Latest News and Comment from Education

Show All

Friday, June 28, 2013

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-28-13 #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


Jersey Jazzman: Congratulations Gary Rubinstein and Arthur Goldstein!

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 minutes ago
Jersey Jazzman: Congratulations Gary Rubinstein and Arthur Goldstein!: Congratulations Gary Rubinstein and Arthur Goldstein! by Duke *h/t Mother Crusader* Last week, the eldest Jazzboy graduated from one of New Jersey's pubic high schools: you know, the schools of which Education Commissioner Chris Cerf says: This data “will make clear that *there are a number of schools out there that perhaps are a little bit too satisfied with how they are doing* when compared with how other schools serving similar populations are doing." The Jazzboy's own high school is so overhyped that he wil... more »

Connecticut Superior Court orders Paul Vallas removed as Bridgeport Superintendent - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 minutes ago
Connecticut Superior Court orders Paul Vallas removed as Bridgeport Superintendent - Wait, What?: Connecticut Superior Court orders Paul Vallas removed as Bridgeport Superintendent Send Paul Vallas Over *Read the decision here:** http://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/DocumentInquiry/DocumentInquiry.aspx?DocumentNo=6363104 *

Conservative Firebrand Bob Barr Makes Most Blistering Condemnation to Date of Common Core | Scathing Purple Musings

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Conservative Firebrand Bob Barr Makes Most Blistering Condemnation to Date of Common Core | Scathing Purple Musings: Conservative Firebrand Bob Barr Makes Most Blistering Condemnation to Date of Common Core by Bob Sikes Wow. Writing for the *Marietta Daily Journal*, Jon Gillooly has the story: MARIETTA — During the public comment portion of the Cobb Board of Education meeting Thursday, former Congressman Bob Barr of Smyrna blasted the controversial Common Core standards as a packed room of supporters cheered. The audience waving signs denouncing Common Core and wore T-shirts oppo... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Advanced Learning Service Delivery Models

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Advanced Learning Service Delivery Models: Advanced Learning Service Delivery Models by Charlie Mas The District will appoint a Task Force this fall to answer the question: *What service delivery model should we use for Advanced Learning?* It's a question that can have only one answer. There can be only one answer because there is a bigger question that takes precedence: *Will we deliver service or not?* Students and families don't care if they get no service from a small group instruction model or whether they get no service from a "walk to" model. ... more »

Remembering closing Philly schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Remembering closing Philly schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Remembering closing Philly schoolsby thenotebook on Jun 28 2013 Posted in Latest news ="" style="color: rgb(76, 153, 72); cursor: pointer; float: left; padding: 0px 2px;">Share on email COMMENTS (0)PRINT *by Sonia Giebel* In the wake of 24 school closings this year, photographer Zoe Strauss introduced the Philadelphia School Closings Photo Collective to document this unprecedented mass school closure. Various photographers have contributed to the collective, with hundreds of photos already posted. Seventeen sc... more »

New State Trustee for Inglewood Unified Schools - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
New State Trustee for Inglewood Unified Schools - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Appoints State Trustee for Inglewood Unified School District [image: Photo] INGLEWOOD—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today appointed Dr. Don Brann as State Trustee for the Inglewood Unified School District. "Bringing the district back to sound financial footing—so that it can continue serving students and their community—remains my top priority, and Don Brann has the experience and vision to make it happen," Torlakson said. "Dr. Brann will... more »

Two Pennsylvania Republican Lawmakers Introduce Strong Anti-Common Core Legislation | Scathing Purple Musings

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Two Pennsylvania Republican Lawmakers Introduce Strong Anti-Common Core Legislation | Scathing Purple Musings: Two Pennsylvania Republican Lawmakers Introduce Strong Anti-Common Core Legislation by Bob Sikes From *The Sentinel in Cumberlink.com*: The package of legislation, including bills authored by State Rep. Stephen Bloom, R-199, and State Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-89, seeks to prevent Pennsylvania’s schools from being forced to align curricula and assessment to unproven nationally-developed Common Core Standards which were never approved by full vetting and vote of the General As... more »

