Chicago Public Schools Sued for Discriminating On Grounds of Race and Disability
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 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the defendants propose to carry out the closings of 53 elementary schools in a manner that does not permit a timely and orderly process either for the proper review and revision of the individualized education programs (IEPs) for the plaintiff children and over 6,000 other children in special education programs or for the extra services and counseling such children require to make the difficult transition to unfamiliar schools and unfamiliar teachers and students. By putting off their
In one lawsuit, the lawyers state:
“In violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the defendants propose to carry out the closings of 53 elementary schools in a manner that does not permit a timely and orderly process either for the proper review and revision of the individualized education programs (IEPs) for the plaintiff children and over 6,000 other children in special education programs or for the extra services and counseling such children require to make the difficult transition to unfamiliar schools and unfamiliar teachers and students. By putting off their
Rhode Island Board Chair Defends Status Quo
Eva-Marie Mancuso, chair of Rhode Island’s state education board, passionately defends the status quo.
Over the protests of parents, students, and teachers, Mancuso supports high-stakes testing. Despite overwhelming evidence from researchers that evaluating teachers by test scores is inaccurate, unstable, and demoralizing, Mancuso wants more. Despite the protests of student leaders across the state, Mancuso insists that standardized tests–the NECAP–should be a graduation requirement.
A recent poll of teachers found that 85% oppose a new contract for the state superintendent Debirah Gist.
Over the protests of parents, students, and teachers, Mancuso supports high-stakes testing. Despite overwhelming evidence from researchers that evaluating teachers by test scores is inaccurate, unstable, and demoralizing, Mancuso wants more. Despite the protests of student leaders across the state, Mancuso insists that standardized tests–the NECAP–should be a graduation requirement.
A recent poll of teachers found that 85% oppose a new contract for the state superintendent Debirah Gist.
The For-Profit Tech Scandal in Maine
The writer of this article, Colin Woodard, recently won the George Polk award, one of the highest honors in journalism.
The article is bout a sordid effort to promote technology as a for-profit enterprise in Maine schools. To introduce a Maine virtual charter school, to require online courses for graduation, and to follow a script written not by educators but by lobbyists.
This is a classic. Don’t miss it.
The article is bout a sordid effort to promote technology as a for-profit enterprise in Maine schools. To introduce a Maine virtual charter school, to require online courses for graduation, and to follow a script written not by educators but by lobbyists.
This is a classic. Don’t miss it.
Breaking News: NY Times Criticizes Bloomberg School Policies
The NYC public is tired of Mayor Bloomberg’s policies of testing, school closings, and privatization. But for 12 years he has had the constant support of the city’s three major newspapers.
The editorialists have supported and cheered him at every turn.
But WOW, today the Néw York Times has an editorial today that agrees that the critics have a point. Will wonders never cease?!
The other papers regularly insist that any dissent from the mayor’s policies–no matter how ruinous to students
The editorialists have supported and cheered him at every turn.
But WOW, today the Néw York Times has an editorial today that agrees that the critics have a point. Will wonders never cease?!
The other papers regularly insist that any dissent from the mayor’s policies–no matter how ruinous to students
Connecticut: High Suspension Rates for Kindergarten
The Bloomberg Empire Strikes Back
This year the city of New York will pick a new Mayor, after 12 years of Michael Bloomberg.
There were only supposed to be 8 years of Bloomberg, as the voters of New York City had twice endorsed term limits of only 2 terms. But Bloomberg decided he wanted a third term, refused to call for a referendum, and got his faithful friend City Council President Christine Quinn to twist a few arms, promise that the members of the City Council would also get a third term, and voila!, our mayor had the chance to drop another $100 million into winning a third term.
For some reason, he thinks that his legacy will be his education “reforms,” but the voters don’t agree. The last
There were only supposed to be 8 years of Bloomberg, as the voters of New York City had twice endorsed term limits of only 2 terms. But Bloomberg decided he wanted a third term, refused to call for a referendum, and got his faithful friend City Council President Christine Quinn to twist a few arms, promise that the members of the City Council would also get a third term, and voila!, our mayor had the chance to drop another $100 million into winning a third term.
