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
What happens after the tests are over? – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 minute ago
What happens after the tests are over? – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: What happens after the tests are over? by Chalk Face, PhD [image: spirit]Apparently, “Spirit Week!” Wait, isn’t learning supposed to be fun ALL YEAR ROUND? I guess not. Can we also think of new things to do in schools on these Spirit Days? I remember them as a teacher and an entire grade level wearing the same color really isn’t all that fun. Maybe I’m being too cynical. But I remember Field Days at the end of the year. Classes had to pick a country. I recall teachers practically running down to the of... more »
Immersion or segregation? Trost Elementary becomes a language-immersion-only school | OregonLive.com
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 minutes ago
Immersion or segregation? Trost Elementary becomes a language-immersion-only school | OregonLive.com: Immersion or segregation? Trost Elementary becomes a language-immersion-only school by Heather Steeves, The Oregonian [image: trost3.jpg]CANBY -- Trost Elementary kindergartener Brisa Vega, 6, looks on as her friend Paola Cabello, 6, paints an octopus. The girls are among hundreds of children enrolled in Trost's dual language immersion program, where students learn to speak both Spanish and English. Next year Trost will become a magnet school and will only use the language immersi... more »
Bill Gates' TED Talk: Are Video Cameras the Missing Link? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 minutes ago
Bill Gates' TED Talk: Are Video Cameras the Missing Link? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Bill Gates' TED Talk: Are Video Cameras the Missing Link? by Anthony Cody I watched Bill Gates' TED Talk last night, to hear him explain why we should spend $5 billion to put video cameras in every classroom in the nation. But before I get to what he said, I want to share some of the wisdom that preceded him. Rita Pierson starts us off with a bang, speaking of how human relationships are the prerequisite for learning. Kids don't learn from people they don't like. Apologize... ... more »
Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » My Kid and Our Kids
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 minutes ago
Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » My Kid and Our Kids: My Kid and Our Kids by alicemercer Recent news has focused on the educational choices that those on both sides of the education reform debate have made with their own kids. My first discomfort with this is the disclosure of the actual schools these children are attending. Given the high profile of both these ladies, and the animus they generate, as a teacher I worry about having information that specific (the actual schools) out there. I’m a firm believer that one should not bear the burden of ones parents, most espec... more »
NYC Educator: Reformy John and the Magic Mirror
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 minutes ago
NYC Educator: Reformy John and the Magic Mirror: Reformy John and the Magic Mirror by NYC Educator Every day Reformy John King peered into his magic mirror and asked, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the reformiest one of all?" Inevitably the mirror would answer, "You're reformy, this I like, but reformier still is Emperor Mike." Reformy John was sad. What can I do to be as reformy as Emperor Mike, he wondered. And furthermore, does an emperor outrank a king? Despite these illuminating ruminations, every morning it was the same. "Reformy yes, this you can do, but Mike's reformie... more »
UPDATE: We’re Going on a “DIG”! + Real News Report on Rhee and the Epidemic of Test Cheating – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Real News Report on Rhee and the Epidemic of Test Cheating – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: We’re Going on a “DIG”! by antiqueteacher60 It’s time to do some “digging for artifacts”! In order for my District to evaluate my performance on Domain 4 of the Danielson Rubric. I must produce 2 pieces of EVIDENCE of each of the following: 1. Reflection on Teaching 2. Maintaining Accurate Records 3. Communicating with Families 4. Participating in a Professional Community 5. Growing and Developing Real News Report on Rhee and the Epidemic of Test Cheating by Jim Horn From a coupl... more »
Subtracting to Add | Taking Note
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Subtracting to Add | Taking Note: Subtracting to Add by John Merrow The first time I heard this big idea was in a conversation with Zell Miller, the gruff former Senator from Georgia, in the fall of 2002. His quote didn’t make our documentary, “The Promise of Preschool,” but he basically said that, if he had his way, he would get rid of 12th grade and spend the money on free, universal, high quality preschool. At the time, Georgia was leading the nation in providing preschool, and it’s still near the top of the list. But Georgia and every other state and territory still have 12th ... more »
Virginia second-graders suspended for pointing pencils at each other
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Virginia second-graders suspended for pointing pencils at each other: Virginia second-graders suspended for pointing pencils at each other Posted by Valerie Strauss on May 8, 2013 at 3:42 pm 7 Comments More [image: pencils]Have you heard about the two 7-year-old boys who were suspended from their Suffolk County, Va. school for pointing pencils at each other while making shooting sounds? One boy was pretending to be a Marine and the other a bad guy. There is a zero tolerance policy in the school system and so, the second-graders had to stay home for two days instead of go to class at ... more »
