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Monday, November 25, 2013

Morning Wink 11-25-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS


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Today: Education Moments Twitter Chat Student Voice
Student Voice: Today: Education Moments Twitter Chat  This Monday at 8:30pmEST, the #StuVoice Twitter chat will be about our favorite education moments. We all have moments in our schooling that have shaped us, for better or for worse. This week’s chat aims to reflect and share these deep moments. Whether you’re a student who has memories of your friends, a teacher who has had a significant turning point in your life, a college student reminiscing on what you wrote in your college application, or a community member involved in education, everyone has a story to tell!   - See more at: http://
Common Core Debate Is Really Just Another Chapter of Test-and-Punish | janresseger
Common Core Debate Is Really Just Another Chapter of Test-and-Punish | janresseger: Common Core Debate Is Really Just Another Chapter of Test-and-PunishPosted on November 25, 2013 by janressegerThe debate about the Common Core Standards and the Common Core tests is not really about whether our public school curriculum ought to be more uniform and perhaps more challenging from place to place. That would be a debate worth having.  But really instead the Common Core is the latest chapter in a long story being circulated by our Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, and others who share his philosop
11-25-13 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: Brace yourself: Pearson has a ‘new global education strategy’Pearson, the largest education company in the world, has “a  new global education strategy.” What exactly is it? Cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham explains in this post. Willingham is a professor and director of graduate studies in psychology at the University of Virginia and author of “Why Don’t Students Like School?” His latest book is “When Can You […]    by Valerie Strauss / 6min   11-24-13 The Answer SheetThe Answer Sheet: Following Common Core money: Where are millions of dollars going?In this post, award-

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11-25-13 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Common Core's Myriad Corporate ConnectionsMorna McDermott: Flow Chart Exposes Common Core's Myriad Corporate ConnectionsThe friends of my enemies are not my friends. I can't find the AFT/UFT and NEA connections on this chart. Where would you put them on this chart? Where there is the biggest chance to get a brown nose. Here is Morna McDermott on the video version: Walking the Laby
11-25-13 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Privatized Custodial Services Bring Corporate Windfalls and Dirty Schools to MemphisSince school fragmentation consolidation went into effect in Shelby County (Memphis) Schools, the lawyers in charge of SCS have been trying to save every dime they can to pay for the $212 million dollar donut hole created to pay for corporate welfare charter reform schools for the urban poor. Part o
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: What Vallas did in North Chicago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: What Vallas did in North Chicago: What Vallas did in North Chicago“Vallas ushered in an era of massive expansion of standardized testing; the privatization of public schools through outsourcing and charter school expansion; and the devastating policy of school turnarounds, which resulted in the firing of scores of black and veteran teachers,” Lewis said after Vallas
State Supreme Court: Governor had legal authority to oust six... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com
State Supreme Court: Governor had legal authority to oust six... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: State Supreme Court: Governor had legal authority to oust six DeKalb school board members COMMENT(9) 2 16 45 67View Larger KENT D. JOHNSON / AJCFormer Dekalb School Board chairman Eugene Walker looks towards spectators as Dr Mark Elgart, President and CEO of AdvanceEd, parent company of SACS, testifies o
Many school districts are giving their report cards a facelift for Common Core | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC
Many school districts are giving their report cards a facelift for Common Core | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: Many school districts are giving their report cards a facelift for Common CoreAdolfo Guzman-Lopez | November 25th, 2013, 6:00amAdolfo Guzman-Lopez/KPCCLong Beach fifth grade teacher Gina Bonetati holds her old report card, left, and the new transitional report card issued by her district.Schoo
11-25-13 Fred Klonsky | Running for our pensions. | VOTE 4 Fred Klonsky.
