Big Education Ape: Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 5-29-13 AM Posts #edreform #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS

An Open Letter to the Architects of the Common Core | Taking Note

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 minutes ago

An Open Letter to the Architects of the Common Core | Taking Note: An Open Letter to the Architects of the Common Core by John Merrow Dear Architects of the Common Core, How do you propose to test the skills and capabilities learned by the 8th graders at King Middle School in Portland, Maine? If you missed our recent NewsHour piece, you may watch it here. In just 11:38, correspondent John Tulenko and producer David Wald brilliantly capture how a 4-month ‘deeper learning’ project changed the lives of Liva Pierce, Emma Schwartz, Nat Youngrin and other young students. John made fou... more »

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER 5-29-13

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 minutes ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Innovation Like 1954!: The Technology Khan Continues MAY 29, 2013 BY PLTHOMASEDD LEAVE A COMMENT Sal Khan is the twenty-first century version of a template that stretches back to the nineteenth century: Championing the so-called cutting-edge technology as the savior for all educational problems. To see how ridiculous these claims are, and always have been, view the video below and insert any technology advocate you want, but I recommend Khan: —– * Credit and thanks are offered to friend and colleague Adam Bessie *@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MA...more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Parent Refuses Permission for Child to take Part in Field Testing for Pearson

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 52 minutes ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Parent Refuses Permission for Child to take Part in Field Testing for Pearson: Parent Refuses Permission for Child to take Part in Field Testing for Pearson by stlgretchen Another brave parent stands up to the standardized test industry. From buffalo news. com and* ‘Field tests’ raise concerns that school tests are now a corporate product:* A new packet of shrink-wrapped state tests will arrive at hundreds of elementary and middle schools across the region this week. But these 40-minute tests given in early June won’t count for students or teachers. T... more »

Striking a Balance Between Tiger Mom and Empathetic Mom « MomsRising Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Striking a Balance Between Tiger Mom and Empathetic Mom « MomsRising Blog: Honoring the Voices and Influence of the Asian Pacific American Community: A MomsRising Blog Carnival Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by Mee Moua Asian-Americans are the fastest growing minority in the United States, growing by 46% between the 2000 and 2010 censuses. Also, May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. In celebration of the many contributions of women, mothers and families of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage to the United States, I am pleased to introduce this blog car... more »

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. If UNO’s Juan Rangel failed, isn’t he Rahm’s fail too? | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. If UNO’s Juan Rangel failed, isn’t he Rahm’s fail too? | Fred Klonsky: The in box. We will never stop saying that we demand what we rightfully earned. by Fred Klonsky Those of us fighting for our pension rights in Illinois have been consistent in demanding what we rightfully earned. We have been consistent and have demonstrated that the budget issues facing the state of Illinois cannot be solved by cutting pension benefits. It is a revenue problem, not a pension benefit problem. We believe that any solution must be constitutional, address the roots of the fina... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-29-13 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] The Risks of Data-Driven Decision-Making by dianerav Our policymakers claim that their decisions are based on data. What our policymakers seldom admit is that numbers by themselves are not reality. They are representations of reality. To draw conclusions from numbers, you must be awfully sure that you are measuring what matters and that your measurements are accurate. In this post, the Red Queen in Los Angeles warns us that some of our leaders are guilty of making... more »

Megyn Kelly Discusses Common Core | Truth in American Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Megyn Kelly Discusses Common Core | Truth in American Education: Megyn Kelly Discusses Common Core by Shane Vander Hart I know some are skeptical of the interview that Megan Kelly of Fox News had with Bob Bowdon of Choice Mediayesterday. Bowdon hasn’t said much about the Common Core so some question his agenda. Personally I believe he gave a fair interview and it was favorable to our position. I also believe it wasn’t the most substantive interview on the subject. I’ve also heard some rambling about his school choice position. Let me be clear about where I stand… I am not a publi... more »

How school reform preserves the ‘status quo’ — and what real change would look like

