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Monday, November 25, 2013

Nite Cap 11-25-13 #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 CAP

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National Day of Action December 9th | WeArePCAPS
National Day of Action December 9th | WeArePCAPS: National Day of Action December 9th
National Governors Association Pushes for Third-Grade Reading Proficiency |
National Governors Association Pushes for Third-Grade Reading Proficiency |: National Governors Association Pushes for Third-Grade Reading ProficiencyNovember 25, 2013 by Alyssa HaywoodePhoto: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for Children“The time is now to redesign this country’s approach to language and literacy instruction, and governors who choose to can lead the charge,” according to the National Governors Association (NGA) report, “A Governor’s Guide to Early Literacy: Getting all Students Reading by Third Grade.”Acknowledging the fact that only one-third of America’s fourth graders ar

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Book Review: John Owens’ Confessions a Bad Teacher | deutsch29
Book Review: John Owens’ Confessions a Bad Teacher | deutsch29: Book Review: John Owens’ Confessions a Bad TeacherNovember 25, 2013I teach. I blog. I speak publicly. I advocate. I advise. I counsel.Not much time left for reading for pleasure.However, from the very opening paragraphs of John Owens’ firsthand account of the contemporary, reform-beaten American classroom, Confessions of a Bad Teach
11-25-13 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Book Review: John Owens’ Confessions of a Bad TeacherI teach. I blog. I speak publicly. I advocate. I advise. I counsel. Not much time left for reading for pleasure. However, from the very opening paragraphs of John Owens’ firsthand account of the contemporary, reform-beaten American classroom, Confessions of a Bad Teacher, I was hooked: After we read the section of Homer’s The O
WTF: Consultant Sunny Chico urges parental involvement (for $89,995) - The Washington Post
Q&A: Consultant Sunny Chico urges parental involvement - The Washington Post: Q&A: Consultant Sunny Chico urges parental involvement Earlier this year, a D.C. government agency paid a Chicago consulting firm $89,995 to participate in a one-day parent-engagement conference. The agency used D.C. tax dollars to pay the fee — which included a half-hour keynote speech, three 45-minute parent wo
I Am A Scientist - STEM Education and Life Science Careers
I Am A Scientist - STEM Education and Life Science CareersTo inspire youth about the benefits of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and promote career opportunities in the life science industry, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, the California Department of Education, The California Endowment, California Biotechnology Foundation and Lybba developed this film.
Keep fighting for public education – or face the consequences that other countries are facing NOW. | Reclaim Reform
Keep fighting for public education – or face the consequences that other countries are facing NOW. | Reclaim Reform: Keep fighting for public education – or face the consequences that other countries are facing NOW.Posted on November 25, 2013by Ken PrevitiKeep fighting for public education – or face the consequences that other countries are facing NOW.This is NOT about active and retired teacher p
NYC Public School Parents: Parents Demand More Accountability in the Appointment of Members of the Board of Regents
NYC Public School Parents: Parents Demand More Accountability in the Appointment of Members of the Board of Regents: Parents Demand More Accountability in the Appointment of Members of the Board of RegentsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 25, 2013More information contact: Eric Mihelbergel (716) 553-1123; nys.allies@gmail.comLisa Rudley (917) 414-9190; nys.allies@gmail.comNYS Allies for Public Educa
Common Core’s Role in Building Global Competencies | NEA Today
Common Core’s Role in Building Global Competencies | NEA Today: Common Core’s Role in Building Global CompetenciesNovember 25, 2013 by egraham  Filed under Common Core State Standards, Featured News, Top StoriesLeave a CommentBy Edward GrahamAs schools and districts across the country begin to implement the Common Core State Standards,experts say that a focus on global learning must be a key compo
ENGAGE! A Need for a Common Definition | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights
ENGAGE! A Need for a Common Definition | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: ENGAGE! A Need for a Common DefinitionBy National PTA on November 25, 2013By Sherri Wilson, Senior Manager of Family and Community Engagement, National PTAThis week, one of our state PTA leaders contacted the National PTA office to ask for a simple definition of family engagement. This reminded me of one
The Federal Student Aid Program Is Breaking Its Promise to the Poor - Theodore R. Johnson - The Atlantic
The Federal Student Aid Program Is Breaking Its Promise to the Poor - Theodore R. Johnson - The Atlantic: The Federal Student Aid Program Is Breaking Its Promise to the PoorStudents from households with more than $100,000 in income received more federal aid in recent years than those from households with less than $20,000 in income.THEODORE R. JOHNSONNOV 25 2013, 1:39 PM ET One hundred dollars.Thi
The Movement Against Testing in Schools -- New York Magazine
The Movement Against Testing in Schools -- New York Magazine: The Opt-OutersWhat happens if enough New York parents say they don’t want their kids to take tests?Add CommentBy Robert Kolker Published Nov 24, 2013 ShareThisFamilies and teachers protesting high-stakes testing in front of the offices of the Department of Education in April.  (Photo: Greg Dunkel)More than a year before 7-year-old Oscar
