Big Education Ape: Big Education Ape Nite Cap 5-20-13 #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2

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

Jersey Jazzman: Bloomberg Blows Up the Reformy Argument

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 minute ago

Jersey Jazzman: Bloomberg Blows Up the Reformy Argument: Bloomberg Blows Up the Reformy Argument by Duke *Instead of going to college, I should have been a cowboy!* When the mayor of Reformytown admits one of the fundamental arguments of the corporate reformers is wrong,that's news: Some advice from career counselor Mayor Bloomberg: If you are a so-so high school student, steer clear of college — and learn to clear clogged drains. Bloomberg said on his weekly radio show Friday that *going to trade school to become a plumber is a better economic bet for many teenagers than obtain... more »

SPECIAL Mid Day Banana Break 5-20-13 #soschat #edreform

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 minute ago

*Big Education Ape - Mid Day Banana Break* Wayne Au: Coring Social Studies within Corporate Education Reform by rdsathene “Teachers could stop #CommonCore tomorrow—if they joined hands and said ‘Hell, No!’ The alternative is loss of profession—and soul.” — Susan Ohanian A local university professor I’m friends with through The Association of Raza Educators (ARE) wrote me yesterday with the following message: Hi Robert, I hope you are well… You might be familiar with […] Seattle Teachers, Students Win Historic Victory Over Standardized Testing After months of protest, teachers, s... more »

Diane in the Evening 5-20-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Providence Students Challenge Commissioner Gist to Debate Issues by dianerav That amazing, pro-active, brilliant Providence Student Union has challenged Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Deborah Gist to a debate about high-stakes testing with them. Will Commissioner Gist agree to debate them? The students thinks it is wrong to use NECAP–the state assessment–as a requirement for graduation. The corporation that created the test agrees with the students that the test was not designed as an exit exam. Gist is... more »

Will the Data Warehouse Become Every Student and Teacher's "Permanent Record"? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Will the Data Warehouse Become Every Student and Teacher's "Permanent Record"? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Will the Data Warehouse Become Every Student and Teacher's "Permanent Record"? by Anthony Cody When I was in junior high many years ago, I recall teachers warning students that if they did not shape up, their crimes would go into their "permanent record." At the time I really did not know what that meant. It conjured up images of some moment in the future when an earthly version of Saint Peter might unroll some lengthy scroll of misdeeds, for which we wou... more »

Campaign: Door-to-Door With Monica Ratliff - LA School Report

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Campaign: Door-to-Door With Monica Ratliff - LA School Report: Post navigationCampaign: Door-to-Door With Monica Ratliff Posted on May 20, 2013 by Hillel Aron **Going door-to-door in the Sunland section of the East Valley one evening this past weekend, District 6 School Board candidate *Monica Ratliff*‘s pitch to voters goes something like this: “Hi, my name is Monica Ratliff. I’m a teacher, and I’m running for the Board of Education. Do you have any questions or concerns about the school district?” Most voters are startled by this; it’s unusual for a politician to ask voters for ad... more »

May 20th, 2013: Walcott gets defensive; NYT replies, "[the] complaints [he's belittling] can be heard from teachers and parents in any school in the city." - NY-GPS

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

May 20th, 2013: Walcott gets defensive; NYT replies, "[the] complaints [he's belittling] can be heard from teachers and parents in any school in the city." - NY-GPS: May 20th, 2013: Walcott admits next mayor may "dismantle" Bloomberg's reforms Posted by New Yorkers for Great Public Schools (Ny Gps) 170pc on May 20, 2013 · Flag *NY-GPS To Host Mayoral Debate!* New Yorkers for Great Public Schools invites you to the FIRST DEBATE on education between leading Democratic candidates for Mayor: Bill Thompson, Christine Quinn, Bill DeBlasio and John Liu! *May 28th, 3:30pm at the NYU Kim... more »

The Myth of Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Rebel 6 Ramblings: The Myth of Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee We're seeing the unravelling of the myths that unwittingly placed Michelle Rhee in the national spotlight as "reformer in chief" for public education, myths created initially and largely at the expense of DC school children and their teachers. They were myths promulgated by the media, particularly those catering to the right-wing, anti-public education crowd. In my State of Michigan, Rhee was afforded an unusual platform in front of the legislature as reported by Mlive.com in the following post: Michelle Rhee: Mi... more »