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

How school reform preserves the ‘status quo’ — and what real change would look like: How school reform preserves the ‘status quo’ — and what real change would look like By Valerie Strauss, Published: May 29, 2013 at 6:00 amE-mail the writer 2 Comments More [image: (http://www.urdjuret.com)] (http://www.urdjuret.com) If you follow the education policy debate at all, you know that critics are often called “defenders of the status quo” by people pushing market-based school reforms. Here is a piece about why it is actually the reforms that are preserving the status quo — and what real re... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Finally got the news how my dues are being used

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Finally got the news how my dues are being used: Finally got the news how my dues are being used by Mike Klonsky I'm a life-long union guy and always will be. It's in my DNA. I'm also a dues-paying member of AFSCME (Retirees) the union I have counted on over the years to fight to protect my state university pension. Yesterday, I received an email from Chapter 31 President *Virginia Yates * and *Henry Bayer*, the Executive Director of AFSCME Council 31, both asking me to contact my State Representative to urge him to support the latest pension-bombing... more »

Huffman vs. Straw Man | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Huffman vs. Straw Man | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: Huffman vs. Straw Manby Gary Rubinstein Kevin Huffman is one of two TFA alumni who is currently a state education commissioner. I was a 1991 Houston corps member and Kevin was one in 1992 so I have known him, at least informally, for over twenty years. I interacted with him from time to time when he was a TFA vice president of public affairs for several years. A few days ago I saw a tweet from TFA co-CEO Matt Kramer which was also retweeted by the other co-CEO Elisa Villaueva-Beard about an important op-ed written by Huffman defend... more »

Why America Needs An Education Spring

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Why America Needs An Education Spring: Why America Needs An Education Spring by Jeff Bryant Well, *someone* in the mainstream media finally had to ask the question. MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, on his “All In” program on May 24, covered the forced closing of 50 public schools in Chicago – the largest incident of mass school closings in the nation’s history. Joining Hayes were Karen Lewis, head of the Chicago Teachers’ Union, and education professor Pedro Noguera to discuss the rationale for the closures. Lewis said school administrators and Mayor Rahm Emanuel changed the rationale for the ... more »

Community group wants OUSD board to slow down on D4 appointment - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Community group wants OUSD board to slow down on D4 appointment - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: Community group wants OUSD board to slow down on D4 appointment By awoodall Tuesday, May 28th, 2013 at 3:40 pm in Uncategorized. A letter from the Block by Block Organizing Network to OUSD Board of Education chairman David Kakishiba asking for a little more public access to the appointment process that will fill Gary Yee’s District 4 seat. The board is planning to appoint a replacement by June 12 and already closed the applications last week. Here is a list... more »

History Lessons about Preschools in U.S. | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

History Lessons about Preschools in U.S. | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: History Lessons about Preschools in U.S. by larrycuban “Our four-year-olds do have a place in school, but it is not at a school desk,” said Ed Zigler, Yale University psychologist who helped design Head Start in President Johnson’s “War on Poverty” and led the Office of Child Development in President Nixon’s administration. He wanted K-12 systems to welcome all young children but was concerned about pre-kindergartens becoming another academic boot camp for four-year-olds. Many others, h... more »

Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 5-28-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

*Nite Cap UPDATE* *UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* ** *CORPORATE ED REFORM* The Incoherent World of Rick Hess by Duke *Rick Hess (artist's conception)* Oh, my stars and garters! Get the fainting couch: Rick Hess has the vapors! I've been friendly with Diane Ravitch for a long time. Encountering her historical work 20 years ago, I was struck by her hard-hitting, erudite analyses. She invited me to deliver my first featured talk (at Brookings, on my then-forthcoming *Spinning Wheels* book). When I was leaving UVA's Curry School of Education, she was one of the handful of mentors I tur... more »

Alice Mercer: Veteran Teachers Not a Priority in High Priority Schools - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Alice Mercer: Veteran Teachers Not a Priority in High Priority Schools - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Alice Mercer: Veteran Teachers Not a Priority in High Priority Schools by Anthony Cody *Guest post by Alice Mercer.* All eyes are on Chicago, and the record school closures taking place in that city. But this is a drama being played out in cities across the country, including my own, as "right-sizing", the Broad way, takes over. By now, many would have (or should have) heard that in Chicago, the projected savings have disappeared (or didn't exist in the first place)... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Complaint filed with Office of Civil Rights claims Bloomberg administration widens gap and violates rights of minority students in HS admissions process