Day of the Teacher 2013 - California Teachers Association
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Day of the Teacher 2013 - California Teachers Association: *Hover mouse over poster to share.* To download a wallpaper of the California Day of the Teacher poster, select your screen resolution width:1024, 1280, 1600, 1920, 2048. California Teachers: Honoring our past. Guiding the future. TODAY we mark the 31st anniversary of California’s Day of the Teacher. To honor teachers and the150th anniversary of CTA, we have chosen “*California Teachers: Honoring our Past, Guiding the Future*” as this year’s theme. CTA has been making a positive impact on education for 150 years now. Our vic... more »
UPDATE: Jason Richwine is even too racist for his bosses at the wing-nut Heritage Foundation. But not too racist to support Rahm’s school closings. | Fred Klonsky
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Jason Richwine is even too racist for his bosses at the wing-nut Heritage Foundation. But not too racist to support Rahm’s school closings. | Fred Klonsky: Jason Richwine is even too racist for his bosses at the wing-nut Heritage Foundation. But not too racist to support Rahm’s school closings. by Fred Klonsky Popout*Jason Richwine of the Heritage Foundation with Michael Klonsky and Jitu Brown last March.* Jason Richwine? *I know that name.* Oh, right. He was involved in a March televised discussion with my brother and Jitu Brown, Chicago schools and community activist. Representing... more »
Diane in the Evening 5-8-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: 8th Grade Student: Why So Much Advertising on Pearson Tests? by dianerav A student in a gifted program wrote this piercing analysis of the state tests he and his classmates just endured. The tests he took had many brand names and registered trademarks. He realized this is product placement. He wrote: “Non-fictional passages in the test I took included an article about robots, where the brands IBM™, Lego®, FIFA® and Mindstorms™ popped up, each explained with a footnote. I cannot speak for all test takers, but I ... more »
#Edchat: Why & How | My Island View
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
#Edchat: Why & How | My Island View: #Edchat: Why & How by tomwhitby Each Sunday afternoon there are five Topic questions posted on a poll to determine which will be selected as that week’s #Edchat Topic. There are two #Edchat discussions each Tuesday on Twitter, so the top two topics selected by the poll become the topics of the chats. The number two choice goes at noon, Eastern Time, and the number one selection goes at 7 PM, Eastern Time. The larger audience is the 7 PM Chat. If you did not know it before, I am the person responsible for making up the #Edchat Topic questions ... more »
Insights on the Faces of Poverty — Whole Child Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
Insights on the Faces of Poverty — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Klea Scharberg]Insights on the Faces of Poverty May 8, 2013 by Klea Scharberg [image: The Faces of Poverty - ASCD Educational Leadership] With so many families facing hardship now, today's "poor kids" don't fit old stereotypes. And taking such actions as they can to make learning and life better for students facing poverty is now a challenge for all teachers. The May 2013 issue of ASCD's *Educational Leadership* araises awareness of the impact of poverty on children today and what might be done to... more »
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, May 8, 2013
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education Headlines *Wednesday, May 8, 2013* School district politicking criticizedThe San Diego Unified School District is bound by law to stop using its website to promote political positions, the county grand jury said in a report on Tuesday. TEMECULA: School district proceeds with teacher layoffsThe Temecula Valley Unified School board authorized the layoff of more than 40 teachers at its meeting Tuesday, May 7. But board members and district administrators said they are hopeful many of the teachers will be brought back as p... more »
UPDATE: Downton Billy + Is the School “Reform” Drought Breaking? – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Is the School “Reform” Drought Breaking? – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Sweet 16: What Matters v. What Should Matter in Teacher Qualities by plthomasedd My colleague and social studies educator, George Lipscomb, is offering a May Experience course addressing “What Makes a Great Teacher.” He started the course today with a Sweet 16 of teacher values so I thought this idea may be a great way to ask people to confront priorities regarding what our current high-stakes test-based accountability [...] Downton Billy by freetoteach Since Bill Gates and other billionaire boys ... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Closing Duncan's Chicago 'Renaissance' Schools
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Closing Duncan's Chicago 'Renaissance' Schools: Closing Duncan's Chicago 'Renaissance' Schools by Mike Klonsky Obama came to Dodge school in 2009 and used the visit to announce Duncan's appointment as Sec. of EducationWhile *Arne Duncan *was whisking in the children of the rich and powerful into Chicago's elite, selective-enrollment schools, he was also pushing a system of new start-ups and charters under his Renaissance 2010 program. But, according to WBEZ's Becky Vevea, in the most recent round of proposed school closings, CPS is shutting down th... more »
