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BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS

Shanker Blog » Unreliable Sources: Education Revenue During The Recession

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 31 minutes ago

Shanker Blog » Unreliable Sources: Education Revenue During The Recession: Unreliable Sources: Education Revenue During The Recession by Matthew Di Carlo For the better part of the past century, U.S. public education revenue has come predominantly from state and local sources, with the federal government contributing only a relatively small share. For most of this time, local revenue (primarily property taxes) comprised the largest proportion, but this began to shift gradually during the 1970s, to the point where state funds constituted a slightly larger share of overall revenue. A... more »

Education in Your Backyard — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 37 minutes ago

Education in Your Backyard — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Walter McKenzie]Education in Your Backyard May 28, 2013 by Walter McKenzie [image: ASCD Annual Conference and Exhibit Show] As a director of Constituent Services at ASCD, I work with the best and the brightest educators leading our affiliates around the world. It is a sincere honor and privilege. And this time of year, as affiliate boards begin meeting, reflecting, and planning, I have the opportunity to work with them virtually and face-to-face and support them in their important work. Representing ASCD... more »

Find College Scholarships for First-in-the-Family Students - The Scholarship Coach (usnews.com)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 42 minutes ago

Find College Scholarships for First-in-the-Family Students - The Scholarship Coach (usnews.com): Find College Scholarships for First-in-the-Family Students By SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA June 6, 2013 RSS Feed Print [image: There are scholarships and financial aid resources available to help first-generation college students pay for school.] There are scholarships and financial aid resources available to help first-generation college students pay for school. The decision to go to college is a major step for anyone. But there's one group of students for whom the experience can be especially mea... more »

Michelle Rhee’s group finally drops anti-gay honoree - Salon.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 49 minutes ago

Michelle Rhee’s group finally drops anti-gay honoree - Salon.com: Michelle Rhee’s group finally drops anti-gay honoreeAn 11-year-old's petition pushed StudentsFirst to denounce "Don't Say Gay" bill sponsor Tenn. state Rep. John Ragan VIDEOBY KATIE MCDONOUGH After more than a month of mounting pressure from gay rights and education groups, it was an appeal from an 11-year-old activist that finally got Michelle Rhee’s education nonprofit StudentsFirst to drop Tennessee state Rep. John Ragan and rescind his “Reformer of the Year” designation. As Salon previously reported, Ragan was the... more »

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

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: [image: gears] ELA or Math support classes, fun for everyone! by Chalk Face, PhD If you’re not necessarily enjoying school, guess what? You’re going to love it now when you are enrolled in an ELA/Math support class. Yes, that’s right, all of the low kids, all in one place, at one time, you know, so we can identify you. Enjoy. Tagged: ela, farmingdale, math, support class Terrific Use of State Letterhead in New York by Jim Horn When we think creatively about any nonviolent means to eradicate, disrupt, quell, explode, destroy, demolish, or ot... more »

All Things Education: When the Common Core is old wine in new bottles

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

All Things Education: When the Common Core is old wine in new bottles: When the Common Core is old wine in new bottles by Rachel Levy I have been enjoying *Education Week*'s series about the Common Core Standards in action. The second article depicts classroom practice in a DCPS middle school Language Arts classroom. I found this post especially intriguing--I felt like a fly on the wall reading it. This is what impresses me: First of all, it does seem like the teacher has a certain amount of freedom--not much of the what (the curriculum), or the how is being dictated. It does see... more »

All Things Education: When the Common Core is old wine in new bottles

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Justice for Our Neighborhood Schools - Press Conference & Rally

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Justice for Our Neighborhood Schools - Press Conference & Rally: NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!!! We are moving FORWARD with the lawsuit to stop the school closures in the Sacramento City Unified School District! Join students, parents, Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP), the South Sac cmty and Civil Rights Attorney Mark Merin next TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2013 AT 4PM at the SACRAMENTO FEDERAL COURTHOUSE (501 " I " Street, Sacramento, CA 95814) as we file our lawsuit and stand united against SCUSD's intentional discrimination and violation of our cmty civil rights!!! This press conference and ral... more »

