escort as other troops watch. (AP Photo, Fred Kaufman, File)Education is the civil rights issue of our time. At least that's what the school reformers like to say. The phrase has been repeated so often by the likes of Secretary Duncan, *Michelle Rhee*, *J... more »

Bobby Jindal, the Seabaugh Solution and MFP | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Bobby Jindal, the Seabaugh Solution and MFP | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Bobby Jindal, the Seabaugh Solution and MFP by crazycrawfish [image: Now showing! Courtesy of John White's Department of Education] When I first heard about the “Seabaugh Solution,” a term John White invented to describe a request by legislator Alan Seabaugh to rig the entire teacher evaluation system to favor three teachers that taught at his daughter’s school in Shreveport, something didn’t quite make sense to me. Why would John White risk everything to do something he knew was wrong and probably illegal and un... more »

Kids in High-Poverty Communities: 5 Ways It Affects Us All — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Kids in High-Poverty Communities: 5 Ways It Affects Us All — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: ASCD Whole Child Bloggers]Kids in High-Poverty Communities: 5 Ways It Affects Us All May 16, 2013 by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers *Post written by Laura Speer, associate director for Policy Reform and Data at the Annie E. Casey Foundation* Success should be in the grasp of all children, no matter where they live. However, the opportunities available to children based on their neighborhood vary dramatically across the United States. For the 8 million U.S. children living in ... more »

Diane in the Evening 5-16-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: *Diane stands on her head for Public Ed* Can Machines Grade Essays? Should They? by dianerav I posted earlier today about a new Xerox machine that is being marketed to “read” and grade student essays. Not to score bubble tests, but to grade essays. Granted, this is not a new idea. There are now different companies selling machines to grade student writing. I have seen demonstrations of this technology, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is not right. Why? I am not opposed to technology. But here is the nub... more »

Does Better Recess Equal a Better School Day? — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Does Better Recess Equal a Better School Day? — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Klea Scharberg]Does Better Recess Equal a Better School Day? May 16, 2013 by Klea Scharberg In a new study released Tuesday, Mathematica Policy Research and the John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities at Stanford University rigorously evaluated the Playworks program and found that it improved outcomes in the areas of school climate, conflict resolution and aggression, physical activity, and learning and academic performance. Playworks, a whole child partner organization,... more »

Ed Notes Online: Closing Schools: 3 Day March in Chicago Plus Lee Sustar Analysis

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: Closing Schools: 3 Day March in Chicago Plus Lee Sustar Analysis: Closing Schools: 3 Day March in Chicago Plus Lee Sustar Analysis by ed notes online Above, left to right, Al Ramirez, CORE co-chairman, Kristine Mayle, CTU Financial Secretary, Karen Lewis, CTU Preisdent, Michael Brunson, CTU Recording Secretary, Jesse Sharkey, CTU Vice President, and Nate Goldbaum, CORE co-chair. Substance photo by Howard Heath.Three years ago at this time all these guys were teaching. I really think it takes being in the classroom during the ed deform movement to get people to a st... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Had enough of testing? Have your child boycott the upcoming field tests!

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
NYC Public School Parents: Had enough of testing? Have your child boycott the upcoming field tests!: Had enough of testing? Have your child boycott the upcoming field tests! by Leonie Haimson *From Changes the Stakes :* ** Did you think our children were done with this year’s state tests? Next month most schools are scheduled to administer “field tests” to one or two grades in English Language Arts (ELA) or math. See if your child's grade and school is on the list of field tests here. Field tests are used by Pearson, the state’s test maker, to "try out" new questions for future... more »

UPDATE: Hey Legislature - Do Your Jobs! Seattle Schools Community Forum: Finnish Education Leader Offers Some Observations

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Finnish Education Leader Offers Some Observations on Ed Reform: Hey Legislature - Do Your Jobs! Kids are Waiting by Melissa Westbrook That's the basic message from the Washington State PTA and they - are - right. Special Session? Why? It is now costing money to have the session AND costing time. And just like our school districts have discovered, the Legislature knows that parents are ponying up money and time because they won't let their school communities down. *E-mail your legislator today. * I note that many Legislative watchers are seeing... more »

UPDATE: more Connecticut taxpayer money to out-of-state “education reform” consultants + $1 million in public funds for Bridgeport BOE Chair’s family - without a vote - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
$1 million in public funds for Bridgeport BOE Chair’s family - without a vote - Wait, What?: Oh look, there goes more Connecticut taxpayer money to out-of-state “education reform” consultants by jonpelto Eighteen months ago, on January 5, 2012, Governor Malloy’s sponsored an Education Reform Workshop at Central Connecticut State University. During the first breakout session there was a panel discussion focused on the issue of “Low-Performing Schools and Districts.” The panel was moderated by Justin Cohen, President of the School Turnaround Group at Mass Insight Education com... more »

ACTION ALERT: Big Education Ape: "Second Chance for Neighborhood Schools" Sacramento City Unified School District

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Big Education Ape: "Second Chance for Neighborhood Schools" Sacramento City Unified School District: Dear SCUSD board members, I urge each of you to search your hearts to find the courage to respond positively to the attached resolution after it has been shared during public comment. The community is counting on continued support from Trustees Rodriguez, Pritchett, Ye and Arroyo. Regrettably we are girding ourselves for a continued negative response from Trustees Cuneo and Kennedy. Trustees Woo and Hansen remain as the hope for a second chance. One more year to insure that we d... more »

UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, May 16, 2013

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: "Second Chance for Neighborhood Schools" Sacramento City Unified School District Education Headlines *Thursday, May 16, 2013* As budget prospects improve, no furloughs expected for Ventura teachersThe Ventura Unified School District's 800 teachers won't get raises, but will have better health insurance coverage and face no furloughs, the School Board decided Tuesday in approving the salary contract for next year. High school district teachers ratify contractTeachers in the Salinas Union High School District voted overwhelmingly T... more »

New autism definition out this week, feds and Congress not yet onboard SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: New autism definition out this week, feds and Congress not yet onboard New autism definition out this week, feds and Congress not yet onboard *By Tom Chorneau* Thursday, May 16, 2013 More than two years in the making, the latest update of the national guide for diagnosing mental disorders – which includes the controversial revision for the definition of autism – is set for release this week by the American Psychiatric Association. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, to be released Saturday at a conve... more »

the 411 on Middle School for parents of babies - my sidewalk chalk blog - nyc school help

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
the 411 on Middle School for parents of babies - my sidewalk chalk blog - nyc school help: the 411 on middle school for parents of babies THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013 AT 8:50AM The information about middle school placements this week may wipe the g&t aggravation off the front pages for a couple days. There is a lot of fear and loathing around the ms choice process. Let me lay it out for you. In suburbia, you have a zoned middle school and that is where your child will attend. We here in NYC have *district-wide middle school choice*. Some very few people will also have a zoned school assoc... more »

Alternative routes to teaching become more popular despite lack of evidence | Hechinger Report

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Alternative routes to teaching become more popular despite lack of evidence | Hechinger Report: Alternative routes to teaching become more popular despite lack of evidence by Jackie Mader INGLEWOOD, Calif.—In the back of a tenth-grade geometry classroom on a recent morning at Washington Preparatory High School, nine miles southeast of Los Angeles, Landon Yurica and Alycia Jones bent over the papers in front of them. At 23 and 24, respectively, the two could almost blend in as students as they tried the assignment the high school students were working on: finding the surface area ... more »














at