Lesson plans for Texas schools dropped after recurring criticism | Education Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Lesson plans for Texas schools dropped after recurring criticism | Education Blog: Lesson plans for Texas schools dropped after recurring criticism By Terrence Stutz tstutz@dallasnews.com 1:50 pm on May 20, 2013 | Permalink 1 3 0 A series of lesson plans for Texas public schools that has come under criticism from tea party groups and social conservatives will be discontinued after the current school year ends, a state senator announced on Monday. Senate Education Committee Chairman Dan Patrick, R-Houston, said the CSCOPE governing board agreed to remove all lesson plans from their ... more »

Ed Notes Online: Astounding NY Times Editorial Spells Doom for Ed Deform: Was Brent Staples Absent Today?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Astounding NY Times Editorial Spells Doom for Ed Deform: Was Brent Staples Absent Today?: Astounding NY Times Editorial Spells Doom for Ed Deform: Was Brent Staples Absent Today? by ed notes online UPDATED WITH LEONIE's VIEWS: *...while charter schools can be a path to excellence, they can also cause problems. Shoehorning them into existing school buildings over local objections can alienate parents and reinforce among students a harmful sense of being separate and unequal. * *Mr. Bloomberg’s schools chancellor, Dennis Walcott, called the criticism an “unconsc... more »

128 Chicago lawyers agree – opposing schools closings a matter of conscience Parents United for Responsible Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » 128 Chicago lawyers agree – opposing schools closings a matter of conscience: 128 Chicago lawyers agree – opposing schools closings a matter of conscience by admin *M E D I A R E L E A S E* [image: justice] *More than 125 Chicago-area Attorneys Sign “Letter of Conscience” Against Massive Chicago Public School Closings* *Public interest law community expresses outrage, urges more equitable, inclusive and strategic approach* For More Information: Patricia Nix-Hodes (708) 218-2320; Amy Smolensky, (312) 485-0053; Jill Wohl, (773)... more »

UPDATE: What’s wrong with school ‘choice’? Here’s what.

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

What’s wrong with school ‘choice’? Here’s what.: What’s wrong with school ‘choice’? Here’s what. By Valerie Strauss, Published: May 20, 2013 at 1:00 pmE-mail the writer 0 Comments More [image: vouchers]The idea of giving students a choice of where to go school — with public funds — may sound good, but there are problems attached. The following post explains some of them. It was written by David A. Pickler, president of the National School Boards Association and chairman of Tennessee’s Shelby County Board of Education. By David A. Pickler Imagine a state outsourcing the education o... more »

Marchers to deliver “save our schools” petitions to City Hall at 2 p.m.; Rally at Daley Plaza @ 4| www.ctunet.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Chicago Teachers Union | www.ctunet.com: *Marchers to deliver “save our schools” petitions to* *City Hall at 2 p.m.; Rally at Daley Plaza @ 4* [image: Our City. Our Schools. Our Voice.] * * *CHICAGO –* As parents, teachers, students, community leaders, clergy and others complete the three-day march for education justice, a coalition of them will attempt to deliver petitions asking for a one-year moratorium on school closings to the mayor’s office at 121 N. LaSalle, today at 2 p.m. The signatures were gathered during the “Our City. Our Schools. Our Voice,” demonstrations which star... more »

UPDATE: The (Unofficial) End of CSCOPE + Utah Republicans Pass Anti-Common Core Resolution | Truth in American Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Utah Republicans Pass Anti-Common Core Resolution | Truth in American Education: North Carolina Senate Budget Includes Common Core Provision by Shane Vander Hart The North Carolina Senate included a Common Core provision intheir recommended budget released last night. SECTION 9.2.(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 115C-174.11(c), the State Board of Education shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee prior to the purchase and implementation of a new assessment instrument to assess student achievement on the Common Core State Standards, including th... more »