UPDATE: Seattle Schools Community Forum: To the Members of the Executive Committee
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: To the Members of the Executive Committee: Charter Commission - Second Meeting, Part Two by Melissa Westbrook *Charter Commission discussion * The biggest bone of contention at this point is the lottery system for approved charter school applications. Now my initial read (and others as well) was that if the Board of Education received more than 8 approved charter applications from all authorizers, then they would go into a straight lottery. The Attorney General's reading is that the seven that get to the BOE's office first will be stamped and appro... more »
Why it is hard to monitor bullying at schools — report
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Why it is hard to monitor bullying at schools — report: Why it is hard to monitor bullying at schools — report Posted by Valerie Strauss on May 8, 2013 at 11:30 am [image: Prevention of Bullying Cover]A new report that reviewed years of research says that it is hard to accurately monitor levels of bullying in schools because there is still no consensus on exactly what it is and that educators and scholars “should not limit themselves to the traditional definition” as they seek ways to combat it. The report, called “Prevention of Bullying in Schools, Colleges and Universities” and ju... more »
What teachers really want | Lily's Blackboard
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
What teachers really want | Lily's Blackboard: What teachers REALLY want by Lily [image: Lily's Blackboard Rotating Header Image] What teachers REALLY want May 8th, 2013 by Lily. Welcome to National Teacher Appreciation Week. I looked under my pillow to see if the Tooth Fairy left me something. Nope. Checked the fireplace to see if Santa had been there? Zip. Maybe a piñata filled with sweet surprises? Nada. Ok. Maybe we didn’t ask. You don’t get what you wish for. You’ve got to let people know what you want. We did that. *We asked teachers all over the country what they wanted,* s... more »
"Other People's Children": The Corollary of Bad Policy | California Progress Report
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
"Other People's Children": The Corollary of Bad Policy | California Progress Report: "Other People's Children": The Corollary of Bad Policy by callen *By Mark Naison* For some time, I have argued that School Reform is the most destructive bi-partisan initiative we have suffered in the United States since the Vietnam War, a policy which has, and will continue to inspire mass movements to limit the damage it inflicts through universal testing of the nation's children, and the humiliation and micro-management of the nation's teachers. Some have argued, correctly, that people have not ... more »
Say Thanks to a School Nurse on May 8 | NEA Today
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Say Thanks to a School Nurse on May 8 | NEA Today: Say Thanks to a School Nurse on May 8 by twalker *By Helen Yoshida* In honor of National School Nurse’s Day, we spoke to 2012 Missouri ESP of the Year Carmen K. Hill. Hill is a tireless and dedicated school nurse working in the St. Louis, Missouri public school system. *What’s a typical day like for you?* I get in here at 6:45am and by a quarter to 8:00 I start giving out medications to the students who need them. Then I start seeing the sick students that have come to school from the bus or that were dropped off by their parents ... more »
Wednesday on the Whole Child Virtual Conference — Whole Child Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Wednesday on the Whole Child Virtual Conference — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Whole Child Virtual Conference]Wednesday on the Whole Child Virtual Conference May 7, 2013 by Whole Child Virtual Conference We invite you to participate in ASCD's third annual Whole Child Virtual Conference. Entitled "Moving from Implementation to Sustainability to Culture," sessions will offer educators around the globe leadership discussions and strategies to support their work to implement and sustain a whole child approach to education. *The Finnish Experience and the Whole Chi... more »
Modern School: Ending Bullying by Changing Its Name
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Modern School: Ending Bullying by Changing Its Name: Ending Bullying by Changing Its Name by Michael Dunn Huck/Konopacki Labor Cartoons A group of researchers commissioned by the American Education Research Association says that efforts to reduce bullying in school are hampered by the overuse and abuse of the term “bullying” and are calling for it to be replaced by the term “victimization,” according to a recent report in USA today. Yeh, right. . . When the Blackwater mercenary army was having image problems they changed their name to Xe and then again to Academi, innocent soun... more »
The home school subculture creates soldiers for America’s culture war | The Raw Story
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
The home school subculture creates soldiers for America’s culture war | The Raw Story: The home school subculture creates soldiers for America’s culture war By The Guardian Wednesday, May 8, 2013 9:04 EDT [image: Little girl home school (Shutterstock)] *Katherine Stewart: The Christian home school subculture isn’t a children-first movement. Some former students are bravely speaking out* Several decades ago, political activists on the religious right began to put together an “ideology machine”. Home schooling was a big part of the plan. The idea was to breed and “train up” an army ... more »
Blog: Why Has Conservative Media Ignored Michelle Rhee's Connection to Common Core?