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Active and retired teachers and all state employees. We’re all in this together.From Illinois Retired Teachers Association: Greetings from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association.  [Some members of the General Assembly] want to solve the state’s budget woes with your money, and they blame you. They
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 11-25-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Who Are Our Highest-Paid Government Employees?The Center for Media and Democracy has compiled a list of America’s highest-paid government employees. They are not teachers or nurses or social workers. “Time and again we’re told that librarians, nurses and teachers are to blame for state and local budget problems,” said Lisa Graves,
11-25-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Updated Resources On Immigration ReformHere are new additions to The Best Resources About The New Push For Immigration Reform: In Report, 63% Back Way to Get Citizenship is from The New York Times. Illegal Immigrants Are Divided Over Importance of Citizenship is from The New York Times. What Happened To Immigration Reform i
11-25-13 Wait What?
Wait What?: Wait, What? – A weekend of political news and commentaryConnecticut and American Politics: Will Rogers, the “unequal distribution of the money” and the elections of 2014 and 2016 Meanwhile…..John Rowland? No Dannel Malloy Malloy continues to cash in on Education Reform initiative (corrected version)   Bridgeport: Mayor Bill Finch, Paul Vallas: UPDATED: Secret Deal for Malloy Political
11-25-13 teacherken Daily Kos: Krugman: I give you California
Daily Kos: Krugman: I give you California: Krugman: I give you CaliforniabyteacherkenFollowWhat would happen if we unveiled a program that looked like Obamacare, in a place that looked like America, but with competent project management that produced a working website?Well, your wish is granted. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you California.The words above are the key to Paul Krugman's column today,
11-25-13 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Cuomo's Education Reform Agenda ExposedTim Farley wrote a letter to Governor Cuomo, part of which made it to the Times Union.In it, Farley shows just how much of the NY State reform agenda is Cuomo's agenda.He notes how Cuomo has been trying to distance himself from the state reform agenda in recent days, as public outrage over the reforms has grown, then writes:  This seems
Choosing Democracy: Public Universities Should be Free
Choosing Democracy: Public Universities Should be Free: Public Universities Should be FreePublic education should be free. If it isn't free, it isn't public education.Aaron Bady.  Al Jazeera.This should not be a controversial assertion. This should be common sense. But Americans have forgotten what the "public" in "public education" actually means (or used to mean). The problem
Editorial: Arts center at Fremont School deserves rave reviews - Editorials - The Sacramento Bee
Editorial: Arts center at Fremont School deserves rave reviews - Editorials - The Sacramento Bee: Editorial: Arts center at Fremont School deserves rave reviewsBy the Editorial BoardPublished: Monday, Nov. 25, 2013 - 12:00 amAmid all the consternation that the Community Center Theater renovation is stuck in neutral, another important arts project for Sacramento is speeding ahead.If all goes as pla
The Educated Reporter: Chronic Absenteeism: New York City Makes Strides Toward Keeping Kids In School
The Educated Reporter: Chronic Absenteeism: New York City Makes Strides Toward Keeping Kids In School: Chronic Absenteeism: New York City Makes Strides Toward Keeping Kids In SchoolWhen it comes to tackling the problem of chronic absenteeism, students who already already have a track record of skipping class can be a particularly tough crowd to sway. But a new report out of New York City suggests
NYC Educator: Not My Job, Man
NYC Educator: Not My Job, Man: Not My Job, ManSo says self-proclaimed "student lobbyist" Andrew Cuomo, when confronted with the controversy swirling around the enactment of Common Core in his state. Oddly, Mr. "I am the government" took a decidedly different stance. But with his formerly high favorability ratings circling the toilet, Cuomo's role, first and foremost, is Opportu

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Common Core, Aligned Curriculum, and Other NGA/Duncan-decided Issues | deutsch29
Common Core, Aligned Curriculum, and Other NGA/Duncan-decided Issues | deutsch29: Common Core, Aligned Curriculum, and Other NGA/Duncan-decided IssuesNovember 24, 2013In this post, I would like to offer information on the beginnings of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and its interconnectedness with other so-called reforms. I refer to three documents (all linked below) from June 2008, June 2
Comments on NJ’s Teacher Evaluation Report & Gross Statistical Malfeasance | School Finance 101