Bobby Kennedy, Roy Lichtenstein, and the Horrors of 1968 |

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Bobby Kennedy, Roy Lichtenstein, and the Horrors of 1968 |: Bobby Kennedy, Roy Lichtenstein, and the Horrors of 1968 by Angus Johnston In the spring of 1968 Robert F. Kennedy was running an insurgent anti-war candidacy for the presidency of the United States. Late to declare and hobbled by an archaic Democratic Party nominating system (the primaries would be dramatically revamped and expanded for 1972), the slain president’s younger brother had nonetheless by late May managed to garner huge attention, win a string of state contests, and — some argue — position himself for a shot at ... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-6-13 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] A Response to Rahm’s Unprecedented School Closures by dianerav Here the Reverend John Thomas eloquently refutes the Chicago Tribune’s editorial support for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s heartless decision to close dozens of neighborhood schools. The Tribune on one hand praises the teachers who saved the lives of their students. But then condemns the teachers of Chicago for refusing to accept the closure of their schools and just leave quietly. Here is an excerpt: “Unlike... more »

Trumball School’s historic WPA murals threatened by CPS. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Trumball School’s historic WPA murals threatened by CPS. | Fred Klonsky: Trumball School’s historic WPA murals threatened by CPS. by Fred Klonsky Popout. Of the many outrages connected to the largest public school closings in American history, we may now be adding to the list the destruction of part of the city’s cultural heritage. CPS has one of the country’s largest collections of WPA-era murals. Over the past decade these murals have been in the process of restoration after

Corporations Hijack the First Amendment | toteachornototeach

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Corporations Hijack the First Amendment | toteachornototeach: Corporations Hijack the First Amendment by aristotlethewise *The Right to Evade Regulation How corporations hijacked the First Amendment* by Tim Wu Every time you fill a prescription at a drug store like Walgreens, the pharmacy keeps a record of the transaction, noting information such as your name, the drug, the dosage, and the issuing doctor. It’s a routine bit of bookkeeping, and for a long time it raised few eyebrows. Then a firm called IMS Health starting buying up the data. Mining pharmacy records, the company asse... more »

It’s about time! Reforming due process in Special Education | EdSource Today

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

It’s about time! Reforming due process in Special Education | EdSource Today: It’s about time! Reforming due process in Special Education - by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman by Miriam Kurtzig Freedman [image: Miriam Kurtzig Freedman] Miriam Kurtzig Freedman In the long saga of education reform, with all its talk, writing and action, Special Education has been largely on the back burner. Reformers seemed afraid to touch it—until now. The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) recently issued a ground-breaking and controversial report, Rethinking Special Education Due Process... more »

Obama ConnectED Initiative Aims To Get Classrooms Online

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Obama ConnectED Initiative Aims To Get Classrooms Online: Obama ConnectED Initiative Aims To Get Classrooms Online by Joy Resmovits [image: Obama Connected] President Barack Obama imagines a country where teachers know what's happening in their students' brains. He wants "teachers to have an ability to assess learning hour by hour and day by day," a senior White House official said Wednesday. "That vision ... is really not possible with the connectivity we have today." That's why on Thursday Obama will speak at a school in Mooresville, N.C., to unveil an initiative that adims to g... more »

Time to make Brown's school funding reforms work: Editorial - LA Daily News

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Time to make Brown's school funding reforms work: Editorial - LA Daily News: Time to make Brown's school funding reforms work: Editorial By Los Angeles News Group Posted: 06/04/2013 07:02:13 PM PDT Updated: 06/04/2013 07:03:54 PM PDT The new school funding formula proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown is a thoughtful approach, more logical and democratic than its predecessor, and a good start on reforming a broken system. Naturally, the response from leaders of many cash-starved local school districts has been: What's in it for us? Districts' concerns are not unreasonable. But as negot... more »