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Blog: Why Has Conservative Media Ignored Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Connection to Common Core?: Why Has Conservative Media Ignored Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Connection to Common Core?Ann Kane * * * * Now that citizens across the country are becoming more aware of the detrimental aspects of the already adopted Common Core State Standards, Michelle Rhee, the face of education reform, has commented "I do think that there has to be a very strong defense of the common core[.]" In a recent interview Rhee suggested to proponents of CCSS to switch up the argument "... more »
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-8-13 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] Voucher Decision a Blow to Jindal 2016 Campaign by dianerav Good article in the Washington Post about the major decision by Louisiana’s top court to strike down funding of vouchers with public school dollars. More than 700,000 students in the state, only 8,000 have vouchers. Many vouchers used in schools that resolutely refuse to teach modern science, math, or history. Funny place for Jindal to stake his claim. He is determined to find the money some other way, t... more »
Teacher Appreciation Week: It's About the Little Things - High School Notes (usnews.com)
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Teacher Appreciation Week: It's About the Little Things - High School Notes (usnews.com): Teacher Appreciation Week: It's About the Little Things By KELSEY SHEEHY May 8, 2013 RSS Feed Print [image: A high school science teacher works with students. Show teachers your appreciation throughout the year by acknowledging their hard work.] Show teachers your appreciation throughout the year by acknowledging their hard work. Teachers devote their lives to educating the nation's youth. They serve as mentors, coaches, counselors and yes, even baby sitters, often with limited resources and li... more »
UPDATE: The attack on the IRTA + The dust hasn’t settled on the pension deal. | Fred Klonsky
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
The dust hasn’t settled on the pension deal. | Fred Klonsky: Ten minute drawing. Good cop, bad cop. by Fred Klonsky [image: good cop bad cop] Quote of the week. Elaine Nekritz. by Fred Klonsky [image: nekritz] *“For them to say that the legislature is giving people two choices, neither of which they have today, both of which are less than what they have today, I don’t know how that’s different from what we’re saying,” – Elaine Nekritz* Meanwhile at City Hall, protesters want to know why Rahm hasn’t walked the walk. by Fred Klonsky [image: BJwMImiCEAAstqi.jpg-large] The at... more »
Ed Notes Online: Updated: Jennifer Jennings (formerly Eduwonkette) apologizes to Secretary Duncan over the booing at AERA
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: Updated: Jennifer Jennings (formerly Eduwonkette) apologizes to Secretary Duncan over the booing at AERA: Updated: Jennifer Jennings (formerly Eduwonkette) apologizes to Secretary Duncan over the booing at AERA by ed notes online I have heard this before; critiques from the people in power or their apologists saying “why can’t you be more civilized.” In my mind, it is similar to a well-equipped army that invades your country, takes over your institutions, and then argues with the natives that their resistance is not “civilized” enough. ... Leonie Haimson Jennife... more »
Links and Lessons for K-12 Schools and Hospitals (Jeff Bowen) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Links and Lessons for K-12 Schools and Hospitals (Jeff Bowen) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Links and Lessons for K-12 Schools and Hospitals (Jeff Bowen) by larrycuban *Dr. Jeffrey Bowen has served as superintendent of the Yorkshire Pioneer Central School District in western New York, research director for the New York State School Boards Association, and supervisor of on-the-job training in an Air Force hospital. He is a founding member and vice president of the Healthy Community Alliance in Gowanda, New York. * Since 2000, hospital bills have increased... more »
‘Change Without Reform in American Education’ — book excerpt
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
‘Change Without Reform in American Education’ — book excerpt: ‘Change Without Reform in American Education’ — book excerpt Posted by Valerie Strauss on May 8, 2013 at 4:00 am 0 Comments More [image: cuban]Larry Cuban is a former high school social studies teacher and a school district superintendent (in Arlington, VA) who has been teaching at Stanford University for more than 20 years and conducting research on wave after wave of school reform and their effects. In just about every case, the effects of reform effects have been less than promised. In his new book, “Inside the Black ... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Weiner discipline