Diane in the Evening 6-28-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Breaking News: Connecticut Judge Rules Vallas Unqualified by dianerav This is a startling turn of events. A group of citizens in Bridgeport sued to oust Bridgeport Superintendent Paul Vallas because he lacked the credentials specified in state law to be a superintendent. Vallas has been superintendent of schools in Chicago, Philadelphia, and the Recovery School District in New Orleans. The mayor of Bridgeport and the school board approved his contract. But today Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis ruled that Va... more »

President nominates California attorney to lead civil rights office | EdSource Today

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
President nominates California attorney to lead civil rights office | EdSource Today: President nominates California attorney to lead civil rights office - by Kathryn Baron by Kathryn Baron By Kathryn Baron Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on print More Sharing Services [image: Catherine Lhamon, Director of Impact Litigation at Public Counsel Law Firm, is President Obama's nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. (Photo: Public Counsel Law Firm).] Catherine Lhamon, director of impact litigation at Public Counsel Law Firm, is Pr... more »

The Power of Latino Leadership: Culture, Inclusion and Contribution ~ Review « NewsTaco

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
The Power of Latino Leadership: Culture, Inclusion and Contribution ~ Review « NewsTaco: The Power of Latino Leadership: Culture, Inclusion and Contribution ~ Review by Melanie Mendez-Gonzales [image: image] Melanie Mendez-Gonzalez, Que Means What? Disclosure: Que Means What did receive a complimentary book to review as reviewing this book as part of a Condor Book Tour. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own. Bestselling author Juana Bordas has written a new book entitled *The Power of Latino Leadership: Culture, Inclusion and Contribution* and it is utterly ti... more »

What Do We Have in Common Core? #StudentVoice

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Student Voice: What Do We Have in Common Core? by Editor Admin Designed to create commonality, Common Core State Standards are, ironically, not commonly understood. In an area of educational policy that aims to combat common predicaments, much energy is being squandered combatting one another — energy that could potentially be harnessed to formulate solutions. Having said that, misunderstanding Common Core is not akin to misvaluing Common Core. After all, Common Core, like the majority of past educational reforms, is aiming at a goal held by all of us: improve the standard of edu... more »

Investing in our Future: The Impact of Federal Budget Decisions on Children | First Focus

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
Investing in our Future: The Impact of Federal Budget Decisions on Children | First Focus: Investing in our Future: The Impact of Federal Budget Decisions on Children CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY Search resources June 26, 2013 By Jared Solomon Download this Resource First Focus President Bruce Lesley testified at a June 26, 2013, hearing of the Senate Budget Committee. This first-of-its-kind hearing, chaired by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) examined the impacts of federal budget decisions on America's children. The attached document includes his testimony as prepared for delivery, as well ...more »

Principals Shift Focus to Learning — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
Principals Shift Focus to Learning — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Klea Scharberg]Principals Shift Focus to Learning June 28, 2013 by Klea Scharberg Principals are key in providing strong instructional leadership as a path to student achievement. This clip provides tips and focus questions for principals working with teachers to ensure good teaching is matched by student engagement, meaningful tasks, and, ultimately, student learning. Learn more with *ASCD Express*. Source: From *Leadership Strategies for Principals* (DVD), 2007, Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

NYC Public School Parents: CNN story on inBloom and important update: NYS districts must choose dashboards populated with inBloom data by fall

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
NYC Public School Parents: CNN story on inBloom and important update: NYS districts must choose dashboards populated with inBloom data by fall: CNN story on inBloom and important update: NYS districts must choose dashboards populated with inBloom data by fall by Leonie Haimson A CNN story about inBloom Inc. was posted this morning and will be aired at 3 PM tomorrow, Saturday June 29. I have also posted it below; please check it out. It contains an interview with Karen Sprowal, NYC parent activist, a short excerpt from ourBrooklyn town hall meeting, and comments from the CEO of inB... more »

Brown’s line-item vetoes eliminate equalization money for special ed SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Brown’s line-item vetoes eliminate equalization money for special ed Among the line-item vetoes imposed on the final state budget by Gov. Jerry Brown is one that will eliminate what was hoped to be a first step in equalizing funding among special education programs statewide. Just as the new budget seeks to streamline a complex funding system for schools overall, the 2013-14 spending plan also calls for consolidation of a number of programs and the elimination of restrictions on the use of that money. But because of long-standing provisions ... more »

