V.A.M.: Value Added Measure: Stardate 2014.1

V.A.M.: Value Added Measure: Stardate 2014.1:

Stardate 2014.1

One of Our Schools is Missing, Actually Several  

(A Jen Hogue Star Trek Parody)

Teacher's log, star date 2014.1.  A cosmic cloud of charters has been cataclysmically crowding  into the fringes of our public-school system.  The U.S.S. Enterprise, owing to its proximity to the core of the disturbance, has been sent by Starfleet command to investigate.  We are presently situated in the Eva "Success" System, which currently threatens Districts 1,3,7,12 and 30 in our Federation.

[Bridge]

SULU:  We should intercept the cloud of charters in the vicinity of  International HS.

SPOCK:  My instruments are measuring the cosmic cloud as extremely well-funded, I mean of enormous size. 

John D.O.E.:  (wearing a red shirt)  Look at its pretty colors. 

KIRK:  It is presently engulfing International HS.  Reading, Spock?

SPOCK:  Most curious, Captain.  It emits a peculiar mixture of gaseous chemicals,

 Schools for sale, rent, or high occupancy, and low-to-no cost lease

by Adam Bergstein / 26min 

HAPPY NEW YEAR - All You Need is Love

HAPPY NEW YEAR - All You Need is Love

Love, Love, Love.
Love, Love, Love.
Love, Love, Love.

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It's easy.

Nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It's easy.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

Nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

All you need is love (All together, now!)
All you need is love. (Everybody!)
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need (love is all you need)
(love is all you need) (love is all you need) 
(love is all you need) Yesterday (love is all you need)
(love is all you need) (love is all you need)

Yee-hai!
Oh yeah!
love is all you need, love is all you need,love is all you need, love is all you need, oh yeah oh hell yea! love is all you need love is all you need love is all you need.

An Urban Teacher's Education: Life Lessons: 2013

An Urban Teacher's Education: Life Lessons: 2013:

Life Lessons: 2013

It's time, once again, to reflect on the things I've learned this past year, both in teaching and in life. 

In 2009, most of my learning was about the corruption and disgusting nature of gritty inner-city politics. In 2010, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what constitutes real, valuable, meaningful knowledge and how we go about acquiring that and passing it on. In 2011, my learning seemed to be all over the place - although much of it was about finding success in schools and democracy. And last year (here and here), I learned a lot about identity and how it influences the way we learn.

This year, much of my learning has been around health, creating healthy school environments, identifying the markers of unhealthy environments, and seeking to remedy them. 

Here they are:

1) "You cannot have an atmosphere of respect given an impossible task."

At the CES conference this past November in San Francisco, my colleagues and I were listening to Deborah Meier talk about the state of schools today. At one point, she noted, "You cannot have an atmosphere of respect given an impossible task."

Ms. Meier is right.

Most public education workers have been given an impossible task. It is easy to hide that it is an 

Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"

Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement":

“Ways to Use Technology to Engage With Parents”

Ways To Use Technology To Engage With Parents is a useful short article at EdTechReview. I’m adding it to A Beginning List Of The Best Resources On Using Technology To Help Engage Parents.

by Larry Ferlazzo / 35min 

“Closing The ‘Word Gap’ Between Rich And Poor”

Closing The ‘Word Gap’ Between Rich And Poor is from NPR. It doesn’t add anything new to the resources on The Best Resources For Learning About The “Word Gap,” so I’m not even going to add it there. It does, however, indicate that interest in the “word gap” is gaining steam. It will be interesting to see where it goes…

by Larry Ferlazzo / 35min 

 

12-31-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: More Good Resources On Asking QuestionsHere are new additions to The Best Posts & Articles About Asking Good Questions: I really like This Post Will Make You A More Effective Communicator In 90 Seconds by Shane Snow. Asking Better Questions: 6 Ways to Improve Classroom Discussions is from ASCD. For Students, Why the Que

by mike simpson / 8h 

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Popular Posts of 2013!

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Popular Posts of 2013!:

Popular Posts of 2013!