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Weiner discipline: Weiner discipline by Mike Klonsky Disgraced former congressman *Anthony Weiner* is planning to run for mayor of New York, a position that would also put him in control of the schools. Why New Yorkers would want to put this creep anywhere near school children is beyond me. But then, *Mark Sanford* was just elected in South Carolina, so what do I know? (N.Y. Post pic)Monday, protesting NYC students made it clear that they want no part of Weiner's ideas on public education. Those ideas were laid out in a policy booklet released last m... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Now I've Heard Everything
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Now I've Heard Everything: Now I've Heard Everything by Melissa Westbrook I am working on a series on Common Core (which is coming at you like a Japanese bullet train.) But there are some pretty funny things happening so I just couldn't wait. Conservatives and Dem ed reformers and corporate ed reformers have been able to join hands and sing Kumbaya over charters, TFA, teacher evaluation, etc. But here comes Common Core and it all falls apart. The conservatives loathe Common Core and have succeeded in spreading the word. The GOP passed a reso... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Post Dispatch STL Today's Disingenuous Editorial on Common Core Standards. Susan Ohanian Chimes In.
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Post Dispatch STL Today's Disingenuous Editorial on Common Core Standards. Susan Ohanian Chimes In.: Post Dispatch STL Today's Disingenuous Editorial on Common Core Standards. Susan Ohanian Chimes In. by stlgretchen The definition of disingenuous amply sums up the St. Louis Post Dispatch's editorial on Common Core standards and the recent meeting DESE held "informing" the public on the initiative. From a googlesearch of the word: dis·in·gen·u·ous /ËŒdisinˈjenyo͞oÉ™s/ Adjective Not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about s... more »
Louisiana Believes in Completely Denying Reality | Crazy Crawfish's Blog
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Louisiana Believes in Completely Denying Reality | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Louisiana Believes in Completely Denying Reality by crazycrawfish [image: Like the mysterious phoenix, I rise from the ashes of my defeat. . .so many ashes. . .] Like the mysterious phoenix, I rise from the ashes of my defeat. . .so. . . many. . . ashes. . . *STATEMENT FROM SUPERINTENDENT JOHN WHITE REGARDING LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT RULING* May 07, 2013 BATON ROUGE, La. – State Superintendent of Education John White issued a statement today concerning the Louisiana Supreme Court ruling on Act 2: “On the most ...more »
How Strong Are U.S. Teacher Unions? A State-By-State Comparison
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
How Strong Are U.S. Teacher Unions? A State-By-State Comparison: How Strong Are U.S. Teacher Unions? A State-By-State Comparison *By Amber M. Winkler, Ph.D. , Janie Scull , Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D. / October 29, 2012* ** *Foreword by Chester E. Finn, Jr. , Michael J. Petrilli* *Filed under: Teachers* This timely study represents the most comprehensive analysis of American teacher unions’ strength ever conducted, ranking all fifty states and the District of Columbia according to the power and influence of their state-level unions. To assess union strength, the Fordham Institute and ... more »
The Educated Reporter: Guest Post: Data Offers Education Reporters Fresh Angles on Familiar Stories
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
The Educated Reporter: Guest Post: Data Offers Education Reporters Fresh Angles on Familiar Stories: Guest Post: Data Offers Education Reporters Fresh Angles on Familiar Stories by Emily Richmond *The American Educational Research Association (AERA) held its annual meeting in San Francisco last week, and I asked The Hechinger Report's John Marcus to share a guest post.* The Common Core State Standards. Teacher quality. College access. None of these are particularly new topics on the education beat. But they can be reported in new ways using data, according to researchers who col...more »
Daily Kos: A quiet day leads to a firm conclusion
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
Daily Kos: A quiet day leads to a firm conclusion: A quiet day leads to a firm conclusion by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) It has been a somewhat quiet day, now slowly winding down, a cat curled up next to me, listening to Brahms on his birthday, sipping brandy, with Leaves on the Current resting under her wonderful quilt, with another cat or two nearby to cuddle her. Sometimes when we do not focus on something with which we are wrestling, the piece find a way to come together without conscious effort on our part. I have reread some things I have written in the past. I have gotten ... more »