This Week In Education: Thompson: What's New in the Latest CREDO Charter School Study?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
This Week In Education: Thompson: What's New in the Latest CREDO Charter School Study?: Thompson: What's New in the Latest CREDO Charter School Study? by john thompson [image: Coverstory1-1]The new CREDO study, National Charter School Study, 2013, shows that charter schools perform about the same as traditional public schools. This prompts the question of why "reformers" use charters as the default in improving urban schools. As Diane Ravitch asks in New Charter Study Shows Improvement, Raises Questions, given all the advantages they've been granted, why are charters not doing bette... more »

Tony Bennett’s “Assessment Regimen for Common Core” Evasion | Scathing Purple Musings

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Tony Bennett’s “Assessment Regimen for Common Core” Evasion | Scathing Purple Musings: Tony Bennett’s “Assessment Regimen for Common Core” Evasion by Bob Sikes Both Rick Scott and Tony Bennett have learned not to take on a room full of teachers by themselves. So when time came for yesterday’s roundtable discussion both were there to respond to 40 state teachers of the year. James Call of the *Florida Current *provides this comment from Bennett: “The implication of Common Core will be one of the largest policy implications lifts the states have engaged in the history of education,”... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, June 28, 2013

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Antonio Villaraigosa Leaves His Mark On L.A. Schools* Education Headlines *Friday, June 28, 2013* CVUSD adopts 'placeholder' budget, $14.7 million deficit could decreaseThe Coachella Valley Unified school board on Thursday adopted a budget with a $14.7 million deficit, which would nearly exhaust the district’s cash reserves. Oxnard School District introduces new superintendentCesar Morales will be the new Oxnard School District superintendent effective July 1, succeeding Jeff Chancer, who is retiring after leading the element... more »

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center: Best of the Ed Blogs *Best of the Ed Blogs* features a frequently updated selection of interesting and insightful blog posts on education policy. The views expressed by the bloggers on our blog roll are thoughtful, original, and entirely their own. We hope you make *Best of the Ed Blogs* your first stop for concise takes on today's most important education topics. Why These Students Disaffiliated from SFER National Best of the Ed Blogs Stephanie Rivera June 28, 2013 Debunking the Latest NY Daily News ‘Miracle School’ Best of ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Will Anyone Ask Chris Christie Some Real Questions?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: Will Anyone Ask Chris Christie Some Real Questions?: Will Anyone Ask Chris Christie Some Real Questions? by Duke *I don't need to answer anyone's questions! Just report my insults to teachers and go away!* So here we are, well into the summer campaign for New Jersey governor, and Chris Christie is already spouting utter nonsense: [NJ Governor Chris] Christie said parents must stand up to organizations who he said care more about pensions, wage increases, generous benefits packages and *summers off* than about extending quality education to all students. [emphasis m... more »

Going to Bed Hungry | Q&A | BillMoyers.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Going to Bed Hungry | Q&A | BillMoyers.com: Going to Bed Hungry April 5, 2013 by Theresa Riley The United States is the world’s wealthiest nation, yet we still have families and children who don’t have enough to eat. We caught up with Joel Berg of NYC’s Coalition Against Hunger to learn what it means to be food insecure and what we can do to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry. *Theresa Riley: What does it mean to be “food insecure”? How many American children now live in “food insecure” households?* Joel Berg *Joel Berg: *Food insecure means families don’t have enough money to ... more »

Student Loan Rates to Double on Monday as Congress Heads Home | NEA Today

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Student Loan Rates to Double on Monday as Congress Heads Home | NEA Today: Student Loan Rates to Double on Monday as Congress Heads Home by twalker *By Tim Walker and **Miguel Gonzalez* With student loan rates scheduled to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1, Congress is getting ready to leave town for the July 4 recess without taking action. Senators have introduced a one-year extension of the current interest rates in order to allow enough time to work out long-term solution. ““We urge Congress to put students before politics and put aside partisan bickering. Our st... more »