Honestly, I have reached that age where I can't even remember what happened in 2013. Life has become a blur. The years are whizzing by! 

One of the highlights of 2013  was having the governor of Delaware visit our class to start off American Education Week. We had a Mystery Skype and he LOVED it! We need to show our politicians what we can do besides test!! 

"Now, here's what I need Gov.Markell!"

Another highlight was meeting our Spain pen pals via Skype. The kids were delighted to meet each other "in person!"

With the help of Blogger's page views, I can pinpoint my most viewed blogs of 2013.  I share those with you. And if you didn't get a chance to read them when they were written, now is your chance!

Enjoy and Happy New Year to the best audience ever! May 2014 bring you what you need, and, what you want!

Here are the Top 5 posts for 2013!:

"I Apologize": An Open Letter to My Students

Math Worksheets Land: A Different Kind of Worksheet

Teachers, Targets, and Test Scores

Digital Yes! Native No!: The Myth About Digital Natives

Bill Gates: Experienced Educator:$50 Million Dollars Doesn't Lie!

TWO RULES I WILL TRY TO FOLLOW FOR 2014: | Bill Ayers

TWO RULES I WILL TRY TO FOLLOW FOR 2014: | Bill Ayers:

TWO RULES I WILL TRY TO FOLLOW FOR 2014:

1). Break all the rules!
2). Go as fast as you can in the direction of your dreams until apprehended.
Join me! Make a New Year’s resolution!

Rulin’s from Woody Guthrie

And if you missed it, here are the legendary Woody Guthrie’s New Year’s resolutions, or “Rulin’s” as he called them from a journal entry dated Jan. 1, 1943 when he was 31. There’s some pretty decent advice on this list.
33. Wake Up And Fight
32. Make Up Your Mind
31. Love Everybody
30. Love Pete
29. Love Papa
28. Love Mama
27. Help Win War — Beat Fascism
26. Dance Better
25. Play And Sing Good
24. Send Mary And Kids Money
23. Have Company But Don’t Waste Time
22. Save Dough
21. Bank All Extra Money
20. Dream Good
19. Keep Hoping Machine Running
18. Stay Glad
17. Don’t Get Lonesome
16. Keep Rancho Clean
15. Learn People Better
14. Listen To Radio A Lot
13. Read Lots Good Books
12 Change Bed Clothes Often
11. Change Socks
10. Shine Shoes
9. Wear Clean Clothes
8. Write A Song A Day
7. Drink Very Scant If Any
6. Eat Good — Fruit — Vegetables — Milk
5. Take Bath
4. Shave
3. Wash Teeth If Any
2. Work By A Schedule
1. Work More And Better

Portland Public Schools teachers contract: Poll shows concerns for class sizes | OregonLive.com

Portland Public Schools teachers contract: Poll shows concerns for class sizes | OregonLive.com:

Portland Public Schools teachers contract: Poll shows concerns for class sizes

In the survey, class size won the most votes. Of 478 completed responses, 232 people -- or about 48 percent -- picked class size as the issue they cared most about.

Dozens of community members rallied outside the district office to support teachers during ongoing contract negotiations.(Nicole Dungca/The Oregonian)

While both Portland Public Schools and its teachers union have touted recent progress in its drawn-out contract dispute, major issues still need to be resolved before an agreement is reached.

District officials in November declared an impasse, and teachers are now legally allowed to strike. Both sides are scheduled to meet Thursday and Friday for direct talks, followed by a bargaining session on the day students are scheduled to come back from winter break.

Early in December, we asked readers which issue mattered most to them in the Portland teachers contract, and nearly 500 responded.

We asked the question after examining the public messaging from both sides. 

The teachers union has been fighting to keep a contractual limitation on workload in the contract, arguing that it is necessary to keep class sizes down. But the district says that doesn't belong in a contract and has long been trying to eliminate the provision.

Meanwhile, the district says its contract proposal directly address issues of fair compensation, streamlined hiring and additional instructional time. 

So which issues mattered most to OregonLive readers?

