Big Education Ape: Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-22-13 #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2

James Baldwin said it best:

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."

A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP

Seattle Schools Community Forum: From the Seattle Council PTSA

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 minutes ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: From the Seattle Council PTSA: From the Seattle Council PTSA by Melissa Westbrook *Thank you* *to Lauren McGuire, her Board and all those who serve on PTA Boards. * It's a busy and sometimes tough job so thank you for your time and efforts. Lauren is a kind, calm and dedicated person (and is also a good sport). Her letter to members: Dear Seattle PTA and PTSA Members, Summer is here! I hope you all find time to spend with your kids and enjoy some recreational time. Before I sign off as Seattle Council PTSA President, I'd like to thank the c... more »

Ed Notes Online: Leonie: Mayoral Candidate Pledges on hot-button ed issues - Thompson Finishes Last

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 minutes ago

Ed Notes Online: Leonie: Mayoral Candidate Pledges on hot-button ed issues - Thompson Finishes Last: Leonie: Mayoral Candidate Pledges on hot-button ed issues - Thompson Finishes Last by ed notes online Another right on post from Leonie Haimson: *UPDATED: Here are scanned copies of the signed pledges of each of the candidates, responding whether they would support each one of our demands. If the next mayor is one of these individuals, you can be sure we will hold them to their promises! Sal Albanese (D), Adolpho Carrion Jr (I), Bill de Blasio (D),Anthony Gronowicz (G), John L... more »

Diane in the Evening 6-22-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Will Kevin Huffman Cut His Own Pay? by dianerav When Kevin Huffman was sworn in as state commissioner in Tennessee, he was offered a salary of $200,000 a year, 11% more than his predecessor. Granted that he believes experience and degrees are worthless, wouldn’t an else yak sense of fairness compel him to cut his salary, having cut salaries of teachers across the state? After all, a teacher with a masters and a doctorate and 20 years experience will make less than $60,000. Who provides greater value? *LISTEN T... more »

6-22-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: End slacktivism in education by Chalk Face, PhD I modeled this image off of a very poignant UNICEF campaign, that “liking” Facebook pages and groups, while important initially, fails to do anything of real substance. There is indeed a lot of this same bluster in education. Maybe we need to end slacktivism in education as well. Facebook likes won’t end high-stakes testing. They […] *All Week 6-22-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER* mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: [image: gears... more »

Koch Brothers Exposed

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

*Koch Brothers Exposed* *Documentary detailing the crimes of the Koch brothers and the hijacking of US politics.*

Indiana suing firm over standardized-testing problems

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Indiana suing firm over standardized-testing problems: Indiana suing firm over standardized-testing problems By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 22, 2013 at 1:13 pmE-mail the writer 0 Comments More [image: (By Sarah Garland)] (By Sarah Garland) The state of Indiana is suing CTB/McGraw-Hill following problems last month when students were taking standardized tests online. Nearly 80,000 students were affected when their computers froze during the testing, the results of which are used to evaluate teachers and schools. Indiana was one of several states that reported numerous problems with... more »

New documentary sheds light on U.S. ‘juvenile lifers’ | The Raw Story

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

New documentary sheds light on U.S. ‘juvenile lifers’ | The Raw Story: New documentary sheds light on U.S. ‘juvenile lifers’ By Agence France-Presse Saturday, June 22, 2013 12:57 EDT [image: Juvenile lockup facility via AFP] Topics: Brian Draper ♦ Cassie Jo Stoddart ♦ Joshua Rofe Jacob Ind got the idea of killing his mother and stepfather, at the tender age of 15, from a friend who came over to his Colorado house one day and remarked how his mom was such a “bitch”. Torey Adamcik and Brian Draper, both 16 at the time, took inspiration from the Wes Craven horror movie “Scream” when t... more »

Perdido Street School: The ELA Regents Exam: Set Up By The Regents And The NYSED To Fail Both Students And Teachers

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Perdido Street School: The ELA Regents Exam: Set Up By The Regents And The NYSED To Fail Both Students And Teachers: The ELA Regents Exam: Set Up By The Regents And The NYSED To Fail Both Students And Teachers by reality-based educator There are two good pieces on the brutal scoring chart that the NYSED and Regents are using for the 2013 June ELA Regents exam. Gotham Schools covered the story yesterday: Bronx Center for Science and Math Assistant Principal Stephen Seltzer sent a letter to State Education Commissioner John King expressing frustration about the new conversion chart ... more »

PD planning | Connected Principals

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

PD planning | Connected Principals: PD planning by Amber Teamann [image: bb-staff-development]This was cross posted from Technically yours, Teamann. Had the privilege of meeting Brian Pete and Robin Fogarty at ASCD in FL a few years ago. Their session on training was probably one of the best I’d ever been too! If you haven’t ever heard of them, they have two books that I highly recommend. From Staffroom to Classroom, I & II. They give you a number of ways to conduct training with your staff that the teachers can then turn around and use in the classroom. It serves a dual purpose…gi... more »

