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BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS

Racism Decried in Sacramento School Closings Courthouse News Service

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 minutes ago

Courthouse News Service: *Racism Decried in Sacramento School Closings* Courthouse News Service SACRAMENTO (CN) - The Sacramento city school district ignored a report that recommended closing four schools in wealthy white neighborhoods and closed seven schools in poor minority neighborhoods instead, eight families and three PTA groups say in a constitutional complaint in Federal Court. The eight families, with 11 children in school, and PTAs from Joseph Bonnheim Elementary School, Clayton B. Wire Elementary School, and Maple Elementary School sued the Sacramento City Unifie... more »

The Common Core and the End of the World | Taking Note

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 minutes ago

The Common Core and the End of the World | Taking Note: The Common Core and the End of the World by John Merrow In case you haven’t been paying attention, the arrival of the Common Core apparently means the end of the world as we know it. Below are some of recent apocalyptic warnings from people on the left and the right (with other earlier doomsday predictions interspersed). My own thoughts are in the final paragraphs. *From Senator Rand Paul (R, KY):* “There are few things more dangerous to our liberty and prosperity than allowing federal bureaucrats and politicians to control our... more »

6-13-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 28 minutes ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: [image: gears] Coming Together for Solutions for Creating Respectful Learning Cultures by John Thompson Coming Together for Solutions for Creating Respectful Learning Cultures. Even the Canucks are profiting from our #commoncore obsession by Chalk Face, PhD From School Specialty of Canada, each grade level classroom can own one of their own Common Core State Standards kits. For Canada, wouldn’t they be called CC Province Standards, right? Thankfully, they are Title I funding approved. By the way, does Canada have Title I? Not sure about th... more »

Top High Schools With the Most Minority, Disadvantaged Students - Morse Code: Inside the College Rankings (usnews.com)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 28 minutes ago

Top High Schools With the Most Minority, Disadvantaged Students - Morse Code: Inside the College Rankings (usnews.com): Top High Schools With the Most Minority, Disadvantaged Students By ROBERT MORSE June 13, 2013 RSS Feed Print [image: California had more gold medal high schools with high proportions of low-income and minority students enrolled than any other state.] California had more gold medal high schools with high proportions of low-income and minority students enrolled than any other state. There were many gold medal public high schools – which ranked in the top 500 in the U.S... more »

All Things Education: Putting off rich curriculum means putting off reading proficiency

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 58 minutes ago

All Things Education: Putting off rich curriculum means putting off reading proficiency: Putting off rich curriculum means putting off reading proficiency by Rachel Levy Recently, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell proposed and the General Assembly approved a bill that allows elementary schools to apply for waivers from high-stakes science and social studies testing (aka SOLs) for third graders. So far this testing season, approximately twenty-five public elementary schools have availed themselves of this waiver. The idea is that before struggling readers can learn content they have ... more »

Out of Sync: Many Common Core states have yet to define a Common Core-worthy diploma (At a Glance)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Out of Sync: Many Common Core states have yet to define a Common Core-worthy diploma (At a Glance): Out of Sync: Many Common Core states have yet to define a Common Core-worthy diploma (At a Glance) Forty-five states and the District of Columbia have voluntarily adopted rigorous Common Core State Standards for what their K-12 public school students should know and be able to do in mathematics and English Language Arts. Yet most of these states have yet to take a critical step towards making those standards a reality: they do not require high school graduates to complete the math c... more »

California's new Transitional Kindergarten: a glimpse into universal Pre-K | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

California's new Transitional Kindergarten: a glimpse into universal Pre-K | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: California's new Transitional Kindergarten: a glimpse into universal Pre-K by Deepa Fernandes [image: Transitional Kindergarten] *Transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students line up to sing a song before their parents arrive for a graduation ceremony at Stanley Mosk Elementary School in Winnetka.; Credit: Grant Slater/KPCC* Emma Chavez sat on a mat in her classroom, her face buried in her hands, sobbing. “Why are you crying?” teacher Veronica Azizi asked the five year old? “Be... more »