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: Complaint filed with Office of Civil Rights claims Bloomberg administration widens gap and violates rights of minority students in HS admissions process: Complaint filed with Office of Civil Rights claims Bloomberg administration widens gap and violates rights of minority students in HS admissions process by Leonie Haimson Wendy Lecker of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity/Education Law Center has an excellent piece in , about the complaint just filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on behalf a group of NYC parents and advocacy... more »

'Miracle' L.A. school board triumph: She thought of her students - latimes.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

'Miracle' L.A. school board triumph: She thought of her students - latimes.com: 'Miracle' L.A. school board triumph: She thought of her students'Fifth-grade teacher' was underdog candidate Monica Ratliff's ballot designation. It resonated with voters, who propelled the 43-year-old to victory over heavily favored Antonio Sanchez. - [image: print] - Comments 21 - Email Share 157 - - 1 - 2 - next - | single page [image: Monica Ratliff] Victorious school board candidate Monica Ratliff. (Los Angeles Times / May 22, 2013) By Teresa ... more »

Strong Schools - Strong Communities

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Strong Schools - Strong Communities: [image: Strong Schools Strong Communities] [image: Our Mission] [image: Join the Movement] [image: Continue to Website]

The Scope of Wealth and Power: in Chicago and coming soon to a city near you | Reclaim Reform

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

The Scope of Wealth and Power: in Chicago and coming soon to a city near you | Reclaim Reform: The Scope of Wealth and Power: in Chicago and coming soon to a city near you by kenpreviti *Who, besides Rahm Emanuel, started the madness and destruction of public schools in Chicago?* [image: Propaganda] [image: 264462_385810191537402_855028768_n] *Who is pulling his strings?* [image: Pritzker asleep] Penny Pritzker, billionaire heiress to the Hyatt fortunes, was appointed by Rahm Emanuel to the Board of Education for the Chicago Public Schools. Appointed, not elected. She strongly suppo... more »

Anthony Weiner In Debate Questions Some Bloomberg Education Reforms

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Anthony Weiner In Debate Questions Some Bloomberg Education Reforms: Anthony Weiner In Debate Questions Some Bloomberg Education Reforms by Joy Resmovits NEW YORK -- Anthony Weiner, the son of a former public school teacher, said his views on education run "deep in my bones." Fresh off the announcement of his campaign for New York City mayor and Tuesday's promising poll numbers, the disgraced former congressman spoke at the first mayoral debate of his 2013 run. The debate, hosted by the union-funded New Yorkers for Great Public Schools, focused on education in the nation's largest... more »

The Biggest Misconceptions About Teachers’ Unions—Debunked

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

The Biggest Misconceptions About Teachers’ Unions—Debunked: The Biggest Misconceptions About Teachers’ Unions—Debunked Douglas Hodum, the president of the Maine Science Teachers’ Association, says many Americans need to rethink how they view teachers’ unions. Teachers’ unions don’t always get the best press. This was especially apparent during the Chicago teachers’ strike last year. (Photo: Getty Images) Unions are professional organizations. They provide services for teachers that cover an incredible gamut of purposes. Yet, despite all the positive work teachers’ unions do for stude... more »

NYC Educator: Lucky 7?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

NYC Educator: Lucky 7?: Lucky 7? by NYC Educator UFT President Mulgrew says about 7% of teachers will have bad ratings under the new evaluation system. If this is the case, a lot more teachers will be looking at early retirement, a push off the cliff, or whatever you want to call losing your job over junk science. Around the country, the new junk science systems have not really changed things very much. If Mulgrew is right, NY is going to be worse off than most of the country, despite the fact that we're only at 40% junk science rather than 50 or more. Another source of mine sugge... more »