In the survey, class size won the most votes. Of 478 completed responses, 232 people -- or about 48 percent -- picked class size as the issue they cared most about.

PPS CONTRACT TALKS

• Portland Public Schools teachers contract: Poll shows concerns for class sizes
• Portland Public Schools teachers contract: Signs of optimism as winter break begins
• Portland teachers contract talks continue to progress: PPS News
• Portland Public Schools parents rally for teachers as negotiations impasse continues (video): PPS News
• Portland Public Schools and teachers union schedule more mediation dates

What Do Parents Want in Their Child’s School? | Connected Principals

What Do Parents Want in Their Child’s School? | Connected Principals:

What Do Parents Want in Their Child’s School?

by Bill Carozza • January 1, 2014 • 0 Comments

What do parents want in their schools? A new national study of K-12 parents reveals some interesting clusters of opinion.

The Fordham Institute completed the research via an online survey of over 2000 parents in August of 2012. The results were disaggregated by the authors into six categories of school parents:

Pragmatists (36%)

These parents see the purpose of school as a passage to a career. College is not as important in their child’s future; they see school as a venue for their child (mostly boys) to gain the skills necessary to be successful.

Jeffersonians (24%)

Parents in this category want schools that “emphasize instruction in citizenship, democracy, and leadership”, the vision that Thomas Jefferson certainly had for public schools. What is interesting about this group is that these parents match the overall demographic of the survey.

Test-Score Hawks (23%)

The “Hawks” search for schools with the best test scores. They are not as concerned with school culture; they want their 

Nite Cap 12-31-13 #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

DailyCensored Happy New Year from 'For-Profit University' (FPU) !

DailyCensored.com – Breaking Censored News, World, Independent, Liberal NewsHappy New Year from 'For-Profit University' (FPU) !: Happy New Year from ‘For-Profit University’ (FPU)’!By Danny Weil on December 31, 2013 11:09 pm / no comments As we enter a new year, one can only hope that the for-profit college and university scam will become more evident to students, parents, teachers and the general

by mike simpson / 25min 

AFT’s 10 Myths: Unyielding Devotion to the Common Core | deutsch29

AFT’s 10 Myths: Unyielding Devotion to the Common Core | deutsch29: AFT’s 10 Myths: Unyielding Devotion to the Common CoreDecember 31, 2013In my hands I am holding the latest issue of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) quarterly publication, American Educator. It is open to page 43, Tools for Teachers: 10 Myths About the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).The piece was written by AFT’s Educ

by mike simpson / 42min 

empathyeducates – Rahm Creates A Process To Endorse His Plan For More Charter Schools

empathyeducates – Rahm Creates A Process To Endorse His Plan For More Charter Schools: Rahm Creates A Process To Endorse His Plan For More Charter SchoolsStudents and community leaders have protested plans to open a new charter school across the street from Prosser High School, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel appears to be pushing ahead. |Lauren Fitzpatrick/Sun-Times MediaBy Ben Joravsky. | The Chicago Rea

by mike simpson / 1h 

12-31-13 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs: Restore Recess Party New York State- Education Program REVISED!

With A Brooklyn Accent: Restore Recess Party New York State- Education Program REVISED!: Restore Recess Party New York State- Education Program REVISED!1. Restore Recess. No use of Recess or Physical Education time for Test prep2. Cut the state testing budget in half and use the money to lower class size and fund arts programs, sports programs and school counselors.3. No Data Sharing. No informati

by mike simpson / 1h 

Our Top 10 from 2013, but Bill Gates is Still Not Making Nice with Teachers | Teachers' Letters to Bill Gates

Our Top 10 from 2013, but Bill Gates is Still Not Making Nice with Teachers | Teachers' Letters to Bill Gates: Our Top 10 from 2013, but Bill Gates is Still Not Making Nice with TeachersPosted on December 31, 2013by Teachers'LettersToBillGatesDear Bill and Melinda,As 2013 comes to a close, we thought we would highlight the top 10 posts on Teachers’ Letters to Bill Gates that most resonated with te

by mike simpson / 1h 

SKrashen: The Compelling (not just interesting) Input Hypothesis.

