Scandal Deepens in Louisiana: Will Anyone Investigate?
Tom Aswell, investigator journalist and blogger, is covering and uncovering evidence of fraud in the Louisiana Course Choice program.
Hundreds of students were somehow registered for online courses without the knowledge of the students or their parents. How did this happen? This would mean a massive transfer of funds from Louisiana taxpayers to online
Hundreds of students were somehow registered for online courses without the knowledge of the students or their parents. How did this happen? This would mean a massive transfer of funds from Louisiana taxpayers to online
Michigan’s Bad Ideas, In Step with Race to the Top
The most noxious element of President Obama’s Race to the Top is the requirement that teachers should be evaluated to a significant degree by the test scores of their students.
By now, there is a large body of research that shows that this is a very bad idea, that the rankings based on test scores say more about who was in the class than the quality of the teacher.
But the idea of evaluation by test scores has been taken up with delight by the farthest right-wing state legislatures, the latest being Michigan.
Michigan has one of those legislative bodies that devotes considerable time to figuring out what they can take
By now, there is a large body of research that shows that this is a very bad idea, that the rankings based on test scores say more about who was in the class than the quality of the teacher.
But the idea of evaluation by test scores has been taken up with delight by the farthest right-wing state legislatures, the latest being Michigan.
Michigan has one of those legislative bodies that devotes considerable time to figuring out what they can take
Big $$$ Behind NC Privatization Bills
Same old story in North Carolina as elsewhere: big money from reactionary millionaires funding the theft of public education. American Federation for Children is based in Michigan. It supports vouchers.
Wake the town and tell the people.
Large, out-of-state donors fuel North Carolina’s school “choice” movement
More than $90,000 funneled to state legislative campaigns in 2012
By Lindsay Wagner
In March of 2012, North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis and ten other state lawmakers flew to Florida on the dime of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC), an organization known for endorsing
Wake the town and tell the people.
Large, out-of-state donors fuel North Carolina’s school “choice” movement
More than $90,000 funneled to state legislative campaigns in 2012
By Lindsay Wagner
In March of 2012, North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis and ten other state lawmakers flew to Florida on the dime of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC), an organization known for endorsing
Why Does Experience Matter in Every Field But Teaching?
Responding to other comments, this teacher sent the following:
“Experience isn’t all its cracked up to be”?????? Tell that to a surgery patient.”
“Or just try saying that about the chef in a restaurant.
“After spending much of my career teaching a lot of people who thought they already knew how to teach because they spent years in classrooms as students, I cringed when I heard people like Oprah and Martha
“Experience isn’t all its cracked up to be”?????? Tell that to a surgery patient.”
“Or just try saying that about the chef in a restaurant.
“After spending much of my career teaching a lot of people who thought they already knew how to teach because they spent years in classrooms as students, I cringed when I heard people like Oprah and Martha
Superintendent McGill Disagrees with Principal Burris
Two members of the honor roll–both thoughtful, dedicated educators–disagree about Néw York’s plan to evaluate educators, in this case principals.
Carol Burris, the principal of South Side High School in Rockville Center, was selected by her colleagues as principal of the year in Néw York. Mike McGill is superintendent of schools in Scarsdale, one of the state’s most affluent and excellent districts.
Carol Burris, the principal of South Side High School in Rockville Center, was selected by her colleagues as principal of the year in Néw York. Mike McGill is superintendent of schools in Scarsdale, one of the state’s most affluent and excellent districts.
Missouri Punishes Charter for Taking on High Risk Kids
One of the first charters to open in Missouri was the Gordon Parks charter school In Kansas City.
Its idealistic founders believed that the purpose of the charter was to take the kids who were far behind their peers and try to help them.
The state of Missouri just canceled the charter.
Gordon Parks Elementary School will die because its test scores were too low.
This charter tried to do what charters are supposed to do: to take the kids with the greatest needs.
Its idealistic founders believed that the purpose of the charter was to take the kids who were far behind their peers and try to help them.
The state of Missouri just canceled the charter.
Gordon Parks Elementary School will die because its test scores were too low.
This charter tried to do what charters are supposed to do: to take the kids with the greatest needs.
Better Links to Uri Treisman’s Talk at NCTM
From a reader:
Diane’s link is to the mobile version, which didn’t work for me. Here’s a YouTube link:
Popout
and a link to the slides:
http://www.nctm.org/conferences/content.aspx?id=36436#equity
Diane’s link is to the mobile version, which didn’t work for me. Here’s a YouTube link:
Popout
and a link to the slides:
http://www.nctm.org/conferences/content.aspx?id=36436#equity
Tennessee Charters: The Truth Comes Out, with Excuses
Policymakers and the media in Tennessee thought that charters would outperform public schools. They would “save minority kids from failing public schools.” Unfortunately, the charter schools are manufacturing “success” by pushing out low-performing children right before testing time.
True believers refuse to accept the plain facts but it is hard to hide the disappearing students.
But the media is catching on.
A reader helpfully forwarded the transcript:
“NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) –
Leaders with Metro Nashville Public Schools have serious concerns about what is happening at some of the city’s most popular charter schools.
True believers refuse to accept the plain facts but it is hard to hide the disappearing students.
But the media is catching on.
A reader helpfully forwarded the transcript:
“NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) –
Leaders with Metro Nashville Public Schools have serious concerns about what is happening at some of the city’s most popular charter schools.
More Foundation Money to Fund Privatization
Researchers Sarah Reckhow of Michigan State University and doctoral student Jeffrey Snyder reported at an AERA session that foundation giving is increasingly concentrated on a small number of recipients.
Foundation funding is moving away from giving to public schools–attended by 90% of American students–and is going instead to “challengers” to the system, especially charter schools–attended by about 5% of American students.
The story in Education Week says:
“At the start of the decade, less than a quarter of K-12 giving from top foundations—about $90 million in all—was
Foundation funding is moving away from giving to public schools–attended by 90% of American students–and is going instead to “challengers” to the system, especially charter schools–attended by about 5% of American students.
The story in Education Week says:
“At the start of the decade, less than a quarter of K-12 giving from top foundations—about $90 million in all—was
Uri Treisman’s Powerful Speech on Equity to NCTM
Uri Treisman of he Dana Center at the University of Texas spoke about mathematics and equity at the annual NCTM meeting in Denver.
But he spoke about much more. He spoke about student performance on international tests; about the effect of poverty on achievement; about opportunity to learn; about the Common Core; about charter schools; about VAM.
Many who saw his speech said it was the best they had ever heard.
Please watch it. You will be glad you did.
But he spoke about much more. He spoke about student performance on international tests; about the effect of poverty on achievement; about opportunity to learn; about the Common Core; about charter schools; about VAM.
Many who saw his speech said it was the best they had ever heard.
Please watch it. You will be glad you did.
Diane in the Evening 5-20-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: 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 »