Nine districts resubmit ‘stronger’ application for NCLB waiver | EdSource Today

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Nine districts resubmit ‘stronger’ application for NCLB waiver | EdSource Today: Nine districts resubmit ‘stronger’ application for NCLB waiver - by John Fensterwald by John Fensterwald Nine California districts resubmitted their application Tuesday for a waiver from key provisions and sanctions of the No Child Left Behind law after spending weeks revising the application in response to dozens of questions by a panel of reviewers from the U.S. Department of Education. If approved, the application by members of the umbrella organization California Office to Reform Education, or COR... more »

Drop in Number of Districts in Financial Jeopardy - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Drop in Number of Districts in Financial Jeopardy - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Reports Sharp Drop in Number of Districts in Financial Jeopardy SACRAMENTO—A new report shows that less than half as many California school districts are in financial jeopardy now as a year ago, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today. The state's Second Interim Status Report for 2012-13 shows that 92 local educational agencies (LEAs) are either in negative or qualified financial status. The same report from a year ago showed a... more »

Reducing the Effects of Child Poverty — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Reducing the Effects of Child Poverty — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Klea Scharberg]Reducing the Effects of Child Poverty May 28, 2013 by Klea Scharberg In today's global economic state, many families and children face reduced circumstances. The 2008 economic crisis became a "household crisis" (PDF) when higher costs for basic goods, fewer jobs and reduced wages, diminished assets and reduced access to credit, and reduced access to public goods and services affected families who coped, in part, by eating fewer and less nutritious meals, spending less on educati... more »

PSAT for 5-28-13: Fight for democracy Parents United for Responsible Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 5-28-13: Fight for democracy: PSAT for 5-28-13: Fight for democracy by admin [image: psat_logo]I know I’m a day late for Memorial Day but I have been reading several excellent pieces over the weekend and the question is still on my mind – what did these soldiers die for? Was it to guarantee that the Walton family’s income grows larger every year? Was it to assure a bright future for test publishing companies? Or to make the world safer for Rupert Murdoch to steal and use our children’s school information so that they... more »

Keeping Our Children Safe | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Keeping Our Children Safe | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Keeping Our Children Safe by NEA Health Information Network *By Nora L Howley,* *Manager of Programs, NEA Health Information Network* **Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Moore, Oklahoma, and the surrounding area. We mourn the tragic loss of lives and homes and livelihoods, even as we wonder at the acts of heroism by educators and members of the community who worked to protect and rescue hundreds of students and neighbors. The tragedy in Oklahoma reminds us that bad things can happen. Keeping... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Lipstick on a pig. The UNO makeover is complete

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Lipstick on a pig. The UNO makeover is complete: Lipstick on a pig. The UNO makeover is complete by Mike Klonsky New board chair, Cabrera (right) says Rangel (left) will stay on as UNO boss, saying there is “no one more suitable to be CEO.” John H. White~Sun-Times*“I am here today to apologize. "I have failed." *-- *Juan Rangel* *" Oh that's funny. Oh please stop Juan. Oh, my side hurts from laughing..." * -- *Mike Klonsky* In one of the largest and most outlandish school/political swindles of our time, the clout-heavy charter hustlers at UNO have m... more »

In Chicago: The Every School Solidarity Picnic | The Network For Public Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago

In Chicago: The Every School Solidarity Picnic | The Network For Public Education: In Chicago: The Every School Solidarity Picnic by admin By Michelle Strater Gunderson [image: chicago2]In Chicago we have food deserts, large patches of our city where there is not a grocery store in sight. We also have transportation deserts, outstretches of our town where you cannot get anywhere without a car. Now, with the closing of 50 schools we have education deserts. What does a community do when it has been systematically devastated? This was our overarching question when we met with parents, s... more »

Gates dollars fuel effort to bring charter schools to Washington | OregonLive.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago

Gates dollars fuel effort to bring charter schools to Washington | OregonLive.com: Gates dollars fuel effort to bring charter schools to Washington by The Associated Press SEATTLE — With the opening of Washington's first charter school likely 15 months away, more dollars from Seattle's tech economy are flowing toward groups that want to change the way the state thinks about public schools. In November, Washington became the 42nd state to allow the independent public schools. The initiative campaign succeeded in part because of money from Seattle's tech economy -- Microsoft co-founde... more »