NYC Educator: June 2015

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

NYC Educator: June 2015: June 2015 by NYC Educator After two years of John King's brilliant new evaluation plan, every single teacher in NY has been fired, except for E4E members, who have now all moved into administration. With hundreds of new administrators having been hired, it proved very easy to do the observations required under King's decree. Mayor Christine Quinn commented, "This has been a tough transition. It's disappointing to discover that every single working teacher was ineffective, but it's important we put Students First, Always, and to that end, we are turning all... more »

Mother Crusader: The Many Guises Of K12 Inc. In New Jersey

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Mother Crusader: The Many Guises Of K12 Inc. In New Jersey: The Many Guises Of K12 Inc. In New Jersey by darciecima John Mooney over at NJ Spotlight wrote a great piece yesterday about Commissioner Cerf's stunning denial of K12 Inc.'s New Jersey Virtual Academy Charter School (NJVACS). In the "Related Links" he included NJVACS Board President Michael Pallante's response letter, which was not only pretty spicy, it was pretty revealing, too. However, despite making ourselves available to you and your staff at every turn, attending every training, *providing testimony at Board and l... more »

Schooling in the Ownership Society: In L.A. a shift at the top of school takeover group

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Schooling in the Ownership Society: In L.A. a shift at the top of school takeover group: In L.A. a shift at the top of school takeover group by Mike Klonsky Broad-trained Sullivan takes over as head of L.A. "turnaround" groupOutgoing Mayor Villaraigosa pulled a fast one on newly-elected mayor Eric Garcetti. He brought in a new manager, trained by the Broad Foundation, to run the corporate reform/school privatization group, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, less than a month before Garcetti was to be sworn in as mayor. Joan Sullivan, currently Villaraigosa's deputy mayor for educ... more »

A critique of how DCPS is implementing Common Core

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

A critique of how DCPS is implementing Common Core: A critique of how DCPS is implementing Common Core By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 6, 2013 at 5:00 amE-mail the writer 4 Comments More [image: (commoncore.org)_] (corestandards.org) Education Week is now publishing reporter Catherine Gewertz’ interesting four-part series chronicling how D.C. Public Schools is implementing the Common Core State Standards. Here’s a critique of the approach DCPS is taking in this task, by Lisa Hansel is the director of communications for the Core Knowledge Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the id... more »

Google Hangout: Students Talk Social Media in Education Student Voice

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Student Voice: Google Hangout: Students Talk Social Media in Education by admin *About the Student Voice Google Hangouts* Student Voice is launching an On Air Google Hangout series that will bring together students and other stakeholders in the education field for a face to face conversation. The hangouts will allow students to connect with their peers from across the globe and present action-oriented conversation to the Student Voice community that expands upon the 140 characters of our weekly #StuVoice Twitter chats. *Learning in the 21st Century: Social Media in Education* Stud... more »

RALLY THURS 3:30PM – Castlemont High Staff, Teachers, Students Outraged by Neglect and Threats of Closure | Classroom Struggle

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

RALLY THURS 3:30PM – Castlemont High Staff, Teachers, Students Outraged by Neglect and Threats of Closure | Classroom Struggle: RALLY THURS 3:30PM – Castlemont High Staff, Teachers, Students Outraged by Neglect and Threats of Closure by ClassroomStruggle This press release was sent to us by staff at Castlemont who are organizing a rally with students to demand the district provide them with equitable resources and a guarantee their school wil not be closed. They are asking for supporters to join them for their rally at 3:30pm tomorrow. More information follows… *FOR IMMEDIATE RELE... more »

Teacher Pension Funds Hit District Budgets, Fordham Report Says

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Teacher Pension Funds Hit District Budgets, Fordham Report Says: Teacher Pension Funds Hit District Budgets, Fordham Report Says by Joy Resmovits [image: Teacher Pension Funds Fordham] School districts across the country are so hobbled by the recession that they've increased class sizes, closed buildings and scaled back pre-kindergarten programs. Some have closed for summer a month early. Despite an economic recovery, the worst days are yet to come, according to a new report. Unfunded liabilities from teacher pensions have been eating away at school district budgets. And because o... more »