In declaring war on Common Core, Cobb is also attacking state... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

In declaring war on Common Core, Cobb is also attacking state... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Get Schooled: In declaring war on Common Core, Cobb is also attacking state standards [image: Common Core Alignment Map] This is what I don’t get about Cobb County’s antipathy toward Common Core: Georgia standards are Common Core. There have been several evaluations of how well Common Core aligns with state standards, including a report released just this week. The report, “Out of Sync: Many Common Core States Have Yet to Define a Common Core-worthy Diploma,” found that of the 45 states ... more »

(Extra)Ordinary People

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

(Extra)Ordinary People: (Extra)Ordinary People by Sam There’s an anecdote the Calhoun School’s Steve Nelson likes to share when he speaks to teachers and parents about the purpose of education. “We should think of our children as wildflower seeds in an unmarked package,” he says. “We can’t know what will emerge. All we can do is plant them in fertile soil, give them plenty of water and sunlight, and wait patiently to see the uniqueness of their beauty.” At a time when too many students are still being planted in highly cultivated gardens – trimmed and pruned to resemble each other c... more »

Teaching Career Pathways: Leadership Certification | InterACT

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Teaching Career Pathways: Leadership Certification | InterACT: Teaching Career Pathways: Leadership Certification by David B. Cohen Promoting Quality Teaching: New Approaches To Compensation and Career Pathways [image: Promoting Quality Teaching: New Approaches To Compensation and Career Pathways]*Note: In 2012, Accomplished California Teachers published Quality Teaching in Every Classroom: New Approaches to Compensation and Career Pathways. Our team of teacher leaders from diverse regions and types of schools recommended that California policy makers should pursue means to give tal... more »

Blue State Boeing, Gates, High Tech Dreamland WA — Send Kids to Amazon Warehouses | Dissident Voice

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Blue State Boeing, Gates, High Tech Dreamland WA — Send Kids to Amazon Warehouses | Dissident Voice: Blue State Boeing, Gates, High Tech Dreamland WA — Send Kids to Amazon Warehouses by Paul Haeder “Economists study and analyze poverty in their nice offices, have all the statistics, make all the models, and are convinced that they know everything that you can know about poverty. But they don’t understand poverty.” *—*Manfred Max-Neef Way-way too much in the education news for me to crank out one single column. That’s coming up. For now — Just one state gives us a peak into the... more »

The in box. “Karen Lewis is right.” | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

The in box. “Karen Lewis is right.” | Fred Klonsky: The in box. “Karen Lewis is right.” by Fred Klonsky Fred, Karen Lewis is right. The Boeing Corporation is one example. Chicago City officials justified huge tax incentives enticing Boeing to move its headquarters to Chicago by claiming that the company’s operations would produce jobs and a future income stream for the city. So Boeing got a free ride, but where are all those jobs and where is that promised income stream? Anyone with reasonably healthy instincts now knows that they were just mirages for public consumption and decep... more »

Hmmm, Why Don’t I Have Much Confidence In Chicago Superintendent’s Parent Engagement Plan? | Engaging Parents In School…

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Hmmm, Why Don’t I Have Much Confidence In Chicago Superintendent’s Parent Engagement Plan? | Engaging Parents In School…: Hmmm, Why Don’t I Have Much Confidence In Chicago Superintendent’s Parent Engagement Plan? by Larry Ferlazzo Weeks after announcing the largest school closure plan in United States history — one developed with little or no parent input — the CEO of Chicago Public Schools announced a new parent engagement plan. Her plan — to start parent “universities”: *Byrd-Bennett’s action plan promises to launch “Parent Universities” across the city to “help parents understan... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-13-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Pennsylvania: Now We Know the Truth About Cyber Charters by dianerav Rhonda Brownstein, the executive director of Pennsylvania’s Education Law Center, says that it is time to stop trusting the claims of cyber charter promoters. For years, they have promised that students would get “innovative” education and that wondrous things would happen when virtual charters became reality, butPennsylvania now knows that none of that turned out to be true. Pennsylvania has ... more »