SKrashen: The Compelling (not just interesting) Input Hypothesis.: The Compelling (not just interesting) Input Hypothesis.Stephen KrashenThe English Connection (KOTESOL). 15, 3: 1 (2011)It is by now well-established that input must be comprehensible to have an effect on language acquisition and literacy development. To make sure that language acquirers pay attention to the input, it should be inte

by mike simpson / 1h 

I Was A Different Person Last year…

I Was A Different Person Last year…: I Was A Different Person Last year…by EDWARDBERGER on DECEMBER 31, 2013Ed, all you ever blog or Tweet about is education. Ending this year, can’t you write about something else?Okay, from 2013 here is something educational, but not about our schools:When I was in college, I inherited old books from an Englishman’s library. One set of leather-bound books contain

by mike simpson / 1h 

12-31-13 Schools Matter

Schools Matter: Public School Renewal 2014 and BeyondJim HornThe public education renewal agenda embraces the values of democracy, fair play, inclusion, equal opportunity, and public school governance structure and operations of the people, by the people, and for the people.  The new public school agenda welcomes the participation of philanthropists, business, and industry to do what they are most

by mike simpson / 1h 

12-31-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Goodbye to 2013 - Hello to 2014!Pop quizzes!Pew Research Center - News IQ QuizSlate's News Quiz.Nice idea for the new year - a Good Times Jar project.  A good way to keep track of what matters to your family and showing gratitude for the good things (big and small) in your lives. Even little victories count.Start this January with an empty jar. Throughout the year

by mike simpson / 4h 

Choosing to sue: Here's a look at some 2013 lawsuits involving school choice

Choosing to sue: Here's a look at some 2013 lawsuits involving school choice « Watchdog.org: Choosing to sue: Here’s a look at some 2013 lawsuits involving school choiceBy Mary C. Tillotson  /   December 31, 2013  /   No Comments      Part 42 of 41 in the series Educating AmericaBy Mary C. Tillotson | Watchdog.orgPICK AND CHOOSE: School choice programs have been sued all over the country. Here’s w

by mike simpson / 5h 

‘Naked’ Common Core Exposed by Catholic Education Leader

‘Naked’ Common Core Exposed by Catholic Education Leader: ‘Naked’ Common Core Exposed by Catholic Education LeaderDecember 30, 2013, at 11:28 AM  |  By Bob Laird  | The Cardinal Newman Society today launched a series of reports on the controversial Common Core State Standards (CCSS) with an eye-opening report by Dan Guernsey, Ed.D., of the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent S

by mike simpson / 5h 

12-31-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Message to Farina and de Blasio: Undo the Damage"The schools of Baghdad and Kabul will recover sooner than the NYC school system under your management." ... Norm Scott to Joel Klein --- quoting my self from a c.2004-6 PEP meeting.Eterno and Epstein: Revoke Jamaica High School's Death Sentence... NEW YEAR APPEAL TO INCOMING MAYOR AND CHANCELLOR: SAVE THE COMPREHENSIVE HIG

by mike simpson / 5h 

Inspiring moments in the classroom. They happen and they matter | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Inspiring moments in the classroom. They happen and they matter | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Inspiring moments in the classroom. They happen and they matter COMMENT(1) 0 2 1 3View Larger Ernest HolsendolphPrevious PostsFire the teacher who told student we don't need another black presidentDecember 30, 2013Should Georgia change its constitution to allow Dunwoody and others to create own schools?De

by mike simpson / 5h 

12-31-13 Wait What?