Jersey Jazzman: The Rhee-Energence of Rhee

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: The Rhee-Energence of Rhee: The Rhee-Energence of Rhee by Duke Does it seem to you that Michelle Rhee has been keeping a low profile lately? After the abysmal failure of her book (in spite of a dream publicity tour), the stunning revaluations about her role in the Washington, D.C.cheating scandal, and StudentsFirsts's endorsement of an anti-gay crusader, Rhee hasn't made much of a peep these last few weeks. Well, it turns out she's like this brood of cicadas we've got here in Jersey: just give her a little time, and she's sure to pop up somewhere... The annual Chart... more »

Hogwarts University for Education Reform | EduShyster

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Hogwarts University for Education Reform | EduShyster: Hogwarts University for Education Reform by edushyster2012 What if there was a way to combine the two fiercest urgencies of today: college preparation and reforming our failed and failing public schools? Reader: I’ve got some great news. Pack up the beer pong table and the Mötley Crüe poster—we’re headed to college. Welcome to50CAN University, the college for people who want to put other people on a path to college. *Meet the faculty* The most important part of any higher education experience is the drinking games and the casual ... more »

UPDATE Saturday coffee. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Saturday coffee. | Fred Klonsky: Saturday coffee. by Fred Klonsky [image: extralarge] Reading the reports of a million demonstrators in streets of Brazillian cities this past week, it is hard not to think of my own city. Protesters chanted, *“When your son is ill, take him to the stadium.”* And, *“Any good teacher is worth more than Neymar,”* in reference to the Brazillian soccer star. And my favorite. *“The people, united, are a gigantic bunch of dudes.”* Money on sports stadiums instead of schools? Wait. Are we talking abou Rich white people get married. by Fred Klonsky [image: ch20... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-22-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Student: Why Is There Money for Teating But Not For Music? by dianerav I received the following email: Hi, Dr. Ravitch: I am a film teacher at a Buffalo Public School (www.cityhonors.org) and one of my students made a video on her own time about the draconian cuts that the Buffalo Public Schools is making with its instrumental music program. This is a direct effect of the per pupil funding that has been instituted in the BPS. I thought you might like to see it. ... more »

“those teachers are failures” | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

“those teachers are failures” | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: “those teachers are failures” by Gary Rubinstein It is nearly July which means that it is the time of year, again, where I offer my unsolicited, and generally unwanted, analysis of some of the blog entries by the newest cohort of TFA corps members. I generally take a lot of criticism for doing this, even from people who regularly read my blog. Mainly this is because people don’t understand my intentions or because they don’t believe that my intentions are what I say they are. So, for the record: I am not trying to pass jud... more »

Condensing high school to three years | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Condensing high school to three years | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Get Schooled: Condensing high school to three years View Larger [image: Grads] Should we give high school students easier routes to graduate in three years? Previous Posts - Common Core, common politics: Can someone throw a bucket of water on Cobb board? June 21, 2013 - New president for Fort Valley State University June 21, 2013 - Federal guidelines on school safety: Don't arm educators June 20, 2013 By Maureen Downey While few teens graduate high school in three years -- around 3 percent... more »

Privacy Advocates Take Heed! | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Privacy Advocates Take Heed! | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Privacy Advocates Take Heed! by crazycrawfish Recently I (as well as a dozen or so student and parent activists) testified at the June 18th Louisiana BESE meeting about our concerns related to the inBloom data sharing and selling project Superintendent John White secretly entered into on behalf of all Louisiana citizens. Our spot came up 4 hours late, and without an outcry from one of our tireless privacy advocates named Debbie Sachs would have been pushed back another 3 hours or postponed to another day (when most of us would ... more »

Daily Kos: A different kind of Saturday Morning reflection

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Daily Kos: A different kind of Saturday Morning reflection: A different kind of Saturday Morning reflection by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) it involves school, but not from the perspective of the teacher. As I write this, I sit in the lobby of the Courtyard Marriott in Rye, NY. This is one of the hotels for the event I am attending this weekend, the 50th Reunion of the class of 1963, Mamaroneck (NY) High School. There are others staying here, some are staying with families or friends (a number of our classmates still live in the area). Last night we had a dinner, with a DJ, and ... more »

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 6-22-13

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

*4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:* *4LAKIDS - SOME OF THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T FIT* A thru G: LAUSD STUDYING NEW CURRICULUM PLANS + smf’s 2¢ smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 14 hours ago By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, LA Daily News | Pasadena Star-News http://bit.ly/16mWxxx 06/20/2013 06:03:21 PM PDT Los Angeles Unified's incoming freshmen class will be the first that will have to pass a rigorous college-prep curriculum with a "C" in order to get a diploma, which has district officials scrambling to identify and replicate successful programs that can g... more »

This Week's Education Research Report 6-22-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Education Research Report *THIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT* * * Effectiveness of Cognitive Tutor Algebra I at Scale Jonathan Kantrowitz at Education Research Report - 21 hours ago This article examines the effectiveness of a technology-based algebra curriculum in a wide variety of middle schools and high schools in seven states. Participating schools were matched into similar pairs and randomly assigned to either continue with the current algebra curriculum for two years or to adopt Cognitive Tutor Algebra I (CTAI), which uses a personalized, mastery-learning, blended-learning ... more »