Students march on District headquarters, protesting doomsday budget | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Students march on District headquarters, protesting doomsday budget | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Students march on District headquarters, protesting doomsday budget by thenotebook *by Holly Otterbein for NewsWorks* Philadelphia School District students are furious that they may have to endure even more cuts after they've already lost several nurses, central office staff members and a beloved annual musical at the High School for Creative And Performing Arts. A group of roughly 250 students marched to the District's headquarters at 440 N. Broad St., where they held their ow... more »
Christine Rubino Pw3ns the NYC DOE southbronxschool.com
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
http://www.southbronxschool.com: Christine Rubino Pw3ns the NYC DOE by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher) During the first inning of my son's baseball game tonight I get a tweet from embattled Brooklyn teacher Christine Rubino. Curious, I read it an notice a link. The link directs me to New York State Courts page and what is there you ask? Christine Rubino kicked the DOE's ass! The Appellate Division found that she was unjustly terminated. My favorite quote of the decision goes a little something like this; Supreme Court properly found the penalty of termination to be shocking to ... more »
Mapping billionaires and charter schools | Muckety - See the news
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
Mapping billionaires and charter schools | Muckety - See the news: Mapping billionaires and charter schoolsBy Laurie Bennett May 7, 2013 at 11:11am While much of the activism for charter schools occurs at the local and state levels, the money funding the movement is unquestionably national. The map below shows billionaires at the center who have funded school choice efforts. (The map is better viewed in the large version. Here’s a simplified version, that can serve as a starting point.) A typical path for donations is for a wealthy individual, through his company or foundation... more »
Kansans Against Common Core Rally Tomorrow (Updated Info)
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
Kansans Against Common Core Rally Tomorrow (Updated Info): [image: Kansas-State Capitol 2]We appreciate all the support and look forward to seeing you in Topeka. *KANSANS AGAINST COMMON CORE RALLY* Wednesday, May 8th at 2PM *Please arrive early and use the east entrance – Rally will begin promptly at 2pm* 2nd Floor Rotunda in the Kansas State Capitol, Topeka, KS *2pm- Welcome & Introduction* *2:05pm – Kansas Legislators* REP. JOHN BRADFORD and other Kansas Legislators *2:25pm – Guest Speaker and Common Core Expert* SHANE VANDER HART with Truth in American Education *2:40pm – Parents and C... more »
Many charter schools to begin offering transitional kindergarten in fall 2013 | EdSource Today
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
Many charter schools to begin offering transitional kindergarten in fall 2013 | EdSource Today: Many charter schools to begin offering transitional kindergarten in fall 2013 ** May 7th, 2013 | Add a Comment | By Lillian Mongeau Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on print More Sharing Services [image: glue-stick] A child completes an art project meant to help teach how to count to 100 in a transitional kindergarten classroom in Los Angeles earlier this year. Credit: Lillian Mongeau, EdSource Today After a year’s delay, many charter schools will begin offering transi... more »
@michelemcneil and #edweek: #optout supression! – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
@michelemcneil and #edweek: #optout supression! – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: @michelemcneil and #edweek: #optout supression! by Timothy D. Slekar *Defenders of the Faith?* Sometimes you just can’t beat a dead horse enough. I know Shaun already mentioned Michele McNeil and her inability to understand the depth of the Occupy the DOE event. However, Shaun was too nice. In her latest post, Ms. McNeil wastes reader’s time, complicates the issue, and intentionally down plays the power behind the revolt. What appears to be a comprehensive look at the multiple players involve... more »
Understanding the Whole Child Approach with Tenets, Indicators, and Components — Whole Child Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
