Latest News and Comment from Education

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Nite Cap 7-21-13 #BATsACT #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



TODAY

Perdido Street School: George Miller Is Right
Perdido Street School: George Miller Is Right: George Miller Is RightRepresentative George Miller, ranking Dem on the House education committee, never met a standardized test he didn't like, a teacher he didn't think should be evaluated by that standardized test and testing companies and edu-entrepereneurs he wasn't happy to take money from in order to make sure the Endless Testing regime he helpe
Diane in the Evening 7-21-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Lance Hill: A Principal Paid $115,000 for a School with 13 Students?Lance Hill reports that Steve Barr has hired a principal at a salary of $115,000 for a charter school with an enrollment of 13 freshman students. Perhaps the reason enrollment is so low is that Barr hyped the schools as “the most dangerous school in America” on a T
Seattle Schools Community Forum: The One-Two Punch of NCLB and Common Core
Seattle Schools Community Forum: The One-Two Punch of NCLB and Common Core: The One-Two Punch of NCLB and Common CoreThe fight is on.  Some in Congress are trying to rewrite NCLB (as this work has been put off/ignored for years).  Some of this push is about the use of Common Core which several states are now dragging their feet on.  This rewrite by Rep. John Kline (R-MN) and Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN
Thoughts on Civilization & Privilege | Lefty Parent
Thoughts on Civilization & Privilege | Lefty Parent: Thoughts on Civilization & PrivilegeJuly 21st, 2013 at 11:35For nearly 200,000 years our human species (homo sapiens) lived on this bountiful planet in what most anthropologists now believe were mostly small egalitarian bands or tribes of hunter-gatherers, less than a million people scattered about Earth’s various habitable environs livi
"Fruitvale Station": Recreating a tragic loss of a life - CBS News
"Fruitvale Station": Recreating a tragic loss of a life - CBS News: "Fruitvale Station": Recreating a tragic loss of a life(CBS News) A new movie based on a true story takes a look at a controversial shooting four years ago that still has echoes today. Erin Moriarty of "48 Hours" has the story behind the film:Every day, 16,000 riders run through this Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, station in Oak
Emperor Arne Has No Clothes | Matt Farmer
Emperor Arne Has No Clothes | Matt Farmer: Emperor Arne Has No ClothesPosted: 07/19/2013 6:07 pm It was an "emperor has no clothes" moment in public education, and it took place on July 18 in a federal courtroom in Chicago.The "emperor" in question was none other than Arne Duncan, who ran Chicago Public Schools from June 2001 to January 2009, at which he time took his act nationwide.And the person
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Road Trip Week 2The in box. Paul Krugman on “the big pension scare.”Paul Krugman, NY Times: OK, this is quite amazing: Dean Baker catches the WaPo editorial page claiming that we have $3.8 trillion in unfunded state and local pension liabilities. Say it in your best Dr. Evil voice: THREE POINT EIGHT T
Morning Wink 7-21-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #edreform #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYAmerican education and the IQ trap - latimes.comAmerican education and the IQ trap - latimes.com: American education and the IQ trapFor students, one score doesn't tell all.Comments3EmailShare183A survey in 2011 found that the predominant method of measuring whether or not students are gifted is assessing their performances in both an IQ test and a st
American education and the IQ trap - latimes.com
American education and the IQ trap - latimes.com: American education and the IQ trapFor students, one score doesn't tell all.Comments3EmailShare183A survey in 2011 found that the predominant method of measuring whether or not students are gifted is assessing their performances in both an IQ test and a standardized academic test. Above: Students at Jackson Elementary School in Santa Ana. (Los Angel
‘We Will Not Retreat,’ Teachers Union Rep Tells PUSH
‘We Will Not Retreat,’ Teachers Union Rep Tells PUSH « CBS Chicago: ‘We Will Not Retreat,’ Teachers Union Rep Tells PUSH CHICAGO (STMW) – The Rev. Jesse Jackson and a Chicago Teachers Union representative said on Saturday that work will be done to fight back against the recent layoffs of more than 2,100 Chicago Public Schools employees, as well as laws that led ultimately to the acquittal last wee