Why America Needs An Education Spring

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Why America Needs An Education Spring: Why America Needs An Education Spring Well, *someone* in the mainstream media finally had to ask the question. MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, on his “All In” program on May 24, covered the forced closing of 50 public schools in Chicago – the largest incident ofmass school closings in the nation’s history. Joining Hayes were Karen Lewis, head of the Chicago Teachers’ Union, and education professor Pedro Noguera to discuss the rationale for the closures. Lewis said school administrators and Mayor Rahm Emanuelchanged the rationale for the closings so many ... more »

Diane in the Evening 5-28-13Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Florida: Once Again, Test Results Are Over-hyped by dianerav Matthew Di Carlo takes a close look at the latest test scores released in Florida. His bottom line: don’t believe the press release. For one thing, the test specifications have changed, and the scores are not really comparable to prior years. Di Carlo points out: “Accordingly, the technical documentation for the FCAT notes (in bold-faced type) that “caution should be used North Carolina Passes Voucher Bill by dianerav On a vote of 27-21, the North Carolina... more »

Some state lawmakers push back against new common core standards for reading, writing and math - The Washington Post

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Some state lawmakers push back against new common core standards for reading, writing and math - The Washington Post: Some state lawmakers push back against new common core standards for reading, writing and math By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, May 28, 12:53 AM KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Some states are pushing back against a set of uniform benchmarks for reading, writing and math that have been fully adopted in most states and are being widely put in place this school year. The new Common Core standards replace a hodgepodge of educational goals that had varied greatly from state to ... more »

Pension Money Casinos: Just Say NO! | Reclaim Reform

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Pension Money Casinos: Just Say NO! | Reclaim Reform: Pension Money Casinos: Just Say NO! by kenpreviti Your legislators are giving away your pensions to casino owners. [image: Gambling Casino gets pension money]No, your legislators did not lose the money gambling. The casino owners who contributed to the campaign funds of legislators are being handed the money that was supposed to go into the pension funds of teachers and other public employees. [image: Gambling widow]“Until Illinois taxpayers wake up and realize that they are subsidizing gambling interests at the expense of teacher... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Tuesday, May 28, 2013

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Fensterwald: Assembly adds its version of school finance reform to the mix* Education Headlines *Tuesday, May 28, 2013* San Diego teachers reject buyouts The latest offer of $25,000 buyouts has been canceled by the district due to a lack of interest among teachers. Ramona parents try to bridge gap in labor standoff Six parents were so frustrated by increasing rhetoric and conflicting information in the drawn-out labor dispute between teachers and the Ramona Unified School District that they set out to determine for themselves and ... more »

Healthy Eating: In Fulton Schools, It's All About the Marketing — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Healthy Eating: In Fulton Schools, It's All About the Marketing — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Ruth Taylor]Healthy Eating: In Fulton Schools, It’s All About the Marketing May 24, 2013 by Ruth Taylor The Challenge [image: Placing attractive fruit bowls on the serving line, and prompting students to take one, is one of the many ways Fulton County School Nutrition is encouraging healthier food choices in the lunchroom.] The school nutrition program at Fulton County Schools in Atlanta, Ga., already goes above and beyond U.S. federal nutrition standards, serving 50 ... more »

UPDATE: Refuting the Status Quo of Ed Deform Ed Notes Online: Assaulting the Walls of Ed Deform, NYSUT June 8 "One Voice" Critiqued

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Assaulting the Walls of Ed Deform, NYSUT June 8 "One Voice" Critiqued: The Next Phase in Refuting the Status Quo of Ed Deform: Offering Alternative Assessments by ed notes online With the turn against ed deform the resistance needs to begin to offer alternatives to the status quo. And how nice to turn the old SQ tables on the deformers who have been seeing things going their way since c. 1994 in Chicago. I even heard that Arne Duncan was forced to defend his disastrous turn as Supe of Chicago schools for 7 years by claiming he reduced testing. We must keep focusing... more »

NEW! Action Toolkit on school budget crisis | Parents United for Public Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