All Week 6-22-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: [image: gears] Good friend “Teacher Nicole” from WI explains common in #commoncore Chalk Face, PhD at @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER - 20 hours ago Here’s her post on CCSS, as an actual educator for ELL/ESL students. We’ve interviewed her on At the Chalk Face, I need to dig those up. Look back here later. She’s great. Tagged: at the chalk face, common core, nicole, WI education activists gather, talk, strategize: reclaim the conversation Barbara Madeloni at @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER - 21 hours ago On May 4, 2013 a group of ed... more »

On the scene for the last day of Germantown High School's life (1914-2013) | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

On the scene for the last day of Germantown High School's life (1914-2013) | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: On the scene for the last day of Germantown High School's life (1914-2013) by thenotebook on Jun 21 2013 Posted in Latest news Photo: Bas Slabbers/NewsWorks Many teachers donned "GTown '13" T-shirts; it was a way to show pride in the staff, students, leadership and the community. *by Aaron Moselle and Brian Hickey for NewsWorks* Jenia Jolley stood on the shoulder of East High Street and snapped a second photo of Germantown High School. The first was taken earlier in the mor... more »

LAUSD: THE WAR ON ART OR THE ART OF WAR ON PUBLIC EDUCATION? - Perdaily.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

LAUSD: THE WAR ON ART OR THE ART OF WAR ON PUBLIC EDUCATION? - Perdaily.com: LAUSD: THE WAR ON ART OR THE ART OF WAR ON PUBLIC EDUCATION? by Leonard Isenberg [image: The Art of War.jpg] (Mensaje se repite en Español) * * *Recently, I received the following query as to why I thought with the passage of Proposition 30, art programs have not been restored. Let me know if you agree or disagree with my answer and analysis of this question. * * "Lenny, do you think that the Arts have a legal remedy, since they have been picked on to a far greater extent, and Arts programs are not being re... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Letters to the Sun-Times

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Letters to the Sun-Times: Letters to the Sun-Times by Mike Klonsky Steven L. Kispetik, Portage Park *CPS closings devastating for my son * *Thank you so very much, Chicago Public Schools, for erasing all the progress my son has made with his behavioral/emotional disorders while at Near North Special Education School, which will be closed next week. The anxiety of the closing has caused him to revert to several of his old destructive and disobedient ways.** **Prior to the announcement of the school closing, he was doing the best he has ever done, with ... more »

Board Members Ask Deasy To Explain Himself - LA School Report

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Board Members Ask Deasy To Explain Himself - LA School Report: Board Members Ask Deasy To Explain Himself from LA School Report by Hillel Aron [image: John Deasy, left, Bennett Kayser, right, at a Jerry Brown-led press conference in May] John Deasy, left, Bennett Kayser, right, at a press conference in May Some members of the School Board have sent Superintendent John Deasy a letter asking him to clarify comments deriding a Board-passed spending resolution and indicating his plans to include a targeted funding resolution that was not passed by the Board. “They can’t stop me from doing... more »

Diane in the Evening 6-21-13 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: Today is the Day! 5 Million Page Views on This Blog by dianerav Today, the blog recorded 5 million page views! The blog started April 24, 2012. That’s about 14 months ago. Wow. As you know, the blog has no advertisements, no funding, and no staff. Just me. I plan to keep it that way. Thank you for making the blog a place where everyone who cares about improving education, defending childhood, respecting the dignity of the education profession, and supporting public education has a safe place to converse. Thank y... more »

Attracting the Best and Brightest to Teaching

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Attracting the Best and Brightest to Teaching: Attracting the Best and Brightest to Teaching by Richard Long Quick: List the most important jobs in America. Odds are “teacher” made that list. According to a Harris Interactive Poll, teachers ranked among the five most prestigious jobs in America. That is why Lee Iacocca, former president and CEO of Chrysler said, “In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest ... more »

NYC Educator: Ms. Tisch and the Brilliant Innovation

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

NYC Educator: Ms. Tisch and the Brilliant Innovation: Ms. Tisch and the Brilliant Innovation by NYC Educator Thank goodness we have Meryl Tisch making policy for us. In the old days, we would have students taking Regents exams, and kids would give the exams to their teachers. Then, the teachers would grade them. This was a terrible system. First of all, no technology was involved. Secondly, no corporations made money from this. And worst of all, every single teacher in the world is a lying, worthless, conniving. self-serving fraud who cares about nothing but appearance. Because of ... more »

National PTA installing first African American male president

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

National PTA installing first African American male president: National PTA installing first African American male president By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 21, 2013 at 1:10 pmE-mail the writer [image: Otha Thornton (PTA)] Otha Thornton (PTA) The National PTA is installing its first African American male and a veteran of the Iraq war as its president this weekend. Otha Thornton, a senior operations analyst with General Dynamics in Fort Stewart, Ga., and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, will become the leader of the National Parent Teacher Association after years of being in... more »