UPDATE: Civil Rights Lawyers Sign Open Letter to Stop Chicago Schools Closure and Privatization Scheme – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

Civil Rights Lawyers Sign Open Letter to Stop Chicago Schools Closure and Privatization Scheme – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER:

Being Jeb...a pretend interview.

by Chalk Face, PhD

Reblogged from Blue Hat Movement: Hi, my name is Charlie and I want to present to you a scenario.  For the sake of explaining a portion of what is happening to our public schools, I am going to perform a little magic and transport you to a world where I am Jeb Bush.  But first, […]

Sent by Jon Lubar, a few words on chronic absenteeism

by Chalk Face, PhD

I invited a guest speaker to come into one of my classes who teaches at one of worst high schools in the country–literally, it’s on a list. In any event, this teacher stated that of the 120 students or so on record, he’ll see in a good day about half of them. And since he’s […]

You Are Not the PROBLEM, I Am Not the PROBLEM; the PROBLEM Is the PROBLEM

by John Thompson

At Bridging Differences, veteran educator Deborah Meier and reformer Mike Petrilli are debating who is the problem. And, that is a step up from their previous disagreement over who was a part of the disease. While I side with Meier, I would like to make a couple of suggestions for the further bridging of differences. […]

Civil Rights Lawyers Sign Open Letter to Stop Chicago Schools Closure and Privatization Scheme

by Jim Horn

Meanwhile, dozens of protestors were arrested yesterday as hundreds marchedand tried to deliver the letter excerpted below to Rahm’s office. Video from CBS Chicago here.

A clip from the letter (ht to PURE) signed by 128 Chicago lawyers:

“[If carried out, these actions] will dramatically alter the school environment for vulnerable elementary students. More than 47,500 elementary students will be affected including more than 3,906 students experiencing homelessness and 2400 students requiring special education services. No such massive school closure has been attempted in the history of our City or our nation. This alone must give all reasonable people pause.

[T]his massive undertaking is being executed in advance of the delivery of a 10 year school facilities master plan, as required by Illinois law… As the saying goes, measure twice, cut once. Closing schools before sharing a clear, well-thought out plan for the City’s educational and economic future signals a perilous lack of 

Need to crowdsource an issue: can you all help us with ESEA law?

by Chalk Face, PhD

I was sent a link to some language in the ESEA from the DOE’s website. It largely covers the establishment of the NAEP and how it should be administered. But then, there’s this: EC. 6301. PROHIBITION AGAINST FEDERAL MANDATES, DIRECTION, OR CONTROL. Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize an officer or employee […]

New Research on VAM from Carnegie Center for the Advancement of Teaching

by Jim Horn

As the evidence mounts, we see that corporate education’s hastily-planned war on teachers and public schools was based on bad intel intentionally warped to shape public buy-in.  Now the assault finds itself discredited by the facts on the ground and bogged down by an indigenous resistance that has just sensed its advantage. Highlights below are […]