The Educated Reporter: New Report: High School Graduation Rate Continues Uptick, Nears 75 percent

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

The Educated Reporter: New Report: High School Graduation Rate Continues Uptick, Nears 75 percent: New Report: High School Graduation Rate Continues Uptick, Nears 75 percent by Emily Richmond The nation’s high school graduation rate is approaching 75 percent, its highest rate in 40 years, according to a new report from Education Week. Of course, that good news must be tempered with a sobering statistic – an estimated 1 million students will fail to graduate this year, a loss of 5,500 students for every day on the academic calendar. The annual Diplomas Count report tracks graduatio... more »

‘Hope Against Hope’: A community’s painful struggle over school reform

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

‘Hope Against Hope’: A community’s painful struggle over school reform: ‘Hope Against Hope’: A community’s painful struggle over school reform By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 5, 2013 at 11:00 pmE-mail the writer 0 Comments More [image: hope]In her new book, veteran education journalist Sarah Carr attempts to tell the controversial story of New Orleansschools post-Hurricane Katrina from the ground up, focusing primarily on affected families and educators. “Hope Against Hope: Three Schools, One City, and the Struggle to Educate America’s Children” tracks a struggling family at one ... more »

Update and Next Steps to Rebuild Adult Ed | Classroom Struggle

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Update and Next Steps to Rebuild Adult Ed | Classroom Struggle: Update and Next Steps to Rebuild Adult Ed by ClassroomStruggle Dear supporters of Classroom Struggle and Public Education in Oakland, We won $1 million dollars for Adult Ed! This is definitely a partial victory, and we should celebrate this, since it was direct action and leadership on the part of parents and teachers which won it. But we also need to be clear about the limitations of every victory. Thank you all for coming out on Wednesday, 5/22. We have included a detailed overview of what happened on at the school bo... more »

Remembering Bobby - The Greatest Speech Ever - Robert F Kennedy Announcing The Death Of Mart...

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

April 4th, 1968 Martin Luther King was shot and killed. On that night, Robert F Kennedy, New York's senator back then, wanted to deliver the news to the people of Indianapolis, IN Local police warned him, they won't be able to provide protection if the people wold riot because he was in the heart of the African-American ghetto. He wrote his notes on his ride and started the speech without any drafts or prewritten words before his assistance would give him their proposed draft. This speech was delivered on a back of a Flatbed truck. Although all major cities had riots, Indianapolis... more »

Daily Kos: Leadership for Educational Equity - the master plan for Teach for America

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Daily Kos: Leadership for Educational Equity - the master plan for Teach for America: Leadership for Educational Equity - the master plan for Teach for America by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) Those who have been paying attention know that some years ago Teach for America ceased being an organization providing bright students from good colleges to fill in at schools where there were a lack of certified teachers to being an organization that serves as a way-station on the way to other careers. What many may not realize is how formalized this has become, not merely with the prefere... more »

A Special Message to Grown Ups. Love, Kids

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Who will cure cancer? Who will solve the energy crisis or lead our country in the Oval Office? Every kid should have the chance! Early education, healthy foods and challenging, fun classes are just a few of the ingredients we need so all kids have an opportunity to learn and succeed. Join the Opportunity to Learn Campaign and help ensure every kid has the same chance. National Opportunity to Learn Campaign: https://www.facebook.com/OpportunityT... Visit to learn more: http://soulpancake.com/opportunitygap

Parents and students rip Ohio school board over creationism proposal | The Raw Story

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Parents and students rip Ohio school board over creationism proposal | The Raw Story: Parents and students rip Ohio school board over creationism proposal by Eric W. Dolan [image: Ohio student screenshot] Parents and students in Ohio on Tuesday spoke out against a proposal that would allow creationism to be taught in biology classes. “It’s not fair that you would teach or have a teacher give their opinion on creationism because it’s such a subjective thing. You can’t give an objective viewpoint on any of them and, ultimately, I don’t feel like any of the people here are prepared or... more »

California to receive largest share of proposed Universal Preschool funds | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