Comments on NJ’s Teacher Evaluation Report & Gross Statistical Malfeasance | School Finance 101: Comments on NJ’s Teacher Evaluation Report & Gross Statistical MalfeasancePosted on November 25, 20130       1 VotesA while back, in a report from the NJDOE, we learned that outliers are all that matters. They are where life’s important lessons lie! Outliers can provide proof that poverty doesn
'We're Losing Our Little Boy': One Family's Heartbreaking Fight For Their Son's Education
'We're Losing Our Little Boy': One Family's Heartbreaking Fight For Their Son's Education:'We're Losing Our Little Boy': One Family's Heartbreaking Fight For Their Son's EducationPosted: 11/24/2013 6:31 pm EST WASHINGTON -- Greg Masucci just wants to hear his little boy say his own name.That's what he tells developmental specialists as he sits in an office at John Tyler Elementary School for what
Corporatist Ed Reform as Symptom | educarenow
Corporatist Ed Reform as Symptom | educarenow: Corporatist Ed Reform as SymptomPosted on November 24, 2013 | Leave a commentTwo recent pieces came out that insightfully show that the current push of corporatist education reform is actually a symptom of something much more ominous, the destruction of all that is held for the common good, all that is “public.” Both the recent Commonweal review of Di
Nite Cap 11-24-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #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 CAPmark as readSchooling in the Ownership Society: Helen Gym -- The New 'Pay for Play'Schooling in the Ownership Society: Helen Gym -- The New 'Pay for Play': Helen Gym -- The New 'Pay for Play'Helen GymHelen Gym, a Philadelphia public school parent
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Helen Gym -- The New 'Pay for Play'
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Helen Gym -- The New 'Pay for Play': Helen Gym -- The New 'Pay for Play'Helen GymHelen Gym, a Philadelphia public school parent and founder of Parents United for Public Education asks: "Is the ‘right to know’ the new ‘pay for play’"? Gym says that  throughout most of the decision-making process regarding the school closings, the public was kept in the
An Urban Teacher's Education: I Failed National Board Certification
An Urban Teacher's Education: I Failed National Board Certification: I Failed National Board CertificationOkay - I guess it's more reasonable to say that I didn't pass, since I still have two whole years to redo the parts of my national boards process that were below standard.But holy cow does it suck.I needed 275 points to pass. I earned 274. One point.One point that would have saved me hundreds
With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs 11-24-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
With A Brooklyn Accent: Message to Food Critic Frank Bruni- Who Fancies Himself an Education ExpertAs a coach and teacher for more than 45 years, I always wonder at the "chutzpah" of those who have not worked closely with children who feel they know what serves their needs better than lifetime educators. The most effective educators-- and coaches- start with the personalities and talents
Nationalize the Walton Family Wealth on #BlackFriday | OccupyWallSt.org
Nationalize the Walton Family Wealth on #BlackFriday | OccupyWallSt.org: Nationalize the Walton Family Wealth on #BlackFridayPosted 2 hours ago on Nov. 24, 2013, 1:37 p.m. EST by OccupyWallStTags: nationalize wealth, walmart, black fridayThe Walton Family is collectively worth over $150 billion USD. Most of us struggle just to keep $150 dollars in our bank account, so it's hard to comprehend how m
THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: The Gulen Movement: “a non-transparent organizational model”
THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: The Gulen Movement: “a non-transparent organizational model”: The Gulen Movement: “a non-transparent organizational model”Sharon HigginsThe Perimeter PrimateThe leading US authority on the Gulen Movement (GM) at this time is Joshua Hendrick, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Loyola University Maryland. His new book “Gulen: The Ambiguous Politics of Market Islam in Turkey a
11-24-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: I-1240 LitigationI attended the first hearing on the constitutionality of I-1240, the Washington State Charter School law.To be clear, this hearing was pretty meaningless. No matter who wins or loses, this case will appealed all the way to the State Supreme Court. None of the decisions in any of the lower courts will matter. Only the one decision from the State Sup
Bill de Blasio gives cold shoulder to education reformers as he prepares to choose a chancellor - NY Daily News
Bill de Blasio gives cold shoulder to education reformers as he prepares to choose a chancellor - NY Daily News: Bill de Blasio gives cold shoulder to education reformers as he prepares to choose a chancellorDe Blasio chose to place high-profile critics of Bloomberg’s policies on his 60-member transition team, troubling education reformers and advocates for charter schoolsComments (5)BY BEN CHAPMA
11-24-13 Wait What?