Finally, a film that celebrates public education
Finally, a film that celebrates public education: Finally, a film that celebrates public educationBy Valerie Strauss, Published: July 21 at 9:15 amE-mail the writer0CommentsMoreWe’ve seen a stream of films promoting the school reform agenda, but here’s a piece about a different kind of movie, one that actually celebrates public education. This was written by Peter Dreier, professor of politics and
7-21-13 teacherken at Daily Kos
teacherken at Daily Kos: Krugman: The Great Pension ScareAs a teacher I am a public employee. I am already drawing a public pension as a result of retiring in 2012.  When I go back into the classroom next month, even though I am teaching in a jurisdiction covered by the same pension plan, I am no longer required to contribute (but as a result I also receive less pay).  Given what Michigan is tryin
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-21-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: A Teacher’s Letter to Bill GatesTeacherbiz writes a friendly but very candid letter to Big Brother Bill Gates. Teacherbiz has some good advice: “You know that feeling you get when you think you’re doing something good—and then you realize you’re actually doing harm? I’ve experienced it, and it’s not a good feeling—and the only way
Perdido Street School: Why The UFT Will Never Go Back On The Teacher Evaluation System Sell-Out
Perdido Street School: Why The UFT Will Never Go Back On The Teacher Evaluation System Sell-Out: Why The UFT Will Never Go Back On The Teacher Evaluation System Sell-OutNorm Scott posted the following:This came in an email as a suggestion for MORE to take up the cause and I think it should. But I wonder if the UFT which supports and vehemently defends the new evaluation system will be calling for
Indiana’s Anti-Howard Zinn Witch-hunt | toteachornototeach
Indiana’s Anti-Howard Zinn Witch-hunt | toteachornototeach: Indiana’s Anti-Howard Zinn Witch-huntPosted on July 20, 2013Indiana’s Anti-Howard Zinn Witch-hunt by Bill BigelowHoward Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States, one of the country’s most widely read history books, died on January 27, 2010. Shortly after, then-Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels got on his computer and fired
Sue Peters for Seattle School Board | Seattle Education
Sue Peters for Seattle School Board | Seattle Education: Sue Peters for Seattle School BoardI have been actively involved in the Seattle Public School District for the past nine years, as a parent, volunteer, public education advocate, education journalist and member of the district’s Superintendent Search Community Focus Group and the Strategic Plan Stakeholder Task Force.I was honored to be invi
Alternative education for troubled California students raises questions - Education - The Sacramento Bee
Alternative education for troubled California students raises questions - Education - The Sacramento Bee: John Harte / Center for Public IntegrityErick Araujo, 13, walks toward his home in the Kern County town of Lost Hills last month. Erick was expelled for a year from a middle school in Lost Hills. Because he can't regularly get to the community school 38 miles away where he was told to enroll,
4LAKids - Co-Location: WHY CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE TEARING PUBLIC CAMPUSES APART
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Co-Location: WHY CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE TEARING PUBLIC CAMPUSES APART: Co-Location: WHY CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE TEARING PUBLIC CAMPUSES APARTBY GARY COHN – HOT IDEAS FOR A COLD ECONOMY – THE FRYING PAN HTTP://BIT.LY/1ABS94WIllustration: Lalo Alcarazon July 17, 2013  ::  For more than 30 years each, Cheryl Smith-Vincent and Cheryl Ortega have shared a passion f
7-21-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face
SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Did you know that Michelle Rhee has 93 civil actions against her?I know. Maybe some of these are trumped up cases. I’d have to look at them in detail. This is perhaps what you get for being in charge of people and making decisions. You make some enemies. But still, 93 cases in all? Are you serious? If I had one, I’d never work in this […]by Chalk Face, PhD / 15min 