For some reason, he thinks that his legacy will be his education “reforms,” but the voters don’t agree. The last
A Call to Action! Time for Charter Police and Charter Firefighters?
In this article, a Massachusetts blogger points out that it is time to do something about those unionized police and firefighters who have failed to stamp out crime and fires.
It is time to unleash innovation and turnaround the police precincts where crime is highest: close them down and allow the cops to reapply for their jobs.
America could be a perfectly crime-free, safe nation if only we turned public safety over to bankers and lawyer
It is time to unleash innovation and turnaround the police precincts where crime is highest: close them down and allow the cops to reapply for their jobs.
America could be a perfectly crime-free, safe nation if only we turned public safety over to bankers and lawyer
Tennessee Charters Lose Struggling Students Before State Tests
Tennessee charters have learned the secret to high test scores: push out low-performing students right before testing time.
That way, the charter keeps the money, and the public school gets the low score.
This is not a closely guarded secret, but it usually fools the media and the politicians.
Here is one journalist–Dennis Ferrier at WSMV–who was not fooled:
“When it comes to the net loss of students this year, charter schools
That way, the charter keeps the money, and the public school gets the low score.
This is not a closely guarded secret, but it usually fools the media and the politicians.
Here is one journalist–Dennis Ferrier at WSMV–who was not fooled:
“When it comes to the net loss of students this year, charter schools
Los Angeles: A Clear Choice: Vote for Monica Ratliff
The run-off for Los Angeles school board is Tuesday May 21.
As Howard Blume’s excellent overview in the Los Angeles Times shows, Monica Ratliff is clearly the better candidate. She is an experienced teacher who understands the needs of children and the schools.
She has raised $42,000.
Her opponent has great political contacts. He worked for Mayor Villaraigosa. His qualifications to sit on the city school board are nil, although it is true that he was once a student.
He has raised, with the help of the Mayor, more than $3 million.
Will money decide the election?
The choice is clear.
If you live in their district, please take the time to vote for Monica.
As Howard Blume’s excellent overview in the Los Angeles Times shows, Monica Ratliff is clearly the better candidate. She is an experienced teacher who understands the needs of children and the schools.
She has raised $42,000.
Her opponent has great political contacts. He worked for Mayor Villaraigosa. His qualifications to sit on the city school board are nil, although it is true that he was once a student.
He has raised, with the help of the Mayor, more than $3 million.
Will money decide the election?
The choice is clear.
If you live in their district, please take the time to vote for Monica.
Louisiana Scandals: The Course Choice Mystery
One of Governor Jindal’s “reforms” is called Course Choice. This is supposed to allow public school students to sign up with private vendors, using public school dollars extracted from their local school. Most of the vendors are online operators.
Course choice and vouchers were the centerpiece of Jindal’s plan to privatize public education, by funding these choices from the state’s Minimum Foundation budget. Unfortunately for the governor and his State Superintendent John White, the state’s highest court said that it was unconstitutional to spend the money dedicated to public schools on vouchers and Course Choice. The court decided by a vote of 6-1, which in the
Course choice and vouchers were the centerpiece of Jindal’s plan to privatize public education, by funding these choices from the state’s Minimum Foundation budget. Unfortunately for the governor and his State Superintendent John White, the state’s highest court said that it was unconstitutional to spend the money dedicated to public schools on vouchers and Course Choice. The court decided by a vote of 6-1, which in the
Tennessee Charters Lose Struggling Students Before State Tests
Tennessee charters have learned the secret to high test scores: push out low-performing students right before testing time.
That way, the charter keeps the money, and the public school gets the low score.
This is not a closely guarded secret, but it usually fools the media and the politicians
That way, the charter keeps the money, and the public school gets the low score.
This is not a closely guarded secret, but it usually fools the media and the politicians
Diane in the Evening 5-19-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Bloomberg’s Advice: Skip College, Be a Plumber by dianerav Now this is an interesting idea that needs to be deconstructed. Mayor Bloomberg, reputedly worth $20 Billion,suggests that some young people should skip college and be a plumber. On one hand, that’s good advice for young people who are not interested in going to college. Many, even some who should go to college, can’t afford to go because the cost is so prohibitive. In recent years, the states have shifted the costs to students and made college unaffor... more »