Portland's high dropout rate reveals illusion of success at big high schools (Diplomas denied, Part 1) | OregonLive.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Portland's high dropout rate reveals illusion of success at big high schools (Diplomas denied, Part 1) | OregonLive.com: Portland's high dropout rate reveals illusion of success at big high schools (Diplomas denied, Part 1) by Betsy Hammond, The Oregonian [image: dropgraphic1.jpg] [image: megan-brophy-1]View full sizeJamie Francis/The OregonianMegan Brophy, who dropped out of Portland'™s Cleveland High early in her junior year, is among the 1,300 students in Portland'™s class of 2011 who failed to earn a diploma in four years. As was the case with other dropouts from Portland Pub... more »

Why Bill Cosby thinks Germantown High should close | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Why Bill Cosby thinks Germantown High should close | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Slideshow: Philly students walk out and rally against school budget cuts by thenotebook [View the story "Philadelphia student walkout " on Storify] read more Why Bill Cosby thinks Germantown High should close by thenotebook *by Brian Hickey for NewsWorks* *As the final day of Germantown High School's 99-year history approaches — the Class of '13 will don caps and gowns on June 19 — NewsWorks will present a series of stories including interviews with grads and former students.* To launch the ... more »

Paradigm-a-dox? — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Paradigm-a-dox? — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Walter McKenzie]Paradigm-a-dox? May 20, 2013 by Walter McKenzie We're in the midst of an education paradigm shift. Are you on board? How do you know? More importantly, do you know what's driving it? Knowledge? Technology? The institution itself? We may have as many different definitions of the paradigm as we do of the shift. I would argue the true paradigm shift is the move of focus from an individual to a communal orientation to society; a global view. This is a challenge in a culture were rugged individualism is... more »

Commissioner Pryor issues bullying report without recommendations, despite law… - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Commissioner Pryor issues bullying report without recommendations, despite law… - Wait, What?: Commissioner Pryor issues bullying report without recommendations, despite law… by jonpelto *The law required the State Department of Education to issue its report on Safe School Climate Plans in Connecticut no later than February 2012…* Commissioner Pryor issued his report 14 months late, in April 2013, after his failure to follow Connecticut law was reported on here at Wait, What? The law also mandated that the report include recommendations for reducing school bullying and improving s... more »

UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, May 20, 2013

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Fix School Discipline* *Troubled youths deserve more effective discipline than suspension* Education Headlines *Monday, May 20, 2013* Common Core collaboration among local teachers 'unprecedented'Although Common Core goes into great detail about what students should know when, the state Board of Education hasn't dictated how teachers should teach the new standards, nor has it provided a curriculum or instructional materials. School safety concerns latest issue for Linden UnifiedFour Waverly Elementary School parents have filed un... more »

The MAP has been scraped in Seattle high schools | Seattle Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

The MAP has been scraped in Seattle high schools | Seattle Education: The MAP has been scraped in Seattle high schools by seattleducation2011 [image: cartoon8] From the teachers at Garfield High School: At 2:06 pm on Monday, May 13th, a message from Seattle school superintendent Jose Banda stated: “*High schools may opt out of MAP in 2013-14*.” Banda was referring to the controversial Measure of Academic Progress (MAP), which has been boycotted by teachers in several Seattle high schools since January because of the deep flaws in the test, which is not aligned with the school curri... more »

D.C. charter school would teach all but math and English online | WashingtonExaminer.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

D.C. charter school would teach all but math and English online | WashingtonExaminer.com: D.C. charter school would teach all but math and English online *May 19, 2013 | 9:00 pm * *PROUDLY SPONSORED BY* *Con Academy * *Browse Con Academy library of over 3,100 educational videos...* A controversial computer-based learning model is competing with eight other proposals to be one of the next charter schools approved for the District. The proposed Nexus Academy of DC, run by a subsidiary of publishing giant Pearson, would offer grades 9 through 12 in Ward 2, eventually serving up ... more »