6-28-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: [image: gears] In Case You Were Wondering…? by Timothy D. Slekar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgPePk3kGZk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jKahlEKo0Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_fM_TBn_Do Follow Tim Slekar on Twitter: @slekar Center for American what? Progress? I don’t think so. @EdProgress by Chalk Face, PhD My behavior on social media differs from others. Folks claim RTs aren’t endorsements and that to me seems rather silly. Why would I propagate information and send it forward to followers if I don’t think it should be spread? Se...more »

Bush Foundation Snubs Florida Republican Senators Who Voted Against Parent Trigger | Scathing Purple Musings

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Bush Foundation Snubs Florida Republican Senators Who Voted Against Parent Trigger | Scathing Purple Musings: Bush Foundation Snubs Florida Republican Senators Who Voted Against Parent Trigger by Bob Sikes *Sunshine State News* chief legal correspondent Eric Giunta has become the go-to journalist when Jeb Bush’ Foundation for Excellence in Education (FEE) wants to get something out there. One only needs to consider hishit piece on the parent advocate groups who opposed Parent Trigger and this similarly themed spin on Fund Education Now. Giunta carries FEE’s water again today in pu... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-28-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Maureen Reedy: Great News for Brooklyn’s Chess Champions! by dianerav Ohio master teacher Maureen Reedy has great news for the championship chess team at I.S. 318 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She writes: Great news! The national championship chess team of I.S. 318, a public school with a high poverty rate in NYC, will live on! Please consider a contribution to combine with the $20,000 being raised by the tireless efforts of my friend, Fred Tennessee Parents and Tea... more »

Daily Kos: Charter Schools, the Invisible Hand, and Gutless Political Leadership

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Daily Kos: Charter Schools, the Invisible Hand, and Gutless Political Leadership: Charter Schools, the Invisible Hand, and Gutless Political Leadership by rss@dailykos.com (plthomasEdD) Billy Pilgrim becomes unstuck in time in Kurt Vonnegut's * Slaughterhouse-Five*. Billy's experience introduces readers to Tralfamadorians: The creatures were friendly, and they could see in four dimensions. They pitied Earthlings for being able to see only three. They had many wonderful things to teach Earthlings, especially about time....The Tralfamadorians can look at all the different moments ju... more »

Perdido Street School: Martha Stewart Wants To "Shag" Bill Gates

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Perdido Street School: Martha Stewart Wants To "Shag" Bill Gates: Martha Stewart Wants To "Shag" Bill Gates by reality-based educator Don't drink any coffee while you're reading this or you might channel Danny Thomas: *Martha Stewart* is no* Paula Deen*. Instead of buttering up her foods, Stewart’s been slowly buttering up the public, introducing a new side of herself that’s light and friendly. A source tells Confidenti@l that over the past four months, the domestic diva has made a conscious effort to wear shorter skirts and say funnier things in an attempt to show people that it’... more »

It Gets Better | ED.gov Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
It Gets Better | ED.gov Blog: It Gets Better by Guest Blogger Today, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released a new video where Department staff share personal stories and identify tools that support students experiencing bullying. In response to students suffering bullying in schools, ED has redoubled efforts to give parents, educators, and students the tools they need to stop harassment, including through the website Stopbullying.gov and civil rights enforcement. We have also joined thousands of supportive messages, and numerous fellow agencies and Obama Administration colle... more »

Daily Kos: I'm sorry I'm not in a classroom this week

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Daily Kos: I'm sorry I'm not in a classroom this week: I'm sorry I'm not in a classroom this week by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) [image: Photo] and glad that I will again be teaching government (among other things) come August. A major part of my approach to teaching government is to connect students with what is happening in the world around them. It is hard to imagine a week richer than this for material on class discussion. From the Congress, we have the combination of the Senate passing a sweeping immigration reform bill and the Speaker effectively saying it is DOA. From the S... more »

Education Research Report: New NAEP Report Compares Today’s Student Performance With That of 40 Years Ago

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Education Research Report: New NAEP Report Compares Today’s Student Performance With That of 40 Years Ago: New NAEP Report Compares Today’s Student Performance With That of 40 Years Ago * Long-term trend assessment shows improvement for black and Hispanic students since the 1970s* * * Today’s 9-and 13-year-old students scored higher in reading and mathematics than their counterparts did 40 years ago according to The Nation’s Report Card: Trends in Academic Progress 2012, a long-term trend assessment designed to track changes in the achievement of students ages 9, 13 and 17 since th... more »