Hey City Council: You’re Supposed to Be Better than Harrisburg | Parents United for Public Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Hey City Council: You’re Supposed to Be Better than Harrisburg | Parents United for Public Education: Hey City Council: You’re Supposed to Be Better than Harrisburg by rebeccapoyourow [image: City Council-dontletusdown] City Council’s failure to move a liquor-by-the-drink tax yesterday disappointed parents and school supporters all across the city. [image: Rebecca Poyourow]Today over 100 parents, students, and community members packed City Council chambers—in the middle of a workday afternoon—and testified for over three hours to demand movement on the liquor-by-the-dri... more »

We're Not Misinformed; We Know What Common Core Is, & We Reject It. | Truth in American Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

We're Not Misinformed; We Know What Common Core Is, & We Reject It. | Truth in American Education: We’re Not Misinformed; We Know What Common Core Is, & We Reject It. by Christel Swasey [image: common-core]In Utah this year, GOP state delegates passed a resolution that opposed Common Core, by a 65% vote. The National GOP passed a similar resolution. The Michigan legislature passed a bill that defunded Common Core. Indiana legislators passed a year-long time-out bill to pause Common Core. Similar efforts by Republicans and Democrats are growing in North Carolina, Georgia, Missouri,Io... more »

The Snark syndrome in educational policymaking | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

The Snark syndrome in educational policymaking | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: The Snark syndrome in educational policymaking - COMMENT(16) - 3 29 12 48 Related View Larger [image: Arne Duncan photo] Johnny Crawford, jcrawford@ajc.com U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan reads to children at Boyd Elementary School Friday, May 31, 2013. Education Secretary Arne Duncan , Governor Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed also participated in a panel discussion on education. Previous Posts - Should schools offer free breakfast for every student? June 12, 2013 - Can ... more »

Education officials seek team approach to fight chronic absenteeism | EdSource Today

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Education officials seek team approach to fight chronic absenteeism | EdSource Today: Education officials seek team approach to fight chronic absenteeism - by Kathryn Baron by Kathryn Baron [image: More than 80 percent of students who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade read below grade level after third grade. Source: Applied Survey Research, May 2011] More than 80 percent of students who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade read below grade level after third grade. Source: Applied Survey Research, May 2011 Backed by the knowledge that the firs... more »

Why two reform movements — choice and accountability — have fallen short

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Why two reform movements — choice and accountability — have fallen short: Why two reform movements — choice and accountability — have fallen short By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 13, 2013 at 4:00 amE-mail the writer 0 Comments More [image: arrow]Public education has been rocked over the past two decades by the choice and accountability movements, both launched by reformers in an effort to “fix” failing schools. Why haven’t they worked as well as promised? This post examines this question. It is written by Jack Schneider, an assistant professor of education at the College of the Ho... more »

Bill Gates Discovers Money Cannot Buy Teachers - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Bill Gates Discovers Money Cannot Buy Teachers - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Bill Gates Discovers Money Cannot Buy Teachers by Anthony Cody Sunday's Seattle Times tells us of a strange problem encountered by the richest man in the world. He has discovered that his money is not working its magic in education -- teachers are not for sale. The Gates Foundation has spent the past decade promoting hard hitting education reforms. Organizations they fund have conducted research, lobbied politicians, and advanced policies that have brought us Value Added teacher and princ... more »

What’s that fishy smell…A Bass Pro shop update… - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

What’s that fishy smell…A Bass Pro shop update… - Wait, What?: What’s that fishy smell…A Bass Pro shop update… by jonpelto Less than two months ago, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch was still calling the plan to open a Bass Pro store in Bridgeport a “deal changer.” In April Finch told residents, “The deal from the state of Connecticut should probably be inked sometime this summer” and added that he was planning for a December 2014 groundbreaking. Finch’s statement continued the odd saga surrounding the Bass Pro effort which began last July when Governor Malloy, Mayor Finch and Bass Pro ... more »

Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: The MultiBillionaire Ed Privateers Never Stop Their Pillaging-- Even During the Summer!