Blue Mass Group | Citizens First: A Call to Create “Charter” Police and Fire Stations, brought to you by Democrats for Public Safety Reform (DFPSR)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Blue Mass Group | Citizens First: A Call to Create “Charter” Police and Fire Stations, brought to you by Democrats for Public Safety Reform (DFPSR): Citizens First: A Call to Create “Charter” Police and Fire Stations, brought to you by Democrats for Public Safety Reform (DFPSR) *columwhyte * | Sat, May 18, 2013 10:52 PM EST The status quo is not working. “Something” has to be done. Generous direct “donations” from the Waltons and Koch Brothers, as well as strong support from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) have helped “Citizens First” realize our goals. Truly, public ... more »

Political savvy vs. education skills in L.A. school board runoff - latimes.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Political savvy vs. education skills in L.A. school board runoff - latimes.com: Political savvy vs. education skills in L.A. school board runoffAntonio Sanchez, 31, has the former, which has helped him attract big support from labor, while Monica Ratliff, 43, has the latter, making her the favorite of educators. - [image: print] - Comments 12 - Email Share 111 - [image: Ratliff, Sanchez] Monica Ratliff has a background as a legal-aid attorney and teacher in a school that serves mostly students from low-income families. Antonio Sanchez has a backg... more »

UPDATE: low pass rates at even top schools +GOP official: Party should have taken up Common Core but... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

GOP official: Party should have taken up Common Core but... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Get Schooled: GOP official: Party should have taken up Common Core but message was sent: Wrong standards for Georgia By Maureen Downey Judy Craft is a Gwinnett County resident who served on the State Resolutions Committee at the state GOP convention in Athens this past weekend representing the 7th Congressional District. She wrote this piece in response to the failure of the GOP convention to take up a resolution opposing the Common Core State Standards. A standoff on the standards, which ... more »

UPDATE: Some special episodes coming up quickly, LOOK OUT!! + What Karen Lewis’s Reelection Could Mean for the New York Mayor’s Race – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

What Karen Lewis’s Reelection Could Mean for the New York Mayor’s Race – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Some special episodes coming up quickly, LOOK OUT!! @slekar #cpsclosings by Chalk Face, PhD First, today at 5PM EST, we’re going to be joined again by Chicago teacher and activist Josh Marburger live from the Chicago marches and rallies today. Second, we have some urgent business regarding the Common Core. So, for that, we’re going to be joined by Kris Nielsen, tomorrow, May 21st, 8PM EST. To give you a quick preview of what’s ahead, we’re going to have John Merrow on th... more »

Shanker Blog » On Teacher Evaluation: Slow Down And Get It Right

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Shanker Blog » On Teacher Evaluation: Slow Down And Get It Right: On Teacher Evaluation: Slow Down And Get It Right by Morgan S. Polikoff and Matthew Di Carlo *The following is written by Morgan S. Polikoff and Matthew Di Carlo. Morgan is Assistant Professor in the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California.* One of the primary policy levers now being employed in states and districts nationwide is teacher evaluation reform. Well-designed evaluations, which should include measures that capture both teacher practice and student learning, have great potentia... more »

Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance School Summit Wednesday | Re:education in Baltimore

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance School Summit Wednesday | Re:education in Baltimore: Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance School Summit Wednesday by Edit Barry Press Release Are you a parent with a school-aged child looking for ways to make a difference in his or her education? We urge you to join us for the DBFA and Greater Homewood Community Corporation’s Parents for Public Schools Summit, taking place Wednesday, May 22, at 8:30 a.m. at Breath of God Church in Highlandtown. This inaugural summit will focus on equipping parents with strategies to support their public schools. T...more »

UPDATE: SB2404. A pension bill Republicans can love + Rahm wants kids to walk through the “Danger Zone.” | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

BBB doesn’t want students at the Daley Center today, but Rahm wants kids to walk through the “Danger Zone.” | Fred Klonsky: Breaking: Chicago school justice advocates are occupying City Hall. Daley Plaza @ 4PM. by Fred Klonsky [image: 941389_10200936398072739_1741313007_n][image: 981589_3181987005144_1783183598_o] *Photos: John Kugler* SB2404. A pension bill Republicans can love. by Fred Klonsky [image: Chad-Picture]*Illinois House Republican Chad Hays.* Some members of the tiny Illinois Republican Party are telling folks that they love SB2404, the pension bill that came out of neg... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLES by Mike Klonsky "Safe passage"? Yale kids will walk past this abandoned and boarded up building at 73rd & Princeton on way to their "receiving" school. | Jessica Koscielniak ~ Sun-TimesRev. Marshall Hatch, in front of Tilton *“That was a cartel, right on the side of the school. . . . This is where the folks know how to find them.” *-- Sun-Times Angelense Jones, a third-grade teacher at Overton Elementary *“You’re not taking them to a better school, to a better environment."* -- Marchers, led by teachers union, ... more »