California to receive largest share of proposed Universal Preschool funds | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: California to receive largest share of proposed Universal Preschool funds by Deepa Fernandes [image: California Children's Academy Budget Cuts Preschool Education] *Josiah Robinson, left, and Tiffany Morales play before nap time at Jardín de Niños in Lincoln Heights.; Credit: Mae Ryan/KPCC* California is expected to receive the most federal funding of any state in the country under President Obama's "Preschool For All" proposal. The state will receive $334 million for the first year to... more »

Ed Notes Online: Who Do You Trust, Your Principal or Your 3rd Graders?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Who Do You Trust, Your Principal or Your 3rd Graders?: Who Do You Trust, Your Principal or Your 3rd Graders? by ed notes online *In the midst of shame: The single best evaluation I ever received and more value from a child than I ever got from a supervisor.* My vote goes to the 3rd graders -- hands down. I know we are all having some fun at this provision in the John King dictum and given the understanding that King's motives are designed to degrade the teacher, I would trust the views of kids about me as a teacher even though it can be oh so easy to manipulate th... more »

One of the Biggest Bullies — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

One of the Biggest Bullies — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Richard Cardillo]One of the Biggest Bullies June 5, 2013 by Richard Cardillo The vast majority of our work at the National School Climate Center (NSCC) revolves around three core efforts: - Assessment of school climate; - Transformational work with schools and districts to promote school climate improvement; and - Sustainability efforts that promote policy, encourage and empower new leaders, and support research. Yet, when I first speak to people about what we do, the inevitable conclusio... more »

NCLB's Critical Design Flaw and the Lesson to Take :: Frederick M. Hess

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

NCLB's Critical Design Flaw and the Lesson to Take :: Frederick M. Hess: NCLB's Critical Design Flaw and the Lesson to Take *by Frederick M. Hess • Jun 5, 2013 at 4:20 pm Cross-posted from Education Week* Print Send RSS [image: Share] Share So, looks like we're getting back into NCLB reauthorization mode. I laid out some of the broad context on Monday. While nobody is thrilled with NCLB, there are concerns that the Senate Republicans are going to go too far in "retreating" from the appropriate federal role. Today, I want to set aside for the moment philosophical arguments about th... more »

Diane in the Evening 6-5-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: More about Michael Weston on This Teacher-Run Site by dianerav This website was created by teachers for teachers. It alerted me to Michael Weston’s firing by his principal in Hillsborough Country, Florida. Should Teachers Have Freedom of Speech? Hillsborough County, Florida, Says No by dianerav Teacher Mike Weston is running for school board. He teaches math at Freedom High in Hillsborough County, Florida. That is, he used to teach math at Freedom High. He was fired by his principal. Freedom High doesn’t think highly... more »

The Disturbing Inequities of the New Normal | School Finance 101

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

The Disturbing Inequities of the New Normal | School Finance 101: The Disturbing Inequities of the New Normal by schoolfinance101 I wrote a post a while back, providing an overview of the basics of state school finance formulas, reforms and why they matter. I revisit this post having how conducted more extensive analysis of the retreat from school funding equity over the period from 2005 through 2011 (most recent available federal school finance data). Let’s begin with a review of my previous post. *School Funding Formula Basics* Modern state school finance formulas – aid distribut... more »

Don’t blame Mississippi’s working moms for state’s education woes | Hechinger Report

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

Don’t blame Mississippi’s working moms for state’s education woes | Hechinger Report: Don’t blame Mississippi’s working moms for state’s education woes by Liz Willen Let’s take a hard look at some facts about education in the poor and largely rural state of Mississippi. Nearly seven percent of adults in the state have less than a ninth-grade education. At least 15 percent of all adults in the state are illiterate, with the percentage approaching twice that in some of the state’s poorest and most rural counties. Gov. Phil Bryant [image: Gov. Phil Bryant]The state ranks 48th in an annu... more »

The End of the Beginning for Common Core | Jay P. Greene's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