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: The MultiBillionaire Ed Privateers Never Stop Their Pillaging-- Even During the Summer!: The MultiBillionaire Ed Privateers Never Stop Their Pillaging-- Even During the Summer! by Black Educator

Study: Millennials Prefer Traditional Classrooms Over Online Ones | toteachornototeach

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Study: Millennials Prefer Traditional Classrooms Over Online Ones | toteachornototeach: Study: Millennials Prefer Traditional Classrooms Over Online Ones by aristotlethewise Study: Millennials Prefer Traditional Classrooms Over Online Ones by Vignesh RamachandranStudents are warming up to virtual education, but according to a new study, they still believe it’s easier to learn in a traditional classroom. Millennial Branding, a Generation Y consulting firm, and online marketplace Internships.com, conducted an online survey in May in which they asked 1,345 college students in the Unite... more »

NYC Educator: The Incredible Disappearing UFT Rep

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

NYC Educator: The Incredible Disappearing UFT Rep: The Incredible Disappearing UFT Rep by NYC Educator In a pivotal career move, a UFT Rep reread Catch 22, and decided his favorite character was Major Major. He immediately determined to emulate him in every way possible. From that moment, the only time he saw members in his office was when he wasn't there. It was much more efficient and convenient. When he *was* there, and people came, they had all sorts of complaints. Principals were crazy, working conditions were awful, they hadn't had a raise in five years, blah, blah, blah. On ... more »

Meet the California Students Who Stormed the State Capitol to Demand Funding For Their Futures

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Meet the California Students Who Stormed the State Capitol to Demand Funding For Their Futures: Meet the California Students Who Stormed the State Capitol to Demand Funding For Their Futures - Johnathen Duran - in - Politics - 9 hours ago - Mic this!6 - - 117 - - - 16 [image: submit to reddit] 26 [image: meet, the, california, students, who, stormed, the, state, capitol, to, demand, funding, for, their, futures,] Meet the California Students Who Stormed the State Capitol to Demand Funding For Their Futures In the dark hours of the night, 22 s...more »

Jersey Jazzman: Why Tests Scores CAN'T Evaluate Teachers

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: Why Tests Scores CAN'T Evaluate Teachers: Why Tests Scores CAN'T Evaluate Teachers by Duke I'm going to have more to say about Jonah Rockoff's testimony before the New Jersey State Board of Education last week. See here and here for previous posts; Bruce Baker also opines in a must-read post. But right now, I want to use a specific part Dr. Rockoff's presentation to address a very serious problem with the entire notion of test-based teacher accountability. Keep in mind that Rockoff talks about Student Growth Percentiles (SGPs), but the problem extends to just about a... more »

LEARNING MATH, LEARNING JUSTICE Rethinking Schools

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Rethinking Schools: VOLUME 27, ISSUE 3 [image: Volume 27, Issue 3] SUBSCRIBE ONLINE & SAVESubscribe & Gift Subscriptions *Donate* Back Issues RS E-List Publications Download a Catalog Special Issues *Rethinking Schools Blog* ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ VOLUME 27, ISSUE 3 — SPRING 2013 COVER THEME: LEARNING MATH, LEARNING JUSTICE This issue of *Rethinking Schools* previews our new, expanded, and revised edition of *Rethinking Mathematics: Teaching Social Justice by the Numbers*. The focus i... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Angry Moms are Rising Up Against Common Core

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Angry Moms are Rising Up Against Common Core: Angry Moms are Rising Up Against Common Core by stlgretchen Anne Gassel, co-editor of Missouri Education Watchdog was quoted in USA Today about her opposition to Common Core. From* Include parents in standards debate: Opposing view:* *Across America, moms are rising up against the Common Core, national standards for English-language arts and mathematics adopted by 45 states. As Anne Gassel, of Ellisville, Mo., said, "Parents and their legislators were cut out of the loop. Even now we can't get straight ans... more »