Understanding the Whole Child Approach with Tenets, Indicators, and Components — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Klea Scharberg]Understanding the Whole Child Approach with Tenets, Indicators, and Components May 7, 2013 by Klea Scharberg [image: Whole Child Tenets] All educators want to improve the work they do for students, their families, and the community. Whether it's instruction, school climate, leadership, family engagement, or any of the other issues schools face on a daily basis, all educators need tools to help them improve their actions and methods. A w... more »
Our First Endorsement: Monica Ratliff, a Teacher, for Los Angeles School Board | The Network For Public Education
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Our First Endorsement: Monica Ratliff, a Teacher, for Los Angeles School Board | The Network For Public Education: Our First Endorsement: Monica Ratliff, a Teacher, for Los Angeles School Board by admin [image: NPEbadge2]The Board of Directors of NPE has voted to endorse Monica Ratliff in her runoff election for Los Angeles school board. The election will happen on May 21st. We asked both Ratliff and her opponent, Antonio Sanchez, to complete a detailed candidate questionnaire. Monica Ratliff’s responses revealed someone who is a working 5th grade teacher, well acquainted with the ... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Charter Commission - Meeting Two
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Charter Commission - Meeting Two: Washington State Charter Commission - Meeting Two by Melissa Westbrook The second Charter Commission meeting took place on April 30th at the Bellevue Art Museum where Commission member Larry Wright is the Executive Director. (I'm going to review the meeting in two threads as it was a long meeting.) Here are the two presentations from speakers. One was Robin Lake from CRPE (I missed that) and William Haft of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (a group looking to make some m... more »
Nutrition to Grow On - Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education (CA Dept of Education)
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Nutrition to Grow On - Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education (CA Dept of Education): Nutrition to Grow OnAn innovative curriculum for grades four through six that offers teachers a direct link between the garden and nutrition education. ------------------------------ Nine lessons are designed to teach children and their families about nutrition by relating each lesson to a garden activity. The curriculum uses the garden to integrate disciplines, including science, mathematics, language arts, history, environmental studies, nutrition, and health, while reinforcing some of the Ca... more »
Teacher Appreciation Week has drastically changed within one week. | Reclaim Reform
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Teacher Appreciation Week has drastically changed within one week. | Reclaim Reform: Teacher Appreciation Week has drastically changed within one week. by kenpreviti I thought this was some sort of Onion spoof when I saw it: It is, unfortunately, real.[image: obama-duncan] Read the full declaration HERE. *Of course Penny Pritzker, nominated as Secretary of Commerce, is heavily invested in charter schools funded with the tax money taken from the 50+ Chicago Public Schools she approved closing. She even had one named after herself. So does Arne Duncan. Yes, non-union, non-accountable ... more »
Diane in the Evening 5-7-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | #thankateacher
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: *#thankateacher* Bruce Baker Teaches Civics to Jeanne Allen by dianerav Bruce Baker of Rutgers is one of my favorite education analysts. He is adept at sorting through claims and demanding evidence. In this post, he gives Jeanne Allen a civics lesson. Jeanne Allen founded the Center for Education Reforn twenty years ago to advocate for charters and vouchers, anything but public schools. She was formerly the education personat the Heritage Foundation. The media often call her for quotes, thinking that the center i... more »
Buena Vista Public Schools Closed Despite Teachers' Offer To Work For Free
mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Buena Vista Public Schools Closed Despite Teachers' Offer To Work For Free: Buena Vista Public Schools Closed Despite Teachers' Offer To Work For Free by Joy Resmovits The teachers agreed to work for free, but apparently that wasn't enough -- so school's out. That's the latest in Buena Vista, Mich., a school district of less than 500 students that closed its schools Tuesday because it is broke. At an emergency meeting Monday evening, hours after teachers voted to work for free for at least a week since the district determined it could not pay them, the school board opted to shut ... more »