The End of the Beginning for Common Core | Jay P. Greene's Blog: The End of the Beginning for Common Core The folks at Pioneer have landed another blow against Common Core in the mainstream Conservative press. This time Jim Stergios and Jamie Gass have a lengthy piece in the *Weekly Standard* detailing the start of troubles for Common Core, both substantively and politically. This follows on a piece by Gass and Charles Chieppo in the *Wall Street Journal* earlier this week. A central part of the strategy for Common Core was to create the impression that it was inevitable, so ever... more »

To Infini-Pie and Beyond! — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

To Infini-Pie and Beyond! — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Walter McKenzie]To Infini-Pie and Beyond! June 5, 2013 by Walter McKenzie We baby boomers grew up in an age of finite pie. There was only one pie and it could be divided into only so many slices. Even our pie graphs represent the totality of the resources we have to work with. There's only so much pie to go around. And the implications play out in how we think, act and define success. If you only have one finite pie, what flavor is it? How many people can it serve? How small can you make the slices? What ... more »

Making Demands | Taking Note

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Making Demands | Taking Note: Making Demands by John Merrow If you were regional sales manager for, say, washing machines, auto parts or lawn fertilizer, you might insist on performance guarantees from your sales reps, perhaps with the promise of bonuses for superior performance. But suppose you were a school superintendent? What guarantees would be appropriate to demand from your principals? I pose the question because some former principals in Washington, DC, recently shared their correspondence with former Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee. Here are two examples, one of which uses... more »

Is democracy essentially utopian? | Deborah Meier on Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Is democracy essentially utopian? | Deborah Meier on Education: Is democracy essentially utopian? by debmeier In arguing with Mike Petrilli on Bridging Differences (you can get there by clicking to your left) on the centrality of democracy as the function of Public Education (and ideally of independent ad private schools too) I’m perhaps presenting a marginal viewpoint. Yes, there is a time and place, for preparing oneself for a articular vocation. But most of the habits of work and mind (and heart) that democracy rests on will go along way to making people good at their jobs too.... more »

Pay More, Get Less: The Malloy/Pryor Approach to Problem Solving: - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Pay More, Get Less: The Malloy/Pryor Approach to Problem Solving: - Wait, What?: Pay More, Get Less: The Malloy/Pryor Approach to Problem Solving: by jonpelto The goal is helping Connecticut’s 30 Alliance School Districts. These are the districts that face the greatest academic challenges because they have higher levels of poverty, a more significant number of students who face language barriers due to their lack of English language skills and districts with the largest number of special educations students. Helping these districts succeed requires that the state to provide them ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Let's Ask Arne

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Let's Ask Arne: Let's Ask Arne by Melissa Westbrook I'm not actually sure who wrote this letter but Senator Tom Harkin is being urged to ask Sec. of Education Arne Duncan these questions. You can too by e-mailing the Secretary at *arne*.*duncan*@ed.gov "How many of your staffers have worked for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation? Who are they, and why did you hire them? "What role did these staffers and Bill Gates have on the formulation of the RTTT mandates? "How much classroom teaching experience do the principal authors of the RTTT mandate... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, June 5, 2013

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Harkin to Introduce Schools Legislation - NYTimes.com* Education Headlines *Wednesday, June 5, 2013* Wasco schools merger failsVoters in Wasco on Tuesday voted not to merge the Wasco Union Elementary School District and the Wasco Union High School District. Salinas superintendent Donna Vaughan remembered for her compassionate leadershipWhen Donna Alonzo Vaughan took the reins of the Salinas City Elementary School District in 2004, the 8,000-student district was facing a $5 million deficit and a possible state takeover. Lodi Uni...more »

Education bill rewrite would protect gay students - Yahoo! News

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Education bill rewrite would protect gay students - Yahoo! News: Education bill rewrite would protect gay students[image: Associated Press] By PHILIP ELLIOTT | Associated Press – 9 hrs ago - Email - Share37 - - - - Print - [image: FILE - In this March 22, 2013 file photo, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. Senate Democrats are introducing legislation that would replace the one-sized-fits-all national standards of No Child Left Behind with ones that states write for themselves. Harkin on Tuesday was ready to...more »