Mother Crusader: Et Tu Anthony Weiner?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Mother Crusader: Et Tu Anthony Weiner?: Et Tu Anthony Weiner? by darciecima *Yes!You Too! You Can Get A Visit from the Money Fair,Yeah Team!* Diane Ravitch just posted that Anthony Weiner is already cozying up to the charter folks in his bid for Mayor of New York City, and offering up free space to charters co-located with public schools. When I read her post I instantly remembered that John Mooney recently reported that Barbara Morgan, "public information officer and state Education Commissioner Chris Cerf’s press secretary," had left the NJDOE to become Weiner's spokeswoman. ... more »

Vast reforms proposed for teacher credential programs | EdSource Today

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

Vast reforms proposed for teacher credential programs | EdSource Today: Vast reforms proposed for teacher credential programs - by Kathryn Baron by Kathryn Baron [image: (photo by cybrarian)] A number of proposals before a state board would strengthen teacher training. When California placed a one-year limit on the length of teacher preparation programs back in 1970, there were no personal computers, tablets or smart phones; no online classes or Common Core standards; and not nearly as many English learners in public schools. Recognizing that these graduate programs can’t squeeze an... more »

Home Field Advantage | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Home Field Advantage | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: Home Field Advantage by Gary Rubinstein In New York State, the high school standardized tests are called ‘The Regents’ exams. Unlike the state tests for grades 3 through 8, which are graded externally, the Regents have always been scored by the teachers in the school. After they are graded, the tests would then sent off to Albany where they could be audited if there is suspicion that they have been graded improperly. At my school we would take all the tests and split up the task among the math teachers, being careful that no teacher... more »

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: The Teacher Song!

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: The Teacher Song!: The Teacher Song! by Lisa M The Teacher Song! Today we had to share data creatively. Any way, at the end of one of the presentations, this video was shown. I thought it was cute and funny!

The Color of School Closures | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

The Color of School Closures | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity: The Color of School Closures *Posted on: Tuesday April 23rd, 2013* Mass school closings have become a hallmark of today's dominant education policy agenda. But rather than helping students, these closures disrupt whole communities. And as U.S. Department of Education data suggests, the most recent rounds of mass closings in Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia disproportionately hurt Black and low-income students. *What can you do to end these discriminatory and un... more »

Diane 6-12-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Save Michigan Public Schools Rally on June 19 by dianerav This just in. Here is the flyer in downloadable form: Education supporters plan huge grassroots rally at Mich Capitol June 19th Grassroots power in action! Please join us on the Capitol lawn beginning at 11:30 am on Wednesday, June 19th. We’re still working on lining up our speakers for the event, but we’ve already confirmed the following superstar advocates for public education: Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (Senate Minority Leader) Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Highland Pa... more »

Great Teaching Transcends Economic Hurdles — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Great Teaching Transcends Economic Hurdles — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: ASCD Whole Child Bloggers]Great Teaching Transcends Economic Hurdles June 12, 2013 by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers *Post submitted on behalf of whole child partner American Association of School Librarians by Patty Saidenberg, librarian, George Jackson Academy, New York, N.Y.* I work as a librarian at George Jackson Academy (GJA) in New York, N.Y. Founded in 2002, GJA is an independent, nonsectarian upper elementary and middle school for academically capable boys from low-income and underserv... more »

No Child Left Behind Bill Passes Senate Committee, But No End In Sight For Recasting Bush Law

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

No Child Left Behind Bill Passes Senate Committee, But No End In Sight For Recasting Bush Law: No Child Left Behind Bill Passes Senate Committee, But No End In Sight For Recasting Bush Law by Joy Resmovits A lengthy overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act passed through a Senate education committee Wednesday, with senators voting 10-12 along party lines. The "Strengthening America's Schools Act" is an over 1,000-page bill authored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who chairs the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee. It rolls back some of the more stringent aspects of the No ...more »