Wait What?: Governor Malloy: Blessed are the PoorAt yesterday’s press conference at the State Capital, Governor Malloy bragged about the extraordinarily positive impact Connecticut’s new minimum wage law have when it takes effect at midnight tonight.  “As the clock strikes 12 in this state, many people … will actually lift themselves out of poverty,” Malloy said during a press event and rally. […]

by mike simpson / 5h 

A Brief History of Reform! | Deborah Meier on Education

A Brief History of Reform! | Deborah Meier on Education: A Brief History of Reform!Posted on December 31, 2013 by debmeierDear readers,It’s been a while since I’ve written in this space.  But I’ mending my ways.What set me off?   My granddaughter just came across something interesting—and not new.  In 2001 PBS put together a video called School: The History of American Public Education.  In connec

by mike simpson / 6h 

ANALYSIS: New NYC schools chancellor wants dramatic – even joyful — departure from Bloomberg era | Hechinger Report

ANALYSIS: New NYC schools chancellor wants dramatic – even joyful — departure from Bloomberg era | Hechinger Report: ANALYSIS: New NYC schools chancellor wants dramatic – even joyful — departure from Bloomberg eraBy Liz WillenIn a city where politicians and some educators are obsessed with raising test scores, New York City’s new schools chancellor Carmen Fariña stood beside her new boss this week

by mike simpson / 6h 

2014: Let’s have a good one | Seattle Education

2014: Let’s have a good one | Seattle Education: 2014: Let’s have a good oneThe WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.Here’s an excerpt:The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 160,000 times in 2013. If it were an exhibit at the Louvre Museum, it would take about 7 days for that many people to see it.Happy New Year to

by mike simpson / 6h 

12-31-13 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florid

Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: Is Merit Pay Dead in Florida?The indispensable John O’Connor of StateImpact has a preview of the upcoming legislative session. Here’s what he writes about teacher evaluations and merit pay: The Student Success Act requires school districts begin paying teachers based on

by mike simpson / 7h 

Morning Wink 12-31-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-31-13 Diane Ravitch's blog A site to discuss better education for all #thankateacher #EDCHATDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: G.F. Brandenburg: What Do NAEP Scores Show about D.C.?G.F. Brandenburg keeps a close watch on D.C. Schools. In this series of posts, he compares academic gains in D.C. befo

by mike simpson / 7h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-31-13 Diane Ravitch's blog A site to discuss better education for all #thankateacher #EDCHAT

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: G.F. Brandenburg: What Do NAEP Scores Show about D.C.?G.F. Brandenburg keeps a close watch on D.C. Schools. In this series of posts, he compares academic gains in D.C. before and after the chancellorship of Michelle Rhee. What he finds is a district that was showing steady improvement before Rhee arrived, and where the gains post-R

by mike simpson / 7h 

12-31-13 The Answer Sheet

The Answer Sheet: Nine educated education predictions for 2014!I recently published a list of  best  and worst education news of 2013 by California veteran teacher Larry Ferlazzo, and here are his predictions for 2014 in education. He teaches English and Social Studies at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, has written five education books, writes a teacher advice blog for Education Week Tea

by mike simpson / 8h 

Racial Microaggressions Experienced by College Students | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

Racial Microaggressions Experienced by College Students | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Racial Microaggressions Experienced by College StudentsFiled under: Racism — millerlf @ 9:33 am 21 Racial Microaggressions You Hear On A Daily BasisA photographer at Fordham asked her peers to write down the microaggressions they’ve encountered. Here is what they had to say. posted on December 9,

by mike simpson / 8h 

12-31-13 Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Too High On MethRecently, Andrew Frey, a man from Oregon was high on meth and decided to have an adventure outside. He apparently went to a store named Brook's Market and refused to leave for his unusual behavior. Eventually an employee finally kicked him out of the store, but he happened to stumble into a bar. The most strangest thing was he began to masturbate in the

by mike simpson / 8h 

12-31-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: More Good Resources On Asking QuestionsHere are new additions to The Best Posts & Articles About Asking Good Questions: I really like This Post Will Make You A More Effective Communicator In 90 Seconds by Shane Snow. Asking Better Questions: 6 Ways to Improve Classroom Discussions is from ASCD. For Students, Why the Que

by mike simpson / 8h 

12-31-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: 2013 Gallery..                                  by Fred Klonsky / 10min 12-30-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacherFred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Public employees want unity in the defense of our pensions.