Jersey Jazzman: Are We Winning Against Corporate Reform in NJ?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: Are We Winning Against Corporate Reform in NJ?: Are We Winning Against Corporate Reform in NJ? by Duke I really don't want to get my hopes up too much, but the last day has brought two stunning pieces of news. The first is that virtual charters in New Jersey have been halted: State Education Commissioner Chris Cerf yesterday told the organizers of two proposed online charter schools that he would not grant them the final approval needed to open next fall. The decision comes as something of a surprise. A year ago the two charters -- a K-12 school in Newark and a ... more »

All Things Education: Virginia ed tech is for ed testing

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

All Things Education: Virginia ed tech is for ed testing: Virginia ed tech is for ed testing by Rachel Levy The high-stakes testing season in Virginia is drawing to a close. I'll probably have more to say later about this year's testing season, but in the meantime I wanted to address this *Washington Post *article about Virginia being a "model" for the nation when it comes to on-line testing: All Virginia students will have to log on to a computer to take this year’s Standards of Learning tests, making Virginia one of the only states to wholly abandon the nearly ubiquitous paper-a... more »

Hack for America | EduShyster

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Hack for America | EduShyster: Hack for America by edushyster2012 What if there were a way to replace old, non-excellent teachers with fresh new ones—and best of all, make sure that the new teachers remain freshly excellent? Great news reader! The problem that has long stifled our public schools, causing our students to lag and languish, has at last been solved. The solution comes to us via an opinion writer at the *Boston Globe* who *gets* that if you let teachers hang around for too long their excellence depletes and they get stale. The model may be changing. It could be that a l... more »

Ohio may OK public school religion credits | Cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Ohio may OK public school religion credits | Cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com: Ohio may OK public school religion creditsPublic high schools would hold classes off-campus Jun. 1, 2013 | 4 Comments - - - - - - - - - - - A - A - [image: John Lowder, a missionary in Corbin, Ky, guides a religious class on the converted bus during the school day. Public school students are allowed 'release time' to learn about their faith away from school.] John Lowder, a missionary in Corbin, Ky, guides a religious class on the... more »

UPDATE: Suspending disbelief. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Suspending disbelief. | Fred Klonsky: Chicago mommy union. by Fred Klonsky Popout Suspending disbelief. by Fred Klonsky [image: the_fast__furious_4_photos[1]]I saw the first *Fast and Furious* movie with Vin Diesel. I think we are up to six or twelve. Something like that. The first one was try stupid. I don’t imagine they have gotten better. Fans of the series will tell me that I need to* suspend my disbelief.* But there are limits. Recently Anne and I went to see *The Great Gatsby* in 3D. I haven’t seen a movie in 3D since the Sixties. But the new technology made it harder for me to ... more »

AIN'T IT THE TRUTH!!! We’re not doing enough to engage parents, even though it improves achievement | Hechinger Report

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

We’re not doing enough to engage parents, even though it improves achievement | Hechinger Report: We’re not doing enough to engage parents, even though it improves achievement from Hechinger Report by Jonah Edelman These days, the battle over public school is more pitched than ever. A veteran journalist told us that, in a 30-year career, he’s never covered an issue that provokes as much disagreement and rancor as education. Graduates of Stand University for Parents in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo courtesy Stand for Children) [image: Graduates of Stand University for Parents in Phoenix, A... more »

We need you to speak up for our little DREAMers | Lily's Blackboard

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

We need you to speak up for our little DREAMers | Lily's Blackboard: We need you to speak up for our little DREAMers by Lily [image: Lily's Blackboard Rotating Header Image] Call this number: 1-866-632-6057 Just call it. Really. Just do it. You call, and something amazing happens. You call, and the National Education Association through some sort of technomagical stuff I will simply never understand and never want to will connect you with someone *who has the power of granting a child’s most cherished dream.* *But you have to call: 1-866-632-6057* Wednesday (June 5th) and Thursday (...more »