Wait What?: Will Rogers, the “unequal distribution of the money” and the elections of 2014 and 2016“I was born on Nov. 4, which is Election Day. . . . My birthday has made more men and sent more back to honest work than any other days in the year.”  – Will Rogers There was a time in our nation’s history when one out of three Americans followed the writings of a […]The post Will Rogers, the “unequa
What the next Pennsylvania governor must say about education | Parents United for Public Education
What the next Pennsylvania governor must say about education | Parents United for Public Education: What the next Pennsylvania governor must say about educationPosted on November 24, 2013 by HELENGYMLeave a commentFive of the eight candidates for Pennsylvania governor. From top left, clockwise: Katie McGinty, RobMcCord, John Hanger, Allyson Schwartz, and Tom Wolf.Yesterday, a lively crowd kicked o
Equity, Testing Madness, and the Ongoing School Wars | Bruce Lesley
Equity, Testing Madness, and the Ongoing School Wars | Bruce Lesley: Equity, Testing Madness, and the Ongoing School WarsPosted: 11/18/2013 8:08 pmAt the Save Texas Schools rally in March 2011 on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol, I was fortunate to be in Austin and present to see Perrin-Whitt Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent John Kuhn's passionate speech against the bi
Ipad “Opposition” Is Not – redqueeninla
Ipad “Opposition” Is Not – redqueeninla: Ipad “Opposition” Is NotWritten by redqueeninla in Education John Deasy’s ipad fiasco is not just a roadbump on the path to Reform that has triggered an irrational “emotional opposition” as the LA Daily News complains.  Objecting to any number of insupportable dimensions embedded in this boondoggle does not an obstructionist make.First of all, what does an
11-24-13 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Teach Campaign Star RIFed Last Year Just Before TenureAlexandria Hollet is one of the young, female white teachers chosen by Microsoft-TFA to provide 40 second testimonials on teaching for Arne Duncan's new campaign to attract the vulnerable and uninformed into what was once a profession.  With corporate ed policies in place to demean, abuse, blame, punish, and fire teachers for an
11-24-13 Fred Klonsky | Running for our pensions. | VOTE 4 Fred Klonsky.
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Sunday reads.  Pension-busting Ilinois State Senator Dan Biss and IEA Retired member Jack Tucker at our SORE witness in October. The Illinois coalition of state public employee unions, We Are One, will be holding actions at key legislative district offices on December 2nd. Join me in being at one of t
The Big Pension Makeover | EduShyster
The Big Pension Makeover | EduShyster: The Big Pension MakeoverWhen a state pension fund gets a *glamourous* makeover, public employees get taken to the cleaners… By Mazinger ZFew people personify the ethos of post-industrial, post-partisan, and post-scruples America like Gina Raimondo. General Treasurer of the great state of Rhode Island—which I am told by reliable sources is to be found somewher
11-24-13 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: Following Common Core money: Where are millions of dollars going?In this post, award-winning Principal Carol Burris of South Side High School in New York raises some new questions about the Common Core State Standards and curriculum being developed around them. Burris has for more than a year chronicled on this blog the many problems with the test-driven reform in New York (here,
Morning Wink 11-24-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS mark as readInvited Testimony: Same Shift, Different Day for Latinos and African Americans | Cloaking InequityInvited Testimony: Same Shift, Different Day for Latinos and African Americans | Cloaking Inequity: Invited Testimony: Same Shift, Different Day for Latinos and African AmericansWill the tracking of Latinos and African Americans into “practical” c