by mike simpson / 8h 

12-31-13teacherken at Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson on Unemployment benefits, the cruelest cut of all

Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson on Unemployment benefits, the cruelest cut of all: Eugene Robinson on Unemployment benefits, the cruelest cut of allHe begins by saying to the 1.3 Million who as of Saturday had lost their long-term unemployment benefits: The Republican Party wishes you a Very Unhappy New Year! He say there is no rational reason reason for the cutoff:   On both economic and moral grounds

by mike simpson / 8h 

12-31-13 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: College Recruiters Give Low-Income Public Campuses Fewer VisitsRecruiters' patterns mean students at underserved schools may lose out in the competition for college entrance and aid, experts say. By Larry Gordon, LA Times | http://lat.ms/1dnfFQN Students gather in college counselor Teresa Carreto's room at Roosevelt High in L.A.'s Boyle Heights, one of

by mike simpson / 8h 

12-31-13 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: Maryland Takes Florida’s Place-Why?Post by Morna McDermott- http://www.educationalchemy.com Set out runnin’ but I take my time, a friend of the devil is a friend of mine -Grateful Dead- Is this any way to start off a new year? Are you scratching you head wondering…wondering why it is that Maryland has decided to become the PARCC fiscal agent? First of all, […]by educationalchemy

by mike simpson / 8h 

12-31-13 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG From Educator Evaluation to Empowerment — Whole Child Education

From Educator Evaluation to Empowerment — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGFrom Educator Evaluation to EmpowermentDecember 31, 2013 by Melanie OlmsteadDo you worry that the rush to implement new educator evaluation systems puts excessive strain on educators and compromises the systems' effectiveness? You aren't alone. In his latest column, ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter writes that

by mike simpson / 8h 

12-31-13 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD

the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): An Open Letter to K-12 Teachers: A Call for SolidarityIn the U.S., “solidarity” and “community” are very difficult concepts. Having lived my entire life in the rural South, I’d argue ”solidarity” and “community” are nearly foreign concepts here—a very painful claim to ma

by mike simpson / 8h 

12-31-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Are We Sure Carmen Farina Is More "Pro-Teacher" Than Current DOE Leadership?Farina is seen as much more pro-teacher than recent DOE leadership, but she's a tough boss. As principal, she replaced 80% of her staff.— Lindsey Christ (@LindseyChrist) December 30, 2013Jose Vilson responded: @MrHonner @LindseyChrist Agreed too. I don’t know enough about that school to mak

by mike simpson / 8h 

Torlakson calls for giving school districts more money for Common Core | EdSource Today

Torlakson calls for giving school districts more money for Common Core | EdSource Today: Torlakson calls for giving school districts more money for Common CoreDecember 31st, 2013 | Add a Comment | By John FensterwaldGov. Jerry Brown included $1.25 billion in this year’s state budget for implementing the new Common Core standards. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is calling

by mike simpson / 8h 

2013 in review | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

2013 in review | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Crazy Crawfish's BlogZesty Louisiana Education Politics2013 in reviewPosted on December 31, 20130The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.I had the goal of reaching 100,000 hits this year, which would have been a 10 fold increase over last year.  What I achieved was almost double that.  Next year my goal is reaching

by mike simpson / 8h 

Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Top 10 Education Blog Posts of 2013

Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Top 10 Education Blog Posts of 2013: Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Top 10 Education Blog Posts of 2013by Vicki DavisThe purpose of the Cool Cat Teacher blog is to help you teach with better results, lead with a positive impact and live with greater purpose.Education and teaching is at a turning point and we need full time classroom teachers around the world to take time to share be

by mike simpson / 8h 

Expert Documents Diminishing Commitment to School Funding Equity | janresseger

Expert Documents Diminishing Commitment to School Funding Equity | janresseger: Expert Documents Diminishing Commitment to School Funding EquityPosted on December 31, 2013 by janressegerBy definition, justice must be systemic. In public education our society will be just when our laws distribute opportunity equally to all children whatever their school and wherever their school district.In a blog