Aspiring teachers learn from their avatars | Hechinger Report

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Aspiring teachers learn from their avatars | Hechinger Report: Aspiring teachers learn from their avatars by Sarah Butrymowicz [image: Aspiring teachers learn from their avatars] Lisa Dieker went around the room asking her middle-school students what they did over the weekend. CJ went to see the movie “Here Comes the Boom” with her boyfriend. Ed played in a basketball game and Kevin posted new dance videos to YouTube. “Did you work on any art projects?” Dieker asked Maria, a girl bent over a textbook in the back row. “Yeah,” Maria answered. “And what were you working on?” Dieker sai... more »

Education Lessons From Around the World - High School Notes (usnews.com)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Education Lessons From Around the World - High School Notes (usnews.com): Education Lessons From Around the World By KELSEY SHEEHY May 20, 2013 RSS Feed Print [image: In this picture taken on January 11, 2011 students attend class at the Jing'an Education College Affiliated School in Shanghai.] The top schools in Shanghai collaborate with those that are struggling to help elevate low-performing schools. There are lessons the U.S. can learn from its peers around the world. That was the message delivered by a panel of experts at a discussion hosted by the Center for American Progress la... more »

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee in the poor house? – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee in the poor house? – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee in the poor house? by Timothy D. Slekar I hate it when I do this. I hate when I write about Queen Rhee. She get’s more time than any reform charlatan deserves but she opened her mouth (for how much $) at the Center for Leadership Development and Research at Stanford’s graduate business school and then decided to write about her profound insights into how she manages to *keep up the struggle* while constantly being attacked by ruthless union thugs, n... more »

Parenting education the foundation for healthy families | Health & Fitness | The Register-Guard | Eugene, Oregon

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Parenting education the foundation for healthy families | Health & Fitness | The Register-Guard | Eugene, Oregon Parenting education the foundation for healthy families By Minalee Saks For The Register-Guard PUBLISHED: 12:00 A.M., MAY 20 Parenting education is one of the building blocks of a strong community. In observance of the positive impact of parenting education, Gov. John Kitzhaber signed a proclamation declaring the week of May 19-25 as Oregon Parenting Education Week. This is a good moment to look at the impact of learning to parent effectively: Much data shows that parenti... more »

MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-20-13 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] Chicago Public Schools Sued for Discriminating On Grounds of Race and Disability by dianerav The Edwin F. Mandela Legal Clinic of the University of Chicago and a major law firm sued the Chicago Public Schools in federal court on behalf of students with disabilities and African American students. The closing of their schools, the lawsuit claims, has a damaging and disparate impact on these students. In one lawsuit, the lawyers state: “In violation of Title II of ... more »

At KIPP, at least for 07102, zip code is destiny | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

At KIPP, at least for 07102, zip code is destiny | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: At KIPP, at least for 07102, zip code is destiny by Gary Rubinstein One of the most annoying phrases uttered in ed reform is some version of ‘poverty is not destiny.’ Occasionally they mix it up a little with something like ‘zip code is not destiny.’ The implication is that there are some people out there who think that every person born into poverty or born in a particular city is doomed to become an uneducated adult. I don’t know anyone who believes that. What many people do believe, though, is that ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Stomping on Rahm's school closing plan

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Stomping on Rahm's school closing plan: Stomping on Rahm's school closing plan by Mike Klonsky ** *Was that our mayor last seen trapped in a glass-encased parking meter box and dangled from a crane over the goby-infested waters of Burnham Harbor with hordes of Chicago public school parents threatening to tip the crane? * -- Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown Poor Rahm. He can't even catch a break from his own pals at the Sun-Times. Check it out. Sunday's editorial headline reads: Editorial: The hollow promise of a better school. *Did Schools CEO Bar... more »