NEW! Action Toolkit on school budget crisis | Parents United for Public Education: NEW! Action Toolkit on school budget crisis by parentsunitedphila [image: Roxborough Collage]The 300+ person Roxborough Corridor Parent Summit in May was organized by parents working together with school leaders to kickoff parent actions around the District budget crisis. (Photos: Matthew Hall Photography) Sometimes this is what it means to be a Philadelphia public school parent. It’s not enough that we take care of our children and our families, our personal and professional lives, and volunteer and ... more »

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Schools Abducted: Despoliation of Community by Kuhio Kane Clearly, there are more and more parents educating themselves regarding testing in schools and how they can pull their kids out of testing. Not all parents can put their children under a homeschooling overseen by credentialed personnel. While we strive to keep our public schools public and free of the new reform movement that brings […] Addendum to Schools Abducted: Despoliation of Community by Kuhio Kane I wrote the above article while navigating a vessel in a heavy wind. I made an... more »

Shanker Blog » The FCAT Writing, On The Wall

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Shanker Blog » The FCAT Writing, On The Wall: The FCAT Writing, On The Wall Posted by Matthew Di Carlo on May 28, 2013 The annual release of state testing data makes the news in every state, but Florida is one of those places where it is to some degree a national story.* Well, it’s getting to be that time of year again. Last week, the state released its writing exam (FCAT 2.0 Writing)results for 2013 (as well as the math and reading results for third graders only). State Education Commissioner Tony Bennett said the results showed “incredible improvement.” Similarly, the Florida De... more »

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center: 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. San Jose Teachers’ Contract Offers Leadership Pathways Best of the Ed Blogs David B. Cohen May 28, 2013 In American Schools, What is Quality Work? Best of the Ed B... more »

Education in Your Backyard — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Education in Your Backyard — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Walter McKenzie]Education in Your Backyard May 28, 2013 by Walter McKenzie [image: ASCD Annual Conference and Exhibit Show] As a director of Constituent Services at ASCD, I work with the best and the brightest educators leading our affiliates around the world. It is a sincere honor and privilege. And this time of year, as affiliate boards begin meeting, reflecting, and planning, I have the opportunity to work with them virtually and face-to-face and support them in their important work. Representing ASCD... more »

All Education Matters: The Guardian - Student debt crisis: 'it's like carrying a backpack filled with bricks'

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

All Education Matters: The Guardian - Student debt crisis: 'it's like carrying a backpack filled with bricks': The Guardian - Student debt crisis: 'it's like carrying a backpack filled with bricks' by Cryn Johannsen Here is a snippet from my latest piece, which was published by the Guardian today: Amy Diede homeschools her two children – Caleb, 9, and Ashley, 8 – and is married to a devoted husband and father, Christian. Even though Amy has a master's in psychology, and until recently was a professional herself, Christian is now the breadwinner for the family, working as a cardi... more »

Spring Cleaning | EduShyster

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Spring Cleaning | EduShyster: Spring Cleaning by edushyster2012 *The civil rights issue of our time will require replacing old, non-excellent teachers with fresh new ones. *It is a true fact that young teachers are not only “fresher” but also more innovative and excellent. Now confirmed by a growing body of evidence (see scientific chart below), this scientific finding presents us with a quandary, not to mention a conundrum. How do we slough off all of the old, non-excellent teachers with their millstones of experience and pension obligations? And how much more unpleasant do we have... more »

What We Talk About When We Talk About Poverty - Bridging Differences - Education Week

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

What We Talk About When We Talk About Poverty - Bridging Differences - Education Week: What We Talk About When We Talk About Poverty by Deborah Meier [image: Big Education Ape] *Michael J. Petrilli continues his conversation with Deborah Meier today.* Dear Deborah, I want to return to the perennial question of poverty as it relates to educational outcomes. One of the main arguments against education reform is that it misdiagnoses the problem. We have big "achievement gaps" in terms of test scores, graduation rates, college-going, and much else, but that's primarily because of inequ... more »