YESTERDAY

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Race District IV
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Race District IV: Seattle School Board Race District IVThe District IV race seems to be shaping up along two lines (and no surprise what those lines are).  (District V seems to be all Blanford and there sure are confusing signs from him.  That's another thread.)I refer to Suzanne Estey and Sue Peters.  (Dean McColgan doesn't seem to be a strong
Nite Cap 7-20-13 #BATsACT #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 CAPTODAYINFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids | HispanicallySpeakingNews.comINFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com: INFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino KidsPublished at 12:07 pm EST
INFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com
INFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com: INFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino KidsPublished at 12:07 pm EST, July 20, 2013Latino students are often exposed to high-fat, high-sugar snacks, and drinks sold in schools.  Coincidentally, the number of children at risk of obesity and juvenile diabetes cases continue to increase.Salud America! re
Diane in the Evening 7-20-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Whose Opinion Will You Advocate Today?A teacher sends this description of what passes for critical thought in his school. Read it through and ask yourself whether it makes any sense always to advocate someone else’s opinion. What if their opinion is wrong? What if they are spouting nonsense? If everyone advocates someone else’s opi
Perdido Street School: Microsoft, Public Education And "The Wire"
Perdido Street School: Microsoft, Public Education And "The Wire": Microsoft, Public Education And "The Wire"Good Slate piece comparing Microsoft to The Wire to explain why Bill Gates' company is failing:And it had a lot to do with bad management. There’s too much personnel turnover in the drug trade for managerial rot to really set in—for the Microsoft analogy on The Wire, you’d look not just to
Malloy’s Commissioner of Education signs another $1 million contract with out-side consultants - Wait, What?
Malloy’s Commissioner of Education signs another $1 million contract with out-side consultants - Wait, What?: Malloy’s Commissioner of Education signs another $1 million contract with out-side consultantsGovernor Malloy and Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor’s education reform and economic development strategy came into greater focus this week with news that a few months ago Stefan Pryor continue
Parents, Teachers, and Even LAUSD School Board Members Speak Out Against Parent Trigger | K-12 News Network
Parents, Teachers, and Even LAUSD School Board Members Speak Out Against Parent Trigger | K-12 News Network: Parents, Teachers, and Even LAUSD School Board Members Speak Out Against Parent TriggerPosted on July 12, 2013 by adminWant to know what real-live parents think of “parent trigger”? Watch these videos. These selected speeches were excerpted from the June 18, 2013 Los Angeles Unified School
Oregon Save Our Schools: Why Portland is Chicago
Oregon Save Our Schools: Why Portland is Chicago: Why Portland is ChicagoThis next blog post is important to read and understand, as the largest school district in our state, Portland Public Schools, is in a critical contract negotiation process. Oregon Save Our Schools has four core values: an end to high-stakes testing to evaluate schools, teachers, and students; education policy developed by th
NYC Educator: Chicago--Now With 4% Fewer Teachers!
NYC Educator: Chicago--Now With 4% Fewer Teachers!: Chicago--Now With 4% Fewer Teachers!Reformy Rahm Emanuel has made education a priority in Chicago. That's a pretty good idea, since Arne Duncan's Renaissance 2010 has proven an abject failure. Now, were I mayor of Chicago, looking at all the reformy things that didn't work for Arne, I'd take a different approach. Regrettably, Rahm has decided to
Jersey Jazzman: The REAL Status Quo
Jersey Jazzman: The REAL Status Quo: The REAL Status QuoOnce again, Gary Rubinstein makes a great point:Again, NOBODY thinks nothing should be changed and NOBODY thinks everything should be changed.  Imagine some new billionaire comes along and starts saying that the next big school reform is that schools will no longer meet in buildings, but instead out on the street.  This will save money as the
What House Republicans did right with the education bill
What House Republicans did right with the education bill: What House Republicans did right with the education billBy Valerie Strauss, Published: July 20 at 1:16 pmE-mail the writer0CommentsMoreThere are many things to oppose in the legislation that the Republican-led House of Representatives just approved to rewrite the much-maligned 2002 No Child Left Behind bill.The bill, passed on Friday withou
What would happen if other tests were standardized? | Reclaim Reform
What would happen if other tests were standardized? | Reclaim Reform: What would happen if other tests were standardized?Posted on July 20, 2013by kenprevitiWhat would happen if other tests were standardized?Cartoonist Dave Coverly says it all.See his great speedbump.com site HERE.Race to the Top and Common Core demand high stakes tests from companies that make tremendous profits for tests that ar
7-20-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face
SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Colorado Educators Alert: TURNcoat, Kerrie Dalman, Promotes InBloom Student Data Mining and StorageKerrie Dalman is President of the Colorado Education Association, the state affiliate of the NEA.  She is a head honcho of Southwest TURN, a branch of the metastasizing cancer eating away at the NEA and AFT. Yesterday, Kerrie had a guest commentary in the Denver Post,
2nd Banana 7-20-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post #EDchat #EDreform #soschat #p2 #1u
BIG EDUCATION APE 2ND BANANA RECAP OF LAST WEEK'S BEST POSTEducation Research Report: CREDO’s Significantly Insignificant Charter Schools FindingsEducation Research Report: CREDO’s Significantly Insignificant Charter Schools Findings: EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORTThis Week's Education Research Report 7-13-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Education Research ReportTHIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORTYESTERDAYThe
California Teen Pregnancy Rates Drop 60 Percent Thanks To Sex Education
California Teen Pregnancy Rates Drop 60 Percent Thanks To Sex Education: California Teen Pregnancy Rates Drop 60 Percent Thanks To Sex EducationHuffington Post  |  By Rebecca Klein Posted: 07/19/2013 4:59 pm EDTCalifornia’s teen pregnancy rate has dropped nearly 60 percent as a result of expanded sex education programs, according to a report released by the California Department of Public Health (
Morning Wink 7-20-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #edreform #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-20-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: TODAYVultures Circle Detroit Art MuseumWatch the billionaires scoop up the treasures of the Detroit Institute of Art. Is ours a society where the public sector can be ransacked for gain, wh