Daily Kos: A brief update on Leaves on the Current

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Daily Kos: A brief update on Leaves on the Current: A brief update on Leaves on the Current by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) This afternoon we finally got in to see her neurosurgeon. It started out with a warning that she might have to continue with her brace indefinitely, which was certainly not what we wanted to hear. He did show us her original xrays - it did not take a trained eye to see the damage that had been done to her spine. He watched her walk. We talked about options. For now, the next step will be a contrast MRI of the two key areas of her spine and a set of regular... more »

2013 Summer Meal Service Sites - Food Programs (CA Dept of Education)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

2013 Summer Meal Service Sites - Food Programs (CA Dept of Education): 2013 Summer Meal Service Sites Provides parents and referral agencies with a list of locations where children may receive free nutritious meals during school vacation and off-track periods. Please call site contact to confirm participation. This data is current as of June 10, 2013; sites approved after this date may be posted at a later date. Entities wishing to serve meals under the Summer Food Service Program should contact the sponsor listed. Search 1. Use search to find the nearest Summer Meal Service ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Byrd-Bennett's 5-year plan is perfect, except for that fact that ...

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Byrd-Bennett's 5-year plan is perfect, except for that fact that ...: Byrd-Bennett's 5-year plan is perfect, except for that fact that ... by Mike Klonsky ...there really is no plan and BBB probably won't last 5 years. *For the first time since Mayor Rahm Emanuel took over CPS, his CEO laid out an education plan, calling for high academic standards, more focus on parental engagement and greater accountability for the district, including an annual scorecard.* -- Catalyst Ok, but what are the specifics of the plan? The Sun-Timessupports the plan. Here w... more »

NYC Public School Parents: AFT’s Randi Weingarten letter about inBloom to Gates & Carnegie Foundations and their reply

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: AFT’s Randi Weingarten letter about inBloom to Gates & Carnegie Foundations and their reply: AFT’s Randi Weingarten letter about inBloom to Gates & Carnegie Foundations and their reply by Molly Stacey Childress of Gates FoundationOn May 30, 2013, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers and member of the Technical Advisory Group of the Shared Learning Collaborative, the precursor to inBloom Inc., wrote a letter to Michele Cahill and Stacey Childress, expressing her concern about inBloom’s privacy and security provisions. Cahill ... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Two leaked memos showing how desperate corporate reformers are to retain failed status quo policies after the election

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: Two leaked memos showing how desperate corporate reformers are to retain failed status quo policies after the election: Two leaked memos showing how desperate corporate reformers are to retain failed status quo policies after the election by Leonie Haimson Two leaked memos show how desperately the corporate reformers in the administration and in the private sector want their policies to be retained after the mayoral election – despite the huge public disgust with the status quo. The first is a memo from the Parthenon group, available at the GothamSchool... more »

Ed Notes Online: Today's Rally: I Ain't Marching Anymore, But I will be Filming

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Today's Rally: I Ain't Marching Anymore, But I will be Filming: Today's Rally: I Ain't Marching Anymore, But I will be Filming by ed notes online So I have mixed feelings about going to a rally to cheer Mulgrew 10 minutes after the giveaway of the contract to John King. I expressed some of these thoughts on the MORE and ICE listserves and there have been some heated discussions. My brain is fried. after an evening of eating and drinking at Peter Luger's last night (Note to Fiorillo -- WHEN ARE WE GOING AGAIN? - And to vegetarian Julie Cavanagh -- why don't you join... more »

Reaction to State Budget - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Reaction to State Budget - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Issues Statement on State Budget SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today offered the following statement regarding the proposed state budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year: "This budget puts California where it belongs: leading the way in the drive to bring the Common Core State Standards to life in our classrooms and prepare students to contribute to our state's future. Dedicating more than $1 billion to training teachers, buying new materials, and investing in ... more »