Who Bill Gates is giving money to now in education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Who Bill Gates is giving money to now in education: Who Bill Gates is giving money to now in education By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 28, 2013 at 4:00 amE-mail the writer 1 Comments More [image: money]The Gates Foundation has distributed a slew of grants to educational institutions and organizations in June for varied pursuits, including implementation of the Common Core State Standards, improvement of the federal financial aid system, and creation of a “national cadre of teachers experimenting with the use of games, learning and assessment tools.” Here are some of the largest e... more »

Debating Choice and Competition in Education | Choice Media | education reform homepage

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Debating Choice and Competition in Education | Choice Media | education reform homepage: Debating Choice and Competition in Education by kate Popout Choice and Competition: Improving or Undermining Public Education? from EdWriters on Vimeo.

The Educated Reporter: For Charter Schools, Demand for More Success - And Seats

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
The Educated Reporter: For Charter Schools, Demand for More Success - And Seats: For Charter Schools, Demand for More Success - And Seats by Emily Richmond [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991] A new report from Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) is likely to provide plenty of ammunition for both supporters and critics of the independently operated, public-funded campuses. The report—an update to the center’s frequently cited 2009 study -- looked at charter schools in 25 states, Washington, D.C. and New York City (the nati... more »

Ed Notes Online: URGENT: Press release on student promotions crisis

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: URGENT: Press release on student promotions crisis: URGENT: Press release on student promotions crisis by ed notes online I posted the PRESS ALERT - earlier TODAY!. Here is the full Press Release. All are welcome to join the Change the Stakes monthly meeting tomorrow (Friday). 5:30 PM in room 4202 of the CUNY Grad Center, 5th Ave and 34th Street. Please bring photo ID to enter building. Hope to see many of you there! And See blogger Raginghorseblog who also posted this photo. ChangetheStakes Bemoans the Chaos and Incompetence of Education Under Bloomberg FOR IMM... more »

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Student college loan rates will double next week. Another win for Wall St.

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Student college loan rates will double next week. Another win for Wall St.: Student college loan rates will double next week. Another win for Wall St. by Mike Klonsky Another win for Wall St. Despite all the big talk coming from administration ed bureaucrats about *college readiness*, *21st-Century learning*, and *Common Core Standards*, a college education is becoming a more distant possibility for all but the wealthiest students and their families. Congressional action that would keep student loan rates from doubling on July 1 seems ready to ... more »

Manga and anime declared good study tools for kids | toteachornototeach

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Manga and anime declared good study tools for kids | toteachornototeach: Manga and anime declared good study tools for kids by aristotlethewise [image: 60]*Manga and anime declared good study tools for kids* by Rachel Tackett Children’s books and television shows these days are nothing compared to the ones that many of us had growing up. At least that’s what we tell ourselves. I think back fondly on those days of watching Rugrats and Scooby Doo marathons and scoff at the thought of modern-age children rotting their brains with Spongebob and Annoying Orange. But the fact of the matte... more »

NYC Educator: State Senator Ruben Diaz Makes His Ignorance and Bigotry a Priority for All

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
NYC Educator: State Senator Ruben Diaz Makes His Ignorance and Bigotry a Priority for All: State Senator Ruben Diaz Makes His Ignorance and Bigotry a Priority for All by NYC Educator State Senator Ruben Diaz believes you should be very careful before assigning guilt when he's involved. Yet it's different for teachers, who are all guilty no matter what. In fact, because he reads all the crap in the Daily News and believes it, or at least thinks impressionable voters do, he's introducing legislature to "ban sex creeps from school property--not just the classroom." Those are the thoug... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Progressive Caucus says Rahm's cuts have created beggar schools

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Progressive Caucus says Rahm's cuts have created beggar schools: Progressive Caucus says Rahm's cuts have created beggar schools by Mike Klonsky A Small Talk salute goes out to the members of the City Council's Progressive Caucus who "came out swinging"Thursday against Rahm's “draconian” school budget cuts. *“We are alarmed by the stripping of basic necessities which define a school. The neighborhood schools have been reduced to beggars, lacking such essentials as sanitation supplies, library book funds, field trip money, playground supervision,” the ... more »

Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 6-27-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
*Nite Cap UPDATE* * * *UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* ** *CORPORATE ED REFORM* Rhee’s “Radical”: Read and Reviewed by teachbad Radical: Fighting to Put Students First is a transparent and fantastical affirmation of Michelle Rhee; written by Michelle Rhee (Harper Collins, 2013). In my continuing efforts to be at least 8-12 months behind everybody else, I have finally read and reviewed the book. I don’t believe there is anything self-critical or particularly reflective in here, other than to pause every now and then to reflect upon her correctness. Michelle Rhee is convinced that sh... more »

The Crazycrawfish Blog would like to recognize Peter C. Cook as the newest member of the Crazycrawfish fanclub | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
The Crazycrawfish Blog would like to recognize Peter C. Cook as the newest member of the Crazycrawfish fanclub | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: The Crazycrawfish Blog would like to recognize Peter C. Cook as the newest member of the Crazycrawfish fanclub by crazycrawfish It’s been a while since we in Crazycrawfish land have had a chance to welcome a new member. As some of you may know, to become a member you must write up a dedicated blog post to “yours truly” that attacks me personally but does so in such an inept way that readers will instantly know the attack is meant to be comical. Usua... more »

RiSE Library Announcement - Announcements & Current Issues (CA Dept of Education)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
RiSE Library Announcement - Announcements & Current Issues (CA Dept of Education): RiSE Library AnnouncementAnnouncement regarding the closure of the Resources in Special Education Library. ------------------------------ The California Department of Education, Special Education Division, announces the Resources in Special Education (RiSE) Library will close effective July 1, 2013. The Parents Helping Parents (PHP) Library has managed the RiSE library collection since the late 1990’s through a contract with California Services for Technical Assistance and Training (CalSTAT). Now P... more »

Diane in the Evening 6-27-13 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: John White Defends $1.2 Million for TFA by dianerav John White is an alumnus of Teach for America. He wants more money to hire more TFA for the state’s lowest performing schools. Despite the poor performance of the state Recovery School District, which has been staffed with large numbers of TFA for almost 25 years, White wants more of the same. White got into a heated debate with state board member Lotte Beebe. White insists that hiring TFA means the Rahm Picks a New School Board Member by dianerav Now that bil... more »

Make and Take the Time to Reflect, Refresh, and Recharge — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Make and Take the Time to Reflect, Refresh, and Recharge — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Podcast][image: Whole Child Podcast]Make and Take the Time to Reflect, Refresh, and Recharge June 27, 2013 by Whole Child Podcast Download Podcast Now [Right-Click to Save] Summer for educators is often a time to look back on the past year—and look forward to the coming one. What worked, what didn't, and what will you change? Educating the whole child and planning for comprehensive, sustainable school improvement requires us to be "whole educators" who take the time to rech... more »

Perdido Street School: Arne Duncan, One Of The Biggest Common Core Proponents, Insists Feds Have Nothing To Do With Common Core

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Perdido Street School: Arne Duncan, One Of The Biggest Common Core Proponents, Insists Feds Have Nothing To Do With Common Core: Arne Duncan, One Of The Biggest Common Core Proponents, Insists Feds Have Nothing To Do With Common Core by reality-based educator [image: Photo]Nothing To Do With Common Core Rick Hess wrote the following last week as attacks from the the Tea Party right threatened to take down Common Core implementation in some states: Sec. Duncan needs to give a speech in which he pleads "mea culpa" and acknowledges that federal involvement and money played a nontrivi... more »

Ed Notes Online: PRESS ALERT - TODAY! NYC DOE’s TEST-OBSESSED PROMOTION POLICIES LEAVE MANY NYC FAMILIES IN LIMBO AS SCHOOL ENDS