Principal: Why our new educator evaluation system is unethical

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Principal: Why our new educator evaluation system is unethical: Principal: Why our new educator evaluation system is unethical By Valerie Strauss, Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:00 amE-mail the writer 2 Comments More [image: regents]Here’s a new post from award-winning Principal Carol Burris of South Side High School in New York about the state’s controversial new educator evaluation system. Burris has for more than a year chronicled on this blog (she calls it Star Wars here, and other thingshere and here and here, for example) the implementation of the system, which ignores research ... more »

Top 10 reasons teachers should blog | The White Rhino: A Chicago Latino English Teacher

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Top 10 reasons teachers should blog | The White Rhino: A Chicago Latino English Teacher: Top 10 reasons teachers should blog By Ray Salazar, Friday at 8:28 pm [image: White Rhino Celebration]Two years ago today, around 2 a.m., my blog was born. During a time when I struggled to find my place again as a teacher on the Southwest side, when I felt unsuccessful, when I thought I abandoned my dream to be writer, I could not sleep. So on May 17, 2011, in the middle of the night, I started, again, to write. In August that year, this blog joined Chicago Now. Two years later, I’m at a di... more »

California oil tax push would direct new funds to schools - Taxes - The Sacramento Bee

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

California oil tax push would direct new funds to schools - Taxes - The Sacramento Bee: California oil tax push would direct new funds to schools By Jeremy B. White jwhite@sacbee.com Published: Monday, May. 20, 2013 - 12:00 am | Page 1A [image: 1W20OILTAX.JPG] Sen. Noreen Evans' bill would impose a tax on producing oil and gas in California. Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/20/5432778/california-oil-tax-push-would.html#mi_rss=Education#storylink=cpy Just months after California voters passed Proposition 30 to stave off education cuts, a push is under way to ensure that... more »

NYC Educator: Chancellor, Bloomberg-Style

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

NYC Educator: Chancellor, Bloomberg-Style: Chancellor, Bloomberg-Style by NYC Educator I'm surprised at how many people are shocked at NYC Schools Chancellor Walcott's sales presentation to principals last Saturday. It's encouraging, of course, that the principals gave him such a cool reception. After a decade of crap that never works, it's good to see that even administrators are not buying it. Bloggers I read regularly are shocked that he resorted to being outright political. Yet it's one of Walcott's primary duties to fight for and defend crap that doesn't work. As long as Rupe... more »

Rebellion, Revolution, or Just Pushback? | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Rebellion, Revolution, or Just Pushback? | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Rebellion, Revolution, or Just Pushback? by larrycuban Two recent articles suggesting an end to the current phase of test-driven accountability and market-based reforms got me thinking about how hard it is to sort out differences between what I hope will occur and what actually is happening. In one piece–”The Coming Revolution in Public Education”–John Tierney sees current incidents of resistance to current showpieces of school reform from educators, parents, and legislators as a revolu... more »

The Educated Reporter: Guest Post: Will Online Khan Academy 'Educate the World"?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

The Educated Reporter: Guest Post: Will Online Khan Academy 'Educate the World"?: Guest Post: Will Online Khan Academy 'Educate the World"? by Emily Richmond *EWA's 66th National Seminar, held at Stanford University, took place earlier this month. We asked some of the journalists attending to contribute posts from the sessions. The majority of the content will soon be available at EdMedia Commons. Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing a few of the posts, including the ones from our keynote sessions. Justin Pope, higher education reporter for the Associated Press, is today's gue... more »

Chicago. Day#2. Englewood. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

Chicago. Day#2. Englewood. | Fred Klonsky: Chicago. Day#2. Englewood. by Fred Klonsky [image: 944512_624049747624993_1522007686_n] *Photo: Chicago Teachers Union.*

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Just as K-12 online learning hits tipping point, evaluation program threatened Driven in part by the coming implementation of common core curriculum standards, California schools have never been more engaged in online learning programs – especially at the high school level – according to draft results of a new statewide survey. But in a move rife with paradox, Gov. Jerry Brown last week reaffirmed his plan to eliminate funding for a key statewide program dedicated to the intersection of both common core and online learning. His revised Ma... more »