In Balancing Freedom and Security, A Tale of Two Cities

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

In Balancing Freedom and Security, A Tale of Two Cities: In Balancing Freedom and Security, A Tale of Two Cities by Sam *All this talk of Edward Snowden and the tension between freedom and security has reminded me that back in 2006, as part of a documentary history of First Amendment Rights in America, we included Section 215 of the Patriot Act as one of the book’s 37 primary sources.* *I think what we wrote then has relevance now, but you, dear reader, will have the final word on that point. Enjoy –* Emotions were running high as more than two hundred people crowded into the city ... more »

Schooling in the Ownership Society: J.P. Morgan: The Portuguese connection

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Schooling in the Ownership Society: J.P. Morgan: The Portuguese connection: J.P. Morgan: The Portuguese connection by Mike Klonsky Marching against austerityI just got back from Portugal where austerity imposed by the IMF and other international creditors is crashing peoples' standard of living and destroying public space, including public education. As usual, the alternative to public space and public decision making is privatization and Portugal is no exception. Guess who's pushing privatization and re-engineering Portuguese society? It's J.P. Morgan, the same investment bankers a... more »

Summer Learning Day Is a Day of Action! — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Summer Learning Day Is a Day of Action! — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Bob Seidel]Summer Learning Day Is a Day of Action! June 12, 2013 by Bob Seidel Summer Learning Day, June 21, is just around the corner. It is a grassroots movement to spread awareness about the issue of summer learning loss among parents, the public, and policymakers. Hundreds of eventswill take place across the country, celebrating local programs and providing a platform for policy advocacy. The summer learning movement is part of a whole child approach to education. Children live their liv... more »

LCFF accountability calls for smaller API subgroup tracking SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: LCFF accountability calls for smaller API subgroup tracking As a part of the new Local Control Funding Formula tentatively approved by legislative leaders and Gov. Jerry Brown this week, school districts will be required to track and report the academic progress of subgroups of students as small as 30 members. The proposed funding formula, which provides billions of dollars to districts with high concentrations of educationally-disadvantaged students, will also call on districts to meet new accountability mandates aimed at ensuring the addi... more »

Great Expectations - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Great Expectations - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: Great Expectations by Nancy Flanagan The last time it happened was a little over a year ago. I was coaching a cadre of new teachers, and one of them--a Teach for America "corps member"--and I were talking about the first day of school and the tone she hoped to set in maintaining an orderly classroom. I'm not worried, she said confidently. I have high expectations for them--and I'll make that very clear. Oh, honey, if only it were that easy, I thought. Using "high expectations" as touchstone for building an eff... more »

UPDATE: Math requirements not aligned with Common Core + An exchange on controversial $100 million student database

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

An exchange on controversial $100 million student database: Study: Math requirements not aligned with Common Core in many states by Valerie Strauss In a new sign that schools are not ready to fully embrace the Common Core State Standards, a report concludes that the large majority of states that have adopted the Core have not adjusted their math high school graduation requirements … Continue reading → An exchange on controversial $100 million student database By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 12, 2013 at 10:55 amE-mail the writer [image: schools]Here is an exchange of letters abo... more »

UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, June 12, 2013

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *No Child Left Behind debate begins in Congress, again* Education Headlines *Wednesday, June 12, 2013* Families sue to block Sac City Unified school closuresA dozen minority students and their parents have filed suit in Sacramento-based federal court in a bid to block the Sacramento City Unified School District from closing seven elementary schools. Twin Rivers board hires superintendent from FresnoThe Twin Rivers Unified school board voted Tuesday night to hire Steve Martinez as its superintendent. Martinez has a three-year cont... more »

UPDATE: Banda's First Year Reflections Seattle Schools Community Forum: SEA Rep Council Res on Center School Teacher

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Education Association Rep Council Resolution on Center School Teacher: Banda's First Year Reflections by Melissa Westbrook Dear Seattle Public Schools community: As the 2012-2013 school year draws to a close, I want to thank you all for welcoming me in my first year as your Superintendent. It has been a pleasure to get to know the schools and community and learn about the ideas and concerns each of you have. My conversations with educators, students, families, staff and community members have provided insight for changes and priorities, both... more »