UPDATE: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, with Malloy at his side + “Shocking Numbers Of Kindergarten, First Grade Suspensions” at Achievement First Schools - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Meanwhile, more on the “Shocking Numbers Of Kindergarten, First Grade Suspensions” at Achievement First Schools - Wait, What?: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, with Malloy at his side, blunders his way through Hartford… by jonpelto ….may have been attempting to explain his approach and commitment to school safety. Like parents everywhere, most politicians were extremely disturbed and upset in the hours, days and weeks following the Newtown nightmare. Many led or joined the debate about how best to respond to the massacre and what laws and policies could be adopted to try t... more »

Modern School: Administrators Union Protecting Bad Bosses or Just Business as Usual?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Modern School: Administrators Union Protecting Bad Bosses or Just Business as Usual?: Administrators Union Protecting Bad Bosses or Just Business as Usual? by Michael Dunn While the teachers unions have been quick to jump on the evaluation reform bandwagon in hopes of appearing “reasonable” and “professional,” the real movers and shakers behind the Eval Reform movement are primarily interested in making it easier to fire bad teachers. Their presumption (at least the one conveyed to the press) is that there are a lot of bad teachers out there—how else to explain the deplorable st... more »

"Dante" Ravitch's Abhorrent Attack on Ben Austin :: Frederick M. Hess

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

"Dante" Ravitch's Abhorrent Attack on Ben Austin :: Frederick M. Hess: "Dante" Ravitch's Abhorrent Attack on Ben Austin *by Frederick M. Hess • May 28, 2013 at 9:18 am Cross-posted from Education Week* * * [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] * * I've been friendly with Diane Ravitch for a long time. Encountering her historical work 20 years ago, I was struck by her hard-hitting, erudite analyses. She invited me to deliver my first featured talk (at Brookings, on my then-forthcoming *Spinning Wheels* book). When I was leaving UVA's Curry School of Education, she was ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Picnic in the park

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Picnic in the park: Picnic in the park by Mike Klonsky Sadly, I missed yesterday's school-closing protest picnic in Millennium Park. Despite the rain, it looked like great fun. I was still recovering from 70th birthday celebrations. Old rocking chair's got me. ABC News also picked it up. Chicago Grid has an interview this morning with CFL Pres. *Jorge Ramirez* who says that so-called *pension reform* is keeping him up at night. I hope so. Says Ramirez, *“There’s going to be critics of what’s been put out there…. There’s a great likelihood that there... more »

UPDATE: No on SB1, SB2404, the cost shift and yes to changing the landscape. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

No on SB1, SB2404, the cost shift and yes to changing the landscape. | Fred Klonsky: Ten minute drawing. Underutilized. by Fred Klonsky [image: underutilized] Click on drawing to enlarge. No on SB1, SB2404, the cost shift and yes to changing the landscape. by Fred Klonsky Popout. The regular session of the Illinois General Assembly ends Friday. Reuter’s reports: *The Illinois legislature, which over decades has built up a $100 billion unfunded pension liability, now is a study in gridlock. Speaker of the House Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton each are pushing com... more »

Share My Lesson - Free K-12 Resources By Teachers, For Teachers

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Share My Lesson - Free K-12 Resources By Teachers, For Teachers: Share my lessonAFTTES Featured Content [image: Memorial Day]Memorial Day Lesson plans and activities to mark Memorial Day. Oklahoma tornado support These resources will help you and your students understand and cope with natural disasters. Teaching Resources 262,851TOTAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE Featured Contributors - [image: ELA Team Avatar]Creative Writing Prompts PowerPoint ELA Team - [image: Math Team Avatar]Doubling and Halving Riddles Math Team Common Core [image: US Common Core map] Discover facts,... more »

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » The most sensitive cargo…

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » The most sensitive cargo…: The most sensitive cargo… by alicemercer [image: 72] The minister at the church service I attended today share this poem by Naomi Shihab Nye, and it really resonated with me. Here’s a stanza, the poem in it’s entirety can be found at the link below: This man carries the world's most sensitive cargo but he's not marked. Nowhere does his jacket say FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH CARE. - From “Shoulders” by Naomi Shihab Nye http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/23314#sthash.i0Eaf0sF.dpuf Let’s count the many ways that the s... more »