Corporate Education Reform Industry spends nearly $4.7 million on Connecticut lobbying, little of it telling the truth. - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Corporate Education Reform Industry spends nearly $4.7 million on Connecticut lobbying, little of it telling the truth. - Wait, What?: Corporate Education Reform Industry spends nearly $4.7 million on Connecticut lobbying, little of it telling the truth. by jonpelto *Moore tells Maher: ‘The real problem with the IRS is that they let General Electric not pay any taxes’ | The Raw Story http://bit.ly/10G8Y6m* Pro-public education commentator Wendy Lecker has written another “must read” piece, this time pointing out the fact that corporate education reformers are either unwilling or... more »

NYC Public School Parents: My twitter interchange with Murdoch about Amplify's losses, and a NYC parent responds to Amplify's sales pitch

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: My twitter interchange with Murdoch about Amplify's losses, and a NYC parent responds to Amplify's sales pitch: My twitter interchange with Murdoch about Amplify's losses, and a NYC parent responds to Amplify's sales pitch by Leonie Haimson There is bad news from Amplify, the NewsCorp subsidiary owned by Rupert Murdoch and run by Joel Klein. NPR ran a good story about the company earlier in the year. It appears that Klein is running the business into the ground, just as he did our schools when he was Chancellor at the Department of Education. Accordi... more »

A Thin Line Beyond Silence and Voice | Cooperative Catalyst

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

A Thin Line Beyond Silence and Voice | Cooperative Catalyst: A Thin Line Beyond Silence and Voice by charles kouns A few days ago, David Loitz, Imagining Learning’s Seed Steward, posted a rough cut of a new film he is making about the Voices of the young people (and some of the adults) who have been involved in Listening Sessions. In watching it, in listening to those familiar faces and voices that I met just once during the 3 hours that we were together, I was moved to tears. Since then, I have been asking myself what those tears were about and then tonight, an answer came. My in... more »

Teachers, parents, activists march on to save Chicago schools on chopping block - Chicago Sun-Times

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Teachers, parents, activists march on to save Chicago schools on chopping block - Chicago Sun-Times: Teachers, parents, activists march on to save Chicago schools on chopping block BY MATT MCKINNEY SUN-TIMES MEDIA May 19, 2013 5:01PM 0 0 Share 7 1 [image: Walking against all Chicago Public School closings marchers walk down South UniStreet Dewey Elementary School Sunday May 19 2013. |] Walking against all Chicago Public School closings, marchers walk down South Union Street to Dewey Elementary School, Sunday May 19, 2013. | Jessica Koscielniak ~ Sun-Times Updated: May 19, 2013 7:21P... more »

Cinda Klickna’s Response: 30 Pieces of Silver CHALLENGE | Reclaim Reform

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Cinda Klickna’s Response: 30 Pieces of Silver CHALLENGE | Reclaim Reform: Cinda Klickna’s Response: 30 Pieces of Silver CHALLENGE by kenpreviti I have been reading and rereading our IEA president’s email response to my last blog, “Betrayal. Deception, Investigation, Robocalls: SB2404.” The future of our Illinois pensions hinge on this. Perhaps George Orwell could decipher it for me, but he’s still dead. [image: 30piecesofsilver]Therefore, I personally offer a “30 Pieces of Silver CHALLENGE” to anyone in the world who can translate, decipher, or otherwise explicate Cinda’s words from... more »

Daily Kos: Sometimes the sign are unmistakable

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Daily Kos: Sometimes the sign are unmistakable: Sometimes the sign are unmistakable by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) Let's see in the past few days two of my former students did very well at the Intel ISEF. One of my former students today sang at the Morehouse graduation where the President gave the commencement address, and he proudly shared on Facebook the program which listed him as a junior Phi Beta Kappan. Other of my students mark completion of high school or college or medical school on their Facebook pages and I find myself interacting with them. Another of my former studen... more »