Two States Delay Fully Implementing PARCC | Truth in American Education
Two States Delay Fully Implementing PARCC | Truth in American Education: Two States Delay Fully Implementing PARCCFiled in Common Core Assessments by Shane Vander Hart on November 25, 2013 • 0 Comments9Two states last week made moves to address Common Core concerns, specifically the implementation of the PARCC assessment.Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White announced a 10-year plan whi
3 Ways Districts Can Pay For Special Education Students: Report
3 Ways Districts Can Pay For Special Education Students: Report: 3 Ways Districts Can Pay For Special Education Students: ReportPosted: 11/25/2013 12:59 pm EST  |  Updated: 11/25/2013 1:21 pm ESTWith the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act floating in legislative limbo, a conservative think tank is providing states and school districts with alternative ways to pay for special education.Acc
Native American, American Indian or Indian?
Native American, American Indian or Indian? « MomsRising Blog: "And I told them not to dig for uranium, for if they did, the children would die. They didn't listen, they didn't listen, they didn't listen to me.And I told them if the children die, there would be no keepers of the land. They didn't listen.And I told them if they destroy the sky, machines would come and soon destroy the land. Th
In the News: Vallas' firm urged closings, teacher layoffs | catalyst-chicago.org
In the News: Vallas' firm urged closings, teacher layoffs | catalyst-chicago.org: In the News: Vallas' firm urged closings, teacher layoffsBy: Cassandra West / November 25, 2013Tags: Paul VallasLast summer, in a little-publicized $311,000 consulting deal with the Illinois State Board of Education, former Chicago schools CEO Paul Vallas who is now Gov. Pat Quinn’s newly named running mate offered a
‘Did You Grow Up Around Black People?’ | EduShyster
‘Did You Grow Up Around Black People?’ | EduShyster: ‘Did You Grow Up Around Black People?’ My year working for “America’s Most Trusted Educator”By Ebony Murphy-RootFolks in the national media are just beginning to take note of Dr. Steve Perry’s colorfully threatening metaphors and heated ‘no excuses’ rhetoric, but during my year as a teacher at Capital Prep, the school Perry runs in Hartford, CT,
Best Walmart Video
Best Walmart Video:JOHNSONBest Walmart VideoNOVEMBER 25, 2013Show this one at Thanksgiving!!See What’s Walmart’s Business Secret? at the AFL-CIO blog.The six Walton heirs own about 50% of the company and have a combined wealth of $142 billion. This means they have more wealth than 42% of all Americans combined.Connect the dots: This stock is worth so much partly because taxpayers subsidize Walmart
Cali Education Headlines Monday, November 25, 2013
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: California switches testing plans, but may still risk losing $3.5 billion in federal fundsEducation HeadlinesMonday, November 25, 2013FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.San Luis Coastal district may spend $1
Talent Transfer Initiative: A new education experiment finds that merit pay can work.
Talent Transfer Initiative: A new education experiment finds that merit pay can work.: What Happens When Great Teachers Get $20,000 to Work in Low-Income Schools?17614541Results.By Dana GoldsteinTeacher merit pay. It’s one of those perennially popular policy ideas that, historically, hasn’t worked very well.A few years ago, New York City offered teachers in select schools $3,000 if the entire scho
11-25-13 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - Be #ASCDThankful Tonight — Whole Child Education
Be #ASCDThankful Tonight — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGBe #ASCDThankful TonightNovember 25, 2013 by ASCD Whole Child BloggersWhat are you thankful for this school year? Join @wholechildadv and @ASCD Monday, November 25, at 8 p.m., eastern time, for a Twitter chat with fellow educators entirely devoted to gratitude and giving thanks. 11-21-13 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - Getting Local Comm
11-25-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Education News RoundupLocally (and thanks to reader Carolyn), news from Real Change newspaper about getting food to needy students for the weekends.  While the kids of John Hay Elementary School play outside, LaRock carries bags of food into classrooms and surreptitiously slips them into the backpacks of 15 kids at the 500-student school on Queen Anne Hill. Each ba
Sometimes more is really less
Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Sometimes more is really less: Sometimes more is really lessSample Items | Smarter Balanced Assessment ConsortiumThe item above comes from a sample item on the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) website, and it’s supposed to assess the writing  of an argument (what used to be called persuasive writing). Click on the image to get a larger view to
Is Robo-Grading Driving the Design of Common Core Tests? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Is Robo-Grading Driving the Design of Common Core Tests? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Is Robo-Grading Driving the Design of Common Core Tests?By Anthony Cody on November 25, 2013 9:44 AMAs we read of the 17 states across the country where a strong backlash has grown against Common Core, my own state of California is conspicuous by its absence. California has yet to see a strong r
Morning Wink 11-25-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS mark as readToday: Education Moments Twitter Chat Student VoiceStudent 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 mome
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 turn
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
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 Schoo
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