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Ed Notes Online: PRESS ALERT - TODAY! NYC DOE’s TEST-OBSESSED PROMOTION POLICIES LEAVE MANY NYC FAMILIES IN LIMBO AS SCHOOL ENDS: PRESS ALERT - TODAY! NYC DOE’s TEST-OBSESSED PROMOTION POLICIES LEAVE MANY NYC FAMILIES IN LIMBO AS SCHOOL ENDS by ed notes online PRESS ALERT - TODAY! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26, 2013 Contact: Change the Stakes changethestakes@gmail.com Jane Maisel (917) 678-1913 Edith Baltazar (646) 326-8953 NYC DOE’s TEST-OBSESSED PROMOTION POLICIES LEAVE MANY NYC FAMILIES IN LIMBO AS SCHOOL ENDS First day of summer i... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Human Resources at SPS: Going Up or Down?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Human Resources at SPS: Going Up or Down?: Human Resources at SPS: Going Up or Down? by Melissa Westbrook There are sometimes days doing this watchdog work that are defeating, sad and frustrating. Today is one those. I'll get to the issue at hand but a few thoughts first. I've said this before - I do truly believe we have some good and decent people working in SPS. There are several up the food chain who are almost great but, like many a bureaucracy, have those whose work either drags them down or mires them in place. I've also said this before... more »

Time for a strong message on ESEA | Parents Across America

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Time for a strong message on ESEA | Parents Across America: Time for a strong message on ESEA by pureparents There are a lot of petitions and sign-ons these days. Do they do any good? This one, called the Declaration to Rebuild America, gets at most of PAA’s priority issues and includes a good mix of people and organizations as early endorsers. It may be an indication that the message of true education progressives is becoming clearer and more unified. The full Declaration is too long to reproduce here, but its main aspects are very similar to PAA’s statement of beliefs. A strong, u... more »

NYC Educator: Why the War on Teachers This Week?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
NYC Educator: Why the War on Teachers This Week?: Why the War on Teachers This Week? by NYC Educator Aside from my typical disgust when we are targeted for the egregious offense of dedicating our lives to guiding children, I know there must be a particular reason the Daily News and legal expert Campbell Brown targeted us this week. There are big issues with this story. The primary issue is the teachers they discuss have not been found guilty of anything. The person who determines guilt, or lack thereof, is the arbitrator. So the Daily News, abetted by legal expert Campbell Brown, c... more »

The Keynote was a Key Note | My Island View

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
The Keynote was a Key Note | My Island View: The Keynote was a Key Note by tomwhitby I had a rare opportunity to experience a wonderful sharing of a meaningful, unselfish, insightful, reflective, and most enlightening, and personal keynote address at ISTE13 from my friend, Adam Bellow. I was also aware of his struggles with its creation over the last several months. I have come to believe that a thought not shared is simply a passing thought, but a thought shared is an idea. That was never more evident to me than it was yesterday as I experienced the closing ISTE13 Keynote address ... more »

Seven Observations on Duncan's Common Core Address :: Frederick M. Hess

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Seven Observations on Duncan's Common Core Address :: Frederick M. Hess: Seven Observations on Duncan's Common Core Address Yesterday, our earnest Secretary of Education delivered a big speech on the Common Core to the American Society of Newspaper Editors. In a move that will surprise pretty much no one, he disregarded my advice from last week on how to tamp down some of the push-back to the Common Core. Instead, he basically opted to double down on the administration's rhetorical approach, offering skeptics the back of his hand, and not much else. You can read the whole thing fo...more »

The Great Divide in High School College Readiness Rates | Edwize

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
The Great Divide in High School College Readiness Rates | Edwize: The Great Divide in High School College Readiness Rates by Rhonda Rosenberg *10 percent of the schools produce nearly half the college-ready graduates* Last week the city announced that 22.2% of students from the high school Class of 2012 met the state’s college-ready standard, up from 21.1% for the Class of 2011. What the announcement didn’t say was that this already weak college-readiness rate was inflated by a small group of schools that contribute a disproportionate number of students to the city’s college-ready... more »

New technology is poised to disrupt America’s schools, and then the world’s | The Economist

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Education technology: Catching on at last | The Economist: New technology is poised to disrupt America’s schools, and then the world’sJun 29th 2013 | CHICAGO AND NEW YORK |From the print edition - - IN A small school on the South Side of Chicago, 40 children between the ages of five and six sit quietly learning in a classroom. In front of each of them is a computer running software called Reading Eggs. Some are reading a short story, others building sentences with words they are learning. The least advanced are capturing all the upper- and lower-case Bs that fly past in th... more »









Posted by at