The push back against Malloy, Pryor, Vallas and Moales grows - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

The push back against Malloy, Pryor, Vallas and Moales grows - Wait, What?: The push back against Malloy, Pryor, Vallas and Moales grows by jonpelto When it comes to the ongoing attempt to keep education reformer extraordinaire Paul Vallas in place as Bridgeport’s superintendent of schools, Governor Malloy and his commissioner of education, Stefan Pryor, seem oblivious to their legal responsibilities. What makes the situation even more incredible is that Malloy and Pryor are actually flouting the very law they wrote to allow Vallas to slide into the position without the certifica... more »

One Teacher's Perspective: Voucher Schools: Inherently Unequal

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

One Teacher's Perspective: Voucher Schools: Inherently Unequal: Voucher Schools: Inherently Unequal by Imagine Wisconsin *This week's take on the latest school voucher plans in Wisconsin comes from State Senator Tim Cullen.* Last week, I expressed my extreme disappointment when the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee voted along party lines to create a statewide unaccountable school voucher program. Make no mistake – this plan creates two separate school systems in Wisconsin, both paid for by taxpayers. In 1954, late Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Earl Warren said, “Se... more »

Beyond PISA: How the U.S. Ranks Internationally on Five Key Education Issues | NEA Today

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Beyond PISA: How the U.S. Ranks Internationally on Five Key Education Issues | NEA Today: Beyond PISA: How the U.S. Ranks Internationally on Five Key Education Issues by twalker *By Kathy Tuck and Tim Walker* When the 2010 Program of International Student Assessment (PISA) results were released two years go, the news media and many politicians held them up as evidence that U.S. students were falling badly behind their counterparts in nations such as Finland, South Korea, Canada and Singapore. The somewhat alarmist coverage obviously didn’t consider relevant data that could provide v... more »

6-12-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: [image: gears] Improved School Safety Requires a Balanced Approach by John Thompson It speaks well of the UCLA Civil Rights Project that in addition to their own research they commissioned scholars from the Consortium of Chicago School Research and equally great institutions to analyze what schools can do to better support students. The Consortium has a long history of placing quantitative and qualitative evidence in a longitudinal […] Solidarity and My Name: Some Thoughts by plthomasedd I have written about this before at this blog: John P... more »

Ed Notes Online: Candi Peterson on Washington DC Union Election

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Ed Notes Online: Candi Peterson on Washington DC Union Election: Candi Peterson on Washington DC Union Election by ed notes online Liz and CandiI'm not in a position to sort out what is happening in the Washington DC teachers union. I could recount some history but just don't have the heart or strength to rehash it. I do know that Candi's blog played a major role in fighting the wicked witch of the Rhee. Candi and Nathan Saunders were both in LA with us in 2009 and in Chicago in 2011. And then things fell apart. It's just plain sad. See Candi's blog when she announced she was runnin... more »

Fathers on Family Leave Blog Carnival « MomsRising Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Fathers on Family Leave Blog Carnival « MomsRising Blog: Fathers on Family Leave Blog Carnival by Mark Anthony Neal Father’s Day is a great time to reflect on the joys, struggles, challenges and epiphanies that come with fatherhood. I’m honored to introduce this MomsRising.org Blog Carnival that focuses on the early days of fatherhood – Fathers on Family Leave, with revealing stories from dads about their introduction to fatherhood. Like me, there are other fathers for whom the arrival of their children was revelation to the important demands of child care. However, I had the privil... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-12-13 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: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] On School Reform, Indiana Newspaper says”The Worm Is Turning” by dianerav The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette points to signs that the corporate reform movement is losing steam. Indiana is an epicenter of school privatization and teacher-bashing, yet even there the movement seems to be lagging. The epic defeat of state superintendent Tony Bennett was one clear indication of public opposition to his reforms. The failure of efforts to strip power away from his successor... more »