Online Forum: The Parent Trigger from California to Florida | Seattle Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Online Forum: The Parent Trigger from California to Florida | Seattle Education: Online Forum: The Parent Trigger from California to Florida by seattleducation2011 [image: parent trigger] The Parent Trigger from California to Florida Sunday, May 26, 2013 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM Pacific Time We will be hearing from Lori Yuan, a parent in Adelanto who fought the Parent Trigger at her school, and Parents Across America Founding Member Rita Solnet who, along with other organizations, defeated the Parent Trigger bill in the Florida State Senate on March 9, 2013. To reserve your ticket... more »

The Buck Starts Here | EduShyster

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

The Buck Starts Here | EduShyster: The Buck Starts Here by edushyster2012 *A Utah charter school is growing the next generation of capitalists* Like you I was forced to learn many things at school that I have absolutely no use for in the 21st century—like speling for example. And I literaly cannot count the number of times that I have not had to use math. That’s why I was so excited to learn about a boldly innovative new school in Utah which is teaching kids to be makers, not takers. Students as young as kindergarten are learning vital 21st century capitalist tools like sales and m... more »

The Triumph of Progressivism: Graduation 2013 and 1968

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

The Triumph of Progressivism: Graduation 2013 and 1968: The Triumph of Progressivism: Graduation 2013 and 1968Sunday, 19 May 2013 12:13By Robert Reich, Robert Reich's Blog | Op-Ed - 36 - font size [image: decrease font size] [image: increase font size] - Print - Email Many of you soon-to-be college graduates are determined to make the world a better place. Some of you are choosing careers in public service or joining nonprofits or volunteering in your communities. But many of you are cynical about politics. You see the system as inherently corrupt. You doubt rea... more »

Damn pension bloggers. If they don’t ask no questions they won’t hear no lies. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Damn pension bloggers. If they don’t ask no questions they won’t hear no lies. | Fred Klonsky: Damn pension bloggers. If they don’t ask no questions they won’t hear no lies. by Fred Klonsky [image: lmad-curtain]Read the entire post on John Dillon’s blog: Bloggers, curse them for their interloping, later find a last minute amendment by Cullerton and others (Steans?) to force a full payment on the healthcare option, and NO guarantee that healthcare from the state (TRIP) will be provided at all. The blasted bloggers also suggest that my payment for healthcare from the state may com... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Another controversial co-location proposal: hearing Monday on charter school taking space from Harlem adult learning center

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

NYC Public School Parents: Another controversial co-location proposal: hearing Monday on charter school taking space from Harlem adult learning center: Another controversial co-location proposal: hearing Monday on charter school taking space from Harlem adult learning center by Leonie Haimson [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991] *Most of the reports of damage from charter co-locations in NYC relates to how they take valuable space from existing K12 public schools. Here is an account of how the city's determination to allow a charter school to expand within p... more »

Diane in the Evening 5-19-13 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: How Can We Assure Equity in Education? by dianerav Uri Tresiman of the Dana Center at the University of Texas spoke to the annual NCTM conference about the true needs of American education. This is an important speech in which he shows how shallow current reforms are and how deeply poverty affects children’s performance in school. I intend to post this speech twice this week. It is that powerful. I may post it more than twice. It meant a lot to me because Dr. Treisman agreed with what I have been saying. We will... more »

Obama at Morehouse: Use your power for a purpose | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Obama at Morehouse: Use your power for a purpose | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Get Schooled: Obama at Morehouse: Use your power for a purpose Here are some passages from President Barack Obama’s commencement address today at Morehouse College. *Link here *for the full speech, which is worth sharing with your students and your children: View Larger [image: President Obama at Morehouse] Speaking today at the Morehouse commencement, President Obama told graduates that a "unique sense of purpose" has always infused the historic campus. Previous Posts - New spin on the dog at... more »

Why I am Running for School Board – by Sue Peters | Parents Across America

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Why I am Running for School Board – by Sue Peters | Parents Across America: Why I am Running for School Board – by Sue Peters by DoraTaylor *By PAA Founding Member Sue Peters:* For the past nine years, I have been deeply involved in Seattle’s public schools, as a parent of two, a school volunteer, an education blogger, a member of district task forces and as a local and national public education advocate. I would like to help steer the largest school district in Washington State in a positive direction. I believe that I can serve the Seattle school community even better as a repre... more »