by mike simpson / 8h 

The Educated Reporter: Top 13 Posts of 2013

The Educated Reporter: Top 13 Posts of 2013: Top 13 Posts of 2013With the New Year nearly here, I thought I'd share my Top 13 posts from 2013. These are the ones that generated the most reader response, including online comments, emails, and retweets via Twitter:1. Students, Teachers Push Back Against High-Stakes Testing2. Bowl-Bound Colleges Punt on Graduating Black Football Players3. After Sandy

by mike simpson / 9h 

A Tale of Two Deeply Divided New Jersey Public School Systems - NJ Spotlight

A Tale of Two Deeply Divided New Jersey Public School Systems - NJ Spotlight: A TALE OF TWO DEEPLY DIVIDED NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMSPAUL TRACTENBERG | DECEMBER 31, 2013The state is home to one school system that is urban and populated by poor students of color; another, suburban and populated by well-to-do white studentsProfessor Paul Tractenberg.In October, a report was released about raci

by mike simpson / 9h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Thoughts on de Blasio's choice of Carmen Farina as his schools chancellor

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Thoughts on de Blasio's choice of Carmen Farina as his schools chancellor: Thoughts on de Blasio's choice of Carmen Farina as his schools chancellorThe educators and activists I know and whose opinions I trust in N.Y. all think Mayor BdB made a great choice, and that Carmen Fariña will be a breath of fresh air in a school system stinking from Michael Bloomberg'scorpo

by mike simpson / 9h 

YESTERDAY

Open Letters To ‘B-List’ Reformers I Know. Part 2: Elisa Villanueva-Beard and Matt Kramer | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

Open Letters To ‘B-List’ Reformers I Know. Part 2: Elisa Villanueva-Beard and Matt Kramer | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: Open Letters To ‘B-List’ Reformers I Know. Part 2: Elisa Villanueva-Beard and Matt KramerOn February 12, 2013, founder and long time CEO of TFA, Wendy Kopp, stepped down.  Two new co-CEOs were appointed, Elisa Villanueva-Beard and Matt Kramer. Elisa was a 1998 corps member and Matt h

by mike simpson / 18h 

Fire the teacher who told student we don't need another black... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Fire the teacher who told student we don't need another black... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: HOME  >  NEWS  >  LOCAL EDUCATIONPosted: 9:51 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, 2013Fire the teacher who told student we don't need another black president COMMENT(7) 0 2 0 5View Larger Teachers ought to build up students, not tear them down.Previous PostsShould Georgia change its constitution to allow Dunwoody and

by mike simpson / 18h 

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Billionaire hedge-funder and charter supporter Cohen tops Forbes 2013 scandal list

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Billionaire hedge-funder and charter supporter Cohen tops Forbes 2013 scandal list: Billionaire hedge-funder and charter supporter Cohen tops Forbes 2013 scandal listCohen tops Forbes Scandal ListNet Worth: $9.4 billionNationality: AmericanSource of Wealth: SAC Capital Advisors (hedge fund)What happened:  Cohen’s SAC Capital Advisors in November pleaded guilty t

by mike simpson / 18h 

Our Thinking Has to Change | Connected Principals

Our Thinking Has to Change | Connected Principals: Our Thinking Has to Changeby George Couros • December 31, 2013 • 0 CommentsThis is a bit of a rant…This morning I was pinged on a tweet sharing the article, “Why new technologies could never replace great teaching“.  For some reason, I was up early and read the article and then was WIDE AWAKE.  Along with the author, I have a strong belief in the

by mike simpson / 20h 

Nite Cap 12-30-13 #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 CAP10 Best Education Posts of 2013 | Gatsby In L.A.10 Best Education Posts of 2013 | Gatsby In L.A.: 10 Best Education Posts of 2013 It’s been a crazy year in education!  If you’re taking time over winter break to reflect on 2013’s highs and lows, h

by mike simpson / 23h 

2nd Banana 12-28-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 12-21-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post2nd Banana 12-14-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 2nd Banana 12-7-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

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