Teacher: Reflections on Deborah Gist’s New Contract
This post was sent to me by a teacher in Rhode Island who uses the nom de plume Horace Manic.
Mr. Manic writes:
The recent renewal of the contract of Deborah Gist, the Commissioner of Education in Rhode Island, brings to light some interesting political dynamics. Considering the recent, well-publicized conversion of Rhode Island Governor, Lincoln Chafee, to the Democratic party of President Obama, it is not a surprise that Gist was rehired – despite the pleas of teachers and student groups throughout the State. After all, Deborah Gist is the poster girl for the Broad Academy, one of the most well-financed and influential corporate reform organizations in the United
Mr. Manic writes:
The recent renewal of the contract of Deborah Gist, the Commissioner of Education in Rhode Island, brings to light some interesting political dynamics. Considering the recent, well-publicized conversion of Rhode Island Governor, Lincoln Chafee, to the Democratic party of President Obama, it is not a surprise that Gist was rehired – despite the pleas of teachers and student groups throughout the State. After all, Deborah Gist is the poster girl for the Broad Academy, one of the most well-financed and influential corporate reform organizations in the United
A Teacher at Weigand Responds to Ben Austin
The following comment was posted on the blog by a teacher at Weigand Avenue Elementary School in response to Ben Austin’s open letter to me, in which Austin defends Parent Revolution’s campaign to oust the school’s principal Irma Cobain.
The teacher writes:
.
Mr. Austin claims that “every teacher who signed that 2011 petition is now gone, and the school has gotten even worse since then.” There are exactly TWO teacher names on that petition. One of those 2 transferred to another school, and the other retired. The remaining names are staff members, 2 of whom are still at Weigand, and 1 State Preschool Teacher who holds neither a Bachelor’s Degree nor a California Teaching Credential.
As to Mr. Austin’s claim that the school has “gotten even worse since then,” does he mean that our staff is
The teacher writes:
.
Mr. Austin claims that “every teacher who signed that 2011 petition is now gone, and the school has gotten even worse since then.” There are exactly TWO teacher names on that petition. One of those 2 transferred to another school, and the other retired. The remaining names are staff members, 2 of whom are still at Weigand, and 1 State Preschool Teacher who holds neither a Bachelor’s Degree nor a California Teaching Credential.
As to Mr. Austin’s claim that the school has “gotten even worse since then,” does he mean that our staff is
Karen Lewis on Ben Austin’s Letter
A comment on Ben Austin’s open letter to me:
“Why would Ben Austin insert his own and his brother’s story in an open letter to you? And just for good measure, the annoying phrase, “…kids trapped in failing schools…” I am so sick of this refrain because it sounds like the rich and powerful really care. The parent tricker law is an outrage as are so many of these ALEC-
“Why would Ben Austin insert his own and his brother’s story in an open letter to you? And just for good measure, the annoying phrase, “…kids trapped in failing schools…” I am so sick of this refrain because it sounds like the rich and powerful really care. The parent tricker law is an outrage as are so many of these ALEC-
Randi: Philadelphia Superintendent Demolishes Public Schools
William Hite, the Broad-trained superintendent of schools in Philadrlphia, released his plan to demolish public education in that poor district, which has been controlled by the state for more than a decade. There is plenty of shame to go around: to Governor Corbett, who wants to destroy public education in his state; to the Legislature, which has let the governor have his way; and to the business and civic leaders of Philadelphia, who didn’t care enough to fight for Other People’s Children. Here, Randi Weingarten details the carnage:
June 7, 2013
AFT President Calls Philadelphia School Layoffs a Travesty
Washington—AFT President Randi Weingarten released the following statement on the announced layoffs of
June 7, 2013
AFT President Calls Philadelphia School Layoffs a Travesty
Washington—AFT President Randi Weingarten released the following statement on the announced layoffs of
CPS Policies Will Promote Privatization, Inequality
The Chicago Public Schools’ policy of closing public schools and opening charter schools will obviously promote privatization. What it will also promote is inequality and lack of transparency.
This is the contention of a panel that recently met to discuss the closure of some 50 public schools.
This is the contention of a panel that recently met to discuss the closure of some 50 public schools.
In Person with Jon Stewart: The Story of the I.S. 318 Chess Team
Yesterday I wrote about the championship chess team at I.S. 318 in Brooklyn, which needs $20,000 to travel to tournaments and remain in competition. The after school funding that keeps the program alive was cut by the New York City Department of Education.
I thought you would enjoy watching the segment on “The Daily Show” when Jon Stewart interviewed the producer and one of the students who are featured in the film.
My favorite moment is when the student, Pobo, says spontaneously, “I love my teachers!” And the audience
I thought you would enjoy watching the segment on “The Daily Show” when Jon Stewart interviewed the producer and one of the students who are featured in the film.
My favorite moment is when the student, Pobo, says spontaneously, “I love my teachers!” And the audience
A Race for the Cool?
Sara Mosle explains why air-conditioning matters.
When elected officials hear complaints about sweltering classrooms, they sometimes reply that back in the day, there was no air-conditioning.
Mosle points out that when the end of year tests are given, children in affluent districts with air-conditioned classrooms have an advantage.
When the Chicago Teachers Union complained about the lack of air-conditioning, many thought this a ridiculous
When elected officials hear complaints about sweltering classrooms, they sometimes reply that back in the day, there was no air-conditioning.
Mosle points out that when the end of year tests are given, children in affluent districts with air-conditioned classrooms have an advantage.
When the Chicago Teachers Union complained about the lack of air-conditioning, many thought this a ridiculous
Principal: My View of the Pearson/Common Core ELA Tests
Anna Allanbrook, principal of the Brooklyn New School, wrote a letter to the families of the school expressing her view of the new ELA tests.
Yes, they were harder, because so many of the multiple-choice questions had more than one answer. This is simply very bad test design. Test questions should have one answer, not two or three. This is confusing to
Yes, they were harder, because so many of the multiple-choice questions had more than one answer. This is simply very bad test design. Test questions should have one answer, not two or three. This is confusing to
Alan Singer on Common Core
Alan Singer has some concerns about Common Core but much to admire.
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 6-8-13
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG
DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-7-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Wendy Kopp Hails Philadelphia’s “Progress” As District Suffers Draconian Cuts by dianerav Why did Wendy Kopp hail Philadelphia’s “progress” on the same day that the state-run School Reform Commission slashed the city’s public school budget to the bone, eliminating librarians, arts programs, athletics, and counselors, stripping bare an impoverished district? Maybe she was confused. Or misinformed. Or maybe she meant it. Kopp quickly apologized but Philadelphia journa... more »