All Week @ THE CHALK FACE
What if Common Core Had Followed the Democratic Process?
On December 2, 2013, I posted a piece that focused on the governor-business hybrid nonprofit, Achieve, Inc. The post also included information on one of the “lead writers” of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Sue Pimentel. I followed the post on December 3 with CCSS Validation Committee member Sandra Stotsky’s response to my post. […]
What Is Only PISA Stat that Matters?
On December 15, 2010, Mel Riddile posted PISA: It’s Poverty Not Stupid, detailing that when PISA scores were adjusted by poverty the U.S. actually excelled: With the release of 2013 PISA scores, however, PISA scores adjusted by poverty is not the only PISA stat that matters—although, as Daniel Wydo shows again: This is not a new […]
NM’s Skandera: Let’s Be Tennessee
The latest feel-good email from New Mexico Education Secretary-Designate Hanna Skandera to teachers included this little gem: https://vimeo.com/80764983 Teachers and parents have a couple of problems with this video, and the “rhetoric” within. Let’s explore some of the points Skandera makes, and the realities behind them. 1. New Mexico is ranked 51st in the nation […]
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It is very important to privatizing interests to promote the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). After all, there is a lot of money to be made in attendant curriculum development, and assessments, and data collection. Of course, those pushing CCSS cannot state as much directly. So, they offer lies, such as CCSS’s preparing students for future employment […]
Three days ago I was interviewed on our local news channel. I was contacted by a journalist because he wanted some comment on a report that claimed the Common Core would save American 15 year olds by increasing their scores on the PISA exams. According to the report, • Students in the United States have […]
It’s rare to see sympathetic voices on any of the mainstream networks. One usually sees reform hacks and carpetbaggers”. “Some guy” Alexander Russo, who comments hither and thither on education, seems obsessed with an education activist’s recent appearance on MSNBC. And I say “some guy” because, to me at least, Mr. Russo could be classified […]
DEC 05
Innovative Common Core teaching?
EngageNY, the propaganda website of the New York State Education Department, has a series of videos promoting “innovative” teaching to the Common Core standards. The video library is an innovative and differentiated resource that brings the Common Core instructional shifts, teacher and leadership evaluation, and data driven instruction to life. I was recently sent the […]
GUEST POST: Let’s Nurture Inner-Directed Students and Ignore the “No Excuses” Crowd, John Thompson
GUEST POST: Let\’s Nurture Inner-Directed Students and Ignore the \”No Excuses\” Crowd, John Thompson. via GUEST POST: Let’s Nurture Inner-Directed Students and Ignore the “No Excuses” Crowd, John Thompson.
Setting Free the Books: On Stepping Aside as Teaching
Setting Free the Books: On Stepping Aside as Teaching. via Setting Free the Books: On Stepping Aside as Teaching.
DEC 04
Despite our best evidence, Camika Royal still considers TFA a viable option. Say again?
This, from GOOD Magazine. What’s the (yet) supposed to mean? That TFA has not violated the trust of our public education system time and again over the last several years, aligning itself with every neoliberal outfit imaginable? To wit: Though I find it highly problematic, I also agree with theHarvard Crimson editorial board in this statement: […]
More on Failing Writing, and Students
More on Failing Writing, and Students. via More on Failing Writing, and Students.
A Common MisCOREception?
I’m having a difficult time understanding the argument against the actual CCSS. I’m not referring to HOW they were developed, or ARE financed, but the case against using the anchor standards as a guide for lesson planning. Basically, there are four anchor standards, each provided in length below. As a social studies teacher, I cannot […]
DEC 03
Why Are We (Still) Failing Writing Instruction?
Why Are We (Still) Failing Writing Instruction?. via Why Are We (Still) Failing Writing Instruction?.
Sandra Stotsky Responds to My Common Core-Achieve Post
On December 2, 2013, I wrote a post about the role of the governor- and business-run nonprofit, Achieve, Inc., in the creation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). In my post I also discuss Achieve connections to (now designated) “founding partner” of Student Achievement Partners, Sue Pimentel, and I refer to the College and […]
End Zero-Tolerance Policies: A Reader
End Zero-Tolerance Policies: A Reader. via End Zero-Tolerance Policies: A Reader.
iGradeU: The 7 Superpowers Every Teacher Must Master
Are you a superhero teacher? Well, what about a good teacher with superpowers? Personally speaking, I rather be the latter. Here’s my list of superpowers, which I’m constantly developing. By no means does this imply that I have the magic formula. However, this is a list I use to remind myself that teaching requires constant […]
DEC 02
More on the Common Core: Achieve, Inc., and Then Some
I hesitate to publicly confess that I find reading tax forms interesting, but it is true– especially as concerns the many nonprofits that are imposing their wills upon the American classroom. The IRS 990 offers much information on a nonprofit in a concise format, not the least of which are a nonprofit’s salaried individuals, board […]
DEC 01
We’ll discuss the #teaparty element to the #commoncore debate tonight. For now… #tcot #p2
The Tea Party or right wing element of the common core debate frames the standards and its affiliations as an Obama-centric initiative. Perhaps calling it “Obamacore.” I see references to the United Nations, socialism, and everything RW conservatives hate about Obama, even referencing his birth certificate. Neoliberal education reformers, or those enamored by CCSS, use […]
Success Academy Tax Documents: Moskowitz Can Afford the Rent
Since 2006, Eva Moskowitz has been running a small charter empire that has at least $50 million in government per-pupil funding, at least $30.9 million in total, end-of-year assets, and the support of hedge fund millionaires. Why is it, then, that her Success Academies have never paid a dime in rent for the public school space occupied […]
We Don’t Need Longer School Days; We Need Smarter Ones.
I support the intentions behind DCPS’ A Capital Commitment: Better Schools for All Students by 2017. I salute Chancellor Henderson and Capital One for agreeing to a strategic plan, which sets ambitious goals for our most vulnerable students and schools. It’s not only the right thing to do, but also an effective use of time and […]
Makes sense that a for-profit outfit like @cu_portland would base an entire program on propaganda #commoncore
Here’s information on the program itself, a one year masters in CCSS Instructional Leadership. I see that the program includes a one semester course on research methods. Will it give students enough of a critical vocabulary to actually conclude that there is little to no research base supporting CCSS? It seems that this is one […]
Belief Culture: “We Don’t Need No Education”
Belief Culture: \”We Don\’t Need No Education\”. via Belief Culture: “We Don’t Need No Education”.
#AmericanGirl + Pearson = reality.
From what I hear the American Girl series of dolls from Mattel strives to create a realistic version of 9-11 year old girls. Congrats Mattel! This accessory is right on the mark for a young girl attending a public school. The backpack includes a Pearson enVision Math text book that is Common Core aligned. Hopefully […]
NOV 30
Can There Be Equitable School Choice for All?
It never fails. No matter what the discussion was originally intended to be, it almost always seems to devolve (or sometimes even evolve) into a very passionate and sometimes nasty debate about parental choice in education. Every time I read through one of these often entertaining threads on a discussion board or Facebook, I always […]
Should SC Increase Charter School Investment?
Should SC Increase Charter School Investment?. via Should SC Increase Charter School Investment?.